Berlayer Creek

Posted On 18 April 2023

Last Updated on 7 April 2025

Berlayer Creek is one of those hidden gems that many people might not have heard of, let alone suspect that such a wild, lush escape exists smack dab in urban Singapore. Tucked right beside the Labrador Park MRT station, Berlayer Creek is part of the Labrador Nature Reserve and spans a surprisingly sizable 5.61 hectares of mangrove forest, mudflats, and rocky shoreline. Yes, nature does still exist outside shopping malls!

Winding its way through this green sanctuary is a 0.9 km boardwalk, snaking alongside thick mangrove vegetation. This mangrove metropolis is home to nearly 30 species of native mangrove plants, 60 species of birds, and enough critters to keep any wildlife lover entertained (or startled).

Take a stroll along the boardwalk and you’re bound to encounter some of the swamp’s elusive locals. First to greet your ears will likely be the “chrrt-chrr” calls of the Pin-striped Tit-Babblers (Macronus gularis)…

…who always seem to be busy—either hopping through the bushes, fluffing their feathers, or acting frisky.

Usually hanging around nearby are their chatty neighbours—the Ashy Tailorbirds (Orthotomus ruficeps)…

…and Olive-winged Bulbuls (Pycnonotus plumosus), all permanent residents with serious “neighbourhood gossip circle” energy.

And just when you think it’s peaceful, BAM! The Tanimbar Corella (Cacatua goffiniana) drops a screech loud enough to make you spill your iced coffee. These boisterous birds—also called Goffin’s Cockatoos—aren’t native to Singapore, but they’ve moved in, settled down, and now act like they’ve always lived here.

The Oriental Pied Hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) also like to make an entrance—you’ll hear their maniacal laughter echoing through the trees before you spot their glorious oversized beaks (a.k.a. casques) swooping overhead.

We even caught a tender family moment with a young fledgling who, although already flying independently, was still getting room service from mum and dad.

Woodpeckers and barbets also call Berlayer Creek home, banging out real estate deals in dead tree trunks. A particularly industrious pair of Laced Woodpeckers (Picus vittatus) managed to raise three chicks here—which, let’s be honest, deserves a standing ovation and a bird-sized parenting award.

One of the VIPs of the area is the rare Mangrove Whistler (Pachycephala cinerea), once only found on offshore islands like Pulau Hantu, Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin. But one brave little soul decided to shake things up and move to Berlayer Creek—and apparently liked it enough to settle down here.

And then come the globe-trotters. During the winter months, Berlayer Creek plays Airbnb host to a rotating cast of migrant birds. The celebrities who make their yearly appearance here include the long-tailed, blue-eyed Black Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata)…

and the long-tailed, white morph Asian Paradise Flycatcher—affectionately nicknamed “tissue paper”. Whenever these stunning birds arrive, birdwatchers flock to Berlayer Creek, hoping to catch a glimpse— and perhaps even snap a photo—of these charismatic creatures.

Other jet-setting feathered friends that have checked in include the Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis)…

…the Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki)…

…the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia)…

…the Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher (Rhinomyias brunneatus)…

…and the Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda).

It’s not just birds, though. The thick greenery hides a stealthy squirrel population, often seen chomping away at their prized nut or darting off furtively as we approach.

And every now and then, the Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) grace the boardwalk with their monkey business….

…sometimes with babies in tow, adding bonus cuteness to the chaos.

Curious to meet more of the residents? Check out our blog on Labrador Nature Reserve for even more wildlife encounters.