The Ateneo Wild

Who is enjoying the wet weather after the long dry spell?

While walking along the PIPAC carpark after a mid day rain, a quick movement in the water in the drainage canal caught our attention. Can you spot what we saw? A light stripe down its back might give you a clue!

A small Common Puddle Frog (𝘖𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘻𝘺𝘨𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴) was resting just below the surface of the shallow ditch of rainwater. These small frogs are associated with water, ranging in habitat from forest to forest edge, and are even tolerant of urban environments. They have short, stocky bodies, and a traingular head. It has bulging eyes on the top of its head which can be seen above the waters' surface while the rest of the frog is submerged. They have webbed feet, and use their front legs to scoop food into their mouths.

The Common Puddle Frog is one of only two native species of amphibians on campus, the other being the Common Tree Frog (𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘹). So we are always happy to observe these shy amphibians, which are more active in the evenings.

Look who’s back!

Pia Certeza noticed these bright red insects while walking along the Berchmans Hall pathway a few weeks ago and took a photo. The Red Cotton Stainers (𝘋𝘺𝘴𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴) are back a predictable part of the Kapok fruiting season. From this excellent angle, we have a good view of their fronts and backs - zoom in to observe the white stripes on their underside and the black spot on their hemielytra, covering their black wings. They are joined together in a copula - a mating position that ensures the best chances of fertilization and can stay fused for several days!

Notice that one of them is carrying a Kapok seed. Red Cotton Stainers are phytophagous and they have special mouth parts that pierce plant parts, like seeds, to take up the nutrient-rich sap. In some agricultural areas, they are considered pests because they can damage plant tissues. They can also discolor the Kapok fibers, ruining its commercial value. Though we’ve observed these insects on Okra (𝘈𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘴) and Kapok on campus, their populations remain under control.

Thank you Pia for sharing your Red Cotton Stainer sighting!

Busy, busy, busy birds!

It might be downtime for students activities on campus, but life for our campus wildlife goes on! We spotted a pair of Black-naped Orioles (𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) hard at work constructing a nest on a tree beside dela Costa Hall during the nature walk held for the International Day for Biodiversity! The loud whistling of these bright yellow birds caught our attention while the group traversed the Red Brick Road, and the calls led us to the sight of one bird carrying some dried vegetation which it brought high up the tree. It was carefully weaving its nest, a hammock-shaped structure, anchored on sturdy branches. This pouch will usually hold two or three eggs, which we hope will lead to a successful fledging!

These very vocal birds go by various local names including Kilyawan, Kiyaw, and Antolihaw - derived from their melodious song. They can also give a harsh, raspy call, especially when threatened. We hope that this perfectly woven architectural wonder now holds precious eggs, a hopeful indicator that our campus is providing a healthy habitat for these beautiful birds.

We interrupt your doomscrolling with some literal bloomscrolling!

In other months, this tree at the entrance of the Gonzaga Hall driveway might escape your attention but, as May turns into June, it sheds its leaves and pushes out hundreds of yellow flowers that you can’t miss! The Golden Gardenia (𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) is in the middle of its blooming season, and it is covered in cream, yellow, to yellow-orange flowers. The deeper the yellow, the more mature the bloom. Aside from its showstopping colors, the flowers are also fragrant - try to pick one of the fallen pinwheel shaped blooms from the ground and see (smell?) for yourself!

This little tree is native to China and Indo-China but is planted in many other areas for its undeniable ornamental value. It is a charming addition to our campus tree line and a wonderful marker of the changing season!

Perhaps it was looking to apply to be the new school mascot?

Glenn de Leon sent us this documentation of a Collared Kingfisher (𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴), which was trapped in the staircase of the University President's office, but was fortunately caught and released back outside. Collared Kingfishers are a common resident of our campus, iconic in their plumage which displays the school colors. In the sunlight, the vibrant blue can also sometimes appear an iridescent turquoise or metallic green. The coloration of the feathers is not due to pigment, but to structure. Spongy nanostructures made of keratin in the kingfisher feathers act like prisms, scattering the incident light and reflecting brilliant blue. In reality, the pigments in the feathers are brown!

Birds and other wildlife often accidentally enter offices and buildings, perhaps chasing prey or just not realizing that the path of travel is not through and through. Often, they will just need a helping hand to safely find their way out again. Fortunately, Orly Hizon was able to help it safely back outdoors!

Thank you Orly and Glenn, for making sure our standard-bearer was safely returned to its natural habitat!

Can you guess where this photo was taken?

On an afternoon walk last month, we visited the Ateneo Grade School parking lot to visit the Banaba, Narra, and Mabolo trees in front of the Blue Eagle Gym. We happened to notice bird activity behind the iconic Blue Eagle emblem and took a closer look. To our delight, we discovered a hidden avian neighborhood in the shadows!

These Asian Glossy Starlings (𝘈𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) are just two of many that we saw going in and out of the hollow blocks on the gym facade. Take a closer look at their piercing red eyes! These birds are still in their juvenile phase with their light colored bellies streaked with dark brown. Adults have all black feathers that give off a blue sheen under a certain slant of light. Locally called Galansiang or Kuling-dagat, these birds are gregarious and are often seen in groups, calling out in a metallic chittering. They seem to be comfortable sharing the protective shade of the Blue Eagle with Eurasian Tree Sparrows (𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴), of which there were many as well.

We spent a few minutes enjoying the cheerful bird calls and the busy activity as the birds flew from hollow to tree and back. The next time you pass by the front of the Blue Eagle Gym, take a peek and see if you can find these fascinating birds!

Can you differentiate the flowers from the leaves in this picture?

We were exploring the land bridge between the Jesuit Residence and the Diversion Road fronting the CFMO offices when a lovely fragrance permeated the air - we looked up to find a tall Ylang-ylang (𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘢) tree in bloom! The yellow-green flowers are composed of six long, leathery petals which form a star shape. The essential oil extracted from these flowers is highly valued, exuding a deep and rich aroma that is highly valued in the global fragrance industry. It was popularized by the iconic Chanel No. 5 which was created way back in 1925! Despite this tree being native to tropical Asia and the Indo-Pacific, the largest producers of Ylang-ylang are the Comoro Islands and Madagascar in Africa. Ironically, the trees grown in these islands of the Indian Ocean were originally sourced from the Philippines.

Locally, towns in Tarlac and Pangasinan are the reviving the Ylang-ylang essential oil industry through community-based initiatives. Traditionally, the blooms are strung into leis of sampaguita flowers and used during religious ceremonies. More recent versions would have Kamia flowers instead. Would you recognize the different scents of these fragrant flowers?

Yo, was(p) up?

This large papery ball with the lovely scalloped pattern is an architectural marvel! We spotted it high up a tree beside the International Residence Halls a few weeks ago, with two of the engineers that built it. Many of you might already know what it is: a wasp nest! Some wasps species collect dead wood to chew on, creating thin papery sheets which they overlap tightly, creating this swirly pattern. This outer casing protects and inner core of hexagonal cells which house their young.

Wasps are important members of our campus ecosystem, performing critical ecological roles such as pollination and pest control. While their appearance might cause alam, the wasps on campus are not naturally aggressive but they will be on the defensive if threatened. Just give them a wide berth and we can peacefully coexist!

Despite the high bird activity on campus, one obvious missing character is this guy!

The Brown Shrikes (𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴) have left for their breeding grounds, and their characteristic shrill, rattling calls are no longer heard, but here is a beautiful photo taken by Allen Gacutan from last April! Can you tell where this observation was made? From the looks of the smaller Heritage Bell, this is a favorite hangout for this migrant!

Brown Shrikes are a very common migratory bird, occupying diverse habitats from forest to farmland to urban landscapes, going by many local names, including Tarat, Pakiskis, Tibalas, Panal, and Mamumugot. They arrive during as the weather in the northern hemisphere cools with the approaching winter and stay on until April or May. Young birds, not yet ready to breed, may overstay. But the adults will go on their long journey back to their breeding grounds where the abundance of spring is ideal to start new families. The longer days, milder temperatures, awakening vegetation and booming insect populations are advantageous for reproduction. Are you missing the Brown Shrike? Don't worry, it'll likely be one of the first species you will spot when migration starts anew! Thank you Allen for this wonderful photo of this iconic bird and iconic bells!

To our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrating the Eid'l Adha today, Eid Mubarak!

Our campus trees continue to bloom in the heat and humidity, and here's an unobtrusive species that's part of our Flores de Mayo!

The Sablot (𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘢) at the back corner of the International Residence Halls is covered in flowers - peep the whimsical clusters of yellow-green flowers and their pollen-topped stamens, a feast for pollinators! They will develop into round green fruit, like these on a tree at the driveway of the San Jose Seminary, which will ripen to a deep purple, to be enjoyed by frugivorous birds.

The Sablot, also called Puso-puso, is native to South Asia, Southern China, and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Aside from its flowers, it is also known for its dark green leaves that are covered in tiny hairs resulting in a fuzzy texture. It is a host tree for the Common Mime (𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘢), a butterfly with one of the most colorful caterpillars on campus!

Not all native trees have colorful flowers, but even the demure ones possess a charm of their own. Keep your eyes peeled for the blooming Sablot!