Capiz: Thirteen (13) AWC count sites, 21k plus waterbirds

Roxas City- In its thirteen (13) Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) Count Sites, the team of Conservation and Development Section (CDS) of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Mambusao and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Capiz were able to monitor and record more than 21,000 birds during the conduct of AWC in January 13-18, 2025.

The number of monitored birds includes the migratory, resident and endemic species. Their presence in the wetlands of Capiz highlights the province’s rich wetland ecosystems.

The conduct of the annual Asian Waterbird Census every January of the year is a thorough approach which does not only supports conservation efforts but also underscores the importance of wetlands as vital habitats for various waterbird species.

The census has six major objectives:

• providing the basis for estimates of waterbird populations;
• monitoring changes in waterbird numbers and distribution by regular, standardised counts of representative wetlands;
• improving knowledge of little-known waterbird species and wetland sites;
• identifying and monitoring (networks of) sites that are important for waterbirds in general and, more specifically, identifying and monitoring sites that qualify as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;
• providing information on the conservation status of waterbird species, for use by international agreements;
• increasing awareness of the importance of waterbirds and their wetland habitats at local, national and international levels.

The AWC also aims to build and strengthen national networks of enthusiastic volunteers and facilitate their training.

Through this initiative, the PENRO Capiz reinforced its commitment to environmental conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources./DENR 6