The 13th Asian Bird Fair 2024 recently concluded in Las Piñas City, Philippines. Aside from the exhibition booths, educational forums and talks, the field trip is a highlight for every ABF. For the Asian Bird Fair 2024 field trip, the delegates would visit Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP).
The park was within Las Piñas and, therefore, easily accessible. Moreover, visiting delegates would get a chance to see the star bird – the endemic Philippine Duck.
Asian Bird Fair 2024 Field Trip – Overview
Introduction to the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP)
The LPPWP was formerly known as the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area. This 181-hectare coastal site straddles the coasts of Las Piñas and Parañaque cities, hence the name. The park comprises two main sections: Freedom Island to the north and Long Island to the south. The main visitors centre sits between the two areas.
The LPPWP is notable for being the first critical habitat established in the country through a President’s Proclamation. It is an important site for various migratory birds and many resident species, such as the endemic Philippine Duck. In recognition, the LPPWP has been designated a Ramsar site since 2013.
Asian Bird Fair 2024 Field Trip
The Asian Bird Fair 2024 field trip started as early as 5 am, with breakfast at the Brittany Hotel. Then, everyone was bussed to the wetland park. Upon arrival, the delegates were briefed by Mike Lu, exco of the ABF and president of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.
By 7 am, the birding commenced. The delegates were divided into two main groups, one exploring Freedom Island and the other birding on Long Island.
Throughout the day, the delegates were guided by volunteer members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. Having experienced local birdwatchers present ensured the visiting delegates didn’t miss much.
Mini Bird Race
To make things a bit more fun, the organisers also decided to hold an informal mini-bird race. Thirteen mix-and-match teams of two took part. Unlike the other delegates, the race participants started the day at a nearby fish market. There, many birds were congregating, looking for a quick meal. Among the birds seen here were many egrets, waders, and night herons.
Subsequently, the racing teams returned to the visitor’s centre and joined the rest of the delegates birding around the LPPWP.
Exploring the LPPWP
Throughout the day, the participants (delegates and racers) explored a sizable area of the park. Some of the habitats on display include coastal tidal mudflats, mangrove forests, brackish pools, and shingle beaches. The mudflats were particularly interesting to the visiting delegates, as this was where countless egrets, terns, and shorebirds were foraging for food.
Additionally, a well-maintained path ran through Freedom Island, culminating in a stretch of concrete boardwalk traversing a patch of mangroves. Along the boardwalk, delegates could spot flycatchers, woodpeckers, white-eyes, kingfishers and more. Moreover, the picturesque trail was certainly a bonus.
Mercifully, mosquitoes were absent despite the otherwise suitable habitat!
No Luck with the Duck
Unfortunately, try as they might, the star bird was nowhere to be seen. According to Mike Lu, ever since development along the coast of Manila Bay went into overdrive, the amount of suitable habitat for the Philippine Duck has shrunk drastically. Consequently, the ducks only visit the wetlands occasionally. Therefore, one must be lucky to see them at Las Piñas-Parañaque.
Birds Seen During the Asian Bird Fair 2024 Field Trip
Nevertheless, every participant had a good time and collectively managed to see plenty of species. Some of the highlights include:
- The Philippine endemics Philippine Pied-Fantail, Garden Sunbird and Philippine Pygmy-Woodpecker
- White-breasted Waterhen and Barred Rail skulking amongst the vegetation.
- Scores of Little and Great Egrets, many foraging on the shoreline.
- Black-crowned and Nankeen Night-Herons
- Several shorebird types, including the Grey-tailed Tattler and Kentish Plover. Many shorebirds were seen probing the mud as they search for food items,
- Large flocks of Whiskered Terns
- Collared and Common Kingfishers
- A surprise sighting was the migratory Blue-winged Pitta, which was spotted by the team that eventually won the mini bird race
- Pied Triller, Golden-bellied Gerygone and Lowland White-eye.
Heading off
All too soon, the birding field trip was over. Despite the heat, everyone had a great time birding with new and old friends alike. Even though the duck was nowhere to be seen, the fun experience of birding with like-minded people from across the globe more than made up for it. And the day wasn’t even over yet, as after lunch, the delegates were taken for a short tour of Intramuros in the heart of Manila.
Conclusion
The Asian Bird Fair 2024 field trip was a fun excursion for everyone, even though the star bird didn’t show up. The next ABF will be in Seosan City, South Korea, and everyone is already looking forward to the birdwatching field trip there.
See you in Seosan!
