Bird watching in Santa Marcela, Apayao: Over 1,000 migratory waterbirds visit Bacut Lake this January

Santa Marcela, Apayao – Over 1,000 migratory waterbirds were recorded by DENR-CAR during the 2-day conduct of Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) at the Bacut Lake Tourism Complex and Nature Park in Santa Marcela, on Jan. 21- 22, 2025.

Said number has increased from last year’s count of 145 for the same period.

Data from the Census showed that most of the species found were Egret – a type of waterbird that are long-legged wading bird that have white or buff plumage. Other types include common buzzard, purple heron, Philippine duck, kingfisher, osprey, bonin petrel and some unidentified species.

According to LGU MENRO Benjamin D. Vega, the Bacut Lake – Tacang Swip is one of the only three (3) recognized wetlands sites in region CAR safe for waterbirds’ migration. The other two (2) is Bulo Lake in Tabuk City, Kalinga and Magat Wetlands in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.

Vega said the increase from the previous year indicates that the area is ecologically protected and conserved. He added that strict implementation of Municipal Ordinance no.06 s 2024, prohibiting the hunting, collecting, possession or killing of wild birds, has undoubtedly contributed to said increase.

“With the active monitoring of our wetland, we expect greater number of waterbirds to come at the site each year, ‘’ Vega hoped.

Waterbirds’ migration takes place due to some reasons, including weather patterns - especially when there is a prolonged daylight or during winter season in their place of origins, while others tend to stay for habitat suitability. This happens primarily when an area has abundant food to feed on and as long as they remain undisturbed during their visit.  

The Local government unit of Santa Marcela, under Mayor Evelyn Martinez, has been closely working with the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau for the protection and conservation of the Bacut Lake – Tacang Swip as the new identified healthy wetland site in the region, attracting thousands of migratory waterbirds from different countries.

Meantime, the Asian Waterbird Census is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) initiative yearly conducted to acquire annual data of waterbird populations at wetlands during the non-breeding period of most species (January), as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations, and to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst citizens.