Cansaga Bay 12/22/14 and Bird #96

I'm 5 birds short for my  "100 birds run", kinda like a big year thing but for 100 birds and restricted to the Cebu main island only. Rules are: 
1. Must be spotted within the main island of Cebu (Made exceptions for Red-necked pharalope and a White-winged tern seen at the Mactan channel).
2. Must be photographed. (but might have to change this to at least a recording of the call or at least really seen the bird and positively identified)

Whimbrel. One of three birds.

So, so far only 95 birds and the year is about to end already. I have 3 birds which I really can't quite put in there yet. First one is the Philippine nightjar. Seen and heard at Cantipla, but since they are nocturnal, taking a photograph will be a problem. Second is the Philippine Hawk-cuckoo. They are loud but I haven't really seen one. Most of the time, they are flying away and all you see is a blur. Third, Hooded pitta. Only a recording of a calling bird in Alcoy. Never heard it anywhere else but there.

In the quest to get the last 5 birds, I decided to go to Cansaga bay where just last February I had a snap shot of 3 long billed waders - I suspected were either Curlews or Whimbrels. But they were already too far away and too small in the frame (not to mention back-lit) to positively identify.  I thought it would be a good idea to go back there but with a strategy. Last time, the birds were already flying back east towards Olango as the tide came in. I thought to myself, if I went there at dawn, well before sunrise and at low-tide I might be able to catch the birds as they fly in towards the bay to feed - while I am on the bridge!  I was right. As the sun came up, birds started flying in from the east, mostly egrets and terns.  It didn't really turn out as productive but I got what I came for...another lifer, bird #96: Whimbrel. I was aiming at some egrets when I noticed three dark colored birds, were flying towards me from the southeast marsh, they were just a few feet from me as they went past and I was lucky to have gotten one good frame!

After a few minutes I went down north end of the bridge, and took a walk on the shore west of the bridge. I was still too far from the birds T_T. Anyway, it was still a great day for me.

Other birds:
Brahminy kite - 1 - adult
Whiskered tern - flocks of them
Yellow wagtails - in twos and three/fours
all three sp. (L/I/G) of egrets in small groups.
Little/Striated Herons - 2 juv.
Common sandpiper - 2
Common greenshank - wasn't able to count- too far but they were there.
Kentish plover - 1
Common Kingfisher - 1
There were Brown Shrikes and Zebra doves and heard a Golden-headed cisticola and Red-keeled flowerpecker and Chestnut munias from a small patch of green right along the shore.