Palawan’s Lake Manguao high in avifauna

True to its repute as the country’s last frontier, Palawan still maintains its high biodiversity. A recent avifauna survey of Lake Manguao in Taytay conducted by the Western Palawan University (WPU) shows that the lake has high avian species diversity. WPU conducted the survey to fill the knowledge gap on avian species composition at the lake and it’s the species’ conservation status.

With a total of 126 species recorded in the area, this high avian diversity qualifies the lake and its catchment as an important bird area (IBA) for conservation. Of these recorded species, 24 are migratory; 76 are resident; 14 are restricted range Palawan-endemic; 7 are Philippine endemic; and 6 have both resident and migratory

populations. Also, the survey reports the first record of the Philippine duck in Northern Palawan. This duck is endemic to the country.

Palawan is listed as one of the key IBAs in the country. The province has at least 11 identified sites important for both bird studies and bird conservation. One of these areas is the San Vicente-Roxas-Taytay forest, which harbors Lake Manguao. The lake is one of the priority areas for biodiversity research and conservation activities. However, studies on birds of the lake are fragmentary and many species are yet to be identified.

The survey also identified eight vulnerable species based on categories developed by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources or commonly known as the World Conservation Union). This list includes the Chinese egret, falcated ground babbler, Palawan flycatcher, Palawan hornbill, Palawan peacock pheasant, blue-headed racquet tail, grey imperial pigeon, and Philippine duck.

Kaingin farming and selective illegal logging threaten the avian habitats. The birds themselves are threatened by hunting for local consumption and by curiosity. In the past, poaching of the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo led to its local extinction. PCARRD, in a monitoring and evaluation of the survey, recommended that the lake and its catchment area be declared a local conservation area. The Council asserts that the survey provides a sound basis for the conservation and protection of Lake Manguao, which has not been declared a protected area to date. (Ma. Rowena M. Baltazar, S&T Media Services)

*Photos courtesy of www.pcsd.ph