Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Rainforest Tour in Mesirrokow River of Manokwari

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in Manokwari
I guided two French tourists, Guillaume and Jessica last weekend. We went hiking, camping and birdwatching along the banks of Mesirrokow river in the northwest region of Manokwari. The river-forest environment was the natural habitat of birds, insects, marsupial and mammals that are endemic to New Guinea.
To watch them, we need to walk along the banks and through the shallow water area of the river. I brought 2 pairs of binoculars and my old Fujifilm HS50EXR.
Eupholus schoenherri beetle
During the 3-day/ 2-night rainforest tour, we saw such birds as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Papuan Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Grey Goshawk (Accipiter Novaehollandiae), Willie Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, Western Black-capped Lory, Rainbow Lorikeet, Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) and a lot more.
We also saw beautiful butterflies such as New Guinea Clipper, Blue Mountain Swallowtail, the Silky Owl Butterfly, and other butterflies which I could not identify. There was one beettle called Eupholus schoenherri sitting on a leave. Its colors were so beautiful. I made some pictures of this unique insect. There were also flowers which I don't know its species name.
If you are interested in visiting Manokwari and exploring the bio-diversity of its rainforest, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com