By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines —The four-day bird census in Nueva Vizcaya documented 68 species, including 47 Philippine endemics, providing fresh momentum for the province’s biodiversity protection efforts and its push to establish itself as a premier birdwatching destination ahead of the 2027 Grey-faced Buzzard Summit.
The Nueva Vizcaya Bird Census, conducted from Sept. 14 to 17, 2026, was led by the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) in partnership with the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cagayan Valley.
The survey recorded 47 endemic species, 17 resident species and four migratory species in selected sites across Santa Fe, Kasibu, Dupax, Bayombong and Diadi.
Among the endemic birds documented were the Philippine Bush Warbler, Blue-headed Fantail, Elegant Tit and Handsome Sunbird, all species found only in the Philippines.
Provincial Tourism Officer Marichelle O. Costales said the results provide a starting point to protect bird habitats, conserve wildlife, and identify safe areas to develop responsible birdwatching and ecotourism.
The provincial government, led by Gov. Jose V. Gambito, carried out the census to help prepare for Nueva Vizcaya’s hosting of the 2027 Grey‑faced Buzzard Summit. The summitwill focus on protecting migratory birds, conserving forests, and promoting sustainable ecotourism.
Field teams visited sites chosen for their different habitats, forest cover, and tourism potential: Lower Magat Eco‑Tourism Park, Balete Pass, Imugan Falls, Sitio Molmolo (Imugan), Capisaan Eco‑Trail, Dupax Watershed Forest Reserve, and Bangan Hill.
The initiative underscored the ecological value of Nueva Vizcaya’s upland forests, watershed areas and nature sites, which support resident, endemic and migratory bird populations.
During a courtesy call at the provincial capitol, representatives of the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines proposed the documentation and publication of the photographs taken during the bird census in a book featuring Nueva Vizcaya’s bird species.
Gambito readily approved the proposal, signaling the provincial government’s support for producing a publication that would showcase the province’s avian biodiversity and promote public awareness of wildlife conservation.
The group was headed by Alain Del B. Pascua and Don Geoffe E. Tabaranza, both members of the organization’s board of trustees.
The partnership between the provincial government, the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines and DENR-Cagayan Valley reflect a broader effort to build scientific documentation of Nueva Vizcaya’s birdlife while developing ecotourism in a manner that protects critical habitats
