Vol 2 No 1
Jun 95

A Haven for Migrant Birds

Sightings of Smooth Otters
at Sungei Buloh

One Night Rambler's Experience
at Sungei Buloh

First Anniversary Celebrations

Bird Ringing Station
at Sungei Buloh

VIP Visits		   A Haven
for Migrant Birds

Some birds fly thousands of kilometres every year to escape the cold and hunger of winter. Leaving their homes in places like the tundras of Siberia, they head south for the warmth and bounty of sunny southern climes. The power of flight has thus enabled these birds to experience what has been called an "endless summer".

Singapore is one of the stops along the East Asian Flyway. This is a migration route that takes birds from the northern countries of Asia, across Indo-China and Thailand, then down through Peninsular Malaysia. Singapore, being at the southern tip of the peninsula, is a focal point for these migrants. Some of them spend their entire "winter" here, others use Singapore as a transit stop. They feed and roost here for a few days, then resume their joumey southward to Indonesia, Australia or New Zealand.

Sungei Buloh is home to over 160 species of birds. About 60% of these species are resident birds living and breeding here, and the rest are migrants. Most migrant birds arrive at the Park from September through November, and they leave for their homes back north from March to late May the following year. The Park provides its feathered guests with feeding grounds and roosting sites. Half of the migrant species are waders (shorebirds), the other half comprise passerines (perching birds) and others.

While migrant passerines may be observed in almost any type of habitat in Singapore, the waders show site fidelity, i.e., they return to the same wetland site year after year.

The best time to observe waders is when they are feeding on the rnud-flats during the incoming tide. Enjoy these birds in the cool comfort of one of our hides, specially provided for birdwatching. Here, you will be able to view the birds without being seen by them, so they can go about their activities undisturbed. Don't forget your binoculars, a "must have" for the birdwatcher! With some luck you may he able to catch the wondrous spectacle of Mongolian Plovers and Curlew Sandpipers arriving by the hundreds at the coastal mud-flats. Common Redshanks, Marsh Sandpipers and Pacific Golden Plovers are some of the other waders commonly encountered at the Park.

Our migrant passerines include the Arctic Warblers which breed in forests across Siberia, and the Great Weed Warblers, Barn Swallows and Dollar Birds that fly in from various parts of Asia. Listen to their calls in the early hours of the morning, and observe them at breakfast among the foliage of the trees.

Come and experience the thrill of birdwatching that awaits you here.
   
© Sungei Buloh Nature Park