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		   One Night Rambler's Experience

I arrived at the Park at 6.20 in the evening, armed with a torchlight and a big umbrella. I didn't need the umbrella after all, because the night of 14 December 1994 turned out to be exceptionally fine.

Many eager ramblers were already gathered around the Park's Visitor Centre. We were split into groups, and started off with a walk through the Mangrove Boardwalk. At the entrance to the boardwalk, we were greeted by a colourful snake about a metre long. It had caught a lizard for its supper, and Allan, the Park's guide, identified it as a Paradise Tree Snake.

Dusk descended as we entered the mangrove forest, and the tide was out. With the help of torches, we were able to spot the volcano-like mounds of mud lobsters, crabs scurrying about in the mud and lots of mangrove oysters. The fascinating and varied root formations of mangrove trees provided an enchanting backdrop to the nightlife of the mangrove swamp.

After this mangrove experience, we strolled across the bridge spanning the Sungei Buloh Besar and entered the Reserve. We went into an Observation Hide to take a peek at the birds, and were surprised to see the trees covered in white! This turned out to be a huge flock of egrets at their roost. They obliged with a breathtaking display of synchronised flight across the tops of trees, to the oohs and aahs of the fascinated watchers.

Coming out of the hide, I noticed a nearly full moon lend its glow, and add a touch of romance to the night. Further into the Reserve, a large Monitor Lizard lumbered across our path and, alarmed by its nocturnal visitors, disappeared with a great splash into the river. We could also hear two water hens quarrelling in the marshes, and the incessant chirping of the cicadas.

Heading back to the Visitor Centre, we stopped awhile at the bridge to enjoy the cool breeze caressing our faces, and the bright lights of Johor Baru beckoning from just across the river. And as we made our way out of the Reserve, we could hear the familiar "chonk, chonk, chonk" call of the Nightjar, which seemed to be bidding us a fond farewell.
   
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