San Juan, Batangas Update

[Agerico M. De Villa]

I have just gone with Bert Madrigal to San Juan, Batangas yesterday. The bird walk (turn right into a narrow pathway some 20 meters after the baranggay hall) is not yet finished. However, as it is, it is now very useful and very convenient to use. There is a second level on one part of it that brings the birder on eye level with the birds just across the river. There are plenty of birds nesting across, e.g, about 10 rufous night herons in breeding plummage, and plenty of birds feasting on the fruiting trees around the nesting areas. Birds land atop trees along the bird walk every once in a while, e.g., one emerald dove and one whhite-eared brown dove. I have been told earlier that during low tide episodes, the tabon bird can be seen along the banks just under the nesting areas (It has been at high tide yesterday morning). The nesting birds on many occasions land just about 10 to 15 meters away from the second level area. Fly by at a couple of arms length away is not uncommon.

The white-bellied sea eagle and the savanna nightjar are still 100%.

On the Balagbag ricefields can be seen a handful of black-winged stilts very close to the road. We have spotted at least one black-winged stilt in breeding plumage. Note that black-winged stilts have not been recorded in July according to the Kenedy guide.

The Philippine ducks are very much around. We have spotted about 55 of them. One can get up to about 20 meters away from them, even closer depending on which fishpond they are.

The purple heron is still around behind Ka Intsik's place and one can get up to about 20 meters or closer to it, thanks to Ka Intsik's hide.

The night herons the frequent Ka Intsik's ponds behind his place seem to have gotten use to people. Likewise, the little heron on one of the ponds seemed to have gotten used to people, it stays as close as about 10 meters or less away.

There are about a dozen pink-necked green pigeons that frequent the fruiting trees across the dried pond beds behind Ka Intsik's place.

There are only about 50 pairs of blue-tailed bee-eaters still within the nesting area.

The other regulars, i.e., low-land white-eyes, OBS, RKF, etc., are still very much around.

The bad news is that in addition to the earlier newcomer squatters from Bondoc Peninsula, there is now another one right around the bee-eater breeding; its residents have cut all the trees around leaving just stumps.

To assist Ka Intsik with his crusade, I request that some of us visit the area as some kind of show of force to put more pressure on the baranggay officials.

[tina mallari]

Thanks for the update prope jerry. What would we ever do without you

[mantarey]

Jul 6, 2009 7:22:16 GMT tina mallari said:

Thanks for the update prope jerry. What would we ever do without you

Yes, agree with Idol Tins. We really appreciate your efforts Prof. Thank a lot.

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Show of force.. a group visit? Sounds nice! Just hope it won't scare the birds.

[William Lim]

We can go birding there as a group with media coverage to call attention for the conservation of the habitat of these birds.

[Ding Carpio]

Jul 6, 2009 3:10:32 GMT Agerico M. De Villa said:

I have just gone with Bert Madrigal to San Juan, Batangas yesterday.

Hey, Prop or anyone here who knows how to get in touch with Bert, can you PM me how? Looks like he changed his cell and inactive here.

He got my old manfrotto gimbal head and I recently found some bolts that, I think were parts of it, so I'd like to give them to him.

[Olan V. Balbido]

Prop Jerry, i tried to send some pictures of you taken by me during our Baler trip, but it bounced back to my email. (i send it at [e-mail]?) If ever can you email me at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. Thanks. -olan (Kaakbay/WBCP)

[Agerico M. De Villa]

Bert Madrigal, Buboy Francisco, Doc Mando and I have gone back to San Juan yesterday. We have spotted 55 black-winged stilts, mostly in breeding plummage. However, it seems that these have not been breeding here. It seems that the migrants are here a month so so earlier than usual with their trip. We have also spotted common greenshanks, common redshank, whiskered terns, wood sandpipers, intermediate egrets, great egrets, little egrets, and barn swallows. In the least, we have had 4 Philippine records yesterday: black-winged stilts, common greenshank, common redshank and whiskered terns; all of these have not been reported in July.

[Romy Ocon]

[Posting from San Juan via wireless broadband..... yippee, SJ is covered by Globe HSDPA, getting a max. of 1.3 Mbps so far. ]


I've seen the BW Stilts, Intermediate/Little Egrets and the W. Terns this afternoon at the Balagbag ricefields. Got some flight shots of the Rufous Night-Heron too from atop the watch tower. I'm staying overnight at SJ town proper so I can bird the walkway tomorrow morning. ;D


Thanks Prof. Jerry for all the info!

[Romy Ocon]

Posting some more information on the San Juan bird walk:

1. The bird walk, I understand, is a joint project of the local tourism association and some members of the municipal council. It's integrated within the mangroves along a river bank. Across the river (about 30-40 meters wide) is a sort of island where various mangrove birds roost and nest.

2. One can park at the end of the dirt road leading to the bird walk. There's a parking space there in front of the house of Mr. JR de Chaves (a blind guy who's the elder in the area). One can use the CR of JR and one can even request him to cook a native chicken tinola or fresh fish sinigang for lunch, at reasonable prices. The bird walk is supported by the community, as this can bring in tourists like birders and nature photographers.

3. I stayed at a small inn called The Village Plaza Resort. It's on the right side of the road as one hits San Juan town proper. Aircon room rates are PHP 800 (single bed, additional PHP 100 for a second bed) and PHP 1500 (twin beds, bigger room). There are better rooms at the beach resorts, but these are more than 20 km from the town proper. The bird walk is just 15 minutes away from the municipal hall.


4. The bird walk is open and free. To all PBPF shooters who'll visit the place, I suggest you say hello first to JR as a courtesy. Introduce yourself as a friend of Prof. Jerry or Romy Ocon.


5. Regarding rates of local services, just talk with the local folks on what's the fair pricing. I bought some fresh fish and squid from a passing fisherman for PHP 300 and asked JR to cook it two ways (grilled and sinigang), plus I asked him for a small kaldero of rice. When I asked for the pricing, they won't give me a quote, so I gave them PHP 300. I suggest we pay them fair rates (overpayment would spoil them, making them expect too much from other guests, while underpayment is equally not good).


6. Bring your own bottled water, and some spoons/fork/disposable plates. They have these too, but theirs might not be up to Manila standards. Like in all places we bird, try not to litter in the area...... leave it as clean as you found it.

7. My preferred route to San Juan is Metro Manila - SLEX - STAR Tollway-Ibaan Exit - Ibaan - Rosario-San Juan. Ibaan Exit is the first exit after Lipa, and taking it allows one to bypass Lipa's famous traffic and confusing roads.


8. You can stay at the bird walk the whole day and just wait for the birds to come. The roof of the watch tower is great protection vs. rains. You can also take a siesta here during mid-day, when light is not too good and birds are less active.

[Elvin Sansona]

We have to do something to save this site. Thanks for sharing Prof! The black-winged stilts in breeding plumage must be looking for nest sites please do look out for these nests because this bird nests in open areas

[Romy Ocon]

Jul 19, 2009 3:24:56 GMT Elvin Sansona said:

We have to do something to save this site. Thanks for sharing Prof! The black-winged stilts in breeding plumage must be looking for nest sites please do look out for these nests because this bird nests in open areas

Yes, this can be an interesting social experiment, and if successful can be easily replicated elsewhere.

As it is now, the local folks are very particular in keeping their rivers and mangroves clean because they know that's where their livelihood is coming from (fishing and fishponds). If more bird watchers visit the site, bringing in some benefits to the village economy, then the more local folks will zealously guard the birds and their habitat.