By Cristina Cinco
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is an annual event that monitors the population of migratory birds. The Philippines participates in the survey being centrally located in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. As part of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines’ conservation mandate, the AWC is one of the organization’s highlight activities. Members participate as citizen scientists to augment data and document the state of designated wetlands and their waterbirds. The AWC in the Philippines is coordinated by the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with the WBCP assisting in conducting the waterbird surveys. For 2025, the recommended dates for the waterbird counts were from December 1 to February 28, 2025, with emphasis on January 4-19, 2025, which are considered the peak of migration during the mid-winter season in the Northern Hemisphere.
Asian Waterbird Census with the Participation of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines
Candaba, Pampanga
December 29, 2024
Participants: WBCP Members – Mike Lu, Maia Tanedo, Tinggay Cinco, Djop Tabaranza, Marites Falcon, Ves Yraola, Stevie Mehta, Lisa Kirscher, Razel Sta. Rita, Mar Sta. Rita, Gilmore Senolos, Mona Senolos, Laarni Fuentes
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 2,502 individuals / 29 species
Significant Species Observed: High numbers of Garganeys and Northern Shovelers
Bongsalay, Ticao Island, Masbate
January 8, 2025
Participants: DENR 5, CENRO, WBCP member Justine Albao
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 41 individuals / 5 species
Significant Species Observed: Wandering Whistling Duck
Photos: Bongsalay, Ticao Island, Masbate
Pagbilao Power Plant, Quezon
January 8-9, 2025
Participants: CENRO Tayabas, Team Energy Foundation: VP Techie Lopez, Diahne Maningding, and Belle Tapia, WBCP members – Bernard Lu and Mike Lu
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 4,740 individuals / 21 species
Significant Species Observed: Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail
Photos: Mangrove Forest, Pabilao and Pagbilao Power Plant
Lake Canarem, Victoria, Tarlac
January 16, 2025
Participants: LGU Victoria, WBCP Members – Nald Rigor, Dax Simbol
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 218 individuals / 30 species
Significant Species Observed: Wandering Whistling Duck, Northern Shoveler, Black-winged Stilt
Photos: Canarem, Victoria, Tarlac and Wandering Whistling Ducks
National Capital Region
Tanza, Navotas; Tagalag-Malanday, Valenzuela; Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park
January 21, 2025
Tanza, Navotas
Participants: Vivian Jaen, Elyzza Torre, Steph Llait, Jomer Limuaco, WBCP Members – Justin de Ramos, Riza Melicor
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 2,408 individuals / 31 species
Significant Species Observed: Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Siberian Plover
Tagalag-Malanday, Valenzuela
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 1,421 individuals / 20 species
Significant Species Observed: Purple Heron, Common Moorhen, Whiskered Tern
Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park
Participants: PASU LPPWP, WBCP Members – Justine Albao, Rene Calado
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 2,473 individuals / 26 species
Significant Species Observed: Great Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Whiskered Tern
Balanga City/Pilar, Bataan
January 25, 2025
Participants: City of Balanga, DENR-3, WBCP Members – Mike Lu, Rene Calado, Rose Lacson, Ana Alcantara, Nancy Dimayacyac, Riza and Art Melicor, Edgar Yap, Russel Paul Odorio, Cathy Mendoza
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 15,212 individuals / 41 species
Significant Species Observed: Philippine Duck, Little Egret, Kentish Plover, Common Greenshank, Whiskered Tern
Photos: AWC Balanga Teams
Bulacan
Sta. Cruz, Paombong, and Pamarawan, Malolos
January 27 & 29, 2025
Participants: PENRO Bulacan, CENRO Baliwag & Guiguinto, Bulacan University Representatives, WBCP Members – Cristina Cinco, Maia Tanedo, Riza Herrera, Vinz Pascua, Djop Tabaranza, Junrey Tabarno
Total Number of Migrant Waterbirds: 20,143 individuals / 41 species
Significant Species Observed: Black-tailed Godwit, Pacific Golden Plover, Great Knot, Whiskered Tern
Rarities: Nordmann’s Greenshank, Laughing Gull
Photos: Sta. Cruz Sandbar, Paombong and SMAI Offset Area, Caliligawan, Malolos
References:
- Asian Waterbird Census Forms – Balanga/Pilar, Bataan, Bulacan
- AWC Data from PASU LPPWP
- eBird, Org – Canarem (Nald Rigor), Sta. Cruz/Pamarawan, Bulacan (Vinz Pascua), Tanza, Navotas (Justin de Ramos), Tagalag-Malanday (Riza Melicor), Ticao Island (Justine Albao), Candaba (Mike Lu)
- Photo References: Black-tailed Godwit – Vinz Pascua, Ticao Island – Justine Albao/DENR Region-5, Candaba – Ves Yraola, Navotas – Justin de Ramos, Pagbilao – Mike Lu, Bataan – Edgar Yap, Canarem – Nald Rigor