Jakarta (Greeners) – Bird watchers and nature lovers from universities in Jakarta conducted waterbird census at Muara Angke Wildlife Reserve and Angke Kapuk Protected Forest as part of 2016 Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), in North Jakarta, on Saturday (30/01).
“The aim is to collect annual data and information on waterbird population in wetland. Waterbird existence can serve as indicator for good environment,” said Mutia Afianti, a Biology student of National University and chief of Ardea, Biological Bird Club, Biology Faculty of National University.
Based on observation started at 7 am to 11 am, there were 18 types of waterbird, including striated heron (Butorides striatus), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), little black cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), and oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster).
This year’s participants were Biodiversity Warriors, BScC Indonesia Foundation, Biological Bird Club (BBC) Ardea of National University, KPB Nycticorax of Jakarta State University, KPB Nectarinia of Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University, Comata Wildlife Study Group of University of Indonesia and Universitas Indonesia dan Mapala of Open University.
The AWC or waterbird census is an annual program hold in second and third week in January, globally. However, the counting and collecting data can be done throughout January for Indonesia.
The result will be recorded in a form and reported along with other countries’ data through International Waterbird Census.
The activity also served as public campaign on the importance of preserving wetlands for human and other living creatures.
Reports by Ahmad Baihaqi/Indonesia Wildlife Photography