According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the greater white-fronted geese, a rare bird species, was seen for the first time at Paoay Lake National Park.
Cecil Morella, a member of the Philippine Wild Bird Club, recorded the sighting, as confirmed by Rhoel Marcelo, the ecosystem management specialist at DENR-Ilocos Norte.
Rare goose
Breeding in northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia, the greater white-fronted geese is a migratory bird that spends the winter in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The species has previously been seen in Canarem, Tarlac, Candaba, Pampanga, and Batanes province.
According to studies, greater white-fronted geese migrate across wetlands, lakes, and fields and breed in tundra areas.
Protecting the species
The DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau is urging the public to assist in protecting migrating birds in anticipation of the inflow during the annual bird migration season.
DENR also reported that there were more bird species at the lake, with 3,972 birds of 22 species documented in January 2025 compared to 2,202 in 2024.
Among the frequent visitors in the area are the Common Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Great Egret, and the Philippine Duck.
