Birdwatching at La Mesa Ecopark: Our Experience on a Guided Walk
Birdwatching probably isn't the first activity that comes to mind when planning a weekend with the family. But if you enjoy nature, photography, or discovering something new, it's an experience worth trying.
On October 24, 2026, we joined a Birdwatching & Photo Walk at La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City.
The activity was organized by Green Corner in collaboration with La Mesa Ecopark and welcomed beginners, nature enthusiasts, and bird photographers.
There were about 24 participants, including adults and a couple of teenagers.
Our family has been getting more interested in birdwatching, particularly because I enjoy researching birds and identifying different species.
This was a wonderful opportunity to learn from experienced birdwatchers and spend the morning observing wildlife.
What Happens During a Guided Birdwatching Walk?
We started at around 7:30 AM with a short introductory talk by Cel Tungol and Jake Derla Domens, who also led the guided birdwatching walk before heading out. Our co-guide is Tezuka Corañez.
Throughout the walk, the guides helped participants identify different birds and explained their habitats and where the species come from.
One of the advantages of joining a guided birdwalk is having someone point out birds that you might otherwise miss.
Sometimes you hear a bird before you see it. Other times, it's right there in front of you, but so well camouflaged that you don't notice it.
Our guided activity ended at around 10 AM, after approximately two and a half hours.
And yes, there was quite a bit of walking involved!
Our Most Memorable Bird Sightings
We recorded several interesting sightings throughout the morning, but a few stood out.
The Sleeping Philippine Nightjar
One of the most memorable birds was a Philippine Nightjar.
It was sleeping when we saw it, and it was fascinating to observe how well it blended into its surroundings.
Nightjars are active at dusk and at night, so they spend the day resting, and their camouflage makes them very hard to spot.
It was also a good reminder that birdwatching requires patience and careful observation.
Three Blue-tailed Bee-eaters
We also saw three Blue-tailed Bee-eaters.
What made this encounter especially memorable was watching one of them catch and eat a dragonfly.
Seeing that happen in the wild was much more exciting than simply looking at a photograph of the bird.
It gave us a chance to observe how birds feed and interact with their environment.
A Purple Heron That Didn't Stay Long
We spotted a Purple Heron early in the morning, but it quickly flew away.
That's one of the realities of birdwatching. You don't get to decide how long a bird stays in view.
Sometimes you have plenty of time to observe. Other times, you only get a few seconds.
A Surprise After the Guided Walk
Interestingly, one of our most exciting sightings happened after the guided activity had already ended.
While we were fishing, I spotted a North Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher.
I have been reading about birds and researching different species for some time, so identifying the bird was particularly exciting!
It was also a reminder that you don't necessarily have to be on an organized birdwatching tour to notice something remarkable.
Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you're simply paying attention.
What Birds Were Seen at La Mesa Ecopark?
The main checklist from the walk recorded 21 bird species.
They were:
Philippine Nightjar
Pygmy Swiftlet
Gray-rumped Swiftlet
White-breasted Waterhen
Black-crowned Night Heron
Little Egret
Little Heron
Purple Heron
Rufous-crowned Bee-eater
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Common Kingfisher
Ashy Minivet
Pied Triller
Black-naped Oriole
Brown Shrike
Philippine Jungle Crow
Striated Grassbird
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Scaly-breasted Munia
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Gray Wagtail
These were recorded in the eBird app by Dins Ong. Additional bird species were recorded separately by Cel Tungol, including the Whiskered Tern, Collared Kingfisher, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Arctic Warbler, Ashy Thrush, Pygmy Flowerpecker, and Garden Sunbird.
These were combined birdwatching records, so not every participant necessarily saw every species.
For us, the most enjoyable part wasn't counting how many species we saw. It was observing their behavior and learning more about them.
What Equipment Did We Use?
We brought our SVBONY SV47 binoculars and Cel Tungol also kindly lent us her binoculars.
You don't need to invest in expensive birdwatching equipment before trying your first guided walk.
Binoculars certainly help, but learning how to spot birds, listen for calls, and recognize their distinguishing features is just as important.
If you're new to birdwatching, joining an organized walk can be a good introduction before deciding whether to purchase your own equipment.
How Much Does a Guided Birdwatching Walk Cost?
For the October 24, 2026 event, the fees were:
Guided Birdwatching & Photo Walk: ₱500 per person
La Mesa Ecopark entrance: Free for visitors with valid QCitizen IDs, or ₱50 per person without one
These rates applied to our visit and this particular guided activity. Future events may have different prices and registration requirements.
The walk was organized by Green Corner in collaboration with La Mesa Ecopark.
If you're interested in joining a similar activity, watch for announcements from the organizers.
What Should Beginners Bring?
Based on our experience, we recommend bringing:
Comfortable walking shoes
Drinking water
Sunscreen
Hat or cap
Binoculars, if you have them
Camera or smartphone
Small notebook for observations
Patience!
The last one is important.
Birdwatching isn't about rushing from one sighting to another. Sometimes you need to stand quietly, listen, and wait.
Be prepared for a fair amount of walking, too. Our activity lasted approximately two and a half hours.
Is Guided Birdwatching Worth Trying?
We would definitely recommend it, especially for families who enjoy nature and are looking for something different to do on weekends.
You don't need to know the names of birds before joining. That's part of what makes a guided walk useful.
Our family enjoyed learning about different species, observing bird behavior, and exploring La Mesa Ecopark in a different way.
The sleeping Philippine Nightjar, the bee-eater catching a dragonfly, and the unexpected kingfisher sighting made the morning particularly memorable.
If you're looking for an outdoor activity that combines learning, exercise, photography, and nature, consider joining a guided birdwatching walk.
Just be ready to walk—and keep your eyes and ears open.
Photography acknowledgment: A huge thank-you to Meg del Castillo for generously sharing her stunning photos of the Philippine Nightjar and the Blue-tailed Bee-eaters. Her shots captured details we could only glimpse through our binoculars. You can see more of her work on her Facebook page.
Spencer C.
Grilled Tomatoes — Go. Eat. Play. Explore.
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