Rockjumper Birding Tours - Netfugl.dk

10
Mountain Verditer Flycatcher
The stately Rufous Hornbill in Northern Sierra Madres Mts.
Back at the camp we had breakfast, including boiling hot porridge. Poor Adam unluckily spilled a
bowl-full on his leg, and got a severe burn. He was brave – it must have hurt like hell. Adam battled
with this big wound for weeks after. Fortunately, he managed to keep it free from infection.
We started our walk up the mountain, through beautiful mountain rain forest. The pace was slow,
and in the shadow from the trees it was much easier going than the day before. During the walk we
saw good birds like Spotted Wood-Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Whistler and Philippine Fairy-
Bluebird. In some dense bamboo thicket Tim found the elusive and difficult Furtive Flycatcher –
a small, fine Luzon endemic. A bit further up we heard several cooing Luzon Bleeding-hearts near
the path! Everyone was very keen to see this bird. Tim played the tape, and out came a Bleedingheart
walking on the very trail just behind us! A stunning bird. Not all saw it well, since it walked
away, but later others of the group flushed a bird just next to the trail. Eventually, all managed to
get more or less good views of different specimens of this incredible icon bird of the Philippines.
Apparently, the part of the trail just below Hamut camp, holds a number of territories, so chances
should be good to see the bird here.
We reached Hamut Camp after midday. All the porters had already made a fine camp by the stream,
and raised the tents. They were busy cutting rattan palm leaves for plaiting baskets.
We would spend our next two nights here. After a bath in the river and a damned good cup of
coffee, we spent the rest of the afternoon at a fruiting tree in the gully below the camp, that
produced stunning scope views of Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove, Cream-bellied Fruit-Dove and
Amethyst Brown-Dove. Near the camp in a rocky gully, Shack was lucky to get fine views of a
Whiskered Pitta! After dark, a Philippine Scops-Owl was calling near the camp.
Hamut Camp
Scenery from Hamut Camp