Rockjumper Birding Tours - Netfugl.dk

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Other good birds around the N.P. entrance area were Tabon Scrubfowl, White-bellied Sea-Eagle
(only sighting during the trip), Ruddy Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Hooded Pittas
hopping around, Thick-billed Green-Pigeon, endemic Blue-headed Racquet-tails, Blue-naped
Parrot, Great Slaty Woodpecker and Red-bellied Pittas. The low-lying, flooded forest area at the
far end of the board-walk, before the climb, seemed especially interesting.
In the evening, we did an owl trip to Lions Cave, a short drive from Sabang. A Palawan Scops-
Owl was taped in and admired close by in the torchlight, and a Javan Frogmouth was calling from
the forest.
The group at the underground River N.P .From left: Arnel,
Erling, David H., Bob, Tim, Adam and David S.
Scenic beach at Underground River N.P.
River Tunnel in Underground River N.P.
Tunnel entrance
Monday May 23 rd : Palawan, morning birding in St. Paul’s Underground River National Park at
Central Park Station and along beach and Mangrove Trail. Afternoon drive back to Puerto
Princesa.
At 5.10 am. we walked from the hotel along the beach into the NP to the Central Park Station.
Along the beach we looked in vain for Malaysian Plovers, that Tim had found breeding here a
couple of months before. When we went into the forest, the path led up and down along steep
limestone cliffs; a very exciting environment. Along the route, we heard two Palawan Peacock-
Pheasants calling, but no sightings. Around the Central Park Station the forest is tall, rich and
mature, with plenty of birds. Stunning Blue-naped Parrots were feeding in palm trees, and Blueheaded
Racquet-tails were skirting by. Best bird of the day was a pair of Falcated Ground-
Babbler, a beautiful, Palawan endemic, and quite hard to get. Tim knew a good site for this bird, on
a small hill behind the central station, and we were lucky to see the pair at the trail.