MIGRATORY birds spotted during the Asian Waterbird Census in Capiz last January. (David G. Quimpo/Haribon Foundation)
ILOILO CITY – More than 26,600 birds were spotted in wetlands in Capiz province last month.
The Asian Waterbird Census said 40 species were spotted in the wetlands of the capital Roxas City as well as the towns of Ivisan, Pontevedra, Pilar, and Sapian.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Capiz and its Community Environment and Office (CENRO) in Mambusao town conducted the AWC in separate sites in the capital city and the four towns.
“Our wetlands here in Capiz are still rich, giving these migratory visitors a good supply of food for the next leg of their journey,” said DENR-Capiz Chief Ernest Federiso. “When we see them, we know that our biodiversity here is abundant,” added Federiso.
In Roxas City, they were seen on the Palina River and the outskirts of the Roxas Airport. They were also spotted in four barangays in Pontevedra, three barangays in Sapian, two barangays in Ivisan, and a barangay in Pilar.
The AWC recorded a total of 16,748 water birds in these areas, with Sapian having the most number – 11,550 in Sitio Talingting in Barangay Poblacion.
About 9,900 birds were spotted in other sites in Roxas City and Pontevedra.