Camp John Hay’s Yellow Trail, long celebrated as one of Baguio City’s premier birding destinations, became the unexpected stage for a rare wildlife encounter when a juvenile Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) was discovered.
On November 10, at the onset of Typhoon Uwan, two security personnel from the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) spotted a disoriented bird while patrolling the trail. The juvenile appeared exhausted and unable to fly properly, clear signs of distress likely caused by the storm.
Recognizing its condition, the JHMC security team acted swiftly to ensure the bird’s safe capture and immediate care. The juvenile was then entrusted to the Environment and Asset Management Department (EAMD), which promptly coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Conservation Development Division for proper handling.
The Red-tailed Tropicbird is a striking species, distinguished by its long white tail streamers tipped in red and its graceful flight. Typically found soaring over tropical seas and diving for fish near coral reefs, it is rarely seen inland. Its presence in Camp John Hay is a highly unusual reminder of how extreme weather events can displace marine species far from their natural habitats.
The DENR emphasized that rescues like this highlight the broader environmental toll of typhoons, which can force marine wildlife into unfamiliar territories.
Camp John Hay’s trails, including the Yellow Trail, are already renowned for their rich avian diversity, attracting birding enthusiasts from across the country. This unexpected visitor now adds to the site’s growing reputation as a sanctuary not only for local species but also for displaced wildlife seeking refuge.
