The Philippines - Birdtour Asia

Early the next morning we made our way up into the forest proper, taking the lazy option of a jeepney ride to
get us higher on the mountain predawn. First to appear were a pair of Luzon Boobooks captured in the
spotlight, then as day arrived a fine male Philippine Trogon and several views of an obliging Spotted Wood
Kingfisher. Our first Flaming Sunbirds appeared as did Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Elegant Tits and both Scalefeathered
and Red-crested Malkoha. After battling for some time to see an elusive Luzon White-browed
Sharma, another individual gave a much better show, and likewise a Grey-backed Tailorbird which moved
around in forest tangles nearby. A calling Luzon Bleeding-heart caused much excitement and responded by
wandering in towards us twice, seen by those looking in the right direction.
White-lored Oriole and Green Racquet-tail, Subic Bay, Luzon
Lowland White-eye and Ashy Ground Thrush, Manila, Luzon
A large fruiting tree on our walk down was a hive of activity and those willing to suffer the neck pains of staring
straight up into the canopy found Striped, Buzzing and Bicolored Flowerpeckers and Yellowish White-eyes.
Our main target in the afternoon was Indigo-banded Kingfisher which was apparently absent from its previously
reliable haunts. Our first alternative site drew a blank again but at the second we had delightful views of a male
apparently trying to cool off in the cool of the river, against the intense afternoon humidity.
A change in itinerary the next day allowed us to visit a couple of good stakeouts on the way to Subic Bay, the
first sadly a blank as the juvenile Philippine Eagle Owl had chosen to roost elsewhere for the day, but the
second place, an local park in metro Manila gave us superb views of Ashy Ground Thrush, Hooded Pitta, and
both Asian Emerald Dove and Lowland White-eye sitting tight on nests close to the trail. A ‘Mangrove’ Blue