The birds were there all along

However, the bird moved and jumped, so I wasn’t able to take a photo. What I didn’t expect was that the Mayang simbahan transferred to the electricity line nearest to me.  Looking at it, I felt that the bird was likewise curious about the human trying to capture its photo. I immediately snapped a photo with my camera and noticed that while its feathers were drenched, one could still observe its notable white cheek with a black spot on it. 

This time I found myself paying attention to details I would have initially missed. Thanks to Haribon Foundation’s Birds in the City webinar held last July 22, the session gave me the basic bird identification 101. I was hoping to spot the crow I usually hear in the mornings and see it perch in its usual spot. Sadly, although I could hear its familiar caw from a distance, it never appeared and perched where I expected it to be.

After I took the lone photo of the Mayang simbahan, it flew away. I never got to see where it headed next because I saw a different group of Mayang simbahan approach our neighbor’s tree and perch on the wall. This time there were three of them. I first thought the birds were playing, but later on realized they seemed restless. And that’s when I noticed the dark clouds and light sprinkle of rain. 

Before the event, I took seeing Mayang simbahan for granted. That day, I happily counted 4 Mayang simbahan outside our home. I am thankful to have recorded this number even as I live in the city. I was worried the night before the event that I would not see any perched birds on the day of monitoring. 

This activity taught me that the birds’ presence shows the health of the places we call home. Seeing a familiar bird like the Mayang simbahan may appear ordinary, but recording its presence contributes to painting a clearer image of our local environment. I learned in the Birds in the City webinar that every count helps us figure out which birds are thriving, which ones are becoming less common, and whether we are currently lacking green spaces.

When my 30 minutes of monitoring ended, I realized that enjoying nature doesn’t mean pursuing grand adventures; sometimes you only need to stop, listen, and observe what has been there all along. 

This Bird Monitoring and meaningful morning became a reality because I joined Haribon Foundation. Becoming a member-volunteer opened doors to experiences that helped me appreciate Philippine biodiversity in ways I never expected. As a volunteer, I’ve had the opportunity to host the following Haribon Foundation Green Learning Circle webinars: Basic Ecology, Birds in the City, and most recently, Why Philippine Biodiversity Matters to You. 

This August 1, I’ll also be joining my first tree-planting activity at the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, another chance to learn while giving back to nature. If you’ve ever wanted to connect more closely with the environment, I encourage you to become a Haribon member. Together, let’s keep common birds common and be part of its biodiversity conservation programs.

Haribon Member Spotlight: Ma. Ruth Agnes Quinones

Ruth is a Freelance writer, a mother, and a Haribon Foundation member volunteer. Through environmental webinars and other member committee activities, she continues to discover and appreciate Philippine biodiversity. She believes that stories help people value the natural world around them, and hopes her writing encourages others to look a little closer and help protect Philippine biodiversity.