EXPLOREEXPRESSACT!
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Sungei
Buloh Wetland Reserve
130ha,
with trails and boardwalks through mangroves and freshwater wetlands
This
beautiful 130ha Reserve includes mangroves and freshwater wetlands.
The Reserve has become well known for its wondrous birdlife, particularly
during the migratory season of Sep-Mar when huge flocks of shorebirds
visit the Reserve.
However, the Reserve is also home to an amazing diversity of other
interesting plants and animals. Among the stars of the Reserve are
a family of wild
otters! The resident crocodile also results in some excitement.
Lively monitor lizards abound, as do all manner of other wild creatures.
More on how
to tell apart crocodiles from monitor lizards.
Boardwalks take you right among the mangrove trees, to take a closer
look at these strange plants. Instead of spiders, the trees are full
of climbing crabs! The Reserve is also a great place to observe bizarre
fishes such as the mudskipper, that can frolick out of water; and
the Archer fish, that shoots insects with a jet of water.
Let a guide really show you the Reserve!
Going
on a tour with a volunteer guide is the best way to see and learn
more about this special Reserve. There are free weekend guided
walks of the Reserve. Other special walks include the Fish Walk
which introduces the marine fishes of the Reserve, as well as PrawnWatch,
a hands-on demonstration of traditional prawn farming.
Every last Sunday of the month, join the free 'Painting
with Puisan' session as volunteer guide Pui
San introduces art and Sungei Buloh.
Some places in the Reserve to explore...
Kranji Nature Trail This 2-km trail
takes about 20 mins to walk.
At the Visitor Centre are interpretive
displays, cafeteria and souvenir shope, the Theatrette screens a 10-minute
show, and toilets.
Mangrove Boardwalk: This 500-m boardwalk
is suitable for prams and wheelchairs and takes about 30 minutes to
walk.
Route 1 This 3-km trail takes about
1-2 hours to walk. The route starts at the Main Bridge, passes
the Main Hide and Aerie Hide, a 18-m tall tower, as
well as the Aquatic Plant Pond and freshwater hide.
Route 2 This 5 km trail takes 2-3 hrs
to walk and includes the longest boardwalk of the Reserve. This 575m
boardwalk links Route 1 to Route 3.
Route 3 This 7km trail is the longest
route in the Park and takes 4-5 hours to walk.
History of the Reserve
The 87 ha wetland site was designated as a nature park in 1989 following
a proposal put up by a group of avid birdwatchers from the then Malayan
Nature Society (Singapore Branch). Originally a series of prawn ponds
and fish farms, the area was redeveloped into a park for wildlife.
Nearly ten years later, on 10 Nov 01, it was announced that Sungei
Buloh would be gazetted as a Nature Reserve, which came to pass on
1 Jan 02. Expanded to 130ha, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is the first
area (together with Labrador Park) to achieve Reserve status since
Singapore's independence. In the same year, the Reserve was recognized
as a site of international importance for migratory birds.
Kranji Countryside
The Reserve is situated in the Kranji countryside,
which is being developed as a rustic getaway from the urban jungle.
Among the places to visit include fish farms, vegetable farms, a mushroom
farm and orchid and plant nurseries. Get some fresh air and some fresh
farm produce while you're at it!
More tips for visitors
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is open 7.30am-7pm on weekdays,
7am-7pm on Sundays & Public Holidays. Admission is free except
on Sat, Sun, Public Holidays and school holidays: $1 per adult, 50cents
per child/ student/senior citizen
The Kranji Countryside Association has arranged for a regular bus
service to the Reserve and other attractions in the area. More details
on their website.
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Media articles
about Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
- Nature
Society (Singapore) adopts Kranji marshlands
Esther Ng, Today Online 16 Jan 09
- Sungei
Buloh Wetland Reserve to undergo expansion
Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia 6 Dec 08
- Sighting
of rare birds brings thrills at Sungei Buloh Birds
Grace Chua, Straits Times 5 Dec 08
- Sungei
Buloh erosion: How bad?
Tania Tan and Ang Yiying, Straits Times 19 Aug 08
- Singapore
Poly, NParks sign MOU over conservation of wetland reserves
Channel NewsAsia 6 Jun 08
- Go
for gold by going green: Even parks can do more
Sheralyn Tay, Today Online 23 May 08
- Yusof
Ishak Secondary students head to Sungei Buloh Park for wireless
learning Channel NewsAsia 3 Dec 07
- Sungei
Buloh rubbish comes from Johor Straits
Letter from Wong Tuan Wah Director, Conservation National Parks
Board Straits Times Forum 2 Feb 07
- Rubbish
everywhere at Sungei Buloh
Letter from Katharine Evans (Ms) Edinburgh, United Kingdom Straits
Times Forum 31 Jan 07
- Swamp
things: celebrating Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
By Chang Ai-Lien The Straits Times 9 Aug 05
- Venus?
I'd rather explore Sungei Buloh
By Siva Choy The Electric New Paper 24 Apr 06
- Back
to Nature
More Singaporeans are swapping the concrete jungle for the green
one on weekends Today Online 24 Sep 05
- New
educational programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to promote
conservation (About the Marine Fish Programme) By Wong Siew
Ying Channel NewsAsia 14 May 05
- Sungei
Buloh on world map as important bird site By Neo Hui Min The
Straits Times 8 Dec 02, on the ecologyasia website.
- Sungei
Buloh and Labrador: Two new nature reserves The Straits
Times 12 Nov 01, on the ecologyasia website
Field
guides and references
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