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Sungei
Buloh Wetland Reserve
Route One
3 kms, 1-2 hours to walk, level gravel trail, suitable for young
children, but pack a meal and bring lots of water
Route 1 goes around the
two main ponds and gives a good introduction to the Reserve.
The route starts at the Main Bridge which crosses Sungei Buloh
Besar. This is a great place for fishwatching. You can also be sure
to see large schools of the amazing Archerfish that can spit a jet
of water to knock down insects into the water. At moderate tide, the
trees along the banks are crowded with kingfishers of all kinds eagerly
hunting in the river, while long-legged herons and egrets stride about
the shallower sand bars. On the shore, the White-breasted waterhen
noisily forages, while Water monitors patrol. The crocodile has been
spotted here too, basking on the shore.
As you leave the Main Bridge to enter the Reserve proper, there is
an island on your left formed out of mangrove tree roots. Here, you
might spot large Water monitors basking, Little herons waiting motionless
on roots near the water. The Smooth otters have also been seen several
times, playing on this island.
Before you start on the route, stop at the Main Hide (1A) which
faces the two main ponds. The largest hide in the Reseve with two-storey
seating, this is a good place to observe migratory shorebirds. The
water level in the two ponds are adjusted so at least one of the ponds
has exposed mudflats for the shorebirds to rest and feed.
As you leave the Main Hide and turn left, the route takes you to two
platforms. Platform 1 is at the junction of Sungei Buloh Besar
and Sungei Bilabong Buloh. Almost always breezy here, you can enjoy
a panoramic view of Johor under the shade of mangrove trees where
woodpeckers are often encountered. As the tide comes in, you might
see blue Flower crabs, horseshoe crabs and other fishes coming in
to feed.
Platform 2 in on the banks of Sungei Bilabong Buloh facing
Pulau Buloh. Pulau Buloh has been left isolated from the rest of the
Reserve so that the animals can have a quiet place of refuge. Sometimes,
the Smooth otters play on the sandy shores of the island facing Johor.
Among the trees at this platform, you might see basking Water monitor
lizards among the branches, or the tiny delightful Flying lizard on
the trunks. At low tide, there are almost always Giant mudskippers
scampering about on the extensive mudflats.
Along the route, stop by Hide 1C, a large, long hide. Being
further away than the Main Hide, there is less traffic and so offers
a quieter view of the shorebirds. The hide also provides a closer
look at a huge clump of Nipah palm and their amazing flowers and fruits.
The route also takes you via Aerie Hide, a 18-m tall tower
that offers panoramic views of the Reserve, Johor and the surrounding
areas of Singapore. Besides enjoying a breeze, you might also spot
trees festooned with white egrets.
Just after Aerie Hide is the Aquatic Plant Pond. It is indeed thick
with a variety of aquatic plants which attract bright and busy dragonflies.
You might also spot the Bittern, and frogs here.
On the way back, the route brings you past the closest freshwater
hide (2A) to the Visitor Centre. Facing a pond filled with reeds
and ringed by thick vegetation, you can spot herons, kingfishers,
bitterns and other waterbirds. Smooth otters have been seen here too.
Go with a guide to spot large monitor lizards, learn about the birds
that you see, spot hidden spiders and insects and understand more
about the medicinal and other uses of mangrove trees and plants. |
