poon cho tang SG Flora of the back mangroves The Olive-backed Sunbird is often observed flying from branch to branch or feeding on the nectar of flowers.
poon cho tang SG Flora of the back mangroves The Changeable Lizard blends well into the surrounding flora. It is the favourite diet of birds and snakes.
poon cho tang SG Flora of the back mangroves The Cotton Stainer is brightly coloured insect in red and black to warn potential predators that it is not very palatable. Feeds on plant sap. It is considered a pest to the cotton farmers.
poon cho tang SG What is atap-chee? Is there a spelling mistake here? Atap-chee is the flesh from the young seeds of the mangrove plant Nypa fruticans. It is usually soaked in sugar syrup and serves in local dessert such as ice-kacang.
poon cho tang SG What is an aerie? Is it a special kind of air? Aerie or eyrie means a nest of a bird of prey built high up above ground. The 18-m tall tower hide is so called as it offers panoramic view of the wetland reserve.
poon cho tang SG A Cross Spider? Does that mean the spider is very angry? Like all spiders, the Cross Spiders have 8 legs. They however hold their legs in pairs, which appear to form the letter X. Hence their name.
poon cho tang SG What did people use to wrap food before the invention of Styrofoam? In the 1970s, the leaves of the Simpoh Ayer were used to wrap local food such as mee goreng (fried noodles) and rojak (fruit and vegetables salad mixed with peanut sauce).
poon cho tang SG A Drill in the mangroves? Whats that? Just like the drill you use to make holes on the walls, the Drill, Chicoreus capucinus makes holes on other shellfish to extract its meat as a meal! It uses a boring organ that produces carbonic acid under its foot. The whole, tedious process takes several hours!
poon cho tang SG Water Banana? You mean to say theres banana growing in water? Water banana, Ludwigia adscendens, is a plant that grows in freshwater pond. It has two types of roots, one that look like floating tiny bananas and the other that anchor the plant to the soil.
poon cho tang SG Hide? Hiding from whom? Observation hides in the reserve are for the reserves human visitors to rest and observe the surrounding flora and fauna away from the sight of the reserves resident and migratory animals and birds.
poon cho tang SG Whats that shrill noise you hear in the mangroves? A brown insect called Cicada makes the shrill sound. It calls by vibrating a membrane located on its abdomen.
Wanda SG I've been there recently - a nice place for a walk, fresh air and photo-taking. A leisurely walk with rests will take about 3 to 4 hrs (if you want to complete the whole loop). Would be nicer to visit during the bird migratory period. Things to note: - Bring finger snacks, water & insect repellant - If going by public transport, the bus (SMRT 925? from Kranji MRT stt) arrives at intervals of every half hour on public holidays. The bus arrival timing are listed at the bus-stop. - Try to avoid groups of noisy ppl if you wanna catch interesting creatures
Wanda SG So much to talk about? Just talk softly, or else the creatures will run away. I've seen small snakes, and of course, many monitor lizards which are shy of ppl. Actually, it's difficult to avoid crowds on the weekends and PH.
Just talk softly, or else the creatures will run away. I've seen
small snakes, and of course, many monitor lizards which are shy of
ppl. Actually, it's difficult to avoid crowds on the weekends and
PH. 
