Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve

On my way back to the US, I had a day layover in Singapore. Now, Singapore is an ultra-modern city with every convenience you can imagine, in fact, it is probably in the top five most developed cities in the world. If you know me or read this blog somewhat regularly, you know or can guess I am not the sort of chap who enjoys a good afternoon shopping on Orchard Road.

I headed out to Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, which is on the north end of the island. It is a large preserve which encompasses some prawn ponds, some freshwater ponds and an area of mangroves. The reserve is well laid out with many kilometers of trails. There are several hides that overlook muddy areas that probably teem with shorebirds during the peak migration months, the northern hemisphere winter months. Being as it was mid-May, there were just a few common redshanks, egrets and herons on the mud flats when I visited.

Compared to Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Reserve, Sungei Buloh is much larger. In KK the walks were almost strictly on raised boardwalks, while Sungei Buloh most of the walks are graveled paths on bunds. There is a boardwalk and it is actually longer than the one in KK. The whole reserve is well done and was great to see how some of the wild places in Singapore are being preserved.

A flower growing in a freshwater pond.

This lizard made an excellent model, posing for me for several minutes.

Oriental magpie-robin. Note the leg band.

This pink-necked pigeon was near the visitors centre.

This group of school kids were excited about seeing a little heron on the riverbank.

I just liked the symmetry of this plant.