Some 15,041 migratory water birds were counted last Saturday during the Asian Water Bird Census 2017 in the wetlands in this component city, a decline of almost 51% as compared to last year’s 29,465.
Last year’s count was the highest number ever recorded since the census in this city started in 2010.
This year’s number ballooned from 2015’s census of 12,999 birds taken in the bird watching villages of Sibacan, Lote, Puerto Rivas Ibaba, Tortugas, and Lote.
2016’s census results surpassed the 25,000 birds counted three years ago but this time, the drastic drop in numbers are said to be blamed on “fast changing environment and extreme climate plus failure to get the commitment of fishpond owners to ‘cooperate’ with the birds.”
Rudy de Mesa, Balanga city administrator, said the government’s advocacy on good environment shall continue no matter what.
Just the same, the birds need mud flesh where they can feed themselves and stay on for their existence, according to Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP).
Gina Mapua, WBCP president, said 63 bird species can be found in Balanga City, most of which belong to whiskered terns, egrets and black-winged stilt.
She also said that one Chinese egret, a very rare species, was one of those sighted last year. The Chinese egret has a low population of only about 6,000 globally and rarely seen.
“Do not allow the shorelines to be destroyed, and let the mud and gravel exposed near the seas [as they] serve as the feeding area of the birds. Do not disturb the roosting area and do not cut the mangroves because those birds sleep there during the night,” Mapua advised residents in efforts to attract more migratory birds.
De Mesa said residents, including the city government, are happy about the results of the bird census.
”The increase and decrease of the number of migratory birds depend on two things aside from other factors. It declines due to the negligence of the people and it increases because the people protect their feeding and sleeping areas,” he said.
De Mesa urged residents to double their efforts in protecting the birds.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the government’s lead agency in the Philippines in the Asian Waterbird Census. WBCP joined DENR in the census in Balanga City since 2009.
This census is an international endeavor of scientists to monitor the population of water birds species in the Asian region. –Mhike R. Cigaral