Philippines Custom tour April 2006

The Philippines

2 week Custom Tour (Luzon, Palawan & Mindanao)
with 1 week pre-tour Hamut Camp Extension

31st March - 22nd April 2006

Leader: Rob Hutchinson

Participants: Peter Logtmeijer, Arjian Brenkman, Rob Goldbach & Kingsley Parker

Rufous Hornbill – Hamut Camp, Luzon © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia

Hamut Camp Extension

31st March – 7th April 2006

With an extra week of birding time, one participant opted for an extension to North Luzon, visiting Hamut Camp on the edge of the Sierra Madre mountain range in search of several exciting endemics rarely seen elsewhere.
We began with an afternoon flight north from Manila to Tuguegarao and accompanied by calling Savannah Nightjars enjoyed a comfortable nights rest to recover from the long international flight before heading early next morning to the village of Baliuag, the start point for our expedition into the nearby mountains.
Fortunately the weather was fine so although the walk was tiring, conditions under-foot were good and there were plenty of birds to distract us; in the open denuded hills a pair of Pied Harriers including a fine male put on a good display and we enjoyed an abundance of Bright-headed Cisticolas, Blue-tailed Bee-Eaters & Striated Grassbirds with smaller numbers of Paddyfield Pipits and a single Oriental Skylark noted.
Our arrival at the forest edge soon bought our first endemics in the guise of strikingly patterned Coletos, flocks of Island Swiftlets and good views of both adult and juvenile ‘Luzon’ Hawk Eagles, a recent split from Philippine Hawk Eagle. Continuing up towards the camp we added Philippine Tailorbird, Yellowish White-eye and a noisy pair of Blackish Cuckoo-shrikes around a forest clearing with improving forest giving our first White-browed Shama, a fly-over Philippine Hawk Cuckoo after playback and in the late afternoon a pair of Amethyst Brown Doves gave a great show, the male displaying with wings spread and tail fanned whilst calling loudly to his nearby mate.

Philippine Fairy Bluebird – Hamut Camp, Luzon White-fronted Tit – Hamut Camp, Luzon

Our 4 night stay at the top camp gave us 3 full days to explore the montane forest in the vicinity and we enjoyed some great birding. Of course the rare Whiskered Pitta, restricted to the mountains of Luzon, was one of our top targets here so with birds not particularly vocal at this time we were thrilled to find one calling close to the ridge trail on our second morning. After some careful maneuvering the bird was lured closer and gave some fantastic views as it circled us in the undergrowth, pausing occasionally to return its loud booming territorial song.
Noisy groups of Rufous Hornbills became a familiar sound and we enjoyed views daily, Luzon Hornbill was scarcer with just one sighting and likewise, although the distinctive calls of ‘Sierra Madre Crow’ were often heard, we only had brief views of this shy forest-dwelling crow – a sure-fire split from the Philippines ‘Slender-billed’ Crow complex.
Our initial encounter with Amethyst Brown Dove turned out to be just a prelude with the birds very vocal, and we enjoyed fantastic views including further displaying birds. Cream-bellied Fruit Dove were often heard close to our camp and a patient wait one morning close to a fruiting tree produced nice views – here of the crimson-crowned race foustinoi. Flame-breasted was heard only occasionally and the only views we managed were of 2 birds flushed, taking flight with typically loud wing-clapping.

One of the biggest surprises were the near-daily sightings of the enigmatic Green-faced Parrotfinch, an elusive and irruptive species that is usually difficult to catch up with, and although most sighting were of fly-by green bullets we were lucky to enjoy some nice views of birds feeding in the forest – undoubtedly one of the trip highlights. Rabor’s Wren-Babblers were heard several times but only one bird responded well enough to allow any views but it was very skulking and it was unfortunate that we were not both watching the same directions when it walked across the trail.
Other specialties seen included Spotted Wood-Kingfisher, Philippine Trogon, Red-crested Malkoha, Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher, Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Golden-crowned Babbler, Lovely, Metallic-winged & Flaming Sunbird, Naked-faced Spiderhunter and nice views of a wintering Pechora Pipit creeping along the trail one morning.
Some final early morning birding near the camp on Day 5 finally produced a pair of Sooty Woodpeckers before we began our decent towards a lower elevation camp close to the forest edge. The walk down was very productive, an obliging pair of Blue-breasted Flycatchers were located by song and gave several nice views and the same spot finally produced a very responsive Rabor’s Wren Babbler which after several tantalizing glimpses, climbed up into the lower branches of a nearby bush, giving unobscured albeit brief views before returning to more typical skulking behavior. A total of 3 Furtive Flycatchers were heard although only 1 gave brief views, flashing its rufous tail-bases as it flitted across the trail and a pair of Luzon Striped-Babbler were located in a fruiting tree but showed only briefly as did another bird lower along the trail later in the day.

Remaining forest patches close to the forest edge were the only place where we located White-lored Oriole, apparently typical habitat for this species.
The late afternoon was spent in a nearby area of bamboo and grassland and produced 2 separate fly-over Green-faced Parrotfinches, Violet Cuckoo, 3 flushed Blue-breasted Quail, another White-lored Oriole and our first Black-chinned Fruit Dove and Philippine Coucal. As dusk fell, one of a pair of noisy Philippine Boobooks was seen close to our camp while Great Eared Nightjars hawked overhead.
On our final morning we again explored the lower elevation forest above the camp getting further views of Golden-crowned Babbler and Philippine Trogon, then at last a raucous group of Rufous Coucals which came closer and closer before finally gliding across the trail right above our heads. The White-lored Orioles again performed well and staking out a nearby area paid dividends when at the last moment a mixed flock appeared and produced our last major target; three White-fronted Tits.
Satisfied with an extremely successful trip we set off for the sweaty walk back to civilization, picking up yet another Green-faced Parrotfinch and an Island Collared Dove en-route, and after several very welcome cold drinks in Baliuag, great views of a Barred Rail wandering along the track on the drive back to Tuguegarao was a great finish.

Our trip to Hamut produced 117 species plus 6 heard only, more importantly these included 57 endemics and one near-endemic. Highlights include great views of two of the Philippines most enigmatic endemics – Whiskered Pitta and Green-faced Parrotfinch, together with several species not regularly seen elsewhere; Sierra Madre Crow, Cream-bellied & Flame-breasted Fruit Doves, Blue-breasted Flycatcher and Rabor’s Wren-Babbler while an excellent run of other difficult endemics including White-lored Oriole, White-fronted Tit, Blackish Cuckoo-shrike, Sooty Woodpecker & Rufous Coucal and excellent views of Philippine Fairy Bluebird, Amethyst Brown Dove and Rufous Hornbill were particularly noteworthy.

Silvery Kingfisher – PICOP, Mindanao © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia

Main Tour

9th April – 21st April 2006

The remainder of the group arrived together mid-morning on 9th April and we were soon on the highway heading away from Manila for our first destination; the forested slopes of Mount Makiling.
Unfortunately the timing of this tour during a major holiday period had affected flight schedules and a last minute reshuffling of the itinerary meant that we needed to split our time at this site so with just one afternoon initially we were all keen to hit the forest and pick up of first Philippine endemics. Our arrival in the forest in the midday heat was certainly not optimal for bird activity but nevertheless we picked up some goodies including showy White-browed Shamas, Balicassiao, numerous Philippine & several Yellow-wattled Bulbuls, Red-crested Malkoha, Yellow-bellied Whistler, a brief Philippine Hawk Cuckoo, elusive Grey-backed Tailorbirds and our only Yellowish White-eyes of the tour. While enjoying one of the Shama’s, quite calls from a nearby gully indicated the presence of a Spotted Wood-Kingfisher which shot-in to investigate our imitations giving fantastic views of the its exquisite combination of bi-colored bill, thick black eye-stripe and turquoise rear supercilium and malar spot.
Mid-afternoon we headed down the mountain again and on the adjacent university campus were soon enjoying great views of a pair of Indigo-banded Kingfisher feeding along the river and scrutiny of nearby flowering trees produced our first Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Philippine Woodpecker, Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler and only Lowland White-eyes of the tour.
In the late afternoon we headed for a nearby grassy corner of the campus and on a gentle stroll along a quiet track saw our first Pygmy Flowerpecker and Philippine Coucal alongside abundant Blue-throated Bee-eaters, Zitting & Golden-headed Cisticolas and our first Long-tailed Shrike of the striking black-headed nasutus race.
It was not long before our primary target appeared; a pair of endemic Spotted Buttonquail slowly crossing the track, followed by excellent views of Barred Buttonquail feeding and dust-bathing and finishing with a diminutive Small Buttonquail. Satisfied we headed into the town of Los Banos and enjoyed our first Philippino fast food before heading back to the forest edge where a Philippine Boobook appeared almost immediately allowing an early departure back to the metropolis of Manila and a well-deserved rest after an exhilarating first day birding.
Our departure for Palawan the next morning was delayed by heavy rain at our destination and it was late morning before we arrived in overcast but now dry Puerto Princessa, greeted by a large congregation of endemic Palawan Swiftlets over the runway.

Eager to begin our Palawan birding we headed straight to Garcelliano Beach close to the airport and although initially disappointed to find the high tide and no birds in sight, the water soon started to fall and the birds appeared; a fine selection of shorebirds included Grey-tailed Tattlers, many now in summer plumage, several Turnstone and a stray Spotted Redshank. At least 2 Oriental Reed Warblers, singing and clambering in the nearby mangroves provide a distraction before finally we located a Chinese Egret nearby, resplendent in summer plumage.
After lunch, despite a later than usual departure we still had time for a long birding stop en-route to Sabang, easily picking up our first endemics; White-vented Shama, Blue Paradise-Flycatcher, Lovely Sunbird and Palawan Flowerpecker all showing well. A perched Blue-naped Parrot gave nice views, a Brown-backed Needletail was picked out of the swarm of swiftlets and we encountered our first ‘Palawan’ Crows with their distinctive flight and strange croaking calls.
Our final stop was in a previously productive night-bird spot and as dusk fell we soon enjoyed views of 2 Palawan Frogmouths, admiring their crazy, punk hairstyles and huge bills at super-close range. Unfortunately a pair of calling Spotted Wood Owls could not be located but after a short diversion into the nearby forest, the superb Palawan Scops Owl responded almost immediately to playback of its bizarre ‘crackled’ song giving great views.
The next day began in style with a huge Great Slaty Woodpecker in a dead tree behind our lodge and after a great breakfast we were full of anticipation as we took our boat along the picturesque coastline of Saint Pauls National park, disembarking at the famous underground river. The main reason for our excitement was the chance to enjoy the resident male Palawan Peacock Pheasant and he did not disappoint, posing at close range. After taking our fill of this most spectacular of Philippine endemics we set about finding other specialties; an Ashy-headed Babbler came in well to tape and fruiting trees in the area attracted a pair of Palawan Hornbills and allowed particularly good views of several Blue-headed Racquet-tails. We also found our first Palawan Blue Flycatcher, albeit a rather dull female on this occasion, Sulphur-bellied Bulbul and 2 showy Hooded Pittas. We all finally got nice views of a Philippine Scrubfowl feeding on the beach before again boarding our boat and heading back in the direction of Sabang to the main ranger’s station. Heading into the forest a gorgeous Rufous-backed Kingfisher showed well and we soon heard Falcated Ground-Babbler, eventually tracking them to the top of a hill singing persistently in the undergrowth and eventually allowing us all great viewing of the strikingly patterned skulker. A quick wander around the ranger’s station produced another Blue-naped Parrot and our first Yellow-throated Leafbirds.
Heading back to Sabang, a stop at a quiet beach produced nice views of a pair of scarce Malaysian Plover and even in the midday heats the marshes adjacent to our hotel held several interesting birds including a surprise Watercock.
In the afternoon we birded the roadside back towards Puerto Princessa, the large acacia trees at our first stop yielding several Palawan Tits in their favored habitat, further views of Leafbirds, a fly-over Grey-faced Buzzard and great views of a Crested Goshawk of the endemic palawanus subspecies.
Our final stop of the day found beautiful, iridescent Copper-throated & Purple-throated Sunbirds but the calling Ruddy Kingfishers couldn’t be tempted closer and we failed to see them despite a muddy trek into the mangroves!

White-vented Shama – Iwahig, Palawan McGregor’s Cuckoo-shrike – Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao

The following morning we left Puerto Princessa early for the nearby Iwahig Penal colony where for once we enjoyed good views of the rather drab Melodious Babbler without too much of a battle. Better was to come when further along the trail the distinctive song of a Palawan Flycatcher drew us into the forest and we enjoyed great views of this superb little flycatcher with its orange breast glowing in the forest and amazingly saw a second bird on our walk back, an excellent showing for this often elusive endemic. Other species during an enjoyable walk included Hooded Pitta, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Hill Myna, further views of the endemic leafbird, bulbul, tits & paradise-flycatcher and finally a nice singing male Palawan Blue Flycatcher.
Stops in the nearby paddy fields and fishponds gave nice views of the numerous Long-toed Stints, Yellow & Cinnamon Bittern, Barred Rail and White-browed Crake. Purple Heron, Pintail Snipe and Chinese Pond Heron all appeared during further roadside stops as we made our way south to the attractive coastal town of Narra.
After an enjoyable lunch and a rest it was time to board out outrigger bunka for the short ride to the off-shore island of Rasa although not before we had secured distant views of the main specialty, the endangered Philippine Cockatoo from the port. In calm conditions an enjoyable ride along the island produced excellent views of more Cockatoos and bonuses in the form of Pied Imperial Pigeons and a small group of lingering Chestnut-cheeked Starlings. After dark we landed on the island but although the Mantanani Scops Owls were heard, we never came close to them and eventually left empty-handed despite a big effort.
Having already notched up all the available Palawan endemics, we continued back to Puerto Princessa picking up White-browed Crake and Slaty-breasted Rail at Iwahig fishponds but were again frustrated by the high tide at the foreshore and found only Oriental Reed Warblers and a Blue-naped Parrot for our efforts.
A delay in our departure for Manila made for a rather tight connection for our onward flight to Cagayan de Oro on Mindanao, but after an exciting jog across the terminal we were happily on board and were further delighted on arrival to find that our luggage had also arrived safe and sound!
Heading south we were soon at our destination, Damitan village in the foothills of the Kitanglad Mountains and with our luggage efficiently loaded onto mules for the trek up, we enjoyed a pleasant walk up to our lodge in the relative cool of the late afternoon which included our first Philippine Swiftlets and Coleto, and arrived in time to enjoy some late afternoon feeding activity with Elegant Tit, Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail, Cinnamon Ibon and Olive-capped Flowerpecker the highlights. As dusk approached we made our way to a clearing above the lodge and soon a characteristic ‘rattle’ drew our attention to an emerging Bukidnon Woodcock which gave a nice view as did Great Eared and Philippine Nightjars.
We set out early the next morning and heading up the mountain, new species quickly appeared with the highlight a Plain Bush-hen wandering around in a ploughed field offering unusually good views for this elusive species. This was soon surpassed when a short side trail found us looking down into a huge nest, with the now almost fully-grown juvenile Philippine Eagle – a magnificent sight which was immediately voted one of the trip highlights. Continuing upwards we eventually located a Philippine Hawk Cuckoo calling from high in the canopy, a Long-tailed Ground-Warbler showed poorly when disturbed at the side of the trail and calling Mindanao Racquet-tails gave brief views as they zoomed through the canopy. Reaching good forest high up the mountain we soon located a huge male Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher which gave good views and admired the bizarre Apo Myna as they gave their varied calls from the canopy above our heads. At our highest point we located McGregors Cuckoo-shrikes in a mixed flock and the scarce Apo Sunbird appeared while we enjoyed a picnic lunch.
As we made our way down the mountain a pair of Philippine Bullfinch obliged, feeding in a nearby fruiting tree alongside wintering Mugimaki Flycatchers and we finished with one of the Philippines most skulking birds – a Bogobo Babbler responded very well to our tape recordings and came very close but as is often the case, only a few of us managed to connect as it habitually stayed in thick cover. It had been a great day with other new specialties including Philippine Cuckoo Dove, White-eared Dove, Yellow-breasted Fuit-Dove, Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Brown Tit-Babbler, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis, Short-tailed Starling, Tawny Grassbird and Grey-headed Sunbird all new. After dusk we ventured again into the forest near our camp and found a nice Philippine Frogmouth growling down from the canopy above us but the calling Giant Scops Owls remained elusive.

Philippine Eagle – Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao Apo Myna – Mt Kitanglad, Mindanao

The following day we again retraced our steps up the mountain and although the hoped for Mountain Shrike didn’t perform we did enjoy some new excellent birding; Mindanao Racquet-tails again showed briefly overhead, McGregors Cuckoo-shrikes gave even better views, an Apo Sunbird appeared briefly as did an elusive White-browed Shortwing and we saw our first Mindanao Hornbill. Returning down, the Bagobo Babbler was again heard but didn’t come closer. A staked-out patch of flowering sunflowers did deliver however in the form of mega-close, prolonged views of the much-wanted Red-eared Parrotfinch. The day was not finished though as the environs of our lodge gave our first Bicoloured Flowerpecker and everyone finally enjoyed excellent views of a Long-tailed Ground-Warbler when a calling bird was taped out from cover and walked across the wide track with tail cocked!
Before dawn the following morning a Giant Scops Owl was finally located perched high in a large tree near the lodge but unfortunately didn’t stick around long enough for all the group to be woken. Spurred by the early awakening some of the group decided on one last try for views of the Bagobo Babbler but unfortunately they didn’t want to perform and a few brief calls were as close as we were to come although good views of Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove and another Red-eared Parrotfinch provided some compensation.
After a final hearty breakfast it was time for us to leave again and after saying our goodbyes in Damitan the rest of the day was taken with a decidedly uneventful drive to Bislig in East Mindanao.
An early start the following morning saw us in the PICOP concession well before dawn and excellent views of a Mindanao Boobook giving its distinctive song overhead left us in no doubt that that this is a valid split from other members of the species complex. We also saw Philippine Nightjar but although Chocolate Boobook was heard we couldn’t tempt it closer. As dawn broke we were greeted by excellent views of Rufous-lored Kingfishers calling from exposed perches, our first Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher, Yellowish Bulbul, Philippine Oriole, Black-headed & Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Naked-faced Spiderhunter and excellent views of two Besra.
Keen to seek out some of the areas true rarities we moved on, stopping for our first Black-faced Coucal and Guaiabero en route, to an excellent area of limestone forest where the remainder of the morning and the early afternoon was invested. Although slow birding at times we all agreed that several Philippine Trogons, stunning views of a calling Azure-breasted Pitta, further views of Black-headed Tailorbird and a pair of the rare Short-crested Monarch was reward enough for our efforts, not to mention the Little Slaty Flycatcher which responded to our tape at the third attempt, flying across the road then popping up just in front of us low in the forest, and a fine supporting cast of Philippine Drongo Cuckoo, Pygmy Swiftlet, Philippine Leaf warbler, and Blue Fantail. Taking our lunch nearby also added Handsome Sunbird, Philippine Falconet, Mindanao Hornbill, Philippine Needletail and great views of a perched Writhed Hornbill to our growing list of specialties with Violet Cuckoo a bonus.
In the afternoon we stopped at a dirty roadside pond – the unlikely setting for one of Asia’s most striking kingfishers, the diminutive Silvery, and it was pleasing to see the two usual birds accompanied by a juvenile, confirming successful breeding here again.
Continuing back to Bislig, the late-afternoon was spent at the nearby abandoned airstrip where a quick thrash around the grassy margins produced a flushed Blue-breasted Quail and a pair of Little-ringed Plovers of the resident race dubius, yet another potential split.
Turning our attention to the adjacent marshes showed good numbers of Yellow, Cinnamon and Black Bitterns, Watercock, Wandering Whistling Duck and most importantly the endemic Philippine Duck. As dusk approached at least 2 Australasian Grass Owls appeared quartering the grasslands and signaled the end of a successful first day.
Our early start the next morning didn’t produce any new night-birds so we continued deeper until the concession, stopping en-route to admire two Barred Rails feeding in the road and again further along the road where a clearing with a fruiting tree attracted Yellow-breasted Fruit Doves, good numbers of Pompadour Green-Pigeons, Guaiabero and nearby perched views of increasingly-rare Blue-crowned Racquet-tails.

Red-eared Parrotfinch, Mt Kitanglad, Mindano Black-chinned Fruit Dove – PICOP, Mindanao

A walk along a nice road in good forest was unusually quite with just Rusty-crowned Babbler and Metallic-winged Sunbird new so we returned again to the clearing for further views of Racquet-tails and further on our first ‘Mindanao’ Hawk Eagles, a recent split of ‘Philippine Hawk Eagle’. Returning to yesterdays profitable forest patch we found our first Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher, a near-endemic, more Rusty-crowned Babblers and again located the previous days male Short-crested Monarch and were amazed when he dropped down low onto a nearby hanging vine where he was clearly in the early stages of nest building! More open habitat along the same road produced a hornbill extravaganza in the late afternoon with several Mindanao, a family party of 6 Rufous and 2 single Writhed all seen and we finished with a Black-and-White Triller and great views of roosting Barred Honey Buzzards in the evening.
The now customary early start bought us closest yet to our hoped for Chocolate Boobook but it stubbornly refused to come closer so we continued again to a productive forest patch and got off to a great start with a female Sooty Woodpecker giving its territorial drumming from high on a dead stump. Moving into the forest we were frustrated by a calling Celestial Monarch which remained unseen but a pair of Striated Ground-Babblers were eventually enjoyed by all as they sang from the understory and a Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher flashed by and perched but was only on view for one of us before darting away again. We again admired the flourishing Short-crested Monarch nest with both birds now attending and we again found Azure-breasted Pitta and Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher with Olive-backed Flowerpecker a new addition. In the afternoon, more open habitat was the favoured habitat for a female Black-bibbed Cuckoo-shrike and we picked out our first Purple Needletail overhead. Lingering until dusk was worthwhile as we finally caught up with a Chocolate Boobook singing from atop a dead stump and we went on to locate a nest-hole high in a nearby stump.
Our final morning was dedicated to catching up with some of our missing targets and we did well; Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon called unseen but Black-chinned Fruit-Dove showed nicely overhead and the rare Spotted Imperial Pigeon gave a few brief views. A calling Red-bellied Pitta showed briefly and we had further views of Rufous-lored Kingfishers and another Black-and-white Triller. Unfortunately it was soon time for us to leave this bird rich area and in the afternoon returned to Davao for our flight to Manila and in the evening again returned to Los Banos ready for our return visit to Mount Makiling.

Short-crested Monarch – PICOP, Mindanao. Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher – PICOP, Mindanao

Our final day of birding had left us with a relatively small list of 9 potential new endemics and we began in style as sitting in a strategic spot along the trail at dawn produced firstly a Red-bellied Pitta, then a White-browed Shama was joined by the elusive & seldom seen Ashy Thrush as they both fed unobscured on the trail. In the same area 2 shy Luzon Hornbills were seen briefly in flight by some before, moving higher, Grey-backed Tailorbird, Baliccassiao and Red-crested Malkoha gave great views after frustrating encounters on our first Makiling visit and the fantastic Scale-feathered Malkoha was admired in the canopy right above our heads.
Taking a quiet side trail into the forest produced still more White-browed Shama and no less than 4 encounters with resplendent Red-bellied Pittas. As we headed back towards the main track a Luzon Bleeding-heart began to call nearby and amazingly after a short playback of the calls he soon appeared walking eagerly down the slope towards us showing off his characteristic red breast-patch. Unfortunately not all managed good views before this normally shy bird detected our presence and flew off again into the forest.
A pleasant walk further up the mountain produced a beautiful pair of Flaming Sunbirds feeding on equally attractive Jade Vine flowers, further views of a Luzon Hornbill for some and our first Blue-headed Fantails – the latter much commoner in these higher climes. At our highest point we enjoyed a Rufous Paradise Flycatcher of the Luzon race unirufa, noting the differences in plumage and voice from the Mindanao birds for this likely future split. A flyover Peregrine was a bonus during a rest in a grassy clearing then on the way down we had great views of a female Spotted Wood Kingfisher perched quietly by the side of the trail at eye level.
A walk down through the lower reaches of the forest produced little in the afternoon heat but a relaxed afternoon birding close to our accommodation was very productive; flowering trees in the area attracted good numbers of Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes and Black-and-white Trillers. Meanwhile a nearby fruiting tree attracted a single Black-chinned Fruit-Dove and finally a Luzon Hornbill – a great bonus for those who had unsatisfactory views previously. Overhead a small passage of raptors included at least 30 Chinese and a couple of Japanese Sparrowhawks and a single Purple Needletail.
We finished with a final night-birding effort but were frustrated by a Philippine Scops Owl which came close and growled back at us from close-by but was only seen in flight by two of the party.

Helped considerably by fine weather throughout, our total of 296 species in just 12 ½ days included a haul of no less than 127 endemics and 6 near-endemics (Coleto, Black-chinned Fruit Dove, Blue-naped Parrot, Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher & Chocolate Boobook) plus another 6 (3 endemic, 1 near-endemic) heard only.

The Hamut extension total reached 127 species, including 58 endemics, 2 near endemics and an additional 8 heard only

The combined total for this 3-week tour was of 322 species, including 144 endemics, an outstanding total.

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