WBCP had lots of activities for March including a birdwatching talks, raptor watching, and guided trips.
The WBCP Raptor Group started their Raptorwatch 2015 Spring Migration in Tanay, Rizal. During their first day of raptorwatch in Tanay they were able to see 690 Grey-faced Buzzard& 1 Chinese Sparrowhawk counted as of 11:30am. (Photo credits: Marts Cervero & Wenxing Pan)
March 13, 2015 – Guided trip for UP Mountaineers
UP Diliman, Quezon City
WBCP conducted a guided trip for UP Mountaneers at the Diliman Campus. The event was attended by 23 participants and 10 guides. The species seen included Pied Triller, Cinnamon Bittern, Collared Kingfisher, Colasisi. Irene Dy, one of the WBCP guides, loved the expression she observed when one of the girls saw the Barbet. Irene also enjoyed the curiosity being displayed by the participants. For example, there was one who asked a question why the Bittern was motionless and also asked for the spelling of ‘Vent ‘ of YBV. Irene was also happy to observe that the participants actually wrote down description of their lifer, when she asked them to do so. (Photo Credit: Irene Dy)
March 14, 2015 – Raptorwatch 2015
Ilham Resort, Tanjuang Tuan
Malaysia
Mads Bajarias, one of the WBCP delegates to the event noted a number of points of interest to other members of the WBCP. He shared that since 2000, the majority of migrating raptors observed on Tanjung Tuan are Oriental Honeybuzzard (Crested Honey Buzzard in WBCP 2013 checklist), Black Baza, Grey-faced Buzzard, Chinese Goshawk (Chinese Sparrowhawk in WBCP checklist) and Japanese Sparrowhawk. In comparison, the most regularly sighted species in the Philippines are Grey-faced Buzzard, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Crested Honey Buzzard, Osprey and Peregrine Falcon.
He further shared that a study by Keio University researchers using satellite tracking of four migrating Crested Honey Buzzards in 2012-2013 showed a “C” direction of their movements, starting from Japan, to Korea, China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. He was wondering whether the flyway passing through Taiwan and the Philippines constitutes a “sub-flyway” of the broader East Asian Flyway. Or whether some birds move through the “C” going south and take the direct route through the Philippines and Taiwan going north? Only time and more data can tell. Black Baza certainly looks like it moves through the “C” both in autumn and spring, unless we are overlooking this species.
Mads observed that MNS Raptor Watch attracts big lens photographers, families (no binoculars) and researchers and members of the media. This means the venue, activities and booths consider the needs of these groups (something that the WBCP should keep in mind in its own events). For example, while photographers seek information on where they can best set up their cameras and tripods for the best light, families appreciate shade.
He liked what he observed regarding their use of water refilling stations is a good way to cut plastic waste because it encourages people to bring their own water containers. He suggested that maybe WBCP can go further by encouraging attendees to its own events to bring their own eating utensils.
Ateneo de Manila, Quezon City
March 22, 2015 – Conservation Committee meeting
Lu residence, Manila
It was a working Sunday for the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines Conservation Committee. Projects discussed regarding preserving areas of great conservation concerns. Top of the list was Manila Bay. Anna Gonzales brought the first copy of the Anvaya Bird Book Guide.
March 22, 2015 – Camp Explore Ocular Trip
Maia Tañedo, Jops Josef and Jun Osano conducted an ocular and guided trip for the camp facilitators of Camp Explore. It was in preparation for conducting guided trips for their campers. (Photo credits: Maia Tañedo)
March 28-29, 2015 – Guided Trip and Presentation
DLSU-Science and Technology Center
Canlubang, Laguna
The Club was invited by the De La Salle University – Science and Technology Complex to a birdwatching session for the ECO organization. VP Willem van de Ven and Secretary Tinggay Cinco led the 2-day session with presentations, birdwatching and concluding with a quiz and a mini-bird race. Karen Ochavo, Ruben Bala, Lolet Tan, Babie Magadia helped out. President Gina Mapua and Cristina Cinco dropped by on the first day to lend support as well.
On Sunday morning, the Club also conducted a birdwatching activity for applicants for the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM) within the school campus. Cristina thinks that it was good to know they were also required to undergo a plant walk with the members of the Philippine Native Plant Society. Jops Josef, Maia Tanedo, Jasmin Meren and Jun Osano (who just flew in from Singapore) led the group.
Cristina hopes that we take inspiration from our fellow members who continue to promote birdwatching through guiding others. She suggested that we should come and let others discover the world of birds. (Photo credits: Cristina Cinco and Mike Lu)
March 29, 2015 – Guided trip for UP Mountaineers
UP Diliman, Quezon City
On that Sunday morning, WBCP members Jops Josef, Maia Lorlina Tañedo, Jun Osano, Jasmin Meren and Mike Lu joined together in conducting a birdwatching session for applicants of the University of the Philippines Mountaineers. Birdwatching in the campus is one of the required activities prior to joining their organization
March 31, 2015 – GMA Morning Show Guesting
Quezon, City
Jops Josef and Maia Tañedo guested on GMA’s morning show News to Go and discussed activities to do, particularly birdwatching, if staying in Metro Manila during Holy Week. (Photo credits: Mike Lu)
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