CANDABA PAMPANGA ORNITHOLOGICAL AND TOURISM COMPLEX

Rationale
Every year the Philippine is visited by a variety of migratory birds. Being part of the
East/Austrasian Flyway, the country has become an important staging and wintering area for
amazing long distance flyers, which travel halfway across the world in search of food and
temporary habitats. The peak month for birds migrating to the countrys south are from
September to November, while those travelling north occur between February and April.
There are a total 117 important bird areas in the Philippines identified by BirdLife
International, covering a total land area of 2, 739, 729 hectares. The country also has 10 endemic
bird areas. The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) said that biodiversity loss in the Philippines
is more pronounced with its shrinking forest cover. From the 17 million hectares of forest
recorded in 1935, the country now only has over 6 million hectares, said Rolando Inciong, head
of ACB communication and public affairs unit.
According to Lim, DENR data from 2010 to 2015 showed that around 140 migratory water bird
species, with an average population of 325, 000, visit the Philippines during the southward birdmigration season, Nevertheless, Lim said the trends in status of certain migratory-bird population
has been observed at specific migratory sites where they were affected by conversion and loss of
habitats, especially in wetlands, such as in Candaba Swamp in Pampanga. The swamp of
Candaba 32,000 hectares of it has been fully converted to agricultural lands. Before, around 30,
000 wintering population of the Garneys, a migratory duck, were recorded in the 1980s in
Candaba. Tody the number is down to approximately 3,000 individuals.
The study aim to protect, conserve and a need for experimental studies that allow conservation to
shape and manipulate habitats. These kinds of studies will help to improve and cultivate high
quality habitats in the future. Private and public sector organization will help to develop a project
that working together to conserve bird populations and their essential habitat.
Statement of the Problem
The survival of migratory birds is limited both time and space, the birds habitat is critical.
Absence of knowledge on how migratory and native birds do breeding in grounds, winter
habitats. Lack of intensive studies that measure survival, abundance, and health of birds in
habitat.

CANDABA PAMPANGA ORNITHOLOGICAL AND TOURISM COMPLEX

Goal of the Study
The main goal of the study is to conserve, provide, evaluate and address the needs of all
priority bird species in Candaba Pampanga.
Objectives

To protect Migratory and Native birds in good habitat management

To provide studies that will help to improve quality habitats
To present the Candaba Pampanga native food and heritages culture

Reference

Pampanga Philippines Travel, Pampanga: Candaba Wetlands and the Vanishing Bird

Sanctuary published on January 24, 2011

Tina Green,Saving Migratoru Birds: The Quest for Knowledge vs. the Ticking Clock
oublished on January 1, 2010 at Smithsonian National Zoological Park Conservation

Biology Institute
Jonathan L. Mayuga, Philippines, haven for migratory birds published on December
27, 2015 at BusinessMirror