Trip Report: Three-week Birding Tour

David L. Clugston, an avid world birder and one of our tour participants last year, writes about their experience here in the Philippines. David has written a short summary and a detailed itinerary (including wake-up times!) of their 22-day stay here, visiting the islands of Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao.

PHILIPPINES

15th November - 7th December 2011 Participants: David L. Clugston, Pauline Blair, Valerie Wilson Tour Leader: Nicky Icarangal of Birding Adventure Philippines Trip report written by David L. Clugston

The tour was arranged through Birding Adventure Philippines www.birdingphilippines.com based in Manila, Luzon and we found them to be excellent organisers with two first class bird tour leaders. Our group consisted of myself, my wife Pauline and close friend Valerie Wilson. We were led by two of the leading birders in the Philippines. Nicky Icarangal was with us throughout the entire trip and was excellent with a really nice manner, good sense of humour and most importantly with high identification skills, both by sight and sound. Adrian Constantino as joint leader, was with us for most of the time, but he did not come with us to Palawan, Negros or Bohol but returned to Manila and then flew on in advance of our arrival to Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao to ensure that the tents and kitchen were all set up by the local villagers. Nobody had stayed at the site since the previous spring which was normal given the seasonal weather conditions. We had several different drivers and local guides depending on what island we were visiting. On Luzon, Nitoy was our very happy driver who transported us in a very comfortable 16+ seater mini-bus with bags of room sufficient to give us a double seat each, full air conditioning and excellent all round vision. On Palawan, Negros and Bohol the vehicles and drivers were more than adequate but on Mindanao travelling within PICOP and Mt.Kitanglad was by Jeepney or 4 wheel drive truck and quite another matter!

ITINERARY Outbound flights:- Tue 15th Nov Depart Glasgow 13.25 hrs Emirates ( Boeing 777-300 ) to Dubai arriving 12.43 (Lt) Wed 16th Nov Depart Dubai 04.20 Emirates ( upgraded to Business Class) arriving Manila 16.19 (Lt) Itinerary in Philippines Wed 16th ( day 1 ) Arrived Manila International Airport late afternoon. Met Nicky Icarangal and Adrian Constantino outside arrival hall. Taken by mini-bus to Mt.Makiling, Los Banos Laguna, a two hour drive. Arriving after dark. Hotel within the University of Manila campus. Thur 17th ( day 2 ) Mt.Makiling. Alarm at 04.00 and away by 04.30. Birded lower slopes up to 605 metres. Lunch and break from 12.00 until 15.00 hrs. Brief visit to Botanical Gardens and then to University farmed land until dusk at 17.30. Fri 18th ( day 3 ) Alarm at 03.30 and away by 04.00. Travelled by mini-bus northwards back towards Manila and to La Mesa Eco. Park ( 06.30- 08.00 ). Long drive with a few stops up to Banaue, North Luzon arriving after dark 18.30. Delayed an hour or more en-route due to major repairs to roads and a bridge after a major storm some months earlier. Dinner and overnight in Banaue Hotel. Sat 19th ( day 4 ) Alarm 03.00 and away by 03.30. Travelled by Land Rover to Mt. Polis arriving 04.45 in the dark at 1785 metres. Birded from the road all day returning back to Banaue 15.00 and then local sites until dark. Dinner and overnight in Banaue Hotel.

Sun 20th ( day 5 ) Alarm at 04.45 and breakfast in hotel. Away in mini-bus at 06.05 returning southwards via Dalton Pass to Subic Bay. Arrived 14.30 and birded lowland forest within former US Navy base until dusk. Night and dinner in Mountain Forest Hotel, the old US. Navy Officers’ Club. Mon 21st ( day 6 ) Alarm at 04.30 and away after breakfast 05.30. Birded local Subic forest all morning, stopping for lunch by the side of the bay. Hot and sunny. Returned to Manila from 14.45 until 17.15. Overnight in very posh Midas Hotel but it was in turmoil as World Champion Boxer Manny Pacquiao was coming to an event. Tues 22nd ( day 7 ) Alarm at 04.45 and away after breakfast at 05.30 to domestic airport. Cebu Pacific Airlines flight ( A320 08.00- 09.00 ) to Puerto Princesa, capital city of the island of Palawan. Drive to Sabang birding en-route, arriving Daluyon Beach Resort Hotel at 17.00. Delightful rooms overlooking the sea and palm frontage. Excellent dinner in open air hotel restaurant.

Wed 23rd ( day 8 ) Alarm at 04.50 and breakfast at the hotel until 06.00. Awaited news from the Coastguard to see if sea condition where going to ease, which they did. Boat trip ( 07.00 –07.25 ) to St.Paul’s National Park also known as Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Birded beach area and nearby forest for key endemics including Palawan Peacock Pheasant. Returned to Sabang 10.25, birded lowland forest along the road returning for lunch in the heat of the day 12.00-15.00. Birding again inland and after dark for owls and frogmouths. Overnight and dinner in Daluyon Beach Resort Hotel. Thur 24th ( day 9 ) Alarm at 04.30 and breakfast in the hotel until 05.40 awaiting day-light Drive inland of Sabang to a small hillock overlooking the road and rather open forest from where we saw Philappine Cockatoo. After a successful early morning birding we returned to the hotel at 09.30 for a liitle relaxation and an early lunch. Finally left the hotel at 14.00 and returned to Puerto Princesa airport and onward flight back to Manila ( 17.40 – 19.40 ). Overnight again in the Midas Hotel where we enjoyed a fabulous buffet dinner. Fri 25th ( day 10 ) Alarm at 05.30 and down for a very quick buffet breakfast before departing for the airport again. Travelled Business Class on a Philippine Airlines flight to Bacolod, Negros ( Airbus A320-200, 08.55- 09.50 ) in the central Philippines for Visayan endemics. Met at the airport and driven off in a 4x4 Isuzu to a private estate owned by our host Josef who ran the family sugar cane business. Lovely lunch by a swimming pool and local birding within the private grounds and a guided tour of Josef’s extensive orchid collection. After further birding we had dinner by the pool and retired to our huge bedrooms at 20.30. Sat 26th ( day 11 ) Alarm at 04.50 and after breakfast left in a 4-wheel truck for the drive up to a geothermal power plant on the slopes of Mt.Kanlaon. After security checks and transfer into a company vehicle we travelled up a steep winding dirt road to about 1025 metres. From there we walked down into the forest along a narrow, winding, steep and wet trail to 890 m.( 07.20- 11.15 ). Birded back down the road to the security barrier arriving at 13.45. Collected again by our driver for the 45 min. journey back to the estate. Afternoon birding around the estate grounds before dinner and retired to bed at 20.30. Sun 27th ( day 12 ) Alarm at 04.20, packed and ready for a 05.00 breakfast. Drive to the airport past a cleared lowland forest landscape now covered in fields of sugar cane. Boarded Cebu Pacific Airlines to Cebu City ( A319, 08.10- 08.30 ) and on landing transferred to a Super Cat ferry bound for Tagbilaran, Bohol ( 12.45 –14.40 ). Travelled by mini-bus to the interior of the island birding in the late afternoon/dusk at Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape ( 17.00 – 18.30 ). Finally arrived at our hotel in the heart of the Chocolate Hills at 19.00.

Mon 28th ( day 13 ) Alarm at 04.30 and after breakfast away in the dark at 05.20. Short drive to Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape and walked the forest trails until 11.10. Visited a Butterfly farm for lunch and then returned to the Chocolate Hills Hotel in the heat of the day. Late afternoon birded rice paddies and a slow flowing stream for the gorgeous Silvery Kingfisher. Back to the hotel at dusk, early dinner and to bed 20.00. Tue 29th ( day 14 ) Alarm at 04.20, change of room, breakfast and away by 05.30. Birded another forest trail at Rajah Sikatuna all morning. Return to hotel for lunch as the heat of the day got too oppressive. Finally left the Chocolate Hills hotel at 12.10 and headed back to the airport visiting en-route the Tarsier sanctuary, where six sleeping/sleepy individuals were viewed. Left Tagbilaran, Bohol on Cebu Pacific Airlines A320 for Manila ( 16.25 – 17.25 ). Return again to Midas hotel and after another excellent dinner to bed in luxury at 21.00. Wed 30th ( day 15 ) Alarm at 04.45, breakfast in the hotel and away to the airport again for our flight to Davao, south Mindanao ( A320 ( 08.06- 09.40 ) ). Quick transfer to a mini-bus then a long drive on some very bad roads to an abandoned airport site near Bislig for some marshland birding. Arrived at our hotel ( Paper Country Inn ) in Bislig at 16.25, followed by pre-dinner beers and very good meal. Thur 1st ( day 16 ) Up at 03.30, breakfast at 04.00 and away in a local jeepney to the lowland forest birding trails within the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP). Birded from 05.45 concentrating on seeing the Mindanao lowland endemics. Returned to the hotel at 16.30 after having to change a wheel on the jeepney probably deliberately spiked on a forest road by disgruntled illegal logging settlers. Excellent meal again in the hotel and to bed 20.00. Fri 2nd ( day 17 ) Alarm at 03.30 and departed without breakfast at 04.00 for some pre-dawn owling and nighjars within PICOP. Birded road 42 after a packed breakfast until 13.00, when it was baking hot. Stopping in the shade of a loggers hut we enjoyed a welcome break for cold drinks and food. Returned to Bislig at 15.00 along rough forest roads. Excellent dinner in the hotel of delicious local fish and sizzling prawns and finally to bed 20.00. Sat 3rd ( day 18 ) Up at 03.30 and departed in a comfortable four-wheel drive vehicle at 04.10 for the very long drive to Cagayan de Oro. Situated on the north coast of Mindanao this was an attractive road hugging the shore for many kilometres, occasionally stopping briefly for birds and a good lunch. Arrived at the small town of Malabalay ( 14.40) and after purchasing some wellington boots headed off in an open backed 4 x 4 truck, up an amazingly rough and rutted track on the lower slopes of Mt.Kitanglad. Reaching a point where the vehicle could not go any higher, our gear was transferred to pack horses and we walked on for thirty minutes up a steep and muddy track to our base, the rather grandly titled Del Monte Lodge (1330 metres). This consisted of a large open sided wooden building with an upstairs sleeping dormitory and on the ground floor a cooking area, long dining table and rather basic toilets and shower. However, we were directed to two tents set up close to the lodge complete with camp beds and sleeping bags. Birding for the last hour or so included Great-eared Nightjar, the recently discovered Bukidnon Woodcock and a roosting Philippine Frogmouth. Adequate meal cooked by local village mother and daughter, but supervised by our two guides and retired to our tents at 19.00. It proved to be quite a cold and starry night and we all found the lightweight sleeping bags did not keep us very warm.

Sun 4th ( day 19 ) Up at 04.45 and a hearty breakast at 05.00. Set off walking up the mountain track through cultivated land at 05.35, stopping at various places for the montane endemics. Our main target was the Great Philippine Eagle and we were very lucky that our local village guide spotted a distantly perched bird across the valley at 07.40. After scope views we continued up to our high point around 1550 metres where camp chairs and a rough shelter was provided for our comfort ! After a packed lunch and no further views of the Eagle we headed down at 12.15 in the rain, reaching our campsite at 14.00 when it turned out dry and quite warm. Local birding followed by dinner and to bed early at 19.30. Mon 5th ( day 20 ) Up at 04.30 after a cool night with temperatures down to below 15 degrees C. Breakfast 05.00 and away up to the high eagle watch point at 05.30 which we reached at 07.30. Watched for seven hours without any sightings of the Philippine Eagle, but heard one calling several times. However, on walking further down we were treated to another distant view of one perched in a tree across the valley. Soon after we could see rain approaching from the valley below and very quickly we were engulfed in quite a storm The track became very hazardous, deep mud, strewn with stones and torrents of water. How we all made it back to camp without mishap was a minor miracle. Soaked to the skin on arrival at the lodge, but a warming cup of tea and a hot shower revived us until dinner. To bed in our tents at 20.00 hrs. Tue 6th ( day 21 ) Alarm at 04.45 and after packing our gear and another excellent breakfast we walked down to our mid-point where we were collected by a 4x4 truck . After all the heavy rain we were a bit apprehensive about the drive down, as we had to cross a wide stream. In the event it was not too swollen by rain and we reached the town safely by about 08.00 hrs. Quick transfer into our friendly driver’s jeep and headed off to Cagayan de Oro, arriving around mid-day. Taken to a hotel where we had lunch and use of rooms to shower and pack our cases for the long journey home. Left the hotel at 15.00 hrs and taken to the airport to catch our Cebu Pacific Airlines flight ( A319 16.45-17.55) to Manila. Yet another meal was provided before we were taken to the International airport for our Emirates flight ( Boeing 777-300ER ( 00.10- 04.15 ) to Dubai. Wed 7th ( day 22 ) Left Dubai again on Emirates flight to Glasgow ( 08.00 – 11.35 ) . Postscript: On Friday night 8th December a devastating tropical storm code named Washi hit Cagayan de Oro and nearby Iligan. At least 1000 people were killed, most victims being asleep when flash floods cascaded down mountain slopes with logs and uprooted trees, swelling rivers and causing terrible devastation. Apparently this region of Mindanao island is unaccustomed to such major storms.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BIRDS SEEN OR HEARD Endemic species are highlighted in bold lettering. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Singles en route Banaue on 18th, Subic Bay on 21st and en route Bislig, Mindanao on 30th. Purple Heron Ardea pururea Singles en route Banaue on 18th and airport marsh, Negros on 27th. Two disused PICOP airfield, Mindanao on 30th. Great Egret Ardea alba Small numbers seen on seven dates, on islands of Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao. Pacific Egret Egretta sacra Two dark phase birds flew along the shore at Sabang, Palawan on 23rd and a light phase bird at Tagbilaran, Bohol on 27th. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Small numbers on rice paddies on six dates, Luzon and Negros. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Common on rice paddies on Luzon, Palawan and Mindanao. Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa Single bird flushed from a rice paddy, lower slopes Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 3rd. Striated Heron Butorides striata One Josef’s pool, Negros on 25th. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Very common on all islands. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Single birds on Luzon on 16th and 18th. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus One seen whilst travelling on Bohol on 27th. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis A male scoped on the ground at the University farm land, Mt. Makiling on 17th. Wandering Whistling Duck Dedrocygna arcuata Seven in flight at the PICOP disused airfield, Mindanao on 30th. Philippine Duck Anas luzonica Two pairs seen in flight at the PICOP disused airfield, Mindanao on 30th. Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus One in flight PICOP on 1st and close views of an adult and juvenile at Mt.Kitanglad on 5th, Mindanao. Barred Honey Buzzard Pernis celebensis On Mindanao, a perched bird nr.Bislig on 30th another PICOP on 1st and an adult and immature bird scoped along road 42, PICOP the following day. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus A total of c30 birds seen on seven dates on Luzon, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster An adult and immature bird soaring over St.Paul’s N.P., Palawan on 23rd. Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus Single bird hunting around Negros airfield on 27th. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos A very smart adult male hunting around Negros airfield on 27th gave prolonged views. Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis Amazingly an immature bird was found by spotlighting as it roosted high up in a tree at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 27th. Single adult birds were found perched at the same site on the 28th & 29th. Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis One seen in the lowlamd forest of Subic Bay, Luzon on 21st Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Scope views of a perched bird inland from Sabang, Palawan on 23rd and another perched and flying adult at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 27th. Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus One found on the lower slopes of Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th and good scope views of a perched bird as we left Subic Bay,Luzon on 21st. Philippine Serpent Eagle Spilornis holuspilus At least twelve of these raptors ( ads.& imms.) were seen soaring and heard uttering their loud whistling call on nine dates. Luzon, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi At Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on the 4th at 07.40 hrs a perched bird was found in the forest across the valley. It was hunting and flew several times for relatively short distances from perch to perch within the canopy. Looking through the scope you could see its crest feathers shaking as it peered down into the trees searching for prey. On the following day we spent seven hours at the upper watch point, hearing the whistling call on many occasions without seeing this magnificent eagle. Returning down the mountain at 15.00hrs our local guide spotted an adult P.E. perched in a moss covered dead tree, in a position not visible from the upper view point. Without doubt one of the key birds of any trip to the Philippines. Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus pinskerii On Mindanao, one was seen soaring and calling over the PICOP lowland forest on 2nd and on Mt.Kitanglad an immature bird was watched hunting along the forest edge on 4th. Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys This very attractive tiny falcon was seen in small groups on four occasions – five Mt.Makiling on 17th; three Subic Bay on 2st including one eating a large green grasshopper; two PICOP on 1st and three the following day at the same site. Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus A single hovering bird over the airfield at Manila on 25th as we waited for our aircraft to take off. Tabon Scrubfowl Megpodius cumingii Three birds watched in the undergrowth at St.Paul’s N.P., Palawan on 23rd. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Several heard calling from the forest at Subic Bay on 21st was followed by the sighting of a male along road 42, PICOP on 2nd. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron napoleonis The beautiful solitary male bird was enticed out of thick undergrowth at St.Paul’s N.P.,Palawan on 23rd and gave ridiculously close views. Without doubt one of the birds of the trip. Blue-breasted Quail Turnix sylvaticus One flushed from crops at 1460m on Mt.Kitanglad on 5th. Spotted Buttonquail Turnix ocellatus Whilst searching for this species around the University farmland at Mt.Makiling on 17th, one was flushed by DLC as he stepped out of the vehicle, it dropped into cover and could not be relocated. Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus One was well seen in the late afternoon at the University farmland, Mt.Makiling on 17th. Barred Rail Gallirallus torquatus One Subic Bay on 21st and two on the edge of a rice field on Bohol on 27th and another bird at the same place the following day. Plain Bush-hen Amaurornis olivacea Excellent views of three birds at dusk walking along the edge of the pool and into scrub at Joseph’s estate, Negros on 25th. Calling birds were heard at Subic Bay on 20th and at 1330 and 1450 metres on Mt.Kitanglad on 4th and 5th. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Two at the University farmland at Mt.Makiling on 17th and one at Subic Bay on 21st. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Four at the University farmland at Mt.Makiling on 17th. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Three roosting in mangoves at Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 22nd Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Two on the old PICOP airfield runway, Mindanao on 30th. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus A single bird on a tidal coral reef at Sabang, Palawan on 24th. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia At least 6 counted on rice fields when travelling by road from Manila to Banaue on 18th. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus One in flight over a rice field south of Dalton Pass, Luzon on 20th Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola One on a roadside rice fields north of Manila on 18th. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos A total of six in a variety of coastal habitats on Palawan on 22nd and one on a river, east Mindanao on 30th Swinhoe’s/ Pintail Snipe Gallinago megala / stenura At least one flushed separately from Common Snipe at the old PICOP airfield, Mindanao on 30th was considered to be either one of these migrant species on the basis of heavier and less erratic flight. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago At least 5 flushed at the same site as above. Bukidnon Woodcock Scolopax bukidnonensis A roding bird (s) flew over our camp site ( 1350 metres ) on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao at the last glimmer of light on three successive nights, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The flight call was noted as a rapid series of squeaky notes different from Eurasian Woodcock but interspersed by the dull croaking call not unlike this species. This species was only first described in 1995, although seen and heard in February 1993. Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum Four sightings – 4 on 18th over drier open areas north of Manila, Luzon; c65 south of Dalton Pass, Luzon on 20th; 4+ on the airport runway at Bacolod on 25th and 6+ on the runway at Negros on 27th. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Ten in a roadside rice field en route Banaue on 18th. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus Commonly found hawking over rice fields as we travelled around the islands, sometimes in their hundreds. Thick-billed Green-Pigeon Treron curvirostra A flock of ten flew over secondary growth near Sabang, Palawan on 24th. Pink-necked Green-Pigeon Treron vernans A total of 18 in small groups around the old PICOP airfield, Mindanao on 30th. White-eared Brown-Dove Phapitreron leucotis A total of at least 20 seen on eight dates on Luzon, Bohol and Mindanao. Amethyst Brown-Dove Phapitreron amethystinus One seen perched by DLC along road 42, PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd. Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus occipitalis Two perched deep inside the caopy of a trackside tree, Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th. Black-chinned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri One only found perched in lowland forest at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula poliocephala Only heard, calling birds at PICOP on 2nd. Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea Three Subic forest, Luzon on 20th and a total of 50 birds on Palawan, 22nd,23rd &24th. Philippine Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia tenuirostris One on Palawan on 22nd; 3+ PICOP,Mindanao on 2nd and 5 Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Small numbers seen on eleven dates throughout all the islands. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata At least 27 seen on six dates on Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Eleven birds seen on nine dates on Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus Six found on Mt.Makiling on 17th, one Banaue are on 20th and eight PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia Four flew into the top of a forest tree inland from Sabang, Palawan early on 24th and gave scope views. A very good find for this increasingly threatened parrot due principally to nest robbing to supply the pet trade and habitat destruction. Blue-naped Parrot Tanygnathus lucionensis Single birds at Subic forest, Luzon on 20th & 21st; Sabang area, Palawan on 22nd & 23rd and three at the same locality on 24th. Blue-crowned Racquet-tail Prioniturus discurus One scoped in the canopy of a huge forest tree on Mt. Kanla-on, Negros on 26th and another in the lowland forest at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Blue-headed Raquet-tail Prioniturus platenae A flock of 25 feeding in a fruiting tree inland from Sabang, Palawan on 24th. (Mindanao) Montane Racquet-tail Prioniturus waterstradti At around 1500 m. on Mt.Kitanglad, several noisy groups were seen flying over the forest, 11+ on 4th and 7 the following day. Colasisi Loriculus philippensis This small hanging parrot was seen on four occasions. Five at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th; one Subic, Luzon on 21st; three Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th and another the following day. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus One inland from Sabang, Palawan on 23rd. Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Two adults Mt.Kanla-on, Negros on 26th, singles at PICOP on 30th, at Mt.Kitanglad seen and heard daily 3-5th. Asian Drongo Cuckoo Sturniculus lugubris Single Sabang, Palawan on 24th. Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo Sturniculus velutinus Single perched bird PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Scale-feathered Malkoha Lepidogrammus cumingi This rather skulking bird moves quietly through dense vines and thickets and was seen on Luzon as follows: 3+ Mt.Makiling on 17th; 2 Mt.Polis on 19th; singles at Subic Bay on 20th and 21st. Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Zanclostomus curvirostris harringtoni Seen only on Palawan with two on 22nd and 23rd and three on 24th. Red-crested Malkoha Dasylophus superciliosus One Mt.Makiling on 17th, three Subic Bay on 20th and five at the same lowland forest site the following day. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis One en route Sabang, Palawan on 22nd. Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis An immature bird Mt.Makiling, 17th; an adult en route Banaue on 18th and another bird Banaue area on 19th. Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis One or two seen on seven dates on Luzon, Negros and Mindanao. Black-faced Coucal Centropus melanops Two or three seen, others heard at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 28th and 29th. Two PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Rufous Coucal Centropus unirufus This Luzon endemic was seen in the lowland forest of Subic Bay, 7 on 20th and 4 on 21st. Luzon Scops Owl Otus longicornis One spotlighted pre-dawn and others heard en-route Mt.Polis, Banaue on 19th. Palawan Scops Owl Otus fuliginosus Heard only inland from Sabang on 23rd. It would not come in to recorded call, probably due to the time of year. Philippine Scops Owl Otus megalotis Again heard only on 27th , Bohol and Mindanao on 4th. Giant Scops Owl Mimizuku gurneyi Heard only during each night of our stay at Mt.Kitanglad, 3-5th. Philippine Hawk-Owl Ninox philippensis Three spotlighted at Mt.Makiling, on 17th; heard on Bohol on 27th and heard only on Mindanao on 2nd. Philippine Frogmouth Batrachostomus septimus septimus Very good views in a spotlight of one very close to our camp at Mt.Kitanglad, 3rd. Javan ( Palawan ) Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis One heard calling inland from Sabang, Palawan on 23rd, but failed to show in response to recorded call notes. Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis Three overhead at dusk , Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 27th and at Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao one or two birds each night at dusk during our three night stay, 3rd-5th. Philippine Nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis manillensis Two at PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd and heard from our Mt.Kitanglad campsite on 3rd and 4th. Island ( Uniform ) Swift Aerodramus vanikorensis amelis Ten over Mt.Kanla-on, Negros on 26th. Palawan Swiftlet Aerodramus palawensis C50 around the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan on 23rd Philippine Swiftlet Aerodramus mearnsi Six Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus Ten’s of birds around the subterranean cave entrance at St.Paul’s National Park, Palawan on 23rd. Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta The most commonly seen swift with often up to a hundred plus birds at each islands visited. Pygmy Swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes Less common than Glossy and small numbers were seen at Mt.Makiling and Subic Bay, Luzon and at PICOP and Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao. Philippine Needletail Mearnsia picina Seen only over the forest at PICOP, Mindanao with 9 on 1st and 3+ the following day. Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus Four over lowland forest, Palawan on 22nd. Purple Needletail Hirundapus celebensis This huge, fast flying swift was seen in small squadrons on Luzon on three dates. Six over a river valley en-route Banaue on 18th and ten at the same place on our return on 20th. Three Subic Bay on 21st. House Swift Apus nipalensis One on 17th and c30 the following day on Luzon. Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata major Only two sightings of this very attractive bird, both perched in tree tops. One Subic Bay on 21st and another Mt.Kitanglad on 5th. Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens One Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th and two seen very well at Rajah Sikatuna forest, Bohol on 29th. Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis One or two birds at Subic Bay, on 21st and 22nd and two inland from Sabang, Palawan on 23rd. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis bengalensis Two Sabang, Palawan on 23rd and one or two at Joseph’s farm, Negros on 25th and 26th. Indigo-banded Kingfisher Alcedo cyanopecta cyanopecta A female at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Silvery Kingfisher Alcedo argentata flumenicola Stunning views of a perched male bird on a small river close to the Chocolate hills, Bohol on 28th.Without doubt one of the most gorgeous birds of the entire trip. Oriental Dwarf-Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca Two on 23rd, Palawan. Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon cormanda One on 27th, Bohol. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Up to six seen on eight dates on Luzon and Mindanao. Rufous-lored Kingfisher Todirhamphus winchelli Heard calling at both dawn and dusk at several sites on Bohol and Mindanao. Eventually well seen at Rajah Sikatuna on 28th. White-collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris Up to five seen on eleven dates on Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. Spotted Wood-Kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi A pair at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th and heard on 27th, Negros. Blue-capped Wood-Kingfisher Actenoides hombroni Only on Mindanao, a male at PICOP on 2nd and heard at Mt.Kitanglad on both 4th & 5th. Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis Ten on 20th and 6 the following day at Subic Bay forest, Luzon. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Single en-route Banaue on 18th; 3 Dalton Pass on 20th and 4 Subic Bay on 21st all Luzon. Luzon Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides manillae Pair Subic Bay lowland forest on 21st, Luzon Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides affinis Two Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 27th & 28th; 3 PICOP on 1st & 2nd and 3 Mt.Kitanglad on 4th& 5th. Writhed Hornbill Aceros leucocehalus A total of 7 PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Palawan Hornbill Anthracoceros marchei At least nine inland from Sabang on 24th. Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax Along road 4 within PICOP, Mindanao at least 8 on 1st. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala Three Mt.Makiling on 17th and one PICOP on 1st Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus One Mt.Makiling on 17th; two La Mesa Eco.Park on 18th and one Mt.Kitanglad on 3rd. Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus funebris Two Subic Bay lowland forest, Luzon on 21st. Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus A presumed pair flying inland from Sabang, Palawan on 24th were only seen by DLC. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis Singles were seen on 20th at Subic Bay; on 22nd, 23rd & 24th around Sabang, Palawan; at PICOP on 1st. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus One Subic Bay on 20th and three at the same site on 21st. At Mt.Kitanglad, one 4th another calling the following day. Common Flaeback Dinopium javanense everetti Seen only on Palawan. A pair on 22nd and one on 23rd, both inland from Sabang. Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster A juvenile bird was watched by the side of the trail at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida On Palawan, inland from Sabang whilst spotlighting for owls/frogmouths, one was found roosting about 7 metres up in a bushy tree over our trail. Steere’s Pitta Pitta steerii Despite considerable efforts by our two guides, six or more of these endemic pitas were heard, but none would come in close to playbacked calls either on Bohol or Mindanao. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Identified in small numbers on eight or more dates on Luzon, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Commonly found on all islands visited. Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata Six around the airport buidings on Negros on 27th; 3 or 4 around the Chocolate Hills Hotel, Bohol on 28th and 29th. Australasian Lark Mirafra javanica Five over fields close to Mt.Makiling on 17th and 8+ around the runway at Negros airport on 27th. Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina striata Up to four birds seen on 7 dates on Luzon, Palawan, Negros and Bohol. Blackish-Cuckoo-shrike Coracina coerulescens At Subic Bay lowland forest, six on 20th and one the following day. Black-bibbed Cuckoo-shirike Coracina mindanensis A single male scoped ina tree top responded to playbacked calls, PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd. White-winged Cuckoo-shrike Coracina ostenta Three plus birds on Mt.Kanla-on, Negros on 26th. McGregor’s Cuckoo-shrike Coracina mcgregori One seen well on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 5th. Black-and-white Triller Lalage melanoleuca Single seen by DLC at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Pied Triller Lalage nigra Calling birds heard only at Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th. Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus Six over, at Subic Bay Lowland forest on 20th. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Single at PICOP, Mindano on 1st. Philippine Leafbird Chloropsis flavipennis Heard only at road 42, PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd. Yellow-throated Leafbird Chloropsis palawanensis One inland from Sabang, Palawan on 23rd. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Single inland from Sabang, Palawan on 22nd. Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps Seen only on Palawan. 10 on 23rd and 8 the following day, both near Sabang. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Seen on at least eight dates, when quite common on Luzon and Mindanao. Yellow-wattled Bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus Three at Mt.Makiling on 17th; one Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 29th and up to five at PICOP on 1st & 2nd. Grey-cheeked Bulbul Cringer bres frater Only on Palawan. Six on 22nd and five on 24th, both near Sabang. Sulpher-bellied Bulbul Iole palawanensis Only on Palawan. One on 23rd and six the following day, both near Sabang. Philippine Bulbul Ixos philippinus Commonly seen on at least 12 dates on all islands visited. Yellowish Bulbul Ixos everetti At PICOP, Mindanao on 1st, 8+ birds located. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus On Palawan, 3 on 22nd and one the following day. Balicassiao Dicrurus balicassius Up to four seen and heard at Mt.Makiling, Subic Bay, both Luzon and also on Negros. Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Small numbers of this confusing Philippine Drongo were seen on Palawan. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus Small numbers were seen on Bohol and Mindano, but situation confusing. Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus persuasus Two seen each day on Palawan, 22nd-24th. Philippine Oriole Oriolus steeri One at PICOP, Mindanao on the 1st was the only record. White-lored Oriole Oriolus albiloris One scoped in tree top, Subic Bay, Luzon on 21st. Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis The commonest Oriole. Up to three seen on eight dates on Luzon, Palawan, Bohol and Mindanao. Philippine Fairy-Bluebird Irena cyanogastra hoogstraali One located at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Asian Fairy-Bluebird Irena puella tweeddalei On Palawan, 6+ on 22nd and 1 the following day. Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca pusillus This noisy forest crow with its strange fluttering flight was seen only on Palawan. Four on 22nd, six on 23rd and 10 on 24th. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrothynchos Commonly seen on Luzon and Mindanao. Palawan Tit Parus amabilis A pair inland from Sabang, Palawan on 23rd and another the following day. Elegant Tit Parus elegans Five at Mt.Makiling on 17th; 8 Mt.Polis on 19th and a single on lower slopes of Mt.Kitanglad on 3rd. Sulpher-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys Single Mt.Makiling on 17th and at Mt.Kitanglad,Mindanao 2+ on 3rd and 4 on 4th. Stripe-headed Rhabdornis Rhabdornis mystacalis Two Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis Rhabdornis inornatus On Mt.Kitanglad,Mindanao at least 15 in tree tops on 4th and 2 the following day. Ashy-headed Babbler Malacocincla cinereiceps Single birds on Palawan on 22nd and 23rd. Streaked Ground-Babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis Three responded to play backed calls and showed well at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 29th. Pygmy Babbler Stachyris plateni A total of six at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Rusty-crowned Babbler Stachyris capitalis euroaustralis A total of ten at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Black-crowned Babbler Stachyris nigrocapitata boholensis Two at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 28th. Flame-templed Babbler Stachyris speciosa At least three Mt.Kanlaon, Negros on 26th. Chestnut-faced Babbler Stachyris whiteheadi Thirty plus were recorded at Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis Up to five birds seen each day on Palawan during our three day stay, 22nd-24th. Brown Tit-Babbler Macronous striaticeps At Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol five on 28th and four on 29th. At PICOP, Mindanao 3+ on 1st and 12 the following day. White-browed Shortwing Brachypterx montana This shy songster was heard only on Luzon, Negros and Mindanao. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Two single birds. One at the Butterfly centre, Bohol on 27th and another en route Bislig, Mindanao on 30th. White-browed Shama Copsychus luzoniensis On Luzon, seen and heard at Mt.Makiling on 17th and at Subic Bay on 21st White-vented Shama Copsychus niger Only found on Palawan where two on 23rd and 24th. Luzon Water-Redstart Rhyacornis bicolor A pair at a roadside waterfall near Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Pied Bushchat Saxicola torquatus Seen on six dates in small numbers on Luzon, Negros, Bohol and Mindanao. Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius Two males near Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Ashy Ground-Thrush Zoothera cinerea An adult was watched and photographed for about twenty minutes feeding amongst dead leaves on a pathway at La Mesa Eco.Park, north Manila on 18th. Remarkably a nest was found earlier in the season at this very public site from which young were fledged. Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus Six at dawn on the road at Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus During our stay at Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao flocks of these thrushes were seen, up to 100 on 3rd to 5th. Golden-bellied Flyeater Gerygone sulphurea Two at La Mesa Eco.Park, north Manila on 18th. Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis One or two migrants were seen at several sites in Luzon and Bohol. Philippine Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus olivaceus Three Mt. Kanlaon, Negros on 26th; one or more at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 29th and up to four at PICOP and Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao during 1st to 3rd. Mountain Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus trivigatus At least 12 Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th and 5 at Mt.Kanlaon, Negros on 26th. Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis One responded to play backed calls at Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th. Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris Commonly found at Mt.Makiling, Luzon and Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao and on roadside bushes and wires elsewhere. Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus castaneiceps One Subic Bay, Luzon on 21st and two Mt.Kanlaon, Negros on 26th. Rufous-fronted Tailorbird Orthotomus frontalis Single at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on28th and another at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Grey-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus derbianus Two at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus Four at Mt.Polis, north Luzon on 19th. Rufous-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus heterolaemus On Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao one on 4th and two the following day. Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus On Palawan, one on 22nd and three on 24th. Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis One only at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 28th. Black-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps Two at PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis One at the old PICOP airfield, Mindanao on 30th. Luzon Bush-Warbler Cettia seebohmi Three at Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Long-tailed Ground-Warbler Bradypterus caudatus Heard only at Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th. Rufous-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias ruficauda At PICOP, one on 1st and two the following day. Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Two inland from Sabang, Palawan on 22nd. Ashy-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa randi This rare species was identified at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseistica Up to four seen on eleven dates on nearly all islands visited. Mountain Verditer-Flycatcher Eumyias panayensis Two Mt.Polis, on 19th; two Mt.Kanlaon, on 26th and three Mt.Kitanglad on 4th and 5th. Little Slaty-Flycatcher Ficedula basilanica A pair of these very attractive flycatchers was watched flitting about low down in undergrowth at PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd. Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Three males at Mt.Polis, on 19th and two at Mt.Kitanglad on 4th and another on 5th. Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana On Palawan, three on 22nd and singles on 23rd & 24th, all inland from Sabang. Said to be a rare migrant. Palawan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis lemprieri Two females, inland from Sabang, Palawan on 24th. Mangrove Blue Flycatcher Cyornis rufigastra A single at La Mesa Eco.Park, north Manila, on 18th. Citrine Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa helianthea Two Mt.Kanlaon, Negros on 26th. Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Two at nr. Manilla on 18th ; four at Joseph’s estate, Negros on 25th and two the following day. Blue Fantail Rhipidura superciliaris Three at Rajah Sikatuna,Bohol on 28th & 29th. Six at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st and five on 2nd. Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura cyaniceps Up to six seen on four dates, on both Luzon and Negros. Black-and-cinnamon Fantail Rhipidura nigrocinnamomea Two on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 3rd. Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone cinnamomea Two females at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Blue Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone cyanescens Only seen on Palawan, a pair on 23rd and two males on 24th, both inland from Sabang Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea One nr. Sabang on 24th; two Rajah Sikatuna on 28th and one on 29th; three PICOP on 1st. Celestial Monarch Hypothymis coelestis This gorgeous flycatcher was found in mixed flocks at PICOP, Mindanao. A pair on 1st and a male the following day at the same site. Short-crested Monarch Hypothymis helenae At PICOP, Mindanao six on 1st and two the following day. Green-backed Whistler Pachycephala albiventris Five at Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. White-vented Whistler Pachycephala homeyeri Five at Mt.Kanlaon,Negros on 26th. Yellow-bellied Whister Pachycephala philippinensis At Rajah Sikatuna, two on both 28th & 29th; at PICOP, three on 1st and four on 2nd. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Seen on five dates with a maximum of ten at Mt.Polis, Luzon. Found also on Negros and Bohol. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Ten plus on a cultivated field on Mt. Kitanglad, Mindanao on 4th. Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus One feeding on the main track at Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th was considered to be quite a rarity in the Philippines. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Small groups of up to 30 were seen on four dates, Luzon, Negros and Mindanao. Olive-tree Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Three Mt. Polis on 19th and one at Mt.Kanlaon on 26th. Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi One seen by our guide Nicky creeping around the forest floor at Subic Bay on 21st. White-breasted Wood-swallow Artamus leucorynchus Small groups were often found perched on roadside trees and wires. c70 on 9 dates, all islands. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Up to four were found on Luzon ( 4 dates ) and Mindanao ( 4 dates). Mountain Shrike Lanius validirostris A single bird Mt.Polis, Luzon on 19th. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus A very common bird seen in small numbers on virtually every day, throughout the islands. Short-tailed Glossy Starling Aplonis minor Seen only on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao where 16 on 4th and 50 on 5th. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Small flocks were found on Palawan, Bohol and Mindanao totalling about 200 birds Coleto Sarcops calvus At Subic Bay, 5 on 20th and 3 on 21st; 4 at Mt.Kanalon on 26th, several on Bohol and many at PICOP 1st to 3rd. Crested Mynah Acridotheres cristatellus Six en-route Banaue on 18th was the only record of this introduced species. Apo Myna Basilornis miranda Only found on the upper elevations of Mt.Kitanglad where six on 4th and two the following day. Hill Mynah Gracula religiosa Only on Palawan, all inland of Sabang, singles on 22nd and 23rd , three on 24th. Plain-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Only one en-route Sabang, Palawan on 22nd. Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis The most common lowland subird, seen on nine dates, with most on Palawan. Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata A male en-route Sabang, Palawan on 22nd. Flaming Sunbird Aethopyga flagrans Pair Mt.Kanlaon, Negros on 26th. Grey-hooded Sunbird Aethopyga primigenius primigenius One only at Mt.Kitanglad, Midanao on 4th. Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima Six at Mt. Polis on 19th and two at PICOP, on both 1st and 2nd. Lovely Sunbird Aethopyga shelleyi Two males on 23rd and one the following day, both inland from Sabang, Palawan. Handsome Sunbird Aethopyga bella One only at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja Two Josef’s estate, Bacalod on 25th. Naked-faced Spiderhunter Arachnothera clarae Two at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Singles near Sabang, Palawan on 23rd and 24th; and PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus Single birds at PICOP, on 1st and 2nd. Palawan Flowerpecker Prionochilus plateni Near Sabang, one on 22nd, five on 23rd and three on 24th. Olive-capped Flowerpecker Dicaeum nigrilore One only at Mt.Kitanglad, on 4th. Visayan Flowerpecker Dicaeum haematostictum Only at Josef’s estate, Bacalod one on 25th and five the following day. Red-keeled Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe At least one Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th, followed by five at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Buzzing Flowerpecker Dicaeum hypoleucum Two at Mt.Makiling on 17th, two PICOP on 1st, 2nd and two Mt.Kitanglad on 3rd and 4th. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma Two Mt.Kanlahon, Negros on 26th then singles at PICOP on both 1st and 2nd. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus Two at Subic Bay on 19th followed by two at Mt.Kitanglad on 4th and one the following day. Pygmy Flowerpecker Dicaeum pygmaeum Single at Mt. Makiling on 17th; two Subic Bay on 21st and two on 22nd and another on 24th, both Palawan. Lowland White-eye Zosterops meyeni Eight on Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 18th was the only record. Everett’s White-eye Zosterops everetti Two at PICOP, Mindanao on 2nd were only seen by V.W. Yellowish White-eye Zosterops nigrorum Twenty at 605 metres on Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th. Mountain White-eye Zosterops montanus On Mt.Polis, Luzon 10 on 19th and on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao 20+ on 4th and 12 on 5th. Cinnamon Ibon Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus Seen only on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao above 1330 metres, 4 on 3rd; 8 on 4th and 2 on 5th. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus This introduced species was very common and seen daily except on upper elevations of Mt.Kitanglad. Red-eared Parrotfinch Erythrura coloria Three feeding on yellow aster seed heads gave good scope views on Mt.Kitanglad, 4th Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora Five were seen feeding in conifer trees next to the airport building at Negros, on 27th. White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra Three Mt.Polis on 19th; one PICOP on 1st and 6+ on Mt.Kitanglad on 4th. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Four Palawan on 23rd; twenty Negros airfield on 27th. Chestnut Munia Lonchura malacca One hundred plus at Subic Bay on 20th and c25 at PICOP on 30th. Total species recorded was 278 of which 128 were endemics. Non-avian observations Cobra sp. One disturbed from the side of a track on Mt.Makiling, Luzon on 17th and another large snake crossed our trail at PICOP, Mindanao on 1st. Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis philippensis Up to thirty were found in forest at Subic Bay, Luzon on 21st ; Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 23rd; near Sabang, Palawan on 24th ; Rajah Sikatuna , Bohol on 27th,28th & 29th ; PICOP and Mt. Kitanglad, Mindanao on 2nd and 5th. Colugo or Philippine flying lemur Cynocephalus volans Two or more were seen at Rajah Sikatuna, Bohol on 27th, 28th and 29th. Philippine Deer Rusa marianna Seen briefly and heard calling on Mt.Kitanglad, Mindanao on 5th. Giant golden-crowned flying fox Acerodon jubatus Large roost of these endangered fruit bats was watched at dawn at Subic Bay lowland forest on 21st Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel Sundasciurus juvencus Single seen by PC. at Sabang, Palawan on 23rd Many other unidentified lizards, flying lizards, geckos, bats, rats, frogs, toads and butterflies were seen during our visit.