On August 24, 2025, a two-person birding team spent four hours birding at Candaba Marsh in Pampanga, Philippines, covering a distance of 10 kilometers and spotting an impressive 46 different species.

The team led by Irene Dy, observed an unusually high number of waterbirds, including the Black-winged Stilt, which made up the bulk of the sightings with a staggering count of 520 individuals. Other notable waterbirds included the White-breasted Waterhen (6), the Little Egret (1020), and the Great Egret (210).

The marsh also served as a stopover point for a variety of migratory species. The Wood Sandpiper, for instance, was seen in large numbers with a count of 550, while the Long-toed Stint and the Red-necked Stint were also abundant with 260 and 50 individuals, respectively.

Not all sightings were of waterbirds. The team spotted several passerines, including the Black-crowned Night Heron (5), the Blue-tailed Bee-eater (4), and the Golden-bellied Gerygone (2), which drew attention for the presence of two individuals. Other notable sightings included various species of warblers, such as the Zitting Cisticola (3) and the Striated Grassbird (4).

Overall, the birding team had an exciting experience at Candaba Marsh, with a diverse range of bird species to observe and record.