Dates: March 1-19, 2026

Leader: Dion Hobcroft

E-bird

Total Species: 273 birds

Click Here to view list.

Overall Summary

A very successful tour with my good friend and excellent co-leader, Adrian Constantino. We visited multiple sites in Luzon (Canarem Lakes, Subic Bay, La Mesa Ecopark, Infanta, Mount Makiling), Palawan (Napsan and Irawan), Negros (Gawahon and Twin Lakes), and Bohol (Rajah Sikatuna and Corella). The birding was excellent, with many highlights including Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Philippine Eagle-Owl, Philippine Cockatoo, Azure-breasted Pitta, Visayan Wattled Broadbill, and Bicol Ground-Warbler, to name a few.

Beyond the birds, we observed Philippine Tarsier, Philippine Colugo, the rare Golden-crowned Flying-fox, Palawan Treeshrew, and Long-tailed Macaque. The butterflies were also remarkable, including Palawan Birdwing, Scarlet Mormon, Batwing, Banded Peacock, Orange Archduke, and Wallacean, again to name a few.

At Canarem, we enjoyed Philippine Ducks at the last second and Philippine Swamphen. Subic offered excellent birding with Green Racquet-tail, Rufous Coucal, Chocolate and Luzon Boobooks, a stunning Gray-headed Fish-Eagle, and a vagrant Yellow-browed Warbler among the temptations on offer. A quick twitch turned up a day-roosting Philippine Eagle-Owl in Quezon City.

Palawan was also very rewarding, with amazing views of Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Falcated Ground-Babbler, Philippine Cockatoo, and Palawan Frogmouth, among nearly 100 species recorded on the island. No one will ever forget the Philippine and Western Hooded Pittas at Irawan.

Returning to Luzon, we were still consistently sighting many new birds, including Ashy Thrush at La Mesa, Bicol Ground-Warbler and Rufous Hornbill at Infanta, and a conniving Luzon Bleedingheart at Mount Makiling.

We finished our birding in the Visayan islands of Negros and Bohol. Again, it was fabulous birding, with highlights including the rare Negros Jungle-Flycatcher, White-winged Cuckooshrike, and Visayan Hornbill, while Bohol excelled with incredible Azure-breasted Pitta, Visayan Wattled Broadbill, and Samar Hornbill. Check out the attached eBird trip report for a complete summary of our birding adventures.

Everyone will remember the great food, the friendly people, and the constant stream of highlights. Thank you for traveling with me, Adri, and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours.

Day-by-Day Summary

March 1 - Arrival and settling in; group meets and prepares for the upcoming multi‑island birding adventure.

March 2 - Birding at Canarem Lakes with last‑minute Philippine Ducks and excellent views of Philippine Swamphen.

March 3 - Superb forest birding with Green Racquet‑tail, Rufous Coucal, Chocolate and Luzon Boobooks, Gray‑headed Fish‑Eagle, and a vagrant Yellow‑browed Warbler.

March 4 - A quick twitch produces a day‑roosting Philippine Eagle‑Owl—one of the major highlights of the tour.

March 5 - Flight to Palawan and settling in; evening birding warm‑up.

March 6 - Outstanding views of Palawan Peacock‑Pheasant, Falcated Ground‑Babbler, and Philippine Cockatoo; nearly 100 species recorded on the island.

March 7 - Unforgettable encounters with Philippine and Western Hooded Pittas, plus Palawan Frogmouth and other island specialties.

March 8 - Travel back to Luzon; preparation for the next round of endemic‑rich sites.

March 9 - Excellent looks at Ashy Thrush and other Luzon forest birds.

March 10 - A productive day with Bicol Ground‑Warbler, Rufous Hornbill, and other montane specialties.

March 11 - A conniving Luzon Bleedingheart steals the show, along with continued sightings of Luzon endemics.

March 12 - Flight to Negros and transfer to the Gawahon area.

March 13 - Great birding with Negros Jungle‑Flycatcher, White‑winged Cuckooshrike, and Visayan Hornbill.

March 14 - Continued Visayan‑region specialties and scenic forest birding.

March 15 - Transfer to Bohol and settle in near Rajah Sikatuna.

March 16 - A banner day with Azure‑breasted Pitta, Visayan Wattled Broadbill, and Samar Hornbill.

March 17 - Birding around Corella plus sightings of Philippine Tarsier and other mammals.

March 18 - Last birding sessions, review of highlights, and celebration of the tour’s many successes.

March 19 - Farewells and travel home after an exceptional multi‑island Philippine birding adventure.

Wildlife Seen: 

Philippine Tarsier

Philippine Colugo

Golden-crowned and Large Flying-foxes

Yellow-faced Horseshoe Bat

Mindanao Pygmy Squirrel

Palawan Treeshrew

Gallery