Nature Walk Series - Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Nature Walk Series

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

1 January 2010

Highlight:

It was New Year day and I decided to start the year with a trip to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). This proved to be a good choice because for the first time, I managed to have a glimpse of the Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Though it was just a small little part of its head region, at least I could say that I had seen the largest reptile available in wild Singapore.

In addition to the crocodile, I managed to spot the Smooth Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), also for the first time. However, I was not able to snap any decent shot that I can display here. I had spotted a squirrel too. Again, I was not able to get a good picture as it kept traveling among branches of trees.

These sightings certainly made me feel good at the start of a new year.

Oxyceros longiflorus is a semi-woody climber found at the mangrove area in SBWR. Based on its overall appearance, it may be easily mixed up with Volkameria inermis (Seaside Clerodendrum), a more common shrub growing along the edge of the mangrove. Oxyceros longiflorus has inverted hooks that enable it to latch onto other plants during its climb. Its opposite branches are arranged in a near perpedicular manner that helped it to lean on any supports around it.

Today had to be its flowering season as many flowers were seen at several locations. Its flower resembles that of the Gardenia jasminoides.

A young Terminalia catappa (Sea Almond) with red leaves was seen alongside of another plant with the usual green leaves. It presented a great contrast especially with all-green surrounding. Although the abnormal red leaves looked lovely, it is unlikely to sustain for long.

New plants added to my website from this trip:

Thunbergia erecta 'Alba' (White King Mantle)

This plant was not considered entirely new to me. The new part was the white flower as the ones I came across previously typically bears purple flower. There were a few plants near the start point of the boardwalk, just by the carpark. They were likely planted by NPark and not part of the native flora in that location.

Ceratopteris thalictroides (Water Sprite)

This aquatic fern was sighted at the edge of the pond located by the side of the outdoor classroom area. There were only a few of them there and they might not be around the next time round when I come by. The same pond area used to host another aquatic fern, Marsilea crenata (Water Clover). But it had disappeared probably due to competition from other vegetation. Hopefully, it will return some days as long as the pond is still around.

Tristaniopsis whiteana (River Trisania)

I had actually taken the picture of this plant back in June 2008 when the plant was flowering then. A year later, I had the chance to take some pictures of the fruits. However, I was clueless on the identity of the plant until this trip. Ironically, there was a rather worn out tag around the stem of the plant with its scientific name written on it. For some unknown reason, I had missed this tag at a few occasions previously.

Photo Gallery:

Below are selected photos from this trip arranged according to the sequence that they were taken. There is a text link under the photo that will direct you to more photos of the same species if they are available in my website.