See Some, Miss Some

It felt kinda strange that some birds we saw one week ago in Baras were now missing, and on the other hand we saw a few species that were not seen then. 

Our day started by seeing an Ashy Minivet perched on a tree branch not that far from where we had our breakfast along Jerez Street. It had been a while since we saw this bird here.

We proceeded to the area near the water tank and were surprised by some bird activities. Here we spotted several species that we didn't see the week before: Arctic Warbler, Black-naped Monarch, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker and Elegant Tit.

Arctic Warbler

Black-naped Monarch

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker

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Elegant Tit

What we missed were the Savanna Nightjar, the Little Ringed Plover and the Philippine Cuckoo Dove.

Thankfully we still saw quite a number of the resident birds here. The highlights of which were the Blue Rock Thrush (which we saw after three tries). The Stripe-headed Rhabdornis and the Philippine Hanging Parrot were both feeding on the red flowers near the clubhouse.

Blue Rock Thrush

Stripe-headed Rhabdornis

Philippine Hanging Parrot

With a Little Help from Friends

Saturday we were at Palo Alto in Baras. Our first destination was at the clubhouse parking lot hoping to see some Philippine Hanging Parrots. We were not disappointed. There was a pair foraging among the red flowers. Unfortunately lighting wasn't that good as it was quite gloomy that morning.

 

From there we proceeded to the hill where the Blue Rock Thrush can be seen. And there it was at its usual perch on top of the rocky hillside.

 

Our next stop was at the area where the Long-tailed Shrike is a sure sighting. It wasn't there! As we turned back, it showed up, perched on a tiny branch for a little while, and then flew off. I managed to get only one shot!

 

On our way out of the Shrike territory we got good shots of a female Pied Bush Chat and an Eastern Cattle Egret.

 

Along Palo Alto West road, we chased a White-throated Kingfisher as it would fly off as our car approached, perch for a while, then fly off again as we came near. Eventually it stayed long enough for me to get some passable photos.

 

We drove towards the creek area and along the way there was a male Pied Bush Chat hunting for insects.

 

At the creek, I got a long distance shot of the Green Sandpiper.

 

We both agreed that it's about time we go for the Savanna Nightjar. There we saw friends Loel Lamela and Bert Madrigal. They were so kind to help us get some really close up shots of our target species.

 

Not far from the Nightjar was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers!

 

Thanking our friends profusely we told them that we would be exploring the other parts of Palo Alto. This time we would be looking for the ubiquitous Paddyfield Pipit along the road. On the way  we encountered a Spotted Dove.

 

As expected the Pipit was at its usual hangout.

 

Inasmuch as the weather was now better with the sun finally out, I told Cynthia that we will go back to the Blue Rock Thrush to get better pictures.

 

There we met friends Elmer Budomo and Christopher Ferrer. They asked us if we've seen the Philippine Cuckoo Dove. We said no. They told us to follow them and they will take us to where that species can be seen. We parked at a nook and they led through a short trail. There we met Trinity Gatuz, another birder friend. Elmer pointed at the fruiting Malapapaya tree and informed us that that was where the Cuckoo Doves (note the plural) come to feed. We didn't have to wait long as several individuals came and enjoyed the red berries.

 

Having gotten enough shots, we bade our friends goodbye and thanked them for their kindness. 

"You know what we still haven't gotten a picture of? Grey Wagtail!" I told my wife. And guess what, as we drove toward the rotunda, a Grey Wagtail posed for us.

 

As I mentioned earlier, weather had improved so I suggested to Cynthia that we make a visit to the clubhouse before we go home. Feeding on the red flowers was a Striped-headed Rhabdornis!

 

Of course, the Philippine Hanging Parrot was still there.

 

That was the grand finale of our birding trip to Baras. Thanks to our friends, we were able to get some pictures that most likely we would not be able to on our own.

Back to Baras

Saturday morning, we decided to go birding at Palo Alto in Baras. The very first bird we encountered as we entered the subdivision was a Stripe-headed Rhabdornis.

 

As expected, the White-throated (Brown-breasted) Kingfisher was at its usual perch on the electric wire.

 

After having our take out breakfast, we moved on and saw the migrant Grey-streaked Flycatcher. Unfortunately it was backlit.

 

Along Alfaro road, near the waterway, we had a hard time focusing on the hyper-active Red-keeled Flowerpecker.

 

Moving on we got better shots of the usual denizens of this place: the Scaly-breasted Munia, Paddyfield Pipit and Zebra Dove.

Scaly-breasted Munia

 

Paddyfield Pipit

Zebra Dove

 

We also saw a pair of Spotted Doves perched on a bare tree.

 

The Eastern Cattle Egrets were quite plentiful. I got a BIF (Bird in Flight) of one of them.

 

Back at the waterway, we were surprised to see a White-breasted Waterhen. This was the first time we've seen this species here.

 

Along the creek, the expected Pied Bush Chats were busy hunting for prey.

 

Since it is already the migrating season, I told Cynthia we should visit the rocky area and who knows the Blue Rock Thrush might be there this time. As we passed the area, we didn't see any bird at all. However as we were going back, I noticed a bird on top of the low cliff. "There it is!" I told my wife excitedly.

 

That was the highlight of our trip. As we were about to leave we chanced upon a big flock (about 20 of them) of Red Turtle Doves!

 

Near the exit we got a not too good shot of our last bird of the day - the Whiskered Treeswift.

 

Aw, Common!

This was our first birding trip to Baras in 2021. My primary purpose for this sortie was to get better photos of the Blue Rock Thrush. The previous times we were there we only got glimpses of this species and one very distant shot.

It was deja vu as we got in Palo Alto, the very first birds we saw were two Turtledoves. But no Partridge in a pear tree still. 

From there we went to the clubhouse. Unfortunately the flowers of the African Tulip tree were almost gone and only the Yellow-vented Bulbuls were present.

We moved on to Campeche Street. Blue-throated Bee-eaters were all over the place.

Eastern Cattle Egrets were friendlier than usual.

From a distance we got a Black-naped Oriole.

Then off to site where the Blue Rock Thrush stays. We saw our target bird but it was still too far.

Our next stop was at the small pond hoping to see some kingfishers. I heard that a Common Kingfisher had been seen here. After a few minutes waiting, guess who suddenly popped up? 

I even got some good shots before it was bullied by the White-throated Kingfisher.

At the fields a Long-tailed Shrike was basking in the sun.

At the Alicante waterway were two (!!) Green Sandpipers! Here's a picture of one of them.

Nearby a male Pied Bush Chat posed for us.

We moved to the Alfaro side of the waterway and there the expected Grey Wagtail was present.

Near the wagtail we saw a small brown bird (about the size of the wagtail). Looking through my lens, I was surprised that it was a Common Sandpiper!

And this time a female Pied Bush Chat was the one who posed for us.

To the tank area we went. Along the way fellow birder Joel Dayao pointed to a Whiskered Treeswift perched on a wire. This was the first time we saw this species here in Palo Alto.

At the tank area a flock of Lowland White-eyes were cavorting almost at eye level.

Then we saw a blackish bird perched behind the leaves. At first I thought it was a Balicassiao. But then Christopher Ferrer assured us it was a Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo. A lifer for us!

Having gotten our first lifer for 2021, Cynthia and I both agreed to call it a day. But before we did that I wanted to get a better shot of the Blue Rock Thrush. Thank goodness, we did.

Finally, I asked my wife to humor me one more time. I told her that we haven't had a good shot of the Paddyfield Pipit that day so we went around one more time. As we were driving to the place where the pipits roam, I saw a small brown bird bobbing at the road. Not a pipit for sure and definitely not a wagtail. I asked Cynthia to take a shot at it as it was on her side. And voila! Another Common Sandpiper!

And to end our birding morning, the Paddyfield Pipit.

It was another bountiful birding adventure at Baras highlighted by two species that has the word "common" in their names: Common Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper - both seen by us for the first time in Baras. We can only express our delight by exclaiming "Aw, common!"