On January 8, 2025, nature enthusiast Andrew Wolfe embarked on a birding trip to Santiago Bay in San Francisco, Camotes Island, Philippines, accompanied by a keen eye and a sense of adventure. Over the course of 2 hours and 30 minutes, Andrew explored 16.44 miles of the region, resulting in an impressive species count of eight birds.

The first sighting of the day was a flock of three Common Sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos hypoleucos), a common shorebird found in the Philippines. Andrew was thrilled to spot a solo Gray-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes brevipes), a rare visitor to the area. A melodious chorus filled the air with the presence of a Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), its distinctive orange head and back a beacon of beauty.

The Woodswallows stole the show with their cloud-like assemblies, as Andrew spotted five White-breasted Woodswallows (Artamus leucorhynchus) flitting about. A lone Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris), often heard but rarely seen, made a welcome appearance. Others sharing the skies were a Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis) in flocks of three, and Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) in similar groups.

Andrew's dedication to birdwatching led him to this productive outing in Santiago Bay, yielding a diverse and fascinating array of species. His enthusiasm and attention to detail not only broadened his own understanding of the avian world but also contributed valuable insights to the understanding and appreciation of the region's rich biodiversity.