Source: NPARKS PHOTOS: NPARKS, LIM YONG STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS

Jurassic Mile in the wildUnable to snag a spot at Changi’s Jurassic Mile? You can �nd the living

descendants of dinosaurs along Singapore’s Park Connector Network (PCN). Although birds may not be as huge or terrifying as their ancestors,

they are just as dazzling. Grab your binoculars and check out some of these avian hot spots along the PCN. Ang Qing points out some highlights.

LOOPSWesternAdventure

NorthernExplorer

North EasternRiverine

EasternCoastal

CentralUrban

TAMPINESEXPRESSWAY

CENTRALEXPRESSWAY

SELETAREXPRESSWAY

BUKIT TIMAHEXPRESSWAY

PAN-ISLANDEXPRESSWAY EAST COAST

PARKWAY

PasirRisPark

EastCoastPark

CentralCatchment

Park Connector

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio

Park

ConeyIsland

NORTH-EAST

• Over 80 species of resident and migratory birds live on Coney Island. • Part of the North Eastern Riverine Loop, the island has coastal forests, grasslands, mangroves and casuarina woodlands.• Birds that can be found there include the scaly-breasted munia (Lonchura punctulata) and baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus).

BIRD FUNFACT

WEST

• The Western Adventure Loop takes you through the parks and greenways in western Singapore. • Jurong Lake Gardens is a great place to start for bird watchers with children.• While housing the largest nature-themed play space in the heartland, it is also home to various garden and wetland birds such as the black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and savanna nightjar (Caprimulgus af�nis).

The black-crowned night heron's (right) scientific name means “night raven”, because of its nocturnal nature and raven-like call. This patient bird hunts by standing still in the dark for long periods of time at the fringe of water bodies.

NORTH

• Located on the Northern Explorer Loop, the Central Catchment Park Connector is a gritty 1.9km trail that links Mandai Road to the Gangsa Trail that runs along the Bukit Timah Expressway. • Trekkers can spot birds such as the greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus), the oriental dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) and thecrimson sunbird (Aethopygasiparaja).

The crimson sunbird (right) was unofficially crowned the national bird of Singapore by the Nature Society in 2015,

after topping its poll on the topic. The tiny red bird was selected by some voters for embodying Singapore's nickname of the Little Red Dot. Only males of this species have its distinctive crimson breast.

EAST

• The Eastern Coastal Loop is perfect for beach-loving bird watchers. • The trail cuts through Pasir Ris Park, which is home to owls such as the buffy �sh owl (Ketupa ketupu) and the spotted wood owl (Strix seloputo).• East Coast Park is another pit stop with a variety of birds such as the little bronze cuckoo (Chrysococcyx minutillus) and laced woodpecker (Picus vittatus).

The stork-billed kingfisher (right) is the largest kingfisher found in Singapore, growing up to 35cm in length. While it is shyer than other

kingfishers, it has a distinctive “ka-ka-ka” call.

The baya weaver (left) is known for its globular nests, which are usually found hanging from acacia trees. These intricately

built chambers are inspected by female weavers, which allow only males that pass their quality control to mate with them.

CENTRAL

• The Central Urban Loop is a36km trail that showcases greeneryamid Housing Board estates in central Singapore. • It connects to the 3km-long Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, which has a naturalised river that attracts water birds such as the purple heron (Ardea purpurea) and other species like the stork-billed king�sher (Pelargopsis capensis).

Jurassic Mile in the wildUnable to snag a spot at Changi’s Jurassic Mile? You can �nd the living

descendants of dinosaurs along Singapore’s Park Connector Network (PCN). Although birds may not be as huge or terrifying as their ancestors,

they are just as dazzling. Grab your binoculars and check out some of these points out some highlights.

North Eastern

NORTH-EAST

• Over 80 species of resident and migratory birds live on Coney Island. • Part of the North Eastern Riverine Loop, the island has coastal forests, grasslands, mangroves and casuarina woodlands.• Birds that can be found there include the scaly-breasted munia (Lonchura punctulata) and baya weaver philippinus).

EAST

• The Eastern Coastal Loop is perfect for beach-loving bird watchers.

The baya weaver (left) is known for its globular nests, which are usually found hanging from acacia trees. These intricately

built chambers are inspected by female weavers, which allow only males that pass their quality control to mate with them.

WesternAdventure

BUKIT TIMAHEXPRESSWAY

CentralCentralCatchmentCatchment

Park ConnectorPark Connector

BIRD FUNFACT

(Caprimulgus af�nis).

The black-crowned night heron's (right) scientific name means “night raven”, because of its nocturnal nature and raven-like call. This patient bird hunts by standing still in standing still in the dark for long periods of time at the fringe of at the fringe of water bodies.water bodies.

Source: NPARKS PHOTOS: NPARKS, LIM YONG STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS

EAST COASTPARKWAY

EastCoastPark

Bishan-Bishan-Ang Mo KioAng Mo KioAng Mo Kio

ParkParkPark

CENTRALCENTRALCENTRALCENTRALCENTRALEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAY

PAN-ISLANDPAN-ISLANDEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAYEXPRESSWAY

The stork-billed kingfisher (right) is The stork-billed kingfisher (right) is The stork-billed kingfisher (right) is the largest kingfisher found in the largest kingfisher found in the largest kingfisher found in Singapore, growing up to 35cm in Singapore, growing up to 35cm in Singapore, growing up to 35cm in length. While it is shyer than other length. While it is shyer than other length. While it is shyer than other

kingfishers, it has a distinctive “ka-ka-ka” call.kingfishers, it has a distinctive “ka-ka-ka” call.kingfishers, it has a distinctive “ka-ka-ka” call.

CENTRAL

• The Central Urban Loop is aThe Central Urban Loop is aThe Central Urban Loop is a36km trail that showcases greenery36km trail that showcases greenery36km trail that showcases greenery36km trail that showcases greeneryamid Housing Board estates in central amid Housing Board estates in central amid Housing Board estates in central Singapore. • It connects to the 3km-long Bishan-Ang It connects to the 3km-long Bishan-Ang It connects to the 3km-long Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, which has a naturalised river Mo Kio Park, which has a naturalised river Mo Kio Park, which has a naturalised river that attracts water birds such as the that attracts water birds such as the that attracts water birds such as the purple heron (Ardea purpurea) (Ardea purpurea) and other and other species like the stork-billed king�sher species like the stork-billed king�sher species like the stork-billed king�sher

The trail cuts through Pasir Ris Park, which is home to owls such as the buffy

and the spotted

East Coast Park is another pit stop

(Pelargopsis capensis).

EAST COASTPARKWAY

• The trail cuts through Pasir Ris Park, which is home to owls such as the buffy �sh owl (Ketupa ketupu) and the spotted wood owl (Strix seloputo).• East Coast Park is another pit stop with a variety of birds such as the little bronze cuckoo and laced woodpecker

JurongLakeGardens

AYER RAJAHEXPRESSWAY

The little bronze cuckoo (right) is one of the smallest cuckoo species in the world. This parasitic bird lays eggs in the nests of smaller garden birds so that its chicks can be raised by these foster parents.

East Coast Park is another pit stop with a variety of birds such as the little

(Chrysococcyx minutillus)(Picus vittatus).

East Coast Park is another pit stop with a variety of birds such as the little bronze cuckoo (Chrysococcyx minutillus)and laced woodpecker (Picus vittatus).

The little bronze cuckoo (right) is one of the smallest cuckoo species in the world. This parasitic bird lays eggs in the nests of smaller garden birds so that its chicks can be raised by these foster parents.