Birding, anyone?

The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) recently took a birdwatching trip to Leisure Farms hobby farming and agritainment community in Lemery, Batangas.

"Birdwatching, or birding, is the act of watching birds in their natural habitat," explains Mike Lu, founder of WBCP. Invited to investigate the bird wildlife in the project, the WBCP, accompanied by members of the Leisure Farms team, explored various areas in the 123.5-hectare property–the clubhouse site, cul de sac, various cliffs overlooking rich, raw forests, and the Linear Lake.

From around eight in the morning to noon time, the bird watchers enjoyed viewing colorful wild birds such as White-eared Brown Dove, Pacific Swallow, Black-naped Oriole, White-breasted Wood Swallow, Elegant tit, Philippine Coucal, and Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker. They also noted the incidence of mysterious holes in various areas of the project.

The activity, the third WBCP’s visits in Leisure Farms in a month, enjoyed the emergence of an accumulated 38 species of birds, 10 of which are endemic to the Philippines, such as the White-collared Kingfisher, Coppersmith Barbet, Olive-backed Sunbird, and Lowland White-eye. Also spotted were the Blue-tailed Bee Eater and Blue-throated Bee-eater, the only 2 bee-eaters species native to the Philippines.

The birders also solved the mystery of the holes appearing in various areas of the project. These were identified as bird nests of the bee-eaters, with the birding season having recently commenced. WBCP advised that the holes be left alone to protect the birds’ habitat.

Aside from its interest in protecting bird habitats, Leisure Farms has shown concern for the environment, making sure to preserve nature and the natural habitat of many creatures while developing their land.

The WBCP trips also awakened a new culture and consciousness and encouraged a sharing of knowledge and enthusiasm for birds, as well as other aspects of nature tripping, and environmental awareness, at Leisure Farms.

"Leisure Farms is planning more activities for lot owners together with the Wild Bird Club," says Nela Natividad of Leisure farms’ Business Development team. WBCP suggests that the best time to go birdwatching would be early morning or late afternoon.

The Bird Watch Club of the Philippines, formed in 2003 takes birdwatching trips regularly to various nature spots in the country. The club encourages individuals to share their interest in wild bird watching and help protect wild birds’ habitat, as it provides a venue for collating information gathered by birdwatchers in the Philippines. Their official website is located at http://www.birdwatch.ph.