TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte—A census of migratory birds in Eastern Visayas has recorded at least 723 species, according to a team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
DENR Region 8 Director Sibbaluca said the monitoring was done in Barangays Baruguhay Norte and Canomantang in Carigara, Leyte and Barangays San Juan and Naungan in Ormoc City, Leyte.
“We have to keep the sites under close watch to protect wildlife,” he told Manila Standard.
At least 286 Philippine Ducks were listed followed by 127 Egrets (Little Egret, Chinese Egret and Great Egret), and 92 Plovers (Kentish Plover, Malaysian Plover, Mongolian Plover and Greater Sand Plover with a collective count of 92 heads).
Sibbaluca other species observed were Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Little Curlew (Nemenius minutus), Whimbrel (Nemenius phaeopus), Redshank (Tringa tetanus), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoluecos), Great Knot (Caladris tenerius) and Curlew Sandpiper (Caladris ferruginea).
Carigara Bay and Ormoc Bay wetlands are permanent migratory bird monitoring sites in Region 8, he said.
In its report, the monitoring team said the habitats hosted migratory birds because of a rich food supply where mangroves were present.
“This can be a potential ecotourism area, particularly for bird enthusiasts,” Sibbaluca said.