They tell me nobody in their right mind ever wants to go back to the Philippines, but with the knowledge that the ‘habitulised’ Palawan Peacock-Pheasant wasn’t going to live forever – I planned some birding either side of a conference. Logistic problems included the trip running over my wedding anniversary.
My game plan was simple; Mt Makiling before the conference and Palawan with my wife after. I knew the bird density was low and assumed that the Philippines is not a destination that I can do as one or 2 blocks. I wanted to get to grips with the birds with minimal support at the expense of missing many species but really emblazing the ones I saw in my mind’s eye.
Mt Makiling proved harder to organise than I imagined. Paul Bourdin was extremely helpful & supportive. I am in his debt.
TREES is the place to stay at the foot of the main track/remains of the road to the mountaintop. (See accommodations section).
Life was made easy for me as a friend from work has family near Los Banos and they were kind enough to pick me up from the airport & deliver me back to Manila – on a straight run took about 90 -120 minutes. I believe I could have hired a private car for about £40 each way.
Day 1 : Thursday afternoon: 24th Nov 2011
I arrived around 3pm and was eager to get in the forest. In retrospect this would have been a good time to enter the botanical gardens (just a 5-10 minutes walk from TREES). I later discovered that the Indigo banded Kingfisher frequents the area near the water tank on the left of the road where it goes over the river (in the Bot Gardens) around 3-4:30pm (follow the main concrete path down). The forest was pretty dead. Philippine Bulbul , Balicasserio & Glossy Swiftlet were my only birds
Day 2: Friday
I was out by 4am and at the obvious ‘coconut stalls’ by 5.15. Several large bats were hunting under the eaves at TREES. I heard several mysterious calls.One was probably a Rufous Night Heron.
I went down the ‘Mud Spring’ trail but I later discovered there was a better trail heading off to the right just a few metres down the track to the Mud Spring. This trail has regular Ashy Thrush and Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove. I never saw either. The Mud Spring trail was fairly quiet. An Emerald Dove was flushed from the track, more Philippine Bulbuls, several Balicaserio but not a lot else. 2-3 Philippine Trogans were calling and a female was glimpsed in flight. All in all very frustrating. I trudged up the trail after rehydrating.
It was a hard slog & having been out in the field for 8.5 hours – I’d seen 4-5 species! I was questioning my sanity for trying to do this with out a guide. There were so few birds calling. Around 10:30 I saw a distant bird on a dead tree, I soon had a party of Stripe headed Rhabdornis’s in the scope. Best make the most of the moment – I had the feeling that I may not see another decent bird today, so I watched them till they disappeared. A Glossy Swiftlet went past. This was actually a turning point. The trail beyond Agila Camp(turn right by sign) produced several good flocks including about 5 Blue headed Fantails, 3 White eared Brown Doves,6-7 Elegant Tits, more Rhabdornis’s, Phil Bulbul, a Red crested Malcoha, a few naked eye views of Scale feathered Malcohas. A distinctive call worth getting to grips with. Quite common once their distinctive screech was learnt.2-3 Sulphur billed Nuthatches, 3-4 rather yellow looking Arctic type Warblers, a nice male Colasisi at close range and several Buzzing Flowerpeckers. I glimpsed a Pitta on the way up and made a mental note of the spot- marked by a large (5ft) fan shaped palm on the left side of the path. On the way down it showed at close range and proved to be a juvenile Red bellied Pitta, a nice end to the day.
Day 3: Saturday 26th Nov
Paul Bourdin was kind enough to let me tag along with his weekend birding trip. He picked me up around 04:45 and we drove to the Agila Base Camp in quite heavy rain. The dawn chorus consisted of a few Philippine Hawk Cuckoos, Phil Hawk Owls and Spotted Wood Kingfisher. None of which were seen. Paul got on to a pair of Luzon Greater Flamebacks but they didn’t hang around. The highlights of the morning included good views of 2-3 Guadariedos feeding, the juvenile Red bellied Pitta, 4+ Rhabdornis, 2 Red crested Malcohas, a shockingly close view of a pair of Philippine Trogans, my 1st Red keeled Flowerpecker, Orange bellied Flowerpecker, a Blue & white Flycatcher and a couple of glimpses of Phil Serpent Eagle.
We headed down and picked up the grounded flight squadron of Philippine Falconets; 9 in total on the bare tree by TREES. I opted for a quick tour of the area before Paul headed back to the family & I found this extremely helpful.
He showed me the bridge for the Indigo Banded Kingfisher & the track for the Grassbirds. I never did see a Buttonquail but the 1st of many Brown Shrikes, Striated Swallow, Tawny Grassbird and Asian Palm Swift.
Around 2pm I arrived back at the Indigo banded Kingfisher (Sanggumay) Bridge and after several false alarms (screeching Jeepney brakes) the male appeared on one of the closer rocks. Over the next 2.5 hours I had multiple views of the female , a pair of Barred Rails, White throated Kingfisher, a Scale feathered Malcoha & Yellow wattled Bulbul.
Paul took me around IRRI at 5pm and he pointed out my only Long tailed Shrike of the trip. Highlights included 8 White browed Crakes, 4 Painted Snipe , White breasted Wood Swallow and Striated Grassbird. Dinner at Mios in Los Banos , a restaurant I can recommend except for its lack of beer,
Day 4: Sunday 27th Nov
To beat the crowds I set off at 04:15 up the mountain. I tried the Ashy Thrush trail but only managed a fleeting view of Luzon Hornbill and 4 Red crested Malcohas. About ½ -3/4 of the way up to Agila Camp opposite a family settlement I saw 6 Ashy Minivets in the large distant tree opposite the drink stall. A little further up the track around 07:30 I came across a small flock. I decided to lie on the ground to prevent a permanent injury to my neck. My 1st Yellowish White-eyes – one of the better members of the genus, a male Plain throated Sunbird, a single Rhabdornis followed by a surreal experience of 2 local teenagers trekking down the mountain singing Aviator by the Hot Chilli Peppers! A couple of Elegant Tits were not deterred and a Red keeled Flowerpecker put in a show. Further into the forest trail a steady stream of descending and a few ascending campers went by. It was nothing short of a minor miracle that I came across an adult Red bellied Pitta .I got several prolonged views approx. 50-75 metres further up the trail from where I’d previously seen the juvenile. It was feeding on the downward slope and was in excellent plumage. A female Colasisi, Yellow wattled Bulbul, Blue headed Fantail and White eared Brown Dove brought me to the 2pm mark, which I had set for turning round. Paul had kindly offered to take me round IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) in the hope of getting some Painted Snipe photos in better light or a Buff banded Rail. Soon after I turned round a bird flew up from the ground in the mid distance. I lifted my bins expecting to see a Brown Dove and clapped eyes on a beautiful male Spotted Wood Kingfisher. It was a good clear view for 15-20 seconds and then it was gone. A cracking full frontal Scale feathered Malcoha and I had to speed up my descent. I was racing down below the coconut stalls and above the ‘PFLA2’ sign when I heard some noisy chattering. I stopped expecting to see a Bulbul. I was looking at a strange medium size red bird which made me think Tanager!!!! A pair of Rufous Paradise Flycatchers worked their way through the understory & appeared to mate briefly. A Serpent Eagle called. Should have tried for a distant photo but I was having too good a time. A little further down a couple of Red crested Malcohas showed well.
I hung around the IBK bridge & Paul drove me to IRRI. The highlights were Cinnamon & Yellow Bittern, about 12 White browed Crakes, Red Turtle Dove, Buff banded Rail and a distant flight view of a female Watercock.
A nice meal washed down with cold beer at ‘PHOUNG’ a Vietnamese café (down a side street to the left leaving the campus) in the front room of the lady’s house who made the food.
Day 5: Monday 28th Nov
Had enough energy to carry all my gear to the top today. I wanted some photos for the trip &a pair of Philippine Trogans responded to a recording (about the only bird that did on the whole trip). Unfortunately, the male was in an awkward position. Some nice views of Colasissi, another ‘Arctic’ Warbler , a Philippine Serpent Eagle soaring. Near Malaboo Campsite 3 Philippine Falconets were feeding till about 9:30/10am and 4 Pygmy Swiftlets were buzzing about. A flock appeared behind me. Stripe headed Rhabdornis, Yellow wattled Bulbul, Elegant Tit, a male Narcissus and a female Blue & White Flycatcher , Yellow bellied Whistler, 2 Blue headed Fantails, Buzzing Flowerpeckers & 3 Sulphur billed Nuthatches. On the track down a Coppersmith Barbet, 2 Red crested Malcohas and 2 Scale feathered. Around 4pm having descended a little below the family settlement but still above the coconut stalls I noticed some activity on 2 large fairly bare trees to the left of the path. These trees caught the evening light and were only readily noticed on the decent because of the curve of the path. A female Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, 1-2 Striped Flowerpeckers, 3 Rhabdornis’s and some smaller birds (no scope today!) including Grey streaked Flycatcher and Plain throated Sunbird.
Day 6: Tuesday 29th Nov
My last day in the area and I wanted to catch up with some birds lower down on the campus. I took the jeepney down but overshot my destination. I got off at the main bridge heading toward Los Banos and immediately came a across a pair of Scale feathered Malcohas. At the IBK bridge there was a Pygmy Flowerpecker. I walked to the Dairy Training and Research Institute on the UP campus (Animal Husbandry) and walked down the grassy track. A perched Grey faced Buzzard, a couple of Night herons sp., a Swintail Snipe, Yellow vented Bulbuls and another ArcticWarbler (a more familiar grey crowned individual with no yellow). I wanted to see the Grassbird again & I got good views of what I believe was a Tawny Grassbird.
I messed around with some Glossy Swiftlets and met several small flocks of Lowland White-eye. After a tricycle ride and a quick Coke I headed towards IBK bridge. There were quite a few Hirundines in the air & I was treated to some great views of Purple Needletail over the football field around 09:40am.On the bridge 2 Phil Pygmy Woodpeckers, a pair of Pied Trillers, Phil Bulbul, Lowland White-eye and the White throated Kingfisher. I had my eye out for the Indigo banded & spotted something crake like moving over the rocks up stream where I’d seen the Barred Rail on Saturday. 2 Plain Bush hens – what a result. They then proceeded to bathe half hidden by a fallen log at the bend in the river. Stripe headed Rhabdornis, Red keeled Flowerpecker and Olive backed Sunbirds highlighted the advantages of staying still.
I needed to sort my room out , so I headed up to TREES via a jeepney. 5 Phil Falconets greeted me. I packed and headed to the Botanical Gardens. It was full of noisy kids. I saw a few Sunbirds and headed down to the river. Within minutes I got lucky with the Indigo banded Kingfisher. However, my autofocus on the camera was off and the photo shoot did not go as hoped. I met a gardener who was very keen to act as a local guide out of hours but unfortunately I had run out of time. His chat up line of ‘Do you want to see a giant rat?’ was wasted on me - I was minutes away from leaving Makaling.
Day 7: Palawan 3rd December
We flew from Manila to Puerto Princesca on Philippine Airlines. There were other flights on Cebu Air and Zest. We got a tricycle to the bus station for 100 PHP + could have taken the bus to Sabang for 250PHP but this wasn’t due to set off for another 2 hours and I think we were rightly led to believe that this would take a very long time to get there. We hired a 4 wheel drive from ‘Toto’ for 2500PHP – I think we may have got him down to around 1800 but we didn’t have the energy. Despite not stopping on route I managed a Palawan Tit and White vented Sharma from the car!
We arrived at Daluyon Mountain & Beach resort after about 2 hours. The road had improved significantly about 3 years ago. The resort had a nice feel to it. It is a ‘Zero Carbon Resort’. We walked along the approach road that afternoon and one of the first birds we saw was what I assumed was a Chinese Pond Heron (unfortunately the separation of Javan is by no means easy). This first record for Palawan is going to have to be Pond Heron sp. Interestingly , we didn’t see the bird again in the area.
Five Slender billed Crows with there strange ½ hearted wingbeats, a White bellied Sea Eagle over the pier, 6 Green Imperial Pigeons and 3 species of Swallow. A male Olive backed Sunbird of the distinctive Palawan race was the first of many in the coconut palms across from our veranda. A couple of Kentish Plovers on the beach (gulp – not another plover glitch) and my wife put up some birds from the rocks on her evening run, which sounded like Bridled Terns!
Day 8: Sabang, Palawan. 4th Dec
An early morning start and an Eastern Reef Egret landed on the shoreline in front of our chalet. A Grey Heron looked rather lost. Walking slowly down the road didn’t produce the birdlife I had hoped for but Olive winged & Black headed Bulbul, a male Lovely Sunbird & more Green Imperial Pigeons were found. The morning would have been pretty grim if the Palawan Hornbill hadn’t put in a show. In the afternoon I did more wondering around wondering where I’d find the trail to St Paul’s.In the scrub around Daluyon I found a group of nearly 50 Philippine Glossy Starlings.
A Grey faced Buzzard looked for quarry. Just before the Jehovah Witness building was a fruiting tree over the road & here I found a pair of Palawan Flowerpeckers , a Pygmy Flowerpecker and Spangled Drongo. A couple of Palawan Hornbills called, a response to a circling Changeable Hawk Eagle. Here I met Mar who was happy to help me to St Paul’s and help me navigate the trail back to Sabang for 500PHP. He was good value & I believe I would have been a little worried about the trek without him.
The Hornbills dropped in low behind the Jehovah Witness building but I left them to their own devices, as I am sure they were fairly persecuted locally.
I needed to arrange a permit & boat to St Paul’s in the morning. The chap at the ticket office on the quay for some unknown reason didn’t want to provide me with one before 3 or 4 pm (it closes at 5pm). He sorted out a boat for 1200PHP return or 1000PHP one way. Normally a boat costs 700PHP return but he said at that time of day – ‘that was the price’. Mar was nowhere around and it was settled.
Later that evening whilst standing at the FilOiL station on the edge of Sabang an Oriental Hobby came straight at me with a dead Swallow in its talons. It laboured with the weight of it and ploughed straight over me & into the hills. An invigorating end to the day.
5th Dec Monday St Paul’s Palawan
We arrived at the pier before dawn – Mar & the boat captain were present but we were informed it was too rough to go out. My impression was it was too dark & dangerous to send someone out to pick up the boat. Soon after first light a lone figure was seen swimming out to sea to pick up the boat!
It was about 6 am when we set off, arriving at St Paul’s at about 6:30am. A quick search produced some Philippine Macaques (Crab eating Macaques) , some large Monitor Lizards and a White vented Sharma.
I was loathe to take Mar’s advice to stay in the forest at the Ranger’s station, as I wanted some photos and the lack of light was a problem. I was also aware that the photos seemed to be from the beach. We loitered with intent near the track to the Ranger’s station. Pam suddenly started waving us towards the left hand corner (facing the sea) of the beach. At the forest edge was the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant and a Tabon Scrubfowl. The Scrubfowl soon disappeared but after Mar secured some rice we were able to entice the Pheasant out. It preformed on and off for about 30 minutes and then disappeared.
Pam wanted to get to the Subterranean Cave before the swarms arrived, so we paid our fees and got in a boat. A Stork billed Kingfisher & Striated Heron were at the entrance and there were 100’s if not 1000’s of Palawan Swiftlets in the cave. There are apparently at least 9 species of bats in the cave.
We walked the trail back to Sabang. The trail was intermittently marked with red splodges on the tree trunks but this was fairly haphazard and noted by their absence in places. It was some time before we saw our next bird, a couple of the distinctive Palawan race of Greater Flameback with their pale bills and red faces. We then came across a flock including 3 Citrine Canary Flycatchers . In the sudden maelstrom of birds I unfortunately didn’t reach for my cameras. Velvet fronted Nuthatch, Palawan Tit, Black naped Monarch and Striped Tit Babbler was all I got before they disappeared.
Another bird wave near some building used for drying flotation devices produced my 1st of many Yellow throated Leafbirds, Black naped Oriole, Ashy Drongo and Asian Fairy Bluebird. We finished the trail around 2:30 pm and left Mar off for the day. Later that afternoon I came back for a Mangrove Boat Tour (150PHP). It was a round 4pm – the last trip for the day. Nestor Elijan was my boatman. He told me he used to carry the telescope when Tim Fisher had his trips in the area. Everywhere I went people talked fondly of Tim and were grateful for the employment he gave the community. I declined a ‘mangrove guide’ and she seemed pleased to avoid another dose of mosquito bites. The trip started quietly & it seemed that most of the birds had bedded down for the night. When it was time to turn the boat round I asked Nestor if we were likely to see any snakes. He pointed towards a low mangrove we had just passed a minute earlier and pointed out 2 and then a third Mangrove Snake.
A little further he pointed out a small Reticulated Python. We had a Grey streaked Flycatcher, several Collared & Stork billed Kingfisher. We heard Palawan Hornbills, which came into roost. Nestor managed to manoeuvre us into a good enough position to get a distant photo from the boat. A White bellied Woodpecker called and once again he located it for me. We agreed to meet the next morning for another trip. I was surprised when I tipped him that he said he was actually a volunteer and he was grateful for his tip.
6th December Mangrove Tour & Snorkelling
As Pam and I prepared to set off on the mangrove tour groups of Blue naped Parrots whizzed by giving me unsatisfactory views. A male Copper throated Sunbird on the Coconut Palms , whilst he Northern Palawan Tree Squirrels chatted noisily.
The mangrove trip didn’t deliver many new birds. A good view of an odd looking Little Spiderhunter (surely a split), Asian Fairy Bluebirds, 3 Yellow fronted Leafbirds, our only Rufous tailed Tailorbird of the trip and a sub adult male Blue & White Flycatcher. As we walked back around 8:40am 3 Blue headed Raquetails screeched through.
I came back after breakfast around 10:30am and found an adult Oriental Hobby on the obvious tall solitary dead tree visible from where the mangrove tour boats set off. Nestor heard a Blue Paradise Flycatcher on 2 occasions but it was not until he took us of piste that I realised there was a trail running parallel with the river on the other side from the mangrove tour.
That afternoon Edward from the Ocean View Restaurant arranged a snorkelling trip for 2000PHP for a few hours. We had our own snorkels. The trip was dampened by constant rain and for the first time we felt cold and wet. Once underwater we were warmer! Unfortunately, the coral had suffered much the same fate as their forests. There were some interesting fish but nothing like the Red Sea. I heard some Hornbills and scoped some Imperial Pigeons, which I assumed were Green, whilst waiting for Pam to finish her swim.
The trip back to Sabang produced a flock of 80+ Bridled Terns and a solitary Black headed Gull. Around 4:50pm I called into reception at Daluyon and a flock of 7 Pink necked Pigeons landed on a bare tree with a few fruit over the swimming pool.
7th December Jungle Trail to St Pauls
I wanted one last stab at the forest trail. I got to the start of the mangrove tour at dawn. There were a couple of Collared & Common Kingfishers. A Dollarbird put in a show and a couple of Hill Mynahs flew away from me. Mar soon picked up a perched Crested Goshawk above the trail, which we scoped. We were on a steep slope when we came across a flock. 3 flyover Blue naped Parrots, 3 Yellow throated Leafbirds, Ashy Drongo, a Grey cheeked Bulbul, male Asian Fairy Bluebird & Striped Flowerpecker. A pair of Great Slaty Woodpeckers fed giving us excellent views, a perched Blue headed Raquet-tails, a Citrine Canary Flycatcher , 2 Velvet fronted Nuthatches, 2 Palawan Tits and a Chestnut breasted Malcoha. A Palawn Peacock Pheasant called but was impossible to see. I played a Falcated Babbler call and a small chestnut and white bird flew straight at me at eye level but veered off about 5-8 metres from me and was never seen again,
A pair of Palawan Blue Flycatcher and we heard a couple of Hornbills . It started to pour and we took shelter under some dense bamboo. A Common Flameback with its broad black eyestripe and moustache clambered above us. Eventually we moved off under an umbrella. The rain abated and there was a lot of activity around a hanger for some life jackets. 10 bulbuls flew out as we approached. 2 Sulphur billed Bulbuls, 3 Yellow throated Leafbirds, a young Palawan Flowerpecker, a male Lovely Sunbird, Spangled and Ashy Drongos, 2 female Asian Bluebirds and 2 Blue naped Parrots foraged quietly.
Mar was a little ahead of me on the beach with a Whimbrel and a bird called about 5 metres away from me. Another cracking male Narcissus Flycatcher but it retreated into the forest before Mar got a view. More Pink necked Pigeons at the resort were the only birds of note.
8th December Mangrove & Puerta Princesa.
Our last morning at Daluyon and I went for a morning walk around the mangrove tour area. Highlights included a White vented Sharma , 10 roosting Blue naped Parrots (in the scrub near the restrooms looking away from the river) , Dollarbird, Stork billed Kingfisher and a few Striped Tit Babblers having crossed the river on the ‘pull along floating bench’.
Toto picked us up and drove us to Puerto Princesca. A pair of obliging Blue naped Parrots were seen in the scrub along the dirt track as we exited Daluyon . Toto kindly drove us to Ga(r)ciliano Beach to look for the Chinese Egrets but the tide was very high. All we managed were a Pied Triller, Intermediate Egret and some close Olive winged Bulbuls prior to boarding our plane. The tamest bird of the trip went to the Peaceful Dove outside the café by the airport terminal.
LOGISTICS
Since Tim Fisher passed away , the logistics for the Philippines is no longer as straight forward. I hope the information below is of some help to future visitors.
Accommodation: TREES: Training Centre for Tropical Resources & Ecosystems Sustainability. (College of Forestry & Natural Resources (CFNR). College Laguna)
e mail: treeshostel@gmail.com Telefax number: (049) 536 2639
Transport links: Bus to Los Banos.
Private Jeepney to TREES from main junction : 50 PHP.
Normal Jeepney ride 8PHP.
Accommodation: Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort,Sabang
A lovely place to stay and well positioned for St Paul’s. The food was excellent.
inquire@daluyonresort.com
Flights for 2 to Palawan from Manila cost 8300 PHP. 5000 for transfer and accommodation. I struggled to pay for the room as it involved a direct bank transfer and by the time I got round to sorting it out I had to upgrade to a superior room 5880PHP a room per night for 2 people including breakfast. There were very many other places to sleep for less but as it was my anniversary and I wasn’t happy to wing it! I paid about 2000PHP to Mar and Nestor. We did a total of 5 Mangrove trips for about 1000 PHP in total but I would have seen more birds if I crossed the river and just walked around the back. In total the Palawan trip cost me approx. 45700 PHP = £675 = US$1050
For the Palawan trip I was quoted US$900 for 2 days including transport from the airport to Daluyon, guiding, and boat fees – but NOT accommodation, food or flights!Thankfully it was pretty straight forwards except for the night birds.My calculations suggest that 2 days birding at this current time should not have cost me more than 6000 max for a guide for 2 days ,5000 for the transport ,1000 for the boat to St Paul's , 150 for a mangrove trip, 200 for the subterranean cave ie 12350PHP =£180 =US$ 280 without accommodation & food costs.
Potential Bird guides for Palawan:
Mar(celest) Santander 09079782776 approx price 500PHP per day
Nestor Elijan 0999025834 what ever you want? Apparently.Both Nestor and Mar are nice people,sharp eyed and know a lot of the bird calls.
Royland Abian 09264350350 1500 PHP per day (can arrange a vehicle for 3000-3500 PHP per day) – didn’t bird with this chap but came up to me with a driver in a van and told me he would guide for the above prices.
Augusto Asis was recommended to me by Paul Bourdin but he no longer works as Daluyon and I had trouble contacting him. Mar tells me the reception is poor where he lives! +63 9067898117 or +63 9264167381. He can produce the night birds and is supposed to be great value.
I have a card form a Romy Sabroso e mail: romysabroso@yahoo.com
09087535919 or 09278617091 who also rents little mini vans (Toyota Hi Ace)
Francisco Espinosa known as Toto: has a 4 wheel drive – will rent the car without him or with him as the driver. The car is about 10 years old and doesn’t seem to be in great condition but runs. I think he was willing to rent for around 2500 -3500 PHP a day (sorry I’ve forgotten what he said) for a minimum of a few days. He charged us 2500 PHP for a run from Puerto Princesa to Sabang and we agreed on the same price for a return trip. I got him to stop at Garciliano Beach for no additional charge as it was clear to me that the rate of 2500 was more than I should have paid.
Toto: 09186079567 or 09192048559 also known as ‘Queen Ann rent a car’
Makiling Area:
The gardener at the Botanical Gardens on Makiling called George tells me he guides: +63 9214377116 . I’m sure he would have got me on the night birds had I found him on time. He prefers to be contacted when he’s not at work.
Other Guides:
Mark Villa : markjason@gmail.com was trained by Tim Fisher and is based in Luzon. He shocked Tim once by upping (?doubling) his guiding cost on a pre-booked tour at the last minute whilst working for him. He now charges US$ 100 a day to guide.
His Makiling package came to US$ 100 for 2 nights at TREES and US$250 for a driver and vehicle. This came to US $ 550 for 2 days on Makiling. He is willing to arrange trips through out the Philippines.
I got the semi special room at TREES for 800PHP (US$18 a day) it had 2 separate beds, hot water and air conditioning. I think I could have taken a regular room for 600 PHP(US $14) and it would have been just as functional but I just took what I was given and grateful that the bed was comfortable and the hostel was quiet.
Makiling cost me 4000 PHP in accommodation for the 5 nights, about £40 for a car to TREES but you could do it for much less if you took the bus and a Jeepney. Jeepney rides were 8 PHP on the campus and food was never going to cost more than about 300PHP a day. My total 5 day Makiling trip cost me about: 5500PHP( about £80) and the transport to and from the airport
(another £80 return) i.e. about US$250!
1. Grey Heron ( Ardea cinera) 1 flying round Sabang on 4/12
2. Great Egret ( Egretta garzetta garzetta )
3. Eastern Reef-Egret ( Egretta sacra sacra ) a couple in Sabang on 2 dates
4. Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus )
5. Striated Heron (Butorides striata carcinophilus ) St Paul’s and Mangrove Tour Boat
6. Yellow Bittern ( Ixobrychus sinensis ) IRRI
7. Cinnamon Bittern ( Ixobrychus cinnamomeus ) IRRI
8. Javan/Chinese Pond Heron ( Ardeola speciosa/bacchus ) Sabang on 3/12 was apparently the first Palawan record!
9. White-bellied Sea-Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster ) Sabang 3/12
10. Philippine Serpent-Eagle ( Spilornis holospilus ) Mt Makiling 3 dates
11. Changeable Hawk Eagle ( Spizaetus cirrhatus )1 Main Road to Sabang nr Jehovah Witness Building 4/12
12. Grey faced Buzzard ( Butastur indicus )1 Dairy Training and Research Institute on the UP campus, Mt Makiling 29/11 and I perched on road side hill off main Sabang Road 4/12
13. Crested Goshawk ( Accipiter trivirgatus ) 1 Jungle Trail, Sabang. 7/12
14. Oriental Hobby ( Falco sevarus servarus ) seen twice at Sabang. One evening on the outskirts of town with a Hirundine in its talons on 4/12 and an adult perched opposite the Mangrove Tour Boat jetty on the 6/12. Thought to probably be the same bird.
15. Philippine Falconet (Microhierax erythrogenys erythrogenys) Seen in groups of 3-9 birds on 3 separate dates at TREES hostel and Malaboo Camp Site , Mt Makiling
16. Tabon Scrubfowl (Megapodius cumingii cumingii) 1 with P3 at St Pauls beach on 5/12
17. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron napoleonis) 1 at St Pauls beach on 5/12
18. Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis philippensis) 1 at IRRI
19. Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus torquatus) 26 and 29/11 at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus, Mt Makiling
20. White-browed Crake ( Porzana cinerea ocularis ) Common IRRI
21. Plain Bush-hen (Amaurornis olivacea) 2 at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus, Mt Makiling on 29/11
22. White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
23. Watercock ( Gallicrex cinerea ) 1 distant flight view of female at IRRI
24. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) IRRI
25. Painted Snipe ( Rostratula benghalensis ) 4 birds at IRRI on the 2 visits (same group)
26. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) IRRI
27. Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrines Sabang beach 3/12
28. Pintail/Swinhoe ́s Snipe (Gallinago stenura/megala) 1 at IRRI and 1 at Dairy Training and Research Institute, UP Campus.
29. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus variegatus) 1 Sabang beach 2 dates
30. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) IRRI & Sabang
31. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) IRRI
32. Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) Boat trip snorkeling 6/12
33. Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus) 80+ Boat trip 6/12
34. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) IRRI, Manila and road side beyond Los Banos
35. Red Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica humilis) IRRI
36. Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis tigrina)
37. Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata striata) IRRI and Palawan Airport
38. Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica indica) Mt Makiling on 2 dates
39. White-eared Brown-Dove (Phapitreron leucotis Leucotis) Seen daily on Mt Makiling
40. Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (Treron vernans vernans) 2 dates Daluyon 6-8 birds on fruiting tree.
41. Green Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula aenea palawanensis) Approach road to Sabang daily and Mangrove Boat Tour
42. Guaiabero (Bolbopsittacus lunulatus lunulatus) perched views on 2 dates, Mt Makiling
43. Blue-headed Racquet-tail (Prioniturus platenae) heard frequently. 3 birds flew over on 6/12 near Mangrove Tour site. Single perched bird seen on 7/12 on Jungle Trail to St Paul’s
44. Colasisi (Loriculus philippensis philippensis) Seen daily on Mt Makiling
45. Blue-naped Parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis) 2-10 birds eventually seen well on Jungle trail, Mangrove Boat Tour and approach track to Daluyon , Sabang.
46. Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris harringtoni) 1 on jungle trail on 7/12
47. Red-crested Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus superciliosus cagayanensis) seen daily on Mt Makiling
48. Scale-feathered Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus cumingi) seen daily on Mt Makiling and on 2 occasions near Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus. Many more heard than seen.
49. Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta) (Marginata) &(Bagobo)
50. Pygmy Swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes) 3-4 near Malaboo Camp Site, Mt Makiling
51. Palawan Swiftlet (Aerodramus palawanensis)
52. Purple Needletail (Hirundapus celebensis) over football pitch ,UP Campus, Mt Makiling on 29/11
53. Brown backed Needletail (Hirundapus giganteus ) singles seen on 2 separate dates at Sabang.
54. Asian Palm-Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis pallidior).
55. House Swift (Apus nipalensis subfurcatus) 2 seen from Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus on 26/11
56. Philippine Trogon (Harpactes ardens luzoniensis) seen on 3 dates on Mt Makiling a total of about 8 birds including 3 males were seen. Several others heard.
57. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis bengalensis)
58. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis gouldii) Mangrove Bpoat Tour and St Paul’s Subterranean Cave
59. White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis gularis) 1 seen a couple of times at Sanggumay Bridge, on26/11 and at the Dairy Training and Research Institute UP Campus on the 29/11
60. White-collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris collaris) Mangrove Boat Tour and IRRI
61. Spotted Wood-Kingfisher (Actenoides lindsayi lindsayi) 1 male finally seen well on 27/11.Several heard at dawn.
62. Indigo banded Kingfisher ( Alcedo cyanopecta) pair at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus, Mt Makiling on 26/11 and one at the Botanical Gardens on 29/11
63. Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis cyanocollis) 1 near the Mangrove Tour, Sabang on 2 dates
64. Palawan Hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei) 1-3 on the approach road to Sabang near the Jehovah Witness Building on 4/12 and 2 on the Mangrove tour on the 5/12.Heard frequently.
65. Luzon Hornbill (Penelopides manillae manillae) I glimpsed on Mt Makiling and heard on several days.
66. Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala Haemacephala) Mt Makiling
67. Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos maculates validirostris) 1 on Mt. Makiling on 28/11 and 2 at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus on 29/11
68. White-bellied Woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis) 1 on the Mangrove Boat Tour on 5/12
69. Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus_ a pair was seen well on the Jungle Trail to St Pauls on 7/12
70. Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense everetti) 1 on the Jungle trail on 7/12
71. Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus haematribon) 2 on the jungle Trail, St Pauls on 5/12
72. Red bellied Pitta (Pitta erythrogaster ) a juvenile was seen on 2 dates and an adult on 27/11on Mt Makiling between Agila and Malaboo Camp Site
73. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica gutturalis)
74. Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica javanica)
75. Striated Swallow (Cecropis striolata)
76. Oriental Pipit (Anthus rufulus) IRRI
77. Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) IRRI
78. Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea robusta)
79. Pied Triller (Lalage nigra chilensis) Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus and 1 at Gaciliano Beach, Puerto Princesa
80. Ashy Minivet (Pericrocotus divaricatus divaricatus) 6 on 27/11 on Mt Makiling
81. Black-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps atriceps) 1 on approach road to Sabang on 4/12
82. Yellow-wattled Bulbul (Pycnonotus urostictus Urostictus) seen on Mt Makiling on 3 dates and at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus once
83. Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier goiavier)
84. Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus cinereifrons) commonest bulbul on Palawan
85. Grey-cheeked Bulbul (Alophoixus bres frater) seen 3 times on the Jungle trail and once on the main approach road to Sabang
86. Sulphur-bellied Bulbul (Ixos palawanensis) 2 birds were seen on the 7/12 on the Jungle Trail near Sabang
87. Philippine Bulbul (Ixos philippinus philippinus) Common on Mt Makiling
88. Yellow-throated Leafbird (Chloropsis palawanensis) quite common at the Sabang end of the Jungle Trail and in the Mangrove Boat Tour area.
89. Grey-backed Tailorbird (Orthotomus derbianus derbianus) 1 on the Mud Spring Trail and 1 singing (not seen )at the Malaboo Camp Site, Mt Makiling.
90. Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus sericeus) 1 on the Mangrove Boat Tour on the 6/12
91. Arctic Warbler sps. Seen on 3 days. A total of 7 birds in the Makiling area. 3 seen together the on 25/11 were rather yellow.
92. Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris forbesi) IRRI
93. Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis crex) 1 on 2 dates at the Dairy Training and Research Institute on the UP campus.
94. Grey-streaked Flycatcher (Muscicapa griseisticta) Regularly on Makiling and Palawan
95. Palawan Blue-Flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) a pair on the Jungle trail , Sabang on 7/12
96. Narcissus Flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina) male at Malaboo Camp, Makiling on 28/11 and a male by the beach between the Mangrove Boat Tour and the start of the Jungle Trail. Sabang on 7/12
97. Blue & White Flycatcher (Cyanophtila cyanomelana) seen on 3 dates on Makiling( at least 2 birds) and once near the Mangrove Tour at Sabang on 6/12.
98. White-vented Shama (Copsychus niger) seen around St Paul’s Rangers station and Mangrove Boat Tour; seemed most showy at first light.
99. Blue headed Fantail (Rhipidura cyaniceps) regular in most flocks between Agila and Malaboo Camp on Makiling
100. Citrine Canary Flycatcher (Culicicapa helianthea) Seen on 5 and 7/12 on Jungle trail. 4 birds in total. Much much better than the illustration in the book!
101. Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea azurea)
102. Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone cinnamomea cinnamomea) a pair on Mt Makiling below the coconut stalls on 27/11
103. Yellow-bellied Whistler (Pachycephala philippinensis 2-3 birds below Malaboo camp , Makling on 28/11
104. Striped Tit-Babbler (Macronous gularis woodi) small groups seen on 3 occasions along the Jungle trail, abang.
105. Elegant Tit (Pardaliparus elegans elegans) 2-7 birds seen on 3 days between Agila and Malaboo Camp site, Makiling.
106. Palawan Tit (Pardaliparus amabilis) seen from the car on 3/12 en route to Sabang from airport! A couple were also seen on the Jungle trail on 2 dates.
107. Sulphur-billed Nuthatch (Sitta oenochlamys) 2-3 in flocks above Agila Camp on 3 dates
108. Velvet fronted Nuthatch (Sitta ftrontalis) 2-3 seen on 2 occasions on the Jungle teail , Sabang.
109. Stripe-headed Rhabdornis (Rhabdornis mysticalis mysticalis) seen daily from just below Agila Camp up to Malaboo Camp, and on one morning a single at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus
110. Plain-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malcennsis)
111. Purple-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma sperata sperata)
112. Copper-throated Sunbird (Leptocoma calcostetha) Daluyon, Sabang
113. Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis Jugularis) Mt Makiling, (Aurora) Daluyon Sabang
114. Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga bella) Daluyon and Jungle Trail
115. Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra dilutior) singles at Daluyon and Mangrove Boat Tour
116. Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni) seen on approach road to Sabang and on the Jungle Trail. Not difficult to find.
117. Striped Flowerpecker (Dicaeum aeruginosum) Mt Makiling just above Coconut stalls on 28/11 and Jungle Trail, Sabang on 7/12
118. Red-keeled Flowerpecker (Dicaeum australe australe) regularly between Aguila and Malaboo Camp site and once by Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus.
119. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma xantopygium) Once near Malaboo Camp Site, Makiling. On 26/11
120. Buzzing Flowerpecker (Dicaeum hypoleucum Obscurum) commoner at higher elevations on Mt Makiling.
121. Pygmy Flowerpecker (Dicaeum pygmaeum pygmaeum) Sanggumay Bridge ,UP Campus Makiling (Palawanorum) Sabang
122. Yellowish White-eye seen on 2 dates near the Agila Campsite
123. Lowland White-eye 2 flocks of up to 15 near the Dairy Training and Research Institute and 2 at Sanggumay Bridge, UP Campus on 29/11
124. Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis Chinensis) 2 on 5/12 on the Jungle trail.
125. Asian Fairy-Bluebird (Irena puella tweeddalei) regular at the Sabang end of the Jungle Trail.
126. Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
127. Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach nasutus) 1 near but outside IRRI on the 26/11
128. Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus leucophaeus) Sabang area.
129. Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius balicassius) Common on Mt Mkiling
130. Hair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus palawanensis) Sabang
131. White-breasted Wood-Swallow (Artamus leucorynchus leucorynchus) IRRI
132. Slender-billed Crow (Corvus enca pusillus) Common around Sabang
133. Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos philippinus) single bird at IRRI and several over the Dairy Training and Research Institute on 29/11
134. Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis panayensis) Common on the outskirts of Sabang and regular in small numbers near the quay
135. Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa palawanensis) 2 seen on 3 occasions at Sabang
136. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
137. White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra manueli) 2 seen just above Agila Camp Site on 27/11
138. Scaly breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) Dairy Training and Research Institute
139. Philippine Hawk-Owl Ninox philippensis heard only
140. Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus pectoralis heard only
141. Black chinned Fruit Dove heard only
142. Lesser Coucal heard only
143. Philippine Coucal heard only
144. White-browed Shama (Copsychus luzoniensis heard only
144. Night-Heron sp several heard in the early hours of the morning every day on Makiling and 2 birds glimpsed at the Dairy Training and Research Institute on the UP campus, Mt Makiling were most likely to be Rufous.