Sunday, April 15, 2018

Birding Adventure in Sorong Forest

Birding Tour in rainforest of Sorong city - Oriental Dollarbird
Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Birding in Sorong Ridge Forest

Sorong is a city in West Papua province of Indonesia. It is the gate to Raja Ampat which is a famous destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Most visitors who want to visit Raja Ampat will need to fly to Sorong city. They may have one or two days in the city before continuing their trip to the island. Taking a tour to a forest will increase the adventure experience of tourists about West Papua's nature. There is a forest area in the regency that is the natural habitat of various species of birds such as: Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), Variable Goshawk (Accipiter hiogaster), Olive-crowned Sunbird (Dicaeum pectorale), Yellow-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis), Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus), Helmetted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides), Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii), Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), Black Lory (Chalcopsitta atra), Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud), Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), and a lot more.
Rainbow Bee-eater in Sorong forest
Visitors who want to do land tour in Sorong city before or after their trip can take this rainforest hiking and birding tour. To do birding in this forest, visitors need to bring their own binoculars such as the Swarovski EL 8.5×42, Swarovski SLC 10×42, Nikon Monarch 5 10×42 or the more affordable Visionking 10×42 mm.
Since our birding tour is carried out along a mountain ridge, bringing a spotting scope will greatly enhance the birding experience.

Duration of The Birding Tour

The birding adventure in Sorong forest can be as short as 1 day to as long as 3 or 4 days. For day birding tour, participants can start by leaving their hotels at 05.00 and return to the hotel again at approximately 18.00. Birding in the forest for the whole day and going back to the hotel in the evening is one of the most convenient way to see tropical birds of West Papua in Sorong city.

What to bring for Birding in Sorong forest

  • Birding gear: binoculars and spotting scope
  • Wear hiking boots or sportshoes
  • Insect repellent lotion or spray
  • Some biscuits and a bottle of water
  • Field guide-book: Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler
Booking
If you are interested in taking this birding adventure tour, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.