Makiling - 31st March

The trail up Makiling was reopened a couple of weeks ago, and this was my first chance to get up there. I was accompanied by Richard and a birder from Dubai, Simon. As it was clear, and quite hot, birding was limited to the early hours of the day. Bird of the day was a great pair of Spotted Wood Kingfishers perched on vines just before the Buko sellers. Several Luzon Hornbills called throughout the morning, but only one showed itself. A small group of Sulphur-billed Nuthatch were joined by an Elegant Tit, but it sadly didn't form into a larger party. Both Philippine Bulbul and Yellow-wattled Bulbul were noisy and obvious, as were several Ballicassiao. A small group of Red-crested Malkoha were also present at the lower part of the trail. Several Chinese Goshawk were seen at various spots, and over the forest were a couple of Philippine Serpent Eagles, and a pair of Pacific White-rumped Swift, my first of this species for a long time.

Heard-only birds included Grey-backed Tailorbird, White-browed Shama and Black-chinned Fruit Dove.

Male Spotted Wood-Kingfisher

Male Luzon Hornbill

Chinese Goshawk

Philippine Serpent Eagle