Birding in Sausapor, Klabili and Sorong City

I have just completed a birding tour for two Australian birdwatchers in Sausapor town, Klabili village of Tambrauw regency, and Sorong city. We spent 4 days/ 3 nights exploring tropical rainforest of the region where we saw a lot of species of birds. Some of them include Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Black Lory, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Pitta and South Papuan Pitta. 

Foreign visitors were watching birds in Tambrauw

Birds in Tambrauw regency

In Sausapor town, we went deeper into the forest by using 4WD car. There, we saw Blyth's Hornbill, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Mimic Meliphaga, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Rusty Pitohui, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Hooded Butcherbird, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Torresian Crow, Lesser Black Coucal, Singing Starling, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Spangled Drongo, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and a lot more. The recommended forests around Sausapor were the one along the Sausapor - Werur road and the one in hydroelectric powerplant. 

Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of the Province of Papua Barat Daya 

We stayed 2 nights at Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort which is a beach accommodation that is suitable for visitors who like snorkeling and wildlife watching in the forest. 

Hooded Pitta

South Papuan Pitta

In Klabili village, we saw Papuan Babbler, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot (Merlin app. calls it Pesquet's Parrot), Shining Flycatcher, Papuan Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, and Frilled Monarch. The forest in Klabili consisted of two parts, the lowland forest and the lower montane forest which are the habitat of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Western-crowned Pigeon, Papua Dwarf Kingfisher, Sooty Thicket Fantail, Moluccan King-Parrot and etc. 

We stayed one night at the homestay that belongs to a villager. It was a basic accommodation but comfortable enough for birdwatching visitors who explore the forest in remote area.

Some birds on Mangrove forest of Sorong

Sorong City has got some interesting places for birdwatching. We went to Mangrove forest where we saw Brown-backed Honeyeater, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Striated Heron, Sahul Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, and Orange-fronted Fruit Dove.

Birding and Sightseeing in Sorong City

In my previous trip to a forest in Sorong regency, I guided two British ladies. We explored the forest in the mornings, afternoons and at nights. We saw a lot of species of birds including Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Black-sided Robin, Spot-winged Monarch, and Ivory-billed Coucal, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.

The rainforest areas from Sorong to Sausapor are great destination for wildlife watching. Visitors who are interested in visiting these places can go as single traveler or in a small group from two, three, to four people to share the cost of paying transportation, accommodation, guides and villagers who work to support the tour. 

EASY WALKING TOUR AND BIRDING IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND

I offer 3 to 5 days birding tour package for visitors who want to visit the towns of Tomohon, Sonder and Kawangkoan in The highland of Minahasa in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. Minahasa is a highly recommended destination for visitors who want to spend their holiday by doing walking tour, seeing beautiful natural landscape, watching birds and butterflies. There are a lot of birdwatching sites in Minahasa. The level of difficulty for the walking and wildlife watching tour is easy. So, it is suitable for anyone. 

Sonder is a Small Town in the highland of Minahasa

Birding in the Hill Forest and Farmland of Sonder town

In Sonder's hill forest and farmland,  visitors could watch such birds as Crimson Sunbird, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Mountain White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more. Early in the morning, the temperature is cold. Most of Sonder's hill area is still covered by fog. So, birding could be done later at around 07:00 until 10:00 or even 11:00. Going to the top of the hill could be carried out by motorcycle, car, or even by hiking up the long slope. The temperature is very cool early in the morning. Bringing a good pair of binoculars will greatly enhanced the birding experience. 

Waterfall, flowers, bird and butterfly in Sonder of Minahasa regency

Roadside Birding

Another birding site that can be explored by visitors is the road that connects Sonder and Kiawa village. Visitors could watch such birds as Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Brown-throated Sunbird, Finch-billed Myna, White-eyed Drongo, Black-naped Oriole, Sahul Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and a lot more. The road condition is good so birdwatchers will enjoy easy birding walk. Because there is a lot of flat ground, bringing tripod for spotting scope and camera will be good. 

Birds in the farmland and forest of Sonder town in the highland of Minahasa

Birding in Paddy Field

For visitors who want to watch birds such as Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, White-browed Crake, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Rock Pigeon, White-nest Swiftlet, Barn Swallow, Glossy Swiftlet, and Barred Rail, the recommended sites will be the rice field area in the south and northeast of Sonder. The terraces of paddy field provide beautiful view of the Minahasan agricultural land. 

White-breasted Woodswallow

Birding Inside Sonder Town

A few small villages form Sonder town. Villagers grow clove, durian, coconut and other tropical trees around the yards of their houses. These trees and shrub plants attract birds. So, Sonder town itself is an interesting birding site. Black-crowned White-eye, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Chestnut Munia and Scaly-breasted Munia, Brush Cuckoo, and etc.

Purple Heron, Zebra Dove, White-eyed Spangled Drongo, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Finch-billed Myna, Brown-throated Sunbird, Collared Kingfisher

Yellow-billed Malkoha, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Crimson Sunbird, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sooty-headed Bulbul

Where is Sonder town and how to get there?

The small town of Sonder is located around 20 minutes drive from Tomohon town. Visitors need to fly from their countries to major cities in Indonesia such as Denpasar, Surabaya, Jakarta and Makassar. There are daily flights availabe between these cities and Manado city. They are served by Lion Air, Trans Nusa, Batik Air and Garuda. Direct flights from Singapore to Manado city is provided by Scoot Air. For Chinese tourists, they could fly from Guangzhou of China to Manado city served by China Southern Airlines. From Manado to Sonder town, visitors could go by car. It takes around one hour to reach Sonder.

Flight Routes to Manado city

In the past, Sonder was famous for its clove commodity. Every harvest season, farmers dried their clove bud at the frontyards of their houses. Now, the town dwellers in Sonder town do not fully depend on one commodity. They grow vanilla, paddy, and vegetables, run pig and poultry farms. They have diversified their agricultural produce.  

Accommodation

There are hotels in Tomohon town of Minahasa region which visitors can book online through booking.com or traveloka.com. We could also arrange your accommodation if you take this birding tour from us. 

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

Also read:

• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Manado City: Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birding in North Sulawesi