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birding...
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350 species of birds are found in an area of just 650 square kilometres making Singapore an ideal place to start learning about the fascinating birds (culture and food!) of Asia. Although highly urbanised, the excellent network of roads makes access to the major birding sites a breeze. There are hotels of all sorts to suit your pocket and no need whatsoever to rough it out in the wilds. The weather is tropical, which means it is usually warm (24-32 degrees Celsius) and sunny throughout the year except for the occasional thunderstorm. Singapore offers good birding throughout the year but is best between August and April when the migrants, mostly from the Palearctic, are in, together with the resident birds so birding is most exciting at this time. Imagine seeing Oriental specialities such as Red-crowned Barbet, Banded Woodpecker, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and Crimson Sunbird sharing the same habitat as migrants from Siberia like Asian Brown Flycatcher, Arctic Warbler and Daurian Starling. And that's just the morning. In the afternoon, take a sampan (local boat) to Ubin Island and hunt for the local attractions like Red Junglefowl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Laced Woodpecker, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Straw-headed Bulbul, Mangrove Pitta and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. Enjoy the terns (Great Crested, Lesser Crested, Black-naped and White-winged) on the way back to the mainland. Well within reach (a two hour car journey across the causeway) Panti Forest reserve in Malaysia is a great day out! Early mornings, as always, are best. Whether you are passing through with half or one day to spare, or staying up to a week, Singapore offers the adventurous birder the chance to see, without too much hassle, some of the most exciting birds in Asia whilst letting you enjoy the culture, food and sights of the country too. |
Lim Kim Seng and Lim Kim Chuah
Accredited Wildlife Guide
ibisbill@yahoo.comhttp://birdingsingapore.com
Number of bird species: 353
* Field Guides & Bird Song
For a comprehensive list of recommended titles covering Asia as a whole - please see the Asia page of FatbirderA Guide To Common Birds Of Gardens and Parks Of Singapore and Malaysia
by Morten Strange 2005, Fold-out Guide; 5 panels/10 pagesISBN: 165520
Buy this book from NHBS.com
A Guide to the Common Birds of Singapore
C Briffet Series: SINGAPORE SC GUIDES 6 160 pages, col photos. Singapore Science Centre 1992ISBN: 9971881136
Buy this book from NHBS.com
A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore
Geoffrey Davison, Chew Yen Fook Paperback - 144 pages (30 October, 1995) New Holland Publishers (UK)ISBN: 1859746985
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds - An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Singapore
Lim Kim Seng & Dana Gardener Suntree (1997)ISBN: 9813066008
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Singapore and South-East Asia
SAS Bucknill and FN Chasen 247 pages, 31 col plates. Tynron PressISBN: 1871948630
Buy this book from NHBS.com
State of Singapore's Wild Birds and Bird Habitats
- A Review of the Annual Bird Census 1996-2005 Edited by Lim Kim Chuah & Lim Kim Seng Nature Society of Singapore 2009See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9789810826727
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Avifauna of Singapore
Lim Kim Seng Nature Society Singapore 2009See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9789810826710
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Vanishing Birds of Singapore
Lim Kim Seng- 103 pages, col photos, maps. Singapore Nature Society 1996ISBN: 9810039670
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Bird Ecology Study Group
WebsiteThe Bird Ecology Study Group, a new bird group of the Nature Society (Singapore) since September 2005. BESGroup is committed to knowing something about that bird, not just its name...
Nature Singapore
Website601 Slims Drive, 04-04 Pan. I Complex, Singapore 387382. + 65 741 0871; kklimsg@singnet.com.sg
Night Walk at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park with the Vertebrate Study Group. A chance to watch the raptors fly pass the reservoir towardsthe forest to roost and observe bats coming out at dusk. If weather permits, enjoy all these against an enchanting backdrop of a sunset over the Central Catchment. After dark, listen out for the serenade of frogs and try to identify the species by their calls. The group size will be limited to the first 20 members replying with the All-Purpose Forms to the NSS office.
Bukit Batok Nature Park
WebsiteSatellite View
The Bukit Batok Nature Park lies on the outskirts of one of Singapore's newest housing estates, Bukit Batok New Town. It is a small, peaceful park developed on an abandoned quarry site where the quiet visitor should be able to see some of the local wildlife which has adapted to an urban parkland environment. In the evening the park is popular with joggers...
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve now stands totally cut off from the bulk of Singapore's regenerating secondary forest by a six-lane road development. New roads are now being built to the north, completing the hill's encirclement by tarmac. An ugly communications building dominates the summit and recent, thoughtless condominium development at the park's boundary has meant an increase in recreational visitors...
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View
The forests of South-East Asia have an evolutionary history stretching back millions of years. The history of Bukit Timah as a Nature Reserve is a little more recent than this, but still stretches back into the last century. By 1935, as a result of urbanisation, most of the reserves were exploited for timber. Only Bukit Timah Reserve was spared...
Pulau Ubin
WebsiteSatellite View
Locally, Pulau Ubin is well known for its rich diversity of resident and migratory birds. The prawn ponds and mangrove inlets are alive with kingfishers; the largest resident species is the Stork-billed Kingfisher (37 cm) which tends to inhabit the deeper tidal mangrove inlets, and the smallest the Common Kingfisher (17 cm) which can be found in the prawn ponds...
Singapore Botanic Gardens
WebsiteSatellite View
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a dynamic and living monument to the foresight of the founding fathers of Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore and a keen naturalist, established the first botanical and experimental garden on Government Hill...
Sungei Buloh Bird Sanctuary
WebsiteSatellite View
Clickable list of the birds on the reserve...
Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View
The park is an important stopover and refuelling point for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia and China. It is also home to resident herons, kingfishers, doves, bee-eaters, tailorbirds, woodpeckers and munias. Patience, an eye for details and a pair of binoculars are essential for watching the birds. You will be amazed at their variety and beauty.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View
The migratory birds are attracted by exposed mud flats in the long-abandoned prawn ponds. Water levels in the prawn ponds are still controlled by sluice gates; the aim is to maintain some exposed mud flats at all times, even during high tide, thereby attracting waders and shorebirds. In addition to tidal systems there are a small number of freshwater ponds and patches of secondary forest which add to the reserve's biodiversity...
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View
The Sungei Buloh Bird Sanctuary (87ha) comprises mangroves, mudfalts, fish and prawn ponds and fruit orchards. It was declared a Nature Park in 1993. A stop-over refueling station for migratory birds, Sungei Buloh serves as an important transit point for the birds as they escape the cold winters. More than 150 species of birds have been spotted...
This section sponsored by: 
1998 [October] - Tim Earl
ReportI had a two-day stop-over in Singapore on a birding trip to Australia. Because of the lack of time and my inexperience in Asia I employed a local guide Subaraj Rajathurai (Raj - e-mail: serin@swiftech.com.sg (Subaraj Rajathurai) - for one half-day and a full day`s birding. His fee includes meals in local restaurants, refreshments all transport and a superb check-list for use as reference...
2000 [April] - Ron Hoff
ReportMy wife and I were able to do some birding in Singapore and wanted other birders to be informed of some places to bird and birds to be found at this time of the year. We were jet-lagged the first day (4/22); so we just went to the Jurong Birdpark on the west side of the island. We would highly recommend this place for everybody...
2001 [November] - Peter Ericsson - Bukit Timah nature reserve,
ReportSunday the 25th of November, I was able to visit Bukit Timah nature reserve in Singapore. The Nature Conversation Society was conducting a bird watching walk through their very active birding group. Kim Lim Chua was the leader and about 25 high spirited fresh bird watchers from all age brackets attended...
This section sponsored by:
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Birding Singapore with Kim Seng
Tour OperatorI am a licensed (by Singapore Tourism Board) nature tour guide and also hold a MSc in Environmental Management (University of Adelaide). I specialize in birds but am also conversant with other vertebrates, invertebrates and plants...
Nature-Singapore
Mailing ListTo post to list:nature-singapore@yahoogroups.com
List contact:nature-singapore-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:nature-singapore-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Welcome to Nature in Singapore! This is a mailing list for people interested in nature. You may discuss anything related to nature. Butterflies, birds, mammals, marine life, etc. Please do not send any attachments to the list as this may clog up users` mailboxes. I hope you find interesting discussions on this list. You are most welcome to join in any discussion and/or ask questions. Please remember, however, these are friendly discussions and there is no room for flame wars on this list. Thank you for your understanding and help to make this list a pleasant experience. If you have any questions regarding your subscription, etc, please contact the moderator, Andrea Hoffmann.
Pigeon-holes
Mailing ListTo post to list:pigeon-holes@yahoogroups.com
List contact:pigeon-holes-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:pigeon-holes-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Mailing List – Discussion Group - A mailing list for nature-lovers & birdwatchers in Singapore & Malaysia. Discussion of birds, bird sightings, birding events and other nature related activities. Members can post their sightings & topics on birding, birdwatching or nature related topics, sharing of wildlife & nature pictures. Annoucement of upcoming birding related events & trips to birding spots in Singapore & the region.
WildbirdSingapore
Mailing ListTo post to list:wildbirdSingapore@yahoogroups.com
List contact:wildbirdSingapore-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:wildbirdSingapore-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Mailing List – Discussion Group - This egroup is managed by the Singapore Bird Group of the Nature Society (Singapore). All birders are welcome to join us. The purpose of this egroup is to promote Birdwatching and Bird Conservation in Singapore and the Asian region. Subscribers are free to post messages pertaining to news, activities, bird sighting reports, issues and announcements particularly concerning the Asian Region. The SBG uses this facility to discuss and to disseminate current issues and activites, in return as feedback and data collecting channel within its membership. See also: http://www.nss.org.sg/wildbirdsingapore
Photographer - David Tan
GalleryObviously another non-birder who has captured some stunning images of birds!
Photographer - Jonathan Cheah Weng Kwong
GalleryPhotography is a wonderful medium but even at its best, it can only hint at what really exists. The difference between a snapshot and a work of art is that art evokes. It helps you see more and be more. Precisely what is summoned is hard to control. There is an artist in each of us that filters and colors our world. Our complex emotions mediate our senses. Our overall sense of being depends on innumerable details and distractions, but deep inside, one's religious attitude and philosophical background influence one's perceptions.
Photographer - Joseph Kellard Nature Photography
GalleryI am a semi-professional wildlife photographer from the UK, currently living, working and studying in Singapore. The photographic opportunities here are almost endless!
Photographer - Kennie Pan’s Photography
GalleryMy name is Kennie Pan & I am a photographer based in Singapore. I started photography accidentally back in End 2004. Back then, I used to dance. Trying to take pictures of myself dancing with an old 3.2Megapixels Panasonic Lumix Lc-33 ( Family’s shared camera ), i was curious on the output – Blurred pictures of myself. In that Basic Camera, even the most basic functions confused me and I told myself, i have to find out what the basic functions do...
Photographer - Laurence Poh - Laurence's Digital Birds
GalleryThe late and great Laurence Poh - This site is a collection of bird pictures I have taken since Feb 1999 with the Nikon Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 990 digital camera in combination with a Leica Apo-Televid 77 mm spotting scope. All photos were taken by natural available light with exception of one nightjar which was lit by incandescent bulb. Most of the birds are Malaysian species with some foreign birds shot abroad. In Malaysia we have over 600 species of birds. Some are migratory birds that are seen only during the northern winter months. What I have here is just a small collection. In my own way, I am trying to promote Malaysia as a birding destination as the birds are much prettier in real life than my pictures can depict.
Photographer - Paul Huang - Nature Stops
GalleryThe Kranji area in the north of Singapore is one of the best places to enjoy nature. It is easily accessible and consists of places like Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Kranji Nature Trail, marshes around Kranji Dam and the Neo Tiew area where you can still find farms. While this area is a hotpot for nature where thousands of migrant waders stopover and where many resident birds reside including endangered species, it is constantly threathened by development...
Photographer - Philip Tang - Gorgeous Feathers
GalleryAn extensive gallery of Asian birds...
Photographer - Tan Suryadi Irvan
GalleryObviously not a birder - but a fine bird photographer!
Photographer - Tay Hui Meng
GalleryWild birds in Singapore...
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This site was last updated on Monday, 29th April 2013.