A visit to Singapore's Wetlands

For something a little different we decided on a trip up north to visit the Sungei Buloh Wetlands - a large area of tidal wetlands adjacent to the huge Kranji Reservoir overlooking the Straits of Johore and Malaysia.

Not a threat, just yawning. Pic by Natalie

Getting to the wetlands was a bit of a struggle as the MRT (above/below ground subway) only goes as far as Kranji (45 mins from Orchard MRT station) - which means you need to catch a local bus from the MRT station to one of the wetland entrances. We got off at car park B. From there you cross the road and walk to the Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre. From this point on it's another kilometre or more to the wetlands proper. The path meanders along the coast offering good views of Johore Bahru. We saw several small squirrels before arriving at the wetlands themselves. There was a lone long tailed macaque sitting on the large pedestrian bridge and several hundred fish swishing about in the waters under the overhanging shrubbery. These wetlands provide sanctuary for birds migrating from Europe - either passing through or those that stay in the area during the northern winter. We spotted Whimbrels, Sandpipers, several breeds of Egret and a bunch of ugly looking large birds that I think were called Milk Storks.

Just past the bridge are several viewing positions, all hidden behind wooden fences. One provides shelter as a true walk-in hide while the bulk are merely wooden screens providing some cover as you observe the birds across the wetlands.

Long-tailed macaque. Pic by Natalie.

I think these are Painted Storks. Pic by Natalie

Local Little Egret with migratory birds, possibly Greenshanks or Sandpipers. Pic by Robin.

Zebra Dove. Pic by Robin.

Another Egret with a group of Whimbrels. Pic by Robin.

Not my best shot of a very distant Grey Heron. Pic by Robin.

Natalie's photo of the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque in Johore.

Apparently the estuarine or saltwater crocs are more commonly seen at low tide (we were there at high tide)

Some things you can't do in the wetlands. I particularly like 'No plucking of plants'.

The Sungei Buloh wetlands are on the northern coast of Singapore - here's a walkway that angles off the land and over the Straits leading to an observation tower. The tower blocks in the background are in Malaysia.