BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 26 -- A migratory bird called Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) has been sighted for the first time in Western Visayas, along the coastline of Barangay Latasan, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, during the Asian Waterbird Census held on Jan. 17, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has said.

The waterbird was seen wandering on a vacant fish pond together with some black-winged stilts by Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. staff Christian Casio, who was with the personnel of the DENR and municipal government, and Tayo Ang Kalikasan ambassadors and other students from Tanza National High School led by adviser Aleli Rosario Hugos.

"It was our first bird census experience and it w...