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.

Baras Less

After several weeks of intermittent raining, the skies finally cleared up Saturday, September 30th. Cynthia and I both agreed to use this opportunity to go birding in Baras - a place we haven't visited since April. We arrived at the subdivision a little after 7 am and as we approached the rotunda, we saw a Whiskered Treeswift perched on the electric wire. It had been a while since we saw this species so I quickly parked on the side, took out my camera and took photos of this lovely bird.

From there we went to Jeres Street to have our take-out breakfast from Jollibees. As we entered the area we were greeted by several Grey Wagtails. It was another awesome photographic opportunity.

As soon as I parked our car, I caught a glimpse of a Rough-crested Malkoha. But before I was able to get my camera it flew off and never showed up again. While I looking for it at the leafy treetop, I saw a White-eared Brown Dove. Again before I could lift the camera to my eyes, it flew off. After breakfast we drove to the open space and there we encountered the expected Paddyfield Pipit.

At the aratiles tree near the waterway, which was still not fruiting, a Red-keeled Flowerpecker was busy hunting for food. It was so active that I only got a documentary shot.

The waterway,surprisingly, did not have the usual Common Sandpiper or Little Ringed Plover. Moving on we got the starbird of the day - the plentiful Pied Bush Chat.

On a bare tree we spotted a Spotted Dove.

White-breasted Swallows were flying above and sometimes would perch on an electric wire.

Then there was a small flock of Eastern Cattle Egrets. They were a bit skittish (just like most of the birds we saw) but patience enabled us to get a few shots.

The place where the water tank is was completely devoid of birds! Leaving that place we got the migrant Brown Shrike perched where else but on an electric wire.

We went to the "hill" and again we never saw any bird except the Pied Bush Chats. The Blue Rock Thrush apparently was a no-show this year. The always present Long-tailed Shrike was there but it was at quite a distance and the moment we saw it it pursued a prey that was out of our view and never showed up again. A little after 9 am we decided to call it a day. On the way out as we passed across Alfaro Street, we chanced upon a Brown-breasted Kingfisher. We've seen other individuals earlier but as had been the mood of the day, they were skittish and would fly off before we could take a picture. Thankfully this one stayed long enough.

Before going out we dropped by Jeres Street again. And guess what? No birds! As we were mulling about this, I noticed some movement on the sidewalk. I looked and saw an immature Black-crowned Night Heron crawling (!!) into the vegetation. Curious as to why it was crawling, I came closer and noticed that there was a plastic string tied to its foot. I called Cynthia and pointed the bird to her. She must have read my mind as she asked me to pick the up the Heron and loosen the string. I did and released the poor bird. The foot must have been injured because it was still unable to walk. Again it crept slowly into the vegetation and we just let it be and hoped that it would survive.

As we were about to exit, I saw a Barred Rail by the roadside. I told my wife to take pictures of it as it was on her side.

As we suffered the horrendous traffic going home we wondered why there only a few birds now at Baras. And quite a number of those that we saw were overly skittish. Were they being hunted or trapped (like the Heron)? I certainly hope not.

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.

Kingfisher In, Kingfisher Out

Saturday morning we decided to go birding in Baras. As we entered Palo Alto, it was foggy and the road was wet. 

 

Doesn't augur well, I thought to myself. I opened my car window and looked at the electric wire at the other side of the street. "White-throated Kingfisher!"(or Brown-breasted Kingfisher - depending on which list you follow) I told my wife and started taking photos of it. 

 

After having our take-out breakfast from Jollibee, Cynthia heard some singing. "Philippine Magpie Robin!" she said pointing to the very active black-and-white bird.

 

From there we moved on and got the expected Pied Bush Chat pair.

Male

Female

 

At the East Road we encountered a Spotted Dove.

 

We were surprised to see two species that are usually staying on the grassy areas perched on a tree limb. The male Pied Bush Chat was so close my wife could not get a full body photo, with her shorter lens at that.

 

The other species was a Paddyfield Pipit drying itself in the morning sun.

 

The Cattle Egrets were few this time and I managed to get a shot of an individual.

 

On the way to Cancun, we got the Collared Kingfisher.

 

At Cancun, we were amazed at how friendly the Barred Rails were!

 

Not only the Rails but the Scaly-breasted Munias as well.

 

Near the water tank we were so sad to see a White-eared Brown Dove in a cage. Apparently it was a trap to lure other birds into that cage.

Inasmuch as the migration season has already began, we wondered if the Grey Wagtails are already here. We finally saw one at Jerez!

 

We also got a close up shot of a Little Egret.

 

At the waterway, a Common Sandpiper finally showed up - again it was quite far.

 

Of course, we had to take an obligatory shot at the White-breasted Woodswallow.

 

Around 10 am, we decided to call it a day. And as we were about to leave, guess what bird, we saw? - The White-throated Kingfisher, of course! The species we saw coming in, and the species we saw going out.