wild happenings in singapore

6-12 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

2012-02-12T23:11:00.000+08:00

For kids and the family

HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids
A nature-guided stroll from Dairy Farm to Singapore Quarry with Cicada Tree Eco Place
NSS Kids' Fun at the Butterfly Trail @ Orchard
Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs
The Birthday Party

Walks in wild places

A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah
The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk
Tree trail walk: Appreciating and photographing trees
Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

12 Feb (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

2012-02-12T11:13:00.000+08:00

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

February is a good time to visit Semakau for its varied birdlife. In addition, to the resident attractions like the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret and Malaysian Plover, it is possible to see rare migrants such as the Chinese Egret and Ashy Drongo.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am-2pm. Meet at West Coast Pier near the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Feb (Sun): NSS Kids' Fun at the Butterfly Trail @ Orchard

2012-02-12T11:10:00.000+08:00

Butterfly host and nectar plants have been planted along and adjacent to Orchard Road to form a 4 km stretch known as the Butterfly Trail @ Orchard. Here, you can enjoy the sight of up to 50 butterfly species. The shortened walk starts at the butterfly garden in Stamford Green (next to the National Museum), passing through the Singapore Management University, Dhoby Ghaut Green, Istana Park, Penang Road Open Space and ending at the rooftop garden in Orchard Central.

We have the privilege of Butterfly Interest Group Chairperson Gan Cheong Weei personally guiding us. Please register your children (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if they are NSS members or not, if you need us to loan you a pair of binoculars or not, and let us have your mobile number. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents/ caregivers are encouraged to join in at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

Time: 9:30am-12:00pm.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Feb (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

2012-02-12T11:01:00.000+08:00

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 Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

12 Feb (Sun): Tree trail walk: Appreciating and photographing trees

2012-02-12T10:26:00.000+08:00

Held in conjunction with the "Portraits of Nature" exhibition are a series of interesting and enriching talks/workshops on nature appreciation and nature photography by Meng Foo.

The walk is free but pre-registration required. Register by 10 Feb, call 6332 1200 / 6332 1302 / 6332 5795. Limited to 30 participants

Meng Foo has been photographing since he was fifteen years old. At sixteen, he won the Best Print (Student Section) for Asian Photographic Salon competition and his works were exhibited in the Singapore National Museum and the National University of Singapore. Most recently his works were featured in Asian Geographic, Silverlining, Wave and One magazine. He has been giving seminars and workshops on photography and digital photoshop technique. He has keen interest in shooting theatrical performances, cityscape and Arthropods. Some of his works have been collected in Singapore and abroad. He was trained as an architect and urban designer, travelled extensively in Southeast Asia. He also loves to write, paint, design and think. He put his thoughts of 30 years on photography in the book: 100 ways to Photography. He continues to explore the world through photography, sketching, paintings, thinking and writing.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: The Foothills Fort Canning Park, Galeri Utama (opposite Liang Court, entrance via River Valley Road)
(Formerly the old swimming pool complex)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

12 Feb (Sun): The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk

2012-02-12T10:13:00.000+08:00

The Pasir Panjang Guides commemorate the Malay Regiment's defense of the ridge every year. We will share with you stories about the Battle of Pasir Panjang, the geography, history and the flora and fauna that first drew us to explore the ridge decades ago.

This walk is conducted by the Raffles Museum Toddycats, volunteers of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, NUS. In collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore, NHB.

The walk is free but pre-registration is required: register online.

More details on the habitatnews blog.

Time: 7am - 12pm
Start Point: University Cultural Centre
Website: http://pasirpanjang.rafflesmuseum.net/

11 Feb (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah

2012-02-11T20:52:00.000+08:00

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. 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 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.

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

11 Feb (Sat): Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

2012-02-11T18:34:00.000+08:00

The Naked Hermit Crabs introduce you to Chek Jawa without getting your feet wet. Even though we are not going on to the shore, there is still much to see and enjoy. There are monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, spiders, rare plants, wild boars, mudskippers and lots of fruit trees. If we are lucky, we might even spot the Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea Eagle and the giant Atlas Moth.

Not more than five persons in a group, pre-register at nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

More details on the event and how to get to Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs blog.

Time: 9.30am meet at the Chek Jawa Info Kiosk, Pulau Ubin.
Duration: Two hours
Cost: no charge for now, but donations accepted.
Website: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/
Contact: nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

11 Feb (Sat): The Birthday Party

2012-02-11T13:59:00.000+08:00

A story-guided tour for kids!

Sara is celebrating her baby brother's birthday party. At the last minute, she realizes she forgot the birthday present! Help Sara search for the perfect gift at the Children's Garden. Along the way, have a fun and memorable experience in this new Garden dedicated to children.

Suitable for K1 - P2 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 "The Birthday Party, Sara at the Children's Garden" workbook)
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

11 Feb (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids

2012-02-11T11:23:00.000+08:00

This FREE art workshop helps children to delve deep into their hearts to express nature in various themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. The children will also learn about our natural heritage.
Suitable for children aged 5 to 8 years (with parental supervision).

Limited spaces available. Register online or email vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park- Wallace Education Centre
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Feb (Sat): Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail

2012-02-11T11:05:00.000+08:00

A free guided nature walk through a rainforest right in the heart of the city! Along paved trails, 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.

A special Mandarin version of this tour is at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (Enligsh) and 4pm (Mandarin); Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

11 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

2012-02-11T11:03:00.000+08:00

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 for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

11 Feb (Sat): A nature-guided stroll from Dairy Farm to Singapore Quarry

2012-02-11T10:38:00.000+08:00

This walk starts at the entrance of Dairy Farm Road. We go onto the path, passing by secondary forests and old fruit orchards, ending at the Singapore Quarry to view the freshwater wetland ecosystem here which is ringed by the rainforested cliffs of Bukit Timah Hill.

Kid participants will get to do a wildlife survey and study of the biodiversity found here.

Pre-registration is required. Email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participants' names, ages and a mobile no.

Time: 9-11am, meet at Car Park A (also stated as CP1 in Street Directory) at entrance of Dairy Farm Road, behind the Salvation Army building at junction with Upper Bukit Timah Road.
Cost: $13 per person (adult or child). Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg