Every year, thousands of migratory shorebirds arrive at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to escape the harsh winters in the north. Celebrate the return of our feathered friends from the Arctic and learn more about them at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

This event is held in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD).

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.

Please observe the following do's and dont's while you are at the Reserve. Show consideration for the wildlife that live in the Reserve, and for the other visitors that visit it.

Do's
. Observe opening and closing hours:
7am to 7pm (*Last entry: 630pm)

. Stay on designated trails

. Maintain distance from wildlife

. Apply for an activity permit for group visits with 30pax and above: https://go.gov.sg/preayb

. Respect the eco-system, leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs

Don’ts
. No pets, dogs
. No jogging
. No cycling
. No smoking
. No animal release
. No feeding of animals
. No fishing or poaching
. No flying of drones
. No loud noises, speakers and music
. No PMDs, scooters, rollerblades, skateboarding

*Bicycle racks are available at both entrances to the Reserve.

Friendly tips
. Dress in comfortable clothes in neutral colours (long pants, long sleeves and cap)

. Put on comfortable walking shoes

. Bring binoculars, drinking water, notebook and pen

. Stay in shelters and observation hides during thunderstorm

. Apply insect repellent before entering the reserve

Animal encounters
Sungei Buloh is home to a wide range of biodiversity so there could be encounters with creatures such as snake, and even a crocodile! Do note that many wild animals would much rather not encounter us humans, and would only attack when provoked.
Prior to your visit, read up on the following advisories to learn how you should react if you encounter the following at the reserve.

. Bats (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/bats)

. Estuarine Crocodiles (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/estuarine-crocodiles)

. Macaques (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/macaques)

. Monitor lizards (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/monitor-lizards)

. Otters (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/otters)

. Snakes (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/snakes)

. Wild Boars (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/dos-and-donts/animal-advisories/wild-boars)

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

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

How do I apply for filming and commercial photography permit?
Prior approval for filming and commercial photography in the Reserve is required. Please submit your application to nparks_sbwr@nparks.gov.sg at least 2 weeks in advance.

Can I conduct research in the Reserve?
Prior approval must be obtained for any research activity that is conducted in the Reserve. Please submit your application through BIOME.

For more information about research permit application, please visit link research permit.

Throughout the year:
A variety of mangrove and freshwater plants. Interesting fauna such as mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, water snakes, birds, monitor lizards, crocodiles can be seen.

Resident birds: Herons, bitterns, kingfishers, sunbirds and pigeons.

Seasonal (during the migratory season from September to March):
Migratory shorebirds such as whimbrels, sandpipers, plovers.

Learn about the top 5 commonly seen migratory shorebirds here:

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.

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