Migratory birds delight tourists as temperature in the Cordilleras fall to as low as 5.4 degrees celsius

BAGUIO CITY | (PNA) - Thousands of migratory birds from wintry countries near the north pole have been crossing seas and oceans since last month to reach their periodic sanctuaries in the forests of the Cordillera, in the mountain ranges of northern Luzon.
After their breeding and feeding mostly in the towns of Mountain Province and northern part of Benguet, many of the birds have now flown to wetlands in central and southern Luzon as temperatures in these areas fell below 7.5 degrees celsius as of Thursday morning.
Wilson Locando of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) office here said that as of Thursday morning, Baguio City chilled with 7.5 degrees celsius, which by record is the fifth coldest temperature in this 49-square kilometer plateau 5,000 feet above sea level.
However, Benguet towns like Atok and Buguias have lower temperatures ranging from 5.4 to 6.2 degrees celsius.
The coldest temperature here in Baguio City was 6.3degrees celsius way back on January 19, 1961.
Meanwhile, the contrasting movements of thousands of migratory birds in a span of the last 44 days due to abrupt temperature changes gave hundreds of tourists a new and pleasing experience.
Edward Sacgaca, a native of Bontoc, Mountain Province who frequents tourism areas like Sagada and Buguias recalled that last month, many Europeans were delighted not only with the centuries-old caves and waterfalls, but also with the presence of "foreign" birds which included the Great Egret, swallows, Grey Heron, terns and stilts.
Sacgaca's account was confirmed by the evaluation of Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Pura Molintas who revealed that more than 500 foreign tourists opted for mountainous tourist spots last month, owing to the eco-tourism promotions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
This week, when the average temperature dropped below 7.5 degrees celsius, many eco-tourists in the area were again "entertained" as the migratory birds in bee line winged into the skies southbound.
While the temperature in the area dropped to record lows, the city tourism office here noted the increase of domestic tourists notably from Metro Manila.
Gabriel Keith, an official of the city tourism office, said that most of those he interviewed were here simply because of their desire to experience the chill in Baguio at this time of the year. (Philippine News Agency)
LAP/AAG