Lost Coast dying as ongoing reclamation expands

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. In 2022, it was announced that this entire area will be totally reclaimed again; so it will likely be permanently lost forever. This area is strictly off limits without a permit. We surveyed with permission from various agencies kindly arranged by NParks.

The vast shore is clearly dying. Seagrasses have practically disappeared, animals in lower numbers and diversity than we have seen in the past. Ongoing reclamation on the eastern horizon is more obvious and active. We don't know if we can even see this shore again in our next annual survey cycle.

Lost Coast with signs of dugong despite reclamation

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. In 2022, it was announced that this entire area will be totally reclaimed again; so it will likely be permanently lost forever. This area is strictly off limits without a permit. We surveyed with permission from various agencies kindly arranged by NParks. 

Today, we saw lots of dugong feeding trails on both the southern and northern corner of this vast shore. The shore seems less lively compared to our last survey in Jun 2023, and we saw what seems to some small signs of impact from the Pasir Panjang oil spill last month.

Dugong signs at the Lost Coast!

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. Last year, it was announced that this entire area will be totally reclaimed again; so it will likely be permanently lost forever.

Dugong feeding trails at the Northern edge.

Today, we saw lots of dugong feeding trails on both the southern and northern corner of this vast shore. We encountered lots of sand-dwelling animals and at sunrise, the otters visited. This area is strictly off limits without a permit. We surveyed with permission from various agencies kindly arranged by NParks.

Lost Coast Reclamation: my feedback

In a few months, we will start to lose the Lost Coast forever. I went to view the EIA yesterday.

My feedback to HDB includes to please allow the public a last chance to say goodbye to the shore. And to consider creating places for marine life in the project.

Lost Coast with signs of dugong!

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. As development started in the area, it became strictly off limits without a permit. We surveyed with permission kindly arranged by NParks.

Today, I was delighted to see seagrasses AND dugong feeding trails on the northern corner of the vast shore.

Lost Coast still alive

A small team return to the Lost Coast on an evening tide, with permission from authorities (NParks, SLA, PCG).

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. As development started in the area, it became strictly off limits without a permit.

Lost Coast with signs of dugong, and otters!

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. Chay Hoon and I checked it out today, while the rest of the team surveyed yesterday - in line with the latest COVID restrictions on group size.

The shore is vast:
in the distance is Chay Hoon on the sand bar.

This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. As development started in the area, it became strictly off limits without a permit. I had briefly surveyed it in Dec 2020, but not at a very low tide. We return at minus zero tides this year, with permission kindly arranged by NParks.

Return to the 'Lost Coast'

Nearly a decade since my last trip here, I returned to this vast sandy shore, a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. 

This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. As development started in the area, it became strictly off limits without a permit. Thanks to NParks for letting me come along for a brief recce trip.

Return to the Lost Coast

The Lost Coast is a remote shore in Singapore that is seldom visited. Travis introduced us to this marvelous place, trekking kilometers - a Death March! Since then, we've found an easy way to visit; Alex and his crew takes us there by sea!

Here, animals that are rare elsewhere in Singapore are abundant. Like this large Grey bonnet snail (Phalium glaucum). There were so many of them that I simply had to ignore them in order to look at the rest of the marine life.

Return to the Lost Changi Shore

A hot sunny day out with Travis, the Butterfly Circle and Dragonfliers! This time, minus the Death March. We are only doing a tiny corner of this vast area.
Before we got to work on the landward side, we all had a quick look at the humungous shoreline. The tide was high but low enough for a bunch of us to head out for a more marine exploration.

The Long March to Pemphis

Thanks to Travis, I saw my first Pemphis on the mainland!
This rather delicate looking shrub is a very rare mangrove plant. I saw it during a very VERY VERY long walk along an isolated shore on the mainland. Yes, on the mainland!