Calayan, Cagayan

Calayan is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.[8][12]

Weather conditions are generally wet with heavy rainfall occurring during November and December. The cold winds are the northerly and north-easterly winds. The island is also affected by typhoons. [13] Calayan Island publishes tide tables and solunar tables, daily forecasts for high tides and low tides, other fishing-related data such as the lunar phase, tidal coefficient, sun and moon rising and setting times, hours of maximum fish activity and weather conditions. This data is also useful for all fishing operations in the Calayan Island, apart from navigation of other commercial and transport vessels.[14]

The land area of the island is 494.53 square kilometres (190.94 sq mi).[8] It has a rough rectangular shape with rolling hills, spread over a length of 23 kilometres (14 mi). The island consists mainly of mountainous and uneven land, with the highest land in the centre, with low gaps in places.[11] The hill ridge runs through the middle of the island and is heavily forested. The Mt. Calayan which was once an active volcano is the highest peak here.[20] The island is of volcanic origin and has rich deposits of perlite, a greyish white rock which is called as the "wonder rock".[21] There are rocky shores and white sand beaches. Four rivers drain the island. Coral limestones are seen at both the higher and lower levels of the island. The eastern part of the island has basaltic columns, which are seen in a good state of preservation. [13]

The populated areas on the island are Calayan town (Centro) and Magsidel on the south coast. Calayan town is the largest among the Babuyan Island group and it is a small fishing center. The port of Calayan is used for shipping goats, hogs, cattle and timber.[22]

There are three floodplains where rice is cultivated. Tidal coral flats that protect the sandy beaches between the settlements of Dilam and Dibay are also a distinct feature.[23] The present access is by outrigger boats locally called lampitaw, which takes the islanders from Calayan to the port of Aparri and Claveria on the west coast of the Cagayan Province where an airport to operate small aircraft is also under construction.[24]

Thick forest is found in the hill ridge that is in the centre of the island (elevation 499 metres (1,637 ft)[23]). The forest cover is low land vegetation of primary and regenerated low land forests which are also seen around the exposed coral limestones. This forest has tall “cogon” grass, apart from many species of timber trees along the east coastline and at the north-western tip of the island. Wild guavas are in abundance. Banana is also cultivated though of an inferior variety. Coconut trees are seen in small patches. Other vegetables and crops grown are tobacco, corn, rice and camotes, in the intermediate patches of land. Among the commercial crops, cotton is also grown here. The beach front, above the high wave zone, is covered with butun (a Tugalo language name) trees where hawks are seen.[23][25]

Endemic gecko are found in rocky outcrops, in caves, forests and on tree trunks in the island.[26] Pigs and carabaos (water buffaloes) are seen in the wild.[25]

The flightless Calayan rail (Gallirallus calayanensis) is restricted to Calayan island under the Babuyan islands group and listed as vulnerable.[27] It was first discovered by scientists in 2004.[28] Malaysian plover is also reported from the sandy beaches here and it is under near threatened category.[29] In 1903, the bird species identified here were 95 of which the birds of the family of Phippines formed a part. The other species were identified, as of the Asiatic genera, such as Hypsipetes and sphenocereus, which form the distinct fauna of the island; the specific species noted were Macropygia, otus, Eudynamys, and Hylorpe. Of the Luzon group only Cnnyria whitchiadi, Zosterups meyeni were found on the island. There were many migrant species also on the island which were not specifically identified.[13]

According to a field survey carried out in 2004, the newly sighted bird on the island was the Calayan rail Gallirallus calayanensis.[23] Apart from this, the other species recorded during the field visit were: white-browed crake (Porzana cinerea); Bukidnon woodcock (Scolopax bukidnonensis); whistling green pigeon (Treron formosae filipina); Philippine cuckoo dove; Macropygia amboinensis or Macropygia tenuirostris; Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopacea); Philippine coucal (Centropus viridis); swallow Hirundo rustica; swallow Hirundo daurica; swallow Hirundo striolata; grey heron (Ardea cinerea); great egret (Casmerodius albus); little egret (Egretta garzetta); osprey (Pandion haliaetus); grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus); buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis); barred rail (Gallirallus torquatus); white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus); greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis); Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrines); greater sand plover (Charadrius leschenaultia); Eurasian whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus); common greenshank (Tringa nebularia); grey-tailed tattler (Heteroscelus brevipes); ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres); spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis); fork-tailed swift (Apus pacificus kanoi); house swift (Apus affinis); collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris); Pacific swallow (Hirundo tahitica); elegant tit (Parus elegans); orange-flanked bush robin (Tarsiger cyanurus); Asian glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis); crested myna (Acridotheres cristatellus); pygmy flowerpecker (Dicaeum pygmaeum); lowland white-eye (Zosterops meyeni); and Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus).[23]

The Sibang Cove is known for the many ancient burial grounds, and many artifacts unearthed here are in the National Museum. The municipal administration of the island is developing the cove as an ecotourism destination. As the area is also one of the breeding grounds of the humpback whales, this aspect is also intended to be highlighted for whale watching by tourists.[30]