Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is celebrating the return of the migratory birds with Welcome Waders!, an annual event held in conjunction with the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD). Come join us on 12 October, Saturday!

Go on a journey with these amazing migratory shorebirds at our booths, learn about how these birds connects us with the Arctic and the impact of marine trash at our talks, and let your young ones have a go at being a Junior Birder for a day! Bring your friends and family for a day of fun, and learn about these migratory shorebirds at the same time!

Online registration is required for the Waders Watch and Upcycling Workshops.

September to March: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve mudflats functions as a "refuelling point" for the waders to feed and roost. These habitat-specific birds feed on the polychaetes (worms) found in the mudflats of the Reserve.

Throughout the year: Look out for resident birds such as herons, kingfishers, bitterns, sunbirds, tailorbirds and fruit pigeons.

Throughout the year: You can see mangroves, mangrove wildlife such as giant mudskipper, tree-climbing crab, birds, spiders, butterflies, estuarine crocodile, monitor lizards, otters and molluscs.

There are free guided walks conducted at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve every weekend. Explore and learn more about the Reserve from the experienced and knowledgeable guides who will take you around.

Shutterbugs will enjoy photographing a wide variety of flora and fauna the Reserve can offer. Photographers are encouraged to submit photos to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at Nparks_sbwr@nparks.gov.sg. From time to time, selected photos will be used for our publications.

It aims to motivate teens to contribute positively to society, through skills that physically and mentally challenge them, and activities that are based on confidence and team building in a natural setting. Students can participate in various activities such as coastal clean-ups, mangrove salvaging and water parameter testing. Launched in 2007,Nature Nurtures has touched the lives of more than 100 students from Chestnut Drive Secondary School, Shuqun Secondary School and Northlight School.

Nature Nurtures programme is a joint initiative by the National Parks Board and Shell Petroleum Pte Ltd.

For more information, please e-mail nparks_sbwr@sbwr.org.sg

Here at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, we are able to enjoy and learn about nature every day, and would love to have you share in this. As such, we have developed a series of informative worksheets for teachers and parents. We hope teachers and parents would find them useful in helping children better understand and appreciate the reserve and its interesting inhabitants, as well as realize the importance of conserving our natural heritage. And most of all, we hope that both adults and children alike have fun exploring our natural heritage!

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve also produces issues of electronic newsletters annually. This publication boasts a wealth of information about the reserve, its flora & fauna, and activities that are happening here. For budding photographers, there is also a chance for your photographs of Sungei Buloh to be published here, so do send them in.

And for those who are more interested in what wetland centres are, and how they are operated, you’ll be pleased to know about the handbook produced by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat. Centred around the theme of best practices in design and operation of wetland centres, lessons showcased in this handbook are drawn from real life experiences of managers of wetlands all around the world. As such, this handbook will also be particularly valuable in also assisting existing managers of other wetland centres in outreach and management planning.

The SUN Club programme is founded on the idea of 'nature for everyone'. It aims to bring nature appreciation to students with special needs through tailor-made projects developed in consultation with special schools.

Special schools who are interested to give their students the SUN Club experience are welcome to email us at G_Shila_Kumari@nparks.gov.sg or call us at 67941418. We would be more than happy to look into your requests and to co-ordinate a programme to cater to your needs.

The SUN Club Programme is a joint project between the National Parks Board and Singapore Press Holding Foundation (SPH Foundation).

The Sister Wetland Affiliations Programme (SWAP) facilitates collaboration of sister wetlands and sister schools in the East Asian Australasian region for the conservation of wetlands and protection of migratory shorebirds. If you are interested to participate in this collaboration between schools’ activity, please email us at nparks_sbwr@nparks.gov.sg or call us at 67941401.

This one day camp encompasses a series of fun-filled and educational indoor and outdoor learning of the wetlands and nature conservation issues through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on activities. The Young Naturalists Programme is a joint project between the National Parks Board and HSBC.

Please:
Take nothing but photographs
Leave nothing but footprints
Be as quiet as possible
Take care of reserve property
Do not bring pets, radio or bicycles into the reserve
Do not smoke
Keep to walking trails

Friendly Tips:
Dress in comfortable clothes in neutral colour
Put on comfortable walking shoes
Wear a hat in non-bright colour
Bring binoculars, drinking water, notebook and pen
The reserve is wheelchair-friendly
During thunderstorm stay in shelters and observation hides

Birdwatcher's code:
Do not frighten the birds
Leave nesting birds alone

Birdwatching at the reserve requires:
Patience
An eye for details
A good pair of binoculars

Advisory note: Precaution against mosquito bites
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a nature reserve where mosquitoes naturally inhabit. To prepare for a visit to the wetland reserve, visitors are advised to wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirt in preferably light colours, and apply insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing before entering the wetland reserve. The insect repellent can help to keep the mosquitoes away and make your visit to the wetland reserve a more enjoyable and safe outing.

FAQ: Do you require special permission to visit the reserve?

Answer: No special permission is required for group or individuals visiting Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, unless you have special activities or needs such as the use of the reserve's facilities.

E.g/ Video/Photography shoots/Filming/Research Work
• Prior approval will have to be given for any research activity in the reserve. The researchers will have to write in for approval.
• Researchers must produce the letter of authorization issued by the reserve before the activity is allowed. The research activity will be carried out in accordance to the conditions stated in the authorization letter.
• In the event of unscheduled visitation, the researcher(s) may be admitted, solely for the purpose of scouting. The researcher(s) will be bound by the rules applicable to normal visitors.
• Researcher(s), during an unscheduled visit, will not be admitted if the intention is to collect any matter, venture beyond visitor boundaries or carry out any activity that normal visitors would not.

Do note that a permit is required for a group of 120 and above.


FAQ: What are some of the do's & don'ts in the reserve?

Answer: The rules for the general visitors are as follows:
• No poaching
• No fishing (no fishing lines & nets allowed into the reserve)
• No vandalism
• No setting of fire
• No pets
• No radio/loud hailer/musical instruments
• No bicycle/tricycle (except baby pram)
• No releasing of animals
• No smoking
• No littering
• No plucking of leaves & flowers
• Be as quiet as possible
• Keep to walking trails
Visitors can leave the items that are not allowed into the reserve at the lockers provided before entry is allowed. However, we will not be responsible for any items missing or not in proper condition. Entry will be denied for visitors who refuse to abide by the rules.


FAQ: Why are bicycles not allowed in the reserve?

Answer: The terrain in the reserve is rough and winding. Visitors who are unfamiliar with the narrow terrain will be a hazard to both themselves and other visitors.

Throughout the year:
A variety of mangroves and freshwater plants. Interesting fauna such as mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, water snakes, birds, crocodiles, spiders, moths, monitor lizard, otters. Resident birds like herons, bitterns, sunbirds, coucals, pigeons, kingfishers.

Seasonal - September to March:
Migratory birds, in particular, shorebirds (egrets, sandpipers, plovers).

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a great place for volunteer opportunities. Do visit our Volunteer page to find out more.