Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park

Manila Bay's southern shore is one of the most heavily reclaimed coastlines in the country, which makes the Las Pinas-Paranaque wetland an anomaly worth protecting: a few dozen hectares of mangrove, lagoon and mudflat sandwiched between the coastal expressway and the bay, declared a protected area and listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Two islands and the lagoon between them host the birds - egrets, herons, black-winged stilts, kingfishers and, from November, the migratory waders and ducks that use the East Asian-Australasian flyway - and boardwalks and a viewing tower let visitors watch them with the skyline of the metro behind. Mangrove replanting, litter booms and a small interpretive centre make up the rest. It is small, its future has been contested against reclamation projects more than once, and its value is precisely that it is the last of its kind in a city of fourteen million.

What you actually see

• The lagoon and islands - the wetland's core habitat.
• The migratory waders - flyway birds from November.
• The boardwalks and tower - viewing over the mangroves.
• The city backdrop - skyline and expressway beyond the reeds.

When to go

November to March for the migration; early morning for activity and cooler air. Visits are usually arranged ahead - contact the park office.

Honest expectations

It is a small urban reserve, not a wilderness - traffic noise and skyline are part of the experience. Access can be restricted and requires arrangement. Bring binoculars; birds keep their distance.

Nearby

The Manila Bay coastal road, the Mall of Asia complex and Metro Manila's museums are all minutes away.