A few gems

On the 9th I went out for my first trip out to La Mesa Eco Park, where I got White-eared Brown Dove, Zebra Dove, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole, White Collared Kingfisher, Pygmy & Glossy Swiftlet, Pacific Swallow, Lowland White-eye, Tree Sparrow, Pied Fantail, Olive Backed Sunbird, Oriental Magpie Robin, Golden Bellied Flyeater, Philippine Tailorbird, a heavily moulting Brown Shrike and as per May 2014 was one of just a few, compared to the huge wintering numbers one sees.

A few setting the scenes of the habitat shots

As I was leaving I heard a short rasping high pitched call and a small kingfisher shot past me, I know it was Indigo Banded Kingfisher, but hardly a tickable one.

Back at La Mesa 10th at 04:53 and I marched quickly up to the back paths, to see Hooded Pitta on one of the trails in the half light, way too dark to catch a picture, but lovely to watch it for 2-3 minutes. This was the call from yesterday and no sign of any Red Bellied anyway.

A few minutes later I had a Slaty-legged Rail cross the path exactly where I saw it 2 years ago, the view was about 2 whole seconds more. I have since learned that locals call that place Slaty-legged ditch.

Shortly after that I picked up my first Ashy Ground Thrush of the trip, joined by a second, I just love this species, I guess in a similar way I love brown birds, this bird does black and grey with style and beauty, like nothing else I've seen so far.

The only shot I got of Black-naped Oriole was against bright light early on, so I'll have to wait to get a better shot.

As the sun rose further I was enjoying the dappled light and lovely shades of green....

At least 2, probably 3 Hooded Pitta kept calling and not long after this, I met Jops for the first time and we walked and birded for another hour or so, hearing Guaiabero and then seeing the pair of Ashy Ground Thrush one more time.....thanks for the help on info for Baler Jops.

Baler

So off to Baler and I just love being in the countryside.

A family trip to Dimatubo (Mother) Falls, provided Red Keeled Flowerpecker, Purple Throated Sunbird and best of all Stripe Headed Rhabdornis.

The next morning I went back for 05:15 and headed up with a guide at almost fast marching pace.

It was here the lifers appeared, the first I mis ID'd as Blue Rock Thrush, due to unclear pictures in the guide, was in fact a pair of nest building Luzon Water Redstart.

Half way back downstream we stopped to drink fresh water from the stream and it was here the next super fine lifer came up stream and landed, it was an Indigo Banded Kingfisher, it was kind enough to perch nearby for several minutes. I can only say wow, amazing beautiful birds.

Also here 2-3 Orange Bellied Flowerpecker, which I have only seen once before and never as well as this, but they never sat still long enough to photograph. I stopped again at one of the food stalls and had breakfast, the vendors helped look while I was eating and found me 3 Grey Faced Buzzard overhead for a few moments.

The only Butterfly shot was about the dullest I've seen, but still beautiful

The family took a trip up to the Pagasa Weather station in the afternoon, which allowed me to check out where I'd be going over the next few days. A lone House Swift  and a few Pacific Swallow were all to be seen. Along the rocky shores on the way back numerous Eastern Reef Heron's were flying around the roaming tourists.

Next morning out on the hill at Pagasa Weather station and it looked full of potential, but I was surprised how little bird song there was and struggled to see much.

It wasn't all bad, a few birds started to show, my second ever Tarictic Hornbill, Glossy Swiftlet, Philippine Bulbul, Red Keeled Flowerpecker, Asian Magpie Robin and I got a good flight view of Rufous Cuckoo Dove, which I think is a lifer.

Back to admiring the scenery and flowers.

After the skies opened up I stopped for breakfast at a very nearby new venue Aura Marina Sands, after which I walked back to meet my driver and got glimpses of Guaiabero.

I'll post more tomorrow on my last day in Baler and the journey back.