Writers: Olha Romaniuk and Serene Tng | Photographer: Chee Boon Pin
The Greater Rustic Coast was first identified in the 2003 Master Plan, recognising its laidback charm and many assets and qualities that can be enhanced and celebrated to offer a diverse range of experiences. Since then, various efforts have been made over the years to enable more to enjoy the coast while protecting its natural and heritage gems.
Ho Hua Chew, Nature Society’s vice-chairman (conservation committee), shares three natural highlights along this coast.
Ho Hua Chew at Mandai Mangroves
What is unique: It has the largest concentration of Mangrove Horseshoe Crabs (threatened species) and is one of the few remaining mangroves with an extensive mudflat exposed at low tide. It is also an important feeding and resting ground of migratory shorebirds, with most coming from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Birds you can spot: The White-bellied Sea Eagle and endangered species such as the Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle and Straw-headed Bulbul, which lets out a distinct, melodious sound.
What you may not know: Kampong Lorong Fatimah was one of the kampongs located in the area and is likely to be one of the last kampongs to be cleared in Woodlands.
Future plans: The Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat will be opened as a nature park in mid-2022. The 72.8-hectare park will also be part of future recreational pathways along the Rail Corridor and Round Island Route.
What is unique: It is one of the three major coastal wetland areas in Singapore and has a large mix of mangrove and secondary forest. The mangrove can be considered the largest in the north-eastern shoreline of Singapore.
What was here before: It was formerly an area of traditional aqua-culture ponds and orchards which had mostly durian and rambutan plantations.
What you can spot: Endangered birds such as the Straw-headed Bulbuls, Chinese Egret, Grey-Headed Fish Eagle and the Changeable Hawk Eagle. At the Simpang area across to the west of Sungei Khatib Bongsu, you can also find wild orchids. Two nationally rare species of orchids have been discovered here – Dendrobium lobii and Liparis ferruginea.
How to access: A large part of the area is used for military training but one can still enjoy the mangrove forests by kayaking from the People’s Association Water Venture in Sembawang.
Lorong Halus bridge. © Joseph Nair
What is unique: The area is well-known and much studied for its birdlife. One hundred and twenty bird species have been recorded, which is about 32 per cent of the total number of birds recorded in Singapore. The Lorong Halus Wetland was created in 2010, serving as both a nature park and an organic water treatment system, collecting and treating water passing through the former landfill.
What you may not know: This is one of only two known sites for the breeding of the endangered species, Little Grebe. The other site is the Singapore Quarry Lake at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve but the Grebes are likely to have abandoned this site.
What you can spot: Apart from the Little Grebe, you can find other nationally threatened species such as the Lesser Whistling Duck, Crested Goshawk, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Black-crowned Night Heron. You can also find butterflies where 20 species have been recorded11, of which three are uncommon. They are the Common Tiger, the Grey Pansy and the Silver Forget-Me-Not.
Changi Point: Local stakeholders and Temasek Polytechnic students have generated ideas to enliven the area with creative new uses for the heritage buildings and recreational activities that can be added in future. See their proposals exhibited at the Civil Service Club@Changi on 30 and 31 March 2019.
Seletar Airbase: To enable more to explore the area, the Round Island Route will be developed through the area and a trail added highlighting Seletar’s rich heritage.
Coney Island: In addition to the 50-hectare Coney Island Park opened in 2015, a new 2.5 km park connector enables one to enjoy the beautiful view of the Serangoon Reservoir.
11. By Nature Society’s Butterfly Interest Group in 2007.