(This is a press release of the Alaminos City)

British bird watcher Jonathan Hornbuckle surprised everyone in the city in his first visit here last Wednesday but by the end of the day, it is he who was astonished of what he saw.

Hornbuckle, acclaimed as the world’s second top bird watcher was armed with high-tech digital camera, a telescope and a book called A Guide to Philippine Birds when he arrived at Lucap Wharf, the jump-off point to the Hundred Islands.

He was accompanied by Professor Jerry de Villa of the Bird Watchers Association of the Phils., Judge Irma Boncodin of Regional Trial Court Branch 57, Camarines Norte and Engr. Ismael Najera, city general services officer.

De Villa’s group was quite amazed seeing Philippine birds known to nest in other places are now actually breeding and thriving at the islands.

"This only means that the birds actually mate here, blend with other species and have been staying in the area for quite a long time now" said Hornbuckle.

Having identified more than 8, 000 species of birds across the globe for almost three decades, Hornbuckle along with De Villa, had easily recognized close to fifty species of Philippine birds in three islands alone.

At Kamantilis island, which is few meters away from the coastal barangays of Pandan and Sabangan, the group saw magpie robins, Philippine hooded pitta, blue tailed bee eaters, purple night herons, zebra dove, white collared king fishers , black nape terns, greater and lesser sand plover and pompado green pigeon to name a few.

De Villa revealed that the first four species of migratory birds were already seen at the city’s major river and mangrove areas.

It was even learned that thousands of migratory birds are expected to arrive at Hundred Islands and at the city’s river banks and mangrove parks by the month of August until October.

"We have not yet gone bird watching in the mainland and we are very sure that could see more unique species that live near the coastal waters, he added.

In their meeting with Mayor Hernani A. Braganza after the initial inspection, De Villa suggested to the mayor what he called a "two edge approach".

He said while the coastal resource management program is being sustained those who are in direct contact with the birds that include the fisherfolks, boatmen and Bantay Dagat (maritime police) personnel must undergo orientation seminars and training on bird watching

For his part, Hornbuckle congratulated the mayor for the remarkable transformation of the Hundred Islands.

He lauded the efforts and commitment of the city government in protecting the wildlife in the area, especially on its law enforcement thrust.

"If fully protected with the cooperation of local residents, this will be another big advantage for your city for these (birds) will definitely lure thousands foreign tourists to visit your place," he added.

Citing that birds are basically an indicator of good or healthy environment, Hornbuckle believed the birds have found a perfect niche where they could grow and multiple.

Braganza agreed that large number of wild ducks, terns and herons might have chosen the small islands as their habitats because of its improved vegetation or abundance of food, tranquility and proximity to the city’s mangrove park and other bodies of water.

The mayor said the presence rich biodiversity in the area cemented the fact that the ecological balance is indeed restored in at Hundred Islands.

"We are then looking forward to this exciting attraction in the months and years to come with the help of Phil. Bird Watchers Association and Sir Hornbuckle, he finally quipped.

This early, De Villa’s group is planning to conduct a whole year observation at the park even as Hornbuckle vowed to bring some of his friends in Great Britain to validate their claim and discover more species of birds living in other islands and mountains in the city’s ten coastal barangays. (CIO)