On January 7th, 2025, a lone birder, David Morrison, embarked on an exciting journey along the Ilog River Ride in Negros Occidental, Philippines. For 52 minutes and covering a distance of 6.69 kilometers, David explored the mudflats and riverbanks in search of avian treasures.

The weather was in his favor, with bright sunshine and a low tide that exposed a limited number of mud banks. This unique combination provided a thrilling experience for the birder, who spotted a total of 13 species.

The trip started with a sighting of the charismatic Red Collared-Dove, with two birds spotted in the area. The list continued with the Barred Rail, with an impressive six birds counted. The showstoppers of the day, however, were the shorebirds. The Siberian Sand-Plover, Kentish Plover, and Common Sandpiper made appearances, with the Broad-billed Sandpiper stealing the show with its impressive count of 32 individuals.

The group of birds that drew the most attention, though, were the wading birds. The Whiskered Terns, with four birds spotted, were joined by Little Egrets, with an impressive 11 counted. The Javan Pond-Heron and the Great Egret also made appearances, with seven and three birds, respectively.

The day was not without its surprises, with a lone Philippine Jungle Crow spotted at one point. The highlight of the trip, though, was the sighting of the elusive Visayan Tailorbird, with David hearing its song but unfortunately not catching a visual glimpse.

As the day wrapped up, David spotted a flock of Barn Swallows, with an astonishing 20 birds fluttering about. With the observation trip coming to a close, David reflected on the day's experiences, taking in the sights and sounds of the Ilog River.

This birding adventure was a true testament to the natural wonders of the Ilog River Ride, and David's dedication to spotting these avian wonders is an inspiration to any birder.