Snippets from Hiking at Sungei Buloh Wetland

We went hiking in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve yesterday, March 21, 2026. We have been there numerous time before, but this time was different.

It was the first time for us hiking there with a large hiking group*. Reconnecting with old friends, acquaintances, and meeting new friends were part of the fun. 

​Wildlife sighting is always a significant part of our hiking there. This time was no different.

Fauna

​The most unique sighting this time was that we saw 3 different species of snakes on the trail ... green snake, Python, and King Cobra.  It was the first time we saw King Cobra in the wild.

This long snake was right by the side of a boardwalk, in the bushes. It was so long, and folded its body back and forth a couple time. It took me a minute to locate its head. Its head moved slowly and quietly. It looked shy, serene and elegant, and gave people wrong impression about it. Fortunately a park ranger was there  reminding onlookers how danger the snake was, and kept them a safe distance from it.

​Like egrets, herons, and storks, the white bellied sea eagles are permanent residents of the wetland. I heard their loud goose-like honking calls when we arrived at the visitor center, and several times later,  We did not see them until we were near the end of the hiking, a pair flying overhead and honk in unison. It was the first time Lily matched their presence with their calls, and finally believed in me about their calls.

​Otters visit the reserve from time to time, usually in family. This day, we encountered a lone otter. It might be a juvenile got lost. Chatting with people with another group of visitors, we joked that it was a lone ranger!

Giant spiders hang around a lot. We saw quite a few of them by the trail side in the webs they weaved. I paid attention to the first one I took picture of, good lighting and its position allowed me to see fine details of the giant spider,  translucent claws, antennas. It was awesome.

A Knight Butterfly caught our eyes. Its layered patterns in brown, white, dark purple colors. It is just shows one more time that the wonder the nature produces. It was resting on a leaf, posed perfectly for a photo shoot.

As we were approaching the parking lot - a few birds were right ahead of us - a couple of olive backed sunbirds were flapping their wings like a humming bird. Then a magpie robin flew into sight to perch on a bare branch - sharp black and white plumage and wing, a melodic song... It stood out in the colorful world.

​Flora

The flora world has its own wonder.

An ​orange mangrove flower with a young seed stood out among the other blooming flowers on the tree. It was the first time we noticed a seed in a mangrove flower.

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There were many monitor lizards at Sungei Buloh today wandering around. A log in the pound by visitor center looked like one of them. 

Just like the Magpie Robbin's black and white, the green fruit Ambarella immersed in a green world, was just refreshing.

Ambarella, aka Kedondong in Southeast Asia

Notes

* around 80 people joined the hike from three universities' alumni 

** at Sungei Buloh, herons, egrets, storks typically stand at water's edge or in the shallow water, they perched on trees near noon time - it was high tide time!

*** Python wrapped on a tree branch high p in a tree, I did not get very picture of it.

A python on a tree - in sleep? 

**** hanging bat - there used to be many bats hanging in the ceiling of of resting area. Only two when we were there.

***** Crocodile was around