Bangkong Kahoy Valley - 12th February

Another trip to BK valley, this time to try and get to a higher altitude than previously, to see what might be about. The weather wasn't too co-operative at first, with rain starting as we arrived at 6am. By 6:30 it had stopped, so we headed up the hill with our guide Tony. Birding was incredibly slow from the beginning. The wind picked up soon after we started, and sporadic showers and poor light were with us all morning. The first birds were seen only after at least an hour's walk, a small flock of Chestnut-headed Babblers and Yellowish White-eye. A White-browed Shortwing was calling in a gully on the way up, but didn't show itself. It responded to playback, but only by singing. A male Metallic-winged Sunbird ssp. jefferyi was the highlight.

The descent was little better until we reached a small stream where we found a small flock. At first all we could see was Blue-headed Fantail, Citrine Canary Flycatcher and a Mountain Leaf Warbler. A tiny bird grabbed our attention however, Yellow-browed Warbler, a national rarity! It isn't a country first, it was one of the last birds Tim Fisher saw before he died, but possibly a second or third record for The Philippines.

Further down on the same path another tiny bird was jumping around in some bamboo, Mountain Tailorbird. An absolutely gorgeous little thing, and very responsive to playback.

All in all a pretty mixed time, with some terrible weather and few birds until the day was saved by a couple of stunners!

A map showing the location of BK valley in relation to San Pablo (Laguna) and Dolores (Quezon)