Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks - Windsor Nature Park

Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks
Featuring : Windsor Nature Park

This weekend's blogpost features one of Singapore's nature parks, Windsor Nature Park. Located off Venus Drive in the Upper Thomson area, Windsor Nature Park is the sixth nature park in Singapore. As part of a holistic conservation approach, nature parks have been established on the margins of the Central Catchment and Bukit Timah Nature Reserves to act as green buffers.


© National Parks Board, Singapore

These nature parks buffer the Nature Reserves against developments that abut the Reserves. These parks will help to reduce visitorship pressure on the nature reserves by providing alternative venues for the public to enjoy nature-related activities. The habitats within these buffers are enhanced so that they remain rustic and forested, and at the same time, provide safe and convenient accessibility to visitors to these parks.




The 75-Ha Windsor Nature Park is located at the south-eastern boundary of the Central Catchment Nature Reserves (CCNR) and abuts the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. The entrance to Windsor NP is via Venus Drive, just off Upper Thomson Road. There is a 112-lot carpark for visitors who drive, and a conveniently located sheltered drop-off point along Venus Drive.


The trails from Windsor Nature Park intersects with the trails from MacRitchie Reservoir Park and is popular with nature and exercise enthusiasts.

I recall that, over 10 years ago, this area that butterfly and bird watchers refer to as Venus Drive, was a favourite place to look for forest biodiversity and rarities. Back then, the area was rustic and undeveloped and there were few visitors. The area was an access point to Sime Forest through the Singapore Island Country Club and we used to hike long distances to reach the nature reserves.




Boardwalks provide a safe and clean access with the nature parks and reduce the wear and tear on the forest trails

Today, the area is enhanced to provide proper boardwalks and safe accessibility to visitors. NParks' Conservation Division's Central Nature Reserve's office is also located here, where staff are on-site to conduct research, administrative work and field studies in the CCNR. Public amenities like restrooms, water-coolers, a gathering area and rest spots form part of the entrance facilities at Windsor Nature Park's visitor centre.



Biodiversity abound in the nature parks, so keep a lookout for all sorts of animals and insects around you!

The enhanced amenities and better accessibility have made Windsor NP a popular park with resident local visitors, nature enthusiasts, hikers and school groups out on educational tours. On my recent visit to Windsor NP on a weekday, I was surprised to see that the carpark was already about 70% full! There were many visitors around, and throughout my 3-hour walk around the park and into the MacRitchie area, I could hardly be alone for more than 5 minutes before meeting another visitor along the paths and boardwalks.





The marshland area at Windsor NP is conducive for bird and dragonfly observations

The entrance area of Windsor NP features a marshy wetland area where forest streams drain into. This area is great for dragonflies and teeming with many different species of our local Odonata. The landscaping around the NParks office and the public facilities includes many butterfly nectaring plants. On good days, a butterfly watcher should be able to see no fewer than 10 different species in the area, usually at the flowers of the Red Tree Shrub (Leea rubra).



Ample supply of butterfly nectaring plants around the visitor facilities at the entrance area of Windsor NP attracts many species of butterflies

The boardwalks lead a visitor towards the specially curated Hanguana Trail and the Drongo Trail. The Hanguana Trail is lined with rare native plants, some of which are named after Singapore. The Drongo Trail features a sub-canopy walk where visitors can catch a glimpse of the fauna that are found under the canopy level, in addition to examining the understorey of the regenerating secondary forest.







Natural forest streams run parallel to the boardwalks and trails showcase different habitats 

There are adequate signage and wayfinding is simple and straightforward. Many visitors walk from the entrance at Windsor NP to the TreeTop Walk, which is slightly over 2.5km away. Secondary trails like the Squirrel Trail, Venus Link and Venus Loop also allow visitors to experience different parts of the nature park featuring a variety of habitats around forest streams, thick vegetation and open grasslands.

Attention to Design Details


A simple sloping detail of the timber handrail minimises problems like visitors sitting on these handrails, leaving litter on top of them, and eliminates leaf litter and twigs from collecting on the handrails.

As a visitor walks along the boardwalk and trails, one should look at some of the design details that were incorporated into the amenities at the nature park. A casual observer may not notice these design details. One of these, is the simple handrail on the boardwalk. The chamfered top surface of the timber handrail may appear simple, but it serves to prevent visitors from sitting comfortably on the handrail and thereby creating a safety concern. The sloping surface also minimises litter like cups and other things from being left behind by inconsiderate visitors as these objects will just slide off. Leaves and other natural litter will also not collect on the top of the handrail.





Leaving a gap between the safety mesh and the boardwalk makes for easy maintenance by the sweepers to keep the boardwalk free of leaves.

The stainless steel mesh is also designed to be panelised to allow for easy replacement of damaged sections or for maintenance. A 100mm gap is provided at the bottom of the safety mesh to allow the cleaner to sweep leaves and other forest litter off the boardwalk easily. A detail that is very important for housekeeping!




Creating a different walking experience with granite rocks and at the same time allowing water to flow across on rainy days during the wet season.

Along the trails where water flow is likely to be impeded by the trail, the footpaths have been designed with granite rocks as a bioswale to allow water to pass through, creating a different experience for visitors whilst allowing water to flow downstream on rainy days.



A 'cheap and good' detail to create steps along the trails without massive and expensive concrete work

Where steep slopes require some form of steps, a simple and cost-effective design of using precast blocks secured with galvanised soil spikes or crampons, and then filled with compacted earth solves the problem. This also eliminates the need to construct expensive and high maintenance concrete steps in the nature reserves. Kudos to NParks Conservation Division (in particular, Sharon Chan) and the architects for paying attention to some of these details in the design of the nature park's amenities and facilities.

Butterflies!


A Great Imperial (Jacoona anasuja anasuja) feeding on Leea rubra at Windsor Nature Park


At the entrance area, look out for butterflies at the Red Tree Shrubs which line the trails and adjacent to the buildings. A favourite nectaring plant for butterflies, the attractive red flowers of this plant will often be visited by many species of butterflies.





The open grassy areas along the trails are also good hunting grounds for various Satyrinae species like the Bush Browns, Rings and many Hesperiidae sunbathing in the early morning hours of the day.



An uncommon open winged shot of the Common Faun (Faunis canens arcesilas)



Along the boardwalk and forest trails, one can encounter butterflies like the Branded Imperial, Malay Viscount, Archduke, Saturn, Common Faun and Dark Blue Jungle Glory. Mostly forest-dependent species, these butterflies are often seen foraging amongst leaf litter and muddy forest paths.

How to Get There :

By bus: 132, 163, 165, 166, 167, 855, 980
Alight at Upper Thomson Road (Opp Flame Tree Pk, Bus stop ID: 53071; Flame Tree Pk, Bus stop ID: 53069)

Or 52, 162, 162M, 410
Alight at Sin Ming Ave (Blk 454, Bus stop ID: 53369; Opp Blk 454, Bus stop ID: 53361)



By Car : From Upper Thomson Road. turn into Venus Drive.  The carpark entrance is quite obvious.  The gantry closes at 7pm and cars parked at the carpark will not be able to exit.  However, during the operating hours of 7am-7pm, carparking is free!  Note however, that due to the popularity of Windsor Nature Park on weekends, finding an available parking lot may be a challenge.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Alan Ang, Basil Chia, Khew SK, Koh CH, Loh MY, Michael Soh, Soh KY, Jonathan Soong and Johnny Wee

Further reading :

• MyGreenSpace : Buffering Biodiversity
• NParks : Nature Parks as Buffer Parks
• Straits Times : Windsor Nature Park opens: 5 things to do in Singapore's parks and reserves

Sailors of Singapore

Sailors of Singapore
Featuring the Sailor butterflies of Singapore


Short Banded Sailor feeding on Ixora flowers

Amongst the black-and-white striped butterflies of the sub-family Limetidinidae, we showcased the Sergeant (or Athyma species) in an earlier blog article. This weekend, we take a look at another group of butterflies featuring a similar striped look. Of these species, 3 are from the genus Neptis and one from the genus Phaedyma that have a 'zebra-striped' appearance. Collectively referred to as "Sailors", currently only 4 of these Sailor butterflies are extant in Singapore.

Common Sailor feeding on ripened fruit of Singapore Rhododendron

These Sailors (also referred to as Sailers in some references), fly more gracefully than their cousins, the Sergeants (that, by the way, also "sail" as they fly, albeit more rapidly). These Sailors tend to use the typical flap-glide-flap flight characteristic. They are, however, rather skittish and have a wide circle of fear that makes them hard to approach, unless they are distracted when feeding.

Burmese Sailor feeding on ripened fruit of Singapore Rhododendron

Of the sailors found here in Singapore, three are black-and-white striped and the last one is dark brown-light brown striped and quite dissimilar to any other species found in Singapore. The sole brown-coloured sailor is also the least common of the four, preferring the forested habitats in the nature reserves.

Short-Banded Sailor (Phaedyma columella singa)



The first of the four Sailors to be featured is placed in a different genus from the other three species of Sailors. It is the only representative of its genus Phaedyma in the region. This black-and-white Sailor is considered common in Singapore, and is widely distributed, from the forested areas to urban Singapore in parks and gardens.




Sporting its graceful gliding flight, the Short Banded Sailor can often be observed flying at treetop level, stopping to sunbathe with its wings opened flat amongst the foliage amongst roadside shrubs and trees. It is skittish, and when alert, is hard to approach.




With its characteristic striped appearance, it resembles the other two related Neptis species. The characteristic features that separate the Short-Banded Sailor from the two Neptis species are :

• The triangular discal patch on the forewing is rounded and not elongated.
• The post-discal white spot in space 2 at the dorsum of the forewing is usually missing, but where it occurs, much smaller than the spot in space 1.
• Underside is deep orange-brown and the hindwing discal band does not reach the costa.
• Underside of hindwing, the white discal band not prominently outlined in black.

The Common Sailor (Neptis hylas papaja)

The Common Sailor is the first of three species of the Neptis genus that is extant in Singapore. It is relatively widespread in distribution, and can be found in urban parks and gardens as well at the fringes of the nature reserves. It is moderately common and can usually be observed flying singly amongst shrubbery, and resting with its wings opened flat.

The upperside is black-and-white striped, with the discal stripe on the forewing with a subtle "break". The underside is a rich golden brown and on the underside, the white discal band is prominently outlined by black lines.

The diagnostic features of the Common Sailor to look out for, to distinguish it from the other two lookalikes black-and-white striped Sailors are :

• The triangular discal patch on the forewing is usually more elongated and sharper than that of the Short Banded Sailor.
• The post-discal white spot in space 2 at the dorsal edge of the forewing is always present and much larger than the spot in space 1.
• Underside is rich golden brown and the hindwing white discal band reaches the costa.
• Underside of hindwing, the white discal band is prominently outlined in black.
• On the upperside, the abdomen is not white-ringed adjacent to the white discal band on the hindwing.

The Burmese Sailor (Neptis leucoporos cresina)

The Burmese Sailor (formerly called the Grey Sailor in the 1st edition of Butterflies of Singapore), is a predominantly forest-dependent species. It is relatively common in locations where its caterpillar host plant, Gironniera nervosa can be found. The species is rarely seen in urban areas.

The Burmese Sailor sports the same black-and-white striped appearance like many of the other Sailor butterflies. On the underside, the base colour is greyish brown and is quite unlike any of the other Sailor species in Singapore. The Burmese Sailor's flap-glide-flap flight is typical of the genus and it is usually quite skittish and not easy to approach without spooking it away.

The diagnostic features of the Burmese Sailor that distinguishes it from the Short-Banded and Common Sailor are as follows :

• The triangular discal patch on the forewing is long and elongated, ending in a sharp point. The discal stripe is usually unbroken.
• The post-discal white spot in space 2 at the dorsal edge of the forewing is always present and much larger than the spot in space 1.
• Underside base colour is greyish to greyish-brown and the hindwing discal band, which is not outlined in black, does not reach the costa.
• On the upperside, the abdomen is white ringed adjacent to the white discal band on the hindwing.

The Chocolate Sailor (Neptis harita harita)

The last of the Sailor butterflies found in Singapore is distinctly different from the other species in that the black-and-white stripes are replaced with dark and light brown. Despite the similar striped appearance, the brown stripes are obvious enough that this species is unlikely to be confused with any of the other Sailor species in Singapore.

The Chocolate Sailor (also called Dingiest Sailer in some books) is rare and is usually found in the forested areas within the nature reserves of Singapore. It was recorded as a new discovery for Singapore when it was first spotted in the early 1990's in the Mandai area. The butterfly is dark brown with lighter brown stripes across both wings. The distinctive crescent-shaped post-discal spot in space 3 of the forewing sets it apart from the other brown Sailor species that are found in Malaysia.

The diagnostic features of the Chocolate Sailor are :

• Dark brown/light brown striped appearance, instead of the usual black-and-white stripes.
• Post-discal spot at space 3 of the forewing is crescent shaped.
• Underside is slightly paler, but also with a brownish base colour.

There is a total of 15 other Neptis species that can be found in Malaysia, and it is quite possible that one or two of these lookalike species may appear in Singapore in the future. With these basic identification tips on the four that are found here, do look out for any future discoveries that may appear on this little island one day!

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Goh EC, Federick Ho, Khew SK, Horace Tan, Bene Tay, Anthony Wong and Mark Wong