Birders, Twitchers Get Aced
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The Philippines Tourism Minister, Joseph “Ace” Durano, was in the U.K. recently, extolling the virtues of birdwatching vacations around the Philippines. There is no doubt that the Philippine islands, and nearby Borneo, offer some of the most exciting and diverse environments where to photograph some of the World’s rarest birds.
Anecdotal evidence collected during the past decade suggests that the Philippines in particular is enjoying a resurgence in many bird populations. For example, just last weekend, on Manila Bay, a unusually large flock of 228 birds, identified as black-napped terns, was observed frolicking and fishing about two miles out from the Manila Yacht Club.
Philippine birds are also apparently becoming healthier as evidenced by an increase in individuals’ weight . . . near the Manila Yacht Club it is not uncommon to see little egrets and reef egrets using the typhoon shelter or the harbour breakwaters as vantage points from which to ambush their prey; in the evenings purple herons frequently use the masts of moored yachts as roosts. Not heard of before: in the past year two yachts have complained that their wind vanes have been broken by the weight of individual roosting birds. Plus, some skippers are also suggesting that the increasing volume of solid evidence emanating from birds’ digestive tracts, landing on decking, reconfirms increasing bird populations in Manila Bay.
With the birdwatching Ace in its hands, the Philippines is planning to trump its Asian neighbours by bidding high on birdwatching holidays and twitching flushes. All this hand needs to make a winning rubber is an up-to-date and comprehensive ornithological reference book.
Have you got a birdwatching story you would like to share with us? Email us: philippines@getwet-asia.com – My Birdwatching Story