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. Flora Thick forest is found in the hill ridge that is in the centre of the island (elevation ). 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. Fauna Endemic gecko are found in rocky outcrops, in caves, forests and on tree trunks in the island. Pigs and carabaos (water buffaloes) are seen in the wild. Avifauna The flightless Calayan rail (Gallirallus calayanensis) is restricted to Calayan island under the Babuyan islands group and listed as vulnerable. It was first discovered by scientists in 2004. Malaysian plover is also reported from the sandy beaches here and it is under near threatened category. 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. According to a field survey carried out in 2004, the newly sighted bird on the island was the Calayan rail Gallirallus calayanensis. Apart from this, the other species recorded during the field visit were: white-browed crake (Porzana cinerea) Bukidnon woodcock (Scolopax bukidnonensis) Taiwan 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