Rainforest Jewels

One of the highlights of visiting South-East Asia is seeing some of the jewels of the forest, Pittas.  Until recently there were 32 species of Pitta (2 species in Africa with the rest found through Asia down to Northern Australia) but taxonomists have been to work and split a few with over 40 species recognised now.  They are stunning denizens of the forest floor, usually the deepest, darkest reaches of the forest floor making many species extremely difficult to see.  To see many of the taxa often means having a deep understanding of the species habits as well as good skills in fieldcraft worthy of entery into the SAS.

In the Philippines I had the possibility of seeing three species, of which two would be lifers so I was well happy to not only connect with all three but obtain photos of all three.  Simply stunning birds.

Hooded Pitta

 Red-bellied Pitta

 Immature Red-bellied Pitta

 Steere's Pitta

Digiscoping at Night

While on holiday many pre-dawn early mornings were spent in search of the many species of owls, nightjars and frogmouths present in the Philippines of which some were photographed but most only heard.  Occasionally the camera and the bird connected and some nice images were captured.  We never really thought that it was possible to digiscope (this is where the camera is attached to the telescope) at night so was amazed at the results and will definitely be trying it out further in the future.

Black-naped Monarch found on it's night time roost while searching for owls.

 Cebu Hawk-Owl

Hooded Pitta found on it's night time roost while searching for the frogmouth

 
 Palawan Frogmouth - An amazing bird that as you can see gave stunning walk away views

Philippine Eagle-Owl - One of those moments when you cannot believe what you are seeing.  This bird came across the valley over our heads and landed in full view representing the first sighting on Mindanao since 1987.  It doesn't appear it from the photo but it was that dark that the video taken first is pitch black so digiscoped it and got the above result, amazing.

 

Philippines

It's a while now since we published anything on the blog but that is about to change as Wayne has just got back from a fabulous 2 week trip to the Philippines with plenty of photos.  Still sorting through the photos but here are a few to start with.

 Philippine Falconet

 Red-bellied Pitta

 Ruddy Kingfisher

Southern Silvery Kingfisher

Black-necked Grebe

Always nice to see a Black-necked Grebe no matter what plumage it is in especially when close up in nice weather conditions.

Ordesa National Park

Ordesa National Park offers some stunning mountain scenery and is particularly spectacular at this time of year with the vivid autumn colours.  Another benefit of going at this time of year is that it is between seasons, that is summer and winter skiing seasons so there are very few tourists about and there is no need to pre book hotels as they are mostly empty.

Wallcreepers at Alquezar 2

There was a fantastic walk that took you down into a deep sided gorge below the castle that followed the River Vero.  In places you had to walk along a dramatic suspended walk way above the river, not for the fainthearted.

Wallcreepers at Alquezar

Alquezar is a fantastic medieval village set in the foothills of the Pyrenees with the added bonus that a small number of Wallcreepers winter in and around the village.