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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dandsblair" data-source="post: 2914967" data-attributes="member: 107571">Villa EscuderaSecond day saw us drive off early to Villa Escadero, not seen this on many trip reports but recommended to us alongside Bangkong kahoy valley as an alternative to a second night in Makiling. Said to be easy here are Indigo-banded Kingfisher and Philippine Scops owl. The place is sort of family tourist attraction, and would suit those with non bidding partners but was pretty empty on a Monday morning. First two birds were endemic a Philippine Bulbul and then Ronald who was coming out with us in the afternoon pointed out the Philippine Scops Owl roost, the birds weren't showing very well do we decided to come back before dark. We then met one of the owners who is a keen birder and she pointed out a fruiting tree where we had great view of Stripe Headed Rhabdornis and then Red-keeled Flowerpecker. For anyone thinking of coming they have just put in a wetland area with a viewing platform that will obviously improve. We then headed over the river and past the dining tables, in the river, we probably got the Indigo-banded Kingfisher within 10 minutes and added Philippine Fantail and a confiding pair of barred Rails before lunch. Lunch was served in the river (weird), but as we sat furthest away from the falls i was able to snap away at the Kingfisher as it got used to us and approached really close.It was then back to the room which overlooked the river where saw a Monitor Lizard and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters before a very unexpected male Japanese Paradise Flycatcher with streamers Crossing the river. After our break we went to the new wetland area, not a lot there yet, a White-fronted Waterhen, a grey wagtail and a Snipe (sp). We then walked around the grassy area near the hacienda, we got Striated Grassbird, White-collared Kingfisher, Richards Pipit, Long-tailed Shrike and singing Philippine Magpie Robin. We split up slightly Sarah and Jops were one side of through pond right beside the new road with Ronald and I on the opposite grass verge, we saw a I-B Kingfisher and as we moved closer I flushed a Spotted Buttonquail which then disappeared before Sarah and Jops were able to see it. We had a bit of a discussion about how desperate we would be to see everything on this trip, we knew we wouldn't clean up so we agreed we would try to be a bit more relaxed about dips and just try to get them in the next strip. So no strops if we miss something.Now about 17.30 so back to tree next to our room where Owl was fortunately he is awake and there is also a second bird calling, light is just about good enough for a few record shots and then great flight views of the Philippine Scops Owl.Food is buffet style and quite reasonable with beer only 50pesos about a euro.After a good nights sleep we had packed breakfast and got off to Bangkong. This is small local reserve between two mountains which is good for mountain species. Before we had even got out the van we were encouraged to run quickly with a local guy (Chris was his name) who wanted to show us</blockquote>

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