Wedged between China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the 7,000-plus islands of the Philippines have experienced successive invasions from different biogeographic zones. These have fueled a spectacular evolutionary history; of the almost 600-bird species, an extraordinary 170 or more are endemic, and, with names such as Guaiabero, Scale-feathered Malkoha, Whiskered Pitta, Blue Fantail, and Coleto, Philippine birds are without doubt among the most fascinating in the world.
Our tour provides an opportunity to explore the most important birding areas of this vast archipelago. We’ll visit the islands of Luzon, Bohol, and Negros, searching lowland and montane habitats for each island’s special birds. We’ll also explore the island of Palawan with its stunning beach scenery, treasure trove of endemic birds, and an avifauna that has more in common with Borneo than with the rest of the Philippines.
Day 1: The tour begins this evening in Manila. Night in Manila.
Day 2: We’ll fly to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan. We’ll visit nearby coastal areas for shorebirds and other waterbirds, including the rare Chinese Egret, then drive to the delightful coastal town of Sabang near the World Heritage site, St. Paul’s National Park. Along the last 20 miles of our route we’ll go slowly as we have a good chance for Ruddy Kingfisher, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Palawan Tit, Blue Paradise-Flycatcher, and, at one particular lookout, a slim chance for the highly endangered Philippine Cockatoo. We’ll arrive in Sabang in the late afternoon. Night in Sabang.
Day 3: We’ll spend the day in St. Paul’s National Park and other areas surrounding Sabang. The park is beautifully located between high limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches and is covered in pristine forest. It’s the home of the Underground River, and in the early morning we’ll take a boat directly to its best birding site The area is rich in birds, and there is a good chance of seeing the majority of the endemics and specialties, including Tabon Scrubfowl, Blue-naped Parrot, Palawan Swiftlet, Palawan Hornbill, Hooded Pitta, Yellow-throated Leafbird, Sulphur-bellied Bulbul, Ashy-headed Babbler, Falcated Ground-Babbler, White-vented Shama, Palawan Blue Flycatcher, Lovely Sunbird, and Palawan Flowerpecker. Later in the morning we’ll re-board our boat and return to Sabang. In the afternoon we’ll visit another site with many of these same species as well as Palawan Scops-Owl and Javan Frogmouth, then make our way back to Puerto Princesa. Night in Puerto Princesa.
Day 4: We’ll begin at the Iwahig penal colony, the best place to find the endemic Blue-headed Racquet-tail, as well as Melodious Babbler and Palawan Flycatcher. We’ll also explore the nearby rice paddies and fishponds for wetland birds. In the evening, if permission has been granted, we’ll take a pleasant 30-minute boat trip to an offshore island in search of the very range-restricted Mantanani Scops-Owl Night in Puerto Princesa.
Day 5: We’ll catch an early morning flight back to Manila and then continue by road to the Candaba Marshes and Subic Bay.
The Candaba Marshes are surrounded by rice fields that come alive with birdsong in the early morning. We’ll find elegant Oriental Pratincoles coursing over the fields, as well as Eastern Marsh Harrier, Barred Rail, Asian Palm-Swift, Pied Bushchat, Zitting Cisticola, and Tawny Grassbird. Around the marsh itself we should find Philippine Swamphen, Yellow Bittern, White-browed Crake, Black-winged Stilt, Whiskered Tern, and Pheasant-tailed Jacana, as well as large numbers of Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons. Ducks are often present in large numbers—especially Garganey, Eurasian Wigeon, and Northern Pintail—and lesser numbers of the endemic Philippine Duck.
We’ll bird Subic Bay at the old United States Naval Magazine and the adjacent forest, beginning along a quiet and narrow forest road. Here, we can expect endemics such as the White-eared Brown Dove, Red-crested Malkoha, Black-and-white Triller, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Coleto, and many others. We'll spend the night in Subic Bay.
Day 6: We’ll spend all day birding in Subic’s forests, along the Nabasan road and other areas. Specialty birds could include White-fronted Tit (increasingly difficult but we’ll try…), White-lored Oriole, Sooty Woodpecker, and Blackish Cuckoo-Shrike, and many other endemics can be found as well. Night in Subic Bay.
Day 7: We’ll travel from Subic Bay to Infanta. In a lightly used stretch of the Marilaque Highway, we should find several uncommon endemics, as well as delightful and relatively easy roadside birding in superb forest. We’ll hope to encounter Rufous Hornbill, Great-eared Nightjar, Olive-backed Flowerpecker, Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Philippine Trogon, and Philippine Fairy Bluebird among others. Most exciting, we have a good chance of seeing the glorious and uncommon endemic, Flame-breasted Fruit Dove. Night in Infanta.
Day 8: We’ll bird the Marilaque Highway looking in the lush woodland for specialties such as Luzon Sunbird, Yellow-wattled Bulbul, Philippine Cuckoo-Dove, Amethyst Brown-Dove, Crested Honey Buzzard, and so much more. We also have a good chance of finding the scarce and endemic Whiskered Pitta, and we’ll make a special effort to see this attractive ground-dweller. Night in Infanta.
Days 9-10: We’ll begin with a short drive to Mount Makiling. It’s a forested area, managed by the University of the Philippines, on the slopes of an extinct volcano. It hosts a remarkable number of birds including more than 50 endemics and about 2,000 species of flowering plants! We’ll bird mostly along the road, but take side trails both for a change of terrain and a chance to see birds of the forest floor. We’ll look especially for Philippine Serpent-Eagle, Luzon Bleeding-heart (very difficult), Black-chinned Fruit-Dove, Guaiabero, Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo, Luzon Hornbill, Scale-feathered Malkoha, Spotted Wood Kingfisher, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Striped-headed Rhabdornis, Gray-backed Tailorbird, Yellow-bellied Whistler, and Striped Flowerpecker. Nights in Makiling.
Day 11: We’ll fly from Manila to Tagbilaran on the island of Bohol. We’ll be met by our driver and go straight to the Rajah Sikatuna National Park for late afternoon birding. Rajah Sikatuna was named after the Bohol chieftain who in 1565 entered into a dubious contract with the Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The reserve is the largest remaining tract of natural forest in Bohol and one of the Philippines’s top birdwatching sites. It is characterized by rolling hills with remnants of natural forest on limestone terrain, grasslands, and natural springs. It is home to over 120 bird species and two amazing mammals, the Philippines Tarsier, a diminutive primate, and Philippines Colugo, a unique creature sometimes erroneously called a flying lemur. Night in Bilar.
Day 12: We’ll depart early to return to Rajah Sikatuna for the day. Our target birds will be Steere’s Pitta, Visayan Broadbill, Black-crowned Babbler, and Yellow-breasted Tailorbird. Others species we’ll look for include Rufous-lored Kingfisher, Streaked Ground-Babbler, Black-faced Coucal, Blue Fantail, Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, and Philippine Leaf Warbler. Mindanao Bleeding-heart is a very rare resident, but we have a chance. Either in the early morning or the evening, we’ll search for nightbirds such as Philippine Hawk Owl, Philippine Frogmouth, and Philippine Nightjar. Night at Bilar.
Days 13-14: We’ll take a fast ferry the morning of day 13 to Dumaguete City. We’ll have two days to explore the richly biodiverse island of Negros, aiming to encounter many of its unique endemic birds. We’ll trek through its forests in search of endemics such as the Negros Leaf Warbler, Negros Striped Babbler, and Negros Jungle Flycatcher. Though elusive, the critically endangered Negros Bleeding-heart remains a hopeful target. After sunset, we’ll listen for the calls of the Negros Scops Owl. Additionally, we’ll watch for species bearing the "Visayan" name, referring to birds endemic to the islands of Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. These include the Visayan Hornbill, Visayan Pygmy-Babbler, Visayan Rhabdornis, among others.
Day 15: We’ll bird in the morning and then return to Dumaguete City to catch our flight back to Manila. Night in Manila.
Day 16: The main tour concludes this morning in Manila.
Mindanao Extension
Day 16: We’ll fly to Cagayan de Oro in North Mindanao followed by a four to five-hour drive to the small village of Damitan. Our guides and horses for luggage will meet bur we'll have to walk from here to our lodge, a moderately strenuous hike of around two to three hours, or more if we stop for birding. The lodge has a large open room upstairs for dormitory-style sleeping. All bedding is provided, and large tents are also available. There are basic bathing and Western-style toilet facilities. A delightful local family cooks and caters and will take good care of us. Night on Mount Kitanglad.
Days 17-18: We’ll have two full days to search for Great Philippine Eagle and the 20 or so Mindanao montane endemics. Birding here involves a daily walk uphill on narrow but well-worn trails; much of the area is open and under cultivation. The camp is situated at around 4400 feet, and on at least one day we’ll walk up a little higher in search of such birds as MacGregor’s Cuckooshrike and Apo Mynah. Our primary target will be the eagle, which we have a good chance of finding, and other birds—all endemics—include Bukidnon Woodcock, Giant Scops-Owl, Philippine Frogmouth, Philippine Swiftlet, Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove, Mindanao Racquet-tail, Philippine Hanging-Parrot, Philippine Nightjar, Blue-capped Kingfisher, McGregor’s Cuckoo-Shrike, Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis, Bagobo Babbler, Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Long-tailed Ground-Warbler, Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail, Mountain Shrike, Gray-hooded Sunbird, Olive-capped, Flame-crowned, and Buzzing Flowerpeckers, Black-masked White-eye, Cinnamon Ibon, Red-eared Parrotfinch, and White-cheeked Bullfinch. Nights on Mount Kitanglad.
Day 19-21: We’ll depart camp after breakfast on day 19 and return to Damitan, where vans will be waiting to take us on the long drive across Mindanao to Bislig and on to PICOP, a large logging concession. Although the forest is disappearing, it’s still rich in birds. Upon arrival, we’ll be met by our local guide, Zardo, and if time allows visit the nearby airport where many wetland birds can be found, including Philippine Mallard, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Philippine Swamphen, Watercock, Black Bittern, and Australasian Grass-Owl. We’ll stay in a small but comfortable and friendly hotel.
We’ll have two days to explore the vast PICOP logging concession. We’ll be traveling in a jeepney, which can navigate the rough roads. It will take up to an hour and a half to get to the birding sites in the morning, and the vehicles will stay with us all day. Among the many fabulous birds that we hope to see are Philippine Hawk-Eagle, Barred Honey-buzzard, Amethyst Brown-Dove, Spotted Imperial-Pigeons, Black-faced Coucal, Silvery and Rufous-lored Kingfishers, and three species of hornbill. Other possibilities are plentiful, so we’ll have much to occupy our time here with birds like Sooty Woodpecker, Mindanao Wattled Broadbill, Steere’s Pitta, Streaked Ground-Babbler, and Rufous Paradise-Flycatcher. There are also several interesting nightbirds in the area, including Chocolate and Mindanao Hawk-Owls. Nights in Bislig.
Day 23: This morning we’ll bird at Bislig before traveling four to five hours to Davao for our flight to Manila. Night in Manila.
Day 24: The Mindanao extension concludes this morning in Manila.
Note:The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to the Philippines. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING THE PHILIPPINES : A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure is required for United States citizens to enter the Philippines. Citizens of other countries should check with their consulate/embassy for instructions. If required by the embassy or visa-granting entity, WINGS can provide a letter for you to use regarding your participation in the tour.
COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can review the U.S. Department of State Country Specific Travel Information here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html and the CIA World Factbook here: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/. Review foreign travel advice from the UK government here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and travel advice and advisories from the Government of Canada here: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
CLIMATE: The Philippines is hot and humid year-round. The weather pattern across the archipelago is complex, but can be roughly divided into the dry season (September to May) and the wet season (June to September). There is little seasonal variation in most places with average highs and lows of around 31°C (87°F) and 24°C (76°F) respectively. Between December and May, slightly cooler and drier conditions prevail. At Mount Kitanglad the daytime temperature ranges from about 70°F (mid-day) (mid-50s at night); while in the lowlands it reaches about 90°F. Night time temperatures will be correspondingly higher, as well. The humidity is quite high which may make it seem hotter. Rainfall can be expected at any time in brief, heavy downpours. Total annual rainfall averages between 200 and 260 cm (between 77 and 100 inches), and falls mostly from October to February.
HEALTH: Unless advised otherwise, all water including tap water is NOT potable, bottled water will be provided throughout the tour. In many cases however you can safely enjoy the salads, fresh fruit and vegetables. Your leader will advise. No vaccinations are required, however, cholera and yellow fever inoculations are required if you arrive within five days of departing from an infected area. Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region. There is no risk for yellow fever in the Philippines. Malaria is present and participants are strongly advised to take and seek the advice of their doctor with regard to the form of prophylactic to use. As standard travel precautions, you should always be up to date with tetanus shots, and strongly consider inoculations against Hepatitis types A and B. We recommend participants contact their doctor for advice prior to departure.
The most current information about travelers’ health recommendations can be found on the CDC’s website here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
PACE OF THE TOUR: The pace of this tour is fairly demanding. Our leader, Susan, doesn’t believe in forced marches but there are sites where this is unavoidable. That said, the average distance covered being about 2-4 kms per “birding period”. Our pace is very slow, of course, but on some days we may walk up to four miles. Since there is a lull in the bird activity in the middle of the afternoon, siestas are often scheduled. The mornings will be early (as early as 5:45 AM departures from the hotel in some places). Evening or early morning owling is offered where possible for those who want to participate. Most of the trails are undulating, and somewhat steep uphill climbs are necessary in some places. The leader will inform the group of trail conditions ahead of time so that if anyone wants to opt out, he or she has that opportunity.
ACCOMMODATION: We stay at small, pleasant boutique-style hotels where possible, with air conditioned rooms with private facilities and hot water showers. The accommodation at Mount Kitanglad is, out of necessity, very simple camping conditions.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORT: Land travel will be in an air-conditioned minibus and where necessary, due to road conditions, in 4WD vehicles. At PICOP, we will travel around the area by jeepney.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so well away and downwind from the group. If any lodge, accommodation, or location where the group is staying or is gathered has a more restrictive policy than the WINGS policy, that more restrictive policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information and Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to The Philippines will be sent to each registrant on receipt of booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Day 1 – January 22: The Journey Begins
Our adventure officially kicked off in the bustling heart of Manila, where the group gathered in the hotel lobby at 6:00 PM. It was the first time everyone met face-to-face, so there were a lot of introductions, shared travel stories, and excited chatter about the birds we hoped to spot in the coming weeks. Over dinner at the hotel restaurant, we went over the itinerary, talking about the different species we were aiming for and the challenges we might face along the way. The excitement was palpable as we prepared for the adventures ahead!
Day 2 – January 23: Off to Palawan
The next day, we were up early—5:00 AM early—leaving the Savoy Hotel for a quick drive to the airport. The departure area was a chaotic mess of travelers, but we managed to find a quiet corner to eat our packed breakfast. By 7:00 AM, we were boarding a bus that took us across the tarmac to our plane, which was bound for Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
The flight was smooth, and by 9:30 AM, we had landed in Puerto Princesa. We met our local drivers, then made the short drive to our hotel, which was conveniently just 20 minutes away. Since it was too early to check in, we decided to head out for some light birding before lunch. Our afternoon took us to Irawan and Iwahig, where we had a productive outing, spotting a few exciting species before heading back to the hotel for the evening’s bird list review and dinner.
Day 3 – January 24: The Palawan Peacock-Pheasant Search
We were up and out the door at 5:30 AM, with breakfast already taken care of by 5:00 AM. Today, we drove an hour to Napsan to visit a new hide, known for the elusive Palawan Peacock-Pheasant. The hide didn’t disappoint. A young male appeared almost immediately, but I stuck around with a few others who were determined to wait for the mature male. It was worth it! Just before my self-imposed cut-off time of 11:30 AM, the mature male showed up, staying visible for nearly two minutes—a truly breathtaking sight. After the excitement, we spent the rest of the morning birding the trails before heading back to the hotel for lunch.
The afternoon at Irawan was quieter than we’d hoped, and a later attempt at owling was unsuccessful. Still, the day had been full of great moments, and we wrapped it up with a group dinner, recounting the birds we’d seen.
Day 4 – January 25: A Rainy Day at Irawan
Another early start had us birding along a road and side trail until 10:00 AM. We then headed back to Puerto Princesa for lunch at a local restaurant before a short break at the hotel. Unfortunately, the afternoon birding session at Irawan was interrupted by rain, and despite our best efforts, the nightbirds weren’t cooperative. Sometimes, the weather just doesn’t cooperate, but we still managed to enjoy the day’s adventures.
Day 5 – January 26: Moving on to Infanta
We gathered for breakfast at 5:00 AM, ready to head to the airport for our flight back to Manila. Our 7:50 AM flight to Manila was uneventful, but the slow check-in process tested our patience. Every piece of luggage was carefully scrutinized, and it felt like we’d never make it to the gate. Thankfully, we eventually made it, and by 9:30 AM, we were back in Manila and on our way to Infanta.
After lunch and checking into our rooms, we headed out for an afternoon birding session at 3:00 PM, which ended with dinner and a review of the species we’d seen.
Day 6 – January 27: Birding at Jake’s Place
Infanta didn’t disappoint. We spent a full morning birding at Jake’s Place, a prime spot for endemic species. Our driver returned to the hotel at 7:00 AM to retrieve our breakfast, which we enjoyed in the field, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. After a well-earned lunch and a short break at the hotel, we were back at Jake’s for a productive afternoon birding session. Jake’s was a great place for birding with fruiting figs attracting some much-wanted species such as Bicolored Flowerpecker, Amethyst Brown-Dove, Yellow-wattled Bulbul, and Guaiabero. In the nearby treetops, we spotted Scaly-feathered Malkoha, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, and stunning Philippine Fairy-bluebirds. A particularly sneaky White-browed Shama eventually showed to everyone after a lot of effort!
Day 7 – January 28: A Day in Makiling
We followed a similar routine as the previous day, starting our morning with another session at Jake’s Place. By late morning, it was time to pack up and hit the road, driving two hours to Makiling. The scenic drive gave us plenty of time to chat and share stories, and by 3:00 PM, we were birding in the lower elevations of Makiling.
After the productive afternoon, we checked into our hotel, and enjoyed a delicious, albeit dry, meal at the university restaurant and we enjoyed a relaxed evening after a long day in the field and on the road.
Day 8 – January 29: Makiling's Wet Roads and Striped-Sided Rhabdornis
The rain made things a bit tricky this morning as we transferred to a jeepney and drove up Mount Makiling. It was a wet start, but we pressed on, birding along the road and hoping for the best. At one point, we stopped for a refreshing coconut drink, which was the perfect pick-me-up (and sparked great hilarity when the lady poured a serving of coconut milk into my field bag!). After a quick break, we headed to the gardens, where we spent some time searching for the Stripe-sided Rhabdornis in the treetops and other birds amongst the dense vegetation. Though the bird wasn’t easy to find, the area had a lot to offer. We rounded off the day with a visit to the Botanic Gardens, where the birding was quieter but no less rewarding.
Day 9 – January 30: La Mesa and the Long Drive to Subic
We started early today with a stop at La Mesa, hoping to find the Ashy Thrush among the thick undergrowth. The bird took a while to show, making the sighting of this special bird even more exciting! The drive to Subic was long, but we kept our energy up by chatting about our favorite sightings so far. When we finally arrived, we jumped straight into birding on Nabasan Road. Despite our late arrival, we managed to rack up a solid list of species including our first Philippine Falconet – so cute!
Day 10 – January 31: Owls and Birthday Celebrations
The day began with an early departure at 4:30 AM, eager to try for owls before sunrise at Nabasan Road. We birded until 11:00 AM, enjoying the quiet of the early morning and the sounds of the forest and breakfast in the field. After lunch at Coco Lime Restaurant, Mark and I snuck off to pick up a birthday cake and card for Pam. It was a nice surprise in the evening as we celebrated Pam’s birthday with dinner and good company.
Day 11 – February 1: A Flight to Bohol
We had another super early start today, leaving the hotel at 4:00 AM for the airport. The flight to Bohol was smooth, and we arrived around lunchtime. Our first stop was the Philippine Tarsier Reserve, where we marveled at the tiny primates before continuing to our hotel. After checking in, we headed straight for Loboc Watershed Road for some afternoon birding, the perfect way to ease into our time on the delightful island of Bohol.
Day 12 – February 2: Rajah Sikatuna and Chocolate Hills
Another early start saw us leaving the hotel at 5:30 AM with box breakfasts in hand for a day at Rajah Sikatuna National Park. The birding was spectacular, with the lush landscape offering plenty of opportunities to spot endemic species. There were some real beauties today – Steere’s Pitta, Philippine Trogon, Striated Wren-Babbler, Rufous-lored Kingfisher and Philippine Frogmouth to name but a few. After a morning of birding, we drove to the famous Chocolate Hills for lunch. The views were stunning, and it was the perfect place to relax before heading back to the park in the afternoon for more birding.
Day 13 – February 3: Loboc Road and the Ferry to Dumaguete
We started the day birding along Loboc Road before heading back to the hotel to grab our luggage. Then it was off to the port in Tagbilaran, where we boarded a ferry to Dumaguete. By 1:00 PM, we had met our drivers and were settling into our new hotel. The afternoon was spent exploring a lowland site, hoping to spot some endemics and perhaps even some nightbirds as the day came to a close.
Day 14 – February 4: Negros Striped-Babbler Search
This morning’s early departure at 5:30 AM took us to a high-altitude site in search of the elusive Negros Striped-Babbler. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find it, but the morning was still full of birding opportunities with sightings of Turquoise Flycatcher, Magnificent Sunbird, Visayan Tailorbird, Negros Leaf-Warbler and other high-altitude specialists. After returning to the hotel for lunch and a short break, we went back out at 3:00 PM to give it another go, hoping for more good luck.
Day 15 – February 5: Two Lakes and the Long Road to Manila
We set off at 6:30 AM for Two Lakes, a 45-minute drive that promised to deliver some interesting birding. The morning was full of activity, and we enjoyed every moment in the field until 11:30 AM. Highlights included Visayan Hornbill, Visayan and White-winged Cuckooshrikes, Maroon-naped Sunbird, and a particularly spectacular White-bellied Woodpecker.
After lunch and a relaxing afternoon at the hotel, we packed up and headed for the airport once again, catching our evening flight back to Manila. Our final dinner together at the hotel was a chance to reflect on the trip, the memories, and all the birds we had seen.
MINDANAO EXTENSION
Day 16 – February 6: Arrival in Cagayan de Oro and the Road to Malaybalay
With our box breakfasts in hand, we left the hotel at 5:00 AM for the airport. Manila’s usual chaos didn’t disappoint, but our 7:55 AM flight to Cagayan de Oro was right on time. By 9:20 AM, we had landed, grabbed lunch, stocked up on groceries, and hit the road to Malaybalay. The scenic drive was a perfect way to unwind before we arrived at our destination.
Once in Malaybalay, we didn’t waste much time and by 3:00 PM, we were off again to bird at Cincona in the Kitanglad area. We dove straight into some birding, eager to see what the afternoon would bring. The drive took about an hour, and by the time we arrived, the late afternoon birding session proved to be both peaceful and rewarding. After returning to the hotel, we reviewed our bird list over dinner and settled in for the night.
Day 17 – February 7: Philippine Eagle Sighting at Mount Kitanglad Reserve
Today was all about the Philippine Eagle. We left early with a box breakfast, heading straight for Mount Kitanglad Reserve. The entire day was spent at a lookout, hoping to catch a glimpse of this majestic bird. By midday, our patience paid off as we spotted the eagle briefly. Though the sighting was short, the thrill of seeing such an iconic bird in its natural habitat made it all worth it. Afterward, we returned to the hotel for a well-deserved dinner and discussed the day’s highlights.
Day 18 – February 8: High Altitude Birding
We started with another early box breakfast before heading to a high-altitude site, where the birding was particularly successful. The cool, crisp air made the hike invigorating, and the variety of species we encountered kept our spirits high. After returning to the hotel for lunch and a break, we set off again for an afternoon birding session at Cincona. The area had more to offer than we had anticipated, and we wrapped up the day feeling content with our sightings.
Day 19 – February 9: Unsuccessful Eagle Search and Drive to Davao
We woke early in the hopes of another sighting of the Philippine Eagle, but our efforts were unsuccessful today. Despite that, the birding at another lookout was still enjoyable. By midday, we started the long drive to Davao, with no birding stops for the rest of the day. En route, we stopped in at the Davao Philippine Eagle Rehabilitation Centre, which turned out to be quite well done and gave us a good opportunity to see these amazing birds up close.
We checked into the Eden Resort in the early evening, where we could finally unwind after the long journey. No birding was planned for the night, so we took the opportunity to relax and reflect on the past few days.
Day 20 – February 10: Early Birding at Eden Resort
Our early birding session at Eden Resort was a nice way to start the day, offering a quiet, tranquil environment before the long drive to Bislig. The area was home to various species, and we enjoyed the calm morning air as we birded. After breakfast, we set off toward Bislig, making a brief stop at Panabo Coastal Road along the way. We arrived at the Paper Country Inn in the early evening, marking the end of a travel-heavy day.
Day 21 - February 11: A Tough Start in PICOP Forest
We left the hotel early, around 5:00 AM, and piled into a jeepney for a bumpy ride to the PICOP forest, road 42. The journey took about an hour, but the excitement of birding kept us going. We arrived in the forest just as the sky was beginning to lighten, and it wasn’t long before we settled in for breakfast in the field, surrounded by the dense canopy.
Birding here was no walk in the park. The forest was alive with sounds, but spotting the birds was proving to be slow going. We spent the morning trudging through the area, scanning every nook and cranny, hoping to catch a glimpse of something special. By midday, we were ready for a break, so we had lunch in the same spot, the meals we had packed from Bislig providing much-needed fuel.
After lunch, we headed to three different sites with Zardo as our guide, hoping to find kingfishers. While we did catch glimpses here and there, the success was limited—nature didn’t seem eager to show us its treasures today. That said, we did have a number of outstanding sightings. Arguably the best was a superb Short-crested Monarch that showed unusually well. With the sun starting to dip lower in the sky, we made our way to the airport. We tried for a Grass Owl during the hour we had before our flight, but despite our best efforts, it just wasn’t meant to be. A quiet dinner at the hotel rounded off a long, tiring but enjoyable day.
Day 22 - February 12: A Full Day of Fieldwork
Another early start at 5:30 AM had us on the road again, this time heading for Road 4 in PICOP, where we spent the better part of the day birding. The landscape was different from yesterday’s forest, but just as challenging. As we moved through the area, we kept our eyes peeled for any signs of movement in the dense brush.
Our field breakfasts and lunches allowed us to stay focused on the task at hand, not wanting to waste any daylight. We had some more special sightings today. Of particular note, was the extraordinary sighting of a gathering of well over 30 wonderful Writhed Hornbills, first spotted in the crown of a distant tree. The group then flew over us in a wave and we were able to count them.
In the afternoon, we shifted gears and made our way south to some paddy fields and marsh areas outside Bislig, looking for waterfowl and birds that prefer open country. The change of scenery was a welcome shift, but again, it was a test of patience. As the day wound down, we returned to the hotel for another fun dinner, reflecting on the effort that had gone into the day’s birding.
Day 23 - February 13: A Final Push for Lina’s Sunbird
Our last day in the field started extra early—before dawn—so we could try for one final target species: Lina’s Sunbird at Mount Tagubud. The air was cool and crisp as we made our way to the mountain, and there was an air of anticipation, knowing we were in the right place for the bird we’d been chasing.
Happily, the Lina’s Sunbirds showed amazingly well, as did a fantastic and rare Dark-eared Brown-Dove. But by mid-morning, we had to be on the road again, heading to Davao for our flight to Manila. The flight ended up being delayed by an hour, which stretched out the day even more. After a long day of travel, we finally made it to the hotel for a late dinner, marking the end of our trip to this remarkable country.
Birds of the trip:
1. Azure-breasted (Steere’s) Pitta (6 votes)
2. Writhed Hornbill (2 votes)
3. Lina’s Sunbird (1 vote)
4. Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon (1 vote)
Maximum group size 8 with one WINGS leader and local guides.