BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Representatives of the Wild Bird Club (WBC) of the Philippines, other government officials and with the help of some foreign bird watchers counted 13,984 migratory birds of different species here during the one-day Asian Waterbird Census held over the weekend.
Using the method for counting waterbirds prepared by the Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology of Denmark and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the census takers were divided into three groups with one group each for Tortugas, Puerto Rivas Itaas and Sibacan, seaside villages in Balanga City declared by the Department of Tourism as birdwatching sites.
Psychiatrist Dr. Joey Soriano, an official of WBC, said the top three species of migratory birds found in Balanga are whiskered tern, black winged stilt and Kentish plover.
Birdwatchers also sighted two Philippine ducks hiding among the bushes in the fishpond at barangay Sibacan. “It is already an endangered specie.”
Grey heron, common green shank, egret of all sizes, black-headed gull, moorhen, kingfisher were also among those counted in the census that lasted from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The WBC and DENR representatives, some foreign guests and workers of the Balanga City government set up binoculars and cameras as early as 5:00 a.m.
Whiskered terns in beautiful formation flew high over the fishpond as the first crack of dawn appeared. Other birds of all sizes fed on the dry fishpond.
Kingfishers stood by the bamboo posts along the sea at the Wetland Park in barangay Tortugas where two viewing decks and a tourist information building are located. Picnickers abound in the area.
Daniel Miguel of DENR’s protected area and coastal area management office in Region 3 said the census is being done annually. “Ang buhay sa ilang ay hindi isang pet, ang talagang buhay sa ilang ay sa wild talaga,” he said.
Ana Marie Gonzales, WBC vice-president, said they have introduced in Balanga City the importance of caring for the birds in preservation of the environment.
“Natutuwa naman ang WBC dahil ginagawa ng city government sa pangunguna ni Mayor Joet Garcia na mapanatiling maayos ang pinupuntahan ng mga ibong dayo,” she said.
Garcia has promoted birdwatching as one of the tourist attractions in the component city.
Thousands of migratory birds flock to dry fishponds and the wetlands of the city from September to late March every year.
The first International Bird Festival in the Philippines was first held in Balanga in 2009. From then on, the city conducted bird festivals annually.
Dr. Soriano said he would recommend birdwatching as therapy for psychiatric patients and even non-patients. “Kapag depressed ang isang tao, pasyente man o hindi, magandang hobby itong bird-watching sapagka’t nakaka-relaks ito,” the psychiatrist said.
Using the method for counting waterbirds prepared by the Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology of Denmark and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the census takers were divided into three groups with one group each for Tortugas, Puerto Rivas Itaas and Sibacan, seaside villages in Balanga City declared by the Department of Tourism as birdwatching sites.
Psychiatrist Dr. Joey Soriano, an official of WBC, said the top three species of migratory birds found in Balanga are whiskered tern, black winged stilt and Kentish plover.
Birdwatchers also sighted two Philippine ducks hiding among the bushes in the fishpond at barangay Sibacan. “It is already an endangered specie.”
Grey heron, common green shank, egret of all sizes, black-headed gull, moorhen, kingfisher were also among those counted in the census that lasted from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The WBC and DENR representatives, some foreign guests and workers of the Balanga City government set up binoculars and cameras as early as 5:00 a.m.
Whiskered terns in beautiful formation flew high over the fishpond as the first crack of dawn appeared. Other birds of all sizes fed on the dry fishpond.
Kingfishers stood by the bamboo posts along the sea at the Wetland Park in barangay Tortugas where two viewing decks and a tourist information building are located. Picnickers abound in the area.
Daniel Miguel of DENR’s protected area and coastal area management office in Region 3 said the census is being done annually. “Ang buhay sa ilang ay hindi isang pet, ang talagang buhay sa ilang ay sa wild talaga,” he said.
Ana Marie Gonzales, WBC vice-president, said they have introduced in Balanga City the importance of caring for the birds in preservation of the environment.
“Natutuwa naman ang WBC dahil ginagawa ng city government sa pangunguna ni Mayor Joet Garcia na mapanatiling maayos ang pinupuntahan ng mga ibong dayo,” she said.
Garcia has promoted birdwatching as one of the tourist attractions in the component city.
Thousands of migratory birds flock to dry fishponds and the wetlands of the city from September to late March every year.
The first International Bird Festival in the Philippines was first held in Balanga in 2009. From then on, the city conducted bird festivals annually.
Dr. Soriano said he would recommend birdwatching as therapy for psychiatric patients and even non-patients. “Kapag depressed ang isang tao, pasyente man o hindi, magandang hobby itong bird-watching sapagka’t nakaka-relaks ito,” the psychiatrist said.
