MALOLOS CITY – Not only a drop in the number of water birds at the Candaba Swamp, but some species were also missing, the Wild Birds Club of the Philippines (WBCP) said during a recent census.
It also said that erratic weather conditions last year led to the drop in the number of water birds at the swamp.
Michael Lu, head of the WBCP, told Punto Central Luzon that they only counted a total of 8,725 water birds on Sunday when they conducted their annual census.
“There are species that we spotted last year that were not present during our census, at wala ring bagong nakita ” Lu said.
Among the missing water bird species were the Northern Pin Tail, Common Pochard, and the Common Green Wing Peal.
Lu said that the drop in numbers of migratory birds that frequent the swamp during winter months can be attributed to weather conditions last year and continuing agricultural movement within the area.
He said that the onslaught of El Niño last year left larger parts of the swamp dry, and following agricultural activities further drove migratory birds away.
“Water is crucial for water birds, if there’s not enough water, the birds will just fly further away,” he said.
He also said that the current situation must remind local authorities to maintain sensitivity on the plight of water birds.
Based on records of the WBCP, a total of 17,000 water birds were counted at the swamp in 2008.
But it dropped to 12,613 in 2009; and to 11,000 last year.
It also said that erratic weather conditions last year led to the drop in the number of water birds at the swamp.
Michael Lu, head of the WBCP, told Punto Central Luzon that they only counted a total of 8,725 water birds on Sunday when they conducted their annual census.
“There are species that we spotted last year that were not present during our census, at wala ring bagong nakita ” Lu said.
Among the missing water bird species were the Northern Pin Tail, Common Pochard, and the Common Green Wing Peal.
Lu said that the drop in numbers of migratory birds that frequent the swamp during winter months can be attributed to weather conditions last year and continuing agricultural movement within the area.
He said that the onslaught of El Niño last year left larger parts of the swamp dry, and following agricultural activities further drove migratory birds away.
“Water is crucial for water birds, if there’s not enough water, the birds will just fly further away,” he said.
He also said that the current situation must remind local authorities to maintain sensitivity on the plight of water birds.
Based on records of the WBCP, a total of 17,000 water birds were counted at the swamp in 2008.
But it dropped to 12,613 in 2009; and to 11,000 last year.
