White-browed Shortwing at Bangkong Kahoy

[Ely Teehankee]

About 3 years ago, I went for the first time to Bangkong Kahoy Valley in Mt. Banahaw.  There were birds, but they were few and far.  When Ramon Quisumbing leased a part of BK to build his vacation house, I was one of those who accepted his invitation to photograph mixed flocks from his viewing deck.  It was fun to see so many different kinds of birds, almost all at the same time, you just have to choose the one that is out in the open.  This kind of frenzy usually lasts a few minutes, and you then wait for the next wave to come. 
 
Ramon is a prominent lawyer who manages one of the biggest law firms in the Philippines.  He saw how poor the people were in BK.  With not much to do other than growing vegetables which is seasonal, there is very little opportunity to earn.  He went there almost every weekend in search for birds.  He initiated a nest stewardship program which rewards locals anywhere from 500 to 1,000 pesos or more if they find a nest and report it.  The finder is appointed as nest guardian, and they receive additional compensation if they protect the nest from any kind of harm until the hatchlings fledge.  I had the opportunity to see (from discreet distances, of course) nests of the Besra, Chestnut-faced Babbler, Yellowish White-eye, Bicolored Flowerpecker, Tawny Grassbird, Long-tailed Shrike, etc.  Ramon’s program paid off, with the locals becoming motivated to protect nests (instead of wantonly destroying them) and in the process developing awareness of their avian neighbors and the need to protect them.  What started as one Besra nest in 2012 (perhaps the first Besra nest recorded in the country) from which a total of 5 nestlings fledged in 2012 and 2013, there are now 3 Besra nests.  In different areas, the Metallic-winged Sunbird, Flaming Sunbird, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Mountain Verditer-Flycatcher, Green-backed Whistler, Scale-feathered and Red-crested Malkohas, Luzon Hawk-Owl, Metallic Pigeon, Flame-breasted Pigeon and many more montane species were discovered.  The latest is the very rarely seen White-browed Shortwing.   
 
Well done, Ramon.  Keep up the good work of protecting the birds and their habitat, giving the locals alternative means of livelihood as bird guides, etc., and helping them sell their vegetables.  Last weekend, I bought some newly harvested radishes which I will make into radish cakes.  The oyster mushrooms that they grow and sell at least 20 kilos a day are delicious.
 
I am now looking forward to Ramon’s new project on 6,000 square meters of agricultural land that he acquired to be a bird preserve.  To be constructed is a 300 square meter pond of fresh mountain spring water that does not stop flowing, to raise small fish and aquatic life to attract the Indigo-banded and other Kingfishers.  The property will be lush with indigenous flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs to attract and support birds, which can be viewed from winding pathways.  This will make Bangkong Kahoy an even better birding destination, both for locals & foreigners, while enhancing the lives of the locals. 
 
One question one should ask is, if you have the money, would you do the same as Ramon and be kind and generous?  I have never met a man whose passion for birds is complemented by his generous help to people who have very little in life.   

Canon EOS 1DX, Canon EF 800mm f5.6L IS USM, Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, M-3.6 Mongoose Gimbal Action Head. Manual exposure in available light.




The people of Ramon and the farmers are happy that there is a Ramon that is kind and generous to them. In return they inform him not only about the nest but new birds that they see and don't even know what it is called. The latest one is the White-browed Shortwing (Brachypteryx montana) 5-5 1/2 inches. I was able to see and photograph this bird at 831 meters above sea level at Mount Banahaw where Bangkong Kahoy is located. There is a spider web that is attached to the bird.
1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400





In this picture the female looks clean.
1/6 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400




It looks like she has taken a bath.
1/13 sec., f/5.6, ISO 6400




Looking around to see if her mate is present.
1/100 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200




She looks a bit frustrated not seeing the male around.
1/15 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200




I also saw a tree with a hole on it made into a nest by the Sooty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus funebris) 13 1/2 inches. This is the habitat looks like with the female Sooty peeping out of the hole. This bird is endemic to the Philippines. This picture is full frame.
1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 400




The bird lands on the trunk of the tree, and stays there for a few seconds before entering the nest.
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 400




Again before entering the entrance of the nest, she looks around and when she feels its safe she enters the hole which is their nest.
1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO 400





The male Besra (Accipiter virgatus) 10 1/4 inches a small Raptor that seems to be the reason why there are no small birds around when there are hatchlings of the Besra. This must be nature's way of keeping the balance of nature. From one nest seen about two years ago, and now there are 3 shows that the bird increase in population is a reflection of the discipline of the people of Bangkong Kahoy not harming any of the birds. What is interesting to note is that it is the male that sits & incubates the egg until it hatches.
1/400 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Excellent harvest, Ely! And thank you -- although I don't deserve so much praise. The private bird preserves I have established at BK Valley, Mt. Banahaw and in Capayas Creek, Coron, Busuanga are experiments in bird conservation, but I think they are showing clear signs of success.

In BK, my partner Dion Pullan (whose family owns the valley) and I have prohibited airguns, slingshots, any form of hunting, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and even house cats, in order to protect birds. I established the BK Nest Stewardship Program in 2012 -- the biggest success of which is the uncommon Besra. Prior to 2012, it was very difficult to see this shy forest raptor, and few photos existed. A local availed of the benefits under the Program and reported a Besra nest in 2012. We extensively documented the nest, which successfully produced 2 fledglings in 2012. The parents returned in 2013, and produced 3 more fledglings. This year, we have 2 additional Besra nests (incredibly, one is located right beside the sometimes noisy BK zipline, which indicates that they know they are safe there) -- which is concrete proof of a growing Besra population.

Another promising experiment at BK is our feeding station for the White-Browed Shortwing -- one of the most rarely seen birds in the Phils. of which only a very few photos previously existed (Desmond Allen's photo of a female was the best). I stumbled on the hunting ground of a female WBSW 2 months ago. We started a feeding station with live moths and earthworms, similar to what many bird lodges do in South America, Thailand, Costa Rica, etc. Now we see the female on a daily basis (the male is much shyer and has only appeared twice). Last week, we discovered them building a nest nearby, which is a sign of success. Hopefully, fledged juvenile WBSWs can be documented for the first time.

Some birders have questioned our private bird preserves and practices. But the proof is in the pudding! The populations of uncommon and even rare birds at BK and Capayas Creek are being protected and are thriving and growing in number -- and the locals in both areas are now aware of the need for bird conservation and are cooperating with our efforts. I wish everyone would focus on addressing the REAL threats to Philippine birds (hunting, trapping, tree-cutting, kaingin farming, destruction of habitats, all by non-birders) -- instead of trying to police other birders who are not real threats to birds at all. While the 2 bird preserves are experimental, I believe we should all try to do more things and different things from past conservation efforts which are clearly failing.

I apologize for my long comment and hope I did not get carried away by my passion.

Congrats again on your wonderful photos, Ely!

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 16, 2014 1:23:28 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Excellent harvest, Ely! And thank you -- although I don't deserve so much praise. The private bird preserves I have established at BK Valley, Mt. Banahaw and in Capayas Creek, Coron, Busuanga are experiments in bird conservation, but I think they are showing clear signs of success.

In BK, my partner Dion Pullan (whose family owns the valley) and I have prohibited airguns, slingshots, any form of hunting, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and even house cats, in order to protect birds. I established the BK Nest Stewardship Program in 2012 -- the biggest success of which is the uncommon Besra. Prior to 2012, it was very difficult to see this shy forest raptor, and few photos existed. A local availed of the benefits under the Program and reported a Besra nest in 2012. We extensively documented the nest, which successfully produced 2 fledglings in 2012. The parents returned in 2013, and produced 3 more fledglings. This year, we have 2 additional Besra nests (incredibly, one is located right beside the sometimes noisy BK zipline, which indicates that they know they are safe there) -- which is concrete proof of a growing Besra population.

Another promising experiment at BK is our feeding station for the White-Browed Shortwing -- one of the most rarely seen birds in the Phils. of which only a very few photos previously existed (Desmond Allen's photo of a female was the best). I stumbled on the hunting ground of a female WBSW 2 months ago. We started a feeding station with live moths and earthworms, similar to what many bird lodges do in South America, Thailand, Costa Rica, etc. Now we see the female on a daily basis (the male is much shyer and has only appeared twice). Last week, we discovered them building a nest nearby, which is a sign of success. Hopefully, fledged juvenile WBSWs can be documented for the first time.

Some birders have questioned our private bird preserves and practices. But the proof is in the pudding! The populations of uncommon and even rare birds at BK and Capayas Creek are being protected and are thriving and growing in number -- and the locals in both areas are now aware of the need for bird conservation and are cooperating with our efforts. I wish everyone would focus on addressing the REAL threats to Philippine birds (hunting, trapping, tree-cutting, kaingin farming, destruction of habitats, all by non-birders) -- instead of trying to police other birders who are not real threats to birds at all. While the 2 bird preserves are experimental, I believe we should all try to do more things and different things from past conservation efforts which are clearly failing.

I apologize for my long comment and hope I did not get carried away by my passion.

Congrats again on your wonderful photos, Ely!

Thank you very much Ramon for your appreciation and congratulations on your success not only in protecting the habitat but providing a source of income to people that help you in your conservation programs. No need to apologize for your long comments, as this gives us an insight of why you are going out of your way to make things work. It is so easy to criticize and come out with nothing but bitterness and resentment. What counts is the end result. Was there an increase in the number of birds? Did the local people benefit? Keep up the good work.

[Tateo Osawa]

All nice shots, Ely especially i like the detail of White-browed Shortwing.

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 17, 2014 15:42:37 GMT Tateo Osawa said:

All nice shots, Ely especially i like the detail of White-browed Shortwing.

Its a lifer for me and I was surprised that there is such a beautiful bird that is hidden in the forest. I hope you get a chance to photography it too.

[William Lim]

Wow, a very close shot of this shy bird. Congratulations, Ely! I hope I can take a photo of this bird someday.

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 20, 2014 13:50:45 GMT William Lim said:

Wow, a very close shot of this shy bird. Congratulations, Ely! I hope I can take a photo of this bird someday.

Thank you William. You can make arrangements with Ramon Quisumbing or Dion Pullan of Bangkong Kahoy. I suggest that you go there early to see the bird, preferably at the break of dawn. It is about a 20 -30 minute hike from the Community residences depending how fast you can climb. It is dark in the area so be prepared to be shooting with a high ISO.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Doc William, let me know if you would like to shoot the WBSW at BK Valley. My caretaker Cris can take you to the feeding station. The female comes out even in afternoons. More light later in the day. I'm still hoping to capture the much shyer male.

[William Lim]

Thanks Ely and Ramon. I will try to find time to go BK.