Number of Asian waterbirds in Lemery, Batangas, declining
CONTINUOUS decrease in the number of Asian waterbirds was observed during the monitoring conducted in Palanas, Lemery, Batangas, while numerous birds were still observed in Barangay San Diego, Lian, Batangas, a news release said.
Asian Waterbird Census is conducted annually every January to provide basis for estimates and monitor changes in waterbird population in all types of natural and man-made wetlands, including, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, freshwater swamps, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs, rice fields and sewage farms.
Birds from other countries migrate to the Philippines to escape the winter, find shelter, feed, and some of them even breed.
This January, a team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Calaca Environment Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) Calaca Conservation and Development Section conducted monitoring of Asian waterbirds in Barangay Palanas and Barangay San Diego.
Most of the waterbird species observed in both areas were: Little Egret and Great Egret, with a total count of approximately 3,320 in Baranagay San Diego, and 950 in Barangay Palanas.
This shows a decline in the number of waterbirds observed in Barangay Palanas, said the Denr-calabarzon in a news release.
Changes in geographical features in Barangay Palanas occurred after the Taal Volcano Eruption in 2020.
It was observed that there was an increase in the level of river of about 1 meter, which further cause the destruction of estimated 4 hectares of mangrove areas that serves as the roosting site of the waterbirds.
The mangrove area in the barangay is continuously being observed for its possible restoration.
On the other hand, waterbirds in Barangay San Diego, are still abundant in the past few years, the Denr-calabarzon release said.