Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

In 1986, a group of avid birdwatchers from then the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch) came to Sungei Buloh and discovered the beauty of this wetland. They wrote a proposal to the government for the conservation of this ecological jewel. In 1989, the 87 hectares wetland site was designated as a nature park.

On 1 Jan 2002, Sungei Buloh was officially gazetted as a nature reserve and renamed as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It was also recognized as a site of international importance for migratory birds.

Today, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve set in 130 hectares of secondary forest, ponds, mangroves and mudflats. It is a rare oasis of natural wonders and home to unique animals and plants. It is also a wintering ground for migratory birds. The wetland reserve is well visited by nature lovers, bird watchers and photographers.

These links will bring you to the map & opening hours of the wetland reserve respectively, http://www.sbwr.org.sg/visitorinfo/gettingaround/ & http://www.sbwr.org.sg/visitorinfo/openinghoursandadmission/. Please note that admission is free except Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and Singapore School Holidays.

If you take your time to walk through the wetland reserve, you may get to see the mangroves, mangrove wildlife like mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, water snakes, birds, spiders, moths, monitor lizard. Resident birds like herons, bitterns, sunbirds, coucals, kingfishers, etc.

If you intend to watch migratory shorebirds/waders such as plovers and sandpipers, then you have to come between September to March.



























There are Bird Observation Hides and Screens provided for the bird-watchers to view the birds resting by the ponds, so that the wild birds will not be disturbed or scare off.

Photographers are often found on weekends with their cameras waiting patiently for the birds behind the observation screens. If you are in luck, some of the photographers will show you the photos they had taken. I came across one of them who waited patiently for hours, just to capture the moment when the flock of birds start to fly off.










There are free guided tours provided on Saturday at 9.30am & 3.30pm, for you to understand the wetland better. For details, visit this link http://www.sbwr.org.sg/events/guidedtours/

Below are some friendly tips for you to note, when you visit the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve:
  1. Bring a good pair of binoculars.
  2. Wear a hat in non-bright colour.
  3. Dress in comfortable clothes in neutral colour.
  4. Put on comfortable walking shoes.
  5. Bring insect repellent.
  6. Be as quiet as possible. Do not frighten the birds.
  7. Keep to walking routes.
  8. During thunderstorm, stay in Observation Hides.
  9. Bring drinking water and snacks. (Note: The cafeteria is only at the entrance of the wetland reserve, no sale of drink and food inside the reserve)

Want to know how to get there, check out this link http://www.sbwr.org.sg/visitorinfo/gettingthere/takingpublictransport/.

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