Fewer ponds in Candaba mean fewer migrant birds

Even in perfect weather, a smaller number of migratory birds returned to the Candaba Swamp this time around, partly because farmers now grow rice on what used to be idle ponds.
Only 5,475 waterfowls of 31 resident and globetrotting species were recorded in the Asian Waterbird Census conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) in two sites in Candaba town on Sunday.
The figure was less than the 12,600 birds recorded in 2012 and the 8,600 counted in 2011.
Bird watchers saw two new species this year, though. Alain Pascua photographed a dusky warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus) at the Doña Simang site in Barangay Vizal San Pablo. Mike Lu, head of the WBCP, said this was the second sighting of this species in the country.
The common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) was first seen in Candaba this season, Lu said.
Mayor Jerry Pelayo said rice planting in November reduced the number of ponds that usually host migratory birds.
He said farmers rushed to recover losses from floods caused by heavy rains induced by the habagat (southwest monsoon) in August last year. The town sits at the center of the 30,000-hectare Candaba Swamp, a natural flood basin straddling Pampanga, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.
In 2012, more birds escaping the Siberian winter flocked to the swamp filled by water dumped by Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” in the last quarter of 2011.
Rice planting in post-habagat months was encouraged by the Department of Agriculture, which gave 5,000 cavans of palay, said Leny Manalo, the municipal administrator.
While Pelayo did not drain his three ponds in a 200-hectare property, the outlying areas were planted with rice, like in Sitio (sub-village) Macagatal, he said.
“However, the ponds of the [Pelayo family] have less surface water after it was drained in 2011. There’s a need to remove the hyacinths which are invasive, and fill it with more water to be a good habitat for the waterfowls,” Lu said.
The bigger migratory bird population thrives in another site called Perlas, which is also within the Pelayo property.
Ivan Sarenas, a WBCP member, reported seeing only two ducks when he flew over Arayat town on a light plane a few days ago.
Sunday’s census recorded 14 migratory species including little egret, intermediate egret, great egret, gray heron, common teal, northern shoveler, tufted duck, common kingfisher, common sandpiper, wood sandpiper, northern pintail, garganey, whiskered tern and the eagle-like eastern marsh harrier.
A total of 67 migratory birds and 53 local species have been recorded in Candaba.
A ban against shooting birds helped increase the number of Philippine mallard or local ducks called dumara, Manalo said.
Migratory birds start flocking to the Candaba Swamp in October. They leave by March.

The best getaway destination vacation spot near Manila convenient safe and accessible is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark Pampanga.

Event organizers and companies in Manila travel out of town to the north to hold their team building events and company outings in a good resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort located in Clark is well regarded as one of the best venues for team building near Manila.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Clark is already a popular destination for golfers from Manila. Clark Freeport offers some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and outshines many golf clubs and golf courses elsewhere in the Philippines. Clark Pampanga offers many good resorts and hotels for a short trip out of Manila, and Clearwater is one of the best places to relax and unwind for a weekend getaway or a short holiday in Pampanga.

This private resort in Pampanga is a frequently visited vacation spot outside of Manila. Included in the list of resorts highly recommended for families with children visiting Clark Philippines is Clearwater Resort located conveniently in the central business district of Clark Freeport which is accessible from Manila.

Free internet WIFI access is offered to guests of this famous hotel in Clark Pampanga. Guests can even connect to Internet WIFI service near the white sand beach, by the famous lake of Clark or in any of the picnic grounds around this resort. This hotel in Clark Philippines is generally considered by Manila residents to be a good place for family trips in Pampanga.

Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark, a safe and convenient tourist spot that offers natural ambience for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with no stress. Private resort is frequently visited during Holy Week and Easter Holidays for residents of Manila travelling out of town on getaway to the north to unwind and relax in outdoor resort.

During holy week, Easter holidays, Christmas, New Year, Halloween and especially the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, Manila residents travel out of town to the north to relax and unwind at this famous resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is the hotel in Clark that visitors prefer for family bonding and team building outside of Manila.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)