A family of White-breasted Waterhens (Amaurornis phoenicurus) cautiously crossed the trail into safer territory, the parents ever watchful. A common resident, it is a comical looking bird that usually dives into the undergrowth when it senses danger. Its gait is accompanied with an occasional flick of the tail. When alarmed it will run away clumsily, sometimes with its wings half open into the nearest cover. If you stay motionless,

White-breasted Waterhens

The flowers of the Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) were turning brown, swaying gently with the evening breeze. They have served their function: ensuring the survival of their species. Soon they will fall and in place the seeds of the tree's future generations will be produced.

Reaching the heronry, I was treated to an aerial display of the Grey and Purple Heron (Ardea cinera and Ardea purpurea) returning to their roosts. Beautiful birds they certainly are. Beautiful voices they have not, for their call is a harsh 'Kra-ak'. Some were greeted by their young, hungry for a meal and rewarded with one. Others opted to land on the mudflats to grab a quick meal before returning to their nests which are massive platforms of twigs that sit in the canopy of the mangrove trees. A Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) stood motionless below the canopy with its blood red eyes, its most arresting feature. It is an attractive bird with black, grey and white plumage. One of the few nocturnal birds which is also active at dawn and dusk. Look out for one or groups of them flying over you in the evenings. Can't see them? Listen then to their call in flight which is a monotonous 'kwok'.

Last stop: The freshwater ponds at Route 3. These ponds provide the habitat for freshwater dwelling animals. Peering at the surface of the pond would reward one with the sight of pond skaters and the Two Spot Gouramy (Trichogaster trichopterus), a native species of freshwater fish in Singapore, lingering at the surface. You might bear the occasional splash caused by the Common Snakehead (Channa striata) or Aruan as it is commonly called. Oh, what a big mouth it has, for it is a carnivorous species of fish which can grow up to a length of 90 cm. Valued for its healing properties, it is the fish of choice for post-operation patients who believe that it can speed up recovery of wounds.

Baya Weaver nests

The grasses in the vicinity provide food and shelter for many species of birds such as the Yellow-belied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris), warblers and munias, which were unfortunately not seen this evening. However a male Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) was busy building its nest by weaving strands of long grasses. Masters of nest-building they certainly are, for a Baya Weaver's nest is an ingenious piece of craft, easily surpassing other species of birds in their construction. The male first builds a "helmet" stage nest and displays on it, trying to attract a potential mate. Once a female has inspected the nest and stamps her approval, they mate and the male proceeds to complete the nest which ends with a long tube leading to a side entrance. His partner then lays her eggs and while she is busy with the incubation and caring of the young, the male builds another helmet and tries to attract Mate No. 2.

By the time I made my way back, the sun was all but a dark orange ball in the sky.
From the limited light available I was able to make out the silhouette of a few Large-tailed Nightjars (Caprimulgus macrurus) gliding around hunting for insects. Ah yes, it's another nocturnal bird which sits quietly during the day, their greyish brown plumage providing excellent camouflage against the background.

It was time for animals on the night shift to take over. The world does not rest when the sun sets. Instead a whole new exciting episode begins. Sounds that filled the air during the day are now replaced by others, predominantly the shrilling calls of cicadas, the croaking of frogs and the songs of nocturnal birds. Hence an evening walk is definitely interesting for it is the transition period between day and night, light and dark where you can find the beginnings of nocturnal life and the diminishing of day activities.

Don't be surprised to find bats, the only true flying mammals flying around. When night falls they will be out in full force finding their favourite fruits or insects as they flit about. Slimy creatures such as slugs and snails crawl out in response to the falling temperature and increasing humidity. As soft bodied animals they risk the danger of losing body fluids through evaporation hence a dark, moist environment is perfect for them.

An evening walk is definitely interesting and the Park is open until 7 pm daily, so come on down to experience what the evening has to offer you. As for me, it's time to go for a very important nocturnal activity: Dinner.