Birding in Susnguakti Forest with 2 French Tourists

I have just returned from Susnguakti forest this afternoon. I and some local villagers guided two French tourists on a 4 day/ 3 night hiking, camping, bird and wildlife tour. They were Geoffrey and Jessica. Susnguakti forest is a lower montane forest in the south of Manokwari city. We went hiking in the mornings and in the afternoons to find birds of paradise. They were able to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, and Magnificent Riflebird.

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius)

Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) - female

There were also other tropical birds in the forest including Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Spangled Drongo, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Azure Kingfisher, Mimic Meliphaga, Hooded Butcherbird, Eclectus Parrot, Fairy Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Northern Variable Pitohui, Black Sunbird, Hooded Pitta, Frilled Monarch, Papuan Blyth's Hornbill.

Rainforest tour in Manokwari with 2 French tourists

Cuscus Possums, Butterfly, Snake, and Frog

It was not only birds that we saw while exploring Susnguakti forest. Every night during our stay in the jungle, we did night walks. We were accompanied by 2 local villagers. They used their skills in immitating the sounds of cuscus possum to attract other cuscus. When they were doing the calls, everybody had to sit silently on the ground with all the flash-lights off. After calling for around five to fifteen minutes, we could hear the sounds of movements on the branches of trees above us. And yes, we saw the cuscus possums.

Cuscus Possum in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari

In addition to birds and cuscus, we also saw a lot of insects such as stick insects, beetles, dragonflies, and butterflies. 

Butterflies mating

One morning, when I was walking near a roseapple tree, I saw a couple of butterflies that were mating while flying. Yes, they were mating while "floating" in the air. Soon, they landed on a green leave. Carefully I approached them and took some pictures of the butterflies. 

It was at the end of a long dry season. There were a lot of fallen leaves on the forest floor. The amount of water that was flowing through our nearby river was very small. I saw some small frogs there. 

Fortunately, on the fourth day we experienced heavy rainfall. There was more water flowing through the small stream. Hopefully, all of the plants in the forest will grow again.
Jungle  Accommodation
We stayed in a basecamp made of wood, corrugated metal roof, and plastic sheets. Thete was no toilet. We use a nearby river as our bathroom and toilet. The water flows into the ground again. It was a very basic accommodation. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a rainforest adventure tour in Susnguakti forest, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180

Also read:

• Birding in Susnguakti forest
• Paradise Birds in Susnguakti forest
• Night Walk Tour in Susnguakti forest