A Thrilling Morning at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve After the Rain!

The overnight downpour had left the reserve fresh and buzzing with life—perfect conditions for another adventure! If there’s one thing I’ve learned from past visits, it’s that rain brings snakes out into the open. My main target today is to spot the legendary King Cobra again.

As I arrived, the early morning fishermen were already hard at work, casting their nets just beyond the reserve. But the real magic began the moment I stepped inside.

Just meters away, a majestic Great-Billed Heron—a bird typically found only on Singapore’s offshore islands—stood tall in the shallows. My heart raced as I heard its deep, resonant call for the first time. And then… another answered! 

Following the echoes, I spotted two more of these elusive giants. Three in one trip?! Unbelievable!

The third heron puffed up its neck, showing off the bulge that produces those hauntingly low calls. What an incredible start to the morning!

Moving deeper into the reserve, a stunning Grey Heron stood like a statue in the water.

Just a stone’s throw away, an elegant Intermediate Egret gracefully stalked its prey.

Across the mangroves, a pair of Painted Storks added a splash of color to the scenery. 

But the real surprise? Open-Billed Storks! These visitors from the north have stayed in Singapore for over a year, likely due to drought conditions back home. With plenty of food here, they seem in no rush to leave—lucky for us!

A sudden, loud call drew my attention to a tiny Ashy Tailorbird, proving that size doesn’t matter when it comes to volume!

Nearby, a cluster of Dog-faced Fruit Bats hung in their usual spot.

Buffy Fish Owl—a rare daytime sighting—watched silently from the trees. Spotting nocturnal birds in broad daylight always feels like a special treat!

Though my hoped-for King Cobra remained hidden, the reserve had another serpentine surprise in store: a stunning, emerald-green Oriental Whip Snake, sleek and perfectly camouflaged among the leaves.

No King Cobra this time, but with rare herons, storks, bats, owls, and a dazzling whip snake, this trip was nothing short of spectacular. Sungei Buloh never fails to amaze—every visit is a new adventure!

Who knows what the next exploration will reveal? 

Back of Migratory Birds to SBWR 2021

The migratory birds usually starts arriving in the 3rd quarter of the year and this year is no exception. Some arrived as early as July.

Is been a while since I last photograph flock of Whimbrels here in Sungei Buloh. What a good start of my visit to SBWR for this new migratory birds season.

From a distance without binoculars, is not easy to tell which is which. A closer look, the size tell a Whimbrel a part from a Red Shank.

This is even more difficult to differentiate. Hiding among this flock of Red Shank is a Terek Sandpiper. Can you spot it?

Terek Sandpiper is slightly smaller than Red Shank with a slight up curl bill.

There are more Red Shank than others at this point of time. Some feeding alone some feeding in flocks.

Is quite therapeutic to watch them put up a synchronous show.

Egret prefer to feed in water rather then on shore.

Purple heron are here in SBWR too.

Not forgetting the resident bird of SBWR, Ashy Tailorbird.

Copper-Throated Sunbird

Sumatran Flying Dragon

Spotted a Mangrove Pit Viper.

and a breast feeding fruit bat. Yes, bats are mammals so they breast feed too.

They Are Backed at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Is the time of the year again... no, not Christmas but birding at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). The migratory birds are back to the reserve.

 I got a copy of very handy guide for birding in the reserve!

Tips on how to identify birds in the reserve is included. Just look at the size of the bird, their bill & their plumage.

We have Mr Desmond Lee (Minister of State) joining us this morning too! Below are some of the animals we saw...

SBWR is probably the only place in Singapore to see a wild crocodile. The next time when you are here, try looking for them at the Main Bridge. They are very well camouflage, so try look for anything that looks like a floating log or tree trunk in the water. They are usually just at the water edge.

 One of the many birds in the reserve. This Red Shank was with the colour flag X7. If you saw any birds that with flag, may report your sightings at Sungei Buloh Engraved Flag Sightings.

 Looks very similar to Red Shank but with yellowish/green leg.

Another sandpiper that we saw is Marsh Sandpiper. These birds will only be here for a limited time. Catch them while they are here or you will have to wait another year to see them again...

Return of Brown Shrike

Migratory birds are starting to arrive since late last month so as Brown shrike!

They are common but quite a shy bird to be photographed. I have to keep a distance and approach very slowly to get a more decent shot.

However, you will have some small window to get close when they have food in their mouth...

Photograph migratory bird is a annual affairs that not to be missed in tiny Singapore.  :)

Opportunistic Storks

I was at Sungei Buluh Wetlands Reserve (SBWR) last month & saw this Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) caught a big fish. 

 This otter move to the shallow part of the pond prepare to enjoy the big catch.

Just when the otter prepare to enjoy this big fish, a Milky stork (Mycteria cinerea) appear uninvited. This Milky stork is trying his luck.

With the fish in mouth, the otter move away from the stork.

 Two more storks join in trying their luck to have a share of the fish.

As the storks move closer, feeling the threats, one of the other fight back. The otter chase the stork away like a hunting dog!

The otters may appear cute, but when defending their food security, they are not taking chance. They really will not hesitate to drive any intruders away.

 The otter chase one after another.

While the storks being chase away, the otter cross over to the other side of the pond and starts to consume the fish.

The temptation is just too big to ignore. The Milky storks can't resist and  follow the otters but keep a distance.

The opportunistic behavior proof that is working. The storks got the bit & pieces of the fish that drop behind by the otters.

This is the first time seeing this opportunistic behavior on Milky storks. I'm sure the storks must have notice the otters will leave bits & pieces when they tear the fish to smaller bite size before consuming it.