Our guide said that the best time to go bird watching along Candaba’s wetlands is during the birds’ feeding time. This is usually the time they take flight and scrounge along the bushy wetlands for food. The first one occurs in the early morning hours of the day, and the second one, during the late afternoons. 

Luck, it seemed, was still not on our side as it was almost nine in the morning when we treaded down the bird-watching trail. There were hardly any visible birds along the area as most were already hiding down the bushes. What we saw were the few that peeked through Candaba’s thick growth.

As we walked on, our guide pointed the hiding birds to us, identifying them through her illustrated manual. I’m really not a bird enthusiast, so most of the names got lost on me.

But according to many online articles about Candaba swamp, most visitors would probably spot Egrets, Eurasians Wigeons, Garganeys, Northern Pintails, Wandering Whistling Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Common Pochards, Tufted Ducks and Gray and Purple Herons.

A few of the rarer birds reportedly spotted in the area were Purple Swamphens (Porphyrio Porphyrio), Chinese Pond Herons (Ardeola Bacchus) and the Black-Crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax Nycticorax).

Even without the swarming birds that we came to expect at the Candaba Bird Sanctuary, we still had a pretty good time. Visiting Candaba had been a good learning experience; and next year, we’ll definitely be ready for them birds.

 

Candaba Wetlands Bird Sanctuary
Address: Dona Simang, Candaba, Pampanga
Bird Watching Tour Fee: Php150.00 per head