New Year Lifer

The Bicol Ground Warbler, (BGW), is one of those hard to photograph birds because it is extremely shy, a ground skulker, and lives in the dense understory of lowland forests. I did not really expect to see it, much less get a good photograph. But sometime late last year, there was news of said bird appearing at Jake's hide in Infanta. A tight schedule prevented me from making an Infanta trip but I suddenly found myself free on New Year's Day so with a newly issued birding visa, I made a solo trip to Infanta on January 1st for the Bicol Ground Warbler and for the Rufous Hornbills which were photographed between kms 116 and 118 a few days earlier.

Being New Year's Day, there were no birders and motorcyclists which favored my birding but it was raining intemittently, which was detrimental to my goal. I reached the house of Francis, my guide for the day, 630ish and we immediately went to Jake's who informed us that the BGW had already made an appearance. So Francis and I went to km 116, no sign of teh Kalaws, then 118, no sign also. We waited, played some calls but after an hour or so, we decided to go back to Jake's where the Spotted Wood Kingfisher and the White-browed Shama were holding court. After about half an hour, we went back to Km 118 but it was raining when we got there so we went back to Jake's again. It was already approaching noon and I wanted to head back to Manila by 1pm.

With no sign of the target bird, I took photos of whatever birds were present. In addition to the kingfisher and the shama, I was able to photograph the Philippine Fairy Bluebird, Philippine Bulbul, Elegant Tit, Buzzing Flowerpecker, and a Flaming Sunbird. By 12:35, I was already starting to accept my fate and was contemplating packing my gear when I heard Jake said, "sir, nandyan na siya, alert ka na...". And true enough, within a minute or so, it was there. It's appearance began at 12:36 and ended at 12:43pm. I was able to make 419 shots within that seven minute window. A good number of these were blurred because the bird is perpetually moving. Sharing a few of my keepers.

Bicol Ground Warbler, Lifer # 1 for 2026

After the bird left, I gathered my gear, paid Jake, dropped Francis at his home, and made the long drive back to Manila, happy and contented that I got a lifer on the first day of the year.

The second encounter

Photos of Kalaws feeding on a Malapapaya tree posted by Henrick Tan on January 7 (photos were taken the day before), pushed Homer Pialda and me to go to Infanta on January 8 and again it was raining intemitently, and again I dipped on the Kalaws. We stayed at Jake's for a bit because the BGW would be a lifer for Homer. Just like on my previous trip, we were ready to call it a day, when said bird suddenly appeared. And there were two of them! Sharing my best photo for the day:

A pair of Bicol Ground Warblers

Thank you Lord for giving me an opportunity to witness, appreciate, and document the beauty of your creation.