On a recent Tuesday morning, Lena Hartebrodt and Jonathan Klawitter embarked on a 2-hour and 40-minute birding trip along the Yellow Trail in Camp John Hay, Benguet, Philippines. The pair covered a distance of 2.8 kilometers, yielding a total of 13 bird species observed.

Their trip was highlighted by the sighting of the Red Junglefowl, a species native to the Philippines. Eight of these birds were spotted, likely indicating a stable and thriving population. These birds were joined by the Brahminy Kite, a common raptor in the Philippines, which was seen flying overhead.

Woodpeckers and flycatchers featured prominently in the duo's findings, with the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker and Citrine Canary-Flycatcher being notable sightings. Additionally, they recorded several species of songbirds, including the Blue-headed Fantail, which was seen in groups of three, the Elegant Tit, recorded in the largest numbers of any species with 13 birds spotted, and the Tawny Grassbird, a more solitary sighting.

Among the other species observed were the Philippine Jungle Crow and the Long-tailed Shrike. The Warbling White-eye was a standout, with a remarkable 24 birds recorded, indicating a possibly abundant population in the area. Other species observed included the Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, the Chestnut-faced Babbler, and the Bundok Flycatcher. The Philippine Jungle Crow, being one of the more common birds in the forest, was not unusual in its appearance.