wild happenings in singapore

14 Jun (Sat): Nite Critter Watch at Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk with Cicada Tree Eco Place

As dusk falls, we use a bat detector to locate bats. We explore deep into the mangrove forest via the extensive boardwalks to look for other nite critters such as the Dog-faced Watersnake and Black-crowned Night-heron.

Tree-climbing crabs can be seen perched high above on branches, as if they're birds. Several species of owls have been encountered here, plus the Large-tailed Nightjar, another nocturnal bird with a loud "chonk-chonk-chonk" call. Fireflies live in this forest. Though only seasonally numerous, we should meet some. This easy walk is on level pathways and wooden boardwalks. There will be a rest stop at the shelter over the scenic Tampines River.

Please note: Bring torchlight with batteries, poncho/raincoat/umbrella, fully-filled refillable water bottle, herbal mosquito repellent. Have an early dinner before coming. Please wear long pants, tee-shirt, socks and covered shoes. Long-sleeved shirt is recommended.

To register, please email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participants' names, ages and a mobile no.

Time: 6.15 - 8.30pm, meet outside the public toilet block at right side of Car Park C at end of Pasir Ris Green Road which is off Pasir Ris Drive 3 road (map). Walk ends at starting point.
Cost: $13 per person (adult or kid). Free for kids age 5 yrs and below accompanying adult participants.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

14 Jun (Sat): Figs Revisited

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

While dipterocarps and the welcome appearance of other infrequently flowering trees dominate botanical small talk these days, the figs, as always, continue to flourish, fig, and feed animals of our forests. Figs are amongst the most important elements of our tropical forests. Join Angie Ng, first author of the Science Centre’s ‘Guide to the Fabulous Figs of Singapore’, on a tour of figs, both wild and planted (including some newly planted specimens). Join us as we experience the lure of the ficus from one of NSS' original ‘figgies’.

Time: 9 - 11am
Venue: Meet at the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Visitor Centre (Palm Court)
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14 Jun (Sat): Art in Nature

For the budding artist, this Wildlife Art workshop is for you! Get ready to busy yourself with sketchpads and paint brushes over the weekend with volunteer leader, Jerome Pang. You will get to develop your artistic skills while raising awareness on wildlife conservation & local biodiversity.

Register online

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park / Bukit Timah Nature Reserve/ Hindhede Nature Park (Rotational Basis) For enquiries, please contact Leen at fadzleen_arrifin@nparks.gov.sg / 98419965
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Jun (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 orNPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

14 Jun (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah

The long-tailed macaques at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are commonly seen, but often misunderstood. Few know about the social world of these monkeys. They have family members, power struggles, friends, foes, and a complex social network. In many ways, they mirror our own social life!

If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Bukit Timah, please join our walk, led by experts in these unique creatures.

Register at sg.monkey.walk@gmail.com, at least 3 days in advance. Do provide us with your name, contact number (in case of cancellation, we will contact you), number of adult and children participants (at most, 5 participants per registration). Upon receiving your registration, we will reply with a confirmation email. The walk will be cancelled if there is bad weather 45 minutes before the walk.

This walk is held every second Saturday of the month.

Time: 5-6.30pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (Meeting point is at the Ranger Counter)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Jun (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 and 3.30pm for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

10 Jun (Tue): Nature Keeper Camp

Designed to stimulate the interest of the young and inculcate in them an appreciation of our forests, it aims to nurture young volunteers in protecting our natural heritage in the longer term. Children will learn more about the fun facts of the forests in Singapore and have the opportunity to interact with nature.

Suitable for children 7 - 10 years old.

Only 20 spaces available. Registration is on a first-fome, first-served basis and is required at least 3 weeks in advance. Closing dates for registration is 13 May 2014. For enquiry or registration on Nature Keeper Camp, please email to ruth_foo@nparks.gov.sg or jeanne_tan@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9am-12noon
Venue: (Start Point) Bukit Timah Nature Reserve; (End Point) Dairy Farm Nature Park
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

2-8 Jun: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

Wondering what to do with the kids during the school holidays? Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids lined up for the June school holidays!

And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy Singapore's biodiversity!

7 Jun (Sat): Fun walk along the Southern Ridges

Take your family on a leisurely stroll through the Southern Ridges, a soothing sanctuary of greenery that is steeped in history and home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna.

Highlights of the free tour include the Henderson Waves, Sembcorp Forest of Giants, Forest Walk and Singing Forest.

This free walk is conducted by the Sembcorp volunteer guides. The walk is free and made possible by Garden City Fund and Sembcorp.

This event is part of the Connecting with Nature programme at the Southern Ridges. Pre-registration is required, closing date 1 week before the programme. Programme will commence only with a minimum of 15 participants. Contact 6471-5601 or NParks_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 9-11am
Venue: Mount Faber Park, entrance of Henderson Waves.
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

7 Jun (Sat): EcoLife Family Tour @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Ecolife is a 2-hour tour which introduces the park and the biodiversity found in Riverplains through the use of interactive exploration themes and activities. The tour aims to encourage family bonding between parents and child through the process of learning together. Join us as we take you through this tour with worksheets provided and fun hands on activities such as doing up your very own underwater viewing scope.

Free-of-Charge. First-come, first-served. Pre-registration is required by emailing pauline_tan@nparks.gov.sg with the following information: Name of participant, Name of child, Contact number number, Email Address

Time: 9-11am
Meeting point: Toilet Block near Promenade @ Bishan- Ang Mo Kio Park Riverplains
Venue : Kallang River @ the Riverplains
Contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ or call 6554 5136