Over 26,000 migratory birds counted in Capiz

An influx of colorful, feathered visitors in various sizes and shapes dotted the wetlands of Capiz province as the bird migration season continued.

Armed with binoculars and DSLR cameras, personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)–Capiz, through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Roxas City and the Community ENR Office (CENRO) in Mambusao, jointly conducted the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) from Jan. 6–9, 2026, across several sites:

• Roxas City: Palina River, covering the barangays of Cagay, Barra, Talon, and Balijuagan
  • Ivisan: Barangays Cudian and Agustin Navarra
  • Sapian: Barangays Poblacion, Dapdapan, and Lonoy

An estimated 16,748 individual waterbirds were recorded across the sites. The highest number was observed in Sitio Talingting, Barangay Poblacion, Sapian, with approximately 11,547 birds. Whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybridus) topped the list, numbering around 8,943.

From Jan. 12–15, 2026, six additional sites were surveyed: Roxas City Airport; Barangay Dulangan in Pilar; and Barangays Intongcan, Agbanog, Bantigue, and Gabuc in Pontevedra.

An estimated 9,915 birds were recorded at these six sites, bringing the total number of migratory birds observed in Capiz to approximately 26,663.

For the Jan. 12–15 count, Barangay Gabuc in Pontevedra had the most waterbirds, with about 5,415 recorded. The little egret (Egretta garzetta) was the most abundant species in that area, with around 2,574 individuals.

Roughly 40 species of migratory birds were spotted across the Capiz wetlands.

“Our wetlands here in Capiz are still rich, giving these migratory visitors a good supply of food for the next leg of their journey. When we see them, we know that our biodiversity here is abundant,” said DENR Capiz Provincial ENR Officer Ernest C. Federiso.

The data collected on species and population provide a snapshot of avian biodiversity in the province. The AWC is part of an annual regional and international effort to monitor waterbird populations and promote wetland conservation.

The results offer critical insights into population trends of both resident and migratory species.

Supporting the DENR PENRO Capiz and CENRO Mambusao in this year’s AWC were the local governments of Roxas City, Ivisan, Sapian, Pilar, and Pontevedra; the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; and David G. Quimpo of the Haribon Foundation.

Waterbird migration season in the Philippines typically begins in September and continues through February. By March, most birds begin their journey back to their breeding grounds.

“The AWC is not just about counting birds. Rather, it is a vital scientific tool that provides deep insight into the status of our wetland areas. With the data, we can contribute to biodiversity assessment, conservation planning, and most of all, policy formulation,” said DENR Region 6 Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla. (DENR-6)