Volume 2, Issue 1 Wild about Birds 14 January 2006

Newsletter of the Wild Bird Club of the

WBCP flies high with the First Philippine Bird Festival

By Trinket Canlas Inside this issue: “Phenomenal. A huge success.” This was the overwhelming evaluation of the first-ever WBCP flies Philippine Bird Festival. Organized by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) and its high with the 1 Festival Committee, the one-day Festival was held on 18 November 2005 at the Crossroad First Philippine 77 Convenarium at Mother Ignacia Avenue in City. Bird Festival With its theme, “A Voyage of Discovery”, the Festival aimed at highlighting the country’s The Festival in wealth of bird life and raising conservation awareness through the promotion of bird 2 watching and the responsible appreciation of nature. It featured information and display pictures booths set up by environmental and community development organizations and WBCP is government agencies, photo and art exhibits, educational animal and bird shows, film showings, lectures, and children’s activities such as face-painting, drawing, origami and honorary OBC 3 colouring. member Highlights from Cutting the ribbon to start the festivities were WBCP President Michael Lu, Festival 4 Committee Chairperson Alice Villa-Real, Ricky de Castro of Mirant Philippines Foundation the field (the Foundation was the Festival’s main sponsor), and Congressman Albert Garcia. The opening program hosted by Anna Maria Gonzales included a keynote speech by Tim WBCP Fisher, one of the authors of the Guide to the Birds of the Philippines and WBCP member. endorses 6 Principles of More than a thousand students flocked to the Convenarium to take part in Festival activities. They milled around looking at exhibits in the various booths, queued to have Conservation their faces painted with bird designs, folded paper animals origami-style, slumped on the floor in their hundreds to colour pre-prepared bird drawings. By the afternoon, an entire WBCP section of the Convenarium was papered with these drawings. participates in 7 Taiwan Fair

Report from the 7 Prez

Philippine Eagle and Rufous Hornbill mascots from Conservation International entertained the crowd and added to the festive atmos- phere. Children swarmed around Robert Alejandro on the stage to learn “easy as 1-2-3” bird drawing. They squealed in delight at the animals brought on stage by Drew Galano for the My Zoo Foundation’s Zoo to You presentation.

A view of the astonishingly large crowd at the Festival Photo: Orly Punzalan Continued on page 3

The Festival in pictures...

Photos: Romy Ocon, Orly Punzalan. Photomontage: Jon Villasper

- 2 - Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006.

WBCP flies high... tions and government agencies. They Sponsors included the following: Center for The mini Bird Show presented by Environmental Awareness and Educa- Mirant Foundation Philippines was Davao-based Dr Bo Puentespina of tion; Conservation International Phil- the major sponsor of the Festival. the Malagos Garden Resort and the ippines; Consuelo Chito Madrigal The other sponsors were Ayala Land, Malagos Wildlife Preservation Foun- Foundation; Department of Environ- the Candaba Local Government Unit, dation captivated everyone. The audi- ment and Natural Resources Caylabne Bay Resort, ComWorks, ence watched in awe as Dr (DENR)-Protected Areas and Wild- Incorporated - Bird Mobile Phones, Puentespina brought out several re- life Bureau; DENR-NCR-Manila Bay Crossroad 77 Convenarium, Energy habilitated and rescued birds, includ- Environmental Monitoring Project; Lounge, Figaro Foundation, the For- ing a pair of African Grey Parrots, a ISLA Biodiversity Foundation; Katala est Club and the Soul Shop. Rufous Hornbill and a Philippine Foundation; Miriam PEACE; Munici- Hawk-Eagle. pality of Candaba; My Zoo Founda- “It has exceeded all expectations,” tion Volunteer Group; National Mu- Alice Villa-Real said, as the Festival The highlight of the afternoon con- seum-Manila; Philippine Butterfly ended. It was the culmination of five sisted of scientific seminars targeted Habitat Conservation Society; Philip- months of hard work and prepara- at the more mature segment of the pine Eagle Foundation; Winner Foun- tion by the Festival Committee. The audience. Indira Widmann of the dation; and World Wide Fund for pioneering event is expected to be- Katala Foundation lectured on the Nature-Philippines. come a major annual activity for state of the Philippine Cockatoo and WBCP. As early as December, its conservation; JC Gonzales, Profes- Also featured were art pieces by preparations for the Second Philip- sor at the University of the Philppi- WBCP members and friends. Among pine Bird Festival 2006 were already nes-Los Baños, spoke of the contri- the exhibitors were Rene Bajit, Jason under way. butions of birdwatching to science. A Cahigas, Nicky Icarangal, Rich Pijuan, timely panel discussion on the avian Orly Punzalan, Arnel Telesforo and Credit for the success of the Festival flu issue capped the afternoon pro- Yong Ding Li. Bird photographs of goes in a large way to its Festival gram. Joining forum moderator Atty Ivor Lee and Romy Ocon were like- Committee, whose members were the Ipat Luna as resource persons were wise on show. following: Chairperson: Alice Villa- Mundita Lim, Director of the Pro- Real; Exhibits: Amado Bajarias, Jr., tected Areas and Wildlife Bureau; the The visitors Dindo Llana, Arnel Telesforo; Logis- United States Embassy’s Dr Leonides tics: Jon Villasper, David Marte; Fi- Cardenas; and Ruben Pascual, Coor- Most of the Festival audience came nance: Ann Lim, Mike Lu; Souvenir Pro- dinator of the National Avian Flu from various schools. Students from gram: Trinket Canlas, Adri Constan- Task Force. Ateneo de Manila University, Beacon tino, Tere Cervero; Schools: Jo Solis, School, De La Salle University, Jose Caloy Libosada; Activities: Anna Gon- Participating organizations Abad Santos Memorial School, Learn- zales, Ipat Luna; Publicity: Wawel ing Tree School, Mapua Institute of Mercado, Crysta Rara. Friends of WBCP came out in force Technology, Meridian School, Miriam to support the Bird Festival. In addi- College, Polytechnic University of the Acknowledgement must also be made of the other WBCP members who have tion to the WBCP booth, 16 other Philippines, and the University of the not been named here who manned the exhibit booths were set up by partici- Philippines were among those partak- pating non-governmental organiza- booths and generally helped keep the ing in the event. activities going on the day itself.

WBCP is honorary OBC member However, there have been very few proposals from the Philippines. The By Jonathan Villasper BirdingASIA (a birding magazine) and last of these was a proposal from Forktail (a peer-reviewed scientific WBCP member Mads Bajarias to The Oriental Bird Club (OBC) named journal). Ms Sykes said that “as long study wetland birds in the North WBCP an honorary member in Oc- as the OBC has enough members Manila Bay. OBC is keen to receive tober 2005. Confirmation of the des- who are willing to support the honor- other proposals for work in the Phil- ignation came from OBC Secretary ary membership scheme, and the ippines. Margaret Sykes. She said that the honorary members find OBC mem- Based in the United Kingdom, the membership reflected OBC evalua- bership useful and informative, the Oriental Bird Club consists of bird- tion of WBCP as a Club “well worth relationship should continue for many ers and ornithologists from around supporting”. years, especially if the members are willing to give something back to the the world who are interested in the birds of the Oriental region and their OBC grants honorary membership to Club – for instance in the way of arti- conservation. This vast area em- groups and individuals able to benefit cles for BirdingASIA and Forktail.” braces tropical and temperate for- from the association. Dues are paid OBC also provides grants for conser- ests, outstanding wetlands, and grass- for either by OBC’s corporate spon- vation projects that focus on birds of lands providing habitat for over 2,600 sors or by its full members. Honorary the Oriental region and their habitats. bird species, many of them little membership entitles WBCP to re- To date, it has funded over a hundred known. The OBC website is ceive copies of the OBC publications projects in a number of countries. www.orientalbirdclub.org. Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006. - 3 - An immature Red-tailed Tropicbird

Highlights from Phaethon rubricauda, the third documented record for this species, the field… was caught in the bay of Puerto By Arne E. Jensen Princesa, , but it died at the local wildlife rescue centre on 26 Contributors: Arne Jensen (AJ), Arnel October (TA). The bird had been Mallari (AM), Alice Villa-Real (AV), banded in March 2003 on Johnston Bruce Glick-USA (BG), Carmela Española (CE), Carl Oliveros (CO), Godfrey Jakosalem (GJ), Agerico de Villa (GV), Hans Matheve-Belgium Yellow bunting Photo: Marijn Prins (HM), Jon Hornbuckle-UK (JH), James McCarthy (JM), Kitty Arce (KA), Kathy this species in the Philippines (MP). MacKinnon-UK (KM), Lu Ann Fuentes (LF), Leni Sutcliffe (LS), Lisa Marie Half-year: July – December Paguntalan (LP), Mads Bajarias (MB), 2004 Mike Lu (ML), Michaela Ledesma (MLE), New country records Marijn Prins-Netherlands (MP), Mark Villa (MV), Merlijn van Weerd- A White Tern Gygis alba* in a flock of Red-tailed Tropicbird Photo: Kitty Arce Netherlands (MW), Nilo Arribas (NA), Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata and Common Ned Liuag (NL), P and E Collaert-USA Noddy Anous stolidus followed a WWF Atoll, 840 miles south-west of Hawaii. (PEL), Perry Ong (PO), Renato Fernan- research vessel at close range on 21 On 29 November Singaporean bird dez (RF), Romy Ocon (RO), Teri October, two hours northwest of photographer Ivor Lee reported seeing Aquino (TA) and WWF Philippines Bancoran Reef in the Central Sea, 4 Tropicbirds at the Coastal Lagoon, (WWF). Palawan (AJ, TA, MLE). This would be Parañaque. On the same day a the first record of the species in the This abridged report covers July to fisherman caught 1 adult Red-tailed Philippines. December 2004 and is based on the Tropicbird at this site; this bird, the fourth recorded in the Philippines, also observations of 30 birders. It also pre- A male Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike died in captivity (KA). sents a summary for 2004. The full re- Coracina melaschista* was observed for ports for the half-year and the year are several minutes and at close range A suspected Christmas Island Frigate- available from the WBCP website. Spe- perched on a tree during a WBCP trip bird Fregata andrewsi* was seen along cies on rarity records (RR) are marked to the Puerto Rivas fishponds in the reefs of the Calayan Ridge in the with an asterisk (*). Balanga, Bataan on 12 December (AJ, Sulu Sea. During the WWF seabird Summary for 2004 MV, ML, MB, LF). inventory of 19-21 October, at least 27 of this critically endangered species In 2004, observations came from 303 Accidentals, rare visitors and were observed, together with more sites (compared to 167 in 2003), of residents than 900 Lesser Frigatebird Fregata which 40 in Metro Manila and 263 out- ariel, at Bancoran and Bancauan Islands side the area. The number of birding Heavy storms in October and a ty- and the Manuc Manucan reef of San sites outside Manila rose by 58% over phoon in November brought a number Miguel Islands in the Sulu Sea. These the previous year and covered 46 of of rare seabirds onshore. A Bonin Pet- sightings were the fifth and sixth the country's more than 70 provinces. rel Pterodroma hypoleuca (second records for the Philippines (AJ; WWF). They included remote islands north of record for the country) was caught at Luzon and in the central and southern The rare Great-billed Heron Ardea Sulu Sea. sumatrana was recorded only on Rasa Island, Palawan on 16 December (HM) A remarkable 457 species were ob- and Potpototan Island on 19 December served, up from 393 species in 2003. Of (GV). Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes the country's 73 threatened species, 44 was reported from new sites such as were seen, including 5 in the critical, 7 Bancoran Island on 17-18 October (AJ), in the endangered and 32 in the vulner- Tortugas fishponds, Bataan on 16 able lists. In addition sightings of 43 of November (AJ, MV) and Times Beach, the Philippines' 54 near-threatened Davao City on 24 November and 20 species were reported. December (BG, MV). Six new species were added to the At least four observations likely to be records. These were: Eurasian Hobby Bonin Petrel Photo: Kitty Arce of the Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola Falco subbuteo,* Calayan Rail Gallirallus bacchus* were made on Calayan Island, calayanensis,* White Tern Gygis alba,* the Ninoy Aquino International (CO, MV), the fishponds of Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus,* Airport, Parañaque, Manila on 29 Orion, Bataan (JH) and Candaba Marsh, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike Coracina November. It died in captivity on 10 (RO) in October, and the melaschista* and Oranged-flanked Bush December (KA). South Reclamation Area, (2 birds) Robin Luscinia cyanura.* on 5 December. These records may On 19 March a Yellow Bunting Ember- A Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii* flew indicate an expansion of the species iza sulphurata* was mist-netted and by the Manuc Manucan reef, Tawi-Tawi into the Philippines. There had been photo-documented near San Mariano, on 20 October (AJ). This would be the only four records over the last 100 . There are no annual records of country's fourth record of this species. years.

- 4 - Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006.

A very rare record of two Darters threatened species reported were 2 (CO, MV). On 1 January, 3 White- Anhinga melanogaster came in from Spotted Imperial-Pigeon Ducula carola in winged Cuckoo-shrike Coracina ostenta Liguasan Marsh, North on 15 the forest of the PICOP concession in and a Negros Striped-Babbler Stachyris November. The Marsh also hosted 2 on 21 December (HM) nigrorum were observed in Landay Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus* (RF). On and 89 roosting Philippine Cockatoo Forest, Dumaguete, . Palawan, 1 of the Black-faced Spoonbills Cacatua haematuropygia* on Rasa Island, On 31 December, at least 2 Flame- Platalea minor* first reported in 2003 Palawan on 19 December (LMP, GJ). templed Babbler Stachyris speciosa were remained throughout the year in the One of the few remaining strongholds present at Casa Roro, Dumaguete fishponds of the Iwahig Penal Colony, of the Green Racquet-tail Prioniturus (HM). Puerto Princesa (AM). An unexpected luconensis is Ilanin Forest, Subic Bay; up sighting was of 2 Woolly-necked Stork to 4 birds were seen there on 16 Two Philippine Leafbird Chloropsis Ciconia episcopus* flying parallel to the November (AJ, MV). A few Blue- flavipennis were seen on Mt Sinaca, coast and later inland at Pagudpud, headed Racquet-tail Prioniturus platenae Arakan, Cotabato on 29 December on 29 October (KM, PO). were found in December in the St Paul (MV). The elusive Falcated Ground- The species appears not to have been Subterranean River National Park Babbler Ptilocichla falcata showed up at observed on Luzon for almost 20 years. (HM). Although one or more birds Stream Trail, St Paul Subterranean Nearby, in the Malasi Lakes, Isabela, a were heard, there were no sightings of River National Park on 14 December male with a probable female Greater Blue-backed Parrot Tanygnathus and a second one came into view on 16 Scaup Aythya marila* was photo- sumatranus in the PICOP forest; forest December along Balsahan Trail, Iwahig documented in November, the squatters and illegal loggers cut the only Penal Colony (HM). country's second record of this species known breeding tree in December. Three Black Shama Copsychus cebuensis (MW). More positive are records of Giant were spotted in the tiny forest area of Scops-Owl Mimizuku gurneyi in late Nug-as, Alcoy, Cebu on 31 December The rare Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga December in Baracatan, Davao (HM) jefferyi* was reported in December (MB). An immature Ashy Ground- and on Mt Sinaca, Arakan, Cotabato Thrush Zoothera cinerea was well seen with 1 immature bird near Salaysay and where 2 birds were heard (MV, BG). 2 adults at Arakan, North Cotabato along Mt Makiling Forest Trail, Los (MV). A Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo* Despite the massive and intensified Baños on 4 December (MV, BG) and 1 flew into a roost on Bancauan Island, destruction taking place in the PICOP adult of the species was photographed Sulu Sea on 20 October but continued forest, the vulnerable Silvery Kingfisher there the following day (RO). shortly after on a south-west migration Alcedo argentata and Rufous-lored Of the country's rare Flycatcher spe- towards Malaysia (AJ; WWF); this was Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli were cies, there are reports of the migratory the country's third record of this found in the area on 21 December. A Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica species. pair of the rarely reported Blue-capped from Bancauan Island, Tawi-Tawi Wood-Kingfisher Actenoides hombroni The six-month period under review (1during 19-20 October) and 1 Asian was identified at Baracatan, Davao on Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica produced only one record of Roseate 26 December (HM). More than 5 of the Tern Sterna dougallii: 1 adult in summer from Bancoran Island, Palawan on 17- endangered Visayan Tarictic Hornbill 18 October (AJ). Narcissus Flycatcher plumage observed on 1 September at Penelopides panini graced Casa Roro, Ficedula narcissina was also present on the coastal fishponds of Baluarte, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental on the (JM, MV, AJ). The record of an Bancoran Island (1 male) on 17-18 last day of 2004 (HM). Writhed October and on Bancauan Island (3 immature Herring Gull Larus Hornbill Aceros leucocephalus showed birds) on 19-20 October (AJ). argentatus* video-documented on 21 up during Christmas week – 6 in the October along the shores of Calayan PICOP forest (HM) and 3 on Mt Sinaca, The only record for 2004 of the Fer- Island, Cagayan is only the third for this Arakan, Cotabato (MV); it was also ruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa species, but the record needs further present on Mt Macabul, Salaysay, North ferruginea came from Mt Makiling study for subspecies identification (CO, Cotabato (MV). Forest Trail, Los Baños, where 1 MV). Another bird showing the Around Manila Bay, a few pairs of the immature bird was seen on 22 characteristics of this species was September. The Palawan Flycatcher observed on the same day in the Sulu Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax still survive. Five birds were feeding along Ficedula platenae, normally not observed Sea north-west of Bancoran Island, in St Paul Subterranean River National Palawan (AJ; WWF). A light-phase adult the trail to Hill 394 in the Ilanin Forest at Subic Bay on 16 November (AJ, MV) Park, was recorded there on 18 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus* December (LMP, GJ). A pair of was also present in the Sulu Sea near and 4 adults were seen on 31 October at the Mts Palay-Palay Mataas na Gulod Celestial Monarch Hypothymis coelestis Manuc Manucan Reef on 20 October was present on 2 December in the (AJ; WWF). National Park, (AJ, JH). Two Palawan Hornbill Anthracoceros marchei species' usual breeding area in the A pair of Malaysian Plover Charadrius provided good viewing in the St Paul PICOP forest (HM). peronii* plied the shoreline of Sabang Subterranean River National Park, Between 12 and 20 October, at least 7 near the St Paul Subterranean River Palawan on 15 December (HM). A White Wagtail Motacilla alba (including National Park, Palawan in December single Steere's Pitta Pitta steerii and a 4 of the subspecies ocularis and 1 of the (HM). The Park is the best-known area Black-bibbed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina subspecies lugens) were found along the for the species, as is the Olango Island mindanensis were recorded on 21 shoreline of Calayan Island, Cagayan. A Wildlife Sanctuary, Cebu for Asian December in the PICOP forest, Surigao video-recording revealed a further 2 Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus. del Sur (HM). birds that appear to be of the Six Dowitchers were photographed at Two individuals of the rarely reported subspecies leucopsis. This would be the the Sanctuary on 22 October (RO). Sand Martin Riparia riparia were on first Philippine record of this species; a Among the threatened and near- Calayan Island from 20 to 26 October possible second record of one

Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006. - 5 - the period covered by this report were Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola in the Highlights from the field... observed at the mangrove areas of the fishponds of Iwahig Penal Colony on 23 individual roosting on Bancoran Island, Mirant Philippines Power Station, October (AM, AJ); and around 700 Sulu Sea was made on 17-18 October Pagbilao, Quezon (400 individuals) on Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis in the (AJ). Three birds present in the Cebu 18 July (MV) and in the lagoon of Puerto Rivas fishponds on 12 South Reclamation Area on 28 Caylabne Bay Resort, Cavite (180 December (AJ, MV, ML, MB, LF). December were not identified to ducks) on 13 November (AJ). The only Twenty Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinerea subspecies level (LMP, GJ). Although other relatively large congregation of recorded on 31 December at Times there are only 10 documented records ducks consisted of the 2,000 Garganeys Beach, Davao City (BG, MV), 21 Broad- of Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Anas querquedula seen in Candaba billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus at the from the Philippines, this species is Marsh, Pampanga on 14 November (LE, Baluarte fishponds on 1 September probably a regular but local and ML). (JM, MV, AJ), and 25-30 Red-necked uncommon winter visitor. Several single Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus off observations came in from Longog For lack of observers, the only note- Dipolog, on 19 Forest on Calayan Island, Cagayan on worthy numbers of migrating raptors August (BG) are fairly high numbers for 13-15 October (CO, MV) and the to be recorded were of Grey-faced these species. Baluarte also produced Wagtail was noted in the PICOP forest Buzzard Butastur indicus and Chinese 127 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus on 21 December (HM). On Mt Goshawk Accipiter soloensis. More than himantopus, including 2 individuals of Makiling, a regular over-wintering site 500 Buzzards passed Calayan Island, the subspecies himantopus (JM, MV, AJ). for the species, 3 birds were observed Cagayan on 15 October (MV, CO). At One of the largest-ever reported on 24 December (JM). Infanta Road, , Manila's premier congregations of Stilts (1,000 birds) was viewing spot for migrating raptors, the noted at Liguasan Marshes, North The Silky Starling Sturnus sericeus* had best days were 20 and 23 September, Cotabato on 15 November (RF). not been seen since 1903, but on 18 with 260 and 278 Chinese Goshawks December 1 adult was observed migrating south (JM, AJ). Forty Purple Needletail Hirundapus roosting on Potpototan Island, Palawan celebensis took to the air over Infanta (GV), giving the country its second The increasingly rare Tabon Scrubfowl Road, Rizal on 20 September (JM) and record for this species. Sixteen White- Megapodius cumingii was found in good 210 Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata shouldered Starling Sturnus sinensis* numbers (around 15 birds) on Nogas were counted at the same place on 23 were video-recorded on Calayan Island Island, on 8-9 December. September (AJ, JM). The highest for a week from 16 October (CO, MV) Several nests and juveniles were number of Yellow Wagtail Motacilla and at least 5 birds were seen in the observed (LS). flava was reported from South Puerto Rivas fishponds of Bataan on 12 Reclamation Area, Cebu, where 300+ There are only scattered records of December (AJ, MV, ML, MB, LF). These were roosting on 31 October (NA). were the Philippines' seventh and eighth over-wintering shorebirds. Highest recordings of this species. numbers include: 1,870 Kentish Plover The highest counts of Brown Shrike Charadrius alexandrinus on 12 December Lanius cristatus include 50 on Calayan Lina's Sunbird Aethopyga linaraborae was at the Puerto Rivas fishponds, Balanga, Island on 16-20 October (CO, MV) and reported in late December from Mt Bataan (AJ, MV, ML, MB, LF); 245 30 birds at Leisure Farms, on Pasian, Surigao del Sur (PEC). There is Common Redshank Tringa totanus at 24 October (CE, ML, AV). one record of Flame-crowned the Baluarte coastal fishponds, Bulacan Flowerpecker Dicaeum anthonyi from on 1 September (JM, MV, AJ); 200 Continued on page 8 Baracatan, Davao on 26 December

(HM) and 1to 2 Whiskered WBCP ENDORSES PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION COMMONS Flowerpecker Dicaeum proprium were seen quite clearly on Mt Sinaca, By Jon Villasper Cotabato on 29 December (MV). On 31 December, at least 5 Visayan Following a motion by Vice-President Jon Villasper, the WBCP Executive Committee Flowerpecker Dicaeum haematostictum unanimously endorsed the Principles of the Conservation Commons on 27 October were present at Casa Roro, Dumaguete 2005. The endorsement reflects WBCP’s firm belief in the promotion of unre- (HM). stricted access to data on Philippine birds.

Large congregations and un- As a result, WBCP has been made a partner of Conservation Commons, the first usual numbers and only Philippine-based organization to have become so. The news was confirmed on 8 November 2005 by Ms Francine Proulx of the IUCN – The World Conserva- WBCP and local officials of the Depart- tion Union. ment of Environment and Natural Re- sources (DENR) visited the country's oldest known breeding colony The Commons is a cooperation among organizations and institutions which encour- (established around 1990) of Black- ages organizations and individuals alike to ensure open access to data, information, Crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax expertise and knowledge related to the conservation of biodiversity. Among the nycticorax in Valenzuela, Metro Manila organizations that, like WBCP, have endorsed its Principles are the American Mu- on 20 August. The population was seum of Natural History, BirdLife International, Chevron-Texaco, Conservation In- counted at 1,408 individuals, of which ternational, IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), NASA, the 1,170 adults and 140 juveniles. At least Zoological Society of London and WWF International. 180 nests with 98 fledgling juveniles were also found (AJ). The largest flocks WBCP came upon the Principles through the University of Maryland–Global Land of Philippine Duck Anas luzonica from Cover Facility (GLCF). A member of the Conservation Commons Steering Commit- Continued on page 7 - 6 - Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006.

WBCP participates in Taiwan Fair Report from the Prez ... By Mark Villa The third and fourth quarters of In November 2005, WBCP participated in Leading optics manufacturers, like 2005 were action-filled, as Presi- the Taipei International Bird Festival. It Swarovski and Zeiss, displayed top-of-the- dent Mike’s report reveals. was the first organization from the Philip- line binoculars and spotting scopes. Cam- pines to do so, and was the youngest era manufacturers exhibited their latest Membership among the clubs present. digital cameras. Membership now stands at 145. The festival is held yearly during the mi- Activities They come from Bataan, , gratory season and attracts thousands of At the Fair’s opening ceremony, WBCP Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, visitors. It is hosted by the Wild Bird president Mike Lu delivered a speech on Society of Taipei (WBST). , , Metro Manila, Nueva behalf of the foreign delegates. At another Ecija and Pampanga, as well as from session, Mark Villa gave a presentation on The two-day event took place in its usual Canada, Denmark, Indonesia, Ja- venue, Guandu Nature Park in Peitou, the Coastal Lagoons of Parañaque and Taipei. The 57-hectare Park has freshwa- WBCP plans to promote the area as a pan, Singapore, Taiwan, United ter and brackish ponds, mangrove bird sanctuary. Anna Gonzales provided Kingdom, United States of America, swamps, reed beds, and rice paddies. It is additional insights into the Philippine bird- and Venezuela. an important stopover site for migrating ing situation. birds and is host to almost 230 species of The year’s theme for the talks inside the Guided trips birds. Park’s Nature Center was water manage- There were 13 guided trips during Participants ment. Scientists and researchers dis- the second half of 2005. These in- cussed wetland management plans and Among the other foreign participants cluded forays to the South Ceme- water quality improvement programmes were birding societies from Hong Kong, tery for the Department of Envi- for Taiwan’s river sites. Elsewhere in the Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South ronmental Sciences of the Makati Park, trained volunteers taught young Africa, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Philip- visitors about bird ecology and the im- Local Government Unit, the Fort pine booth, manned by WBCP members portance of the environment. The young- Bonifacio grasslands for WWF- Mike Lu, Anna Maria Gonzalez, Leni Sut- sters looked at the roles that birds such Philippines members and the cliffe and Mark Villa, displayed posters on as the Dunlin play in the environment and Parañaque Coastal Lagoons on a Philippine birding and sold books, post- carried out activities emulating how a bird cards, caps and shirts with Philippine bird birding/training session for person- might feed in the wild. prints. The other bird clubs also gave out nel of DENR Region IV. brochures, displayed books, birding ware The one negative note of the event was and provided information on birding in the significant drop in the number of visi- Club trips their respective countries. Other exhibi- tors. Parents and schools had chosen not On Club trips, totalling 12, mem- tors featured birding sites in Taiwan, in- to take children to the Festival for fear of bers also ventured into new sites cluding Matsu Island, where the Chinese Asian flu. The WBST past president at- Crested Tern, once thought to be ex- tributed the drop in attendance to the like the Hagonoy Pumping Station tinct, has recently been seen. lack of proper public information on bird on the Laguna de Bay lakeshore in flu and its causes. Taguig, Corinthian Gardens in Qu- ezon City, the Beacon School grounds in Taguig, and the Toyota WBCP endorses Principles of Conservation... plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. tee, GLCF has a website that distributes raw satellite imagery from all over the The Club was invited as guests of world for free. The imagery can be used for land cover and conservation studies. WBCP obtains most of its supporting imagery for exploratory trips, such as the the Bataan provincial Tourism De- twice-yearly informal RaptorWatch, from GLCF. partment to identify sites for bird- watching in the coastal areas of “We will not save biodiversity with a data restricting license; we will only save it by Bataan peninsula. Mirant Founda- putting information about it to use.” Michael Tiemann, Vice President of Redhat’s tion treated members to a bird- Open Source Affairs, a Conservations Commons partner, could not have said it bet- watching trip at the Mirant Pagbilao ter. Tons of data that can be used for conservation remain unutilized because of Plant and the Pagbilao Experimental ownership and software licensing issues, and the creation and implementation of Mangrove Forest. proper conservation plans is hampered by inaccessible data in the hands of some organizations. Lectures The Principles promote open access to data, information and knowledge for all con- Together with My Zoo Foundation, servation purposes; encourage participants to both use resources and to contribute the Club made a presentation on data, information and knowledge; and acknowledge that contributors have full right birding to more than 300 school- to attribution for any uses of their data, information, or knowledge, and the right to children of the SSS Village Elemen- ensure that the original integrity of their contribution to the Commons is preserved. tary School. It also gave lectures on Partners of the Commons are expected to comply, in good faith, with terms of uses bird migration at the Beacon specified by contributors. School, and on Philippine birds dur- Information on the Conservation Commons can be found at ing the Philippine Environmental www.conservationcommons. org. Educators Conference. Continued on page 8 Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006. - 7 - forest-dependent species. Among these Highlights from the were Pompadour Green-Pigeon Treron field... pompadora seen on 15 August, Black- chinned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri In Metro Manila, good numbers of observed in December, White-eared Brown Shrike were present on 18-19 Brown-Dove Phapitreron leucotis September. These included 29 at the recorded in September, and Common University of the Philippines, Diliman Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica noted [email protected] www.birdwatch.ph (NL) and 29 at Nayong Pilipino, in October (GV).

Parañaque (ML). The American War A Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus Cemetery and Mt Makiling each had pectoralis was recorded in September The Club: more than 20 birds in September as and October (RO, GV). A fledgling well. juvenile Red-bellied Pitta Pitta Provides unrestricted access to the New range distribution erythrogaster was found on 9 December records that it publishes; maintains (GV). the integrity of its records; is More than 100 new range distributions interested in all wild birds, in all Odds, weirds and escapees habitats whatever their status; were documented during the period assists all members of whatever under review. In the pristine beach forest of Bancauan experience; enables foreign Island, several medium-sized wood- birdwatchers to access information Unexpected records from Metro Ma- on birdwatching in the Philippines, nila include that of a male Peregrine pecker holes were found in an old de- and receives and collates their Falcon Falco peregrinus of the resident caying tree. Woodpeckers are not findings; assists local and foreign subspecies ernesti. This was caught in a known to occur on this site, which is organizations in recording, sharing building in The Fort area, Taguig on 30 located about 14 hours by boat from and disseminating information; July and released soon after in the same Palawan. assists in relevant events within its area (KA). It fueled speculations about capacities; conducts activities to Outside the American War Cemetery, the existence of a breeding population expose the general public to a known breeding ground for the Rose- birdwatching and the need to protect in Manila. ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, a birds; remains sensitive to people living within birdwatching areas. Within Metro Manila, the campus of flock of 5 birds was observed on 30 July at Villa Encarnacion, Valenzuela (ML). the University of the Philippines, Dili- man, with its extensive green areas and On 5 September 4 birds were also seen Wild about Birds at the University of the Philippines, old trees, may be the only site other than La Mesa Dam to host a number of Diliman, Quezon City (GV, RO). Editor Leni Sutcliffe Editorial Adviser

Conservation Jon Villasper Report from the Prez... Design and layout Workshop WBCP’s first environmental planning Adrian Constantino meeting focused on Tambo and the Photos The Club held its first bird photogra- Romy Ocon phy workshop in December. Parañaque Coastal Lagoon. Arne Jen- sen’s site plan for a bird sanctuary in Orly Punzalan Printing Media exposure the Parañaque lagoon and Caloy Li- Ann Lim Members Romel Barrera & Orly Pun- bosada’s tourism proposals were zalan were interviewed on birdwatch- presented at a consultative meeting © All rights reserved ing on the DZEE radio programme with DENR and the local government Tuloy tuloy sa Kaunlaran. Ross Harper- units of Parañaque and Las Pinas. Alonso featured WBCP and its World Bank environmental champion NBN-4’s The Morning Show featured and the Asian Waterbird Census. award in the Inquirer Sunday Maga- the site plan in a program focusing on zine. The Club participated with the Parañaque, its birds and the proposed Festivals bird sanctuary. WBCP becomes an Earth Island Institute in a press con- WBCP staged the first-ever Philippine ference on the occasion of World honorary member of the Oriental Bird Club. The Club was invited by Bird Festival in November. The im- Animal Week. WBCP issued a state- mensely successful one-day event ment on avian flu in NBN-4’s first Congressman Albert Garcia to the ceremonies declaring the entire prov- featured art exhibits, lectures, chil- daily update on the subject. Mike Lu dren's activities and a bird show. The was guest panelist on the NBN-4 ince of Bataan a bird sanctuary. WBCP signed a Memorandum of Club represented the country at the Tinig ng Bayan talk show on avian flu. 7th Taipei International Bird Festival. He was interviewed on ABC-5 Eve- Agreement on the Sierra Madre Trail with Miriam PEACE and 20 other At the Festival opening, Mike Lu de- ning News and served as a guest pan- livered a speech on behalf of the for- elist on Bulong Pulungan sa Westin. organizations. WBCP became the first Philippine signatory to the Princi- eign delegations. Later Mark Villa The Club featured on the ABC-5 presented a case study on the program Real Stories Kasama si Loren ples of the Conservation Commons. WBCP held a consultative meeting Parañaque Coastal Lagoon and the and was a panelist on Lakbay Talakay's Tambo mudflats. forum on ecotourism. with DENR Region IV on avian flu

- 8 - Wild about Birds. Volume 2, Issue 1. 14 January 2006.