How to apply for a bird-watching permit

STEP 1
Email request to conduct bird-watching activity to the Ecology
Center (EC) at ecology@sbma.com or fax it to +6347.252
4157.
Walk-in birder may request by filling out the request to
conduct bird watching activity form.
To download the form, visit
http://www.mysubicbay.com.ph/aboutus/departments/ecology-center and check out Application
for Research Permit under Links.
Request will only be entertained from Monday to Friday
(8:00am - 5:00pm). It must be sent at least a day before the
proposed schedule of birding activity.

How to apply for a bird-watching permit

STEP 2
The Ecology Center will issue the permit to the birder/s
prior to the activity.
The permit may only be issued to the requesting party
in person.

STEP 3
Upon issuance of the permit, the SBMA Ecology
Center will orient first-time birdwatchers on the proper
conduct of bird-watching and remind them to comply
with the rules and regulations inside the Subic Forest
Reserve.
Frequent birders will also be reminded about ethical
birding guidelines.

Subic Bay areas allowed for bird-watching

DESIGNATED BIRD-WATCHING SITES
Roads leading to Nabasan Beach
Triboa Mangrove Park
Botanical Garden
Apaliin Trail
Naval Magazine Area
Pamulaklakin
Upper Cubi: Crown Peak Area
Zambales Highway Upper Cubi going to Naval Hospital

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF BIRD HABITATS
DO NOT litter or leave any waste in protected and non-protected areas.
AVOID making new trails but instead follow existing ones.
DO NOT collect wildlife.
DO NOT cook anything anywhere.
COMPLY with all SBMA rules and regulations.

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

DO NOT STRESS THE BIRDS
Keep distance from the birds to avoid disturbing their feeding and

nesting areas, causing them stress and fear, and driving them
towards areas where they may be exposed to predators.
Observe caution in the use of recordings and other methods

during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming to

avoid distractions. Keep away from nests, colonies, roosts, feeding
sites, and other sensitive areas.
Use a blind or hide and take natural cover whenever possible.

Zoom camera lenses, binoculars, and spotting scopes can also be

an alternative option.

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

DO NOT STRESS THE BIRDS
Using call playback is prohibited to avoid distressing some species and

disrupting feeding and/or breeding activity.

Feeding of birds is prohibited, as it may also disrupt their feeding and/or

breeding activity.
Flushing, or an act that drives the birds into an open area by frightening

or forcing them to fly, is prohibited. Not only does this startles the bird and
causes it to fly off but it is also distracting and can use up the birds vital
energy required for its important physiological activities.
Use of spotlights at night is prohibited, as it disturbs sleeping and

resting birds and interferes with the natural biological processes of

species. It can also cause birds to abandon their nest or the young to fall.
To reduce the discomfort on birds, only red filters and/or lower intensity
lights (white or yellow) are allowed.

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

DO NOT STRESS THE BIRDS
Observe precaution in the conduct of photography by observing the

following:
Photographer should not garden the area by removing branches

and other objects that block the view, as this may expose the birds to
predators.
It is absolutely prohibited to modify the nest or its approaches in order

to achieve a preferred view.

Avoid lingering around the birds nest and core territories for long

periods as this may disrupt their natural movement.

Use minimal artificial lighting.

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

NO BIRD HANDLING
Birds must never be touched unless extremely necessary such as when

the bird is injured in which case, gloves should be worn to limit the risk of
bacterial or viral contamination.
Details of sightings of rare species or species of conservation significance

must only be disclosed to the SBMA Ecology Center and relevant

authorities for documentation purposes and to avoid any sudden increase
in bird enthusiasts whose presence might disturb the birds.

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

REPORT SIGHTINGS
Sightings, photos, films, and other important information should be

reported / submitted to the SBMA Ecology Center to contribute to its

ornithological database.
Soft copies may be sent to ecology@sbma.com. Copyright to such

photographs shall remain with the photographer. Proper citation will be

observed if submitted photos are used for publication or print
The database will serve as basis for formulating guidelines and

improving bird awareness and management of this important wildlife.

Bird-watching Etiquette and Guidelines

BE A BIRD AMBASSADOR
Impart your knowledge and experience in the conduct of birding activity

in an environmentally ethical way.

Participate in activities that have a positive effect on bird habitats and

bird conservation strategies.

Encourage others to record observations that may contribute to a better

understanding of bird habitats, locations, and other important ecological

data.
Support local communities by hiring indigenous people as tour guides

as an incentive for them to conserve the habitat.

YOUR CONCERN FOR THE BIRDS OF SUBIC BAY

WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
Please inform our Ecology Center or call our HELP Hotlines if you
notice any undesirable or suspicious activity in any bird-watching
site.

SBMA ECOLOGY CENTER

Address

:
Regulatory Building
Labitan Street corner Rizal Highway
Central Business District, Subic Bay Freeport

Tel. No.
Fax. No.

:
(+6347) 252.4155 / 252.4435 / 252.4059 /
252.4656
:
(+6347) 252.4157

Email

ecology@sbma.com

www.mysubicbay.com.ph

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO

PROTECT BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS.