The Katala Foundation (www.philippinecockatoo.org/) has always been a close partner of the WBCP in pursuing common goals of education and conservation.  The foundation is personified by husband-and-wife team Peter and Indira Widmann whom I had met several years ago as a newbie birder who found herself in Palawan with fellow WBCP members Adri (now my husband!) and Tere.  Peter and Indira had very kindly arranged for us to visit Rasa Island, the last stronghold of the Philippine Cockatoo (aka Red-vented Cockatoo) and one of the key conservation sites of the foundation.  I will never forget the sight of 92 riotous cockatoos waking up at the roost site at sunrise and flying off to feed on the mainland. The success of the foundation in conserving and increasing the Philippine Cockatoo population at Rasa deserves much praise.

Recently, the foundation is looking for possible sites outside of Palawan for the reintroduction of the Philippine Cockatoo. Two of these sites, Kangbangyo and Poneas Islands are located on Siargao in Surigao del Norte.  When Peter and Indira invited myself and Adri, on behalf of WBCP, to assess the birding opportunities on the islands, give guided birdwalks to the local community members and to consult with the local government offices regarding tourism prospects; we were very excited to join them.

Both sites are accessible via the municipality of Del Carmen, where Sayak Airport is conveniently located.  Flying in, we already marvelled at the extensive mangrove cover which seemed endless, broken up only by waterways and estuarine pockets.

The municipality of del Carmen from the aircraft: mangroves paradise! (I only wish the window was cleaner!)

Peter, Indira, Adri and I were immediately met by the local MENRO representative Gina Barquilla and whisked off to a sumptuous lunch of fresh seafood, sinigang and lechon. We were also joined by the Mayor Alfredo Coro II.  Their gracious welcome and friendly conversation was proof of their warm working relationship with the Katala Foundation.  Behind the restaurant we had lunch was a spanking new mangrove information center.  Still to be fully equipped, it already showcased many of the natural attractions at del Carmen, including the skeleton of a huge saltwater crocodile!

Group photo with Mayor Coro in front of the mangrove information center.

In the afternoon, we birded inland at Brgy Tuboran. Although it was already approaching sunset, we recorded several species, including Rufous Hornbill, Black-faced Coucal, Great-eared and Philippine Nightjars and Mindanao Hawk-Owl.

We started out early the next morning, taking off from the dock behind the Mangrove Information Center on a small motorized outrigger. Our guide and boatman was the local Katala Forest Ranger Noel. He expertly manuevered us through the maze of mangroves until the low hills of Poneas island greeted us. The greenery was a refreshing site, forested hills rose above the mangroves, the water flat and reflecting the grey skies. As we entered a hidden lagoon, a pair of Mindanao Hornbills flew across our boat's path.

Entering the lagoon at Poneas Island

Thick forest over limestone islets dotted the lagoon.  Ghostly white dead ironwood (mangkono) trunks reached out over the greenery. 

Forest over limestone: long dead mangkono trees remain standing: white, ghostly branches reaching over the green

Although we were confined to birding on the boat, we did not lack for the sights and sounds of the forest birds.  The Mindanao Hornbills were not shy, preening out in the open and permiting the boats to come close.

A handsome male Mindanao hornbill...

..., and also a female Mindanao Hornbill

We circled the lagoon, staying close to the forest edge.  Noel had shut the motor and now paddled the boat, the silence interrupted only by an occasional bird call and the slap of the oar on the water. Even from the confines of the boat, we saw several other avian species including Yellow-bellied Whistler, Black-naped and Short-crested Monarchs, Philippine Trogon, Brown Tit-Babbler, WHite-eared Brown Dove, Purple-throated, Grey-throated-, and Handsome Sunbirds and Red-keeled Flowerpecker.  Noisy Yellowish Bulbuls flew around, outnumbering the less common Yellow-wattled and Philippine Bulbuls.

full story: http://katrinket.blogspot.com/2015/07/island-paradise-birding-on-siargao.html?m=1