Bird monitoring is being conducted to provide a 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.

 

On November 10, 2021, a team from the DENR CENRO Calaca conducted monitoring of the migratory birds in Brgy. Alas-as and Pulang Bato San Nicholas, Batangas which are part of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL).

 

Compared to the monitoring conducted last October, it was observed that there are more numbers of migratory birds roosting within the area of TVPL this month of November but most of them were seen in the adjacent Brgy of Alas-as which is Brgy. Pulang Bato. This may have a connection to the greater vegetation growth in Brgy Pulang Bato than in Brgy Alas-as.

 

Birds from other countries migrate in the Philippines to escape the winter, find shelter, feed and some of them even breed. Most common migratory species observed during the monitoring were Great Egret (Ardea alba) which mainly feed on small fishes in Taal Lake. It was noticed that many juveniles were present this month which can be attributed to their breeding habit. Eggs of Little egret are incubated for a period of 21 to 25 days and the hatched young will leave their nest for about 35 to 50 days.

 

Additional bird species were also observed in the area such as White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) and Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea). ###