Custom tour to Zamboanga 29 April – 5 May

Leader: Bram Demeulemeester

Participant: Aoki Osamu

Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher

One week birding around the 3 main areas in the Pasonanca Reserve resulted in seeing many of the specialties recorded in the watershed. A Philippine Megapode was spotted along a trail at the Intake, at least 4 Blue-crowned Raquet-tails were scoped, and a Mindanao Bleeding-Heart was heard calling in Cabonegro. Long views of day-time roosting Mindanao Hawk-Owl, Everett’s Scops Owl, and Philippine Frogmouths were seen on our night searches. Giant Scops Owl and one Chocolate Boobook were also heard. At Cabonegro we had long views of Hombron’s Kingfisher while at the Intake, Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher showed well on several occasions. Several Southern Silvery Kingfishers were seen along the river at the Intake. We stopped at a colony Rufous-crowned Bee-eaters for a closer look at these cracking birds. A group of at least 6 Writhed Hornbills showed near the Cabonegro outpost and a single Mindanao Wattled Broadbill posed for some time. The biggest surprise of the trip was the Azure-breasted Pittas that were seen. We heard at least 5 birds calling and we were able to see 3, with one scoped for a long time. These sightings prove that the Pasonanca reserve still has a healthy population of Azure-breasted Pittas. Red-bellied Pittas were also commonly seen and heard. Zamboanga Bulbul was present in all the sites. White-eared Tailorbird showed well at the Intake and we even managed to get some scope views of this tiny cracker. Striated Wren-Babbler was very responsive at the Intake and at least 3 pairs showed very well. Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher was seen on a few occasions and showed well once. Little Slaty Flycatcher was often seen and was commonly heard throughout the reserve.

White-eared Tailorbird

Mindanao Hawk-Owl         
Bird Guiding Philippines is offering well-organized bird watching tours for individual and small groups to the Pasonanca watershed reserve. Here is a summary of the key species found in the 3 main areas based on several visits to the Pasonanca reserve.

Intake: Philippine Megapode, Crested Goshawk, Blue-crowned-Racket-tail, Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo, Mindanao Hawk-Owl,  Philippine Trogon, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher, Southern Silvery Kingfisher, Rufous-crowned Bee-eater, Buff-spotted Flameback, Mindanao Wattled Broadbill, Red-bellied Pitta, Black-and-white Triller,Philippine Leafbird, Zamboanga Bulbul, White-eared Tailorbird, Straited Wren-Babbler, Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Little Slaty Flycatcher, Orange-tufted Spiderhunter.

Baluno: Slaty-legged Crake, Philippine Falconet, Philippine Hanging Parrot, Guaiabero, Philippine Coucal, Everett’s Scops Owl, Giant Scops Owl, Mindanao Hawk-Owl, Chocolate Hawk-Owl(heard only) Philippine Eagle-Owl(heard only) Philippine Needletail, Philippine Trogon, Hombron’s  Kingfisher, Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher, Mindanao Hornbill, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Pitta, Bar-bellied Cuckoo Shrike, Zamboanga Bulbul, White-eared Tailorbird, Naked-faced Spiderhunter.

Cabonegro: Mindanao Bleeding-heart(heard only but seen at the Labuyo outpost) Philippine Frogmouth, Hombron’s Kingfisher, Rufous Hornbill, Mindanao Hornbill, Writhed Hornbill, Mindanao Wattled Broadbill, Azure-breasted Pitta, Black-Cicadabird, Philippine Oriole, Mindanao Blue Fantail, Mindanao Paradise Flycatcher, White-eared Tailorbird, Philippine Fairy-bluebird, Rufous-tailed Jungle Flycatcher, Little Slaty Flycatcher, Naked-faced Spiderhunter.