SOME OF THE INTERESTING THINGS THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE WILD BIRD CLUB OF THE PHILIPPINES DID IN NOVEMBER
It has been a busy, busy November for the club! Here is a summary of the activities this past month.
Club Trips. The WBCP had a total of 4 club trips this month.
- San Simon, Pampanga – A team of 8 birders headed by Rhoda Tayag, went to do an ocular birdwatching trip in the municipality of San Simon in Pampanga. There they met up with Rhoda’s husband, Mel who is a counselor there and helped organize police escorts for the group. Former Mayor Canlas also met with the group of birders. The group also birded in the municipalities of Masantol and Macabebe also in Pampanga. (Photos from Rhoda Tayag)
- Angat Dam – Organized by Karen Ochavo, a group of 15 birders drove out to go birding in the Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan. The group split into two groups, one taking a banca ride and the other trekked in the area of the power plant and spillway. (Photos from Tinggay Cinco)
- Team Energy Power Plant – A group of three birders went to Sual, Pangasinan to do a bird survey in the Team Energy Sual Plant. Notable species seen include Savanna Nightjar and a heard-only Great-eared Nightjar!
- AES Masinloc Power Plant – The club was invited to an ocular trip to the AES Power Plant in Masinloc, Zambales. A group of 10 birders joined staff of AES to visit some mangrove islands and the ash pond inside the plant. Read more about this trip in the full article in this month’s issue
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Guided Trips – The club also conducted a number of guided trips, both open to the public as well as requested by certain groups. A total of 4 guided trips were carried out with the help of members who generously volunteered their time and shared their passion for birding.
A guided trip was requested by members of Maharlika Village in Antipolo. The group went birdwatching in the area of the Tungtong River where the group was able to see a male Narcissus Flycatcher! Not bad for a spark bird!
Two guided trips were conducted in the Coastal Lagoon in one day! In the morning, a guided trip for College of St. Benilde Multi-media Arts students was organized, as requested by their teacher. In the afternoon, the monthly guided trip was held for the general public.
Before the month ended, member Karen Ochavo also organized a guided trip in the U.P. Diliman campus.
Manila Women’s Forum Talk. WBCP President Anna Gonzales was invited to give a talk to a group of around 30 members of the Manila Women’s Forum. The MWF is a networking group composed of mostly expats in the Philippines, headed by our very own member, Lisa Kircher Lumbao. The talk was on “Birdwatching: A Life Transformed” where Anna shared how birding has made her a happier human being.
Ocular Trip to Balanga. In preparation for the upcoming 2nd Ibong Dayo Festival in Balanga, Bataan, a group of birders went to do an ocular trip to the Balanga Wetland Park and the neighboring fishponds. The group met with the City Administrator to discuss matters about the festival which the club is co-organizing with the city. (Photos by Tinggay Cinco) 
The city of Balanga also had a launching of Balanga City University Town Foundation in Lou-is Restaurant where WBCP members Anna Gonzales, Mike Lu and Joey Soriano were acknowledged as incorporators of the foundation.
13th Taipei International Birdwatching Fair – Club Vice President Alain Pascua and club Treasurer Mike Lu attended the 13th Taipei Iternational Birdwatching Fair held in Guandu Nature Park, Taipei, Taiwan. Alain also joined the post-festival birding trip. (Photo by Alain Pascua)
Green Living TV Feature. ANC’s show Green Living featured the WBCP and birdwatching in the city. The group visited the Coastal Lagoon early morning to show that anyone can do birdwatching, even before going to work! (Photo by Maia Tanedo)
AND, to give us all something to look forward to, some members of the club had a meeting with Department of Environment and Natural Resources in preparation for the 8th Philippine Bird Festival – MANILA!