What’s new at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve celebrated its 21st anniversary on 6 Dec 2014 with the opening of a new extension, which encompasses a visitor centre, a nature gallery, a play area and walking trails.

The park’s team has also developed new content to complement the extension’s offerings, through thematic guided walks that appeal to the young, and the young at heart. The “What’s in My” series of guided walks bring visitors up close and personal to Sungei Buloh’s flora and fauna.

For example, “What’s in my Water” introduces participants to aqueous life.

Sungei Buloh Wetland encompasses freshwater, seawater and brackish habitats, all of which play an important role in maintaining nature’s balance in the ecosystem. Within each habitat is a unique and fascinating diversity of life.

Just outside the new Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre is a large natural freshwater pond and stream that lets visitors learn about the freshwater ecosystem. Hovering above the water, dragonflies stalk for easy prey, keeping the insect population under control. But did you know that their young are equally ruthless in ambushing and striking unsuspecting prey? The waters bordering the reserve along the Straits of Johor are an example of brackish environment. Various stopping points such as at the Little Heron Deck, Fantail Pod and Eagle Point offer visitors fantastic spontaneous wildlife displays such as the sight of shoals of fish leaping out of the water to escape predators.

What the fish? It is quite common to see schools of fish leaping out of the water, startled by predators below.

Are they fish? Mudskippers adapt well to being out of water and can be easily seen skittering across the mud during low tide.

If you look closely in the mud, you may see beautiful mangrove anemone with its tentacles swaying with the waves.

Birds like the Yellow Bittern make the freshwater habitat its home, where it actively hunts for food.

The “What’s in my Water” guided walk ends at Eagle Point, where you can spot birds of prey such as Ospreys diving for fish, if you’re lucky.

Text and photos by Mohamad Azlin

Visit the NParks website for information on how to get to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.