AVIAN COUNT AND HEALTHY WETLANDS. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here took part in this year’s Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in an effort to provide a basis for estimating waterbird populations, as well as in gauging the ecological health of important wetlands in Central Luzon.

This year, the DENR has observed sightings of whiskered tern, little egret, blacked-winged stilt, red-necked stint, and Philippine duck from the census conducted in notable wetland areas in the region.

AWC takes place every second and third week of January. It began in 1987, and now involves 26 countries in the Asian continent. (-30-)