Pond-ering

A recent post in Facebook by our friend Benjie Jiao of a Grey Wagtail and Common Kingfisher seen at the "pond" in U.P. Diliman gave my wife, Cynthia,and I a reason to visit that place Saturday (Sept. 24) morning. But first, as had been our routine whenever we go to U.P., we passed by Greenmeadows Avenue and Temple Drive. We stopped by the small waterway where we've seen a Little Egret almost all the time. It was there alright but did not give me a good enough pose for a decent photo. As I was processing my pictures when i got home later that day, I was surprised to see that there was a Black-crowned Night Heron next to the Egret!

We moved on. Perched on a wire was a Striated Grassbird. Sadly the weather was a bit gloomy and so the lighting was not that good for photography and I only got a documentary shot.

Across the road I got another documentary shot this time of a Zebra Dove.

Further down the road, a pair of Crested Mynas were perched..guess where? On electric wires...and of course, one more documentary shot.

Near the Mormon church, we spotted a Brown Shrike and got a, you know, so-so picture.

As had been our custom, we had a sumptuous breakfast at Rodic's. From there we proceeded to the Child Study Center area. Unfortunately there were no birds at all! Our next stop was at the Astrodome Center and thankfully, the resident Long-tailed Shrike did not disappoint.

Then off to the "pond" we went. We did see our target birds but both were quite skittish. We pursued the Grey Wagtail and as we neared one of the waterways near the pond, we saw a Little Egret. But what surprised us was what was feeding alongside the Egret...a Javan Pond Heron! Of the many times we've birded U.P. Diliman, this was the first time we saw this species here.

Happy that I was able to get some good pictures of this rarity, we continued our chase of the Wagtail. Persistence finally enabled me to get a shot at it.

We went back to the "pond" and again patience got me a long-distance photo of the Common Kingfisher.

Happy that we got both birds that we came here for - and with a bonus at that - we decided to call it a day. As we were about to leave, the Little Egret came to the pond and posed for me.

At home as I was processing the results of our birding trip, I was pondering on our luck at the "pond" considering we even saw a very uncommon Javan Pond Heron

Bohol Birding - Day 1 - Azure Sighting

We arranged for our guides to pick us up from Panglao Airport at around 7:30 am. They were already waiting for us as we exited the huge terminal. From there we proceeded directly to the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape. It was almost 9 am when we finally arrived at our destination. After paying the required fees, Phil, our driver, drove inside the forested area. Several minutes later, we parked, and Lando, our bird guide, asked us to follow him. It was quite a hike in the narrow trail surrounded by tall trees. Lando explored the surroundings and after a while beckoned us as he pointed to a red bird perched at quite a distance. Eventually, the Philippine Trogon flew a bit closer. Although not a lifer - we've seen the female in Davao and in Infanta - this was our first time to see and photograph the brightly colored male. 

We then continued our arduous hike on the steep trail. It was a challenge for this couple of septuagenarians but we had to endure as we were assured by our guide that we would be able to see the Azure-breasted Pitta. After what seemed like an eternity, Lando pointed at a tiny blue dot. We practically crept nearer to our target and after almost losing our patience, we finally got close enough shots of our lifer.

We then moved to where the Wattled Broadbill had been seen before. However the only species that showed up was a Yellow-bellied Whistler.

It was almost noon and so we proceeded to the Habitat Bohol Tourist Inn to have lunch. While waiting for our food to be served, we got some photos of a Red-keeled Flowerpecker foraging nearby.

After a hearty lunch, our guides took us to a place where once again they assured us of another lifer. After a short hike, Lando was so happy to point to us the Bohol Sunbird - a recent split from the Metallic-winged Sunbird. Yes it was a lifer for us.

From there it was agreed that they would take us to our hotel for our 3 pm check in. Along the way, we saw a White-throated Kingfisher and a Javan Pond Heron.

White-throated Kingfisher

Javan Pond Heron

After settling in at our huge suite at the Loboc River Resort, we explored the surrounding areas. Just outside the reception office was a Collared Kingfisher.

Further up the road a female Pink-necked Green Pigeon perched on a tree top. 

The grounds of our hotel looked promising bird wise and we both agreed to explore more of it before we checked out.

It was a good start to our birding foray in Bohol.

Return to Dumaguete, Day 2 - Van for the Road

While we were having breakfast at the hotel restaurant, we were keeping an eye at the tall bare tree next to the hotel grounds. Birds would come, alight on a branch, stay there for a while then fly off.  This happened in such regularity that I could not stand it any longer. I hurried back to our room, grabbed my camera and resumed my breakfast. Only to leave it every now and then to go outside and tried to take pictures of those birds whenever they stopped by (that's right - tried - because they were so small and so high up the tree). All in all my morning repast had been interrupted by Chestnut Munias, a Grey-streaked Flycatcher and (insert fanfare here) Java Sparrows! You read it right - Java Sparrows! I found it interesting, even bordering on funny, to find this species for the first time in the Philippines, here in Dumaguete, right next to a hotel.

After breakfast, Cynthia and I decided to explore the Ang Tay Golf Course grounds across the street from our hotel. We dared not explore the whole area inasmuch as we came in via the back entrance, so to speak. Nevertheless we did find some birds - most of which were perched high up, I mean way high up the only tall tree in the vicinity. With only my 300mm lens at my disposal, photographing these birds can be quite frustrating! Once again Chestnut Munias were there, along with Asian Glossy Starlings, a Collared Kingfisher and Zebra Doves. At least the Barn Swallows gave better opportunities by perching on the electric wires. 

Nine in the morning and we were in a quandary as to what to do next. Cynthia sought the assistance of the hotel concierge in renting a van. One hour later and we were on our way to Tanjay, a coastal town with lots of ponds along the highway. Just like yesterday, we informed our driver, Danny, that we would every so often ask him to stop so we could take pictures of birds along the way. And stop we did on numerous occasions. Shorebirds were simply all over the place - Common Greenshanks, Javan Pond Herons and Whiskered Terns. 

Common Greenshank

Javan Pond Heron

Whiskered Tern

The Sandpiper family was well represented with Wood, Marsh and Common species. 

Wood Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

We were even rewarded with a lifer! A lone Malaysian Plover was forlornly roaming the mudflats.

We were back at the hotel around noon. It was a satisfying couple of hours birding.