On a sunny morning of August 24, 2025, Robert Cortes embarked on a birding trip to the UP Diliman--Faculty Center in the Philippines, yielding an impressive count of 16 bird species.

The most common bird seen on the day was the Scaly-breasted Munia, with an impressive 10 sightings, including three immature birds. Another frequent sighting was the Yellow-vented Bulbul, observed six times throughout the one-hour and 27-minute trip.

The trip also provided the opportunity to spot several waterbirds, including the Purple Heron and the Eurasian Moorhen, while the White-breasted Waterhen was only heard, suggesting its possible presence in the area.

Birds of different habitats were also spotted, such as the Rock Pigeon, found near human settlements, and the Rock-rumped Swiftlet, which is known to inhabit caves and rocky crevices.

The morning also saw the presence of several forest-dwelling birds, including the Coppersmith Barbet, the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, and the Golden-bellied Gerygone, as well as the Rose-ringed Parakeet and the Philippine Hanging-Parrot, both of which have been known to venture into urban areas in search of food.

Other notable sightings included the Collared Kingfisher and the Pied Triller, adding to the variety of the bird list for the day.