APRIL 2026
April 4, 2026- Guided birdwatching trip in La Mesa Eco Park, Quezon City
A Black Saturday guided birdwatching trip was held at the La Mesa Eco Park for 35 participants. The day was hot and birding started slow with only a few birds seen at the spillway. The group proceeded to the mini forest where a Black-chinned Fruit Dove flew and perched in full view while consuming the red berries of the McArthur Palm. Some of the participants also saw the Hooded Pitta. The WBCP members who volunteered for this guided trip were Ushabelle Bongco, Jolo Choo, Micah Lim, Mike Lu, Marvin Mariano, Russell Orodio, Andrew de Pano, Katie Prado, Jorge de Ramos, Ramil del Rosario, Mylene Santos, and Sanne Unson.
April 5, 2026 – Guided birdwatching trip in Tagalag Eco Park, Valenzuela City
WBCP volunteers Mund and Irene Duran, Mike Lu, and Marvin Mariano led the guided trip at Tagalag Eco Park on Easter Sunday for 28 participants. Luckily for the group, the most sought-after Tagalag birds – Wandering Whistling Duck, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Philippine Swamphen, Little Grebe, and Pink-necked Green Pigeon – gave everyone a good show. Late migrants seen were Common Kingfisher, Whiskered Tern, and Brown Shrike.
April 9, 2026 – Guided birdwatching trip at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon City
There was an increase in participants signing up to join guided trips during the Holy Week, so the club arranged for a trip to the Ninoy Aquino Park to accommodate those who were waitlisted the previous week. Led by Mike Lu, Jorge de Ramos, Justin de Ramos, and Maia Tanedo, the first-time birdwatchers listed a little over ten species in 1-1/2 hours. The group decided to look for the resident Philippine Eagle Owl in the other end of the park. The owl was not in its usual haunts, instead the group was rewarded with 2 Philippine Hanging Parrots busy gorging on the ripe berries of the McArthur palm. The participants were also taken on a short tour of the wildlife rescue center.
April 12, 2026 – Guided trip for Buhay Aralan – Homeschool Coop at Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park
A guided trip was arranged upon request by the Buhay Aralan Homeschool Coop at the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park. The homeschool kids saw the last of the migratory birds such as Whiskered Tern, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Black-winged Stilt, and Common Kingfisher as well as the resident Collared Kingfisher, Purple Heron, and Black-crowned Night Heron. The group also hiked the beach forest trail to the mangrove forest boardwalk. The volunteer guides for this group were Mike Lu and Jed Guzman.
April 22, 2026 – Earth Day celebration at Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park
In celebration of the 19th foundation day of the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, now called the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park, a series of activities were held for the various stakeholders such as lectures, coastal clean-up, nature walk, and birdwatching. WBCP represented by Mike Lu gave a talk on the early days of the park including the data gathering done by birdwatchers which led to its proclamation as a critical habitat.
April 23, 2026 – Ocular trip to Taguig Lakeshore Community Park
As part of the assessment of potential ecotourism sites in NCR, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines represented by Mike Lu, joined the Regional Ecotourism Council-NCR at the Taguig Lakeshore Community Park along the shores of Laguna Lake. Along with DENR-NCR and various tour operators, the Taguig LGU led the inspection of the park facilities which included recreational facilities built above the lake.
April 25, 2026 – Quezon City Bird Race at La Mesa Eco Park
Team Tweethearts represented by WBCP members Camille King and Angel Chan won the 1st leg of the Quezon City Bird Race organized by the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines in partnership with the Quezon City local government. The QC Bird Race aims to raise awareness to the urban avian diversity of Quezon City will have 2 more legs scheduled at the Ninoy Aquino Park and the University of the Philippines campus.
April 25, 2026 – Movie Night at the Theater Room, The Lerato, Makati City
WBCP member Bom Gomez organized a movie night to watch the 2025 documentary film, The Listers: A Glimpse into Extreme Birding. The film is about the Reiser brothers who spent a year attempting an American big year record. Members who joined the movie night organized by Bom Gomez were Gabby Gomez, Luis Gomez, Karen Ochavo, Bambi Martinez, Diuvs De Jesus, Dindo Malonzo, Myles Holar, Allan Holar, Patcha Pangatungan, Kat Contreras, Ana Alcantara, and Denise Samson.
April 26, 2026 – Guided birdwatching trip for Philippine Fauna Arts Society & Valenzuela Visual Arts Society at Tagalag Eco Park, Valenzuela City
In celebration of Earth Day, the Club conducted a guided birdwatching trip at the Tagalag Eco Park for members of the Philippine Fauna Art Society and the Valenzuela Visual Art Society. There were not many migrants this time of the year but the resident Eurasian Moorhen, Philippines Swamphen, and the Little Grebe showed themselves very well. After the guided trip, the group headed for Tata Celo’s Kainan for breakfast and to paint the birds they saw and observed. WBCP bird guides were Ana Alcantara, Isa Celis, Jed Guzman, Mike Lu, and Angelica Prado.
MAY 2026
May 25, 2026 – 5th Convening of the Environmentalists Stand Against Corruption (ESAC) at Coco Bistro, Quezon City
The 5th Convening of the Environmentalists Stand Against Corruption (ESAC) was organized by Panatang Luntian, a coalition of environmental organizations of which the WBCP is a member. In relation to the political developments affecting the environment, Panatang Luntian assembled member organizations that met for a collective discussion regarding environmental justice and destruction. The gathering aims to strengthen the participation of the green-based organizations with its upcoming plans and campaigns to strengthen a call for accountability, environmental protection, and people-centered development. The WBCP was represented by VP Cristina R. Cinco.
May 30, 2026 – Guided Trip for Senior Citizens at the Tagalag Fishing Village, Valenzuela City
In celebration of Araw ng Tagalag, Barangay Captain Rene Bernardo and the kagawads led by Arcee Dayego organized a guided birdwatching activity for Tagalag senior citizens. Thirty participants signed up, including a number who came on wheelchairs. It was challenging for some of the seniors to use the binoculars or bend down to look through the spotting scope but everyone was happy to have this opportunity to go outdoors. Kudos to the bird guide volunteers who patiently guided the seniors – Maia Tañedo, Tinggay Cinco, Djop Tabaranza, Edgar Zeta Yap, and Mylene Santos.
May 31, 2026 – Guided Trip in UP Diliman, Quezon City
Due to the hot and humid summer and the huge number of requests for guided birdwatching activities, the bird club scheduled a late afternoon guided trip at the Science Complex of the University of the Philippines – Diliman at 4:30 pm. Participants were fortunate to see Large-billed Crows, Black-naped Orioles, and Crested Mynahs even while the orientation was taking place. Other highlights were a nesting Pied Triller and a show of Colasisis and Coppersmith Barbets towards the end of the activity. Bird guide volunteers were Mike Lu, Maia Tañedo, Djop Tabaranza, Ravie Piansay, Sophia Bantilan, and Irma Magnata.
JUNE 2026
June 7, 2026 – Philippine Eagle Week celebration, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon City
As part of the activities In celebration of Philippine Eagle Week, Alain Pascua launched his book, “Lord of the Forest – The Fall and Rise of the Great Philippine Eagle” and the 2nd leg of the 1st Quezon City Bird Race where WBCP members Gelo Arboleda and Leonard Rizada of Team Geonard placed 2nd with 39 photographs, closely followed by WBCP members Camille King and Angel Chan of Team Tweethearts placing 3rd with 38 photographs.
June 12, 2026 – Guided trip at Tagalag Eco Park,Valenzuela City
Thirty participants joined the Independence Day guided birdwatching activity at the Tagalag Eco Park. The Black-crowned Night Herons were aplenty, the Purple Herons amazed the participants with their graceful flight, and the Little Grebes delighted both young and old. The Tagalag specialties namely Philippine Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, and Wandering Whistling Duck were nowhere in sight but most resident species were seen. Volunteer guides for this trip were Mike Lu, Linda Gocon, Isobele and Liam Camacho.
June 28, 2026 – Nature Walk with Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon City
In celebration of the National Biodiversity Month, the club partnered with the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc. (PNPCSI) for a Nature Walk where participants are introduced to the birds and plants of Ninoy Aquino Park. The first hour was allocated for birdwatching with lead guides Mike Lu and Tinggay Cinco. The tree walk was led by Ronald Achacoso and Anthony Arbias. More than 30 participants joined the activity with a group of four from the Provincial Tourism office of Nueva Vizcaya. Other members who volunteered for the activity were Ana Alcantara, Isabel Celis, Katie Prado, Jed Guzman, Ruth Hageman, and Zita Pascasio.
June 28, 2026 – Guided trip in University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
To accommodate waitlisted registrants who were not able to join the Nature Walk at the Ninoy Aquino Park, the Club scheduled another trip in the afternoon of the same day at the University of the Philippines campus. Twenty four participants joined the activity on short notice. Most resident birds in the Science complex were seen very well including the Coppersmith Barbet, the Black-naped Oriole and the Philippine Hanging Parrot. Volunteer guides for the trip were Mike Lu, Tinggay Cinco, Katie Prado, Weng and Anthony de la Torre.
June 30, 2026 – Regional Ecotourism Council -NCR meeting at the Robinson’s Summit Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati
Members of the Regional Ecotourism Council-NCR gathered to assess the 11 ecotourism sites visited by the team in the past few months. The meeting was called for the members to grade and vote for the top sites to be promoted. Ecotourism sites that pass the grade will be announced in a special meeting with the different tourism department of the LGUs in December. Council members were representatives of the Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, tour operators, and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.