Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park: its importance as a bird sanctuary
1995
Manamtam, A.S. (Bird Life Philippines - Haribon Foundation, 3rd Floor, AM Building 28, Quezon Ave., Quezon City (Philippines))
Twenty-nine species of birds were observed in Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in a survey conducted from 22 to 23 March 1995. Ten species (34 percent) are new records for the park, including the Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes), a globally threatened species. Comparison of the results with existing literature showed 32 species previously recorded were not present. Colonies of nesting brown booby (Sula leucogaster), sooty term (Sterna fuscata), greater crested tem (S. bergii), brown noddy (Anous stolidus), and white-capped noddy (A. minutus), were documented on Bird Islet. None was observed at the south islet. The presence of eggs in one greater crested tern's and three brown booby's nests indicates that these species breed at this time of the year. Seventy percent of the sooty terns were juveniles. An average of 132 brown noody nests were counted in trees in Bird Islet. All nests inspected did not contain eggs. Only a single individual of masked booby (S. dactylatra) was observed in Tubbataha. The absence of bird colonies on south Islet is presented to have resulted from existing man-made structures and other human disturbances. Law enforcement presents a big management problem for Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. Detrimental consequences of human visits to Bird Islet were noted. The immediate implementation of a well-defined conservation and management plan for Tubbataha is recommended
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