https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/logo4.jpgWETlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Nature Park


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

Journal of a Nature Warden
Copper-throated Sunbird's

Nesting Habitat

The departure of the migratory birds in March does not mean a lull in activities at the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. From April to August, many of our resident birds are busy setting up their own family. Ramakrishnan keeps them under his watchful eyes as he introduces the nesting habitat of one of the Park's most common bird, the Copper-throated Sunbird.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/501.jpg


The lively Copper throated Sunbird has never failed to delight many of our Park visitors. Especially the pair that flies in and out of the young mangrove trees (Avecennia alba) found in front of the Main Hide. However, what they may not be aware of is the nest that is lying right under their nose amidst the trees. It is so close yet so far for all, except the very observant.

I have been observing this particular pair of Copper-throated Sunbird for almost three years now. They have been breeding successfully using the same nest at the same site all these while. Most of the sunbirds that I have observed tend to build new nests for each breeding season. This is essential as the nests undergo wear and tear from the exposure to the natural elements.

These two sunbirds, on the other hand, have every reason to rejoice. They have selected a well-protected home for their offspring. The roof of the Main Observation Hide protects the nest from the harsh weather conditions and the thick mangrove patch deters any potential predators. With each breeding season, the pair only need to do minor "repairs", or rather, "reinforcements" to the nest. They have indeed made a wise decision in choosing this site to procreate!

The Copper-throated Sunbird breeds during the months of April to August every year. The female uses fine twigs and leaves to construct the nest while the male acts as an escort accompanying the female on her collection rounds to source for nesting materials. The nest is built very much like a pear with a hole on the top as the entrance. The Copper-throated Sunbird usually constructs its nest on young mangrove trees two to six feet above the ground facing the inner side of a pond or the sea.

Do look out for these lively little creatures on your next visit to the Park.

Krishnan
14 May 1998.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/104.jpgFlowers of the Swamp

Take time and smell the flowers
as
James Gan reveals the flower power
of the mangrove swamp that attracts us like bees to nectar

The tropics and especially the mangroves are not especially noted for their abundance and variety of conspicuous flowers. A hurried walk through the Sungei Buloh Nature Park may lead you to agree with me. However, the same walk taken at a slower pace coupled with a keen eye for details will reveal flowers of all shapes, colours and sizes.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/550.jpgOne of the most conspicuous flower is that of the Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceaus). The Sea Hibiscus is a beach forest tree. The flowers are bright yellow, large and showy. Though flowering occurs all year round, the flowers only last a day. You can see the flowers when they open in the morning. By evening, the flowers would have closed and the petals may have dropped off. Sungei Buloh has plenty of Sea Hibiscus trees. Look out for them as you walk along any of the routes and trails.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/503g.jpgAnother beautiful flower of a plant usually found on the landward edge of the mangroves is the Crinum Lily (Crinum asiaticum). The white flowers are large and spectacular. They span about 20 cm across and are lightly and sweetly scented. They grow in a bunch at the end of a long stalk. There is a large plant outside the Theatrette and a few others located around the Visitors Centre for those of you who are interested to admire the beauty of the Crinum Lily.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/504.jpgThe Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), a coastal tree, also produces beautiful white flowers. The trees flower twice a year from April to June and October to December, apparently after an appreciable period of dry weather. The flowers open in the early morning around 3 to 4 am and wither the following day. Some luck would be needed to see them in bloom. Take a breather if you have a chance to see them and you may agree with me that the sweet scent of the flowers is better than any perfume. There are a number of trees in the Park reserve but the easiest tree to find is the one slightly to the left of the Main Hide.

You may notice among the trees and plants in the Park that a number of them are covered with vines. These vines are part and parcel of the mangrove community and they are found predominantly in the back mangrove areas. One such vine is the Three-leaved Derris (Derris trifoliata), a legume that is closely related to the groundnut, pea and bean plants. It has white or pinkish white flowers. The inflorescence can grow to 20cm in length and each individual flower is about 1cm in diameter.

A plant in the Park reminiscent of the Christmas Holly because of the spiny leaf margin is the Sea Holly (Acanthus ilicifolius). This plant can be found along the Mangrove Boardwalk. It has purplish white or light blue flowers and the pollinators of the flowers are believed to be birds and bees. As these flowers bloom for only two to three days, enjoy them while they last.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/506g1.jpgThe Tumu (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) flowers are strikingly red, a colour that attracts birds. Hence the pollinators of these flowers are believed to be birds. The deep floral cup contains an abundant reservoir of nectar which serves as a reward for the birds that visit the flowers. Each of these flowers also possesses an interesting explosive pollen discharge mechanism. A bird pollinator attracted by the nectar and whose beak touches the base of each petal activates the mechanism. Pollen discharged onto the bird may then find their way to the stigma as the bird goes from flower to flower.

The Excoecaria agallocha, also known as Blind-your-Eyes because of the effects of the tree's noxious white latex on exposed eyes, has male and female flowers that are borne on separate trees. The sex of the flowers is difficult to distinguish to the untrained eye. The male inflorescence is longer than the female inflorescence. Male and female trees are best identified by the production of 3-lobed fruits. Only female trees produce fruits. The fruits are less than 1cm in diameter. The flowers are believed to be pollinated by bees as the pollen is sticky.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/505.jpgAttap chee, a key ingredient in the local dessert ice kacang, is obtained from the fruit of the Nipah Palm (Nipah fruiticans). The palm is found in various locations of the Park but is best viewed at Hide 1C. The inflorescence is unmistakable and encloses female flowers at the terminal end and male flowers on the lateral branches. Small flies are believed to be the main pollinators. Sugars tapped from the inflorescence can be distilled into industrial alcohol after fermentation.

It is not difficult to find the trees and plants described in this article. The Park has recently placed 200 plant signs beside and on the trees for your easy identification and enjoyment.

Good luck on your mangrove flower hunt in Sungei Buloh Nature Park!

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/539.jpgUbin Lifestyle

Follow in How Choon Beng's footsteps as he walks you through the rustic lifestyle of the village people.

Taking the bumboat to Pulau Ubin more than transports you across the Serangoon Harbour; the fifteen minutes and $1.50 ride also brings you back in time to an island insulated from the rapid development that overwhelmed Singapore for the last thirty years. Time travel will start the moment you set foot on the bumboats. These timber-hulled vessels are slow, loud and will constantly remind you how rough the waters are today. Still, the journey provides the perfect introduction to what is in store for you on the island.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/509.jpgFirst stop on Ubin is the village centre - a row of simple timber houses where you can obtain your daily sundries, vegetables, a full meal or rented bicycle for the day. Stepping into one of these shops, you will inevitably tread on bare concrete floors ventilated by a slow-turning ceiling fan. Pay for a purchase and your change will be retrieved from a used Milo tin suspended from a pulley overhead—just like the days before the advent of the cash registers. This is by far the busiest part of Ubin; it is a commercial district and social focal point. Here, gossips, headlines and updates are exchanged over a cup of coffee or under the Angsana tree. Before you venture further, do remember to register yourselves at the nearby local police post for safety reasons.

Travelling along, you will come across numerous orchards and fish farms. None of these utilise any modern machinery. All chores are performed manually. Every vegetable, fruit and fish is painstakingly cultivated. As the younger folks look to the city for a more comfortable life, the sight of a sun-darkened farmer hunched over the field or pond becomes a rarer sight. Do keep a lookout for these orchards and fish farms. They will give you an insight into the traditional way of farming.

Ubin has an extensive granite core and the mining activity has provided many of the local residents with a steady income for the past two decades. Over the years, most of these operations have wound down but the sound of rock blasting which for so long formed part of the daily sounds in Ubin continue to linger in the memory of the islanders. In the abandoned quarry, rainwater is accumulating. The deep quarry and their scars are slowly being transformed into scenic and enchanting lakes. Come visit Pulau Ubin as it beckons you to soak in the beautiful sights and sounds of the place with the village people.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

I Spy with My Little Eye
Bird Sightings
for the months of March to May

adeline chia

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/638.jpgVisitors are always interested to know what animals have been spotted at the Park. This regular column will feature bird sightings at the Park. Not all the sightings are made by Park staff - some are incidental Bird Sighting Record reports made by visitors such as yourself.

If you spot an interesting bird the next time you visit the Park, and wish to make a record of it, feel free to fill up the Bird Sighting Record Book at the Ticketing C,ounter. Happy sighting!

Interesting incidental Records by Park Staff

Bird
Water Cock
Olive-winged Bulbul
Rusty-breated Cuckoo
Black Bittern
Great Reed Warbler

Location
Buffer Pond (Staff Route)
Outdoor Classroom
Mangrove Arboretum
Hide 2A
Visitor Centre, Carpark, Freshwater Pond

 

Interesting birds sighted by visitors
Chestnut-bellied Malkoha
Japanese Sparrowhawk
Black Baza
White-browed Crake
Lesser Tree Duck

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/632g.jpg
Lesser Tree Duck

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/549.jpgMangrove Mania &
Launch of
A Guide to Sungei Buloh Nature Park

The dark sky made way for a fine morning on 10 June 1998 at the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. The birds were chirping happily as we welcomed our many guests to the Mangrove Mania and launch to "A Guide to Sungei Buloh Nature Park", an event jointly organized by the HongkongBank as part of the year-long celebration to countdown the Park's 5th anniversary.

The Guest-of-Honour, Associate Professor Low Seow Chay, MP for Chua Chu Kang and Deputy Chairman, GPC for the Environment, was in the company of Professor Leo Tan, Chairman, National Parks Board, Mr David Dew, Deputy CEO, HongkongBank, Dr Tan Wee Kiat, CEO, National Parks Board and Mrs Lee Wai Chin, Deputy CEO, National Parks Board.

The guests and 120 youths from the Regional Youth Seminar on Youth Participation in Environmentally Sustainable Development were at the Outdoor Classroom to witness the launch of the new guidebook and unveiling of the new location map by the Guest-of-Honour, Associate Professor Low Seow Chay.

The easy-to-use guidebook and signages have been designed with the aim of enriching the experience for visitors. Containing flora and fauna found at the Park and a colourful birdchart, the guidebook will enable even first-time visitors to identify the Park's aviary residents. In line with our theme "Mangrove Mania", the Guest-of-Honour also potted a mangrove seedling, the Bruguiera cylindrica, for nurturing to be planted at the end of the year.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/comma2.jpgI am certain that when people can attain a better understanding of the Park's precious ecosystem and its remarkable myriad of living creatures and plants, they will also gain a fuller appreciation of the uniqueness and value of Sungei Buloh Nature Park to our living environment.

I am confident that this will lead Singaporeans to become even more appreciative of the environment as a whole. Which is why I am very pleased to be here this morning to witness and contribute towards this commendable initiative by National Parks Board and HongkongBank to inject even more value into this national treasure of ours and enrich the experience for all visitors to Sungei Buloh Nature Park.

If for no other reasons, the many young faces I see here this morning offer a useful reminder to us that we are using our living environment on borrowed time from our children and the generations that follow them. We are as such obligated to our children to take good care of our
https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/comma.jpgenvironment lest, we leave nothing but a trail of problems for them to contend with ...

Associate Professor
Low Seow Chay
MP for Chua Chu Kang and
Deputy Chairman, GPC for the Environment


After the launch, the guests took a leisurely walk along the Mangrove Arboretum and boarded the clubcars to view the breeding herons of the Park before returning to the Visitor Centre. All of them left feeling that much had been done to protect this ecological jewel and that we must continue to take good care of this invaluable treasure Mother Earth has entrusted to us.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/737g2.jpgMad about Mangrove

Collectively, the 120 youths from the Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar posed a "big" challenge for
Lim Haw Chuan
and his aides as they went all out to capture the youths' attention and get them wild about the mangrove

In the morning on 10 June 1998, the Visitor Centre of Sungei Buloh Nature Park was bustling with life. Guests came to attend the launch of "A Guide to Sungei Buloh Nature Park". The crowd was bolstered by a strong contingent of 120 youths from the Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar. These youths were having a seminar on their roles in Sustainable Development.

A trip down to Sungei Buloh, which would normally be quite leisurely, was unusually eventful for the youths. First, they attended the official launch of the Park's new guidebook and the unveiling of a new location map at the Outdoor Classroom. The unveiling of the location map signified a concerted effort between HongkongBank and Sungei Buloh Nature Park to enrich the experience of visitors to the Park.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/510.jpgAfter the official launch, the youths were led through the Park, a conservation success story in itself, on an educational tour. They were briefed on the nature of the Park, its history and its flora and fauna by our staff and a volunteer. Throughout the tour, the youths were kept busy. They were encouraged to collect seeds of mangrove plants for our Mangrove Mania programme. These seedlings would be cared for and later replanted in appropriate spots. The enthusiasm was further heightened by the promise of the heron series of first day covers to the team that collected the most species.

What better way to learn about the mangrove plants than to identify the mother trees and looking out for seedlings under and around them.

After an educating and "fruitful" round, the youths were treated to a sumptuous round of refreshments while their collections were sorted. To the elation of the youths, there was a tie among the three teams which meant a prize for everyone! A few youths were also selected to carry out demonstrative planting witnessed by their peers. At the end of the morning, the youths left knowing more about the mangrove, knowing that they had contributed to the conservation of wetland and knowing what they have learnt and contributed was just the beginning of a long path to nature awareness.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/511.jpgCaught
Telling
Tall Tales

He was caught red-handed in the act of telling a tale. Linda Goh, a witness of the scene, reports.

It all happened behind closed doors. With the help of an ally, he accomplished what he came to do at Sungei Buloh Nature Park. An amazing story was crafted and narrated. He and his perfect companion managed to keep us spellbound for half an hour. What exactly did he feed us on that fateful day that we gave him our ears?

It all started off with us asking the volunteers to brainstorm for stories to be told in the Park. Kelvin K. Param, a Park volunteer, came forth enthusiastically with his story on Mr. Monitor Lizard. Mr. Monitor Lizard has a lesson to learn in order to live in harmony with the aviary residents of the Park. The story which was set in Sungei Buloh Nature Park has received favourable comments from Ashley Bryan (American author and illustrator of children's books). On 21 March 1998, the Park began its inaugural storytelling session. This is yet another achievement for our public education programme with the invaluable support of our committed volunteers.

Contact us if you want the tale to be told again.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

Earth Day 98

lim siok hua


https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/551.jpgOnce again, Sungei Buloh Nature Park joined hands with Timberland for a second round of fund-raising for the Park's conservation and education efforts. For the first time, Sungei Buloh Nature Park reached out to the Public at the heart of the Lion City, Orchard Road.

In conjunction with the Earth Day celebration, an Earth Day booth was set up at Ngee Ann City from 25 March to 9 April 1998 and at Centrepoint Shopping Centre from the 10 April till 22 April (Earth Day itself). The Earth Day items namely T-shirts, mugs & cactus plants were sold to the public and the proceeds collected went to the Park. There were also many kind donations made by members of the public.

On 19 April 1998, a group of 80 less-privileged kids and the staff of Timberland were brought on a Mangrove Ramble by Park staff and volunteers. It was a rewarding experience for both the guides and the children as they learnt more about the inhabitants of the mangrove swamp. As this project wraps up, we would like to thank Timberland and the public for their generous contributions towards nature conservation.

For more background about Earth Day celebrations.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

Mangrove Mania

linda goh


https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/552.jpgAre you interested to bring home a part of the mangrove?

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/510.jpgA rare proposition we posed to you, our valued visitors. On 18 April, 30 May and 27 June 1998, visitors were given a chance of a lifetime to spot, collect, pot and bring home mangrove seedlings from the Park. Many were excited to be the custodians of these seedlings. After three months, these saplings will he brought back to the Park to be planted. Finally, a mangrove plant to call your own.

All these were possible but not before our volunteer guides gave the visitors a thorough and essential introduction to the unique assemblage of the mangrove flora and fauna, and the ways to nurture the seedlings. With a better understanding and appreciation of the mangrove ecosystem, visitors were able to recognise the cause of our programme and render us their support by caring for the seedlings. To you who took the extra step to care for the seedlings, we applaud your efforts to help us conserve the mangrove.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

 

 

 

 

 


 

Vol 5 No 2
Aug 98


Copper-throated Sunbird's Nesting Habitat

Flowers of the Swamp


Ubin Lifestyle

Bird Sightings (Mar-May 98)

Launch of
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh"


Commonwealth Regional Youth Seminar

Story-telling
at Sungei Buloh

Earth Day 98

Mangrove Seedling Programme

Swarming to the Swamp: Sivasothi's introduction to mangroves

 

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/109.jpgSwarming to the Swamp

Our love for the mangrove led to a close encounter with the swamp creature. Find out more as Chan Su Hooi discloses the rendezvous.

9th May 1998, 2pm

Everyone gathered at Sungei Buloh Nature Park full of enthusiasm—volunteers, undergraduates and staff alike. We were all eager to start the "Introduction to the Mangrove Swamp", an enrichment course via Siva's style . None of us want to miss out on the opportunity to get up close and personal with the mangrove and its inhabitants after bearing much about how Siva conducts his mangrove ramble.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/550.jpgHe started off with filling us up on the status and location of mangroves in the world and in Singapore before we moved on to the Mangrove Boardwalk. We got well acquainted with 10 of the most common mangrove species as we were made to examine, draw and jot down notes on the plants that were pointed out to us. Through this activity, we found out many interesting facts like why the Sea Hibiscus attracts ants. Apparently, the Sea Hibiscus secretes nectarins that the ants feed on through the 3 tiny slits on the veins of the leaf. This is a form of defence mechanism which the plant practices to protect its leaves from being eaten up by predators as the ants fight to protect their "benefactor".

The second part of the programme brought us back to the theatrette where Siva gave us an interesting slide presentation on the macro and micro-habitats of the mangrove ecosystems. Then we "marched off" to Sungei Buloh East beyond the boundary of Sungei Buloh Park, where we met up with the creatures of the swamp. We braved through the long grasses, walked past the old prawn ponds and before long, we were transported into the mysterious mangrove swamp.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/413.jpgWe moved carefully around the mangrove roots with the trees towering above us. Carpets of algae on the mud resembled that of a golf course turf. Unlike the golf turf, these carpets were teeming with life! We saw many tiny creepy crawlies hiding beneath the carpet as we slowly picked it up. Siva helped to identify the creatures which were mainly crustaceans and molluscs.

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/548.jpgThe further we ventured, the more enthralled we were about the swamp. Then we came to a point where our walking skills were put to the test. We encountered the "quick sand" of the mangrove swamp. We watched in awe as Siva made his way towards a stream with the mud reaching almost up to his waist!

https://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/photos/538.jpgSoon, it was our turn to attempt the journey across the soft mud. Some of us got stuck while others just breezed through effortlessly. One (no names mentioned) was stuck so badly that we had to dig him out of the mud. It sure looked like he was having a mud bath. As we approached the edge of the mangrove swamp, we took time to wash up as well as admire the beautiful view of Johor Baru.

The coolness of the evening and the silent call of the wild kept us so enraptured that we all yearned to stay back a little longer. However, time beckoned us to return to the Visitors Centre as the last rays of light hid behind the horizon. Thus we bid a hasty farewell to the enchanting woods as we traced our footsteps back to the Park and to civilisation.

Editor's note: Sivasothi is currently doing his PhD at NUS. He is a principal demonstrator at the Habitat Group with the NUS School of Biological Sciences. The mangrove habitat is one of his favourite haunts for his guided groups. We would like to thank him for his kind offer to open this programme to the volunteers and staff of Sungei Buloh.

 

 


© Sungei Buloh Nature Park