21-27 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only





27 Jan (Sun): Birdwatching at Pulau Semakau

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

January is a good time to visit Pulau Semakau for its varied birdlife.  In addition to resident attractions like the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret and Malaysian Plover, it is possible to see rare migrants such as the Chinese Egret and Ashy Drongo. Return to the mainland by 2.00pm.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am-2pm. Meet at West Coast Pier near the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

27 Jan (Sun): Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

Free art-and-nature appreciation at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Tham Pui San, a volunteer of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is an avid artist who expresses his passion for nature through his art work.

Pui San welcomes artists of all ages or anyone who wants to learn. His objective is to encourage creativity while enjoying nature at the same time. Bring along your favourite drawing or painting supplies and enjoy learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh.

More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Time: 8.30-11.30am, meet at Information Counter, Visitor Centre.
Admission charges:While the art session is free, usual admission charges to Reserve apply. $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.  
Website: http://artinwetlands.wordpress.com/  
Contact: Tham Pui Sam at thampuisan@hotmail.com or the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at info@sbwr.org.sgor call 6794 1401

26 Jan (Sat): Evolution Garden guided walk

A free guided walk of the Evolution Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a 1.5-hectare area dedicated to telling the amazing story of how plants gave us life, and how, long before we humans arrived, they started to evolve into the myriad complex life forms that we see today.

Take a journey through time, from the fiery planet that our world was in ancient times before memory, through the planet of dinosaurs, and into the modern world of 250,000 different flowering plants we enjoy today.

Journey through time with volunteer guides in this one-hour tour.

Suitable for kids.

This walk is held every fourth Saturday of the month. Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre.

Time: 9am
Venue: Register at Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens before the tour starts.
Website and contact: http://www.sbg.org.sg/ Visitor Services 6471 7361

26 Jan (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

Join this free one-hour tour by the Botanic Gardens staff to learn more about the Gardens’ research work.

Come and explore the hub of the Gardens' research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to learn about botanical research. Find out about the urgency of plant exploration, collection and scientific documentation as species and habitats continue to be lost in the region. Visit the Orchid Micro-propagation and hybridisation display and find out how new hybrids are produced. You can also enter the restricted domain of the Herbarium and Library to learn about the valuable historical treasures they hold for science and posterity.

Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Green Pavilion, Botany Centre. Limited to 20 participants.

Time: 10-11am
Meeting point: Green Pavilion, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: NParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg.

26 Jan (Sat): HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour

HortPark's Butterfly Garden is a 150-sqm landscaped theme garden comprising an enclosure and an outdoor garden. Providing a visual feast of tropical plants and nearly 20 species of native butterflies, the Butterfly Garden enables visitors to learn about the different stages of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar into butterfly. Within the enclosure, visitors are greeted with an up close and personal encounter with these flying jewels and can observe how pupae emerge into adult butterflies before taking their maiden flight.

The Butterfly Garden also serves as an experimental garden for National Parks Board to work on a Butterfly Species Recovery Programme to research on suitable nectar and host plants for breeding a variety of butterfly species, including locally extinct species such as Clipper (Parthenos sylvia) and Common Sergeant (Athyma perius).

Get up close and personal with the flying jewels, and learn their different stages of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar into butterfly. Observe how pupae emerge into adult butterflies before taking their maiden flight within HortPark's Butterfly Garden.

This walk is free and is held every last Saturday of the month.

Time: 9-11am, please gather at the Butterfly Garden for the tour
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6471 5601

26 Jan (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come-first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

20 Jan (Sat): Butterfly Walk at Pasir Ris Park


for Nature Society (Singapore) members only


Pasir Ris Park’s 6 ha mangrove patch and surrounding vegetation is home to over 60 butterfly species. More than 15 of these are considered rare. Veteran butterfly watcher Simon Chan will point out butterflies that live in mangrove associated vegetation. The Kitchen Garden and newly-built Pasir Ris-Tampines Nature Way next to Pasir Ris Park are also huge draws for the Crow and Tiger butterflies.

NSS Kids attending the walk with their parents will have a dedicated kids guide.

Time: 9.30am
Venue: Meet at Carpark C towards the end of Pasir Ris Green
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Jan (Sat): Birdwatching at Bukit Brown

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Join us for a walk around this unique and quiet corner of Singapore while it is still relatively undisturbed. This area is partially open with some huge trees. Expect to see a mix of parkland, open country and forest birds such as babblers, bulbuls, doves, flowerpeckers, parakeets, sunbirds and woodpeckers.
NSS Kids attending the walk with their parents will have a dedicated kids guide.

Time: 7.30-11.00am
Venue: Meet at the entrance of Bukit Brown Chinese Cemetery near the junction of Sime Road and Kheam Hock Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Jan (Sat): Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your different senses along our Sensory Trail. The walk is easy-going and takes about 1 hour to complete. This is an excellent introduction to the rustic and natural character of the island. You will be able to touch, see or smell fruit trees, spices and herbs for cooking, plants used in traditional medicine and the economic crops that used to sustained Pulau Ubin villagers.

Booking now online until 9 Jan.

For more details about this walk, see the NParks website More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: 9.30-11am. Meet at the Pulau Ubin Main Information Kiosk next to the Ubin Jetty. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 5 groups
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Jan (Sat): A walk in an ancient forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the largest surviving primary rainforest in Singapore. Come and join us on a fascinating journey of discovery to learn more about the natural wonders of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and why we should protect and conserve its complex ecosystem and diversity.

At this walk, the guide will introduce you to the common native flora and fauna found in the primary rainforest.

This guided walk is suitable for families with children and groups of not more than 5. Along a slightly undulating natural path, the trail is not accessible to prams and wheelchairs.

More about the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Central Nature Reserve and is held every third Saturday of the month.

Sign up on this online form.

Time: 9.25am-10.30am. Meet at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, at the ranger counter.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Jan (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come-first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

19 Jan (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marsh

Open to the public.

From the meeting point, a hired bus will ferry us to our destination. We begin with a pleasant stroll along a countryside road to the Kranji Marshes where we will continue our walk along the PUB Bund. The marsh is designated by URA as a Nature Park and is currently adopted by NSS under PUB's ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and more.
Photo by Tsang KCRegister by 9 Jan by clicking the 'ATTEND' button on the NSS website.  A registration form will then be emailed to you.  Max: 20 pax.  Open to the public but children below 12 are not allowed for safety reasons.

Time: 7.45-11.00am, meet Azmi Mohamed at Kranji Dam Carpark B near the tidal gates of Kranji Reservoir, off Kranji Way. Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Jan (Sat): Trees of The Fort

Nature-loving guides from The Green Volunteers will walk you through the grounds of Fort Canning park, which has undergone a series of transformations over the centuries. Though much of the original vegetation has been lost over time, active greening efforts have converted the ex-military fort into a tranquil oasis, lush with magnificent trees.

Meet our Towering Kapok tree, Flaky Gelam tree, Gnarled Madras Thorn and many more.

Learn how plants and animals co-exist and depend on one another for survival while you immerse yourself in gentle birdsong and cicadas calls.

The walk in free. For enquiries and registration: lim_shen_jean@nparks.gov.sg or call 6636 2393.

Time: 4-5.30 pm
Venue: Meet at Courtyard, opposite NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ and http://thegreenvolunteers.blogspot.com

12 Jan (Sat): Storytime with Sara at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

Join us for a fun-filled storytelling session, specially designed for little ones. Children will explore Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden with Sara the Botanicosaurus and her squirrel friends, Fluff-tail and Twitchy. To conclude the programme, children will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with plants that are featured in the story, and even have the chance to rock the Suspension Bridge and play hide-and-seek in the Maze.

Suitable for children in N1 – N2 levels.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or through email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Online registration is available on www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education").

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult.
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/

12 Jan (Sat): Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail

A free guided nature walk through a rainforest right in the heart of the city! Along a boardwalk, under the shade of giant trees, learn about our rainforests, spot forest creatures and strange plants.

Suitable for young children.

More about the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail on the wildsingapore website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NPark's Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every second Saturday of the month.

Tours in Mandarin are available at 10am and 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am and 4pm; Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

12 Jan (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come-first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

12 Jan (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research

Open to the public

Join us for this monthly mission to rescue and study the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (HSC). We have also started an ongoing HSC Training & Accreditation Programme for anyone keen to be a qualified HSC&Rer. We recommend that you bring a cap, shoes/booties, sun block, repellent, cutter (for HSC rescue) and camera. Washing facilities available.

Please register with Agnes Sng at agnes@nss.org.sg or at the NSS website, stating your name, if you are a NSS member or not, affiliations (eg school, company), experience if any, and contact details

Time: 3-6pm, meet at the extension of Kranji Road at the junction with Kranji Loop. Take bus 925 from Kranji MRT station and alight at the Chinese temple along Kranji Loop, cross the road and look for the nameless track that starts beside Leong Soon Pte Ltd (251 Kranji Road).
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Jan (Sat): Birdwatching at Bidadari

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The former Bidadari Muslim Cemetery, bounded by Bartley Road and Upper Serangoon Road, has proven to be an interesting site for migrants and visitors in recent years. Notable sightings include the Hooded Pitta, Ruddy Kingfisher, Crowbilled Drongo, as well as various cuckoos and flycatchers. Development work may start soon, so join Ding Li in exploring Bidadari while it is still a peaceful bird haven. NSS Kids attending the walk with their parents will have a dedicated kids' guide.

Time: 7.30-11am
Venue: Meet by the Woodleigh MRT Station at the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Upper Aljunied Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: Goh Ter Yang at teryang@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036. 

12 Jan (Sat): Waders' Watch Workshop at Sungei Buloh

The migratory bird season has started and the birds are here at Sungei Buloh! Sungei Buloh is an important bird site for these birds. Every year, thousands of these birds visit Sungei Buloh and other parts of Singapore to find food and shelter during winter in the northern parts of the world. Join in this workshop to know how to identify these amazing birds. Also learn how to Birdwatch and how you can help NParks in studying the migratory patterns of these birds in Singapore.

The workshop comprises a lecture and discussion about the birds followed by a field tour to practice identifying migratory shorebirds. It would be good if you have a pair of binoculars but we can loan you a limited number of binoculars. Attire: Cotton, covered comfortable walking shoes

Please email mendis_tan@nparks.gov.sg to reserve your place as there are limited slots. Upon receiving your cheque, we will confirm your registration.

Time: 9.30am-1pm
Cost: $5 (Includes admission fees and materials) (Please pay by cheque payable to National Parks Board, Attn: Mendis Tan - Waders' Watch and snail mail to301, Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718925)
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

12 Jan (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids

This FREE art workshop helps children to delve deep into their hearts to express nature in various themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. The children will also learn about our natural heritage.
Photo courtesy of Vanessa ChangSuitable for children aged 5 to 8 years (with parental supervision).

Limited spaces available. Register online or email vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9.30-10.30am. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park- Wallace Education Centre
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

31 Dec-6 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

Walks in wild places

Go wild on your own! Why not explore our wild places free-and-easy? Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Lots of info for visitors on wildsingapore with tips on how to prepare for a trip, how to get there and what to see and do.

A tip for a long-weekend trip Our wild places and parks can get VERY crowded on long weekends. The best way to avoid the crowds is to arrive early in the morning and leave early. Our wildlife is generally more active in the morning too!


6 Jan (Sun): Mandarin guided tour at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Pre-register by calling 67941401, minimum 5 participants to start the tour and maximum 15.  The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website.

Time: 9.30 am, meet at the Information Counter, Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

5 Jan (Sat): Tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

A free guided tour of the newly launched Healing Garden which showcases over 400 varieties of plants used medicinally. It is laid out thematically relating to component parts of the body such as head, respiratory and reproductive systems. Spread over 2.5 hectares, this garden is designed as a tranquil retreat with medical plants traditionally used in Southeast Asia as the main focus.

This walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am and 10am, please register 15 minutes before the tour
Venue: Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services (6471 7361)

5 Jan (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come-first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401