February 2014 Roundup

February 2, 2014 – Meeting for Philippine Bird Festival
The organizing committee of the Philippine Bird Festival-Zamboanga met at the residence of Mike Lu to update on the status of the different activities for the bird festival to be held in Zamboanga at the end of the month. (Photo from Marites Falcon)

February 6-9, 2014 – 8th ARRCN Raptor Symposium
WBCP members Alex Tiongco and Tere Cervero went to India to attend the 8th ARRCN Raptor Symposium which was held at the IISER campus at Pune, Maharashtra, India from 6th-9th February 2014. The symposium, the theme of which was “Raptor Conservation and Culture” was hosted by the Ela (Earth) Foundation led by Doctor Satish Pande who holds a double doctorates degrees in Medicine and Biology. Alex Tiongco has this to say about the event/place: “India….Incredible!!….India..” (Photo from Alex Tiongco)

February 8, 2014 – Guided trip for visiting birder
WBCP member Irene Dy volunteered to take visiting British birder Tony Jackson to the Angono Petroglyphs in Angono (Rizal) to see the famous Philippine Eagle-Owl residents. (Photos from Irene Dy)

February 9-10, 2014 – Final inspection trip to Zamboanga
Festival chair Gina Mapua, Mike Lu, Maritess Falcon and Arne Jensen went to Zamboanga to meet their counterparts for the Philippine Bird Festival to finalize details of the festival. The group met with Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco and attended a press conference with the local media. They also inspected two new sites – Cabo Negro and the wetlands of Victoria. (Photos from Marites Falcon)

February 21, 2014 – Trip to Balanga for league of Cities
Mike Lu, James Biron and Fr. Auckhs Enjaynes went to Balanga City, Bataan to guide the mayors of the League of Cities. Seen in the photos below are Mayor Emmanuel Alfelor, Jr of Iriga City, Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal City, Mike Lu, Mayor Beng Climaco of Zamboanga City, Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista of Quezon City, and WBCP Members Fr. Auckhs Enjaynes and James Biron. (Photos from James Biron)

February 22, 2014 – Guided Trip at LPPCHEA
WBCP members Jops Josef and Maia Tanedo guided a group of 23 mountaineers from SMART at LPPCHEA. The group spotted a flock of fast flying mystery birds in V-formation. The first time birders were also treated with a sighting of eight Philippine Ducks. (Photos from Maia Tanedo)

February 27-28-March 1, 2014 – Philippine Bird Festival
The highlight of this month’s list activities is of course the much awaited 9th Philippine Bird Festival that was held in Zamboanga City. Several delegates attended this event themed Pajaros: Bula sin Miedo, sin Lingasa”— Zamboanga’s Spanish-based Chavacano  for “Birds: Fly Without Fear, Without Worries”. This year’s bird festival aims to promote the birdwatching hobby as a nature tourism activity and drum up support for conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands and the Pasonanca Natural Park, right in the heart of Zamboanga City. (Photos from Maia Tanedo and MaJune Bugante)