In times where several bird species are becoming extinct, it will be quite relieving to witness a number of birds of different kinds flying overhead or resting on branches and grassfields. A perfect site where you can bird watch is at the Candaba Swamp in Pampanga.

The area is a complex of freshwater ponds, swamps and marshes with surrounding areas of seasonally flooded grassland, arable land and palm savanna on a vast alluvial flood plain. The entire area is usually flooded in the wet season, but most of it dries out during the dry season (late November to April). The impoundment is used as a fish pond during the rainy season, and then drained in January or February to be used for agriculture. Candaba Swamp acts as a natural flood retention basin holding wet season overflow from the Maasim, San Miguel, Garlang, Bulu and Peñaranda Rivers, and draining into the Pampanga River.

The swamp has been declared a bird sanctuary and the municipal government, under Mayor Jerry Pelayo with the support of the national government and private organizations, is undertaking measures to rehabilitate and conserve the swamp and its diverse wildlife for the future generations. Hunting has been banned and shift of land use is being strictly regulated.

During the bird watching season, when birds are migrating in the area sometime during the first quarter of the year, enthusiasts troop to the place to simply admire them. When we went to the area, there were no people in the swamp except for lone farmers who were minding the fields. The group of birds with their chirping sounds was a sight to behold with Mt. Arayat at the background adding majesty to the awesome view.