Nature Discovery Day at Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson

Received: 30 Nov 2025 / Accepted: 1 Dec 2025
@mnsselangorbranch.org

Introduction

Ever had a day filled with both fungi exploration and marine discoveries?

On November 29, 2025, the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Mycology Special Interest Group (MNSSB Mycology Group) joined forces with The Beach School to organize a fascinating fungi-guided walk and a marine coastal life watch at Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson. The fungi-guided walk kicked off in the morning along the scenic trail leading to Cape Rachado Lighthouse, while the marine coastal life watch took place in the evening at Telok Pelandok Beach.

The main goal of the event is to help the public understand, appreciate, and conserve natural ecosystems, with a special focus on the fascinating fungi and marine coastal life at the location.

Highlights

(i) Tropical Storm Senyar

The rare and powerful tropical storm Senyar swept through the area, bringing relentless heavy rain, fierce winds, and choppy seas just before the event kicked off. It was noted as the second tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Strait of Malacca, following Vamei in 2001. Thankfully, it ends completely just two days before the event began. However, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, with fallen trees and blocked paths.

Despite the challenges, the event goes off without a hitch thanks to careful safety protocols and thorough planning. Participants are guided by group leaders, as they safely explore fungi, keeping a respectful distance from fallen trees and unstable structures. The blocked trail is skillfully re-routed by local guides and experience hikers.

Fallen trees and blocked trails caused by the tropical storm Senyar.

(Photos by : Alexia Ng and Cheah Lan Shy)

(i) Fungi Guided Walk

The walk is led by Loon Yit Hong (MNSSB Mycology Group Co-Founder). Since it’s the wet season, a lot of mushrooms were spotted, with the red-staining Leucoagaricus sp. being a standout. This potentially poisonous mushroom tends to grow in large clusters on the ground, featuring white gills that are freely attached beneath its caps with a distinctive ring on its stem. Its context change colour to yellowish and red almost instantly when cut.

Safety briefing by Loon Yit Hong (MNSSB Mycology Group Co-Founder)

(Photos by : Cheah Lan Shy)

Participants exploring fungi guided walk at a safe distant away from fallen tree or unstable structure.

(Photos by : Alexia Ng and Cheah Lan Shy)

Red Staining Leucoagaricus sp.

(Photos by : Loon Yit Hong)

(i) Marine Coastal Wildlife Watch

The activity is led by Kent Leong (The Beach School Founder). Participants get to experience the thrill of catching and observing nocturnal coastal wildlife using a drag net method. They take turns pulling the net along the beach, collecting and examining various specimens. Some of the highlights include mud crabs, silver hairtail fish, puffer fish, land hermit crabs, mudskipper fish, catfish, prawns, and shrimps.

Kent Leong (The Beach School Founder)

(Photo by : Loon Yit Hong)

Mudskipper fish 

(Photo by : Loon Yit Hong)

Land Hermit crab

(Photo by : Loon Yit Hong)

Mud Crab

(Photo by : Loon Yit Hong)

Puffer Fish

(Photo by : Loon Yit Hong)

Conclusions

The event has achieved its goal to help the public understand, appreciate, and conserve natural ecosystems, with a special focus on the fascinating fungi and marine coastal life at Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson.

Acknowledgement

Loon Yit Hong (Event Organizer and MNSSB Mycology SIG Co-Founder)
Alexia Ng (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Chan Chee Keong (MNSSB Mycology Committee Member)
Kent Leong (The Beach School Founder)
Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB)
Event volunteers: Max Bambang Loo and Cheah Lan Shy
Participants and their families of the event.