Menu Close

January-February 2019 Roundup

Compiled by Mike Lu

It has been a very busy January and February for the club. Here is the list of activities:

Jan 6 – WBCP New Year Party

Jan 9 – AWC Pacific Farms, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Pacific Farms (1)


Jan 11 – AWC, Pampanga River, Macabebe, Pampanga

pam1
pam3

Jan 12 – simultaneous AWC in the following sites:

  • Balanga, Bataan:

52011436_1985676761733776_2050016808395603968_n

52100161_1000157576851496_2317002365040852992_n

  • Navotas:

49723945_10156926059470818_962725109901033472_n

  • Sasmuan, Pampanga:

49897407_10156817971139034_8941319438582415360_o

50520732_10156817971229034_8550570722810920960_o

  • Malolos, Bulacan
  • Pampanga River, Calumpit

Jan 16-17 AWC Team Energy, Sual, Pangasinan
sual2

Jan 20 AWC Caylabne Bay

IMG_6234


Jan 23-24 AWC Team Energy, Pagbilao, Quezon

Feb 2-3 World Wetlands Day celebration – Malolos, Bulacan

51265899_10213332923782059_3781342971799011328_o

51685658_10213332924582079_8965487902456807424_o


Feb 3 – Club trip – UP for visiting birder Dr. So

A guided trip was organized for visiting birder, Dr. Elson So at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.  The club invites visiting birders to join club trips and Dr. Elson So, from the Mayo Clinic in US and had birded in Subic Bay with Alice Villa-Real in his previous visit.  Thanks to Gwen So (his niece), Alice Villa-Real, Mary June Bugante, Gabbie Reyes, Yong Chye Foong, and other friends for joining this trip.

Feb 4 Joint public hearing for Senate Bill 1820 (sponsored by Senator Villar) and House Bill 8441 (sponsored by Representatives Garcia and Nograles) to declare Balanga Wetland Park as a community-based ecotourism area.  Invited as resource speakers were Mike Lu (WBCP), Anna Gonzales (WBCP), and Arne Jensen (Wetlands International).

IMG_0606


Feb 8 World Wetlands Day – LPPCHEA ground-breaking for the Wetland Center led by Senator Cynthia Villar

IMG_0788

IMG_0764


Feb 9 – 10 World Wetlands Day – Pampanga

Initiated by Wetlands International Philippines, a World Wetlands Day celebration was held in Sasmuan, Pampanga. WBCP member Maia Tanedo gave a talk for community members and fisherfolk and together with Arne Jensen and Djop Tabaranza, conducted a guided birdwatching trip in Bangkung Malapad.

51518483_10213357020824470_1041374804428455936_n

Photo by Rizza Estadola of Wetlands International – Philippines
51177152_10156897334699687_1526579029384101888_n
Photo by Rizza Estadola of Wetlands International – Philippines

Feb 9 – WBCP Execom Meeting

Members of the Execom led by President Willem van de Ven had a meeting to discuss and plan for upcoming activities of the Club.  The meeting was held at Elar’s Restaurant and was attended by VP Lolet Tan, Secretary Tinggay Cinco, Treasurer Mike Lu, and Execom officer Gina Mapua.

Feb 10 – Club Trip – Orchard Golf and Country Club

The Orchard Golf and Country Club invites the Club to survey bird species on the golf course every year.  By implementing our recommendations to maintain grasslands instead of cutting down all grass, we have seen an increase in bird species.  Last year, two endemic and threatened Philippine Ducks showed up and three were recorded this year.  Thanks to George and Manette Inocencio, Ruben Bala, Des Cambaliza, Myles and Allan Holar, and Bayani Barcenas for doing this year’s survey.

Feb 12 – Birdwatching Activity in Balanga Wetland and Nature Park

The Club was invited by Karanisan Experiential and Environmental Learning Service to conduct a birdwatching activity for students of the International School as part of their immersion program on community development and environmental awareness.  The activity was held at the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park and was led by WBCP members Erwin Torio, John Bibar and Renz Naguiat.  

karanisan1
karanisan2

Feb 15-18 – Great Backyard Bird Count

In support of Audubon Society’s Great Backyard Bird Count, members of the WBCP were encouraged to go birdwatching in their neighborhood or their favorite birding sites.   Photo shows Whiskered Tern perched on a line across the Pasig River in downtown Manila. 

Feb 22 – World Wetlands Day and Ibong Dayo Festival

ibongdayo2
IMG_1025
IMG_1166

Feb 24 – Guided Trip for UP Alumni

WBCP member Karen Ochavo guided a small group of UP alumni who requested a guided walk in UP Diliman. The group saw a total of 18 species, highlights were Coppersmith Barbet, White-breasted Waterhen (up on a tree!), and Grey Wagtail.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *