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Beach Birding in Eastern Visayas: A Morning Survey at Calicoan

Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 12:00:49 AM Philippine Standard Time

On August 25, 2025, Juan Mesquida embarked on a 12-minute birding expedition along the ABCD Beach and surfing site in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The solo venture produced a total of 3 bird species, providing valuable insights into the marine and coastal ecosystems of the area.

The beach proved to be a hotspot for the Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), with 2 individuals spotted during the survey. The kingfisher's presence indicates the presence of suitable habitats for aquatic life in the surrounding waters.

Meanwhile, a solitary White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) was seen during the expedition. Native to Australia and Southeast Asia, the species' occurrence in the Philippines is consistent with its migratory patterns. Further research is needed to confirm its status as a seasonal or resident species in Eastern Visayas.

A much larger number of birds was recorded, with 20 Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) observed during the survey. Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, the species has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including the Philippines. Their abundance at this beach site suggests a suitable habitat for the species, possibly due to the availability of food sources.

Juan Mesquida's observations demonstrate the diversity of bird species found in Eastern Visayas, highlighting the importance of continued research and conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems.

This report was generated by a large language model using data sourced from eBird, an online database of bird distribution and abundance. Read more.