Paradise Bird Watching and Wildlife Tour in Indonesia

Birding and Photography Tour in Indonesia to watch paradise bird, parrot, kingfisher, pigeon, dove, sunbird, flowerpecker, pitta, from Malagufuk in Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo in Raja Ampat of West Papua to Minahasa (Mount Mahawu, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, District Sonder) in North Sulawesi. I support community based tourism. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Another Birding Tour in Arfak Mountains and Klasow Valley

I have just conducted another birding tour in Arfak mountains and Klasow valley with a Dutch-Australian lady. We flew from Sorong city to Manokwari by Lion Air and then went directly to Arfak mountains by a chartered 4WD car. We went hiking to watch Western Parotia, Black Sicklebill, Vogelkop Lophorina (female), Magnificent Bird of Paradise as well as other birds such as Blue Gray Robin, Black Fantail, Ornate Melidectes, Fantail Monarch, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Gray Green Scrubwren, Green-backed Robin, Mountain Fruit Dove, and Feline Owlet Nightjar.

Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Western Parotia, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise

Some rainforest birds in Arfak mountains in Manokwari and Klasow Valley (Malagufuk) of Sorong regency

We visited the sites of Wattled Brush Turkey, and Vogelkop Bowerbird but it always rained in the afternoons when we were there. So, we could not see the birds.

After spending 4 days/ 3 nights in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, we flew back to Sorong city again. We had to buy food materials before continuing our trip to Klasow valley where we spent 3 days 2 nights there. We saw a lot of species of birds including Hooded Pitta, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Tawny Straightbill, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Greater-black Coucal, Sahul Sunbird, and a lot more.

Ornate Melidectes in Arfak mountains

For mammals, we saw dorcopsis, ground mouse, bandicoot, and fruit bats. I don't have field guide book for mammals of New Guinea. So, I could not accurately determine their species.

We also saw a lot of species of butterflies from the Titonus birdwing in Arfak range to Meadow Argus, Hypolimnas Bolina, and Papilio Ulysses in Klasow valley.

If you are interested in taking a bird tour in Arfak mountains, and Klasow valley of West Papua and need someone to arrange your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

BIRDING IN SUBDISTRICT SONDER OF MINAHASA HIGHLAND

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa highland of Indonesia. It is a great destination for visiting birders who want to see the avifauna of Sulawesi island.

There are several interesting birding sites in Sonder and its surrounding areas. The paddy fields are the habitat of Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Isabelline Bush Hen.

The farmland of Sonder and the forest along the riverside is the site for finding Green Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Finch-billed Myna, Lesser Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle and etc.

As we explore the higher elevation forest of Sonder, we could see more interesting birds such as the White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Sulawesi Bush Warbler,

Monday, October 7, 2024

Watching Tropical Birds in West Papua and Minahasa Highland with A British Tourist

I am now in a fast passenger ferry that is going to Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We spent a few days in Sausapor, Klabili and Malagufuk to watch and photograph birds. We saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, and Glossy-mantled Manucode. We also saw Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Superb Fruit Dove, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Rusty Mouse Warbler, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Pacific Baza, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, and etc.

In Sausapor town, we stayed in Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort. It was a comfortable accommodation for visitors who love birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling and wave surfing.

Red Bird of Paradise

Our next targets will be Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise as well as other birds such as Beach Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Brown Oriole, Helmetted Friarbird, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, Spice Imperial Pigeon, and a lot more.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

Birding in Minahasa Highland

Before birding in West Papua, we spent 3 days/ 2 nights in Minahasa highland where we watched Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Green Imperial Pigeon and Sulawesi Scops Owl.

Pale Blue Monarch

Black-naped Oriole

Gray-sided Flowerpecker

We also visited rice field areas of Sonder where we watched Javan Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, White-browed Crake, Zebra Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Chestnut Munia, and Scaly-breasted Munia. We tried to watch Isabelline Bush-hen by playing his sounds, unfortunately, she was not interested to come out of her hiding place in the bush.

Crimson Sunbird in Sonder's Forest of Minahasa Highland

We completed our birding trip in Minahasa highland by visiting Kengkang waterfall in Tincep village which was the habitat of Gray-rumped Treeswift, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-eyed Drongo, and Green Imperial Pigeon. The strong sound of the waterfall made it difficult for us to hear the sounds of birds. So, we had to fuly rely on binoculars to look for birds that were sitting on the branches of trees. I also used my spotting scope to watch birds in distant trees. The mist from the waterfall fill the surrounding atmosphere slightly reducing the image quality of birds that we saw through the telescope.

Forest and farmland in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa highland

Forest and farmland in Minahasa highland

After birding in Minahasa highland, we continued our trip to Sorong city where we did birding in Tambrauw, Klasow valley and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.

Accommodation

During our birding trip in Minahasa highland, we stayed in Hotel Villa Emitta of Tomohon town which is approximately 1 hour by car from Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado city.

The main gate to travel to Minahasa highland is Manado city. It can be reached by planes of Garuda, Batik Air, Lion Air and TransNusa from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong.

Flight Route from major cities in Indonesia to Manado city

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

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Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Birding in North Sulawesi and West Papua

I have just completed two consecutive group tours that covered Minahasa highland in North Sulawesi Province and Klasow valley in Sorong regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia as well as Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency of West Papua province. The first tour consisted of 4 Polish tourists and the second one consisted of 9 Swedish visitors.

White-browed Crake, Crimson Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Sulawesi Malkoha, Sulawesi Drongo, Little Egret, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker,

Some birds in Minahasa highland
Reference: https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Superb Fruit Dove

Some birds in Sulawesi

In Minahasa highland, birding activity was conducted along the slope of Mount Mahawu to find the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and in Subdistrict town of Sonder to watch: Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, and etc.

Forest Bittern

In Southwest Papua Province, we visited Sausapor, Klasow valley (Klabili and Malagufuk), Sorong ridge forest and Mangrove forest near Sorong city. The Vogelkop region is the natural habitat of such paradise birds as Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode and etc.

We also saw a juvenile female Northern Cassowary, and Forest Bittern which is a special avifauna of New Guinea.

The first part of the tour with Polish tourists was a difficult one because we experienced heavy rain. For the second part with Swedish group the rainy season has just stopped. It was easier to conduct.

We saw a lot of tropical birds during the tour including Eclectus Parrot, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-capped Lory, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Violet-necked Lory, White-breasted Fruit Dove, Western-crowned Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, and etc.

The Polishs tourists, when in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, saw Western Parotia, Arfak Lophorina, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird and a number of birds that are endemic to high elevation forest of Arfak mountains.

If you are interested in taking a tour to Minahasa highland in North Sulawesi and birding sites in West Papua and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

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Thursday, August 22, 2024

Watching Twelve-wired and King Bird of Paradise in Tambrauw

Recently I guided a European couple in Tambrauw regency. We visited Klabili village and District town of Sausapor. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights exploring tropical rainforest. We watched birds including the Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise and King Bird of Paradise as well as South Papuan Pitta, Forest Bittern, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot and Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher.

Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Southern Papuan Pitta, Blyth's Hornbill, Papuan Frogmouth, Spangled Drongo,

Tropical Birds in Tambrauw Regency of Indonesia

During the tour, we also did night walk to look for nocturnal bird. We saw Papuan Frogmouth and Northern Tree Snake (Dendrelapis calligaster).

To watch the paradise birds in Klabili village, we had to wake up early at 04:00. We made preparation, and had some tea and coffee with some biscuits. At 04:30, we left our homestay for the site of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus). It took around 1 hour of walking to reach it. It was down when we arrived. Minutes later, the male Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise began to call his mating partner.

When the female Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise came, she landed on a lower tree trunk. Local villagers called it "stick." The male flew to that stick and began his courtship dance performance which lasted for more than 1 hour.

After watching the dance performance, we continued rainforest tour that morning to the site of Forest Bittern. Along the path we saw other birds such as Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and Blyth's Hornbill. The Forest Bittern was sitting on his nest. We watched it using a spotting scope from a distant in order not to disturb the bird.

We continued our walking tour in the forest to King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) at around 09:45. The bird was sitting on a branch of a tall ficus tree. It was very difficult to find it.

We still do general birding to see Yellow-faced Myna, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmeted Friarbird, and Black Lory.

There was a hide behind Klabili village. We entered it before lunch time. We put some worms and played their sounds. The Hooded Pitta landed shortly. He was there for only a few seconds. The Southern Papuan Pitta came later and stayed for around 15 minutes until it started to rain.

At 14:00, we continued our next adventure to Sausapor. We saw Brush Cuckoo, Sahul Sunbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blyth's Hornbill, Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove and Hoodee Butcherbird. The forest at the outskirt of Sausapor is the habitat of birds of prey including White-bellied Sea Eagle, Gurney's Eagle, Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Brahminy Kite and etc.

If you are interested in taking a bird of paradise watching tour in West Papua of Indonesia and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to +6281332245180.

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Sunday, August 11, 2024

Paradise Bird Photography Tour in West Papua of Indonesia

I often organize tours for photographers who want to take pictures of paradise birds in tropical rainforest of West Papua of Indonesia. The places that we visit include Sorong city, Sausapor, Klabili, Malagufuk, and Waigeo of Raja Ampat, as well as Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency.

King Bird of Paradise

Magnificent Riflebird

Birds of Paradise that can be seen and photographed in their natural habitat include: Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Black Sicklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise, Trumpet Manucode, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise, and Wilson's Bird of Paradise.

Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise

Participants can also see and photograph other birds such as Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Violet-necked Lory, and a lot more.

Red Bird of Paradise

To do the bird photography trip, participants need to bring D-SLR camera with large sensor plus telephoto lens such as the Sigma Sports 150 to 600 mm or Tamron G2 150-600 mm.

Lesser Bird of Paradise

The recommended entry point for bird photography tour is Sorong city or Manokwari city in the Republic of Indonesia. Participants need to come in a group of two to four or more to share the cost.

Western Parotia

This paradise bird tour can be combined with a birdwatching tour to a Wallace region (transitional zone from Asia to Australia), especially to North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia.

p.s. Photos in this article were taken by my clients and me during our previous tours.

BIRDWATCHING AND SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN MINAHASA PENINSULA

Minahasa peninsula in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia is a highly recommended destination for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds of Wallace region (the transitional zone between the continent of Asia and Australia) which is the habitat of a lot of unique tropical birds of Sulawesi island.

Pale Blue Monarch

The rainforest and farmland of Minahasa is the habitat of such birds as:

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
Ashy Woodpecker
Gray-sided Flowerpecker
Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
Sulawesi Fantail
Zebra Dove
Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove
White-faced Cuckoo-dove
Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove
Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon
Green Imperial Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
Black-crowned White-eye
Warbling White-eye
Sahul Sunbird
Crimson Sunbird
Brown-throated Sunbird
Turquoise Flycatcher
Pale Blue Monarch
Black-naped Oriole
Collared Kingfisher
Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher
Green-backed Kingfisher
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Slender-billed Crow
Sooty-headed Bulbul
White-browed Crake
Barred Rail
Buff-banded Rail
Barn Swallow
Sunda Teal
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Cinnamon Bittern
Finch-billed Myna
White-breasted Woodswallow
Ivory-backed Woodswallow
Barn Swallow
Gray-rumped Treeswift
Sulphur-bellied Whistler
Brush Cuckoo
Chestnut Munia
Scaly-breasted Munia
Black-faced Munia
Glossy Swiftlet
Purple Needletail
Hair-crested Drongo
Sulawesi Drongo
Red-backed Thrush
and etc.

Red-backed Thrush

Birding sites that can be explored by visitors include Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Pine Forest, The hill forest, farmland and paddy field of Subdistrict Sonder.

Yellow-billed Malkoha

More birds could be watched if we explore lowland and lower montane forest in Talawaan waterfall and farmland; and in Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Birds such as Sulawesi Pygmy Hornbill, Knobbed Hornbill, Purple-winged Roller, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Great-billed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Myna, and etc.

Scaly-breasted Munia, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

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Friday, August 9, 2024

Bird Photography Tour in Sorong Regency of West Papua

I have just organized a tour for 2 Thai photographers to a lowland forest of Sorong regency in the Province of Southwest Papua. The destination of the tour is Malagufuk village. During the 5 days/ 4 nights tour, the visitors were guided by local guides and villagers.

Northern Cassowary

A lot of birds were seen and photographed by the participants. Some of them are listed below:

Azure Kingfisher
Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
Blue-black Kingfisher
Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
Lesser Birds of Paradise
King Birds of Paradise
Magnificent Riflebird
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise
Rufous Owl
Northern Cassowary
Red-bellied Pitta
Hooded Pitta

Hooded Pitta

These photographers saw a lot of birds but they only focused their observation on certain species that they would like to photograph.

Lesser Bird of Paradise

BIRDWATCHING TOUR IN MINAHASA PENINSULA OF NORTH SULAWESI PROVINCE, INDONESIA

I organize birdwatching tour for visitors who are interested in watching birds in Minahasa peninsula of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The areas that we can visit include Mouny Mahawu, the forest and farmland of Subdistrict Sonder, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Tambun Maleo Sanctuary, Tapak Kolintang Forest and farmland area at the outskirt of Manado city.

Birds that can be watched during the trip are Green-backed Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Maroon-chinned Fruit-dove, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Black-naped Oriole, Gray-rumped Treeswift, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, White-browed Crake, Buff-banded Rail, Barred Rail, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Barn Swallow, Purple Needletail, Glossy Switflet, Speckled Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi Pygmy Hornbill, Knobned Hornbill, and a lot more.

Sulawesi Scops Owl

Equipment that participants need to bring include binoculars, flashlight, camera with telephoto lens (optional). Participants need to wear dark clothing that are friendly to birds.

Black-naped Fruit Dove

The city which is the entry point for birding tour in Minahasa peninsula is Manado. Every day there are flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Denpasar, Sorong to Manado city. They are served by such airlines as Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, TransNusa.

Traveling to Manado city

There are also international flights to Manado from Singapore served Scoot Air and from Guangzhou to Manado by China Southern Airlines.

If you are interested in taking this birdwatching and photography tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

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Friday, August 2, 2024

Birding and Snorkeling in Waigeo Raja Ampat with A Couple from the US

I am now in Waigeo of Raja Ampat. I am guiding a couple from the United States. We went to the forest yesterday to watch paradise birds. We watched Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise.

Eclectus Parrot

Until today, we have seen such birds as Black-naped Tern, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Torresian Crow, Matsudaira's Storm Petrel, Lesser Frigatebird, Blyth's Hornbill, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Hooded Butcherbird, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Ruby-throated Myzomela, Cinnamon Ground Dove, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Willie Wagtail, Lesser Frigatebird, Glossy Swiftlet, Uniform Swiftlet, Moustached Treeswift, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Spangled Drongo, Mimic Meliphaga, Puff-backed Meliphaga, Brahminy Kite, Variable Goshawk, Long-tailed Honey-buzzard, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Helmeted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Papuan Frogmouth, Papuan Boobook, and etc.

Brown Oriole

Long-tailed Honey buzzard

Because Raja Ampat is still in wave season, my clients only enjoyed snorkeling at the house reef of the resort. The sea in Southern Waigeo is calm.

BIRDING WALK IN THE FARMLAND OF SUBDISTRICT SONDER OF MINAHASA REGENCY

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa regency of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It is a nice place for farm tour and easy birding walk.

Barred Rail

The paddy field areas of Subdistrict Sonder are the habitat of White-browed Crake, Buff-banded Rail, Barred Rail, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Collared Kingfisher.

White-browed Crake

When we walk into the wooded farm, we will see more interesting birds such as Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Black-naped Oriole, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Finch-billed Myna, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Zebra Dove, Rock Pigeon, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sooty-headed Bulbul, and etc.

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

The duration of stay which tourists can spend in Sonder town is at least 3 days/ 2 nights.

Subdistrict Sonder is a highly recommended destination for visitors who are interested in seeing agricultural land as well as watching birds and butterflies.

Visitors could walk through the farmland to see various crops that villagers grow such as rice, corn, peanuts, banana, papaya, cabbage, mustard green, chilli, tomatoes, and a lot more.

food crops in agricultural land of Minahasa

Agricultural Crops in Minahasa highland

If you are interested in birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Birding Rare Birds with 4 Spanish Birdwatchers in Tambrauw Regency

From the night of 15 to 19 July 2023, I guided 4 Spanish birders and Ilham (an Indonesian birding guide from Halmahera). We explored the forest of Klabili and Sausapor and Sorong Mangrove in search of rare birds. For paradise birds, they have seen them in Waigeo, Arfak range and Nimbokrang.

Spanish Birdwatchers in Tambrauw regency

We saw Papuan Hawk Owl, Papuan Pitta, Green-naped Pheasant Pigeon, Forest Bittern, Emperor Fairywren and Trumpet Manucode (also a paradise bird), New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Red-necked Crake, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Thick-billed Ground Pigeon, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Blue Black Kingfisher, Collared Imperial Pigeon, and etc. Unfortunately, we did not see Hooded Pitta. The following picture was taken from my other trip.

Hooded Pitta in Tambrauw regency

We also saw a lot of common birds such as Large Fig Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Golden Myna, Black Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Dwarf Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo, and etc. We minimize the use of laser pointer to avoid disturbing the birds.

They were very happy because they could watch rare birds that were in their target list to see.

If you are interested in birding and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

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Saturday, July 13, 2024

Birding in Malagufuk with 5 British Birdwatchers

I am now in Malagufuk village organizing a 5 day- 4 night birdwatching tour with 5 British visitors and their tour organizer. We have been spending 4 days exploring rainforest to watch a lot of species of birds. Tomorrow, we will be our last day in this village.

Western-crowned Pigeon

So far, we have seen birds such as:

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
Azure Kingfisher
Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Common Paradise Kingfisher
Blue-Black Kingfisher
Large Fig Parrot
Eclectus Parrot
Moluccan King Parrot
Red-cheeked Parrot
Coconut Lorikeet
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Palm Cockatoo
Black Lory
Black-capped Lory
Frilled Monarch
Black-sided Robin
Black-browed Triller
Mimic Meliphaga
Tawny Straightbill
Papuan Frogmouth
Marbled Frogmouth
Papuan Boobook
Papuan Nightjar
Rufous Owl
Pinon Imperial Pigeon
Zoe Imperial Pigeon
Western-crowned Pigeon
Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon
Orange-bellied Fruit Dove
Pink-spotted Fruit Dove
Beautiful Fruit Dove
Great Cuckoo Dove
Brown Cuckoo Dove
Papuan Babbler
Blue Jewel Babbler
Hooded Butcherbird
Black Butcherbird
Lesser Birds of Paradise
King Bird of Paradise
Magnificent Riflebird
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise
Glossy-mantled Manucode
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Boyer's Cuckooshrike
Papuan Black Cicadabird
Yellow-faced Myna
Golden Myna
Hemeted Friarbird
Brown Oriole
Yellow-bellied Longbill
Spotted Honeyeater
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater
Frilled Monarch
Hooded Pitta
Papuan Pitta
Channel-billed Cuckoo
White-crowned Cuckoo
Ivory-billed Cuckoo
Spangled Drongo
Oriental Dollarbird
Moustached Treeswift
Glossy Swiftlet
Olive-crowned Flowerpecker
Sahul Sunbird
Black Sunbird
Gray-headed Goshawk
and etc.

There are more targets that we haven't seen although we have heard some of their sounds. They include Pheasant Pigeon, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, White-crowned Cuckoo, Lowland Peltop, Trumpet Manucode, and Wallace Owlet Nightjar.

I have guided tourists to Malagufuk for years since 2014. I introduced birding for the first time to villagers when the whole community in birding industry had not known the existence of the village. There were no boardwalk, guesthouses, toilets, and 4G internet connection. Now, more facilities have allowed visitors to enjoy more comfortable birding experience. I hope other villages in West Papua could adopt more enviromentally friendly development so that they could preserve their tropical rainforest and coral reef.

We experience rain everyday, the path is very muddy. All of us have to wear rubber boots.

I bring my 10×50 binoculars, portabe loudspeaker, laser pointer, and spotting scope. I don't use them. All of my clients are experienced birdwatchers. They bring their own equipment.

After this, I will guide a small group of birders from Spain to Klabili village and Sausapor town in Tambrauw Mountains. And then I will visit the highland of Minahasa in North Sulawesi Province of the Republic of Indonesia. This trip report is written by Charles Roring.

FARM TOUR IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND

Minahasa is a regency in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It has got fertile land both in the coastal and mountainous region. Local villagers grow such crops such as vanilla, clove, rice, corn, papaya, banana, rambutan, durian, spring onion, chilli, tomato and etc.

The agricultural produce such as carrots, cabbage, palm sugar, eggs, pork and fish are sold in towns and cities in North Sulawesi as well as other parts in eastern region of Indonesia.

agricultural crops which local farmers grow

Agricultural Crops in Minahasa highland

During the tour, participants could also visit traditional market to see the agricultural produce and various kinds of products such as smoked bluefin tuna, fresh tilapia fish, fruits and vegetables and etc which the Minahasan people buy and sell.

Agricultural produce in a traditional market in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency, Indonesia

If you are interested in taking farm tour in Minahasa highland and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Birding at the Outskirts of Sorong City and Raja Ampat

Sorong city in Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia has been the destination for visitors who want to spend their holiday in Raja Ampat. As a matter of fact, Sorong itself has got a number of tourist attractions both inside and outside of the city.

For nature lovers, walking tour, sightseeing, birdwatching and butterfywatching are good tourism attractions that can be done at the outskirt of Sorong city. There are a number of forest areas that are good for walking tour and wildlife watching. Some of them are listed below:

Blyth's Hornbill

Sorong's Ridge Forest is approximately 1-hour drive from the city. It is the habitat of such birds as Blyth's Hornbill, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Hooded Butcherbird, Lesser Black Coucal, Greater Black (Ivory-billed) Coucal, Pacific Baza, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Mimic Meliphaga, and etc. Some times, Lesser Birds of Paradise fly over the road where the birdwatchers walk through. The best time to enjoy birding at this place is early in the mornings.
Another natural place that is good for walking, sightseeing and birding is Love Hill. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism built a long boardwalk for visitors to enjoy sightseeing in this forest. Visitors could enjoy walking tour in this forest and at the same time watch birds and butterflies. Birds that can be watched include Yellow-faced Myna, Black Sunbird, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Golden Myna, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Helmeted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, White-throated Needletail, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Metalic Starlling and etc.

Beautiful Fruit Dove

Mangrove forest is located closer to Sorong city. It is a good place for visitors who only have little time for birding. There visitors could watch White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Helmeted Friarbird, Shining Flycatcher, Sahul Sunbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove and Rainbow Bee-eater, Brown Oriole, White-breasted Woodswallow, Orange-breasted Fig Parrot and etc. Visitors need to apply insect repellent lotion on their skin before walking inside the mangrove forest of Sorong city.

Sorong city tour

The Buddhist temple in Sorong city is also worth visiting. It is located on a hill that allows visitors to see the coastal land and seascape of Sorong. The trees in the surrounding area of the temple is the habitat of Yellow-vented Bulbul, Willie Wagtail, Eurasian Treesparrow, Torresian Crow, Olive-backed Sunbird and etc. Another attraction is the The Cathedral Church of Christ the King whose design follows the bower of the Vogelkop Bowerbird.

Other tourist attractions at the outskirts of Sorong city. For visitors who want to see farmland areas, Aimas should be in the list of places to visit. Farmers in Aimas grow corn, rice, vegetables and fruits.

RAJA AMPAT BIRDS

More birds could be watched in Waigeo island. Along the coastal forest, visitors could watch Eclectus Parrot, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blyth's Hornbill, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Moustached Treeswift, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Palm Cockatoo and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

More interesting birds could be found in deeper forest such as Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Brown-headed Crow and Papuan Pitta.

If you need a guide to accompany you to explore the natural places of Sorong city to enjoy walking tour, sightseeing, birdwatching and butterfly watching, please, contact me Charles Roring by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

BIRDWATCHING IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND

Minahasa is a regency in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. Its highland is a good destination for visitors who love birdwatching. Visitors can explore the forest, agricultural land and paddy fields on foot.

Warbling White-eye

Birding Walk in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Subdistrict town of Sonder in Minahasa highland has got a number of birding sites that are suitable for visitors. While walking to enjoy the natural beauty of Subdistrict Sonder, visitors could watch various species of birds such as Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Slender-billed Crow, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black-faced Munia, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Barred Rail, White-browed Crake, Collared Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Zebra Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Finch-billed Myna, and etc.

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher

Birdwatchers usually bring their own binoculars and a camera with telephoto lens. Bringing a spotting scope on a tripod will enhance the birding experience but it is not a must. Birdwatchers can enjoy easy birding while walking along the roadsides of Subdistrict Sonder.

Sooty-headed Bulbul

Farmland Tour

Birding walk through the roads in farmland areas will allow visitors to watch birds and see various kinds of agricultural crops which local farmers grow. There are rice, corn, peanut, banana, spinach, cabbage, tomato, chilli, kangkung, aubergine, vanilla, coconut, clove and nutmet. The farmers also run poultry, pig and fish farming. They sell their produce to towns and cities in North Sulawesi and in Central and Eastern Indonesia such as Tomohon, Tondano, Kawangkoan, Langowan, Bitung, Manado, Ternate, Ambon, Sorong, Manokwari, Biak and Jayapura.

Birds in paddy field of Minahasa: Barred Rail, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Minahasa highland has got beautiful landscape, visitors who travel to the region can see the magnificent view of Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Pine Forest of Lahendong, the agricultural land of Sonder, flowers and waterfall in Tincep. These places are also good for walking and birding tours. For instance, in Lake Linow, we could see Cattle Egret, Barn Swallow, and Sunda Teal and in the Pine Forest, we could watch the Gray-rumped Treeswift, Collared Kingfisher and Purple Needletail.

Flight route to Manado city

land route Manado Tomohon and Sonder in Minahasa

Land route from Manado city to Tomohon and Sonder in Minahasa Highland

It is easy to reach Minahasa. The main gate to Minahasa highland is Manado city. Visitors need to fly to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, and Makassar. After that, they can continue their trip to Manado by plane served by Indonesian airlines such as Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, and TransNusa.

International visitors can fly from Singapore to Manado by Scoot Air, and from Guangzhou to Manado city by China Southern Airlines.

The trip to Minahasa highland can be done by car with destinations: Tomohon town and Subdistrict town of Sonder.

For accommodation, there are hotels, guesthouses and homestays in Tomohon.

If you want a guide to organize your tour in Minahasa highland, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

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