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Post by Juan Manuel C. Del Prado on Apr 30, 2012 1:58:53 GMT
Ramon, your intrepidity paid off with these beautiful photos of the Besra... I hope you get photos of the Tawny Grassbird with possibly a nest. 2nd time I had seen this bird in the same area....Tito Poch.
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Post by Mark Itol on May 1, 2012 6:19:35 GMT
Beautiful, Ramon. Big congrats.
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Post by Mick Harris on May 1, 2012 10:54:24 GMT
Great shots and a great scheme.
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Post by Luis (Chito) Limchiu on May 1, 2012 13:15:08 GMT
a wow image and in opportunity!!
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 1, 2012 23:04:11 GMT
Thank you, Jessar, Elvin and Burr, for your kind words.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 1, 2012 23:05:28 GMT
Thank you, Tito Poch, Mark, Mick and Chito.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 1, 2012 23:10:19 GMT
The farmers are aware of nests around. They just take it for granted since they live with these animals on a daily basis. It takes visitors and outsiders to open their eyes and hearts to the beauty of their place and instill pride in their community's natural treasures. I would also reiterate that it is NOT enough that we tell them how lucky they are or beautiful their place is. These farmers and their communities have to survive as well. Bird and Butterfly watchers, as well as Wild Bird Photographers play a vital role in sustaining the custodianship of these sites. Patronize local businesses, pay fees, hire local guides and don't be stingy. A few hundred pesos goes a long way for these communities and ensures the survival of the wild life for generations. Well said, Mela! I absolutely agree with you. Dion and I believe that it is essential to recruit the active participation of the locals in bird conservation. To do so, we have to make it financially worthwhile for them, because they have to work everyday to feed their families. Great work on your successful conservation efforts at Villa Escudero.
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Post by Carmela Balcazar on May 2, 2012 8:12:49 GMT
While we were observing the nest last Sunday, the 29th, there were farmers harvesting their crops and they had the whole family plus the family dogs. It was noisy but not loud. They were even in front of the hide and the Besra just flattened herself in the nest. She only flew out after the farmers had long gone. Which leads me to believe that these animals do know the people in their neighborhood. To have selected a nesting site where there is regular activity but with periods of solitude and silence says something about trust and familiarity.
To think... a few years ago, that nest would have been raided by the locals.
Can't wait for your photos to keep us updated Ramon.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 2, 2012 8:49:36 GMT
While we were observing the nest last Sunday, the 29th, there were farmers harvesting their crops and they had the whole family plus the family dogs. It was noisy but not loud. They were even in front of the hide and the Besra just flattened herself in the nest. She only flew out after the farmers had long gone. Which leads me to believe that these animals do know the people in their neighborhood. To have selected a nesting site where there is regular activity but with periods of solitude and silence says something about trust and familiarity. To think... a few years ago, that nest would have been raided by the locals. Can't wait for your photos to keep us updated Ramon. Mela, I am glad to hear you visited the Besra nest. Thanks for your support. By the way, I hope to swing by Villa Escudero this weekend to get better photos of your Indigo-Banded Kingfishers. The male teased me with only partial shots last week.
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Post by des on May 2, 2012 11:05:13 GMT
Great news! Maybe the besras like your area because you have protected the small birds so well that there are plenty for them to eat!
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Post by Carmela Balcazar on May 3, 2012 9:08:42 GMT
Don't come on Saturday. We have a group arriving that day and had reserved the lower section of the dining area. Security will also be tight. You don't want the hassle.
The IBKFs are most active in the mornings till noon.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 3, 2012 12:54:18 GMT
Great news! Maybe the besras like your area because you have protected the small birds so well that there are plenty for them to eat! Hahaha! I guess we should expect that some of the increased bird populations will become food for the raptors - but this will result in more raptors.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 6, 2012 2:11:28 GMT
I just found out that I have to leave tonight for abroad for 2 weeks. Is there anyone with a big lens who is available to go to BK and photograph the Besras when the eggs hatch? My caretaker Chris will text me when the eggs hatch, and I will then notify the Forum. I think a lens of 500 mm with 1.4x extender or bigger would suffice.
This will probably be the first photo record ever of Philippine Besra nestlings.
The blind is only 150 meters level walk from the road. It is comfortable in the blind where it is shaded and cool, and chairs are available.
Ely, Neon, Tina (Mallari), Bob (Kaufmann), will any of you be available?
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Post by Ely Teehankee on May 6, 2012 3:52:13 GMT
I am quite sure that there was no one in the nest because I kept on looking and imagining where she would lay the eggs when the gap seems to be quite big and the egg could roll in between the twigs. Chris was also there and he was saying that he could hear the call of the Besra but it was much further back from the nesting site. Now with the position of the bird I can surmise that she laid the eggs on the side of the nest rather than on the center. I would like to go and take pictures at the time when the hatchlings has feathers and are being fed, but if there is no one going than I can go earlier.
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Post by Ramon Quisumbing on May 6, 2012 6:48:06 GMT
Great, thanks, Ely. I will let you know when Chris informs me the eggs have hatched.
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Post by Neon Rosell II on May 6, 2012 18:27:02 GMT
I just found out that I have to leave tonight for abroad for 2 weeks. Is there anyone with a big lens who is available to go to BK and photograph the Besras when the eggs hatch? My caretaker Chris will text me when the eggs hatch, and I will then notify the Forum. I think a lens of 500 mm with 1.4x extender or bigger would suffice. This will probably be the first photo record ever of Philippine Besra nestlings. The blind is only 150 meters level walk from the road. It is comfortable in the blind where it is shaded and cool, and chairs are available. Ely, Neon, Tina (Mallari), Bob (Kaufmann), will any of you be available? Hi Ramon, I just got incarcerated and from the looks of it, I'll be unavailable till the chicks have fledged. But, I'm planning a daring escape just to see the besra feeding its chicks.
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