March 2017 Roundup

Here is a list of the different activities the WBCP had the past month.

March 12 – Records Committee Meeting

The WBCP Records Committee got together at the residence of Mike Lu and had their regular meeting.

Hard-working Records Committee members. Photo by Mike Lu

March 14 – Club Trip to San Roque Dam, Pangasinan

Members of the WBCP went on a club trip to the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan where they saw relatively big numbers of Philippine Ducks among other species.

Birders on the boat going around the dam.

Philippine Ducks flying over the water. Photo by Jon Villasper

March 18 – Club Trip to IRRI and Mt. Makiling

The WBCP had a club trip for members in the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mt. Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna.

Photo by Cristina Sison, niece of current WBCP Secretary Tinggay Cinco

March 18-19 – Club Trip to Pacific Farms, Bolinao, Pangasinan

The WBCP was invited by Pacific Farms to survey their 500-hectare salt farm as a potential site for the annual Asian Waterbird Census for Region 1.  Seven birdwatchers joined by the company owners trekked the salt fields and explored the fringing habitats – mudflats and scrublands to record more than 70 species in less than 48 hours. Waders in breeding plumage littered portions of the salt fields while the fringing hillsides harbored a variety of common open field and forest species

Gerard Khonghun watching the birds on the salt fields

Waders littered the salt fields

Brown-breasted Kingfisher and other species can be found in the habitats surrounding the salt fields

March 25 – Guided Trip in Anvaya Club, Morong, Bataan

As Anvaya Cove celebrated its 9th anniversary, the WBCP was invited to set up a booth and also conduct bird walks around the area for guests.

Photo by Willem van de Ven

 

Photo by Nikdye Realubit

March 27 – Birding Training at Masungi Georeserve

The WBCP was tapped by the Masungi Georeserve to conduct a birding training for their guides.

WBCP volunteers Willem, Cathy, Mabel, James and Jasmin (Brian Ellis not in the photo) and our lovely host Ann

Forest rangers and guides – we had to divide into three groups for a more focused learning