The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the town of Pilar and Balanga City recorded some 8,112 waterbirds during this year’s Asian Waterbird Census (AWC).

According to DENR Bataan Provincial Director Raul Mamac, the monitoring team composed of DENR’s provincial and community offices in Bataan recorded 35 migratory species and five additional species such as Brahminy Kite, Common Kingfisher, White Collared Kingfisher, Swallow, and Osprey.

Species such as the Great Egret, Little Egret, and Whiskered Tern were among the most dominant bird species observed in the Balanga City Wetland and Nature Park and various barangays in the province.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized the need for collective action to protect bird habitats.

“To combat biodiversity loss and preserve vital bird habitats, we urge communities and government workers to share responsibility in conserving wetlands and complying with stricter environmental regulations,” Pablo said.

Personnel from the DENR provincial and community offices were joined by representatives from the local government units of Balanga City and Pilar, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, the Provincial Tourism Office of Bataan, the City Tourism Office of Balanga, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bataan, and Oceana Philippines during the bird monitoring activity.

Bataan, particularly Balanga City, is a premier destination for waterbirds in the Philippines, serving as a critical stopover for thousands of migratory species along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Every January, the province hosts the AWC to monitor these populations.

The wetlands of Bataan host a diverse range of waterbirds, from common residents to critically endangered visitors such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a critically endangered species with fewer than 500 individuals remaining globally; it was famously spotted in Balanga in March 2024.

Common waterbirds that are frequently sighted include the Black-winged Stilt, Great Crested Tern, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Little Egret, and various plovers.

Bataan also has endemic species such as the Philippine Duck, a vulnerable native species sometimes found in these wetland habitats.