Bukit Batok Nature Park

I had the privilege of spending two early mornings at Bukit Batok Nature Park recently, when I was on a residential silent retreat (more on that in another post).

I never knew this 36 hectare park existed, and had a lovely time exploring this forested area that surrounds an abandoned old granite quarry. I also searched in vain for the WWII war memorial, only to realise that all that’s left of it is a commemorative plaque.

There is a steep hill to hike up, and the undulating terrain makes for a good morning workout. Many others obviously felt the same, for the park was bustling from as early as 630am. So many groups of senior citizens doing all sorts of exercise! It certainly wasn’t as quiet as our group hoped it would be.

Nonetheless, there was much to admire, if we kept our eyes peeled. From rare fungi to a huge spider web, glistening so brightly in the sun – one of the first I have managed to catch in a photograph. The point of our silent walk was also to be very intentional in taking in our surroundings, using all our senses. I enjoyed that a lot.

What delighted me most was sighting the White Chested Laughing Thrush for the first time! I have never come across these beautiful birds, and a troop of them emerged from the thicket and hopped across the path on the first morning. They were clearly not afraid of humans, and lingered steadily even as I slowly moved closer to get a better shot.

The second morning, I came across another group of them. By then, I had searched online and found that they were local to this nature park, and are known to be very “sociable” creatures.

It was so precious just to be able to stop at length to admire their unique face markings (black swathe across the eye) and listen to their trilling ‘laugh’.