JANUARY 2026
January 3, 2026 – WBCP New Year Party at Villa-Real Residence, Quezon City
About 60 members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines gathered to celebrate the club’s annual New Year Get-together at the residence of Alice Villa-real. A short program hosted by Maia Tañedo and Mike Lu encouraged members to introduce themselves and shared their birding experiences. The early dinner buffet was followed with the highlight of the evening, the raffle with items donated by members, the proceeds of which will go to the club’s Honey Lu fund for conservation to subsidize the expenses incurred during the conduct of the Asian Waterbird Census. Working quietly behind the scenes, Tinggay Cinco, Jessica Cinco, Babie Magadia, and Jops Josef volunteered to man the registration and merchandise tables.
January 17, 2026 – Asian Waterbird Census in Balanga City, Bataan
With the support of the Balanga City LGU, WBCP members Ana Alcantara, Tinggay Cinco, Diuvs de Jesus, Mike Lu, Riza Melicor, and Zita Pascasio joined the DENR to survey the wetlands of Balanga City for the Asian Waterbird Census 2026.
The 5 wetland sites included in the survey were Tortugas, Puerto Rivas Ibaba, Puerto Rivas Lote, Sibacan, and Pilar. The total number of birds counted was 8,112 individuals belonging to 39 species. Among the more noteworthy species were Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Philippine Duck. The most common species were Whiskered Tern (2,710), Little Egret (1,311) and Great Egret (1,230).
January 20, 2026 – Asian Waterbird Census in Tanza (Navotas) & Tagalag (Valenzuela)
The total count for the mudflats of Tanza (Navotas) and the fish ponds of Tagalag (Valenzuela) was a low 2,377 birds. The most number of birds were Whiskered Tern (545), Marsh Sandpiper (334), and Little Egret (307). There were also Pied Avocet (120) and Chinese Egret (2). The census was led by DENR-NCR with the participation of WBCP members Larry Cudiamat, Julius Infante, Moleen del Rosario, Denise Samson, Gwen So, and Philip Soriano.
January 25, 2026 – Club trip to Candaba Marsh, Pampanga
Before the last of the fields get drained, WBCP members Mike Lu, Sean Melendres, and Denise Samson headed for Candaba to catch a glimpse of the remaining migrants. More than a thousand egrets gathered around the shallow fields as did about 300 Black-winged Stilts, but most migrants seen just a week ago were gone. There was only one Northern Shoveler and one Eurasian Coot. Hopefully, the government can restore the ecosystem of Candaba Marsh that serves as an important wintering and refuelling site for migratory birds.
January 29, 2026 – Guided trip for the French School at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park
The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, in partnership with the Together-Ensemble Foundation, conducted a guided birdwatching trip and nature walk for forty Grade 5 and 6 students of the French School at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park.
The students also participated in a coastal clean-up, visited the Wetland Museum, and listened to talks at the auditorium. This is the third year of partnership between the WBCP and the Together-Ensemble Foundation. WBCP volunteers for the activity were Mike Lu, Ana Alcantara, and Mylene Santos.
January 30 – February 2, 2026 – Club Trip in Mt. Polis, Cordillera Administrative Region
WBCP member Enrico Legaspi organized a 3-day club trip to explore the highlands of Mt Polis. Braving chilly mornings that dipped to 11C, the group had a total haul of 36 Luzon montane forest species including hard-to-find target endemics: Yellow-crowned Flowerpecker, Luzon Racquet-tail, and Luzon Island Thrush. Aside from Enrico Legaspi, other members who joined were Edgar Zeta-Yap, Karen Ochavo, Russell Orodio, Laarni Fuentes, Leonard Rizada, Gayatri Pandey, Seann Mansukhani, Stevie Mehta, Dindo Malonzo, Ravie Piansay, and Isa Navarro. Both photos shared by Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap.
February 2026
February 2, 2026 – Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region Plans and Budget Consultation Meeting for Fiscal Year 2027 in the DENR Central Office, Quezon City
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Capital Region held a consultation meeting with its Civil Society partners in formulating their 2027 budget. The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines is one of the Civil Society organizations that provide inputs in support for projects or activities in which the WBCP participates. The consultation was held last February 02,2026 at the Central Office of the DENR in Quezon City.
February 7, 2026 – Guided trip at Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Montessori School in Dasmarinas, Cavite
WBCP was invited to conduct a guided birdwatching trip for 30 Upper Elementary students as part of the backyard camping activities led by Class Guide Ms. Djanvi Abiog. The activity started with an introduction to birds and birdwatching followed by an orientation on how to use binoculars and actual birdwatching around the campus grounds. The students were able to observe Long-tailed Shrike, Striated Grassbird, Philippine Jungle Crow, Coppersmith Barbet, and other bird species as pointed out by WBCP guides Mike Lu, Myles and Allan Holar.
February 7, 2026 – Club trip to All Toyota Green Wave Project in Mount Malarayat, Batangas
Members of the WBCP – Bayani Barcenas, Diuvs De Jesus, and Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap – conducted a bird survey at Mount Malarayat in Lipa City, following an invitation from Toyota Motor Philippines to visit its All Toyota Green Wave Project reforestation site in Barangay Malitlit. The team was joined by representatives from Toyota Motor Philippines and members of the local People’s Organization partnering in the project. Among the notable birds recorded during the survey were the Luzon Hornbill, White-vented Shama, and Oriental Honey-buzzard, highlighting the site’s value as a recovering habitat for native birdlife. The activity underscores the importance of collaborative conservation efforts between the private sector, local communities, and the birding community.
February 15, 2026 – Guided trip and Coastal clean-up in partnership with WOMA at the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park
The club partnered with NGO WOMA to conduct a guided birdwatching trip with a coastal clean-up for 30 participants. The activity started with an orientation on resident and migratory bird species for which the wetland park serves as a wintering site and instruction on how to use binoculars. The group proceeded to be shown the many migratory species feeding in the lagoons followed by a coastal clean-up. Participants who wanted to stay on were invited for a short hike to the mangrove boardwalk.
February 17, 2026 – Club trip in Victoria Valley, Rizal
A trip was organized by Rodec de la Cruz for club members to visit Victoria Valley Subdivision in time for the seasonal blooming of the Malabulak trees in February-March. The Malabulak trees are known for their fiery red-orange flowers which attract a lot of bird species. Most common among the bird species seen were Black-naped Orioles, White-breasted Woodswallow, and Yellow-vented Bulbul. Among other species seen that day were Philippine Magpie Robin, Philippine Cuckoo Dove, and Philippine Hawk Eagle. WBCP members who joined the trip were Jolo Choo, Irene and Raymund Duran, Susan Fries, Micah Lim, Mike Lu, Art and Riza Melicor, Ravie Piansay, and Isa Velayo.
February 18, 2026 – DENR Region 3 Consultation Meeting for Fiscal Year 2027 at the Provincial Environmental Regional Office-Bulacan
The DENR Region 3 Provincial Environmental Regional Office (PENRO) of Bulacan invited the WBCP to participate in the planning of activities and budget preparations for the fiscal year 2027. This is in line with PENRO-Bulcan’s consultation with their Civil Society partners focusing on the Asian Waterbird Census logistics, equipment, and other requirements of the activity. The consultation was held last February 18, 2018 at the PENRO Office, Citti de Oro, Sta. Rita, Guiginto, Bulacan. The meeting was attended by Club Vice President Cristina R. Cinco via the Zoom platform.
February 21-22, 2026 – Outdoorfest Philippines at Parklinks, Pasig
The Club was invited as an exhibitor at the Outdoorfest in the open area of Parklinks in Pasig City. The WBCP was given a tent highlighting Philippine endemic birds through the tarp display and through club merchandise. On the first day, Maia Tanedo was given a 30-minute slot to promote birdwatching basics and the birds of the Philippines. On the second day, Mike Lu led a guided birdwatching activity around the site where waterbirds such as Common Kingfisher and Eurasian Moorhen were seen by the river and grassland birds such as Striated Grassbird and Chestnut Munias were recorded. Volunteers for this activity were Maia Tanedo, Tinggay Cinco, Mike Lu, Leonard Rizada, and many other members who dropped by.
February 27, 2026 – Ibong Dayo Festival in Balanga City, Bataan
The 12th Ibong Dayo Festival commenced with a parade from the Balanga City Hall to the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park led by Balanga City Mayor Raquel Garcia and Vice Mayor Francis Garcia.
The Ibong Dayo Festival was timed with the celebration of the National Arts Month, hence the program at the Balanga Wetland and Nature Center included traditional dancers and singing as well as street dancing competition with dancers wearing bird-inspired costumes and a bird float competition.
WBCP, represented by President Mike Lu and Vice President Cristina Cinco, presented a framed paper artwork of a Black-winged Stilt to the Nature Center of the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park through Balanga City Mayor Raquel Garcia and Vice Mayor Francis Garcia. The WBCP also offered to update the waterbird photos in the nature center.
MARCH 2026
March 7, 2026 – Guided trip for ADB staff in UP Diliman, Quezon City
WBCP member Karen Ochavo organized a guided trip for seventeen (17) staff of Asian Development Bank staff at the University of the Philippines. The group started and ended at the College of Science Library, going through the parking areas of the Institute of Biology and National Institute of Molecular Biology buildings – and the Arboretum at the back of Marine Science Institute (where JC’s Vine is blooming now!) The usual species were showing themselves very well, especially lots of Black-naped Orioles, Coppersmith Barbets, and Long-tailed Shrikes out in the open. A couple of thermalling Chinese Sparrowhawks also came out just as the tour was concluding. Other WBCP members who volunteered to guide the group were Bambi Martinez, Russell Andaya, Ravie Piansay, Ermyn Ermitanio, and Lisa Kircher
March 12, 2026 – Ocular trip with REC-NCR at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City
The Regional Ecotourism Council-NCR headed by the Department of Tourism-NCR conducted an ocular trip to the Ninoy Aquino Park to assess its potential as an ecotourism site in Metro Manila. The group was briefed on the diversity of tree species planted on the park grounds and annual activities conducted inside the park. The team was also given a tour of the facilities including the “forest-bathing” area which is now under construction. Aside from DOT-NCR, the ocular team was formed by the DENR-NCR, tour operators and WBCP, represented by President Mike Lu.
March 20, 2026 – Guided trip at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City
Ninoy Aquino Park is becoming a popular choice for guided birdwatching trips because of the presence of the endemic Philippine Eagle Owl. The guided trip started with an orientation on birds and birdwatching including the proper way to use binoculars. The trip proceeded to the lagoon area where most of the activity was done by the boardwalk to see the resident and migrant bird species. The culmination of the activity was the sighting of the Philippine Eagle Owl, surprisingly perched low on a santol tree. WBCP members who volunteered for the trip were Irynn Abano, Ivy Brioso, Mike Lu, Ramil del Rosario, Gilmore and Mona Senoles, and Sanne Unson.
March 21, 2026 – Birding Workshop at Forresta Café
Sony Philippines in partnership with Villar City recently hosted “Preserving Birding Practices: An Ethical Birding Experience” at Foresta Café featuring Sony Guru Ruwen Verdaguer. The activity started with a short orientation and photo-shooting opportunity of the birds found in the grasslands around the café. Later in the afternoon, a series of talks was part of the program including a topic on ethical birding where WBCP president Mike Lu gave his views and pointers. The activity ended with a mini photo contest of the birds photographed earlier in the day. The session brought participants closer to nature through responsible birdwatching and photography.
March 22, 2026 – Guided trip at Tagalag Eco Park, Valenzuela City
The guided trip at the Tagalag Eco Park filled up within two hours of its announcement. Thirty first-time birders showed up early at 630 am on a Sunday morning and were treated to a good showing of resident and migratory bird species. Tagalag Eco Park is the best site in Metro Manila to see Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Philippine Swamphen, and Wandering Whistling Duck with all four species showing up within the first 30 minutes of the guided trip. The activity was also attended by some local barangay officials. After the activity, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian treated the participants to a hearty breakfast and consulted with WBCP on how to promote and develop the ecotourism potential of the said site.
WBCP members who volunteered for the activity were Irynn Abano, Jolo Choo, Micah Lim, Mike Lu, Andrew de Pano, and Maia Tañedo.
Oh boy that’s a lot of events, I counted around 19, tama ba. Galing, congrats