And I think it's time to come out of my blogging hibernation.
I've got quite a lot to catch up on! Almost a year's worth of adventures! Let's see if I can get you (and myself!) up to speed.
Showing posts with label lizards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lizards. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31
Saturday, August 5
Birding by the road: Buenavista-Tagabinet-Cabayugan
Spectacular scenery and great birds: it's easy birding by the highway in Puerto Princesa, so we stuck to our tried-and-tested, except this time we did a reversal of the usual routine.
As I had mentioned previously, instead of being based on scenic Sabang beach, we tried out a resort on Ulugan Bay. Starting out birding in Buenavista and driving towards Sabang, we passed through the barangays of Tagabinet and Cabayugan.
Early in the morning we stopped at the view point for the majestic karst limestone cliffs of Elephant Cave. The newly harvested rice fields were dotted with Cattle Egrets checking in between the freshly reaped stalks of palay.
Against the blue skies, a flock of Hill Mynas flew, with one landing on a bare branch singing loudly to greet the morning.
We scoped the cliffs in the distance and found a pair of Palawan Hornbills inspecting a small cavity. We wondered if they would use the cliff as an option for nest holes rather than trees.
A huge Greater Coucal caught our attention, skulking quietly in the vines and vegetation. Every now and then it would come out into the open, wings open and stretched out in a sun salutation. (It was my first time to see a Greater Coucal in the Philippines so sort of a lifer!)
As the sun climbed the skies, raptors began soaring above. I got a lifer in dark-phase Changeable Hawk Eagle crossing overhead.
A Crested Honey Buzzard also gave a good showing in flight.
Crested Serpent Eagles called out to each other as they circled and rose higher and higher until they were dots in the distance. (I wonder if I can actually differentiate them from the endemic Philippine Serpent Eagle found everywhere else in the Philippines?)
One of the best finds along the highway was a fruiting macaranga tree. Bulbuls and flycatchers were busy all day at the tree, either gorging on the fruit or attracted to the insects buzzing around.
The tree was not wanting for Palawan Bulbuls and blue-eyed Black-headed Bulbuls.
Nearby, a Rufous-tailed Tailorbird sang loudly as it crept about the tangles. A pair of Palawan Blue Flycatchers kept crossing the road to the tree and back, probably busy feeding some young on a nest.
Every now and then a wave of smaller birds would pass through. Violet Cuckoos are always a welcome sight.
Fiery Minivets would accompany them.
We had second thoughts in the identification of a small brown flycatcher we initially dismissed as a Grey-streaked Flycatcher. On afterthought, was it an Asian Brown Flycatcher? And what did it turn out to be? A female Blue and White Flycatcher!
(On a side note, we spotted the two other species of flycatcher as well!)
We were distracted by family groups of noisy Blue-naped Parrots or elegant Palawan Hornbills passing through.
A family of Lovely Sunbirds brought our attention back nearer to the ground.
A Green-lizard with its extra long tail briefly distracted us from bird activity.
Several other birds came by the fruiting macaranga, including a cheerful White-vented Shama and several Hair-crested Drongos. A very quiet Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo also showed up.
And a small flock of Yellow-throated Leafbirds also came in, blending in excellently with the vibrant green foliage.
My favorite birds at that site was a parent-and-young endemic Sulphur-bellied Bulbul. The parent kept returning to where the young bird was perched to feed it. The young bird bravely explored the canopy but also settled down to preen and rest for several minutes at a time.
It's always great to watch this behaviour in birds.
Having rented a car, it was easy for us to move onward or back to other sites along the highway. It's the second time we have tried this, and it seems to be a very efficient way to get around to bird, especially with the much improved roads.
We had better views of the Palawan Blue Flycatcher.
I caught glimpse of a small shrew/mouse crossing the highway, and a good view of a Palawan Stink Badger on a dark trail. But as usual, the easiest mammal to glimpse were the Tree Squirrels running up and down tree trunks and branches, jumping from tree to tree.
Several Barringtonia trees were also in bloom, their dripping inflorescence with smooth and shiny red buds. They only seem to open their blooms in the evening though, and by morning their flowers had fallen to the ground.
There were some birds we never got good enough views for good photos, even if we saw them several times.
Ashy-headed Babblers were very babbler-y... sticking to the dark bushes and long grass. Can you spot the babbler in the photo? It was taken from across the highway!
We also came across several pairs of Spot-throated Flamebacks, who were also nicely silhouetted against the tree trunks against the light.
At sunset, we drove up to moonlight hill. It looked like we had just missed the Philippine Cockatoos (again!), because though we heard them as we were climbing the steps, they were nowhere to be seen when we got to the viewpoint!
The sunset view over Ulugan Bay was beautiful. It is one of my favorite sunsets ever.
In the dwindling light, we could hear the loud calls of Great Slaty Woodpeckers echoing across the valley. Imagine our surprise when they came up right above us!
I always think these huge woodpeckers seem almost dinosaur-like in their awkward appearance.
In the evening, we tried a random spot and were rewarded with the soft growls and hoots of several Palawan Frogmouths.
And then it was back to Jenny's Kahamut-an for a delicious dinner and a welcome rest in the silence we don't have back at home in the city.
Once again, it was a great trip! I wonder if I should ever tire of birding in Palawan. It is a place I always look forward to going back to.
As I had mentioned previously, instead of being based on scenic Sabang beach, we tried out a resort on Ulugan Bay. Starting out birding in Buenavista and driving towards Sabang, we passed through the barangays of Tagabinet and Cabayugan.
Early in the morning we stopped at the view point for the majestic karst limestone cliffs of Elephant Cave. The newly harvested rice fields were dotted with Cattle Egrets checking in between the freshly reaped stalks of palay.
Against the blue skies, a flock of Hill Mynas flew, with one landing on a bare branch singing loudly to greet the morning.
We scoped the cliffs in the distance and found a pair of Palawan Hornbills inspecting a small cavity. We wondered if they would use the cliff as an option for nest holes rather than trees.
A huge Greater Coucal caught our attention, skulking quietly in the vines and vegetation. Every now and then it would come out into the open, wings open and stretched out in a sun salutation. (It was my first time to see a Greater Coucal in the Philippines so sort of a lifer!)
As the sun climbed the skies, raptors began soaring above. I got a lifer in dark-phase Changeable Hawk Eagle crossing overhead.
A Crested Honey Buzzard also gave a good showing in flight.
Crested Serpent Eagles called out to each other as they circled and rose higher and higher until they were dots in the distance. (I wonder if I can actually differentiate them from the endemic Philippine Serpent Eagle found everywhere else in the Philippines?)
One of the best finds along the highway was a fruiting macaranga tree. Bulbuls and flycatchers were busy all day at the tree, either gorging on the fruit or attracted to the insects buzzing around.
The tree was not wanting for Palawan Bulbuls and blue-eyed Black-headed Bulbuls.
Nearby, a Rufous-tailed Tailorbird sang loudly as it crept about the tangles. A pair of Palawan Blue Flycatchers kept crossing the road to the tree and back, probably busy feeding some young on a nest.
Every now and then a wave of smaller birds would pass through. Violet Cuckoos are always a welcome sight.
Fiery Minivets would accompany them.
We had second thoughts in the identification of a small brown flycatcher we initially dismissed as a Grey-streaked Flycatcher. On afterthought, was it an Asian Brown Flycatcher? And what did it turn out to be? A female Blue and White Flycatcher!
(On a side note, we spotted the two other species of flycatcher as well!)
We were distracted by family groups of noisy Blue-naped Parrots or elegant Palawan Hornbills passing through.
A family of Lovely Sunbirds brought our attention back nearer to the ground.
A Green-lizard with its extra long tail briefly distracted us from bird activity.
Several other birds came by the fruiting macaranga, including a cheerful White-vented Shama and several Hair-crested Drongos. A very quiet Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo also showed up.
And a small flock of Yellow-throated Leafbirds also came in, blending in excellently with the vibrant green foliage.
My favorite birds at that site was a parent-and-young endemic Sulphur-bellied Bulbul. The parent kept returning to where the young bird was perched to feed it. The young bird bravely explored the canopy but also settled down to preen and rest for several minutes at a time.
It's always great to watch this behaviour in birds.
Having rented a car, it was easy for us to move onward or back to other sites along the highway. It's the second time we have tried this, and it seems to be a very efficient way to get around to bird, especially with the much improved roads.
We had better views of the Palawan Blue Flycatcher.
I caught glimpse of a small shrew/mouse crossing the highway, and a good view of a Palawan Stink Badger on a dark trail. But as usual, the easiest mammal to glimpse were the Tree Squirrels running up and down tree trunks and branches, jumping from tree to tree.
Several Barringtonia trees were also in bloom, their dripping inflorescence with smooth and shiny red buds. They only seem to open their blooms in the evening though, and by morning their flowers had fallen to the ground.
There were some birds we never got good enough views for good photos, even if we saw them several times.
Ashy-headed Babblers were very babbler-y... sticking to the dark bushes and long grass. Can you spot the babbler in the photo? It was taken from across the highway!
We also came across several pairs of Spot-throated Flamebacks, who were also nicely silhouetted against the tree trunks against the light.
At sunset, we drove up to moonlight hill. It looked like we had just missed the Philippine Cockatoos (again!), because though we heard them as we were climbing the steps, they were nowhere to be seen when we got to the viewpoint!
The sunset view over Ulugan Bay was beautiful. It is one of my favorite sunsets ever.
In the dwindling light, we could hear the loud calls of Great Slaty Woodpeckers echoing across the valley. Imagine our surprise when they came up right above us!
I always think these huge woodpeckers seem almost dinosaur-like in their awkward appearance.
In the evening, we tried a random spot and were rewarded with the soft growls and hoots of several Palawan Frogmouths.
And then it was back to Jenny's Kahamut-an for a delicious dinner and a welcome rest in the silence we don't have back at home in the city.
Once again, it was a great trip! I wonder if I should ever tire of birding in Palawan. It is a place I always look forward to going back to.
Tuesday, June 13
Golf cart birding at QC: birdies on the green!
As June rolled in, the rainy season official on its way, we were already becoming lazy in planning any weekend birding trips. So I was excited when Anna G. invited us to bird at a site around my area of the world: Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club.
Although I had been to the surrounding commercial and residential areas in the vicinity of the golf club, I had never actually been inside the 18 hole golf course. It had been in existence since I was born, but it had recently been under the management of Ayala Land, who was also developing the nearby residential areas.
I literally pass by the boundary of the golf course almost everyday of my life, but have only had glimpses of the course. And while most Universities, parks and cemeteries are easily accessible, this green space was membership (or at least golfer-) only.
We met up Anna and George (of ALI) and WBCP-er Willem at a row of restaurants which overlooked the greens of the course before our ocular. It was a relief not to be troubled by early rising or traffic - we leisurely sipped our coffee before starting. Already (beginning at the parking lot) we had seen several Golden-bellied Gerygones chasing each other. Black-naped Orioles called loudly as they flew from tree to tree. Yellow-vented Bulbuls gurgled all around us. We could hear a hidden Philippine Magpie Robin singing melodiously behind the buildings and shrubbery. A Collared Kingfisher was patrolling nearby. This patch of sprawling greenery was probably an oasis for the city birds!
As we exchanged morning pleasantries, we were entertained by a Glossy Swiftlet gathering some fiber from a nearby fishtail palm.
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A few Black-crowned Night-herons also flew overhead, probably traveling between hunting ground and day roost sites.
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Soon, we were off! We were joined by one of the managers, Gino, who would show us around. We were paired of and each of us given our own golf cart to drive around the course! Silently I added "golf cart" to my list of birding vehicles which have so far ranged from the comfortable air-conditioned coaster, to the barely manageable breathing four-legged pony!
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Almost immediately we spotted several Long-tailed Shrikes watching from various levels of viewpoints along the holes.
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The edges of the greens were kept "wild", the grasses grew long and wildly - obviously serving as great refuge for city wildlife. We soon stopped at a nearby pond and waterway. To our delight, a very friendly family of moorhens was foraging! I think, it was the closest encounter I have ever had with these waterbirds! Though alert to our presence, a pair and a fluffy chick came as close as a few meters to our group. They wove in and out of the greenery.
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A more skittish White-breasted Waterhen also made a brief appearance as it dashed across the short water line.
As we drove along the winding pathways, through tunnels and over bridges, Gino showed us a much larger pond. Again, we saw several Moorhens, going about their business. Another young moorhen was up in a fig tree at the water's edge opposite from us, sunning itself.
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A noisy pair of Collared Kingfishers were calling from a residence at the edge of the course. Above us a pair of Pied Trillers was foraging for insects in the canopy of a huge rain tree. A playful pair of Philippine Pied Fantails chased each other noisily around the nearby vegetation.
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It was not only the birds out to enjoy the morning sun. Several skinks were out sunning themselves, hardly paying heed to the golfers or the gardeners.
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As we crisscrossed the property, passing through gated residential communities, we saw several pairs of Crested Mynas flying above us, slashing their white wing markings as they flapped their wings. Once in a while a Large-billed Crow would also fly overhead. Noisy Striated Grassbirds would call from the tops of bushes and fences.
Soon we came across an even larger pond! Again, several Moorhens were at the water's edge, preening and foraging. There was even one individual swimming across the surface! On the far edge of the pond, we could see a White-breasted Waterhen taking a morning dip. A closer look revealed a downy chick beside it! The darkly plumaged young bird was perfectly camouflaged among the rocks.
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Several dragonflies and damselflies danced along the grass at the edge of the pond.
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Sadly, there was also a dead Cinnamon Bittern at our feet. Its eyes were still fresh and bright, indicating that it was a recent death. It had no obvious injuries or wounds, save for a few damp and ruffled feathers. We were discussing what the cause of death could be, considering that we could have interrupted a monitor lizard with its meal. Throw in a little mystery to our morning bird walk!
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Again, we appreciated how the edge vegetation was kept a bit overgrown, and just to emphasize our point, another White-breasted Waterhen walked in and out of the long grass.
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As we rounded the curve of the pond, we stopped to catch a glimpse of a White-throated Kingfisher flying off. We stopped a while at the shade of a rain tree, surprised by some movement and the sight of a Common Moorhen preening quite near to us!
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Some of the tall grasses were in seed, and Adri spotted a couple of Scaly-breasted Munias picking at the grains.
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Even on a weekday, there were a few golfers out, and every now and then we had to stop as they hit their balls across the greens (Is that the even a correct term? I am golf - illiterate). Many Zebra Doves seemed to be unaware of this etiquette as they continued to forage on the ground unmindful of the balls flying around.
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We also spotted a few Barred Rails. Their behaviour was the normal skittish, paranoia, running into the nearest grass cover as soon as they spotted us.
Several White-breasted Woodswallows were perched all over: on the huge nets which prevented the golf balls from flying off-course, on the light posts, and on the trees. They were their usual vocal and boisterous selves.
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Near another grassy thicket, Anna spotted a Philippine Coucal! It quickly scuttled into the growth, revealing only bits of bright brown or black, until it completely disappeared from our sight.
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Golf cart birding sure beat walking! We navigated the course easily and efficiently, slowing down and stopping (for flying birds AND flying balls!) any time we needed to. Even if it was a hot, humid and sticky morning we barely broke a sweat!
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At the end of the two hour drive across the 18 hole course, we tallied a total of 32 species of birds! It was good to know that the exclusive golf course (while for human members only) was an open refuge to our feathered friends in the city.
Thanks again to Anna and ALI for the invite and the chance to explore this hidden bit of urban greenery!
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| And of course we end with a group picture! |
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