wild happenings in singapore

29 Nov (Sat): Southern Ridges Ramble II

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Led by P Pandian, this ramble at the Southern Ridges will see us take the less trodden trails from Kent Ridge Park to Mt Faber Park. From the highest points of these two parks, we will be able to enjoy views of green canopies, the harbour and the Southern Islands. A visit to 'The Bukit Chandu Reflections' museum at Opium HiIl is also in the itinerary. The walk will end at Keppel Hill Reservoir and the Japanese Tomb. Bring along your IC for museum entry, sunblock, rainwear, water, snacks, camera and a pair of binoculars.

Time: 7.30am
Venue: Meet at South Buona Vista Road, at the entrance to the National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI).
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

29 Nov (Sat): Free Guided Tour of Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park Butterfly Garden

Join this guided tour by volunteers and learn about butterflies. Butterflies are nature’s indicators of the health of our environment. They are also an integral part of the food chain in the cycle of life. The Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park Butterfly Garden attracts more than 20 different species of butterflies. Find out how these flying jewels, together with other flora and fauna, play a part in nature, and what you can do to conserve them.

Maximum 20 persons. Pre-registration required online http://qrs.ly/384f3un or email bishanbutterfly@gmail.com

Time: 9.30 – 10.30 am
Meeting Point: Outside Cornerstone Café, next to Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park Carpark A
Website: http://www.facebook.com/bishanbutterfly

27 Nov (Thu): 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.

Please note that parents are required to accompany their child/children for this programme.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or through email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Or register online.

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/

26 Nov (Wed): "Let's Learn about Birds" - talk and walk for kids

Wondering what is the bird behind that beautiful song which you hear? With over 130 species of birds recorded within its grounds, the Singapore Botanic Gardens provides an excellent introduction to Singapore's diverse birdlife. In this slide talk and guided tour, participants will learn to identify common birds in the Gardens through learning the basic morphology of these birds. You will also hear stories about some fun facts of birds' behaviour too!

Suitable for children in P3 – P6 levels

Enquires contact the SBG Education Branch at 64719961 and 6465 0196 or email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Online registration is available by clicking on the 'Registration' link at the bottom-left corner of this pop-up window.

Time: 3.30-5pm
Cost: $9 per child and $9 per accompanying adult
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens

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

17-23 Nov: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Bidadari

Next week!

For the first time in more than a decade, Ubin Day is back! LOTS of kampung fun especially for kids and the family at Pulau Ubin.

Walks, cycles, kayaking, stargazing, butterfly watching, and other outdoor and water activities. Also exhibitions, games. From morning to evening! From the outdoors and adventure to heritage and nature. Come experience Ubin's unique charms, laid-back kampung life and home-cooked makan!

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.

School holidays are coming!

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

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

23 Nov (Sun): Birdwatching at Bidadari

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The former Bidadari Muslim Cemetery has been one of the top sites in Singapore to spot avian migrants and visitors in recent years. Notable sightings include the Blue-winged Pitta, Black-backed and Ruddy Kingfishers, Crow-billed Drongo, as well as various cuckoos and flycatchers.

Development work will be starting soon, so this is likely our last guided walk at Bidadari. Join us in exploring this peaceful haven for birds.

Time: 7.30-11.30am
Venue: Meet by the Woodleigh MRT station (Entrance C), at the junction of Upper Serangoon and Upper Aljunied roads.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

23 Nov (Sun): NSS Kids’ Fun with Forest Giants

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

We are re-running this activity as it was cancelled on 12 October 2014 due to bad weather. Join the Plant Group in this walk and share its passion for Singapore’s forest giants. Easily over a hundred years old, the trees at MacRitchie Reservoir boast huge buttress roots, trunks with amazing girths and heights, topped by a canopy that looks like fresh broccoli.

Pre-registration required. Please register your children (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria Seow at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if they are NSS members or not, if they need to loan binoculars (FOC) or not, and let us have your mobile number.

Time: 8-10am
Cost: $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

22 Nov (Sat): Art in Nature @ Dairy Farm Nature Park

For the serious artist and those with relevant art background, this Nature Art workshop is for you. Started in June 2010 and resumed early 2013, get ready to busy yourself with sketchpads and paint brushes. Volunteer leader Jerome Pang will be sharing and guiding volunteers and participants who are passionate in both art and nature conservation to develop their art skills while raising awareness on conservation and biodiversity. Themes include, local wildlife, animals, birds, insects and plants

- Registrants will have to bring their own art materials (Recommended by trainer, Jerome Pang)
- Recommended for art students or anyone with drawing/sketching/painting skills
- 2 Subjects per workshop
- For ages 16 and above

Register online

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park, Wallace Education Learning Lab (WELL)
For enquiries, please contact Leen at fadzleen_arrifin@nparks.gov.sg / 98419965
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

22 Nov (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp (Basic) at Sungei Buloh

This one day camp encompasses a series of fun-filled and educational indoor and outdoor learning of the wetlands and nature conservation issues through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on activities. Children will earn a stamp for every completed activity, and a full collection of stamps will earn them a series of cloth badges.

Limited to 40 children between the age of 6 to 11 years old. Registration is required.

More information on the programme and online registration form on the Reserve website.

Time: 9am- 5pm
Cost: Each participant needs to purchase a young naturalist passport from the Visitor Services Counter at 50 cents. Registration of $5 is applicable, and cheques will be returned upon attendance and completion of the camp. The fee will be donated to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve education fund if the child fails to turn up for the camp upon registration and confirmation. Admission charges (50 cents per child) apply.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

22 Nov (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 info@sbwr.org.sg to reserve your place as there are limited slots. Upon receiving your cheque, the Reserve will confirm your registration.

Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $5 (Includes admission fees and materials) (Please pay by cheque payable to National Parks Board, Attn: Waders' Watch and snail mail to 301, Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718925)
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401