Bird-watchers’ haven in the city

DAVAO is one of the most highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. Yet amazingly, many species of birds — including migrants, residents, and even localized endemics — can still be observed and found there thanks to pocket gardens and urban forests that are cradled in the city.

Among the largest in Davao is the eight-hectare Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, an ecological preserve and biodiversity conservation site and a favorite of bird-watchers.

For Pete Simpson, a British national, it is his favorite place for bird watching because of its proximity to his residence.

“It’s an oasis within the city. It’s unusual [anywhere else] in the city to see so many species of birds,” Simpson said.

The Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, which is jointly managed by AboitizPower subsidiary Davao Light and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., is located along the coast of Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City.

Simpson recalled stepping into the area for the first time 12 to 13 years ago upon the invitation of a group of high school students.

He mentioned how Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department Head Fermin Edillon, who also happens to manage the park, requested him to document how many bird species he would observe.

“We found 22 species of birds that day, and I said to Fermin that the 22 species of birds we recorded in the park in one day is not that impressive,” he shared, adding that if they could observe closer to 35 species of birds in a day, then bird watchers would come to the park regularly.

Simpson revealed that it took a few years before they recorded more than a hundred species of birds — 108 to be exact from his latest count. From his previous trips, he fondly recalled coming across the Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) and the Little Bronze Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx minutillus), as well as endemic bird species like the Short-billed Brown Dove (Phapitreron brevirostris) and the Pygmy Swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes).