The rhythmic calls of migratory birds echoed across the wetlands of Zamboanga City and Isabela City, Basilan Province, as the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) took flight from January 4 to 19. Spearheaded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Zamboanga City, in collaboration with the Environment and Natural Resources Field Office (ENRFO) Isabela City, the census aimed to assess waterbird populations and the health of vital wetland habitats.
Covering nine designated monitoring sites, including the Vitali, Victoria, Tugbungan, Mampang, Talon-Talon, and Calarian wetlands, as well as the Sa-az Rivermouth and San Ramon Shoreline in Zamboanga City, the survey extended to the Tabiawan and Malamawi wetlands in Isabela City, Basilan. These habitats, teeming with biodiversity, provide critical refuge to both migratory and endemic waterbird species.
A dedicated team comprising personnel from the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Unit (PAMBCU) of CENRO Zamboanga City and ENRFO Isabela City, alongside volunteers from local government units and private individuals, conducted the census with diligence. Their keen observations documented a variety of species, including elegant egrets, poised herons, nimble sandpipers, resilient plovers, graceful stilts, and diminutive stints. Ducks, a key indicator species for wetland health, were also carefully accounted for.
The AWC is an integral part of a global waterbird monitoring initiative that extends across Asia and beyond. This vital activity serves multiple conservation purposes: tracking population trends, assessing the condition of wetlands, and strengthening efforts to protect these crucial ecosystems. As wetlands continue to face threats from habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change, the data gathered from the census helps inform conservation policies and action plans.
By shining a spotlight on the remarkable diversity of waterbirds gracing the region’s wetlands, the AWC fosters a deeper appreciation for these avian visitors and the delicate habitats they depend upon. Conservationists, policymakers, and local communities all play a role in ensuring that these sanctuaries remain a haven for generations of birds to come.
Through continued vigilance and collaboration, the echoes of wings over wetlands will remain a symbol of thriving biodiversity, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect these vital ecosystems.
