On a recent morning in Los Baños, Laguna, bird enthusiast Emil Jan Llagas embarked on a birding excursion near the IRRI Staff Housing. Over the course of two hours and seven minutes, Llagas managed to spot an impressive 12 species of birds in the area.

A pair of Slaty-legged Crakes was one of the first notable sightings, along with a solitary Asian Emerald Dove. The diverse mix of species included raptors and non-raptors. One notable finding was the presence of a Luzon Hornbill, a species considered near-threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Other notable sightings included a Coppersmith Barbet, Brown-breasted Kingfisher, and an Ashy Minivet perched on a tree branch amidst dense forest cover. Llagas also spotted the rare and colorful Balicassiao, a species native to the Philippines. Additionally, he observed Coleto, an unusual finding for the area, and a Garden Sunbird that had flown into view three times.

Notable waterbird sightings included the Philippine Bulbul and Yellow-vented Bulbul. White-bellied Munia was another species recorded during the trip.

The birding excursion covered approximately 1.453 kilometers within 1.5 hours, with Llagas being the sole observer of the species present at the time. The observations serve as a testament to the rich and thriving birdlife in the Los Baños area.