Antique’s wetlands home to many migratory birds

By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique – Different species of migratory birds find home in Antique’s wetlands.

This was revealed in the latest Asian Water Fowl Census conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on January 14-29, 2012 in the province of Antique.

Vivian Develos, Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management coordinator of DENR-Antique, said some migratory birds have found their habitat in Antique because they are seen almost all year round.

“Although bird census is conducted every January, the peak season for migratory birds to come in the Philippines because of winter season in the north pole, the egret or locally known as tulabong are seen in swamps, marshland and ricefields almost year round,” explained Develos.

They have found the wetlands in Antique a fertile feeding ground and a favorable roosting place.

“Our analysis is that they have found their habitat in the province,” she added.

Among the migratory birds seen aside from egrets are sandpiper, bittern, plover, greenshank, heron, among others. More than a thousand population are seen in some identified wetlands of the province but the biggest are in Hamtic (south), and in Culasi (north) along the fishponds, swamps, and ricefields.

The Asian Water Fowl Census was conducted in compliance to the directive of monitoring migratory birds for bird flu preparedness.

Develos said they have not seen any signs or characteristics of migratory birds indicating bird flu.

Category: For Capiz