On January 7, 2025, Ana Gabrielle Alcantara took a 28-minute birding stroll around the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan, Agusan del Norte, Philippines, spotting an impressive 11 bird species.

The morning walk began with a sighting of two Zebra Doves perched in a nearby tree, followed by a single unidentified fruit-dove. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater made a striking appearance, with its bright blue tail feathers, accompanied by a Collared Kingfisher, which seemed to be scanning the area for its next meal.

Other notable sightings included the Guaiabero, a creature known for its melodic song, and the Golden-bellied Gerygone, a small, energetic bird with a distinctive golden throat patch. The Black-naped Oriole made an appearance, its vibrant plumage standing out against the hotel's surroundings.

The group also spotted the Philippine Pied-Fantail, known for its fascinating head-twitching behavior, as well as the Yellow-vented Bulbul, which was seen foraging on the ground. Unidentified white-eyes, a common sight in the area, numbered ten among the day's sightings. The Asian Glossy Starling, with its iridescent feathers, and the Garden Sunbird, with its striking yellow and orange plumage, were also spotted.

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow, a common guest in many urban gardens, rounded out the list of sightings.

Overall, this birding trip around the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center provided Ana Gabrielle Alcantara with a delightful introduction to the local birdlife of Butuan.