A team of bird enthusiasts, led by David Morrison, recently embarked on a thrilling adventure at the Sampanit Fish Ponds in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Their 1 hour and 20 minute excursion yielded an impressive 27 species count, showcasing the area's remarkable bird diversity.

The group's attention was quickly drawn to the birds frequenting the fishponds, with Red Collared-Dove, Zebra Dove, and unidentified swiftlets being among the earliest sightings. Waterbirds took center stage, with a total of 34 birds from 8 species, including Pacific Golden-Plover, Kentish Plover, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Little Egret, and Striated Heron. The ponds also played host to a variety of waders, with notable mentions going to Whiskered Tern, Cinnamon Bittern, and Javan Pond-Heron.

In addition to the aquatic birds, the group spotted a range of passerines, including Pied Triller, Brown Shrike, Visayan Tailorbird, Striated Grassbird, Barn Swallow, Yellow-vented Bulbul, and Garden Sunbird. The forests surrounding the fishponds also yielded a surprise or two, with visitors rewarding the group with sightings of Common Kingfisher and Yellow-vented Bulbul.

The participants' commentary on the day's excursion mentions a bright and sunny sky, perfect conditions for spotting a wide range of birdlife. With its tranquil setting and rich avifauna, the Sampanit Fish Ponds have proven to be an attractive destination for bird enthusiasts, offering a day of thrilling birding amidst the natural beauty of Negros Occidental.