Collared Kingfisher

Here is the picture of Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) that I saw in the highland of Minahasa. 

The bird eats grasshopper, spider, lizard, frog, earthworm, small snake, snail, small fish and etc. In Subdistrict Sonder, the bird could be seen in forest edge, dry agricultural land, water streams and paddy fields. Collared Kingfisher is a solitary bird. It likes to sit motionless on a bare branch of a tree observing its prey. 

Collared Kingfisher

Collared Kingfisher in Minahasa Highland

Most farmers like and protect the bird because it is a natural predator for pests in agricultural crops. 

Subdistrict town of Sonder is surrounded by forest, dry agricultural land and paddy fields.

Farmers in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency of North Sulawesi Province grow rice, corn, banana, papaya, tomato, chilli, cabbage, carrot, kangkung, chilli, rambutan, duku, kidney bean,vanilla, clove, coconut. They also run pig, poultry and fish farming. They sell their produce to local traditional market and to big towns and cities in the region. 

Some of the agricultural produce from Subdistrict town of Sonder

Farmers in Minahasa regency are the main supplier of agricultural produce to towns and cities in central and eastern region of Indonesia including Manado, Bitung, Tomohon, Tondano, Langowan, Sonder, Balikpapan, Ternate, Ambon, Sorong, Manokwari and Jayapura. 

Birding Walk in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa Highland

In addition to Collared Kingfisher, there are other birds which visitors could watch when traveling around Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency of Indonesia. They include Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, White-rumped Triller, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Eurasian Treesparrow,  Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Slender-billed Crow, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Zebra Dove, Finch-billed Myna, Barred Rail, White-eyed Drongo, Sulawesi Drongo, Purple Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Gray-rumped Treeswift, Sunda Teal, Purple Needletail, White-nest Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Black-naped Oriole, White-browed Crake, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and etc. 

Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Cuckol-dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa highland while walking through the villages, dry agricultural land, paddy fields and forest. At the same time, visitors could enjoy watching most of the birds that are mentioned above.

Black-crowned White-eye in Tounelet Slope of Subdistrict Sonder, Minahasa regency, Indonesia

Where is Minahasa Highland and How to get there?

Minahasa is a regency in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The entry point is Manado city. Visitors need to fly from their country to some of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, and Makassar. There are domestic flights between these cities and Manado city served by Batik Air, Lion Air, TransNusa, Garuda and Citilink. There are also direct flights between Guangzhou and Manado city served by China Southern Airlines; and between Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air. 

Flight route to Manado city in Indonesia

Land route to Subdistrict Sonder from Manado city and Tomohon

Accommodation

Most visitors who go to Minahasa highland stay in hotels in Tomohon town. However, accommodation in homestays in Subdistrict town of Sonder could be arranged.

Booking

If you are interested in visiting Subdistrict town of Sonder in Minahasa highland for sightseeing its natural landscape and villages as well as birding in its forests, farmlands and paddy fields, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read: 

• Birding in Minahasa
• Birding in High Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.

Birding in Minahasa

Minahasa is a region in the Province of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is a good destination for visitors who like birding. There are a lot of species of birds which tourists can watch in the mountains, agricultural lands, paddy fields, and lowland areas. 

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher

Crimson Sunbird

The high elevation forests in Mount Mahawu and Sonder of Minahasa is the habitat of birds such as Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Turquoise Flycatcher, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Warbling Flycatcher, Black-faced Munia, Superb Fruit Dove, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Drongo, Eye-browed Thrush, Sulawesi Leafwarbler, and etc. The best time to watch these birds are early in the mornings and in late afternoons.

Mount Mahawu is a volcano. Visitors could go up the stairs along its slope to reach its crater. From the top of Mount Mahawu, visitors could see the beautiful landscape of Minahasa land. 

The Crater of Mount Mahawu

More birds could be found in agricultural lands around Subdistrict town of Sonder including Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Zebra Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Pale Blue Monarch, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Finch-billed Myna, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Slender-billed Crow, Brush Cuckoo, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, and etc.

Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Warbling White-eye, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Collared Kingfisher

In the paddy field areas of Subdistrict Sonder, visitors could watch Collared Kingfisher, White-breasted Woodswallow, White-browed Crake, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, and etc. Water birds play important role in agricultural environment. Cattle Egret, for example, eat a lot of insects. This helps farmers to eliminate pests from their food crops such as rice, corn and vegetabe plants.

Cattle egret in newly plowed paddy field on Subdistrict Sonder

The farmland of Subdistrict Sonder is worth visiting. Visitors could enjoy walking tours to see various kinds of crop plants that farmers grow. There are clove, rice, corn, banana, papaya, kangkung, tomato, chilli, aubergine, and etc. The villagers also run pig, poultry and fish farming. 

Some of the agricultural commodities in Minahasa highland: rice, banana, clove, aubergine and vanilla

Where is Minahasa and How to get there? 

Minahasa is a regency in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. The capital of the province is Manado city. Visitors need to fly from their countries to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar and Makassar. After that, the trip to Manado city can be carried out by one of the Indonesian airlines such as Garuda, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air, or TransNusa.

Flight routes to Manado city

Land route between Manado city and Tomohon town or Subdistrict Sonder in Minahasa highland

Arriving in Manado city, visitors could continue their trip by car to Tomohon town or subdistrict town of Sonder. 

Accommodation

There are hotels, resorts and homestays in Tomohon town. 

The tour guide for Birding Minahasa is located in Subdistrict Sonder.

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

Also read:

• Birding in High Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

BIRDING IN THE FORESTS OF SAUSAPOR, KLABILI, GAUKSUAK AND WAIGEO IN SOUTHWEST PAPUA PROVINCE

The Province of Southwest Papua is a great destination for visitors who love birding. A lot of tourists travel to Raja Ampat to enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving. As a matter of fact, there are also visitors who go there to enjoy birding and wildlife watching. Here are some of the birding destinations whose entry point is Sorong city:

Birding in Tambrauw regency

• Sausapor - this is a small district town located in the northern coast of Tambrauw regency. It is a 4-hour car ride from Sorong city. Visitors who go there can watch Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove, Oriental Dollarbird, Blyth's Hornbill, Rainbow Bee-eater and a lot more. For accommodation, visitors can stay at Sansapore Beach Resort. Please, cek more info about the resort at this link: https://www.sansaporepacificpark.com/p/sansapore-pacific-park-beach-resort.html?m=1

Because Sausapor is a coastal town, visitors can enjoy watching sea birds too such as Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-naped Tern, Sacred Kingfisher, Oriental Pratincole, and etc.

• Klabili village is located between Sausapor and Sorong city. A lot of birds could be watched there including Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta (formerly called Red-bellied Pitta), Western-crowned Pigeon, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Lesser Birds of Paradise, and etc. 

Oriental Dollarbird

• Gauksuak - It takes around 1 hour by motorized vehicle from Sorong city to Gauksuak forest. The Gauksuak beach is the place for watching Pacific Swallow, Black-naped Tern, Little-crested Tern, Pacific Reef Heron, Common Sandpiper and etc. The hill forest of Gauksuak is the habitat of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and etc.

Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)

Helmeted Friarbird

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat, Sausapor, Birding and Farmland Tour in Minahasa Highland

Raja Ampat has been famous around the world as the destination for snorkeling. Visitors who go there can enjoy snorkeling to see various species of marine animals and plants. There are anemonefish, parrotfish, wrasse, sea cucumber, christmas tree worm, blue sea star, and etc.

Visitors who want to enjoy snorkeling need to bring their own equipment such as glass mask, snorkel (breathing tube), swim fins and underwater camera (optional). Most dive resorts provide diving and snorkeling equipment. 

The recommended months to enjoy snorkeling in Raja Ampat are October, November, January, February, March, April, May, and June. 

In July, August and September, the sea of Raja Ampat are in wave season. The visibility will not be in good condition. Snorkeling in Raja Ampat in July, August and September is not recommended. Traveling to Raja Ampat during these months is still ok if the activity of visitors is focused on wildlife watching tour to see birds and butterflies in the forest such as Rainbow Lorikeet, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Red-cheeked Parrot, 

Alternative Locations

Visitors who plan to enjoy snorkeling in Indonesia during July, August and September can go to Sausapor. It is a coastal town located in Tambrauw regency. The entry city is Sorong. 

Marine Life in the waters of Sausapor

There is a good place to stay. Its name is Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and rainforest tour during their stay for a few days in Sausapor. The coral reef of Sausapor is the habitat of various species of marine creatures including surgeonfish, parrotfish, anemonefish, butterflyfish, and etc. In July, August and September, the sea of Sausapor is calm. 

The rainforest of Sausapor is also a good site for wildlife watching tour. There are birds such as Hooded Butcherbird, Helmetted Friarbird, Blyth's Hornbill, Black-capped Lory and etc.

NORTH SULAWESI

There is also alternative destination for snorkeling which is the province of North Sulawesi. The islands of Bunaken, Siladen, and Manado Tua as well as Lembeh Strait. The entry point is Manado city. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and even scuba diving there. The marine animals are relatively the same as Raja Ampat. In Bunaken and Lembeh Strait, there are red anemonefish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, moorish idol and etc. There are also homestays, beach resorts which visitors can choose to stay. 

Manado city - the capital of North Sulawesi Province

Farmland Tour in Minahasa highland

For visitors who are interested in land tours, the highly recommended destination is the Minahasa highland. The entry point is Manado city. The District town of Sonder has got mountain forest, agricultural land, paddy fields, villages with flower gardens which tourists can see while doing the walking tours.

Subdistrict Sonder with its forest, farmland and villages

The high elevation forest of Sonder is the habitat of various species of birds such as Warbling White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Drongo, Black-faced Munia, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Gray Wagtail, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, and etc.

Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia albicapilla), Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker

There are butterflies such as Blanchard's Ghost, Blanchard's Wood Nymph, Common Birdwing, The Clipper and etc.

Blanchard's Ghost Butterfly in the forest of Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa

The small forest in Tounelet slope and the agricultural land around Sonder are the habitat of a lot of species of birds including Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Slender-billed Crow, White-eyed Drongo, Pale Blue Monarch, Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, White-browed Crake, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Finch-billed Myna, Zebra Dove. 

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

Most of the villagers in the highland of Minahasa are farmers. They grow rice, corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, banana, papaya, durian, rambutan, tomato, aubergine, spring onion, peanut, kidney bean, vanilla, clove and etc. They also make palm sugar from the sap of aren tree. They run pig farms, poultry farms, and fish ponds filled with tilapia and carp. Becuase Minahasa highland is a reach agricultural area, we can see various kinds of foods cakes. There are a lot of eating houses in Tomohon, Sonder, Kawangkoan, Toundano and Langowan. Visitors have plenty of choices for food and snacks.

Some agricultural crops in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa highland - Corn, vanilla, clove, rice and papaya

Walking tour is the recommended way to explore villages, farmland and forest in Subdistrict Sonder.

For accommodation, there are hotels, and homestays in Tomohon town, Sonder town and Toundano town, Langowan town which tourists can choose to stay during their holiday in Minahasa highland. Booking.com and traveloka.com provide more info.

Flights

Visitors who want to enjoy holiday in Minahasa high need to fly to Manado city. There are daily flights between Manado and major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makasar, Balikpapan, Sorong served by Garuda, Citilink, TransNusa, Batik Air, and Lion Air. 

Flights route between major cities of Indonesia and Manado

Land route from Manado city to Tomohon and Sonder

There are also international direct flights between Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air, and between Guangzhou and Manado city served by China Southern Airlines.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a holiday to the destinations that I describe above and want a guide to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birding in Paddy Fields of District Sonder in Minahasa Highland
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa

The higher elevation forest of Minahasa is an interesting site to visit for birwatching visitors. Mount Mahawu is the famous destination because visitors could enjoy birding along the slope of the volcano. There are Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Myzomela, Superb Fruit Dove, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Uniform Swiftlet, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Sulawesi Leafwarbler, Purple Needletail, Japanese Goshawk, Gray-rumped Treeswift and etc.

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

More birds could be watched early in the mornings between 06:00 to 09:00. However, sometimes around 06:00 A.M. fog still covers the canopy of the forest especially near the top of the crater area of the volcano. As a matter of fact, the highland of Minahasa is surrounded by volcanoes. This makes the land fertile. 

Agriculture develops well in this regency. Farmers grow rice, corn, potato, sweet potato, banana, cabbage, mustard green, carrot, spring onion, chilli, lemon grass, papaya, durian, rambutan, aren tree that produce nectar for making palm sugar, vanilla, clove. They sell their produce to cities and towns in eastern and central region of Indonesia including Sorong, Ambon, Gorontalo, and Balikpapan. 

Volcanic crater of Mount Mahawu in Minahasa highland of Indonesia

The next high elevation forest can be explored in Subdistrict Sonder. This is the site for watching Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Warbling White-eye, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Drongo, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, and etc. Another site that is also interesting is Kanonang hill. 

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Fantail, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker

This tour to higher elevation forest of Minahasa can be combined with walking tour and birdwatching in lower elevation forest and farmland to see Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Black-naped Orile, Sahul Sunbird, Black-crowned White-eye, Finch-billed Myna and a lot more. 

Farmland Tour

While watching birds and enjoy sightseeing in the highland of Minahasa. Visitors could walk through the farmland to see various kinds of agricultural produce which farmers grow such as rice, corn, tomatoes, chilli, aubergine, kangkung (also called water spinach), papaya flower, mustard green, sweet potatoes, cabbage, vanilla, coconut, clove, and etc. These agricultural produce are supplied to towns in Minahasa regency such as Tomohon, Tondano, Langowan, Sonder, Kawangkoan, Amurang, Bitung and Manado city.

Corn, vanilla, clove, rice and papaya

Palm sugar, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, chilli, brenebon bean (Dutch: bruinen bonen for kidney bean), eggs, tilapia fish, pork are exported to cities in central and eastern region of Indonesia including Gorontalo, Balikpapan, Sorong, Manokwari and Jayapura. 

Contact

If you are interested in taking sightseeing, birdwatching and farmland tours in Minahasa highland of Indonesia and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Related articles:

• Birding in Paddy Fields of District Sonder in Minahasa Highland
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Birding in Paddy Fields of District Sonder in Minahasa Highland

I often do birding work in the mornings and afternoons to find more species of birds in the forest, farmlands, water stream, and paddy fields of District Sonder in Minahasa highland.

Some birds in the paddy field of District Sonder, Minahasa highland - Barred Rail, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Chestnut Munia

In paddy fields of Talikuran and Tincep villages, I see several interesting species such as White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, Barred Rail, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Chestnut Munia (also called Black-headed Munia), Scaly-breasted Munia, Eurasian Treesparrow, Gray Teal, and Sunda Teal. I used to see Cinnamon Bittern but not so frequent. 

White-breasted Woodswallow

The paddy field off Talikuran village is quite hidden from car traffic. It is an ideal site for visitors who want to enjoy walking tour for sightseeing and birdwatching. 

The White-breasted Woodswallow like to sit on electrical wire at the roadside along the edge of paddy fields. But they sometimes fly higher and land on palm leaf or the branch of tall tree, when they feel threatened by my presence. I often try to walk closer to photograph them.

Collared Kingfisher

More Cattle Egret could be watched if there are farmers who in the paddy fields running their plowing machines. The bird like to follow from behind to feed on small fish and other water animals that are exposed by the plow blades. 

Collared Kingfisher like to stand on tall branches of trees at the edge of paddy fields. To take pictures of the bird, birdwatchers need to use a digital camera that is equipped with telephoto lens of a length around 400 to 600 mm. 

Zebra Dove in District town of Sonder, Minahasa Highland

There are also Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) and Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) that like to walk on the concrete floor that is used by farmers to dry their harvest of rice grain under the sun. It is not only water birds that we can watch when we do the walking tour.

Where is Sonder? How to go there?

Sonder is a small district town in Minahasa regency of the Province of North Sulawesi. The entry point to visit this region is Manado city. 

Every day, there are flights between Manado city and major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Balikpapan, Makassar and Sorong. 

International direct flights exist between Manado and Singapore served by Scoot Air; between Guangzhou and Manado city served by China Southern Airlines.

Flight route to Manado city

Land route to Tomohon town and District Sonder in Minahasa highland

Most tourists travel to Manado city to enjoy scuba diving in Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen and Lembeh Strait. 

They can combine their marine trips with this walking tour in District Sonder during their trip in Indonesia.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in District town of Sonder in Minahasa highland and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

• Sightseeing Tour and Birdwatching in Sorong city
• Birding in Sausapor, Klabili and Sorong
• Malagufuk's Birds

Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa highland

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in the highland of Minahasa regency. It has got birdwatching sites that are easy to be explored on foot. These birding sites are located along the forest edge, the farmland, fish ponds and paddy fields.

Birders can go by car to higher elevation forest of Sonder to watch such birds as Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja), Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus), White-faced Cuckoo Dove (Turacoena manadensis), Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia albicapilla), Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis omissus), and Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus temminckii), Sulawesi Drongo, Black-faced Munia (Lonchura molucca), and a lot more.

Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia albicapilla)

There is an asphalt paved road that reaches this area. It enables car to bring birdwatchers to the highest point where they can enjoy birdwatching by walking down the slope to lower elevation forest and farmland. 

Formerly called Mountain White-eye, now the bird is called Warbling White-eye

Crimson Sunbird in higher elevation forest of Kecamatan Sonder in Minahasa Highland

Black-faced Munia (Lonchura molucca)

Butterflies

There are flowers that grow on both sides of the road. They attract various kinds of insects especially butterflies such as the Blanchard's Ghost (Idea blanchardii), The Common Birdwing (Troides helena), Blanchard's Wood Nymph (Ideopsis vitrea), Meyer's Jay butterfly (Graphium meyeri), Sulawesi Leafwing (Doleschalia polibete celebensis), Manado Yellow Tiger (Parantica manadensis), and etc.

Turquoise Flycatcher, Pale Blue Monarch, female Sahul Sunbird, Barred Rail, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Black-crowned White-eye

Blanchard's Ghost Butterfly

Inside the District town of Sonder, there is a small forest. It is located behind GMIM's Siloam Hospital. The small forest, stretches along the slope of Tounelet village. Visitors could watch birds such as Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Brush Cuckoo, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker (Dicaeum aureolimbatum), Turquoise Flycatcher, Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster), Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Slender-billed Crow, White-nest Swiftlet, Barn Swallow. 

Sooty-headed Bulbul

Zebra Dove in District town of Sonder in Minahasa regency of North Sulawesi Province - Indonesia

When we walk further down the slope of Sonder town and to the farmland and paddy field areas, we will be able to watch Collared Kingfisher, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Yellow-billed Malkoha (Rhamphococcyx calyorhynchus), White-breasted Woodswallow, Zebra Dove, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Sunda Teal, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Barred Tail. 

Gray-sided Flowerpecker

Flowers and Butterflies

We could continue the walking tour further to northern area towards Tincep village. We will see more birds that like to feed on small fish, insect or grain in paddy field. Tincep village is famous for its flower plants. So, we will be able to see colourful flowers along the roadside. When there are flowers, there are butterflies too. There are Gigon Swallowtail, Lime Swallowtail, Sacred Tabby, The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia) and a lot of other butterflies in District Sonder of Minahasa regency.

Lime Swallowtail in Tincep village

Colourful flower plants along the roadside of Tincep village in Minahasa Highland

My Birding Device

Nowadays I use a pair of 10×50 binoculars, a spotting scope to watch birds. I also bring an old bridge camera Fujifilm HS50EXR and cell phone to take pictures of wildlife and scenery. Visitors who are photographers can bring their 

More Birding Sites

Minahasa peninsula as a whole has got a lot of birdwatching sites. Visitors could enjoy birdwatching in Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Pine Forest of Lahendong. The farmlands of Pinaras, Sawangan and Rambunan villages are also very good sites for walking tour and birdwatching. For lowland areas, Talawaan area, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Temboan hill, and Kalinaun river near Batu Putih village will be the recommended choice for visitors.

Eastern Cattle Egret

Traveling to Minahasa

Flight route to Manado city

Map location of Tomohon town and District Sonder in Minahasa highland

Visitors who are interested in traveling to Minahasa region to enjoy this walking tour, sightseeing and birdwatching activities, need ti fly from their countries to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Balikpapan. After that, they could continue their trip to Manado city by taking domestic flights served by Garuda, Citilink, TransNusa, Lion Air, and Batik Air.

There are direct flights between Manado and Singapore served by Scoot Air as well as between Manado city and Guangzhou that is served by China Southern Airlines. 

From Manado city, the land trip to Tomohon town and District Sonder could be carried out by car.

Accommodation

There are hotels, resorts and homestays in Minahasa especially in Tomohon. Visitors could find them in booking.com or traveloka.com

Booking

If you are interested in visiting Minahasa highland to enjoy walking tour, sightseeing and birdwatching and want me to organize your tours, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Also read:

• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

• Sorong City Sightseeing and Easy Birdwatching Tour
• Sightseeing and Easy Birding Tour in Sorong city
• Birding and Sightseeing Tour in Sorong City
• Birding in Sausapor, Klabili and Sorong City
• Malagufuk's Birds
• Birding in Malagufuk in Rainy Season
• Night walk in Malagufuk's Forest