Wildlife Up Close

18/06/2026

Join the Partido Birdwatchers Club's 2nd Birdwatching Activity in Genorangan, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur on June 27! 😁

Register through this link: https://forms.gle/7Gwwn3V5ahP9XzBfA

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲!

The 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 invites everyone to participate in our 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲!

This activity aims to promote environmental awareness, appreciation of local bird species, and community engagement through nature observation.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced bird enthusiast, we welcome you to join us for a meaningful and enjoyable outdoor experience.

📍 Location: Genorangan, Lagonoy Camarines Sur
📅 Date: June 27, 2026 (SATURDAY)
📝 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/7Gwwn3V5ahP9XzBfA

Kindly register in advance as slots may be limited.

We look forward to birdwatching with you!

"Connecting people through birds and wildlife conservation"

17/06/2026

One of the most beautiful doves in the Philippines, the Flame-breasted Fruit Dove that can only be seen in Luzon and nowhere else in the world. Despite its beauty, this species faces increasing threats from hunting and the continued loss of its forest habitat.

We were fortunate to observe this individual last May (2026) in the Tarlac–Zambales Mountain Range, one of Luzon’s remaining strongholds for wildlife. Its presence is a promising sign of a healthy forest ecosystem, as these fruit-loving birds depend on abundant fruiting trees for their survival.

Protecting these forests is essential not only for the Flame-breasted Fruit Dove but also for the countless other species that call them home.

13/06/2026

One of the birds we regularly encountered during our surveys in Baggao, Cagayan was the Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike.

Just last week, while attending the 1st Kiyaw Festival, we learned an interesting observation shared to us during the bird race: the presence of a Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, whether seen or heard, can sometimes indicate that an Isabela Oriole and/or White-lored Oriole is nearby. While this is not always the case, the observation immediately resonated with our own field experiences.

Our surveys in Baggao focused on the Critically Endangered Isabela Oriole, and looking back at our field notes, we realized that many of our encounters with orioles coincided with the presence of Bar-bellied Cuckooshrikes (and sometimes Pied Trillers). In several instances, the orioles were moving together with cuckooshrike flocks through the canopy. Of course, this pattern was not consistent every time; we also observed White-lored Orioles on their own and encountered cuckooshrikes without any orioles nearby. Still, it was fascinating to see how closely this local observation matched what we had experienced in the field.

Encounters like these remind us that paying attention to one species can often lead to discoveries about many others.

(January 2026)

11/06/2026

Why do snakes shed their skin?

Unlike humans, snakes cannot grow with their skin. As they increase in size, they periodically shed their outer layer in a process called ecdysis. Shedding not only allows for growth but also helps remove parasites, worn scales, and damaged skin.

Before shedding, a snake enters a "pre-shed" phase where its colors appear dull and its eyes turn cloudy or bluish. This happens because a layer of fluid forms between the old and new skin, temporarily reducing the snake's vision. During this time, snakes often become more secretive or defensive. Once the eyes clear, shedding is usually only a few days away, and the old skin is often removed in a single continuous piece.

If you've ever found a shed snake skin with the eye coverings still intact, that's because snakes do not have eyelids. Instead, their eyes are protected by a transparent scale called a spectacle (or eye cap), which is shed along with the rest of the skin. In a healthy shed, these eye caps usually come off in one piece.

Another interesting sign of a snake nearing a shed is a distinct musky odor. This smell is associated with the fluid and skin changes that occur during the shedding process and is sometimes noticeable when observing snakes up close.

During a nocturnal survey in Ilocos Norte (Feb 2026), we encountered an adult Red-tailed Green Ratsnake in the middle of this remarkable process. To avoid causing unnecessary stress, we observed it from a distance and only took a few quick photographs before moving on. Seeing a snake actively preparing to shed is always a fascinating reminder of the adaptations that help these animals survive and thrive in the wild.

22/05/2026

09/05/2026

Every year, millions of migratory birds travel across countries and oceans, and the Philippines becomes one of their safe places to rest, feed, and continue their incredible journey.

As part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, also known as the “highway in the sky,” our wetlands and ecosystems support more than 200 migratory bird species that visit the country each year.

This World Migratory Bird Day, let’s celebrate these amazing travelers and continue protecting the habitats they depend on. From waterbirds to raptors, every migratory species plays an important role in keeping nature balanced and thriving. 💚

23/04/2026

A Bird in a Paradise!

A Philippine Trogon also known as Magapoy and believed to have inspired the mythical bird "Ibong Adarna" was spotted in the said "Emerging Paradise of the Pacific", Caramoan.

This bird is an endemic species or can only be found in the Philippines highlighting the importance of preserving them and their habitat which is the remaining forest of Caramoan.

Let's help in the conservation of these birds so the future generations can also witness and appreciate their beauty.

03/03/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 — 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐭.

Every year, countless native animals lose their lives on our roads. Snakes, monitor lizards, frogs, civets and other wildlife are not “road obstacles.” They are part of the ecosystem that keeps our forests, rivers, and communities alive.

The problem is not just speeding.
The problem is awareness.

As development expands, roads cut through habitats. Wildlife tries to cross. Vehicles don’t slow down. Most incidents go unreported. Most suffering goes unseen.

Through BANTAY-DAAN, we are addressing traffic-impacted native animals along our yards and roads by:

• Documenting wildlife road incidents
• Identifying danger hotspots
• Advocating for wildlife crossing signage
• Mobilizing community reporting
• Promoting responsible driving in biodiversity zones

This is not just about animals.
This is about responsibility.

When you drive through Subic and other biodiversity corridors, remember:

Don’t take your eyes off the road.
Slow down. Stay alert. Save a life.

Because guarding the road means guarding our wildlife.