A Wondrous Buffer @ Chestnut Nature Park

23rd Jun 202225th Jun 2022 ~ hongxiangng ~ Leave a comment

Nested in the west of Singapore, the Chestnut Nature Park, as introduced by our knowledgeable guide Francis Loke, is known as a green buffer. A green buffer serves to reduce the various pressures and stresses that urbanisation has on our nature reserves. They also provide an avenue for nature lovers to explore different sites such that they are not only limited to the scarce nature reserves we have in Singapore. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic when people are more prone to going for hikes and visiting the parks as a form of retreat from the mundane work-from-home setting. Such buffer parks are also important for preserving the diversity and ecology of the nature reserves as the environmental impact from urbanisation will be ameliorated by them. This was rather intriguing for me as I have never looked at the differences in functionality of these different parks and reserves until this very walk.

Besides serving as an escape from urbanisation for hikers, this park also has mountain biking trails for mountain bikers to indulge in. The wide range of recreational activities available is definitely one of the appeals of the park. Another appeal of the park will be the multitudinous species of trees that are found in this park. We were first greeted with the Ficus variegata also known as the Common Red-stem Fig which can be identified by their distinct morphology where the trunks of the trees are decorated with spots of fruits which are the figs albeit they grow on the stems and roots as well. Interestingly, apart from being a fruit, the fig also serves as a spot for wasps to lay their eggs. There are two types of figs that are present, the caprifig also known as a male fig and the female fig. The wasps and figs have a mutualistic relationship where the wasps help to pollinate the fig while the figs provide a place for wasps to lay their eggs. Since the female figs are also known as inverted flowers where they grow and bloom inside their pods, they cannot be pollinated via wind or insects such as bees and would require wasps to enter the figs to do so. In the event the wasps cannot lay their eggs or enter a male fig, they will die in the fig but fret not about consuming wasps in the figs because they produce an enzyme which helps to digest the dead wasp.

Another type of fig tree which was found in the park was the Burmese Banyan or the strangling fig. As the name suggests, the fig begins on tree branches and eventually grows to “strangle” its host tree after its seeds get deposited on the forest floor. The growth of this tree will put immense pressure on its host over the years until the host eventually dies off. As such, while they can be found in nature parks, they are usually not found on roadsides as they are not only detrimental to the surrounding trees but it can also cause damage to the road infrastructures as well.

Strangling Fig Tree and the Tembusu Tree

“Learn to appreciate the things or even people around us that we tend to neglect in the midst of our busy urban life”
HX

As we transverse deeper into the wilderness, I was overwhelmed by the amount of life that surrounds me. Looking right beneath my feet, I could see the ground buzzing with life, akin to looking at the MRT station during the rush hour. With a closer look into whatever is around us, we will be able to find some sort of living organism present. This made me realise that in life, we should not be too focused on what we have at hand but also learn to appreciate the things or even people around us that we tend to neglect in the midst of our busy urban life.

As the walk was coming to an end, we were fortunate enough to spot two uncommon animals, the Galeopterus variegatus or Sunda colugo and the Tragulus kanchil or lesser mouse-deer. As the colugo is a nocturnal animal, it was perched on the tree and remained rather unfazed despite the many eyes that were focusing on it. The colugo is often mistaken for flying foxes due to their ability to glide from tree to tree. It would definitely be fascinating to be able to see the colugo in action one day if there is a chance! Nevertheless, such near-sighting was a first for me and a memorable one as well.

*Galeopterus variegatus* clinging onto a Tree Trunk

With the great observation from our guide, we were able to witness the rare sighting of a lesser mouse-deer. I was very impressed by how she could spot the deer so effortlessly considering how it blended very well with the environment. When I was told that there was a deer, I expected the deer to be much bigger. It was only then I learnt that the mouse-deer is the smallest hoofed mammal hence, the name and its petite size. Though so, I was thrilled to be able to witness first-hand a deer in the wild.

To conclude, this field trip was indeed an eye-opening one, being able to explore another part of Singapore which I have not stepped foot in despite being an adventurous individual. The knowledge imparted to us will be useful especially in deepening our appreciation for the wildlife and the efforts put forth to protect our natural sites. With that, I look forward to coming back to this nature park again!

Chestnut-bellied Malkoha at Chestnut Nature Park

19th Jun 202219th Jun 2022 ~ auhcnilloc ~ Leave a comment

On the 21^st of May 2022, I went to Chestnut Nature Park for the first time. I did not do any prior search on the park, and only had the impression that I would learn about forest habitats based on the name of the field trip on the sign-up page: “Forest Walk @ Chestnut Nature Park”. Perhaps like my enthusiastic guide Rachael Goh (who is from the the Friends of Chestnut Nature Park initiative) said, the launch of Festival of Biodiversity (FOB) which coincided on the same day must have blessed us with a fruitful walk, for we managed to sight many wildlife interactions and appreciate the biodiversity we have in Singapore.

Rachael started the walk with an introduction to the park itself, which is the largest nature park in Singapore. It also serves the important function of acting as a buffer to the neighbouring Central Catchment Nature Reserve, hence it is considered a buffer park. Such nature parks which border the nature reserves serve to reduce the human impacts on the nature reserves, which contain delicate ecosystems rich in our native and indigenous biodiversity. The nature reserves are of high conservation value, and the presence of nature parks such as Chestnut Nature Park not only preserve the integrity of the reserves, but also permit the local flora and fauna that resides almost exclusively in the forests to have that little bit more leg room to roam about.

Right at the entrance of the park, Rachael pointed out a native species of shrub – Dillenia suffruticosa – or more commonly known as Simpoh Air. It has a distinctive large, oval-like shaped leaves which is used to wrap tempeh, a nice protein-rich food which originated from Indonesia. I also noticed, while Rachael was describing the flowers of the plant, that there are numerous species of insects which could be found on the plant, including an unidentified cricket, as well as some species of ants. While the shrub we were admiring did not happen to be flowering, Rachael shared that many animals live off the plant, including carpenter bees which also happen to be the pollinators of the plant.

Next, we came across a nice mature Macaranga gigantea, which as its scientific name suggests, boasts massive leaves. Rachael picked up a dried leaf which has fallen from the tree, and it was easily more than thrice the size of my face. She then shared with the group that the Macaranga trees have a symbiotic relationship with ants, which protects the tree from herbivorous insects or other plant competition. As we moved along the trail, we came across a number of oil palms, which is a telling sign of a few things – oil palms are not native to Singapore and was introduced to supply the oil trade in the past. The land which is Chestnut Nature Park today likely used to be settlement for the people, and it was probably an oil palm plantation. We also came across a number of non-native plant species in the area, and this is one of the distinguishing differences between a primary forest and a secondary forest. What was interesting about the oil palms was that we were very fortunate to see it during the fruiting season, and hence there were a lot of activities going on in the area. Numerous plantain squirrels were feasting on the fruits of the palm, as well as other common birds such as Javan mynas and yellow-vented bulbuls. A common emerald dove also made an appearance along the forest floor, which is an indication that the buffer park is probably doing well, since it is not a species which can be found in urban settings.

Plantain squirrel feasting on the fruit of an oil palm.

Common emerald dove on the forest floor.

Then, just a few metres away from the action happening around the oil palms, we saw a mother Sunda colugo carrying its offspring on its abdomen. This is a very fortunate sighting, as I often spot colugos when they are not taking care of their offspring. However, not only did we come across a mother-offspring pair on the walk, we managed to see two! As we proceeded with the guided walk, we came across another mother and offspring. It was indeed a very eventful walk already, but the luck our group had on that day had yet to end.

First pair of mother and offspring colugos.

Second pair of mother and offspring colugos.

As we were observing a troupe of long-tailed macaques hanging around the treetops, I saw a black silhouette that was distinctively not a macaque. Intrigued, I used my binoculars to check out what it was. The unidentified object then repositioned itself, revealing to be a chestnut-bellied malkoha! This is an uncommon resident, which is also a forest-dwelling species of bird that has a unique orange skin around the eyes. Sadly, I was unable to take a photograph of it before it flew off into the forest.

Nonetheless, the walk has been amazing, with the group being able to see so many species and interactions between species, as well as gain a better understanding of Chestnut Nature Park and its importance of buffering the neighbouring nature reserve. We were also able to tell the differences between a nature reserve and nature parks along the fringes, including the general height and thickness of vegetation, the species of flora that can be found, whether there are more dominant occurrences of native or non-native species. I also learnt more about mutualistic relationships between species, as Rachael also shared with us how figs reproduce with the help of fig wasps, while providing nutrients for the fig wasps which helps to pollinate the figs.

Mangroves, Mudflats and More

15th May 202216th May 2022 ~ auhcnilloc ~ Leave a comment

On the 26th of March, 2022, I went to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) to learn more about the habitats present at the reserve, as well as conservation efforts by the National Parks Board (NParks). It was humbling to have the experienced guide Ivan Kwan to impart his wealth of knowledge and experiences, as he had previously worked at NParks at Sungei Buloh.

We started the walk with the introduction of SBWR, which is one of the four nature reserves in Singapore. SBWR was demarcated as a wildlife reserve when conservationists in the early days of Singapore’s development recognised that it was a key location for migratory species along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. However, I quickly learned that the reserve faces numerous challenges.

To start off, Ivan pointed out that the freshwater body at the entrance is home to some invasive cichlids that are not native to Singapore and should not exist in there. These include species such as Mayan cichlids. Exotic species have been recorded to potentially outcompete native species and cause the extinction of native species, hence the term invasive species. It is a concern that there are many invasive species in Singapore, some of the more notable ones being the red-eared sliders, commonly termed as terrapins by the laymen. The biodiversity of Singapore is not exactly well studied, and with uninformed or irresponsible acts of releasing non-native species into the wild, it may lead to the extinction of species we may not even know existed in our little island state. Hence, I learned that it is important to spread the message to family and friends who own exotic pets, and encourage responsible ownership of pets.

Then, we walked along the boardwalk, where we saw several different species of mangroves, each with their distinctive characteristic roots. With his wealth of experience with mangroves, Ivan was able to point out some amazing creatures which reside in this habitat. This includes the onch slug, tree-climbing crabs, mudskippers, and horseshoe crabs.

A mangrove horseshoe crab on the mudflat

Here, we learnt of another couple of challenges the reserve face. First, there is the problem of litter. While we walked along the boardwalk, it was impossible to miss the amount of litter and trash stuck among the roots of the mangroves. I initially thought that some of the litters are done by visitors or contractors doing works in the reserve, but was enlightened that most of the litter are brought in during the high tide, suggesting that the litter may have been introduced from neighbouring shores. It is a saddening sight to see so much trash, especially since it is home to many native species and these litters pose a great threat to them. It is difficult to solve this problem as the complex root systems of the mangroves make it difficult for people to conduct clean-ups, and to top it off, one needs to be aware of tide trends to ensure safety during the clean-up. Hence, it is not as simple as a beach clean-up.

The second problem faced by the reserve is the unexplained change in sedimentation. As the name suggests, the mudflat is typically composed of muddy sediments which the mangroves have been well adapted to accrete. This provides a buffer for inland during storm surges as the mangroves can compact the sediments and act as a barrier. It is also beneficial to the stability of the mangroves, as the roots can anchor to the ground. The issue is that there has been an increase in sandy sediments which the mangroves are not as adapted for. This has resulted in reduced accretion by the mangroves, and some of the mangroves are collapsing due to the lack of stability. The Nparks staff have made efforts to support some of the older mangroves, by stacking rocks or artificially adding more clayey soil to support the trees and prevent them from collapsing. This brought to home the idea that just because the area has been designated as a nature reserve does not mean that we can just leave it alone and it will thrive. The world has been altered by man so significantly that sometimes, leaving the wildlife alone may detrimentally lead to its own collapse, and so we still have to intervene to ensure that the ecosystem can thrive.

It was overall an enlightening trip, and with Ivan’s experience and skills, we managed to see the famous estuarine crocodile Tailless, the resident macaque troupe, a couple of oriental pied hornbills, and even ended the trip with a sighting of a beautiful oriental whip snake. I have learned much about SBWR from this walk, and I look forward to being able to enjoy more of the reserve in the future.

An oriental whip snake to end the trip

Tree Planting @Sungei Buloh

30th Apr 2022 ~ Yun Ye Ho ~ Leave a comment

On 9th April 2022, I participated in my first ever tree planting session! And looking back at it now, it was as much fun as I imagined it to be! 🙂 Along with my partner, we planted 2 coastal tree species, namely a large Heritiera littoralis sapling and an Ilex cymosa.

The process took a little longer than expected because of the many rocks or hardened clay that were in the way. Occasionally, we saw an earthworm come out from the soil, and from what I was told from the more experienced volunteers, this was a good indication that the soil was healthy. It was heartening to see that the efforts made by the community is really paying off, and that even the organisms living there can be satisfied as well.

My partner and I after planting the *Heritieria littoralis* sapling! She was the one who inspired me to participate in the tree planting programme.

As I got a better hang of ploughing the soil and ensuring that the surroundings are suitable for the sapling, I took a longer look to observe and reflect on what I saw before me. A group of regular citizens, volunteering to serve the greater good for the community. The entire process of replantation and encouraging the sustainability of wildlife will probably take a lot longer than what we may ever observe, and yet, we do this not just for ourselves but for the future generations.

Realising that so many volunteers come back here every week to take care of the planted trees, it really made me feel like I was making a difference. This was a good chance to take a step back and see the bigger picture, instead of being cooped up in our own little worlds. It helps keep my passion for the environment alive! 🙂 I would love to go back and continue on this journey for a little while longer.

Otters! (/≧▽≦)/

7th Apr 20227th Apr 2022 ~ Melissa Koi ~ Leave a comment

The day after April’s fools, I thought to myself: “Waking up at 6am. I must be kidding.”
The sun was not up but I was not alone on the way to Nicoll Highway.

Just in time for attendance.
But not as lucky with the otters’ grace.
Well, at least we got to see the spraints.
Catching a whiff of the fishy excrement,
Elicited our repulsion.

Round and round we go up the highway,
On our way to catch a glimpse of the cuties.
As the sun bore witness,
It was time to observe the smooth-coated
Interact with SG’s suburban landscape.

Preying on the carp in the lotus pond,
Safeguarding the native species of SG,
Controlling the population of invasive carps.

PCN, what a nightmare.
Heart attacks.
Worries.
Their safety,
The utmost priority.

What a sight to behold!
People, bicycles, and rollerblades
Stop for the otters to cross on a busy PCN.

The sun was up high but I was not alone basking in their wake.
The day after April’s fools, I thought to myself: “Waking up at 6am. It was worth it.”

Ps: Note to self. Never go near a grunting otter. Respect their boundaries.

A Walk on World Frog Day

27th Mar 2022 ~ auhcnilloc ~ 1 Comment

On the 20th of March, 2022, I went to Dairy Farm Nature Park to learn more about bird-watching from the amazing and talented BFF Alumni Jeff Tan and Zachary Chong. Jeff was a whiz with bird-calls and his attentiveness bagged us a sighting of a female Green-backed Flycatcher, while Zachary had a keen eye which spotted the Asian Fairy-bluebirds, and whipped out a bashed up field guide (shows how much dedication he had in learning about bird identification) on the birds of Singapore to enlighten us BFFers on the variety of birds we spotted.

I was led by Jeff, and his wealth of experience with bird-watching really shined in this field trip. We started our journey from before the MOE Dairy Farm Outdoor Adventure Learning Centre. There was a tall tree where a large number of Asian Glossy Starlings were flocking about. From the get-go, we had to use our sense of hearing, as the birds are difficult to spot through the poor lighting and thick canopy. From listening to the ruckus up in the tree, Jeff was able to identify the species of the birds. I wish I will one day be able to master the identification of birds by their calls too.

Next, we walked along what Jeff and Zachary introduced as the “Walk of Shame”, a path that runs parallel to the road that is just separated by a layer of trees. Perhaps the area was too close to human activity, hence fewer wildlife could be seen, earning the title of the “Walk of Shame”. Along this path, Jeff pointed out a tossed up patch of ground, which I learnt was the deed of wild boars as they dug for food. At roughly the same point, we looked into a distant tree that emerged far taller than the neighbouring ones, and saw a couple species of birds.

Whipping out my binoculars, I spotted the Oriental Dollarbird and the Long-tailed Parakeet. The birds were a very far distance away, so Zachary was kind enough to show us how the birds look like with the field guide. We then proceeded toward the highlight of the trip, which was taking a walk along Wallace Trail. On the way there, we heard a distant bird-call, which I was unfamiliar with. It sounded like a raptor, but that’s about as much I could tell. We shall find out what it is shortly.

Fast forward to the walk along Wallace Trail, the weather was not doing too well. The sky was overcast, the winds were blowing, and birds did not like those conditions very much. Nonetheless, we were still very lucky that Zachary spotted a couple of Asian Fairy-bluebirds in the distance, which I attempted a shot but all I got was a blur one.

A very blur shot of a male Asian Fairy-bluebird.

At the sight of the Asian Fairy-bluebird, Jeff shared his knowledge on these beautiful birds. It appears that they display sexual dimorphism, where the male can be told apart from the female because they look visually different. As I only managed to snap a photograph of the male (as shown above), we are unable to see how the female looks like in comparison. However, a quick Google search will show that females have a turquoise-blue colouration instead of the blue and black of the males.

We also saw a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, which unfortunately appeared to have lost both its “rackets”. The group then ascended a little up-slope, and we reached a little clearing where a number of Long-tailed Macaques were feeding on an Australian Mulberry tree. There was a little tree cavity which Jeff peeked into, and spotted an Asian Common Toad. Did I mention it was World Frog Day on the day of the field trip? Well, it’s a toad, but close enough. Unfortunately, with the overcast weather and the menacing macaques dominating the tree, we did not have much luck spotting birds in the area, and continued on our walk.

We then came to a small viewing platform on the other side of the clearing, where more birds were sighted. First, we heard a dull, repetitive call, which Jeff attributed to that of a Red-crowned Barbet. It’s a pretty interesting-looking bird, but unfortunately we only managed to hear its calls from a distance. However, a small, brown bird flitted into our vision on one of the trees. It was an Asian Brown Flycatcher!

My photography skills are about as good as my bird-watching skills, but here is the Asian Brown Flycatcher.

But, Jeff spotted another movement in a dark, shaded area among the branches of a tree. Turns out, we managed to spot a female Green-backed Flycatcher as well!

Just look at how grainy this image is, and you can imagine how dark the area was. Yet, our BFF Alumni Jeff was able to spot this female Green-backed Flycatcher!

After a good sighting of a couple of flycatchers, we winded down the path back towards the Wallace Education Centre. There, I learnt more about the Wallace Line, which was a discovery made by naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace who independently proposed the Theory of Evolution (he was well-known for his work in the Malay Archipelago, and the trail was named after him as well). It was also here that Jeff revealed that the call we heard earlier in our walk was made by the Changeable Hawk-Eagle. It’s a shame we did not get to see one that day.

And finally, to end the trip off, the group walked toward Singapore Quarry, where we sighted some more Long-tailed Parakeets, some Critically Endangered Straw-headed Bulbuls, a common Yellow-vented Bulbul, and a bee-eater (likely Blue-tailed Bee-eater). With that, we ended the trip with a scenic view of Singapore Quarry.

It has been an enriching field trip, thanks to our BFF Alumni Jeff and Zachary, who not only shared about bird identification, but also conservation (the hunting of Straw-headed Bulbuls for the songbird trade, unethical practises by some of our local bird photographers, etc.), habitat (such as the Yellow Stem-Fig, Strangler Figs, Fishtail Palm, the Albizia tree, etc.) and how to enjoy nature walks. I look forward to visiting nature parks and reserves more now!