The Birds and the Trees

You have to know your trees to know your birds well.

Last Saturday, a guided tour for the Environmental Department of the Manila Water was organized by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) led by Ms. Karen Ochavo and the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc. (PNPCSI) headed by Mr. Antonio Arbias. The activity exposed the employees of Manila Water to the watershed they have at work. The itinerary was divided into two: birdwatching and tree walk. The Birdwatching part was to let them be aware of the birds and other wildlife present in the area and how important it is in the preservation of the La Mesa Nature Reserve. To appreciate the diversity of trees in the area, a Tree Walk, guided by the PNPCSI, was held for the employees as well as the Club members. The Manila Water Envi Dept. intended a reforestation plan for the Balara Treatment Plant and part of the plan was to collect wildlings from the forest and replant it in Balara.

Before proceeding, an orientation was given by Club and the PNPCSI on how to use binoculars properly and the purpose of the tree walk activity. Despite the scorching heat of the sun the participants, WBCP and PNPCSI members, together with the Bantay Kalikasan trail guides, eagerly entered the forest trail of the catchment basin. Over 30 species of birds were spotted including Black-naped Orioles, White-collared Kingfishers, Guaiaberos, Elegant Tits, Large-billed Crows, Lowland White-eyes and White-eared Brown-Dove among many others. Also, some were heard such as the Philippine Coucal and Koel sp. The group went halfway the trail when the Tree Walk started. Some trivia about native trees were shared by the PNPCSI members. Species of Cupang, Kamagong, Tipolo, Acacia, Narra, Hawili and Fig Tree were pointed and identified as essential components in balancing the ecosystem of the nature reserve and providing home to numerous species of birds. They also discussed the relationship of preserving these native trees and watershed management, as well as the threats of introducing exotic trees into this forest. While discussing, some have gathered wildlings of native trees.


After almost 4 hours of birdwatching and trekking, we finally headed back and had some photo-ops. Though exhausted and almost dehydrated, especially the kids of the employees, everyone had a fun and worthwhile experience. (The bunch of wildlings were planted while the participants were having their lunch at the Manila Water office, according to the Envi. Dept. head.)

Worth Bragging.

NO SWEAT.

In less than an hour, I got to see 5 new lifers! :D Thanks to the guided trip last Saturday at the La Mesa Ecopark organized by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, I met two of my nemesis birds, the COLASISI and the WHITE-EARED BROWN-DOVE. What more remarkable is our sighting of the ASHY GROUND-THRUSH, RED-BELLIED PITTA and HOODED PITTA.

It all happened before the guided bird trip. As we entered the Ecopark, we saw the Colasisi perched atop a tree, feeding on leaves. Then there was the White-eared Brown-Dove, also preening and feeding on the adjacent tree. There, it was a good start - 2 lifers. Though we expect to encounter the Ashy Ground-Thrush (AGT) and the Red-bellied Pitta (RBP), one rare species was yet to be seen, the colorful Hooded Pitta (HP).

Twitching these two species of Pitta is something one can really be proud of. The RBP is a common resident on the trails of the La Mesa Ecopark, while the sighting of the HP is an incidental one near the entrance of the park. First thought to be a White-throated Kingfisher, the blend of blue, green and cinnamon over the pitta's body evidently proved that it's indeed the rare HP. We were amused and shocked when it flew across the street, and apparently there were two of them one chasing the other. Jops (Josef) and Sir Jun (Osano) then confirmed it was really a HP. It was really an awesome, awesome moment as a birder. :D

Then the guided trip began. 9 were there as participants and there were 8 of us as guides. Bird photographers were also present, lead by the Club's Vice-President, Mr. Alain Pascua. Common birds were seen such as the all-time-favorite Guaiabero, Black-naped Oriole, Pied Fantail, Brown Shrike, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Yellow-vented Bulbul and the nesting White-eared Brown-Dove.

We eventually proceeded to the trails where the RBP and the AGT are wandering. Just a few meters inside the forest trail, we heard a low, long croo-croooo call. The birders affirmed it was the RBP's call. Jonie, one of the guides imitated the call to attract the pitta. After some time, Sir Jun did see it standing on a fallen tree branch.   Fellow birders were amazed by the expanding and contracting of the RBP's breast while making its call. One beautiful feature of the RBP is it's red belly, thus the name. After that we tried the other side of the trail to twitch the AGT. Since it is a ground dwelling bird, you really have to kneel down to peek through the trunks and see it. After around 5-10 minutes of waiting, it appeared hopping, looking around for some worms. The AGT is a small, endemic bird that resides on the ground; since its discovery in the park, it has attracted a lot of birders and bird photographers. The RBP's call was heard again near the AGT side. After following its sound, we saw it face-to-face just right beside me crossing the trail. It was a heart-attack view, so close I can actually touch it. Letting it pass, all of us were wide-eyed and mesmerized!

I have birded in the La Mesa Ecopark several times, and this recent trip was the best encounter so far! I have just seen my nemesis birds, an endemic bird and the two Pittas in less than an hour and only in one local area! Even I was wearing a hoodie that time, it was a no-sweat birding experience! :D