A five-minute birding trip around Santiago Bay, San Francisco (Camotes Island) on January 7, 2025, yielded a impressive array of birdlife for solo observer Andrew Wolfe. The activity saw Wolfe, armed with a keen eye and a passion for ornithology, scour the scenic coastal area for just a short duration of 5 minutes, covering a relatively small distance of 0.12 miles.

The expedition began with the spotting of the Zebra Dove, with an impressive count of 5 individuals. This large and widespread dove species is a common sight in the Philippines, but it was still a thrill for Wolfe to catch a glimpse of its distinctive black-and-white striped plumage.

Next, Wolfe spotted the Collared Kingfisher, a striking bird with its bright blue and white feathers and distinctive collar-like markings around its neck. This rare bird was a highlight of the trip for Wolfe, who was thrilled to have glimpsed this majestic creature.

The White-breasted Woodswallow was another notable sighting, with a total of 7 birds observed during the brief excursion. This small to medium-sized bird is known for its distinctive white breast plumage and is often seen in open country and woodland areas.

In addition to these sightings, Wolfe also caught glimpses of the Asian Glossy Starling, with 2 birds spotted, and the Garden Sunbird, with a single sighting.

Wolfe's successful birding trip around Santiago Bay is a testament to the area's rich avifauna and the rewards that can be reaped from even the briefest of excursions into the natural world.