The Philippines
9th - 24th March 2013
Leader: Rob Hutchinson
Maximum Groups Size: 7
The Philippines archipelago is comprised of more than 7100 islands yet the total land area is slightly smaller than the British Isles. The astonishing degree of biological endemism within the Philippines is well represented by the country’s avifauna, although the total list for the Philippines is not large at just over 590 species. Of approximately 400 resident species more than 200 are endemic.
During this tour we will concentrate on three of the largest islands – Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan which account for more than two-thirds of the land area. They have the largest numbers of endemic species, of which we can expect to see over 120 including such spectacular species as Philippine Eagle, Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Azure-breasted Pitta, Silvery Kingfisher, Rufous Hornbill, Celestial Monarch, Philippine Trogon and two representatives of the endemic Rhabdornis family.
The forest of the Philippines are the most threatened on the planet and much of the rainforest which once cloaked these beautiful islands has already disappeared. Many birds dependent on primary forest are in serious decline and anyone wishing to enjoy some of the most exciting and fascinating birding in Asia should make a Philippines tour a top priority.
Day 1:
International arrivals into Manila International Airport. Night in Manila.
Day 2:
Early morning flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao) then continue to Damitan village, Bukidnon province. From here we will walk into the Kitanglad Mountains to a comfortable tented camp, which will be our home for the next three nights. We will spend the afternoon birding above the camp.
Days 3-4:
We will have two full days to explore the remnant forest on Mount Kitanglad. One of the main targets here will be the magnificent Philippine (Monkey-Eating) Eagle – the national bird of the Philippines. We will work both the lower areas and the higher trails up to at least 1800m in search of the Mindanao endemics and other specialities which are restricted to this montane habitat including Mindanao Racquet-tail, Red-eared Parrotfinch, White-cheeked Bullfinch, Cinnamon Ibon, Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis, McGregor’s Cuckooshrike, Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher, Apo Sunbird, Apo Myna and if we are fortunate, the skulking Long-tailed Ground Warbler.
Dawn and dusk vigils should produce the recently described Bukidnon Woodcock while night-birding around our lodge could produce Philippine Frogmouth, Philippine Nightjar or with a good deal of luck Mindanao or Giant Scops Owls.
Day 5:
After some final early morning birding we depart from the camp, returning to Damitan before transferring to Bislig where we will stay in the Paper Country Inn for the next four nights.
Days 6-8:
We will have three full days to explore the logging concession at PICOP.
Although deforestation has damaged much of the concession, some good forest still remains and gives us a good chance to find some of Mindanao’s lowland forest specialists. Possibilities here include Rufous Hornbill, Writhed Hornbill, Pinsker’s Hawk Eagle, Steere’s Honey Buzzard, Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher, Silvery Kingfisher, Rufous-lored Kingfisher, Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Red-bellied Pitta, Azure-breasted Pitta, Little Slaty Flycatcher, Naked-faced Spiderhunter, Celestial and Short-crested Monarch, Black-headed Tailorbird, Blue Fantail, Philippine Oriole, Philippine Needletail and Mindanao Wattled Broadbill. Night-birding possibilities include Philippine Frogmouth, Chocolate Boobook and Mindanao Boobook.
Closer to the town we will visit the disused Bislig Airfield where we have a good chance of seeing Philippine Duck and Eastern Grass Owl.
Day 9:
After some final birding at PICOP we drive to Butuan to connect with a late afternoon flight back to Manila (Luzon). Upon arrival we will continue to Mount Makiling for a two-night stay.
Day 10:
Full day birding at Mount Makiling which still has some of the finest forest in the Philippines. We can expect to see several widespread endemics together more difficult species including the stunning Scale-feathered Malkoha, Red-crested Malkoha, Philippine Trogon, Luzon Hornbill, White-browed Shama, Flaming Sunbird, Spotted Wood Kingfisher and even rarities such Luzon Bleeding-heart and Ashy Thrush are occasionally seen.Birding in nearby grasslands usually produces Spotted and Barred Buttonquail, while rivers are home to Indigo-banded Kingfisher and night-birding is often rewarding here with a good chance of seeing both Philippine Boobook and Philippine Scops Owl.
Day 11:
We will spend a final morning birding at Mount Makiling before continuing to Subic Bay Naval Base in time for an afternoon of birding. The remaining lowland rainforest within the American Naval Base at Subic offers excellent birding and we will expect to see a number of more widespread endemics while searching for several species that are difficult to see elsewhere including Green Racquet-tail, Blue-naped Parrot, Luzon Hawk Eagle, Rufous Coucal, White-lored Oriole, Blackish Cuckooshrike, Philippine Fairy Bluebird, Northern Sooty Woodpecker, Philippine Tailorbird, Luzon Hornbill and hopefully White-fronted Tit. Night at Subic Bay.
Day 12:
We will spend a final morning birding at Subic Bay driving to Manila and taking a late afternoon flight to Puerto Princesa (Palawan) where we stay overnight.
Day 13:
Today we will bird along the Balsahan river within the Iwahig penal colony. There is considerable overlap with species present at St. Paul’s and we will hope to find many of these but we will pay special attention to finding Melodious Babbler and perhaps the elusive Palawan Flycatcher which are not present elsewhere. In the afternoon we will continue to Sabang on the edge of St. Paul’s National Park in time for an afternoons birding with Palawan Hornbill,Blue-headed Racquet-tail, Blue-naped Parrot, Palawan Tit, Lovely Sunbird and Blue Paradise Flycatcher exciting possibilities. Night in Sabang.
Day 14:
Today we will spend a full day birding at St. Paul’s National Park. In the beautiful, untouched forest within the park we will expect to find most of the islands remaining endemics, hopefully including the skulking Falcated Ground Babbler and the spectacular Palawan Peacock Pheasant. The area near our resort is a good area to search for Palawan Frogmouth and Palawan Scops Owl and we will make a special effort to search for these elusive birds. Night in Sabang.
Day 15:
We will spend a final morning biridng in the St. Paul’s area then in the afternoon we will visit Honda Bay, north of Puerto Princesa, where we will take a boat out to Pandan Island in search of two small-island specialists; Grey Imperial Pigeon, and after dark Mantanani Scops Owl. Night in Puerto Princesa.
Day 16:
This morning we will drive south to the town of Narra to the favoured daytime feeding area of the endangered Philippine Cockatoo before returning to Puerto Princesa to take a late morning flight back to Manila to connect with international flights.
Previous tour reports:
Philippines: 24th January - 5th February 2010
Philippines Scheduled tour: 8th - 28th February / 7th March 2009
Philippines: 14th - 18th April 2008
Philippines: 30th March - 11th April 2008
Remote Philippines Scheduled tour: February 2008
Remote Philippines Scheduled tour: March 2008
Philippines Scheduled tour: January - March 2007
Philippines custom tour March - April 2006
