On January 25, 2020, Burung Indonesia and members of the association conducted a waterbird count at the Pulau Rambut Wildlife Reserve (PRWR), Jakarta. This activity was part of the membership program and marks the third year that Burung Indonesia has participated in the Asian Waterbird Census. The census itself was part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC), which is held globally every year.
As one of seven Ramsar sites that have an important role in the conservation of wetlands, the variety of vegetation that grew on Rambut Island supported waterbirds to breed, forage and rest. Birds such as the Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea), Heron (Egretta sp.), Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) and others perching on mangrove trees were a common sight.
Approximately 50 individuals of milky storks, which has been declared Endangered (EN) status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2016, were successfully observed. "PRWR is currently the main habitat for the Milky Stork on the island of Java because the activity of this bird is no longer found anywhere else," said Ferry Hasudungan, Biodiversity Specialist of Burung Indonesia.
Besides being a habitat for waterbirds, PRWR was also a stopover ground for migratory birds. One species was the Christmas Island Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) which flew from Christmas Island in Australia to get abundant food due to the extreme weather in its origin area. “Christmas frigatebirds is a diurnal migratory seabird, or active during the day. They fly and perch on posts to seek or snatch food from other types of birds. Meanwhile, at night, they will roost and rest,” Hasudungan explained.
Christmas Island Frigatebirds are currently on Critically Endangered (CR) status. The IUCN even has declared it as a protected species. Land conversion and plastic waste pollution are still a threat, for birds and biodiversity. Therefore, through this activity, Burung Indonesia not only introduced the association members to biodiversity, but also invited them to continue to protect nature. (NAN)