(Posted 19 June 2008)

Trip Report – by Wing Chong (Trip Leader)

Photos by Dr NY Ho & Bee Yong

Date of trip 25 May 2008

On 25 May 2008, 29 NSS members made a maiden Bird-watching trip to this woodland. While most of this ex-kampong area had been taken over by thick under-growth and gigantic Albizias, there were scattered patches, where elephant grass and bamboo grow in luxuriant. Many fruit trees such as Mata Kuching, Rambutan, Jackfruit, Banana and Durian were still standing among the green. There were also a few large, beautiful specimens, of strangling figs of both Ficus benjamina and Ficus microcarpa species.

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(2 December 2007)

Trip Report – Text and photographs by Wing Chong (Trip Leader)

It was a sunny morning with clear sky as twelve of us set-off for Pulau Semakau on a launch from West Cost Pier. It was first time to the Island for most of the members. Few had very vague idea what Semakau Landfill while others fewer have no idea what Semakau Landfill is. So, at the start of the journey, just when the launch leaving the pier, I jokingly told them …more

24 February (Sunday). Birdwatching at Springleaf Woodland with Ho Hua Chew (Tel: 64571196)

This is a good time to venture into this forgotten charming nook in the Singapore countryside with the migratory season in full swing. Interesting species that can seen are: Violet Cuckoo, Grey-headed Fish eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Straw -headed Bulbul, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, etc. A walk along the very pleasant Sg Seletar will be followed by a walk through the woodlands, coming out at the Springleaf housing estate. Meet at 7.30am at Nee Soon Road. Bring mosquito repellent and wear preferably long-pants.

2 December (Sunday). Birdwatching at Semakau with Wing Chong. Meet at 7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.) A good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions are: Great-billed Heron. Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Possible sighting of rare migrants such as Chinese Egret, Oriental Pratincole, etc. Return to mainland by 2.00pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Non-refundable $25 fee for boat & administration. Send cheque to NSS office by 23 November with AP Form. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33. Booking: Wing Chong E-mail: wingchong58@yahoo.com; Tel. 91003546. Identity Card or Passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only – 1^st come 1^st serve basis. Children under 12 not allowed (NEA regulation.) (Click to view trip report)

21 November ( Wednesday ): Conservation Chat with Committee members. Confirmed agenda for this session: a) NSS Proposal for Reforming WABA; b) PUB’s Response to NSS Feedback on the ABC Waters Programme; c) STB’s plan for Mandai. Held about every three months, this chat serves as an informal gathering for members who are concerned about the nature conservation situation in Singapore. Topics or issues for discussion will depend on what crop up the months prior to the session. Your proposal on any other topics or issues will be welcomed. The objective is to obtain feedback & suggestions. Come to foster camaraderie and to share your fertile mind on any conservation issues! 7.30pm. @ NSS Office, The Sunflower. Contact: Ho Hua Chew at Tel. 64571196 or e-mail: hohc@starhub.net.sg.

24 November (Saturday) – Birdwatching at Semakau with Ho Hua Chew. Meet at 7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.) A good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions are: Great-billed Heron. Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Possible sighting of rare migrants such as Chinese Egret, Oriental Pratincole, etc. Return to mainland by 2.00pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Non-refundable $25 fee for boat & administration. Send cheque to NSS office by 16 November with AP Form. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33. Booking: Ho Hua Chew E-mail: hohc@starhub.net.sg; Tel. 64571196. Identity card or Passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only – 1^st come 1^st serve basis. Children under 12 not allowed (NEA regulation).

15 April 2007 (Sunday) – Birdwatching at Semakau with Willie Foo. A good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions are: Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Possible sighting of rare migrants such as Chinese Egret, Ashy Drongo, etc. Meet at 7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club). We return to the mainland by 2pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Non-refundable $25 fee payable for boat and administration. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33. To book, call Willie at 96751089. Identity card or passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members, on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 12 are not allowed (NEA regulation).

31 March 2007 (Saturday) – Birdwatching at Semakau with Ho Hua Chew. A good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions are Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Possible sighting of rare migrants such as Chinese Egret, Ashy Drongo, etc. Meet at 7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club). We return to the mainland by 2pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Non-refundable $25 fee payable for boat and administration. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33. Identity card or passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members, on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 12 years not allowed (NEA regulation).

17 March 2007 (Saturday) – Horseshoe Crab Watch with Hsu Chia Chi (Contact: 9381-7653) and Conservation volunteers. Spend an afternoon at Mandai mangroves and help rescue and study horseshoe crabs trapped in discarded nets. Recommended footwear – shoes/boots. Meet at nameless track extending from Kranji Road at junction with Kranji Loop at 2.30pm. Take bus 925 from Kranji MRT, alight at Chinese temple along Kranji Loop, cross the road and head for a track 50m to the east. If transport is required, meet at Kranji MRT station taxi stand at 2.15pm.