Joie Matillao Archie Espinosa and Benjamin J. Gonzales Rationale Pandan Is. is a small, coralline islet in Honda Bay, Palawan Special ecosystems for conservation of birds in the Philippines (Mallari et al. (2001). Beach forest vegetation, vital for the survival of avian populations that are island specialist (bird species that only inhabit oceanic islets) Palawan has at least three island specialist bird species documented in Balabac Strait in Southern Palawan, Rasa Island in Narra, and Ursula Island in Bataraza (Matillano et al. 2007). Objectives of this study Part of the coastal resource assessment initiative for Pandan Island Document and identify species of birds in Pandan Island. Identify nesting sites and critical areas for conservation of birds. Determine existing threats to birds. Come up with recommendations for conservation and ecotourism aspects in the area. Pandan Island Located in Honda Bay, Palawan, major tourism area, Land area: 17 hectares Sampling July 17-19, 2008, July 26-27, 2008 specifically to document rare species that were not photographed during the first assessment. Bird surveys covered different habitats in the island intertidal area beach forest area coconut plantation mangrove areas and open beach Early morning survey Only Mc Kinnon Lists and photography Results Forty avian species from 21 bird families were recorded during this study 14 are shorebirds 4 seabirds 20 are a mix of forest, grassland, and open country species. 2 island specialist species Grey Imperial Pigeon Ducula pickeringii IUCN (2013) Vulnerable Mantanani Scops Owl, Otus mantananensis IUCN Near- threatened. 1 Palawan endemic (White-vented shama Copsychus niger)is endemic to Palawan faunal region. Of the 21 bird families recorded, Ardeidae and Scolopacidae have the highest representative species. Island specialists The Grey imperial pigeon is a near Philippine endemic species, Vulnerable under IUCN (2007) Red List of threatened species 7 birds in Pandan Island Encountered in the beach forest area Population in Pandan Is. comparable to Ursula Is. Island specialists Near-threatened under IUCN (2013) Red List of threatened species At least 15 birds in Pandan Island Breeding population (pair of fledgelings observed last July 18 and 19, 2008) Tamed population Other flagship species Great-billed heron Ardea sumatrana Breeding in the island Rare large heron Only 2 birds recorded in Pandan Is. Tabon bird Megapodius cummingii Breeding in the island Two nesting mounds, three smaller mounds Collection of eggs THREATS TO BIRDS Exploitation of eggs Tabon scrub fowl Encroachment of settlements Increasing presence of commercial bird watching tours Critical Areas for Conservation CONCLUSIONS Pandan Island is significant for the conservation of a globally threatened and a near-threatened bird, both of which are island specialist species. Confirmed the presence of breeding Mantanani Scops Owl and Great Billed Heron, and provided the first breeding information for the latter species. The low number of shorebird species recorded during this study is more of a reflection of the seasonality Birds of Pandan Island are also threatened by habitat encroachment and conversion for settlements, exploitation of eggs, as well as capturing of juvenile specimens as pet. Thank you .