wild happenings in singapore

13 Dec (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

1-7 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Singapore Botanic Gardens

School holidays are here!

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!

6 Dec (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

6 Dec (Sat): Prawn and Fish Demo at Sungei Buloh

Free guided introduction to traditional prawn farming. Go on a journey back to the past, where the history of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as prawn and fish farms is one not to be ignored. The importance of mangroves as a spawning place and nursery for prawns and other life played an important role in shaping Sungei Buloh today. The traditional method of prawn harvesting will be demonstrated and how the tidal influence play a part in this activity will be brought to life.

The highlight is a real hands-on demonstration of a prawn harvest. The kids will be thrilled to check out what comes up with the net, see real live prawns and learn more about our seafood and the tides.

The walk is approximately 5km on wide earthen trails. Suitable for older children who are reasonably fit.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups.

More about PrawnWatch on the Sungei Buloh website. More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore websiteandSungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website.

Time: 2pm. Meet the guide at the Information Counter to bring you for an approximate half an hour walk to the prawn and fish demostration site.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

6 Dec (Sat): Birdwatching at Singapore Botanic Gardens

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Take an early morning stroll through one of the best botanical gardens in the region. Many species of birds call this park home. There is a chance of spotting colourful species like the Long-tailed Parakeet, Crimson Sunbird, Banded Woodpecker, Common Iora, Pink-necked Green Pigeon and Stork-billed Kingfisher. We may also get to see some migrants.

Time: 7.30-11.30am
Venue: Meet at the Visitor Centre (junction of Evans and Nassim roads) of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

6 Dec (Sat): Ecolife by the Riverplains

Ecolife is a free two-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.

Pre-registration is required by emailing Pauline Tan pauline_tan@nparks.gov.sg or call 6554 51326

Time: 9-11am
Meeting point: Bishan- Ang Mo Kio Park Riverplains, multi-purpose shelter
Contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ or call 6554 5136

6 Dec (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. For registration, please contact Linda Goh at 6636 2399 or Linda_SL_Goh@nparks.gov.sg
Time: 9-11am
Venue: Mount Faber Park, entrance of Henderson Waves.
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

6 Dec (Sat): Tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

A free guided tour of the 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)

6 Dec (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

2 Dec (Tue): Sara goes Carbon Footprinting - a guided tour for kids

Join Sara, the Botanicosaurus, and her new friend, Rana the Frog in this tour and learn about carbon footprints and the many little but important things that all of us can do to make a difference for our home, Planet Earth! Participants will also be introduced to some useful and multi-purpose trees and learn how to reuse and recycle objects from home and nature, and transform them into useful items for decorative or practical purposes!!

Suitable for children in K1 – P6 levels

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 and 6465 0196 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Online registration on the NParks website.

Time: 10-11.30am
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Fee: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 “Sara Goes Carbon Footprinting" workbook) and $6 per accompanying adult.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg