The latest count for the 2020 Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in the component city of Balanga in Bataan province reaches 14,500 “ibong dayo” (as the locals call it) or migratory birds belonging to 32 species, a bit bigger increase from last year’s 9,544.
Bird watchers from the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) cited fine climate, good environment and less disturbance from the local residents bring about a good site for waterbirds seeking shelter in the City’s four coastal villages namely Sibacan, Tortugas, Tuyo, and Puerto Rivas as major factors for the increase.
The Asian Waterbird Census is an international program that focuses on monitoring the status of waterbirds and wetlands. It also aims to increase public awareness on issues related to wetland and waterbird conservation.
Mike Lu of WBCP posted on his Facebook account some of the birds species captured by his camera like the frenzy feeding of the Little Egrets, Great Egrets, and Whiskered Terns at a drained fishpond in Barangay Sibacan; Collared Kingfisher, one of the resident birds at the wetland park; and the Black-winged Stilts, where the award-winning annual Ibong Dayo Festival got its logo.
The city government of Balanga led by City Mayor Francis Garcia on Saturday (January 11) initiated this annual official census of water birds getting themselves fed in marshlands and fishponds in the city’s lush coastal villages where residents live quietly nearby.
WBCP was joined by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel, provincial government environment and natural resources office (PG-ENRO), provincial and city tourism offices, farmers councils, and barangay officials from the four coastal villages.
The project started during the time of then City Mayor now Congressman of the Second District of Bataan Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III, under whose term the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park was developed into a vital natural park in Bataan. The Park is frequently visited yearly by thousands of tourists and excursionists from different schools, provinces and foreign tourists from various countries.