earlytorise
Well-known member
Long weekend, Manila booked on a whim because of proximity to Hong Kong.
La Mesa Ecopark is located in Quezon City, about an hour-and-a-half's taxi ride from Manila airport. I stayed at a hotel that is a 20-minute walk from the park entrance, through some very crowded streets, a mall and a number of restaurants.
You are supposed to book your entry in advance on La Mesa Ecopark Reservation System
Tick the box for entry (20 pesos) and also Phase 3 (50 pesos).
When you get to the entrance and pay your 20 pesos, make sure to tell the staff that you are birding in the mini-forest. They will direct you to the admin office to pay your 50 pesos.
On your way to the admin office, check the trees for any birds. You might get a Garden Sunbird, a Philippine Bulbul, an Arctic Warbler, that sort of thing.
Then, ask the admin office where the gate is. The mini-forest is behind the gate.
Before you go past the gate, look for the upstairs playground - as opposed to a different playground that is on a lawn. You can stand behind the playground and watch the shaded wooded section where the female/immature Spotted Kingfisher keeps going back. Ashy Thrush sometimes go there too. Philippine Pitta is supposed to be there but it didn't during the two days I knew about the place.
There is a lake behind the parking lot opposite the admin office. I don't know if waterbirds are possible, but you've come all this way so you may as well check.
Past the gate, you enter the forest edge or clearing with a flowing river. This is the best place to look out for Luzon Hornbill. There is also a flowering tree on which Coppersmith Barbers feed, making for a convenient photographic opportunity.
I had much better luck in that clearing than within the forest. I asked other birders on the day and they too were disappointed. The only thing I got in the forest was an Ashy Thrush that showed for a while on the forest floor. Maybe if I spent more time I'd have more luck.
It gets very hot by 10am. I once went after 2pm, when it was even quieter.
La Mesa Ecopark is located in Quezon City, about an hour-and-a-half's taxi ride from Manila airport. I stayed at a hotel that is a 20-minute walk from the park entrance, through some very crowded streets, a mall and a number of restaurants.
You are supposed to book your entry in advance on La Mesa Ecopark Reservation System
Tick the box for entry (20 pesos) and also Phase 3 (50 pesos).
When you get to the entrance and pay your 20 pesos, make sure to tell the staff that you are birding in the mini-forest. They will direct you to the admin office to pay your 50 pesos.
On your way to the admin office, check the trees for any birds. You might get a Garden Sunbird, a Philippine Bulbul, an Arctic Warbler, that sort of thing.
Then, ask the admin office where the gate is. The mini-forest is behind the gate.
Before you go past the gate, look for the upstairs playground - as opposed to a different playground that is on a lawn. You can stand behind the playground and watch the shaded wooded section where the female/immature Spotted Kingfisher keeps going back. Ashy Thrush sometimes go there too. Philippine Pitta is supposed to be there but it didn't during the two days I knew about the place.
There is a lake behind the parking lot opposite the admin office. I don't know if waterbirds are possible, but you've come all this way so you may as well check.
Past the gate, you enter the forest edge or clearing with a flowing river. This is the best place to look out for Luzon Hornbill. There is also a flowering tree on which Coppersmith Barbers feed, making for a convenient photographic opportunity.
I had much better luck in that clearing than within the forest. I asked other birders on the day and they too were disappointed. The only thing I got in the forest was an Ashy Thrush that showed for a while on the forest floor. Maybe if I spent more time I'd have more luck.
It gets very hot by 10am. I once went after 2pm, when it was even quieter.
