Featuring : Kranji Marshes
The Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope) feeding at the flowers of the Red Tree Shrub (Leea rubra) at Kranji Marshes
In this weekend's blogpost, we take a visit to a wetlands park situated in the northwest part of Singapore. Kranji Marshes, located along the northwestern shore of Kranji Reservoir, is one of the largest freshwater marshes in Singapore. Set in a rustic and rural environment around the Kranji area in Singapore, the 56.8-hectare freshwater marshland that is home to a wide range of biodiversity.
A map of Kranji Marshes - click to enlarge
Kranji Marshes is divided into two portions - a publicly accessible sector that covers about 8Ha, and a Core Conservation Area that comprises a freshwater marshland habitat that is ecologically sensitive and is closed to the public, except for activities approved by NParks. Specially guided walks are conducted regularly by NParks and volunteers.
Visitor Centre at Kranji Gate viewed from the carpark
The entrance to Kranji Marshes is via Neo Tiew Road into Neo Tiew Lane 2. You will pass the homestay farm known as D'Kranji Farm Resort before reaching the carpark in front of the visitor centre at Kranji Gate. There are basic visitor amenities here like restrooms, classroom facilities, and creature comforts like a drinking fountain and cold drinks dispensing machine.
Landscaping at Kranji Gate area. Look out for the Red Tree Shrub and Singapore Rhododendron where some butterflies come to feed
The landscaping here is in keeping with marshland plants, and vegetation that can tolerate waterlogged conditions. When I visited the Kranji Marshes recently, there were a couple of fruiting Melastoma malabathricum (Straits or Singapore Rhododendron) bushes. The "signature" butterfly of Kranji Marshes (more about this butterfly in awhile) is often found in the vicinity, and one greeted me as soon as I walked past the Rhododendron bushes. Another Common Sailor (Neptis hylas papaja) was feeding on the ripened fruits.
A Common Tit feeding on the flower of the Red Tree Shrub at Kranji Marshes
Although the plants around the Kranji Gate area are not particularly the butterfly-attracting type, look out for the Red Tree Shrub (Leea rubra) shrubs with their attractive crimson red inflorescence. On a good day, you may be able to spot several species of butterflies feeding at these flowers.
Along the walk at Neo Tiew Woods, spot the butterflies on both sides of the road
As you leave the Kranji Gate area, walk along the paved road along a narrow strip of land that is referred to as Neo Tiew Woods. The newly-planted trees that line this road do not offer much shade yet, and the walk along this stretch of road can be unpleasantly hot under the scorching mid-day sun. However, keep your eyes peeled on the roadside shrubbery and grasses where butterflies may be frolicking around.
Checking out the Bandicoot Berry shrubs at Neo Tiew Woods can sometimes yield a few surprises
There are several Bandicoot Berry (Leea indica) and Red Tree Shrub trees along this track that are attractive to butterflies. Other butterfly-attracting species like the Syzygium lineatum and Syzygium zeylanicum line the roadside and when these shrubs in flower, they would be quite busy with butterflies feeding on the flowers.
Two views of the Woodpecker Shelter
Proceeding further on, you will reach the Woodpecker Shelter before arriving at the Marsh Station. This area features a small pond, around which there is ample vegetation for all sorts of critters. The green-roofed Kingfisher Burrow hides an open-sided outdoor classroom. Opposite this is the 10m tall Raptor Tower. It is often a rewarding climb up the spiral staircase to catch the breath-taking view of the surrounding marshland environment.
The 10m tall Raptor Tower
Lining the edges of the water bodies are bird hides where you can spot some of the migratory and resident birds that forage for food at the water's edge. This is about as far as a normal visitor can go. Unless you are on a special guided walk, you will not have access to the Core Conservation Area that can be reached through a gate that crosses the Sedge Bridge into the marshland area.
Views from the Raptor Tower towards the larger area of Kranji Marshes
The freshwater marshland habitat and the vegetation in the area favours a higher bird diversity than butterflies. Although, a total of 54 butterfly species have been sighted in the area, there are usually fewer butterflies compared to some of the more butterfly-attractive parks elsewhere in Singapore.
The "signature" butterfly of Kranji Marshes, the Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope) feeding on the flower of the Red Tree Shrub. A skittish butterfly, it is easier to approach when it is feeding
However, for the butterfly photographers who are pursuing their +1's in their collection of species, Kranji Marshes is home to a "signature" species that is more often found here than elsewhere in Singapore. This butterfly is the Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope). Its caterpillar host plant, an Uncaria sp. is probably found in abundance in the vicinity, but it is interesting that it prefers this habitat and sometimes several individuals can be seen at the flowers of the Red Tree Shrub and frolicking around the bushes.
Other species of butterflies found feeding at the Red Tree Shrub flowers at Kranji Marshes
As with Sg Buloh Wetland Reserve, some "resident" species like the Blue and Dark Glassy Tiger and the Sumatran Sunbeam can sometimes be spotted at the flowering shrubs. The Grass Yellows - usually Common and Three Spot, are regular visitors to the flowers of the Bandicoot Berry and Red Tree Shrub, and their caterpillars probably feed on the Albizia leaves that are common in the vicinity.
Keep a close watch on the flowers of the Red Tree Shrub, and one can often be rewarded with sightings of Leopard Lacewings (Cethosia cyane), Blue and Peacock Pansys (Junonia orithya wallacei and Junonia almana javana) and the Lycaenids like the Common Tit (Hypolycaena erylus teatus) and Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus).
Whilst this one is harmless, do look out for the occasional real crocodile that lurks near the water's edge
Red Tree Shrub (on the right) features pretty red inflorescences that are attractive to butterflies
The presence of the Wild Cinnamon (Cinnamomum iners) will bring the species whose caterpillars feed on this plant - Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon luctatius) and Common Mime (Papilio clytia clytia). Other large butterflies like the Jacintha Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina jacintha) and Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide bisaltide) sometimes make their appearance as their caterpillars feed on the leaves of the Chinese Violet (Asystasia gangetica). that grow wild in the area.
Tailless Line Blue (Prosotas dubiosa lumpura) feeding on the flower of the Mile-A-Minute at Kranji Marshes
The public-accessible part of Kranji Marshes is considered a small park and the 8Ha area can easily be explored in a couple of hours or less. The marshland habitat is probably more attractive to bird watchers and photographers than for butterfly watchers. However, if you would like a date with the Colonel, this is the place to visit! Although I should add that there are no guarantees and even if a Colonel or two show up, the species is exceedingly skittish and getting a good shot of it would be a challenge.
How to Get There :
Kranji Gate:
11 Neo Tiew Lane 2,
Singapore 718814
By public transport :
Take the Kranji Express bus from Kranji MRT Station which operates daily from 8.30 am to 5.45 pm. Alight at D�Kranji Farm Resort and take a short walk to Kranji Gate. From Kranji Gate, it is an approximately 1 km walk along Neo Tiew Lane 2 to the observation tower.
By car :
From Neo Tiew Road, turn into Neo Tiew Lane 2 and drive all the way to the end of the road where there is a 20-lot car park. Note that the operating hours of Kranji Marshes are from 7am to 7pm daily.
Text and Photos by Khew SK
A map of Kranji Marshes - click to enlarge
Kranji Marshes is divided into two portions - a publicly accessible sector that covers about 8Ha, and a Core Conservation Area that comprises a freshwater marshland habitat that is ecologically sensitive and is closed to the public, except for activities approved by NParks. Specially guided walks are conducted regularly by NParks and volunteers.
Visitor Centre at Kranji Gate viewed from the carpark
The entrance to Kranji Marshes is via Neo Tiew Road into Neo Tiew Lane 2. You will pass the homestay farm known as D'Kranji Farm Resort before reaching the carpark in front of the visitor centre at Kranji Gate. There are basic visitor amenities here like restrooms, classroom facilities, and creature comforts like a drinking fountain and cold drinks dispensing machine.
Landscaping at Kranji Gate area. Look out for the Red Tree Shrub and Singapore Rhododendron where some butterflies come to feed
The landscaping here is in keeping with marshland plants, and vegetation that can tolerate waterlogged conditions. When I visited the Kranji Marshes recently, there were a couple of fruiting Melastoma malabathricum (Straits or Singapore Rhododendron) bushes. The "signature" butterfly of Kranji Marshes (more about this butterfly in awhile) is often found in the vicinity, and one greeted me as soon as I walked past the Rhododendron bushes. Another Common Sailor (Neptis hylas papaja) was feeding on the ripened fruits.
A Common Tit feeding on the flower of the Red Tree Shrub at Kranji Marshes
Although the plants around the Kranji Gate area are not particularly the butterfly-attracting type, look out for the Red Tree Shrub (Leea rubra) shrubs with their attractive crimson red inflorescence. On a good day, you may be able to spot several species of butterflies feeding at these flowers.
Along the walk at Neo Tiew Woods, spot the butterflies on both sides of the road
As you leave the Kranji Gate area, walk along the paved road along a narrow strip of land that is referred to as Neo Tiew Woods. The newly-planted trees that line this road do not offer much shade yet, and the walk along this stretch of road can be unpleasantly hot under the scorching mid-day sun. However, keep your eyes peeled on the roadside shrubbery and grasses where butterflies may be frolicking around.
Checking out the Bandicoot Berry shrubs at Neo Tiew Woods can sometimes yield a few surprises
There are several Bandicoot Berry (Leea indica) and Red Tree Shrub trees along this track that are attractive to butterflies. Other butterfly-attracting species like the Syzygium lineatum and Syzygium zeylanicum line the roadside and when these shrubs in flower, they would be quite busy with butterflies feeding on the flowers.
Two views of the Woodpecker Shelter
Proceeding further on, you will reach the Woodpecker Shelter before arriving at the Marsh Station. This area features a small pond, around which there is ample vegetation for all sorts of critters. The green-roofed Kingfisher Burrow hides an open-sided outdoor classroom. Opposite this is the 10m tall Raptor Tower. It is often a rewarding climb up the spiral staircase to catch the breath-taking view of the surrounding marshland environment.
The 10m tall Raptor Tower
Lining the edges of the water bodies are bird hides where you can spot some of the migratory and resident birds that forage for food at the water's edge. This is about as far as a normal visitor can go. Unless you are on a special guided walk, you will not have access to the Core Conservation Area that can be reached through a gate that crosses the Sedge Bridge into the marshland area.
Views from the Raptor Tower towards the larger area of Kranji Marshes
The freshwater marshland habitat and the vegetation in the area favours a higher bird diversity than butterflies. Although, a total of 54 butterfly species have been sighted in the area, there are usually fewer butterflies compared to some of the more butterfly-attractive parks elsewhere in Singapore.
The "signature" butterfly of Kranji Marshes, the Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope) feeding on the flower of the Red Tree Shrub. A skittish butterfly, it is easier to approach when it is feeding
However, for the butterfly photographers who are pursuing their +1's in their collection of species, Kranji Marshes is home to a "signature" species that is more often found here than elsewhere in Singapore. This butterfly is the Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope). Its caterpillar host plant, an Uncaria sp. is probably found in abundance in the vicinity, but it is interesting that it prefers this habitat and sometimes several individuals can be seen at the flowers of the Red Tree Shrub and frolicking around the bushes.
Other species of butterflies found feeding at the Red Tree Shrub flowers at Kranji Marshes
As with Sg Buloh Wetland Reserve, some "resident" species like the Blue and Dark Glassy Tiger and the Sumatran Sunbeam can sometimes be spotted at the flowering shrubs. The Grass Yellows - usually Common and Three Spot, are regular visitors to the flowers of the Bandicoot Berry and Red Tree Shrub, and their caterpillars probably feed on the Albizia leaves that are common in the vicinity.
Keep a close watch on the flowers of the Red Tree Shrub, and one can often be rewarded with sightings of Leopard Lacewings (Cethosia cyane), Blue and Peacock Pansys (Junonia orithya wallacei and Junonia almana javana) and the Lycaenids like the Common Tit (Hypolycaena erylus teatus) and Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus).
Whilst this one is harmless, do look out for the occasional real crocodile that lurks near the water's edge
Red Tree Shrub (on the right) features pretty red inflorescences that are attractive to butterflies
The presence of the Wild Cinnamon (Cinnamomum iners) will bring the species whose caterpillars feed on this plant - Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon luctatius) and Common Mime (Papilio clytia clytia). Other large butterflies like the Jacintha Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina jacintha) and Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide bisaltide) sometimes make their appearance as their caterpillars feed on the leaves of the Chinese Violet (Asystasia gangetica). that grow wild in the area.
Tailless Line Blue (Prosotas dubiosa lumpura) feeding on the flower of the Mile-A-Minute at Kranji Marshes
The public-accessible part of Kranji Marshes is considered a small park and the 8Ha area can easily be explored in a couple of hours or less. The marshland habitat is probably more attractive to bird watchers and photographers than for butterfly watchers. However, if you would like a date with the Colonel, this is the place to visit! Although I should add that there are no guarantees and even if a Colonel or two show up, the species is exceedingly skittish and getting a good shot of it would be a challenge.
How to Get There :
Kranji Gate:
11 Neo Tiew Lane 2,
Singapore 718814
By public transport :
Take the Kranji Express bus from Kranji MRT Station which operates daily from 8.30 am to 5.45 pm. Alight at D�Kranji Farm Resort and take a short walk to Kranji Gate. From Kranji Gate, it is an approximately 1 km walk along Neo Tiew Lane 2 to the observation tower.
By car :
From Neo Tiew Road, turn into Neo Tiew Lane 2 and drive all the way to the end of the road where there is a 20-lot car park. Note that the operating hours of Kranji Marshes are from 7am to 7pm daily.
Text and Photos by Khew SK
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