28 Jan (Sat): Race Against Time - Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

This session introduces the research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens such as the Library of Botany and Horticulture, Orchid and Micro-propagation laboratory and the Herbarium.

Highlights of this 45-minute tour includes a visit to the Herbarium which stores physical records of reference plant materials, some dating as far back as 1790. In addition, learn about our hybridization programme for orchids, a process introduced back in 1930’s by the then Director, R.E Holttum.

Limited to 25 people, for ages 9 and above.

This tour repeats every fourth Saturday. More details online.

Time: 10am, registration is required at the Service Desk 15-minutes before the scheduled start time.
Venue: Botany Centre, Tanglin Gate (nearest MRT is Orchard station)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

16-22 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Bug Life for kids - The Fantastic Bugs Around Us!

Walks in wild places

• MacRitchie Nature Walk with BES Drongos
• A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit TImah
• Nature Sketching in the Gardens with Pui San
• Landscape and Nature Sketching at Pulau Ubin
• Kampong Tour at Pulau Ubin
• Birdwatching 101 at Sungei Buloh
• What's in my mangrove?
• Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes
• Civic District Tree Trail
• National Orchid Garden guided tour

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Birdwatching at Rifle Range

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

22 Jan (Sun): MacRitchie Nature Walk with BES Drongos

Join the volunteers of BES Drongos on a remarkable adventure through the stunning forests in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve along the well-trodden Petai Trail!

The BES Drongos are a group of nature lovers from the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) programme at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who have come together to manage guided walks open to everyone and anyone. We want to bring people to appreciate and understand local biodiversity and our ecological systems in Singapore through our guided walks on the Petai Trail at Macritchie Reservoir Park.

More information and registration online.

Time: 8.45am to 12noon
Website: http://besdrongos.wordpress.com/

22 Jan (Sun): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

This walk is offered in collaboration with NParks. Ee Ling will lead the exploration of Kranji Marshes’ new boardwalks, paths and hides, with excellent views across the freshwater marshes. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Yellow Bittern, White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle and Grey-headed Fish Eagle. During current migratory season, we may expect to see visitors like the Common Kingfisher.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am - 11am
Venue: Kranji Marshes
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

22 Jan (Sun): Civic District Tree Trail

The Civic District Tree Trail takes you through Singapore’s historic Civic District where you will be marveled by many majestic and interesting trees, some of which have stood tall for many generations and witnessed the transformation and progress of Singapore through the years. Join us as we take you through part of the trail starting from the entrance of Istana to CHIJMES.

More details and register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Entrance of Istana
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

21 Jan (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.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), register at Visitor Centre, Nassim Gate, 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.nparks.gov.sg/`

21 Jan (Sat): Nature Sketching in the Gardens with Pui San

Enjoy nature creatively through this engaging, fun and therapeutic activity. Join our volunteer artist, Mr Tham Pui San, as he teaches and guides you in acquiring drawing and observation skills to equip you for an interesting journey of nature appreciation.

This event is held every third Saturday of every alternate month

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Meet at the Service Desk, Botany Centre (Tanglin Entrance). Registration is required 15mins before the activity on a first-come-first-served basis at the desk. Limited to maximum 20 adults per session.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: 6471 7361 and NParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg

21 Jan (Sat): Birdwatching at Rifle Range

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

This is a good time to look for wintering birds like the Forest Wagtail, Arctic Warbler and the elusive Ferruginous Flycatcher. We will also search for resident birds such as the Asian Fairy Bluebird, Blue-winged Leafbird and Short-tailed Babbler. Bring raingear, drinking water, and wear comfortable walking shoes (preferably waterproof) as the trail is uneven in parts.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am
Venue: Meet Tan Ju Lin at the junction of Rifle Range and Dunearn roads. We will car pool to the starting point. Punctuality is crucial.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Jan (Sat): Landscape and Nature Sketching at Pulau Ubin

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Join artist Alpana Ahuja for a fun and casual site drawing session at Pulau Ubin. Meet fellow nature art lovers to observe and sketch Ubin's landscape and diverse biodiversity. No drawing experience is necessary.

More details on the NSS website.
Details will be emailed to participants one week before the activity.

Time: 8am - 10am
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Jan (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit TImah

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Macritchie Reservoir Park. Although commonly seen, they are very misunderstood. Few seeing them realise anything about the social world these monkeys live in. They have kin networks, power struggles, friends, foes, and an otherwise complex social network. In many ways, they provide a mirror of our own sociality.

If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Macritchie, please join our free walk, led by experts from the Jane Goodall Institute Singapore.

Suitable for adults and children above 8 years.

More details and registration online.

Time: 5pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, BTNR Visitor Centre's Front Courtyard, Visitor Centre Front Courtyard
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/