wild happenings in singapore

9 Feb (Sat): Ramble Around Singapore's Last Kampong

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The morning ramble begins with a tour of the last surviving traditional village (kampong) in mainland Singapore-Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Expect to observe nature and tradition at close hand. This kampong promises to evoke nostalgia and give the younger generation a taste of how life was in the 50s and 60s. From here, we will explore the wooded areas in the vicinity.

Time: 7.45am, This walk will take around 2 hours.
Venue: Meet at the junction of Gerald Drive and Lorong Buangkok
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

9 Feb (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

9 Feb (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

28 Jan - 3 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

3 Feb (Sun): NSS Kids' Fun with Water Birds at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Sungei Buloh is arguably Singapore's best-known birdwatching site. Its mangrove mudflats are important feeding grounds for migratory water birds during the northern winter. Join the Education Group as we seek out distinctive birds like the Pacific Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Common Redshank and more. Huge Water Monitor Lizards are a common sight. If we are lucky, we might even see the Smooth Otter, Estuarine Crocodile and Shore Pit Viper.

Open to the public.

Please register your kids (4 to 12 years old) at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if you are a NSS member or not, your mobile number, and if you need us to provide binoculars or not, and let us have your mobile number.

A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents are encouraged to come along at no charge. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

Time: 8.30-10.15am.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

2 Feb (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: 1-4pm
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

2 Feb (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.

Register by 23 Nov 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: 7.45am to 11.00am, meet Gerard Francis 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.

2 Feb (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)

2 Feb (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.

Suitable 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: Hindhede Nature Park (meet at Pulai Hut)
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/