A group of bird enthusiasts spent nearly two hours exploring the Ulot River in Samar Island Nature Park on January 31st. Led by Mads Bajarias, Cheta Chua, and Dindo Karl Mari Malonzo, the team logged 25 bird species during their visit.

During their trip, they spotted numerous swiftlets, with Pygmy Swiftlets being the most abundant, with 10 individuals recorded. They also observed Gray-rumped Swiftlets in high numbers, with a total of 15 individuals documented. Other notable bird sightings included the Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, with two individuals spotted; Black-faced Coucal, which was heard, but not visually identified; and Little Egret, with one recorded sighting.

Crowned as one of the most surprising sightings of the day was the Samar Crow (Corvus culminatus), with two individuals photographed by Dindo Karl Mari Malonzo and others.

A variety of other bird species were also recorded, including the Striated Heron, Northern Silvery-Kingfisher, Dollarbird, and Brown-breasted Kingfisher. The group also spotted several other colorful bird species such as the Philippine Hanging-Parrot, Yellow-bellied Whistler, and Visayan Blue-Fantail.