ARRCN recently participated in the 1st Asian Bird Fair & the 6th Philippine Bird Festival on the invitation of the organizers, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. The Asian Bird Fair (ABF) is an initiative of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Wild Bird Society of Taipei, Malaysian Nature Society and Nature Society of Singapore. The ABF aims to highlight the bird festivals of the participating countries as well as enrich ecotourism through birdwatching. The Philippines was elected to host the 1st ABF and decided to hold this inaugural event together with its own 6th Philippine Bird Festival.
This joint event was held from 23 – 26 September, 2010 in Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. On 23 September evening, the Mayor of Davao City, Sarah Duterte hosted the participants to a grand welcome dinner and colourful cultural presentation. The event officially opened on 24 September in the beach garden of the hotel, with various conservation organizations putting up exhibits on their activities, selling souvenirs and running programs for students. ARRCN put up 6 posters on the following topics: What are Raptors, Characteristics of Raptors, Raptor species in the Philippines, Raptors and Humans, Why protect Raptors and Raptor migration in Asia. There were also lectures and film shows on birding basics, bird photography and birdwatching by Bird Conservation Nepal and Borneo Bird Club, among others.
The program for 25 September, the final day of the event, was basically similar to the previous day except for different lecture topics presented by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Hornbill Research Foundation and other organisations. ARRCN presented a slide talk on “Raptor migration in Asia, with reference to the Philippines” which resulted in quite a bit of discussion on the migration route of Chinese Sparrowhawks through the Philippines. There was also a forum to discuss conservation strategies in response to continuing threats to birds like hunting, loss of habitats, poaching and climate change. Participants were invited to share their experiences in dealing with these issues in their own countries. In the evening, at the turn-over dinner, Chinese Wild Bird Federation accepted the honour of holding the 2nd ABF in Taiwan in 2011.
On Sunday, 26 September, the participants visited the Philippine Eagle Centre where they were welcomed by its director, Mr Dennis Salvador, an ARRCN Standing Committee member. After a briefing on the work of the centre, participants were taken around to view various captive raptors and to admire and photograph a captive-bred Philippine Eagle. The day ended with an enjoyable Filipino lunch hosted by the Philippine Eagle Foundation.
Fig. 1. Students visiting the ARRCN booth at the 1st Asian Bird Festival
Fig. 2: Discussing the raptor migration routes at the ARRCN booth
Report written by:
Lim Kim Chye
ARRCN representative to the 1st Asian Bird Festival