wild happenings in singapore

22 Nov (Sat): Nature Hike - Explore Nature Areas near Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

While Bukit Timah Nature reserve takes a break for improvement works, take this opportunity to discover other nature areas such as Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park and Singapore Quarry.

Join us on Saturday mornings for a nature hike to the various nature areas and park connectors to help you familiarise and plan for future walks with family and friends. Nature Hike will be held on every first and third Saturday of the month. Route: Kampong Trail - Durian Loop (approximately 2 hours return). All walks will start and end at Kampong Trail.

Hike Preparations: Please dress comfortably for walks - Covered walking shoes (Appropriate for undulated trails), light clothin, cap. Have breakfast before walk and bring bottled water. Bring rain gear (Poncho/umbrella).

Pre-registration is required at least 3 days in advance. For more information or registration on the hikes, please email to nparks_public_affairs@nparks.gov.sg.

The Nature Hike will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

Times: 8.30am (Max 20 participants) and 9am (Max 20 participants) and 9.30am (Max 20 participants)

Meeting Point: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Start of Kampong Trail (Near the grass patch with monkey educational boards). Limited parking at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve during period of closure, visitors are encouraged to come via public transport

Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

22 Nov (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 15 minutes before the tour starts, and 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: 64717361 / 64717138 orNParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg.

22 Nov (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

22 Nov (Sat): Birdwatching at the Green Corridor: Rifle Range to Tanglin Halt

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

It is almost two and a half years since the trains have stopped running. The former railway track is getting wilder. Let us check out the birds along the Green Corridor. We will start our walk at the Railway Bridge at the junction of Dunearn and Rifle Range roads. We will then stroll southwards along the Green Corridor to the Tanglin Halt area. The end point is near Commonwealth MRT station. The route is about 5 km. Depending on what we encounter along the way, it may take up to 3 hours. Besides local garden and grassland birds, we may also find migrants.
This is intended to be a one-way trip and we will not return to the starting point.

Maximum 30 participants. Pre-register on the NSS website before 12 Nov 2014
30

Time: 7.30-11.30 am
Meet at the junction of Dunearn and Rifle Range roads.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

10-16 Nov: Highlights of the week ahead

Walks in wild places

Coming soon!

30 Nov (Sun): Ubin Day

This special day is for everyone to celebrate Pulau Ubin! LOTS of kampung fun for all. Especially for kids the family, but also for adventurers, artists, photographers, nature lovers and so much more.

Ubin Day activities are organised by passionate people who know and love Ubin. Most are free. Many require pre-registration as places are limited.

More on the Ubin Day website and facebook page.

15 Nov (Sat): Love MacRitchie walk with the BES Drongos

Let enthusiastic volunteer guides share with you stories about the amazing plants and animals living in our precious forest heritage. This series of free guided walks for the public are conducted by the BES Drongos for the Love Our MacRitchie Forest movement

More information and online registration at the BES Drongos blog.

15 Nov (Sat): Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail.

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 native plants of the mangrove forest.

Book online. For more details about this walk, see the NParks website

More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: Walks starts 9.30am and lasts for about 1.5 hours. 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 6 groups
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

15 Nov (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided tour

Explore the beauty and diversity of orchids in the National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Over 1000 species and 2,000 hybrids are now found in the Gardens' collection, with about 600 species and hybrids on display. Every year, more vibrant and enduring hybrids are added on

Full map at http://www.sbg.org.sg/map_nog.htm

This walk is conducted by the volunteers of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every third Saturday of the month.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), register at Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the tour starts. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Tour duration: One hour.
Cost: While the tour is free, admission charges to the Orchid Garden applies: $5/adult, $1/student, $1/senior citizens (above 60 years) , Child below 12 years - Free
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

15 Nov (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

3-9 Nov: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family