BIRDWATCHING. (Photo courtesy of Glenn de Peralta)
LAOAG CITY, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Tourism (DOT) has teamed up with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to promote birdwatching in Ilocos region.
This initiative is being taken not just for leisure but for conservation, awareness and sustainable livelihood.
About 30 professional and amateur birders, photographers and enthusiasts took part in the first birdwatching caravan held in the region from April 4 to 9.
This event documented several avian species in their natural habitat.
Gaye Acacio, chief tourism operations officer of the DOT Region 1 (Ilocos), told the Philippine 黑料社 Agency on Thursday that one of the most celebrated birding destinations is the Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park.
It is a protected area in Ilocos Norte under Republic Act 11038.
With its relatively intact ecosystems, the park has been identified as a key biodiversity area, an important bird area, and part of the East-Asia-Pacific flyway of migratory birds, she said.
鈥淭he Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte is where the home of the majestic hornbill and grey-faced buzzard and other raptors that pass through during the migratory season,鈥� she said.
鈥淭hese sightings are more than just spectacles 鈥� they are symbols of how deeply connected we are to the natural rhythms of the earth,鈥� she emphasized.
Acacio lauded a group of growing bird enthusiasts 鈥� both local and abroad for keeping the passion alive and for putting the region on the international birding map.鈥�
Michael Calaramo, bird expert and acting director of Ecosystem Management and Development Office Ecotourism Park and Botanic Garden of the Northwestern University in this city, in turn, expressed commitment to forge more partnerships with the DOT and DENR.
These partnerships result in events like the hosting of international symposium for birds.
Based on the annual Asian Waterbird Census, the legendary Paoay Lake Natural Park has been providing shelter to some bird species.
The species are Little Grebe, Great Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Philippine Duck, Tufted Duck, White-browed Crake, Common Kingfisher, White-collared Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher and the Great Cormorant.
Birders who visited the Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park have also reported at least 18 bird species.
The endemic species include the Common Emerald Dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Scops Owl, Rufous Hornbill, Philippine Forest Kingfisher, Coleto, Woodpecker, Hanging Parakeet, Quail, Labuyo or wild chicken, Brahminy Kite, Tarictic Hornbill, Serpent Eagle, Philippine Hawk Eagle and Little Crow.
The introduced species are Zebra Dove and Crested Myna.
According to the DENR, the Philippines has 117 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering 32,302 square kilometers.
These places act as a refuge for as many as 115 globally threatened species of water birds.
In the Philippines, the peak months for birds migrating to the south are usually from September to November, while those traveling north often show up between February and April, the DENR said.