Compiled by Mike Lu
JULY 2024
July 5-7, 2024: Ocular visit of Asian Bird Fair Executive Committee members to the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park and Intramuros.
The Asian Bird Fair Executive Committee members Victor Yu (Taiwan) and Andrew Sebastian (Malaysia) flew to the country to check on preparations for the ABF in November. The morning was spent in a meeting at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park with vice superintendent Diego Montesclaros and inspection of the park facilities. Long-time member Tinggay Cinco invited the Execom to have lunch at Elar’s Lechon for a taste of local cuisine. In the afternoon, ABF Execom visited Barbara’s Restaurant, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago in Intramuros. These sites will be included in the cultural tour for the ABF delegates in November.
On the second day, ABF Execom members were the guests-of-honor at the launching of the ABF 2024 at the Villa SIPAG Hall. After the launching, they were accompanied by WBCP members to conduct an ocular inspection of The Tent, the venue of the ABF in November. The last day of their ocular trip was a visit to the Tagalag Eco Park in Valenzuela to see resident water birds.
July 6, 2024 – 21st Anniversary Party and launching of the 13th Asian Bird Fair at the Villar SIPAG Hall, Las Piñas City
Club members gathered to celebrate the 21st founding anniversary of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines and launch the 13th Asian Bird Fair – Las Piñas with ABF Executive Committee members Victor Yu (Taiwan) and Andrew Sebastian (Malaysia) with ABF 2024 main sponsor Senator Cynthia Villar of Villar Foundation as guests-of-honor. The simple program started with a history of the Asian Bird Fair by ABF 2024 chairperson Mike Lu, welcome remarks by ABF Execom Victor Yu and Senator Cynthia Villar, followed by a buffet lunch.
The program resumed with an update of the ABF 2024 by Delegate Committee chairperson Karen Ochavo and remarks by Andrew Sebastian. A raffle and auction followed and the program concluded with an ocular visit to The Tent, venue of the Asian Bird Fair in November.
WBCP partners who attended the party were Balanga City led by City Councilor Marie Vasquez, Victoria City led by Nald Rigor, DENR-NCR represented by LPPWP PASu Chris Villarin, Team Energy Foundation, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, and TRAFFIC.
July 21, 2024 – Guided birdwatching trip at the Ninoy Aquino Park, Quezon City
The guided birdwatching trip organized for the general public at the Ninoy Aquino Park was attended by 28 participants and participated by 9 WBCP volunteers. Perhaps it was due to an approaching storm, that very few bird species were seen in the usual site by the lagoon. Black-crowned Night Heron, Large-billed Crow, Pacific Swallow and Little Egret were seen very well by all but most other species were flybys only. The group also went around the lagoon and got drenched in a downpour just as they neared the parking area.
July 28, 2024 – WBCP General Assembly at Max’s Restaurant, Quezon City
The Club held a General Membership Assembly at Max’s Restaurant with 47 members in attendance. Mike Lu delivered the President’s report enumerating the club activities in the last 12 months. Tommy Tan delivered the Treasurer’s report pointing out the need to raise more funds to host the Asian Bird Fair later in the year, and the Records Committee report was delivered by Cristina Cinco highlighting the new species added to the list such as the sighting of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Bataan earlier in the year.
Elections Committee rep Bayani Barcenas led the voting on the amendment to club rules with two measures which gained the approval of the membership: raising the annual membership for regular members to P 1000.00 and associate members to P 500.00, and to extend the term limits of elected officers to two years starting 2025.
The Elecom headed by Bayani Barcenas announced the official results of the election for Executive Committee officers 2024-25 as follows: Mike Lu for President, Tinggay Cinco for vice president, Maia Tanedo for secretary, and Tommy Tan for treasurer.
Club merchandise such as ABF shirts and patches were on sale. The assembly ended with drawing of raffle with items donated by members.
AUGUST 2024
August 8, 2024 – Asian Bird Fair Programme Committee meeting at Max’s Restaurant, Quezon City
WBCP Execom Mike Lu, Maia Tanedo, and Tinggay Cinco met up to finalize details of the learning sessions during the Asian Bird Fair scheduled on November 21 and 22. The main component of the 2-day bird fair will be lectures for grade school and high school students as well as forums for college students. Invitations for schools will be sent out as soon as the speakers have confirmed their slots. Different themes for the 4 dinners were also finalized. The Asian Bird Fair will be the highlight event in the WBCP calendar for 2024 !
August 18, 2024 – Guided trip for Living Learning Homeschool at the Ninoy Aquino Park, Quezon City
Living Learning Homeschool Cluster Ngiti booked a guided birdwatching activity at the Ninoy Aquino Park for 19 participants. Volunteer guide Maia Tanedo led the orientation before the activity started. The group stayed by the lagoon and everyone had good views of the park’s resident Black-Crowned Night Heron, Collared Kingfisher, Brown-breasted Kingfisher, and Little Heron. Some of the participants saw Colasisi, Lowland White-eye, and Black-naped Oriole. Other WBCP volunteers were Anthony Arbias, Ves Yraola, Laarni Fuentes, and Mike Lu.
August 24, 2024 – Club trip to Marilaque Highway, Infanta, Quezon Province
Club members organized a trip to the Marilaque Highway in Infanta (Quezon) known for sightings of Luzon forest birds, specially uncommon forest birds. The group visited the usual haunts and had good views of endemics such as Blue-headed Fantail, Guaiabero, Short-crested Monarch, Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler, Flaming Sunbird, Spotted Wood Kingfisher among others. The group then headed for the Hungry Tummy Marquez Restaurant for brunch and consolidated the bird list with a total 34 species. Birders who participated in this club trip were Karen Ochavo, Maia Tanedo, Djop Tabaranza, Jayanti Pandey, Dindo Malonzo, Jessa Ochavo, Patcha Pangatungan, Russell Orodio, Karl Gavero, Joshua Cerdenia, Denise Samson, Noel Quijada, Enrico Legaspi, Timmy Romero, and Gelo Arboleda.
August 25, 2024 – Guided birdwatching trip in La Mesa EcoPark, Quezon City
The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines conducted a guided birdwatching activity in partnership with the La Mesa Ecopark. Twenty five participants showed up at 6:00 am to take part in the first guided trip since Manila Water took over the management of the ecopark. Among the common species were Yellow-vented Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole, and Pied Triller. Highlights were 3 endemics – White-eared Brown Dove, Spotted Wood Kingfisher and Philippine Eagle Owl. More trips will definitely be scheduled in the months to come. Volunteer guides were Karen Ochavo, Mike Lu, Karl James Gavero, and Russel Paul Orodio.
August 26, 2024 – Coastal Clean-up at the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park
Club members Mike Lu, James Mangun, and Azfal Amdani led a coastal clean-up during the National Heroes Day holiday at the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park. The small but dedicated group worked intensely for 2 hours and made a visible impact on the coastline fronting the Wetland Center. After the clean-up, the volunteers were treated to a birdwatching basics session where they had the opportunity to observe Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, and Common Sandpiper.
