Cebu-based birdnut Nilo A. was in town yesterday (Feb. 28th) so we hied off to Candaba wetlands to have our regular birding fix. Nilo must have brought his lucky charm -
we were able to capture some documentary shots and record the call of the tough-to-see and uncommon Middendorff's Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella ochotensis).
We initially thought (and hoped) that it's the "rare, poorly known" Streaked Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus sorghophilus). The bird was in a clump of reeds
at the edge of the pond water and it stayed close to the ground (less than 2 feet from the ground). Thanks to Mr. Phil Round for the ID, this becomes my 259th photo-lifer. :)