Upcoming: Fun with Plants that Grow on Other Plants

Date: Sat 6 June 2009
Time: 8am - 10am
Location: Black-and-White Bungalow near Sembawang Park
Coordinator: Gloria Seow. Register at gloria_seow AT yahoo.com

Do you know that Singapore has several of our own species of wild mistletoes (yes, the same one that people kiss under during Christmas) that typically grow on the branches of tall trees? Learn about mistletoes and other plants that grow on trunks and branches (ie. epiphytes and parasites), and see them flourishing wild at eye-level in the garden of a classic black-and-white bungalow near Sembawang Park. Margie Hall, NSS Honorary Secretary and professional nature guide, whose house we would be visiting, will personally give us a fun-filled introduction to these fascinating plants, with insights to their peculiar survival strategies. Please register your kids (4 to 12 years old) at gloria_seow AT yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if you are a NSS member or not, your mobile number, and if you need us to provide binoculars or not. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents can sit in at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

Fun at Lower Pierce Reservoir

By Leshon Lee, 12-year old Nature Guide

It was one of the most memorable trips I have ever guided. My little audiences, the children present on 29 March 2009 for my botany and wildlife walk at the Lower Pierce Reservoir, were both knowledgeable and inquisitive. Auntie Gloria and the Education Group led a simultaneous birding session with helpers like Uncle Si Guim, Auntie Lena, Uncle Benjamin and Auntie Luyan.

Barely taller than the children he guided, Leshon gave a briefing before we started out. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

It was quite a squeeze on the boardwalk that snaked through the forest. Photo by Gloria Seow.

We started off at the Casuarina entrance of the Lower Pierce boardwalk, strolling along the Hevea Trail where I pointed out plants like the spiny-trunked Nibong (Oncosperma tigillarium), and talked about its traditional use as construction material for fishing stakes in kelongs, once the trunks have been stripped of their black spines. We also came across the Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis), which has leaflets shaped like fishtails, looking as if they had been eaten before by some animal. This is the plant’s defense strategy against herbivores, as typically, animals avoid eating leftovers too! This palm also has a unique flowering pattern – the first flowering cluster emerges at the top of a mature palm, with subsequent clusters appearing below this level and so on. After the final flowering cluster, which sprouts near the ground, the palm dies.

The kids learnt about how the Nibong can be stripped of its spines to be used as construction material for fishing stakes in kelongs. Photo by Leshon Lee.

A spider breakfasting on a juvenile forest cockroach. Photo by Gloria Seow.

Lots of kids were inspired by Leshon's nature knowledge. Photo by Gloria Seow.

We emerged from the forested trail to the scenic views of the Lower Pierce Reservoir where the boardwalk continued along the water edge. Over here, Auntie Gloria and the other guides pointed out birds like soaring White Bellied Sea Eagles and Brahminy Kites, and showed the kids through the scope, close-up views of an Oriental Honey Buzzard, a Purple Heron, Blue-tailed Bee Eaters, and the highlight of a Changeable Hawk Eagle at its nest, first spotted by Uncle Si Guim. We were indeed lucky to find four raptors in one morning!

We also passed mischievous Long-tailed Macaques and Plantain Squirrels scurrying along the trees, observed a jumping spider and its leaps, and witnessed another spider breakfasting on a juvenile forest cockroach. All in all, we had a wonderful time.

Leshon, possibly Singapore's youngest nature guide, with his 500mm camera around his neck. Photo by Lena Chow.

Upcoming: Fun at Lower Pierce Reservoir with Leshon Lee

Date: Sun 29 Mar 2009
Time: 8am - 10am
Location: Lower Pierce Reservoir
Coordinator: Gloria Seow register at gloria_seow@yahoo.com

Be inspired by Singapore’s youngest nature guide 12-year old Leshon Lee! Leshon started guiding at the tender age of 9, often astounding adults with his knowledge of plants and other wildlife. Let him open your kids' eyes to the varied nature found along Lower Pierce Reservoir from 8am to 10am. Bring along your binoculars as Auntie Gloria and the Education Group will also point out the colourful birdlife in the area. Please register your kids (4 to 12 years old) at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if you are a NSS member or not, your mobile number, and if you need us to provide binoculars or not. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents can come along at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

Fun with Talon-ted Eagles!

By Gloria Seow, Education Group Chairperson

Brahminy Kite, a common raptor found in Singapore with its distinctive 'M' shaped wings, and one of the five raptors we saw at Telok Blangah Hill on 15 Feb 2009. Photo by KC Tsang.

An eagle is able to see a rabbit flicking its ears some 3 km away! Kids lapped up such fun factoids and more during the Fun with Eagles session held on 15 February 2009 at Telok Blangah Hill.

Auntie Gloria highlighted the difference between birds of prey (raptors) and normal birds; talked about their feeding, breeding, and migratory behaviours; and finished off with the exciting hunting techniques employed by various talon-ted raptors (talons=sharp claws). From the largest ones – the Andean Condor with its record-breaking wingspan of 3.2 m, to the fastest animal ever – the Peregrine Falcon when it does its lethal ‘dive’ at speeds of up to 390 km/h, the world of raptors came alive, enthralling both kids and parents alike.

Auntie Gloria highlighted the features that define a bird of prey, also called a raptor. Eagles are just one genus within the raptor family. There are also Kites, Falcons, Buzzards, Vultures, Owls and many other types of birds of prey. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

The majestic White-bellied Sea Eagle, one of Singapore's largest resident raptors, commonly seen circling over water bodies looking for fish. Photo by KC Tsang.

Auntie Amy then flashed out an impressive image array of the various raptors found in Singapore, as captured by her husband and bird photographer KC Tsang, from the teeny weeny Black-thighed Falconet (only slightly bigger than a sparrow), to the gigantic Himalayan Griffon (a splendid and rare vulture).

Auntie Amy presented the array of raptors found and photographed in Singapore by her husband and bird photographer KC Tsang. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

Oriental Honey Buzzard, one of the regularly-seen migrants that over-winter in Singapore in the months of October to March, subsequently flying back to breed in Siberia during the spring/summer months from April to September. Photo by KC Tsang.

The 30 plus kids present were wowed at the sheer number and splendour of raptor images that were passed around. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

Kids were eager to share their own knowledge of eagles and raptors. Photo by Lena Chow.

At the scenic summit of Telok Blangah Hill, the sunny skies delivered their full potential, giving us a good haul of five raptor species in the space of one hour (from 1030 to 1130 am). Kids enjoyed eye-popping views of Brahminy Kites, Black Bazas, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Oriental Honey Buzzards and Changeable Hawk Eagles as some soared barely 10 meters above their heads, propelled by thermals of rising hot air columns. Audible gasps and excited jabs were observed as the little ones studied through their own binoculars, the unique feather patterns identifying the various birds of prey. The combined eagle eyes of Uncle Tim, Uncle Hang Chong, Uncle Vina, Uncle Si Guim, Auntie Lena, Auntie Prithiba, Uncle KC and Auntie Amy helped spot raptors flying in from all directions.

Kids had fun peering into the scope, gazing at a Dollarbird that provided some amusement while waiting for the raptors to soar by. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

Kids either brought their own binoculars or were provided with new Opticron bins to track the flight of these awe-inspiring birds of prey as they thermalled above our heads. Photo by Lena Chow.

Even lizards took flight that day. Auntie Gloria caught sight of a pair of dracos, the Common Gliding Lizard (Draco sumatranus), in the surrounding trees. These dracos were a good distraction as we waited for more raptors to show up, delighting us with their cute ‘push ups’, gular flag flashing, and best of all their short ‘flights’, where they glided deftly from branch to branch by opening up their patagium to act as a ‘parachute’. Some lucky kids enjoyed close-up views through the Opticron and Swarovski scopes that were set up, or through their own binoculars.

Black Baza, a cute and pretty raptor that has an erect crest, and wears a striped jersey. In raptor watches conducted by the NSS Bird Group, the Black Baza always registers the highest count during migratory season, with some flocks as large as 50 birds. Photo by KC Tsang.

A typical view of the Brahminy Kite. Photo by KC Tsang.

A spectacular shot of the black morph Changeable Hawk Eagle clutching a Plantain Squirrel in its formidable talons. Photo by KC Tsang.

Would you come back to see me again? Photo by KC Tsang.

Upcoming: NSS Kids’ Fun with Eagles

Changeable Hawk Eagle with squirrel. Photo by KC Tsang.

Date: 15 February 2009

Time: 9.30 am to 11.30 am

Venue: Telok Blangah Hill Park

Fees: $5 per child (NSS member) or $10 per child (non- NSS member) will be collected on the spot.

Suitable for: Kids 4 to 12 years old

How far can an eagle see? What is the fastest bird in the world? Learn fun facts about eagles and other raptors, and gain some insights into their hunting techniques with Gloria Seow and the Education Group. Best of all, admire some of the stunning raptor images captured by bird photographer KC Tsang, as presented by his wife Amy. Bring along your binoculars and we will take you raptor spotting at Telok Blangah Hill, where flocks of raptors on migration tend to pass through. Please register your kids (4 to 12 years old) at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if you are a NSS (Nature Society of Singapore) member or not, your mobile number, and if you need us to provide binoculars or not. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents can sit in at no charge. This session will be held at Telok Blangah Hill Park from 9.30 am to 11.30 am. More details will be emailed to those who sign up.

NSS Kids’ Perfect 10 Ramble @ Admiralty Park

NEW!
Watch the NSS Kids' Admiralty Park Ramble on Ecoplanet Internet TV, a newly-launched environmental channel on http://ecoplanet.tv/ On the main page, simply click the 'Most Popular' link and look for the entry 'Eco Planet: Nature Ramblings'.

ARTICLE:
By Benjamin Ho, Nature Ramblers and Gloria Seow, Education Group Chairperson

The atmosphere was full of excitement as a group of young naturalists gathered on 22 November 2008 for the NSS Kids’ Perfect 10 Ramble at the newly-opened Admiralty Park, a garden-cum-mangrove habitat that is just a stone’s throw from Woodlands MRT station. This first-ever collaboration between the Nature Ramblers and the Education Group filled a niche for nature walks conducted at a kid’s pace and level of understanding.


Binoculars and notebooks enhanced the outdoor learning experience.


Led by Uncle Benjamin, and assisted by butterfly man Uncle Simon and his wife Auntie Jing Ling, together with the sharp eyes of Uncle Timothy and Auntie Gloria, we aimed to show our young charges 10 species of birds, 10 species of butterflies, 10 species of plants and 10 species of everything else that lives and breathes in the park’s gorgeous setting.

A sting bug with its cache of eggs.

“You must keep very quiet as you approach the animals,” Uncle Benjamin gently reminded. Armed with brand-new Opticron binoculars recently purchased by the Education Group, as well as souvenir notebooks and pens, the kids were given a quick lesson on how to use the 8x zoom “bins” and how to jot down nature observations, including making quick sketches of all creatures great and small.

The bridge across Sungei Cina, where mangrove plants, mudskippers, and crab-eating Long-tailed Macaques can be seen.

With parents in tow, the children eagerly ambled through the park, and very soon, we were tip-toeing towards a Changeable Lizard basking itself on a tree trunk. Uncle Simon then found a bush filled with Malayan Eggfly steadfastly guarding their cache of butterfly eggs. Only upon close scrutiny did the kids spot the numerous colourful sting bugs that surrounded the pond area. The enthusiasm of the young ones was apparent as they faithfully scanned their surroundings for any movements and opened their ears for any sounds. A chorus of wows were heard each time we spotted anything interesting, and slowly, the kids filled their notebooks with the names of the various bird, butterfly, insect, spider, animal and plant species encountered.

We spotted a Malayan Water Monitor Lizard basking on the muddy river banks and later swimming in a crocodile-like fashion.

As we strolled along Sungei Cina (China River) that is part of the park, we pointed out several mangrove plants such as the Nipah Palm, which gives us the ice-kachang staple attap chee, beautiful sea hibiscus and prickly sea hollies. Several adventurous participants popped the yellow petals of the Simpoh Air flower into their mouths, one of the many uses for this hardy common plant. The group was treated to high-level acrobatics performed by several crab-eating and mangrove-dwelling Long-tailed Macaques. The ramble ended with a pop quiz by Auntie Gloria, where five questions related to the morning’s sightings were asked, and prizes dished out for correct answers.

All this while, the friendly folks from the new Eco Planet Internet TV Channel had been filming us in action. This programme will be telecast online soon.
Little Tristan's notebook was filled with the names and drawings of the various wildlife encountered. Photo by Tan Sze Wei.

Tristan's dad Tan Sze Wei has also done up a photo essay of the walk at his own blog at http://www.tristan-tan.com/AdmiraltyPark/

Fun with Kampong Games @ the NSS Get-Together

By Goh Si Guim and Gloria Seow, NSS Education Group Chairperson


The stiff ends of the wild lalang grass (Imperata cylindrica) make good projectiles. To be exact, it is the midrib of the lalang that is launched when leaf blades on both sides of the midrib are rapidly ripped backwards between the fingers, causing the midrib to fly forward like an arrow. Uncle Si Guim shows the kids here how to launch such an arrow. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

During the Nature Society (Singapore) Get-Together on 1 November 2008, NSS Kids left behind their Playstations and XBoxes to go au naturale with games of yore.

At a time when Singapore was mostly kampongs and slums, toys were make-do improvisations of readily-available plant material like lalang and creepers of the wastelands and rubber fruits from disused rubber plantations. They were the source of endless enjoyment in Uncle Si Guim’s village (Lorong Ah Soo, circa 1970), where a little imagination went a long way in transforming these simple playthings into objects of fascination and great entertainment.

For example, the pointed fruits of the Thunbergia made excellent projectiles when ‘fired’ from a wooden rifle. The rifle itself was fashioned from wood to resemble the real thing, and Thunbergia bullets were propelled by kinetic energy from released rubber bands. The stiff ends of the wild lalang grass (Imperata cylindrica) also made good projectiles. To be exact, it is the midrib of the lalang that is launched when leaf blades on both sides of the midrib are rapidly ripped backwards between the fingers, causing the midrib to fly forward like an arrow. Lalang arrows and Thunbergia rifles thus became a game of Red Indians and Cowboys, emulating popular Westerns shown in the days of black-and-white TV.

Uncle Si Guim lets a little boy try out the Thunbergia wooden 'gun', a favourite kampong toy. Photo by Gloria Seow.

The little boy's Thunbergia 'bullet' hits the cloth with some impact, but just beyond the target circle. Photo by Gloria Seow.

Fallen rubber fruits can be turned into a spinning toy by inverting its fruit walls and locking them together (bottom right of photo). The photo above shows both the rubber fruit's walls and seeds. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

The three-chambered rubber fruit has one seed encased within each chamber by a pair of earlobe-like walls. As the fruit dries and contracts, it builds up a great explosive energy and at some point, enough tension causes the two halves of each chamber to dehisce violently, dispersing the seeds some distance away. The fallen fruit walls, mirror opposites in structure, are usually still attached to each other by a thin strand of fibre. Kampong kids would then detach the two halves, invert one half over the other, and lock them in place with the help of a thin springy flap found on the fruit walls. Held gently between the thumb and the third finger, the new toy can then be blown, with the curvature in each half catching the wind and setting the contraption into a delightful spin. Kids were intrigued by the ingenuity of these simple toys, lovingly gathered and made by Uncle Si Guim.

Kids blowing the rubber fruit walls to make the toy spin. Photo by Goh Si Guim.

Auntie Geok Choo and Auntie Gloria then taught the Kids how to play ‘Five Stones’, a game that required good hand-eye coordination to enable the precise throwing and catching of tiny, triangular cloth bags of rice or sand in a fixed sequence. A round of Chatek followed next, with Uncle Loong Fah expertly kicking the feathered device in a controlled fashion to keep it off the ground for as long as possible. Kids then started kicking the Chatek to each other in an impromptu match and had lots of fun doing so.

Playing 'Five Stones', a game involving the throwing and catching of triangular cloth bags of rice or sand in a fixed sequence. Photo by Kevin Blackburn.

Uncle Timothy then introduced the Kids to his childhood pastime of ‘Marbles’, where one marble is carefully aimed and thrown into a sandy pit full of marbles to knock as many of these out of the ring as possible. Children could be seen squatting around in small groups, engaged in a friendly rivalry for more marbles, reminiscent of a bygone era of kampong kids and their simple games.

Kids enjoying the riveting game of 'Marbles'. Photo by Gloria Seow.

Next NSS Kids' Outing: Perfect 10 Ramble at Admiralty Park on 22 Nov 08

Admiralty Park - Photo from Nparks link - http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=3&Itemid=73

Our next NSS (Nature Society Singapore) Kids events for children 4-12 years old is a Perfect 10 Ramble at Singapore's latest natural attraction in the North - Admiralty Park - on 22 Nov 08 from 8-11am. See below for details. Sign up soon to ensure places for your kids at this exciting outing! We also need volunteers for this event - please contact me if you are able to help.

Title: NSS Kids' Perfect 10 Ramble @ Admiralty Park

Date: Sat 22 Nov 2008

Start Time: 8am to 11am

Start Location: Republic Polytechnic entrance

Coordinator: Gloria Seow (gloria_seow@yahoo.com)

Leader: Benjamin Ho, Nature Ramblers Cost: $5/child (member); $10/child (non-member) Registration needed

Come explore newly-opened Admiralty Park in an easy 5-km/2-hour NSS Kids' ramble led by Benjamin Ho of the Nature Ramblers. Lots of fascinating natural sights to see along the way! In this "Perfect 10 Ramble", we’ll aim to show you 10 bird species, 10 butterfly species, 10 plant species and 10 miscellaneous species. Try to spot an active troop of Crab-eating Monkeys foraging in the mangroves along Sungei China. Bring along your binoculars and you'll get to observe up close colourful birds, butterflies and insects. If you don't have your own pair, we'll provide one. To top it off, there are plenty of scenic spots for photo taking. Please register your kids (4-12 years old) with Gloria at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names & ages, if you are a NSS member or not, your mobile number, and if you need us to provide binoculars or not. A registration fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents are encouraged to come along at no charge. Meet at 8 am at the entrance of Republic Polytechnic. More details will be emailed to those who sign up.

Cheers

Gloria Seow

Nature Society (Singapore)

Chairperson, Education Group

NSS Kids' Fun with Asian Elephants @ Orchidville

By Gloria Seow, Education Group Chairperson

Jin Pyn, the talented author-cum-illustrator of the children’s book ‘The Elephant and The Tree’ read aloud this endearing story, peppering her recitation with lots of captivating Ele facts and figures. This 27 September 2008 event was hosted by Nature’s Niche, the nature bookstore formerly at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, at its new location in Orchidville off Mandai Road.

Author Jin Pyn’s animated story telling brought home the message that Asian Elephants need Trees (the jungle) for their continued survival.

The laid-back ambience of Orchidville (Singapore’s largest orchid farm) proved an apt venue as kids could also browse at Ele-related books and paraphernalia sold at Nature’s Niche. After an invigorating story telling session, kids were treated to two videos filmed at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, north Thailand. These videos showed how Asian elephants lived and played alongside locals and tourists in a conservation-oriented elephant camp. Here, jumbos were portrayed as sensitive, fun-loving giants, co-existing peacefully with mankind in their natural habitat of lush jungles and meandering rivers.

8-year old Faith Wong captured the essence of the session with her cute conservation-themed drawing.

Kids were later asked to draw on ‘trees’ (at the back of recycled paper), to illustrate their thoughts and wishes for elephants. They were particularly energized as Jin Pyn revealed that good drawings would be animated by her and featured on her website at www.elephantandtree.com.

NSS Kids’ Fun with Beverage Plants

By Gloria Seow, Education Group Chairperson

That cup of coffee, tea or cocoa that most of us cannot do without to start off our day was given prominence at the NSS Kids’ Fun with Beverage Plants session held at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden on 23 August 2008.

Kids gathered around the cocoa tree at the Children’s Garden, the source of their favourite drink Milo.

Auntie Angie led the session, bringing the kids to view the three beverage plants at the Children’s Garden, and talked about the various caffeine-based properties that made these beverages so popular. The best part was that kids got to touch for themselves live coffee cherries from Auntie Angie’s own tree, ripping apart the skin of these cherries to see the two coffee beans encased within. Uncle Timothy then told stories of how these plants were discovered, harking back to mystical legends and whimsical tales. For example, coffee was discovered by a shepherd boy who noticed that his goats became more frisky after eating the plant!

Auntie Angie and Uncle Timothy hold up cocoa pods.

Kids jostled to help pour the beverages out from a Middle-Eastern coffee pot.

Auntie Gloria then continued the session by explaining how the three plants were processed from their raw forms into the delicious cuppa that wakes us up. Kids then tried their hand at brewing their own tea, coffee and cocoa, and had fun pouring out and sipping the hot beverages in tiny take-home souvenir tea cups. Uncle Si Guim was the kind soul who helped rinsed the cups after each beverage was downed with delight. Finally, kids were asked to illustrate the total number of cups consumed by their family members each day, using the powder of each of the beverages to paste onto their drawings, a messy but enjoyable piece of art!

Some of the kids with their pieces of beverage art.

Beverage Art with Raw (green colour) and Roasted (black colour) Coffee beans mixed with a Coffee Cherry (red colour) on a Coffee Leaf.