Requiescat en Pace

Several days ago, Luis, my son told me that there was a bird's nest in the plant beside our veranda stairs leading to our gate.  He heard some chirping while passing and decided to investigate.  I looked and saw that indeed there was a nest.  I warned Luis not to get too near because the parent birds might abandon it if they feel it is compromised.  So we observed from a safe distance.  Of course I took a photo. It was a challenge because the nest was concealed inside the plant and the leaves prevented a clear view.  Still I was able to get a few shots.

Yellow-vented Bulbul

Over the next few days, we observed adult birds going to and from the nest bringing food.  On a couple of occasions I heard chirping of the chicks and saw movement of at least two heads.  Often, the adult birds would perch on our fence before proceeding to the nest or after coming from the nest. We - Luis, Leon, Lorna, and I, were all happy about the birds and the chicks.  We would check on it from time to time - but always from a distance so as not to spook them. 

Adult YVB on our wrought iron fence.

One time I saw a cat (one of the stray cats that come and go), near the plant box. I knew its intentions so I chased it away.  Lorna even asked me to remove my car cover and a box that were at the base of the plant because they provided easy access to the cat.  

Just before noon today, I went to check the nest and it appeared damaged and immediately I looked for traces of blood.  

Damaged nest

At first I did not find any blood but after a second look, I found this at the base of the plant... and the adult birds are nowhere to be found.  Not sure if they were also killed and eaten or just left because there was no more reason to stay. 

Top part of the nest plus a bloody chick

The boys reviewed our CCTV and a white cat did attack the nest at approximately 5:50am this morning.  

Needless to say, we all feel bad about it, especially Lorna. It was just a Yellow-vented Bulbul, one of the most common birds in the country.  We do not even take a photo of it (along with the Maya and the Losyang) unless there are no other birds to shoot. One can even argue that its part of the circle of life or the food chain.  Yet its death has saddened us.  I can only wish that the parents build another nest at a safer place and lay more eggs and hatch new chicks that will successfully fledge. As to the cat... am open to suggestions... kidding...

First Lifer for the new decade

In birding parlance, the term "Lifer" refers to the first time a birder has seen and positively identified a particular species.  Some bird photographers I know will not consider it a lifer unless he/she was able to get a good photograph of the bird. Personally, if I see a bird clearly, even if I do not have a photo, I list it down as a lifer, albeit reluctantly.  I am happy if I get a decent shot.  I am truly happy, ecstatic really, if I get a frame-able shot of a lifer (or any bird for that matter, the rarer, the better).  Thus any mention of a would be lifer always gets my attention. 

The first such bird for 2020 is the White's Thrush at La Mesa Ecopark which Rey Ibay spotted (and photographed on January 5th followed by Delio Tolosa on the 6th. I dipped on this bird in 2017 and there were no reported sightings at LMEP in the next two years.  Who knows when it will come again. 

Finding a hole in my schedule was quite a challenge but I managed to go on January 8th, only to come up empty.  The bird showed up twice but only briefly. I did not even see it the first time and caught just a glimpse on the second. To make things worse, the bird showed up after I left and those who stayed behind were able to get good photos. 

Not wanting to give up on a potential lifer, I decided to go back on the 10th of January. By this time, White's Fever has caught on as there were almost twenty birders at LMEP that day.  I arrived with Raymond Dan at around 6:30am, and we waited and waited and waited.... 

At around 9:00am, I saw Prof Ferdie Llanes, Patty Adversario and Patty's friend (whose name escapes me at the moment), bunched together, squatting and kneeling on the ground.  I quietly made my way until I was behind them and true enough they were looking at the White's Thrush.  It took me a few seconds before I could see the exact spot and by the time I could point my camera, the bird flitted to another perch.  Fired a two shots but got only the body, bird jumped again, aim between two saplings, got it! Docu shot but I will take it.

White's Thrush, first lifer for the new decade

The next two and a half hours was spent waiting for the bird to make another appearance.  However, it kept to the bushes.  We would see it move but it never came out in the open perhaps because there were too many birders - there were 17 Pinoys and a group of 6 foreigners plus their tour leader.  Later another group of foreign birders also arrived.  

Fortunately, LMEP's resident star bird kept us entertained part of the time...

Ashy Ground Thrush

By 11:30am, we decided to break for lunch which we partook at the house of Prof Ferdie. Our lunch group was composed of WBPP President Win Paler, Ed Santos, Jonn Salvador and Prof Ferdie.  Later, we were joined by Raymond Dan and Conrad Olayres.  After the sumptuous lunch, washed down by beer, and the usual WBPP banter, Ed, Jonn, Raymond and I decided to call it a day.  Wins and Ferdie went back to the Park.

Needless to say, I went home happy with my lifer.  Do I go back for a chance to be "truly happy"? Hmmm...  

The 5th PPUR International Bird Race Day 2: A day that will live in infamy

Though the scores of Day 1 were not posted early, we felt we did good enough so we started Day 2 full of hope, enthusiasm and purpose.  After a quick breakfast, we hurriedly shot the Cockatoos, Starlings and ETS at the resort grounds, boarded the van, got the owl, and proceeded to Badjao.  We got the Zebra Dove, and a couple of other birds along the way.

For this day, we had an additional marshal who looked familiar.  He introduced himself as Ian and said that we had already met in Coron.  Then I remembered that he attended a Birding 101 training that I gave in 2016.  

We did not wait long at Badjao Seafront grounds before we got our main targets there. The Copper-throated Sunbird and the Pale Spider Hunter appeared after only twenty minutes of waiting.

Copper-throated Sunbird, male

Pale Spider Hunter

There were also other teams at the Badjao parking area including Team Bird Finder.  But I noticed that the "Hellos" were even more hurried than the previous day and no one was pointing birds to other teams (hahaha).  I guess because it was the equivalent of the 4th Quarter in basketball, winning time as they say.  Once we got both targets, we again hurriedly boarded the van and proceeded to the house of bird guide Randy Tibor (who was assigned to Team 211 - hope I got the name right).  We were told that Randy's backyard was visited by birds. 

Just a few minutes after leaving Badjao, somebody (I could not recall anymore who), blurted, may ibon po ! The van jerked to a sudden stop and the bird was there on a bush beside the road.  It was so near that Loel's 600mm and my 500mm could not acquire focus! Olan, who was sitting on the other side of the van was not even able to aim because the bird flew away, only to return a few seconds later and perch on another bush a little further which fortunately was within out minimum focusing distance. 

Brown-throated Sunbird

After a few clicks, we were off again.  We saw a some Scaly-breasted Munias and a Collared Kingfisher along the way.  But before long we were at Randy Tibor's house where we saw about four other teams.  Within minutes, the birds were already there so we did our clicks and exchanged a few jokes with other teams.  But as with the scene at Badjao, everybody seemed more serious.  During the short minutes that we were at the Tibor house, one of the other teams congratulated us for being ''one of the leaders".  Hmmm.... 

Palawan Flowerpecker, female

Palawan Flowerpecker, male

Brown-throated Sunbird, female

As soon as all three of us got the necessary photos, we rushed back to our van which was parked about a hundred meters away.  We met another team on the road who said we were on the top five!  Our hearts beat a little faster...

We hurried to the Croc Farm to get the Peacock Pheasant, and whatever other birds we could find there. And of course, we birded along the way.  

Common Kingfisher

White-breasted Wood Swallows

When we got to the Croc Farm, the first bird we photographed was the Blue Paradise Flycatcher.  Then we proceeded to look for the Pheasant.

Blue Paradise Flycatcher, female

Sure enough, we found him in the same area as the previous day.  But unlike the previous day, we did not really stop to take plenty of photos. 

Palawan Peacock Pheasant

On our way out, we were able to two more endemics, the Ashy-fronted Bulbul and the Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, as well as a Little Heron.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

From the Croc Farm, we decided to proceed to Irawan to take a photo of the Blue-eared Kingfisher and the Palawan Flycatcher, (and whatever other birds we could see).  First was a Grey Wagtail along the river.  Next was a male Purple-throated Sunbird just as we disembarked from our van. We met one team along the trail who said we were Top 3 (!!!), which we actually did not believe.  Still, it gave us hope that we were indeed among the leaders and pumped us even more.

Purple-throated Sunbird, male

Palawan Flycatcher

Blue-eared Kingfisher, male

After getting the Blue-eared Kingfisher, Loel called us and pointed another bird, a Black-naped Monarch.

Black-naped Monarch

Then one of the caretakers in the area asked if we wanted a photo of a Stork-billed Kingfisher.  We all readily said yes and followed the guy.  This is one of my favorite birds and I was really hoping to get a good photo of it. Within a few minutes it was there in front of us and we all fired away.

Stork-billed Kingfisher

After getting our fill with this bird, we all walked away smiling, talking animatedly, and planning our next move... until tragedy struck.  We were trudging on the stone path, I had my camera attached to my tripod and was carrying my tripod on my shoulders.  I usually hook my black rapid strap on the bottom of the camera but this one time, I did not. Perhaps it was due to the excitement of getting great photos of one of my personal targets, or maybe I was tired, or whatever, I just heard a thud, and when I turned my camera and lens were on the stone path...apart from each other... I was stunned, and felt numbed.  I think it was Loel who picked it up and handed it to me.  I guess we were all stunned - birders, marshals, and caretakers alike, because we all stood around talking but not really doing anything for maybe almost thirty minutes.  Then I urged Loel and Olan to continue shooting and they reluctantly walked back to the spot near Blue-eared Kingfisher area and Loel started playing bird calls.  I sat in the waiting area, camera and lens on the bamboo table, hating myself for being careless (in not hooking the camera to the strap).  After several minutes of moping, I decided to message Atty Carlo Gomez and Mike Mendoza, explained my situation and ask if I could borrow their camera gear (since they were not competing in the race).  When there was no immediate answer, I decided to take the van and go back to the city. I also texted Puerto Princessa based photographer friends Rommel Cruz and Den Wakefield, if I could borrow their cameras but both were out of town.   

As I was boarding the van, Atty Carlo replied that his gear was at home (he was at the resort), that maybe I could borrow from the demo units of Sony. But I guess it was not meant to be. As the van was making the ascent on one of the roads leading out of Irawan, we got stuck in the soft clayish soil of Palawan which the rains softened the night before.  The driver tried several times but we just could not proceed, most likely because the van was too light (there were only two of us in it).  With no other options, we backed up (carefully), and made our way back to where the rest of the team was.

After some discussion, we decided to leave the area.  We were worried that we might get stick again but fortunately, due to the heavier weight, the wheels gained enough traction and we were able to get through.  We met one team along the road shooting at something.  We all went down and it turned out to be a Rufous-backed Kingfisher.  We all got it with me using my cellphone.  Team Culion was still trying to compete.

We stopped in one area and played the call of the Melodious Tree Babbler, another Palawan endemic.  The bird responded but Olan and I were not able to get it.  After a few more minutes, we decided to head over to the old zigzag road.  We were already on the way when Mike replied that I could borrow his camera and lens but considering our location and looking at the remaining time before the race ended at 1pm, we decided to just proceed with our itinerary.  As it turned out the Rufous-backed Kingfisher was our last bird for the day.

Epilogue: One of our sister teams, Team Bird Finder finished 3rd overall. As for Team Culion, it turned out that we placed 8th on Day 1 which was a pleasant surprise. However, the bigger surprise was finding out at the farewell dinner that our final place was also 8th with only 17 points separating us from he 7th placer.  

The 5th PPUR International Bird Race Day 1: Quality vs Competitive Birding

In 2015, one of Palawan's foremost bird photographers, Atty Carlo Benitez Gomez, was appointed City ENRO of Puerto Princessa and one of his first projects was the PPUR Bird Race.  Due to a previous commitment, I was unable to join that year and the following year.  In 2017, Ven Rojas and I formed Team Coron together with Keith Sundiang (aka Shoot Mee) as our third member.  However, on the eve of the race, my mother was hospitalized prompting me to cancel my participation.  In year 4, I was also unable to join because of a family vacation.  But I vowed to myself that I will join the 2019 edition.  My problem was, almost everybody already had a team.  So when USec Alain Pascua approached me during the WBPP Anniversary last September, and if I would like to join a team, I readily said yes.  However, told him, I am not sure how competitive I can be.  He assured me that it was not an issue but asked if I was okay with being a member of Team Culion. (The producer of the movie Culion wanted to form a team to help promote the film).  Of course I agreed, (It was a no brainer).  We had three teams in our group:  Team Bird Finders, composed of Prof. Bert Madrigal, Dr. Armando Somintac, and Djop Tabaranza, was to do competitive birding.  Team Haring Ibon, composed of USec Alain Pascua, Roy Daantos, and Maia Tanedo, will do easy birding.  Team Culion, composed of Loel Lamela, Olan Balbido and myself was going to do quality birding (and gun for the best shots awards).  

We all arrived in Puerto Princess on November 7, except Alain who had a meeting. They all took the early morning flight from Manila and did birding as soon as they arrived in Puerto.  I, on the other hand, came from Coron (via Clark!) and arrived noon time and joined the group for a late afternoon birding near the Princessa Garden Resort (where we were going to be billeted).  This is what we got (along with many other birders)... the Spotted Wood Owl which we locally call the Gokgok.  Not really a Palawan endemic, but in the Philippines, it can only be found in Palawan.

BIF against a backlit and overcast sky

Spotted Wood Owl, "Gokgok" in Cuyonon

Towards sunset, I went up to the 4th floor of our hotel building and waited to the Red-vented Cockatoos that roost in the coconut trees behind the resort. I was able to capture a few keepers.

Red-vented Cockatoo or Katala

Later that night, during the welcome dinner, while discussing our strategy for the race, Team Culion decided to be competitive on Day 1.  Our Day 2 game plan will depend on our standing (in Day 1).  

We set off early the following morning and agreed with Team Bird Finders that we will meet up in Napsan. They left ahead of us since their van was already there and ours took a few minutes more to arrive. Meanwhile, Team Haring Ibon had to visit the PSU Campus to represent Alain at the Katala Festival. 

The first bird I shot for the race was a Eurasian Tree Sparrow (what else!), followed by the Red-vented Cockatoos perched on the coconuts near the resort. Next was a flying Little Egret then some Asian Glossy Starlings within the resort grounds.  This was followed by a Spotted Dove perched on a wire across the gate of the resort.  When our van arrived we swung by the owl area but it was nowhere to be seen however, we did see an Ashy Drongo on a far away tree.

We headed out to Napsan and birded along the way.  We saw and photographed the following: Zebra Dove, Barn Swallow, a flock of Egrets,  a female Olive-backed Sunbird, a female Palawan Flowerpecker, its male counterpart, Black-headed Bulbul, White-collared Kingfisher, and male Olive-backed Sunbird.

Barn Swallow

White-collared Kingfisher

Nearing 8am, we decided to stop at the Crocodile Farm to get the Palawan Peacock Pheasant and Pale Spider Hunter.  While walking towards the forested area, I was able to photograph a Striated Heron.

Striated or Little Heron

Soon, we were at the area where my teammates saw the Pheasant the previous day.  We waited a bit, and soon it was there in the bushes. I was told that this bird was once a captive but was released at the Crocodile Farm. And apparently it has stayed there.  The caretakers give it food from time to time (just like the one at PPUR which the park wardens also fed with rice).  There are some who would not consider this a true wild bird.  It may be more tame than a bird that truly lives in the wild but so was the one at PPUR. Whatever the circumstances that brought it to this place, there can be no denying its beauty.  So even if we were in a race, we could not help but spend several minutes shooting this beautiful Palawan endemic.

Palawan Peacock Pheasant

After the Pheasant, we waited for the Spider Hunter a bit but it was a no show.  We did get the Scaly-breasted Munia, and a Paddyfield Pipit, at the Croc Farm before we left. As a bonus, I got a couple of Asian Glossy Starlings up close.

We proceeded to our rendezvous with Team Bird Finders, but making many stops along to the way to do birding.  From time to time, we would see (and greet) other teams but unlike in a normal WBPP birding sortie, there was no talk of what birds were present in a particular area.  Everybody was being competitive!

Among the birds we saw along the way were: Pink-necked Pigeons, Palawan Hornbill, Crested Goshawk, Crow, more Egrets, and more Starlings. Most of the images I was able to create were of the distant and docu variety.  However, there were a few decent ones like these:

Palawan Flowerpecker, female

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird

Sometime during the lunch hour, we stopped near a bridge and found several other birders.  After several minutes of standing around, Loel Lamela, my teammate quietly nudged me and pointed (with his pursed lips),  at something in the trees in front of us.  It was quite dark and it took me a couple of seconds before I could see the bird.  After a couple of clicks, we pointed the bird to Olan so he could also get it.

A docu shot of a Dark-throated Oriole, my first lifer of the day

In that area, we also saw several Spot-throated Flamebacks, an Asian Fairy Bluebird, a Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, and a Lovely Sunbird. 

After lunch, and not finding Team Bird Finder, we decided to head back and bird along the way.  We saw a Palawan Bulbul, Ashy-fronted Bulbul, Grey Wagtail, and Hair-crested Drongo.

Ashy-fronted Bulbul, Tabeleklek in Cuyonon

While trying to get a shot of the Hair-crested Drongo, I saw something red flit by and blurted Lovely! (thinking it was a Lovely Sunbird).  But as soon as my focus locked in, my heart beat a little faster as I realized I was looking at another Lifer - a Fiery Minivet!  It turned out there were three males and one female in that tree. 

Fiery Minivet, male

Fiery Minivet, male

Fiery Minivet, female

Fiery Minivet, male

Fiery Minivet, male, 2nd lifer for the day

After the minivets left, our marshal cum guide, whose name escapes me at the moment, pointed towards the bushes and before long, a Lesser Coucal emerged.

Lesser Coucal, Kolokok in Cuyonon

By this time, we had given up on meeting up with Team Bird Finder and decided to head to Iwahig Penal Colony where we saw several other teams.  We were able to photograph the Chestnut Munia and a Common Sandpiper at Iwahig.  Then we proceeded to Irawan EcoPark for the Palawan Flycatcher and the Blue-eared Kingfisher.  We were not disappointed.

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Palawan Flycatcher

After acquiring our two targets, we quickly boarded the van and rushed to the area near our resort to catch the owl.  Upon arriving we saw several teams posing for selfies.  We actually ignored their calls for us to join them as we scanned the nearby trees for the owl (or owls).  We were not disappointed. 

Spotted Wood Owls

We quickly boarded the van and a short debate ensued - do we go to Badjao Seafront Restaurant for the Copper-throated Sunbird and the Pale Spider Hunter or to the PPC City Hall grounds for the Palawan Frogmouth?  Since Badjao was nearer, we decided to swing by.  Alas the birds were nowhere to be found and it was getting dark.  We hurriedly boarded the van again and rushed to the City Hall grounds.  After some searching, we Team La Mesa Birders staking out the Frogmouth.  We could hear the bird but we could not see it.  Soon Team La Mesa decided to call it a day.  We remained for another fifteen minutes before doing the same. It was almost 7pm by the time we made it back to the van so memory cards were swiftly removed, placed in individual envelopes, labeled, and submitted to our marshal. We then boarded the van, went back to Princessa Garden Resort to wash up before going to Badjao Sea Front for dinner.  Other teams were already returning to the resort as we made our way to Badjao.  When we reached the Badjao parking lot, I got a call from Atty Carlo Benitez, saying that they could not find any photos in Loel's CF card!  With that info, we slowly trudged to the dining hall thinking that we have just lost at least a third of our score.

As it turned out, we were the last team to have dinner. In fact only Team Haring Ibon and Team Bird Finders were at the restaurant when we arrived. I remember Djop Tabaranza, asking, "Akala ko ba quality birding kayo?''

We ate quickly and headed back to the resort.  Loel went to the tabulating area while Olan and I had beers with USec Alain (who arrived a hour earlier), and the rest of the group.  We all heaved a sigh of relief when Loel arrived and said that his photos were not erased after all. 

We were still in the game! This was what was in my mind as I went to bed that night.