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The Ateneo Wild, Quezon City (2026)

06/09/2026

The most commonly spotted bird in urban areas, including the campus, is often taken for granted, but take a few moments to get to know the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴)!

Jaxx Tigno shared his photo of these ubiquitous birds perched on a lamppost near the PLDT-CTC and JSEC area. They are easily identified by their small size and brown and cream plumage. Take a closer look at the photo and notice that their gape - the corners of their bill - are still a bright yellow. Along with their downy feathers, it indicates that these birds are still juveniles. Notice though that the bird behind already has the black cheek spot which may indicate that it is older than the bird in the foreground.

Locally called Maya or Guryon, these birds enjoy a wide distribution from Europe to Asia. As synanthropic animals, they are very closely associated with human activity. If you see one in the wild, it is a clue that a human settlement is nearby. On campus, they are often seen in large groups, chittering noisily as they forage for seeds on the ground. How many Mayas can you see in a given day?

Thank you Jaxx for sharing your cute ETS photo!

05/09/2026

What is that lovely fragrance permeating the air?

The White Champaca (𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘭𝘣𝘢) trees between Escaler and the SECB foyer are blooming and the best place to appreciate their elegant beauty is from the overhead sky walk.

While not native to the country, this tree is a hybrid cultivar that is widely planted in gardens and parks. The flowers have thick, waxy, cream colored petals which are thin and tapering. The trees flower several times a year, their sweet aroma filling the surroundings. There is also a row of them planted beside the Church of the Gesù, a beautiful choice for the serene side garden.

Being outdoors engages all senses, sight, sound, touch, and even smell! Fragrant gardens provide a therapeutic treat for our noses, calm your mind by taking in a deep breath of champaca-scented air.

04/09/2026

What a dapper bird, all that's missing is a bow tie!

We photographed this White-breasted Woodswallow (𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴) as it perched on a cable at the back of the Manila Observatory a few weeks ago. It is easily identified by its white chest and dark gray head and wings. Its bill is a lovely blue-gray, the same color as the sky in the background.

Locally called Gitgit or Pagatpat, this campus resident is often seen huddling with others of its kind on wires or tall lamp posts. You might have also seen them soaring above our sports fields, swooping through the air to catch insects in flight.

Have you seen this smartly dressed bird on campus? Scan the skies and peep at wires and tall structures for a glimpse of this charming bird!

03/09/2026

Isn't this such a charming troop of mushrooms?

We came across so many of these 𝘎𝘺𝘮𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 popping out of the thick leaf litter at the SOM Forest nearest to PIPAC. Their golden yellow caps, stood out against the decaying leaves. A quick peek under the leaf litter revealed a thick network of white mycelia! Most 𝘎𝘺𝘮𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 mushrooms are saprotrophic, playing important roles in the breakdown of decaying matter and the recycling of nutrients back to the environment. We couldn't help but pick a few fruiting bodies for a spore print, which revealed a creamy white pattern consistent with this genus!

Thank you to Pam Alva Gatchalian and the current batch of MS Science Education majors for helping out with identification.

It's the perfect weather to go on a mushroom hunt! Put on your weather proof boots, grab a magnifying lens, and ready your cameras for documentation! What fungi will you spot around campus?

02/09/2026

It's definitely not an itsy-spider!

Aldrin Nellas shared this photo of an impressive Golden Orb Weaver spotted near the Arrupe International Residence a few weeks ago. Golden Orb Weavers are arguably the largest spiders documented on campus, with legspans up to 15cm! We have logged two species so far - the Batik Golden Orb Spider (𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢) with a lovely dotted pattern and the Giant Golden Orb Weaver (𝘕𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘴), with yellow stripes running down it back. Not sure what the specimen in the photograph is based on its underside, but both species exhibit remarkable sexual dimorphism, with the females being much, much larger than the males. They also build giant webs, some spanning meters across! Take a close look and you can distinguish a golden tinge to the thickest silk strand - this is how they got their English common name.

Don't be alarmed by their size or shape - just admire them from afar and let them be!

Thank you Aldrin for sharing your amazing spider photo!

01/09/2026

Suddenly, we've hit the -BER months! Where did the time go?

Seems like this campus tree is aware of the schedule so enjoy this pop of red and green - a reminder that Christmas is coming! The Mali-mali (𝘓𝘦𝘦𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) at the Arboretum of Threatened Philippine Trees is blooming, pushing out dense clusters of these scarlet buds which will eventually open up to reveal cream colored petals. The red buds contrast beautifully against its dark green leaves!

Also called Abang-abang, this tree is native to the Philippines, Taiwan, and other Pacific islands. It's dense flower clusters attract diverse pollinators from wasps to bees to butterflies. Eventually, the flowers become round fruit which our campus frugivorous birds love to snack on!

Visit the Mali-mali at the corner of the Arboretum near the steps leading down to the Jesuit Wellness Center!

31/08/2026

Buzz buzz buzz!

Take a moment to admire the Philippine Giant Honeybee (𝘈𝘱𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢) that we saw nectaring on the beautiful blue-purple flowers of the Molave trees (𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘹 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢) at the Upper East Carpark several weeks back! Locally called Pukyutan, these pollinators are easily identified by their relatively larger size (up to 2.5 cm!) and their abdomens striped in white and black.

The Pukyutan is one of several bee species on campus, all of which perform critical pollination services. That some of them also produce honey is a sweet bonus! Pollinators are the backbone of our ecosystems, and their important role ensures our food security. What a fitting creature to feature today as we celebrate National Heroes Day!

As we remember the heroes that built the freedoms we enjoy today and those who continue to protect it, let's also think of the heroes of the natural world, keeping our ecosystems functioning! Mabuhay ang mga bayani! 🇵🇭🐝

30/08/2026

Here's a picture from sunnier days!

Alisha Regine Ting snapped this photo of a Chocolate Pansy (𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢) alight on a palm leaf beside the Horatio dela Costa Statue along the red brick road. Although it appears almost black from this angle, this butterfly has a beautiful reddish brown color, and like other Pansy butterflies, has lovely eyepots on the margins of its hind wings.

Commonly spotted flying gracefully with a slow flap of its wings, the Chocolate Pansy, also called the Brown Soldier, often stays close to the ground. It will not only land on low growing wild flowers to nectar, but also on bare ground to sip minerals. It is also often seen resting on corridor walls and ceilings, with its wings folded together.

The habagat has brought a deluge of rain to most of western Luzon, we pray that you are able to find a safe refuge, warm and dry with your loved ones.

Thank you Alisha for sharing this photo!

29/08/2026

Isn't this flower lily pretty? 😅😅😅

The Spider Lily (𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘮 𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘮) growing beside the road at the JM Lucas Renewal Center is blooming! Take a moment to admire the slender white petals that surround a spray of purple filaments topped by golden pollen. If you look closely enough you can also make out the shorter pistil at the center.

Locally called Bakong, Agabahan, Palagukon, or Kabog, this lovely plant is native to the Philippines. It naturally occurs along coastal areas but has since entered the ornamental plant trade because of its glossy, dark green leaves and lovely blooms.

It is among the largest ornamental lilies with mature specimens having leaves that are more than a meter long and flower stalks at about the same length! You can visit an impressive specimen at the corner of Matteo Ricci Study Hall and SEC B to see for yourself!

28/08/2026

Life imitating art which imitates life?

We spotted this Barred Rail (𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴) stepping over some stems of Bamboo at the pocket forest behind the Lower East Carpark. Ground birds belonging to the rail family are collectively called Tikling locally, and their movement as they walk in the fields, avoiding bamboo traps and snares set to catch them is said to inspire the Tinikling folk dance! Thankfully, there aren't any traps on campus and these elegant but shy birds are safe to roam and forage.

Barred Rails are very secretive, keeping to tall grasses or hidden in thick vegetation. They can be spotted when they come out to feed or walk beside our waterways, or cross fields, but will quickly run for cover when they spot humans. Their overall dull coloration is contrasted by white stripe under their eye, barring on their underparts and a reddish band across their chest. Their loud, metallic calls can be heard from their hiding places, with several birds usually calling out to each other.

We're coming into another wet weekend, we hope that everyone and all campus wildlife are safe during the heavy rainfall!

The Ateneo Wild

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

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