Birdwatching in Gelora Bung Karno sports center

JAKARTA (JP): Watching birds at Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Central Jakarta?

No way, you must be kidding, said a friend.

Similar remarks come from many others when asked to come to the sports center, which used to be called Senayan sports center until last week, for the bird-watching this Sunday morning.

"This is the first time I am hearing of a bird-watching event in Senayan," said a sports reporter.

Even bird lovers might frown on the idea of going bird- watching in Senayan or other parts of Jakarta, for that matter, as the air is heavily polluted. In fact, the most popular places for "bird-watching" here is the bird market on Jl. Barito, South Jakarta, Jl. Pramuka, Central Jakarta and Jatinegara in East Jakarta.

"Or, just attend bird singing competitions where high-ranking officials often bring their pet birds to participate," said an employee of Harapan Kita Hospital.

These people can be forgiven for being incredulous. Even human beings find it hard to get fresh air in the busy and polluted city of Jakarta. So, inviting people to bird-watch in Jakarta is not surprisingly greeted with suspicion.

But it might be worth considering attending this particular event. The organizers of this event called Kicauan dari Senayan (Carols from Senayan) promise to delight the participants, especially the younger ones.

The bird-watching at the Krida Loka jogging track (near the swimming pool) will begin at 5:30 a.m.

"Based on our observation in the past two months, there are 23 species of birds at the location," Tomie Domo, spokesman for the Bogor-based Birdlife International Indonesia Program, said.

The event is jointly organized by Birdlife International, The Jakarta Post, Kompas, Bobo, Warta Kota, Radio Sonora, Sports Fitness Center (PKO) and the Indonesia Wild Life Conservation Forum (Foksi).

The aim of the event, held in conjunction with World Environment Day on June 5 and Jakarta's anniversary on June 22, is to educate Jakarta's youths on the importance of conservation.

The organizers had earlier planned to hold the event at night, when it is quiet.

"But the birds in Senayan are already familiar with human beings and the noise," another member of the organizers said.

Each visitor is required to pay Rp 10,000 (less than one U.S. dollar) to participate in the event.

In return, each participant will receive, among others, a certificate, snacks and gifts (for winners of the various quizzes and games). The participants will be briefed on the different species of birds, how they struggle to find a safe place for their nests, and how they risk their lives finding food in such a busy and polluted city.

"The bird-watching event can accommodate 400 people. State Minister for the Environment Sonny Keraf will be there too, but as an ordinary citizen," Tomie said.

He suggests enthusiasts come on time, "otherwise they would miss the birds as they would have flown away."

The participants will be divided into small groups and led by members of BirdLife International. All participants are advised to don comfortable clothes in earthy colors, such as green or brown, wear a cap and bring a pair of binoculars.

Children are asked to bring along a notebook and pen to draw the birds they see on the spot so they can see the differences between the species.

"Don't rely only on your memory," the organizers said in their booklet.

Indonesia has the forth largest collection of birds in the world. According to the latest survey, Indonesia is home to 1,539 bird species, 381 of which cannot be found in other countries.

Until 1946, Jakarta was home to 256 bird species.

But a 1997 survey by Symbiose Bird Club showed that more than half of the species have disappeared. There is presently about 105 species left.

Most of the birds now live and survive in green areas like Monas (National Monument) park, Manggala Wanabhakti building compound, Senayan, and Kemayoran city forest, all in Central Jakarta; the Halim golf course and Taman Mini Indonesia (TMII) in East Jakarta; the Ragunan zoo in South Jakarta; the city forest at the University of Indonesia in Depok; and the conservation parks in Muara Angke, Rambut Island and Bokor Island, all under the administration of North Jakarta.

In Senayan, according to Tomie, the birds eat insects, seeds, fruits and flowers they find on the ground and trees.

The birds that can be spotted at the sports complex include cave swiflets, house swifts, hill mynas, scarlet-headed flowerpeckers, Asian glossy starlings and golden-bellied gerygones. (bsr)