Candaba

For Philippine birders, the Candaba Swamp is a haven of activities during the winter months. It is the time when birds from colder countries migrate to the Philippines for a warmer winter. And the Candaba Swamp, Wetlands, Marsh or whatever you might want to call it, is a place where they regularly stay to spend the winter days.

December 6, 2009 I, together with other birdnuts Gabsbuluran, UPD Professor DocMando aka Snapfinger and another UPD Professor Bert Madrigal went on a sortie to Candaba.

I am no professional mind you. I started this hobby just January of 2009 and needless to say, yes I love it.

If the early bird catches the worm, well the early birdnut will capture the early bird right? So off we went! Candaba is in Pampanga and about an hour away from the City. So 4:30am we were already on the road.

Sad to say, we got 'lost' en route to Candaba. "I knew I shudda turned left at Albaquerqy" moments were enjoyed with the company. We basically went around Candaba through San Miguel Bulacan. So instead of hitting Candaba before sunrise, we spent the early morning light on the road to Candaba. So what do birdnuts do? We made the most of it and I was able to get a decent picture of a striated grassbird.

The route had hundreds of Chestnut Munias along the road! But the light was not too good for photography. I was however able to photograph also a Cinnamon Bittern a Wood Sandpiper, and a Great Heron but images were not good, not even worth posting.

Just before arriving at Candaba we were able to spot a small Cattle egret and I took a few shots, this one turned out nice..

Then a Whiskered Tern started hunting for food about 20-30 feet away from our car! We stopped but no one could get a decent shot because it was too near so we all just stood in awe (but we were sitting in a car) and watched the tern do its work.



Arriving at Candaba, we immediately setup our gear and started snapping away! I heard the chirps of my two most favorite birds to photograph and hunted them down immediately, they readily obliged with a few poses.

These are Arctic Warblers. I love them so much because they are so skittish and soooooo hard to photograph! They come to the Philippines from the Arctic Circle. So little birds, so far to travel. And also, I think they are cute. :)

So are these little buggers..

This is a Golden-bellied Flyeater. Just as skittish as the warbler. But this one has a very distinct chirp like a referee's whistle.

Then off to the waterbirds I went...
Got me a picture of a lifetime, a lifer.
We were photographing a swamphen when from afar, a bird landed right at the edge of the marsh. We all could not identify it immediately so we started to take pictures of it. Then it moved closer. Close enough for a photo.

Its a Pheasant-tailed Jacana. An immature one and the plumage says that it is not in breeding season.
Then a grebe popped up and I took this quick shot.


Grebes are real cute..

Then I headed off to take photos of the flyers..
A Purple Heron

An Osprey

An eastern marsh harrier landing down to grab prey..

It landed right in the middle of some Grey Herons so I think this one grabbed a baby heron for lunch.

And speaking of lunch, sharing lunch with fellow birdnuts is incredible. Fun filled, we could not stop sharing tales of the morning even if we were with each other! haha!

heading home I snapped a few more photos of herons on the ground


The trip was incredible. Lots of birds, lots of photos lots of fun!