Week ending 10th October - IRRI, DTRI, Makiling

The rice in the IRRI field is growing fast, and open areas of mud are becoming scarce. Fewer waders around than recently, and as yet no sign of any passage waders (Stints, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank etc). A juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron has been visiting the fields during daylight hours, and on Sunday great views of a Slaty-breasted Rail were had. A White-throated Kingfisher also appeared, the first in several weeks. Another recent absentee is Blue-tailed Bee-eater which have not been seen for a couple of weeks.

I visited the DTRI farms at sunset for the first time on Saturday, and was rewarded with a flyby Great Eared Nightjar. Magic, I'll definitely be doing that again!

An early start up Makiling on Sunday. First bird was a Spotted Wood-Kingfisher before dawn. Lots of calling Philippine Hawk-Owls, and one Philippine Scops, neither birds were seen. Birds were harder to see than hear today, and only Ashy Minivet and Striped Flowerpecker were different from last week. A Pipit that flashed past on my way down the hill was probably a Pechora Pipit.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron

Slaty-breasted Rail

Barred Rail