‘The Great Cormorant’ returns to Paoay

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Paoay, Ilocos Norte—On November 19, 2018 birdwatchers from various parts of the country witnessed the return of the great cormorant, a migratory bird known for its matted feathers.

The 387-hectare Paoay Lake National Protected Landscape is a feeding point for migratory birds.

Since the first launching of the first return of the great cormorant festival in 2008, local birders led by Dr. Petrus Calope, also a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) frequent the lake’s view deck at Brgy. Nagbacalan in this town for a chance to see the great cormorant along with other bird species at the landlocked lake.

Through Dr. Calope’s initiative, in cooperation with the local government unit of Paoay and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, bird watching in the province has slowly gained popularity, attracting local and foreign enthusiasts to visit the legendary lake.

Starting the month of November, bird watchers frequent the area with their own binoculars, telescopes and high-end cameras.

On November 19, 2018, Dr. Calope’s group again installed their birdwatching equipment at the view deck at Nagbacalan as they also invited all other interested guests and visitors to join the fun.

Over the past five years, the WBCP started to monitor the presence of migratory birds at the Paoay lake wetlands, considered as one of the country’s important migratory bird sites.

Based on the latest Asian Waterbird Census, the Philippine ducks are commonly and easily seen in the area with an average of 600. The cormorants are also commonly seen there with around 10 of them or more.

A report from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, which is also conducting its monitoring in the area, noted that Paoay Lake has been providing shelter to some bird species like the following: Little Grebe, Great Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Tufted Duck, White-brow Crake, Common Kingfisher, White-collared Kingfisher, and the White-throat Kingfisher among others.

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