Watta Kowinkidink

The 3rd of May was a rather routine day at Darayonan but a couple of walk-in groups made it a little busier than usual. I was at our lobby when one of these groups were checking-in. They were a group of four - a Filipina Senior Citizen, her daughter, and son-in-law, all from the UK. The fourth person was her younger brother who is based in Laguna.

I was standing by the Frontdesk when the couple approached to formally check-in. Nina, our Front Office Supervisor, was about to do her spiel when I noticed that the wife was holding one of our Bird Tour flyers. I asked if they were interested to go birding. And she said, "oh are you the bird person?". (You bet!). And we got to talking about birds and birding (putting Nina on hold). But they were not yet decided when so it took until dinner time before they said they would like to go birding the following day and that her mom and uncle were tagging along (!). I immediately messaged Erwin to advise him that we have guests the following day and asked if he will be there (he works at the Municipal abattoir and his duty is usually dawn). Luckily he replied (after sometime) and we were on! I confirmed the tour with the guests and we agreed to leave at 6am the following morning. Cris, our in-house guide, and I, divided the prep work to be done.

When we got to Capayas, the first bird we saw after alighting from the van was a Blue-headed Racquet Tail, Kilit in local parlance, and Coron's Flagship species. It was perched on a bare tree near the parking area and our guests got good looks. Erwin met us and he whispered to me asking why I informed him so late. I explained that the guests just confirmed at that time (while having dinner). He led us to the main hide because the Blue-eared Kingfisher was already there but it already left by the time we got there. However within a few short minutes, the Rufous-backed Kingfisher appeared creating excitement in our guests.

Rufous-backed Kingfisher

Enjoying the view of the Rufous-backed Kingfisher

This was quickly followed by the Palawan Flowerpecker and Olive-backed Sunbird. The former was flitting about in the Aratiles tree while the latter perched on an ornamental banana. I did not take pictures of these anymore. Then a Crested Goshawk, which is building a nest in one of the tall trees in the property, made an appearance and gave us plenty of good looks.

Crested Goshawk

Looking at the Goshawk

In the meantime, Capayas regulars such as the White-vented Shama, Ashy-fronted Bulbul, Black-hooded Pitta, and Black-naped Monarch were flying about. After breakfast, we decided to walk around Sitio Capayas and again saw the Shama, Bulbuls, Yellow-throated Leafbird, Asian Glossy Starling, Ashy Drongo, Palawan Drongo, Blue Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch, Black-hooded Pitta, Black-naped Oriole, Olive-backed Sunbird, and the Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike.

We were back at the main hide after maybe 45 minutes. And the Rufous-backed Kingfisher was still holding court. But it was soon joined by the Blue-eared Kingfisher.

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Not to be outdone, the Black-hooded Pitta appeared again and stayed for several minutes, giving us plenty of good looks and photo opportunities.

A rather friendly Black-hooded Pitta

As we approached noontime, our two older guests were starting to get tired and they decided to do just half a day of birding. Erwin and I led the two younger guests for one more sweep upstream. We had walked only maybe fifteen meters when the Lovely Sunbird showed up and kept flitting around us, flying from one perch to another, drawing oohs and aahs from our guests. Finally it perched on a pineapple. We were walking single file on the trail and I was bringing up the rear so at first, I did not have a clear shot when it perched on the pineapple. Sensing that it will go back, I made my way ahead and was rewarded by this photo opportunity.

Lovely Sunbird, male

If I had more time, I would have set my tripod, and waited for a better photo opportunity. But I am grateful for this shot (handheld and squatting, by the way).

We walked for another twenty minutes and then called it a day since our guests were still suffering from jetlag. During the course of the morning, I learned that their original itinerary was to go to Siargao but something happened and the trip was cancelled. They decided to book a flight to Coron without any prior hotel booking. At the Busuanga airport, they were asked by LGU Coron staff where they are booked (LGU Protocol) and since they had no booking yet, the LGU Staff gave them a list of DOT Accredited Inns and Hotels (which included Darayonan). When they entered our lobby, the first thing they saw were the bird photos behind our frontdesk and our bird tour flyers on the counter. And they said, "this is it, we will stay here". And as luck (or fate) would have it, I was in town, and at our lobby. Watta kowinkidink! (a favorite expression of my daughter Ella when she was still small).