by the Makiling Birders
What began as casual bird walks among friends has grown into a vibrant, volunteer-led citizen science initiative at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Makiling Birders is a campus-based community of students, faculty, and local bird enthusiasts united by a shared appreciation for birds and a commitment to conservation in and around Mt. Makiling.
Based at the foot of Mt. Makiling, a nationally recognized biodiversity hotspot, Makiling Birders conducts regular birding activities across accessible campus and forest trails, including the IRRI Staff Housing area—one of the most frequented birding routes within the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve. These walks offer more than recreation; they contribute valuable observations to citizen science platforms such as eBird, helping document avian diversity in an increasingly human-influenced landscape.
The community draws members from diverse backgrounds, including students of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Biological Sciences, members of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, and birdwatchers from the wider UPLB area. As interest grew, Makiling Birders also began welcoming visiting researchers, educators, families, and nature enthusiasts seeking guided birding experiences on campus. This openness has shaped the group into a learning space where curiosity, mentorship, and shared discovery thrive.
Since regular bird monitoring in the area began in 2016, bird species detections along the IRRI Staff Housing trail have steadily increased. Following the formation of Makiling Birders in 2024, observation frequency rose further, reflecting both heightened effort and growing community participation. To date, over a hundred bird species have been recorded from the area, including forest residents, migratory visitors, and occasional raptors—a testament to the ecological value of campus green spaces when consistently observed and documented.
Beyond checklist counts, Makiling Birders emphasizes inclusion and accessibility. Partnerships supporting green mobility on campus—such as shared bicycles and e‑scooters—have allowed more people to participate in birding, while collaborations with homeschool groups and student interns have expanded the group’s educational reach. These efforts highlight how birdwatching can serve as an entry point to nature awareness, even within semi-urban settings.
Makiling Birders demonstrates how grassroots initiatives can complement formal research and conservation efforts. By sustaining regular observations, nurturing new birders, and fostering appreciation for local biodiversity, the group contributes quietly but meaningfully to conservation knowledge and advocacy.
As Makiling Birders continues to grow, its members remain guided by a simple idea: that careful looking, shared learning, and community involvement can make a difference—one bird sighting at a time.
