We
finally managed to do a site survey at the southern
part of Mactan island. After a speedboat ride that
brought us along the shores and mangrove patches
of Cordova, we decided to explore access to the
same mangrove patches by land in the afternoon.
The
idea to explore Cordova was planned as early as
late last year. With so many mangrove patches, wide
coastline and proximity to Olango island, Cordova
should be the prime candidate as alternative to
Olango island for birding. We ended up walking a
good kilometer or so without seeing a trail that
was supposed to lead us the mangroves which was
seen earlier while on a boat.
It
was a unanimous sentiment among us that the only
viable access route to the hundreds of egrets earlier
seen in the morning boat cruise... is by boat. This
part of Cordova may not be ideal for birding because
it is a disturbed area and limited access route.
However, in spite of this impediments, we were able
come up with the followng list of birds (see birdlist
below) seen while walking on the tidal flats.
It
was a unanimous sentiment among us that the only
viable access route to the hundreds of egrets earlier
seen in the morning boat cruise... is by boat. This
part of Cordova may not be ideal for birding because
it is a disturbed area and limited access route.
However, in spite of this impediments, we were able
come up with the followng list of birds (see birdlist
below) seen while walking on the tidal flats.
BIRD
LIST:
1. Intermediate
Egret [Ardea intermedia] -15+
2. Chinese Egret [Egretta eulophotes] -3
3. Little Egret [Egretta garzetta] -207+
4. Night-Heron sp. -1
5. Greater Sand-Plover [Charadrius leschenaultii]
-6
6. Far Eastern Curlew [Numenius madagascariensis]
-7
7. Whimbrel [Numenius phaeopus] -14+
8. Bar-tailed Godwit [Limosa lapponica] -16
9. Common Redshank [Tringa totanus] -7
10. Common Greenshank [Tringa nebularia] -12
11. Terek Sandpiper [Xenus cinerea] -5
12. Grey-tailed Tattler [Heteroscelus brevipes]
-4
13. Common Tern [Sterna hirundo] -3
14. Tern sp. -17
15. Whiskered Tern [Chlidonias hybridus] -15+
16. White-collared Kingfisher [Todirhamphus chloris]
-5
17. Barn Swallow [Hirundo rustica] -3
18. Pacific Swallow [Hirundo tahitica] -2
19. Yellow-vented Bulbul [Pycnonotus goiavier] -2
20. Oriental Magpie-Robin [Copsychus saularis] -1
21. Oriental Reed-Warbler [Acrocephalus orientalis]
-H.O.
22. Olive-backed Sunbird [Nectarinia jugularis]
-1 seen, more heard
23. Eurasian Tree Sparrow [Passer montanus] -common,
flocks of at least 5+ birds
