BIRDWATCHING as an ecotourism activity is gaining a foothold with the monthly free birdwatching activity at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan District, Davao City.
Birdwatching as a well-managed ecotourism attraction is two-pronged: it brings visitors and it heightens environmental awareness among the residents.
This activity has been regarded as a high-end tourism market that the region has not exploited yet. But this early, the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao is ensuring that the region attracts the so-called ethical birdwatchers and photographers or those who are not aggressive and destructive in their birdwatching and photographic tours.
“Meron naman talaga yang mga ethics,” DOT-Davao Director Roberto Alabado IV said.
This is to ensure that any influx of tourists, whether local or foreign, will have the welfare of the birds and the environment in mind.
Davao City has lost a Philippine eagle to the unethical practice of a well-known bird photographer, and the story is still being told among people of Barangay Sibulan. This is why social preparation of the communities is necessary, Alabado said.
The community that will open for birdwatchers should know how to handle such activities such that everybody benefits. Over-eager or aggressive birdwatchers can destroy a whole patch of forest if they go after the birds instead of sticking to the trail. It can also pose danger to the visitors.
There are other concerns as well as it is known to the bird enthusiasts in the country how some bird photographers use baits and are not above hurting the birds just to get the perfect photos that can sell for hundreds of dollars.
Residents who will serve as guides and hosts should be well aware of these.
At the eagle center, the prime species that watchers are eager to see are the Silvery kingfisher and Rufous-lored kingfisher, both Mindanao endemic and threatened.
The birdwatching activity at the center is held for free every first Saturday of the month. This is in partnership with Wild Bird Club of the Philippines – Davao and Kenko.
Last month, the activity gathered 38 participants from Ateneo Grade School and High School faculties, individual birdwatchers, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines–Davao members, and Philippine Eagle Foundation Staff.
The group was able to see 35 species of birds.
For May, students from University of the Philippines Mindanao, Alabado, individual birdwatchers, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines–Davao members and Philippine Eagle Foundation staff, recorded about 30 species of birds including the Silvery kingfisher and the Rufous-lored kingfisher.