As an archipelagic country, Indonesia is an important area for waterbird species, both residents and migrant birds. Along the coastline and expanses of mud and mangroves, waterbird habitats complement Indonesia's wetland ecosystems.
Waterbirds and wetlands are inseparable. The presence, numbers, and trends of populations in their habitats reflect a great deal of a wetland’s quality. In social life, waterbirds contribute to important functions such as a source of food, recreation and tourism services. They also link wetlands to people from various cultural backgrounds.
Every January, thousands of volunteers from various countries in Asia and Australasia visit the country's wetlands—beaches, lakes, swamps which are bird’s habitats—and count the population of waterbirds. This citizen science activity is part of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) which was held simultaneously on the 2nd and 3rd week of January. AWC is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC).
In Indonesia, this activity is coordinated by Wetlands International Indonesia, in collaboration with the Partnership Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Habitat–where Burung Indonesia is the secretariat of the partnership.
This year, Burung Indonesia invited its members and the general public to participate in the monitoring of water birds on Rambut Island, a nature reserve in Kepulauan Seribu, Jakarta. The Island is also known as the “Island of the Bird Kingdom” because it is an important habitat for several types of water birds such as herons, storks, and others.
Based on previous observation, there were 60 individuals of Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) in sight. “This means, one percent of the global population of Milky Stork can be found in Rambut Island,” said Ferry Hasudungan, Biodiversity Conservation Specialist of Burung Indonesia at Rambut Island on Saturday (27/01).
It is estimated that the Earth only has approximately 5,000 individuals of Milky Stork left. While almost all of them in Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sumbawa, Sulawesi and Buton), Malaysia and Cambodia are also known as habitats of the birds, although the number is now limited to a few dozen. Hasudungan explained that Rambut Island is a mating ground for Milky Storks. Thirty-eight individuals of Milky Stork were observed by the participants during the activity.
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Although it is considered a scientific activity, AWC is also a recreational activity. Enjoying the beauty of the island while monitoring the beauty and unique activities of water birds is a special pleasure that cannot be found anywhere, especially in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. The observation of the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Purple Heron, the Little Black Cormorant and Milky Stork on mangroves is a unique experience for the participants. The presence of professional bird watchers, who are regularly involved in AWC, ease the identification process.
Not only observing, the participants also record the bird species on available forms. Every country standardizes their forms, but each has different species depending on the bird’s distribution. The collected data will be submitted to Wetland International Indonesia as the coordinator of AWC in Indonesia.
"The observational data will be compiled and published in print as a book titled Waterbird Population Estimates. Anyone can also access it online. That way, the public can find out population estimation of various types of waterbirds globally, or population estimates in each country,” Hasudungan added.
Wetland International records thousands of volunteers participating in 6,100 locations in 27 countries. The collected information will be used as reference for government and non-governmental organizations, as a contribution for conservation both locally and globally. It can also raise the awareness of communities on wetlands condition, waterbirds, and support conservational activities on wetlands.
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Burung Indonesia provides a platform for communities to channel aspirations and practical conservation to preserve birds and their habitats, as well as biodiversity in Indonesia. Burung Indonesia invites the public to be a part of real efforts and actions to conserve birds and nature in Indonesia by joining as a member of the Birdlife Indonesia Association. Anggota Perhimpunan Pelestarian Burung Liar Indonesia.