Higher-Elevation Mixed Flocks of Mt. Banahaw

[Ramon Quisumbing]

The mixed flocks in BK Valley and Mt. Banahaw at 2,500 feet above sea level usually consist of Blue-Headed Fantails, Sulfur-Billed Nuthatches, Yellowish and Mountain White-Eyes, Elegant Tits, Phil. Pygmy Woodpeckers, etc.

Last month, I discovered big mixed flocks of mostly different species at only 500 feet higher up Mt. Banahaw, at 3,000 feet above sea level. I stayed in a hide in order to get closer to the mixed flocks.

Canon 1DX camera, 800 mm lens, tripod.

Mountain Verditer-Flycatcher -- This one seemed to be greeting me "Good morning!"

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/200 second.

Green-Backed Whistler - endemic.

F/8, ISO-1600, 1/200 second.

Mountain Leaf-Warbler -- This one was a LIFER for me! ;D It was very difficult to get a clear and full shot of these very tiny and elusive birds.

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/1000 second.

Elegant Tit

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/640 second.

Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker - female

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/500 second.

Metallic-Winged Sunbird - male. I had been trying for a year to get clear shots of the endemic MWS in Mt. Banahaw, with no success. Suddenly, I saw many of them last month and got plenty of clear shots.

F/5.6, ISO-1250, 1/500 second.

Metallic-Winged Sunbird - female.

F/5.6, ISO-1250, 1/160 second.

Chestnut-Faced Babbler

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-3200, 1/250 second.

Buzzing Flowerpecker

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/400 second.

Mountain White-Eye

F/8, ISO-3200, 1/250 second.

Mountain Verditer-Flycatcher

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/1000 second.

In addition to the mixed flocks, I also saw a number of migrants.

Arctic Warbler

F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/400 second.

Narcissus Flycatcher - female.

400 mm, F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/500 second.

Possibly a Swinhoe's Snipe -- This was a LIFER for me.

1.4x extender, 1120 mm, F/8, ISO-16000, 1/30 second.

Mugimaki Flycatcher - female. This was another LIFER for me. ;D I searched through the postings in PBPF and elsewhere and found only 1 photo of a male Mugimaki FC taken in the Philippines. This may be the first photo-record of a female Mugimaki FC in the Philippines.

F/5.6, ISO-1600, 1/1000 second.

Finally, I saw this uncommon resident of BK Valley -- Slaty-Legged Crake. Another LIFER for me.

400 mm, F/5.6, ISO-3200, 1/320 second.

[Ely Teehankee]

When you put them all together it makes a nice collection of the birds of BK. Have you considered framing them and hanging them on your wall? Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Mick Harris]

Great set. The Metallic-Winged Sunbird - female is a classic shot, superb.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Ely and Mick, for your kind words.

[Tirso Paris]

Very nice BK album!

[tina mallari]

BK Valley is such a treasure. I hope it remains that way forever. Very nice photos Ramon.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Prof. Tirso.

Thank you, Tina. Dion and I are working to preserve BK Valley as a permanent bird haven.

[Dennis Alfaro]

Great photos from BK sir! you where rewarded for such effort

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Dennis.

[Bob Kaufman]

Congratulations on your lifers! One question, how were you able to determine that the snipe was a Swinhoe's?

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Bob. I just tentatively identified it as a Swinhoe's Snipe by comparing my photos to the Kennedy Guide. Do you think it's another Snipe?

[Bob Kaufman]

Jan 14, 2013 4:44:23 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Thanks, Bob. I just tentatively identified it as a Swinhoe's Snipe by comparing my photos to the Kennedy Guide. Do you think it's another Snipe?

Ramon, it is really very difficult to ID the snipes. Common, Swinhoe's and Pintail look so much alike. The safest way to differentiate one from the others is by the tail pattern which can only be seen when the birds are flying (and they fly so fast and quick that that in itself is a huge challenge).

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Bob. I have modified my posting accordingly.

[Juan Manuel C. Del Prado]

Enviably great photos, Ramon.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Tito Poch.