Birding Between Rains

It drizzled as we passed by Antipolo on our way to go birding in Baras. Thankfully as we reached our destination the rain stopped. Upon reaching the rotunda, we saw Rufous-crowned Bee-eaters and Whiskered Treeswifts perched on eletric wires. It had been a while since we saw both species so Cynthia and quickly took out our cameras and took shots at them. We did get passable photos considering the lighting wasn't so good with the skies still being dark and cloudy.

From there we went to where the huge water tank is and surprisingly there were no birds! We then proceeded to the hilly area hoping to see the regular resident Long-tailed Shrike. Along the way Cynthia spotted a Barred Rail and was lucky to get some shots at it.

Further down the road we got another regular - the Paddyfield Pipit.

In one of the side roads we were able to finally get a picture of the skittish Spotted Dove.

As expected the Long-tailed Shrike was at its usual domain.

Perched on the wires were a bunch of White-breasted Woodswallows.

Along Nebres Road, we got the Pied Bush Chat.

Perched on the road was a Zebra Dove that looked like it was trying to warm up.

At the creek we were surprised that the Green Sandpiper was there because we thought it was a migrant and it wasn't the time for migratory birds to arrive yet.

Near Jeres we got really good shots at the Brown-breasted Kingfisher.

We then went to the falls area to look for the Indigo-banded Kingfishers (three individuals had been seen there) but we didn't see even one. It was strange that we didn't see a lot of birds this time. Perhaps it was due to the gloomy weather. It did rain while we were driving back home.

First Birding of the Year 2023

After seeing some beautiful bird photos posted by friend Romz Lopez in Facebook, I told my wife, Cynthia, that we should go birding at Baras as soon as possible. Saturday, June 7, thankfully, had a sunny weather (despite predictions of cloudiness) so off to Palo Alto we went. The first bird we encountered was a White-breasted Woodswallow perched on a wire above the rotunda near the entrance.

From there we proceeded to Jerez where we had our take-out breakfast from Jollibees. Nearby was a Brown Shrike waiting patiently for a prey to show up.

After breakfast we proceeded to the clubhouse area where some African Tulip trees were blooming (and where most of Romz's photos were taken). Unfortunately the tree was no longer in full bloom and fewer birds were feeding in it - mostly Yellow-vented Bulbuls and a couple of the Philippine Hanging Parrots - one of our target birds.

Moving on we saw a Whiskered Treeswift also perched on a wire.

As we got into the open area, a Philippine Serpent Eagle was soaring above us.

Our next destination was the hill where the Blue Rock Thrush usually stays. It wasn't there this time. Next was the adjacent hill where a Long-tailed Shrike resides. We saw it, but it flew off before I could take a photo. On the way down, we saw a Pied Bush Chat, albeit at some distance.

Along Palo Alto West road, we got a Brown-breasted Kingfisher. This was the third individual we saw and offered a better angle.

At the creek, we were lucky that the Green Sandpiper was there, again at quite a distance.

Arguably, the best species of the day for us was the Eastern Cattle Egret. There were quite a number of them and were less skittish than the other birds.

Along the road we chanced upon a Collared Kingfisher on a tree branch.

Next was the Grey Wagtail. The challenge was getting a good shot at it as it was always moving and preferred thae darker areas.

Another visit to the clubhouse area resulted in nothing new. The hoped for Stripe-headed Rhabdornis never showed up. At around 10 am we decided to call it a day. On the way out we were surprised to see a pair of Spotted Button Quails by the roadside. Unfortunately, we never got a good shot at them. Surprisingly, we didn't see a lot of birds. What was even strange was that there were no Paddyfield Pipits - not a single one! Still it wasn't bad for our first birding sortie of 2023.

Band of "Barasers"

Lately, the town of Baras in Rizal province had become a favorite place for taking pictures of birds. So Cynthia and I decided to go there for our last birding day of the year. Not long after we arrived we met a group of fellow bird photographers. Here is the group photo of the Band of Barasers: Ferdie Llanes, Chris Ferrer, Russel, Elmer Budomo, and Joel Dayao. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Tim Calumpong)

The very first species we encountered were two Turtledoves. But there wasn't a Partridge in a Pear tree.

As the band of Barasers were waiting for the Philippine Cuckoo-Dove to show up, I saw a Red-keeled Flowerpecker feeding on a nearby "aratiles" tree.

Then from behind where we were standing a Balicassiao flew to a branch a below us.

Since the Cuckoo-Dove was a no show, the group moved to the place where a Rough-crested Malkoha was seen. And sure enough, it peeped through the thick foliage.

As if to congratulate us in getting shots of the Malkoha, a Coppersmith Barbet began singing its "pok pok" song.

Having seen the target bird, we all agreed to proceed to the clubhouse where a flowering African Tulip tree attracts several species of birds. Along the way, we came across a White-throated Kingfisher.

As we were about to enter the parking area, a White-eared Brown Dove was on the ground foraging for food. That was an unusual habit for this species.

The expected Philippine Hanging Parrot was at the top of the tulip tree.

During lulls between the appearance of the male and female parrots, I took an obligatory shot at a Golden-bellied Gerygone.

And of the Brown Shrike, of course!

Soon another hoped for bird, the Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, came and fed on the red flowers.

After a while, a Sunbird, which was definitely not an Olive-backed came. Ferdie thought it was a Handsome and I believed it was a Luzon. Chris Ferrer later confirmed that it was a Grey-throated! I think this was the first time that this species was seen here.

We waited for the Naked-faced Spiderhunter but it didn't show up. So we told our friends that we would roam around the area to look for other birds. We went to the "hill"  hoping to see some raptors, the cuckoo-dove and the Blue Rock Thrush. No raptors and no cuckoo dove. There was a bird high up in the tree and I took a shot at it. Later Ferdie came and told us that the Blue Rock Thrush no longer stays near the ground when there are people around and prefers to perch on the tree instead. Looking at the photo I took confirmed that it was indeed our target bird.

At the "subdivision" area, the Paddyfield Pipits were everywhere!

Passing by the bridge, I saw a sandpiper at the canal area. It was confirmed later by Rob Hutchinson (through the photos posted by Ferdie) that it was an uncommon Green Sandpiper!

Of course, Pied Bush Chats, both male and female, were all over the place.

Eastern Cattle Egrets were among the cattle, of course!

I told Cynthia, that we already got a lot of bird photos but none of the Grey Wagtail yet (which we always see on the road). So another obligatory shot was made.

It was already 11 am and we agreed to call it a day. On the way out, we encountered a Blue-throated Bee-eater.

It was another fruitful birding day in Baras made even more enjoyable by some uncommon birds we saw and the company of the Band of Barasers.