The long drive from Quezon to Camarines Sur and onward to Albay, and then back again, became unexpectedly memorable not just for the landscapes but for the steady rhythm of bird sightings that unfolded along the way. We found ourselves stopping every time we saw birds perched on trees or lined along electric wires, turning what could have been a continuous trip into a series of brief pauses shaped by observation.
Category: Animal Kingdom
Birdwatching at the Cabusao Wetlands
The visit to the Cabusao Wetlands in Camarines Sur took place at a time when most migratory birds had already left, so the number of species and individuals was limited. The area remained open and quiet, with shallow water, mudflats, and patches of vegetation typical of coastal wetlands. Despite the fewer sightings, the birds that were present allowed for clearer observation.
Blue-tailed Bee-eaters in Alcala
Good Friday this year was spent moving from one church to another for Visita Iglesia across Cagayan. In between stops, we passed through a farm in Alcala where a pair of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters (Merops philippinus) caught my attention. It turned out to be a lifer, which made the stop more memorable than expected.
Second Time Birdwatching at Tagalag
One of the first notable sightings was the Pink-necked Green Pigeon, perched discreetly among dense foliage. Its green plumage blended almost perfectly with the leaves, but careful observation revealed the subtle pinkish tone on the neck and pale bluish hues on the wings.
Indian Peafowls and Guinea Fowls
I honestly had no idea why they were there, but they were undeniably beautiful. The birds we casually call “peacocks” are actually Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), and seeing them up close made it easy to understand why they are so admired. Their feathers shimmered with deep greens and blues, catching the light in a way that almost looked unreal.
Birdwatching at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park
Birdwatching at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) with the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines and WOMA was a rewarding experience. The wetlands provide an important habitat for many bird species despite being located within Metro Manila, and the mix of open mudflats, shallow water, and mangrove edges makes it a productive site for observing both resident and migratory birds.
Elefin Farm & Cafe
Elefin Farm & Café is not a traditional elephant sanctuary, and it does not present itself as one. Rather than housing rescued wild elephants, it functions as a Mahout village where elephants have been raised alongside their handlers for generations. This distinction is important in understanding the experience, as the elephants here are part of long-standing human–animal relationships shaped by daily care and routine rather than tourism-driven performances.
Pawikan Conservation Center
The Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan, stands on a stretch of coastline that has served as a natural nesting area for generations. It is not a large facility, but it plays an important role in keeping turtle eggs safe and in monitoring activity along the shore. Everything about the place feels practical and grounded, shaped by what is needed rather than what looks impressive.
Zoobic Safari
Spanning 25 hectares of tropical forest within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zoobic Safari offers far more than a conventional zoo or theme park, it delivers an immersive forest adventure where visitors come face-to-face with some of the world’s most fascinating animals. Because of the park’s wide and spread-out layout, going around Zoobic Safari requires the use of our own vehicle
Birdwatching at La Mesa Ecopark
During the guided birdwatching tour at La Mesa Ecopark, we spotted a White-throated Kingfisher, a Philippine Cuckoo-Dove , a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron, along with a Striated Heron, a shy White-browed Crake, a Grey Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper, and a Yellow-vented Bulbul. Along the trail, we also found a Brown Shrike and a well-camouflaged Philippine Nightjar. Moving to the forested area near the dam, we encountered White-breasted Woodswallows, a Yellow-naped Oriole, a Philippine Coucal, a Striated Grassbird, a Narcissus Flycatcher, and another Philippine Nightjar—making the morning an impressive showcase of La Mesa’s urban biodiversity.
Palawan Crocodile Farm
Visitors begin their tour at the hatchery, where baby crocodiles are raised before being transferred to larger enclosures. The highlight is meeting the two species cared for at the center: the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), a rare freshwater species found only in the country and now critically endangered, and the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the world’s largest reptile, thriving in coastal and brackish waters but often feared for its size and territorial behavior.
The Pursuit for the Proboscis Monkey
The proboscis monkey is native solely to the island of Borneo. These remarkable primates, characterized by their prominent pendulous noses and rounded bellies, are truly captivating as they move with grace through the trees lining the riverbanks. Despite being a bit distant, we were fortunate to observe several proboscis monkeys during our excursion.