Rockjumper Birding Tours - Netfugl.dk

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Introduction This trip was the most succesful birding trip to the Philippines that has ever been done, sofar. Big words, but declared by Timothy Fisher, a long time Philippine bird expert and our invaluable local guide on the trip. Tim is the co-author of the important bird book of the Philippines, “A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines”, and has led a countless number of birding trips during many years. On this four week trip in May-June 2005, an incredible 164 endemic or near-endemic bird species were observed, out of a total of 198 in the country. Of the missing 34, 19 are only found on islands or places we did not visit during the trip; and most of the other 15 are either scarce or rare. In fact, we only “dipped” on two fairly easy species: Ashy Ground-Thrush and Bagoba Babbler. According to Tim Fisher, the former Philippine trip record was 145 endemic or near-endemic species, made some years ago by a British birding team. Every participant managed to see his 10 main target birds on the trip, that we each had listed prior to our arrival. The most popular birds among these were Great Philippine Eagle (alias Monkeyeating Eagle), Luzon Bleeding-heart, Steere’s Pitta, Whiskered Pitta, Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Celestial Monarch, Wattled Broadbill (both species), Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove, Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher and Flame-templed Tree-Babbler. This trip was a great experience for all the participants. We visited some of the best parts of the wonderful Philippine islands: Pristine mountain forests of Northern Sierra Madres mountains in Luzon, the incredible Underground River National Park of Palawan, impressive Mount Kanla-on of Negros, the famous Rajah Sikatuna National Park of Bohol in the picturesque Chocolate Hills, and a journey by a fine, old passenger ferry to the island of Mindanao in the south, to see the national bird, the Great Philippine Eagle on its breeding site. The Philippines is a travel destination that should be visited before its too late. Forest in many places is being degraded quickly. The number of endemic bird species in the country is incredibly high compared to the size of the country, but unfortunately, many of the birds are listed as either “endangered”, “threatened” or “rare” due to forest exploitation, agriculture and urban development. Fortunately, the government has protected some important areas, but a much larger effort is needed to save many other important areas. PICOP logging concession area at Bislig in Mindanao is an example of this. The last, big lowland forest of the Philippines is now seriously threatened. The South African birding tour company “Rockjumper Birding Tours”, led by Adam Riley, was interested in operating birding trips to the Philippines, so in 2005 a trip was arranged by Adam’s colleague at RBT, tour guide David Shackleford. David contacted Timothy H. Fisher in Manila, and Tim soon composed a four week itinerary to Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Bohol, Cebu and Mindanao, and offered to be our tour guide. The only available time to do the trip was in May-June – not the best time weather-wise, since these are the hottest months, and just before the rainy season; but we decided to do it anyway, and as mentioned, everything worked out very well, and the trip became a great success. The Rockjumper participants were Adam Riley, David Shackleford and David Hoddinott. Moreover, Adam had invited two birding friends to join, Bob Dermer from Canada (Dovetail Birding) and myself, Erling Krabbe, from Denmark (biologist in Ministry of Environment). With
2 Timothy, our travel group consisted of 6 keen birders. We also had fine help from Tim’s local guides, drivers and even porters in the different places we visited. We largely avoided accidents, logistic problems, stomach trouble or any serious illness. Only the usual minor scratches and insect bites (I was twice attacked by a swarm of bees). The worst was a bad burn on Adam’s leg when he spilled some boiling hot porridge. The Philippinos are extremely friendly and helpful people. Everywhere, we were met by great hospitality and warmth, and at no time did we feel less than completely safe. In other words – the Philippines is a great country to visit, but birders should not wait too long to go. Erling Krabbe Copenhagen, Denmark February 26 th 2007
Page 1: Rockjumper Birding Tours Reconnaiss
Page 5 and 6: 4 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 1
Page 7 and 8: 6 Trip journal Thursday May 12 th :
Page 9 and 10: 8 them. We walked back through some
Page 11 and 12: 10 Mountain Verditer Flycatcher The
Page 13 and 14: 12 Friday May 20 th : North Luzon,
Page 15 and 16: 14 Other good birds around the N.P.
Page 17 and 18: 16 Tuesday May 24 th :Palawan, morn
Page 19 and 20: 18 Leaf-Warbler. And finally, we ma
Page 21 and 22: 20 We returned to our hotel, after
Page 23 and 24: 22 Getting ready for the hike to Mt
Page 25 and 26: 24 White-cheeked Bullfinch on Mt. K
Page 27 and 28: 26 Deforestation in PICOP One of th
Page 29 and 30: 28 calling eagerly. Hoddinott spott
Page 31 and 32: 30 Tuesday June 7 th : Mindanao. Mo
Page 33 and 34: 32 Annotated checklist of the Birds
Page 35 and 36: 34 Bohol 27/5 8 between Tagbilaran
Page 37 and 38: 36 26. Oriental Honey-buzzard (e) (
Page 39 and 40: 38 tree at some distance, but scope
Page 41 and 42: 40 49. Barred Rail (e) (Gallirallus
Page 43 and 44: 42 One of the great bird experience
Page 45 and 46: 44 Mindanao (ssp. amethystina) 1/6
Page 47 and 48: 46 87. Island Collared-dove (e) (St
Page 49 and 50: 48 concession area at Bislig, east
Page 51 and 52: 50 108. Asian Koel (e) (Eudynamus s
Page 53 and 54:
52 118. Mindanao Scops-Owl (E) (NT)
Page 55 and 56:
54 21/5 1 attracted by tape play of
Page 57 and 58:
56 Luzon 12/5 32 Los Banos.13/5 10
Page 59 and 60:
58 N.P., Sabang, 24/5 4 Rasa Island
Page 61 and 62:
60 166. Palawan Hornbill (E) (VU) (
Page 63 and 64:
62 176. Mindanao Wattled Broadbill
Page 65 and 66:
64 Palawan (ssp. difficilis- grey u
Page 67 and 68:
66 30/5 2 in Central Cebu National
Page 69 and 70:
68 concession area at Bislig, east
Page 71 and 72:
70 221. White-fronted Tit (E) (NT)
Page 73 and 74:
72 235. Golden-crowned Babbler (E)
Page 75 and 76:
74 248. Island Thrush (e) (Turdus p
Page 77 and 78:
76 at Last Frontier Paradise Hotel,
Page 79 and 80:
78 Zigzag Road between Narra and Pu
Page 81 and 82:
80 area, 19/5 8 walk Hamut Camp to
Page 83 and 84:
82 Mindanao 31/5 1 in harbour of Ca
Page 85 and 86:
84 and Puerto Princesa. Note: The m
Page 87 and 88:
86 321. Striped Flowerpecker (E) (D
Page 89 and 90:
88 13/5 2 Mt. Makiling. ssp. pygmae
Page 91 and 92:
90 7/6 4 passing the road in grassl
Page 93:
92 Mindanao Squirrel Mindanao 4/6 2
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