I first became aware of this bird way back in December 2013 when I was still a relatively new birder. There was a sighting of three Black-faced Spoonbills and a Siberian Rubythroat at Candaba and as expected Manila-based birders were flocking to the site. I went with a group from WBCP on December 26th of that year and we were half successful - we saw the Spoonbills at a distance but no sign of the Rubythroat whatsoever. Two years later in 2015 (or was it 2016?), there was a sighting by Jonet Carpio at his playground in Bulakan, Bulacan. And again at the same site in 2019. But the birding gods did not smile at me in both instances. So when Canon Brand Ambassador, Edwin Martinez, posted a photo of this bird taken at Bangkong Kahoy, sometime in November 2020, I became instantly interested. I messaged him and began planning a trip for November 30. I also messaged Ramon Quisumbing and BK guide Cris Ceriban for additional info. Apparently there was a checkpoint along the way and they will require a medical certificate (that is if they stop you). So in addition to a birding visa from higher authority, I also had to secure a medical certificate. On November 29, Cris called to inform that it had been raining at BK so we postponed to December 5th. On the morning of November 30th, he again messaged that we should have push through because it was sunny at BK 😲😲😲
For December 5th, I was going with Homer Pialda who lived in Novaliches. So I left the house at 2am in order to pick up Homer at 2:30am. Then we had to go back to his house because he left the medical certificate 😁😁😁. We were finally underway at around 2:45. But instead of making us pass the usual way. Waze sent us via San Pedro and we reached BK past 7am - a good five hours from the time I left home. We had missed the first appearance of the second target bird, the Red Jungle Fowls that go near Dion's Restaurant. But, the cool mountain air of BK is always refreshing making it one of my favorite birding spots near Manila.
BK ace birdguide Crisanto Ceriban, (Cris for short), met us at the restaurant area and after the usual hello's, we proceeded to the site of our target bird. We drove for about three minutes, parked beside clearing near the mushroom house, set up our gear and waited. And within fifteen minutes, our target bird arrived and the sound of camera shutters filled the crisp mountain air.
Siberian Rubythroat, male
After getting a good number of shots of the male, Cris brought us to the other side of the mushroom house to wait for the female Siberian Rubythroat. And within a few minutes the bird appeared but it did not want to come out in the open. We could hear its call and see it darting behind the bushes. I felt that it was never going to come out in the open so acting on a hunch, I uncoupled my camera from the tripod and stood up and slowly moved to my right. My hunch was right! The bird was on an open branch behind some tall grass. I started shooting and told Homer to move near me.
Siberian Rubythroat, female
Perhaps sensing our presence, the bird darted to the bushes again. Since we already had good photos, we returned to the site of the male because Homer wanted another chance. And our target bird did not disappoint.
Siberian Rubythroat, male
Cris then brought us to another spot where the Flaming Sunbird frequents. And again, our subject was there within minutes! I love BK!
Flaming Sunbird, male
Not only that, he brought along some friends! The first was an Elegant Tit but I was not able to get a good photo of it. Then I saw something large fly across and perch on a branch. Scale-feathered Malkoha! Always a delight to see and photograph this beautiful bird.
Scale-feathered Malkoha
The Malkoha was followed by a bird that I first saw in BK in 2014, the Turquoise Flycatcher, formerly called the Mountain Verditer Flycatcher (I prefer the old name).
Turquoise Flycatcher
Then the Flaming Sunbird made another appearance...
Flaming Sunbird, male
By this time, it was past eleven already and Cris said that the Red Jungle Fowls normally visit Dion's restaurant before noon. We had already missed its first appearance so we walked to the restaurant hopeful that we will be able to see the Labuyo. But it was a no show. Though not a lifer, I was really hoping for good photos of this bird.
While waiting for our lunch, we ordered one of of the food items that BK is famous for, Raspberry shakes. These are made from wild Sampinit berries that grow on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw. I also wanted the Mushroom Tempura but they were not available.
Wild Raspberry Shake/Smoothie
I noticed that my camera battery was running low so I went to the car to get a spare battery as well as a spare memory card. When I returned to the restaurant, Cris and Homer were focused on nearby tree. And then the bird that they were waiting for perched on a branch in front of us for a couple of seconds before it darted up the tree and out of our view. I was able to get one burst of six shots.
Rough-crested Malkoha
In moments like this, I really appreciate the fast AF and the 10 fps speed of my D500.
After lunch, while waiting for the Jungle Fowls, I saw something fly among the trees across the clearing. Homer was busy buying plants, so I decided to walk across the field. The bird turned out to be a Scale-feathered Malkoha. I waited under some trees hoping that it would come near but it didn't. From behind me, I heard some rustling and saw a Rough-crested Malkoha on a tree but there was no clear shot. I did see a beautiful flower and I could not resist taking photos of it.
I went back to the restaurant and we decided to go back to the Flaming Sunbird site. It was past 1pm already and we also decided that we will leave by 2:30pm since we might have another five-hour drive ahead. Cris left word at the restaurant to call us if the Jungle Fowls arrive. When we arrived at the sunbird site, I noticed that we could see the area where the Labuyo was expected to come from. So I trained my binoculars in this area. Cris told us earlier that three Labuyo's (two male and one female), travel with a couple of domesticated Sasso chickens. The leader of this small flock is a male Sasso Rooster. (Note: Sasso is a brand, not a breed, of French colored free range chickens). Before long I saw some chickens led by a large rooster and excitedly informed Cris. He confirmed that this was the group we were waiting for. We quickly made our way back to the restaurant unmindful of the soft wet soil along the trail. We reached the back area of the restaurant as the flock was crossing the large clearing. Tripods were quickly set up, cameras mounted, wait, and fire. The whole sequence lasted only four minutes - from 2:09 to 2:13pm, and I was able to make 463 shots. Sharing some of them...
Red Jungle Fowl, male & female
Red Jungle Fowl, male
A close up of a male Red Jungle Fowl
And with that, we decided to call it a day. If only all birding trips could be like this - cool weather, beautiful scenery, competent bird guide, great tasting raspberry shakes, and of course, great looks and photos of the target birds!
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