When I saw Romz Lopez' post about an Australasian Bushlark (aka Horsefield's Bushlark), my ears pricked, and I checked Desmond's book and my lifelist to make sure that I have not seen it previously. After confirming that said bird is a potential lifer, I messaged Romz to ask details. It turned out that he saw, (and photographed), this bird in a site in Imus where Ed Santos and I had gone birding last year (September 12, 2021, to be exact). Our target then was the Blue Quail (we were not successful). I did get a lifer there , the Common Snipe. In any case, Romz told me to be at the site on or before 6:30am.
Sunday, March 6, I was at the site at around 6:15 and saw that Romz was already there. Geared up quickly and was soon at the field with Romz who briefed me on the target bird's usual behaviour and favorite perches. After the briefing, I began to shoot. First up was a Striated Grassbird which perched on a log.
Striated Grassbird
Next was my secondary target of the day, Oriental Skylark. Not a lifer anymore, (saw in in IRRI in 2014), but I don't have a shot that I am happy with.
Oriental Skylark
From the side of my eye, I saw two birds approaching so I just turned, aimed, and fired. Domestic pigeons, or Rock Doves in Desmond's book. These are not considered wild birds and are not counted in one's lifelist however since it is a good photo, I will share it in this space.
Rock Dove, or KIF - Kalapati-in-flight
The Skylarks were flying around and hopping about in the ground. The trick was to find them because their drab brown color mixed well with the grass.
Oriental Skylark
The Crested Mynas were also at their usual perch. Maybe we should call them Cattle Myna :-)
Crested Myna (and white cow).
While my attention was on the cow, Romz excitedly called my attention to a small bird that perched on a clump of grass somewhere behind me. And just like that, I got my target bird.
Australasian Bushlark, aka Horsefield's Bushlark. Lifer # 477; Phil List #337; 5th for 2022.
I was able to get off 396 shots before the bird decided to leave. I stood up, (I was shooting while seated on the ground), grinned, thanked Romz for my lifer and promised him a kingfisher in Coron :-)
With my target bird gone, I focused on the other birds in the area.
Cattle Egret in partial breeding plumage
There were also Oriental Pratincoles in the air and on the ground. Since I already have plenty of in flight shots from Kawit last year, I concentrated on those on the ground.
Oriental Pratincole
After getting the Pratincoles on the ground, I decided to call it a day and head back home to San Juan. It was only 7:16am. If only all sorties could be that easy...
Maraming salamat Romz!
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