Paradise Bird Watching and Wildlife Tour in Indonesia: Bird Watching

Showing posts with label Bird Watching. Show all posts

Friday, May 9, 2025

Birdwatching in Raja Ampat of Indonesia

Raja Ampat is a famous destination for visitors who love swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. However, it is also a good destination for birdwatching. A lot of species of tropical birds could be watched and photographed in Waigeo island such as:

Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Red Bird of Paradise
Papuan Eclectus
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Palm Cockatoo
Black-capped Lory
Coconut Lorikeet
Great-billed Parrot
Red-cheeked Parrot
Yellow-faced Myna
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Common Paradise Kingfisher.
Beach Kingfisher
Collared Kingfisher
Sacred Kingfisher
Olive-crowned Flowerpecker
Sahul Sunbird
Black Sunbird
Lowland Peltop
Pinon Imperial Pigeon
Pied Imperial Pigeon
Great Cuckoo-dove
Black-billed Cuckoo-dove
Claret-breasted Fruit-dove
Brown Cuckoo-dove
Claret-breasted Fruit-dove
Spice Imperial Pigeon,
Golden Monarch
Willie Wagtail, and etc.

Red Bird of Paradise

A lot of coastal or sea birds could also be seen there. They include:

White-bellied Sea Eagle
Osprey
Lesser-crested Tern
Common Tern
Black-naped Tern
Common Sand Piper
Pacific Golden Plover
Pacific Reef Heron
Striated Heron
Great-billed Heron
Purple Heron,
Whimbrel, and etc.

Swimming and Snorkeling

Tour participants who want to enjoy swimming or snorkeling can do it at the house reef of the beach resort or homestay where we stay at. The coral reef of Raja Ampat is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures such as moorish idol, butterflyfish, striped surgeonfish, parrotfish, wrasse, wobbegong, anemonefish and etc.

Snorkeling in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat

White sandy beach in Urai island and Waigeo

Birding, swimming and snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat

Orange Skunk Anemonefish

Birdwatching near Sorong city

The tour to Raja Ampat for watching birds could be combined with the tour to the outskirts of Sorong city to watch interesting species of birds such as Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Glossy-mantled Manucode, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Black-browed Triller, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc. Usually, tourists who are in transit in Sorong city do not have much time. They can enjoy morning birding trip that starts at 05:00 a.m. and finishes at 10:00 a.m. or afternoon birding tour from 14:00 to 18:00 p.m.

Participants need to bring their own binoculars. If they do not have the device, as a guide provide a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod for everyone to share.

For identification of birds that we see or photograph, we could use Merlin App.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Raja Ampat and the outskirts of Sorong city, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Short Birding Tour in Sorong City

This short birding tour in Sorong city is suitable for a solo traveling tourist, a couple or a small group of tourists who do not have much time. The tour starts at 06:00 and finishes at 10:00.

The time of the tour can be changed to afternoon session from 14:00 to 18:00.

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

We will go by a chartered car to mangrove forest a little outside Sorong city. It takes around 30 minutes to reach it. We will start to explore the mangrove forest on foot. It is an easy birding walk. Usually, there are not many tourists in that area in early morning time.

Orange-breasted Fig Parrot in Mangrove park

Blue-fronted Fig Parrot

There are several species of tropical birds in trees including Sahul Sunbird, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Little Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot (formerly called Orange-fronted Fig Parrot), Brown-backed Honeyeater, Brahminy Kite, Willie Wagtail, Metallic Starling, Shining Flycatcher, Collared Imperial Pigeon and White-bellied Cuckooshrike. Coastal birds such as Common Sandpiper, and Striated Heron can also be watched in the area.

To enhance the birdwatching experience, a pair of binoculars, spotting scope and camera with telephoto lens will be needed by the visitors.

The binoculars and spotting scope will enable birdwatchers to watch distant birds well. We will finish birding at 10:00. After that we will return to the hotel where the participants of this tour stay.

Sahul Sunbird, Shining Flycatcher, Brown-backed Honeyeater

Brown-backed Honeyeater, Sahul Sunbird and Shining Flycatcher

After the tour, visitors could take another tour 1 day or half day nature tour at the outskirts of Sorong city or continue their trip to Raja Ampat or fly to another city.

European tourists were watching birds in Sorong city

Birdwatching in Sorong city

If you are interested in taking a short birding tour in Sorong city before or after your trip in Raja Ampat, and want me to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

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Monday, March 27, 2023

Butterflies and Moths in West Papua

When I guide visitors on wildlife watching tour in the forest, we often see beautiful butterflies and moths. My favorite destination for watching butterflies include Wasior town and its Wondiboy mountains, Coastal area of Tambrauw regency, Susnguakti forest in Manokwari, Klasow valley in Sorong, and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.

The following picture is a Swallowtail Moth that I saw in Klasow valley. This black turquoise moth likes to attach himsel to the underpart of a green leaf in the forest in an upside down position. Its latin name, perhaps, is Alcides agathyrsus. It is a beautiful moth that is big and always attracts the attention of visitors who see him.

A Swallowtail Moth in Klasow valley of West Papua

When I guided some visitors in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari on birdwatching and wildlife watching tour, I saw beautiful butterflies there too. One of them was a Cruiser butterfly whose scientific name was Vindula arsinoe. He was sitting on a rock near a small stream.

Cruiser Butterfly in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari

In Wasior town of Wondama regency, local people grow various kinds of hibiscus and a lot of other tropical flower plants. They attract butterflies and other insects.

Common Green Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera butterfly)

A Common Green Birdwing Butterfly in Wasior Town

One of them is the Common Green birdwing butterfly.

Another interesting butterfly in the rainforest of West Papua is Taenaris onolaus saturiator. This is one of the family members of owl butterflies. The two black-yellow circles on the hindwings that look like the eyes of an owl may be used by the butterfly to scare away predators.

An Owl Butterfly

I often travel to Raja Ampat islands. Usually I go there to guide visitors on wildlife watching, snorkeling and sightseeing tour. There are beautiful butterflies and moths too.

Durvillei's butterfly

I also used to see this species of butterfly in Mansinam island.

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

Birding and Wildlife Watching Holiday in Raja Ampat Islands

I have just completed a birding and wildlife watching tour in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. It was a 3 day/ 2 night-trip. I guided Christine - a lady from the United States of America. In the first day when we walked along the roadside of southern Waigeo, we saw Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Palm Cockatoo, Pacific Swallow and Lesser-crested Tern. At dusk, we also saw cuscus possum, fruitbats and snake.

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)

The next morning, we went to a forest by car and did hiking to watch Wilson's Bird of Paradise. After that we explored the coastal area to watch Radjah Shelduck, Olive-backed Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Beach Kingfisher as well as Olive-crowned Flowerpecker. There were Olive-backed Sunbird, Spice Imperial Pigeon and Brahminy Kite when we did a boat trip to islands at the entrance area of Kabui bay. I brought my spotting scope and put it on a white sandy beach of Urai island when we were watching the pigeons and kingfisher. At the nearby trees, Singing Starlings were eating some tiny fruits. High in the sky Blyth's Hornbill and Lesser Frigatebirds were flying over us.

Female Red Bird of Paradise

While we were enjoying the natural beauty of Raja Ampat's blue sea and islands, we saw some dolphins swimming off the nearby reef. It was a magnificent trip. In the last day of the tour, we watched Red Bird of Paradise, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-bellied Longbill and Helmetted Friarbird.

After enjoying the tour, we returned to Sorong city. This trip in Raja Ampat was an extended trip of my previous tour with a group of British and American birdwatchers in Sorong, Tambrauw, Arfak mountains of Manokwari.

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

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Birdwatching in Fef Valley of Tambrauw Regency (5 Days/ 4 Nights)

Fef is the capital of Tambrauw regency in West Papua province of Indonesia. The small town is surrounded by tropical rainforest that is the habitat of Lesser Birds of Paradise, Blyth's Hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Papua Mountain Pigeon, Shining Flycatcher, Black Thicket-Fantail, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Moustached Treeswift, Sacred Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Long-billed Cuckoo, Little-bronze Cuckoo, Frilled Monarch, Black Cicadabird, Great Cuckoo Dove, and etc.

Birdwatching in Fef valley of Tambrauw regency of West Papua

Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of West Papua

I guided 4 tourists from the United States of America from 6 to 10 October 2022. We stayed in Eden Inn near the Conservation Monument of Tambrauw regency. There was a restaurant next to the inn so we did not have to bring a lot of food materials from Sorong.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

To watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, we went to the forest of Iwin village by 4wd pick-up truck. It took around 20 minutes to reach the destination. We still had to walk into the forest to reach the birding site.

In the last day of our birding walk in Fef valley, we saw Emperor Fairywren, Grey-headed Goshawk, Variable Goshawk, and Black Thicket-Fantail as well as Long-tailed Buzzard and a large group of Blyth's Hornbill flying in the air.

Palm Cockatoo

In general, itinerary of birding in Fef valley of Tambrauw regency was organized as follows:

BIRDING IN TAMBRAUW MOUNTAINS

Day 1

Going to Fef by 4WD pick-up truck from Sorong. The duration of the trip is approximately 4 hours. Arrive in Fef, take a rest, general birding to find Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.

Blyth's Hornbill

Day 2

Go by car to birding site in Iwin village. Watch Lesser Birds of Paradise. Continue with general birding. Back to Fef. General birding in the forest along the road near the waterfall to find Frilled Monarch, Long-billed Cuckoo, and Olive-crowned Flowerpecker.

Day 3

General birding in the forest to find Hooded Pitta and Papuan Pitta (formerly called Red-bellied Pitta) as well as Magnificent Bird of Paradise and etc.

Day 4

General birding to find Emperor Fairywren, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Hooded Butcherbird, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will return to Sorong city. End of Tour.

The birding tour in Tambrauw mountains can be extended to other places such as Arfak mountains and Raja Ampat.

If you are interested in taking rainforest sightseeing and wildlife watching tour in Tambrauw and wants me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Birdwatching and Wildlife Watching in Sorong and Raja Ampat (7 Days)

I have just completed a tour for two visitors from the Netherlands. We spent one week exploring the rainforest of Klasow valley in Sorong regency as well as the tropical jungle of Waigeo in Raja Ampat islands.

Birdwatching, snorkeling, sightseeing and trekking in West Papua

Wildlife Watching and Sightseeing Tour in Sorong and Raja Ampat

We went hiking early in the mornings and in the afternoons to look for Lesser Birds of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise.

During the one week tour, we saw a lot of species of tropical birds including Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Azure Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Red-cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Papuan Frogmouth, Frilled Monarch, Hooded Monarch, Blue Jewel Babbler, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Eastern Osprey, Willie Wagtail and a lot more.

Birdwatching in Raja Ampat

While in Raja Ampat, we did sightseeing and snorkeling tour by speedboat to Piaynemo karst and then on our return trip to the beach resort where we stayed, we visited Sand Bank (locally called Pasir Timbul) near Lesser Mansuar island and Friwen island which was located near Gam island. We also enjoyed snorkeling along the Friwenwall where we saw various kinds of fishes, and corals both the hard and soft ones. There are hundreds of species of reef fish that we saw.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes respublica)

Birdwatching in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat

This tour is suitable for anyone who likes to see the wealth of avifauna and the marine life of West Papua.

If you are interested in taking 1 week wildlife watching and snorkeling trip in West Papua, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Birding in Klasow valley's Forest of Sorong Regency

Sorong city is the main gate for visitors who are traveling to Raja Ampat islands. Most airlines in Indonesia have got scheduled flights to this city. They will land at Domine Eduard Osok airport and then continue their trip to Waisai by ferry boat. In Raja Ampat, they will enjoy various kinds of activities related to marine tourism.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

For visitors who are interested in wildlife, Klasow valley will be an interesting destination. There is a village in the valley that has become a good base for visitors who like to watch tropical birds. Its name is Klabili village.

Birding in Klabili village and Sorong city

Western-crowned Pigeon

It is a village that is located on the side of a road that runs through the valley. This small village is surrounded by tropical forest that is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds including Western-crowned Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Great Cuckoo Dove, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird, Northern Cassowary, Forest Bittern, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, and etc.

Magnificent Riflebird

The wildlife watching activity can be carried out not only during the day time but also at night time. The night walk in the jungle is usually conducted after dinner. Animals that visitors may find include wallaby, possum, birds that sleep on the lower branches of trees, bandicoot, snake, Papua forest dragon, deer, and etc. Visitors will need to bring torch or flash light for this night time activity.

King Bird of Paradise

Accommodation and Food

Visitors who go to Klabili village in Klasow valley to enjoy birdwatching and wildlife watching can stay in the homestay of the villagers.

Before traveling to this village, food and drink materials such as bread, eggs, coffee, milk, cheese, tea, sugar can be bought from supermarket in Sorong city.

The usual duration of the birding tour is 3 to 4 days, it can be continued to Tambrauw mountains, Arfak mountains, Wondama Bay or even to Raja Ampat islands.

Contact

If you are interested in taking a wildlife watching/ birdwatching trip in West Papua (particularly Sorong regency, Tambrauw regency, Manokwari - Arfak mountains, Wondama bay) and even to Sulawesi island and want a guide to organize your trip and accompany you during the tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Raja Ampat Birds

I have just completed a birding and snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat islands where I guided a visitor from the United States. It was a successful trip because we were able to watch our main targets which were the Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra) and the Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus respublica). We watched them in southern region of Waigeo island that was at the entrance way to Kabui bay. During this birdwatching and snorkeling tours we used a motorized boat to explore islets both for its rainforest and marine lifes. Those who want to read about my snorkeling reports can visit my other blog: rajaampat.club.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

We visited a small island in the bay early in the morning to watch Spice Imperial Pigeon, Moustached Treeswift, Eastern Osprey, Eclectus Parrot, Black-capped Lory, Beach Kingfisher, Singing Starling, Lesser Frigate Bird and White-bellied Sea Eagle. From my previous trip to the island, I saw Stephan's Ground Dove and Brahminy Kite too.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise lived in deeper area of southern Waigeo's rainforest. To watch it, we needed to wake up at 03.40 for making preparations and started our trip at 04.00, first by boat, and later on foot. In the same forest, a lot of species of birds could be seen including Hook-billed Kingfisher, Papuan Blyth's Hornbill, Common Paradise Kingfisher.

Red bird of paradise photo by Charles Roring

Male Red Bird of Paradise was trying to attract his female partner for mating in a
courtship dance

In the same region, I watched Red Bird of Paradise. Perhaps, I heard the call of Glossy Manucode but I was not so sure about it. At its beach, I used to see Striated Heron, Pacific Swallow. In addition to islands and beaches of Waigeo and Gam at the entrance site of Kabui, I also organized birding trip in the karst groups inside the bay. There I saw Eastern Reef Egret, Rainbow Bee-Eater, Great-billed Parrot, Black Sunbird, Little Pied Cormorant, Black Sunbird.
A visit to a small islet in the south of Mansuar island, allowed me to see Arafura Fantail, Lemon-bellied White Eye, and Violet-necked Lory.

For the Great-billed Parrot, I used to see it in the hill forest on the west or Waisai's airport. That forest was the natural habitat of such birds as Yellow-faced Myna, Dollarbird, White-breasted Woodswallow. The coastal area near the airport was the place where I saw Wimbrel, Radjah Shelduck, Eastern Reef Egret, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and Yellow-faced Myna. Its birds were similar to the ones that I saw at Warduwer beach.

Birding tour in Raja Ampat with Charles Roring

Pied Imperial Pigeon

However, because the beach had more open spaces, I was able to see more birds there including Pied Imperial Pigeon, Helmetted Friarbird, Spangled Drongo, Hooded Butcherbird, Dusky Scrubfowl, Red-cheeked Parrot, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Eclectus Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Torresian Crow, Willie Wagtail, Plover, Bridled Tern, Shining Flycather, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Spangled Drongo.

Hooded Butcherbird

Trans Waigeo road from Waisai to Mayalibit area was a good site to see Azure Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, and Brown-headed Crow.
Last year, I visited the north east region of Waigeo island. It was a nice trip. I went hiking to Mount Sarembon where I saw some interesting birds including Papuan Black Myzomela, Amboina Cuckoo Dove, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Radjah Shelduck, Beach Thick Knee, Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Sacred Kingfisher. I visited two small islands in east Waigeo including Waim and Mamiaef. There, I saw Wandering Tattler, Black Sunbird, Lesser-crested Tern.
As a matter of fact, this part of the island is an excellent destination for birdwatchers who want to explore the forest and beaches of Waigeo which are not regularly visited by tourists. Its coast is very good for watching coastal birds. Its rainforest birds can be explored by walking along the banks of rivers.

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra

I used to visit Kofiau islands. The most favorite targets were Kofiau Monarch and Kofiau Paradise Kingfisher. During my trip to the archipelago, I saw Sacred Kingfisher, Moluccan Starling, Black Sunbird, Little Pied Cormmorant, Dollarbird, Eastern Reef Egret, Spotted Whistling Duck,
Well, I don't mention all the birds that I saw in every place that I visit. I only mention the ones that I consider attractive for me.

Birding Gear
When I guide tourists on a birding tour in Raja Ampat, I usually bring some equipment. Some of them include:

10×42 mm Visionking binoculars
20-60×60 mm Spotting scope that is mounted on an aluminum tripod
Laser pointer
Field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler.
Tablet that contains records of bird sounds
Bluetooth loudspeaker
I also brought flashlight for night birding.

Birdwatching Tour in Raja Ampat

I run birding tour in Raja Ampat for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds, enjoying snorkeling, interacting with local people, and sightseeing. If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Raja Ampat that is combined with sightseeing, and snorkeling and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by E-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Google Map of Raja Ampat

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Monday, March 2, 2020

Birwatching and Snorkeling in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

When I run a birdwatching tour in Raja Ampat, I always provide time for me and my clients to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the house reef of the guesthouse where we stay. This morning, I and Michael - my client from the US, went to a small island at the south of Waigeo island. It was only around fifteen minutes by speedboat to reach it.

Spice Imperial Pigeon

Approaching the island, we saw some Spice Imperial Pigeons sitting on the branches of a small tree that stood on a big rock. There were some Singing Starlings too. They were on the lower left branch of a tree of the same rock. After landing on the beach, I installed my spotting scope and aimed it at the birds that were sitting on tree tops. Using the scope, we watched Hooded Butcherbird, Eastern Osprey, Eclectus Parrot, and Lesser Frigate Bird. I also heard the sounds of Olive-backed Sunbird but I could not find it. Torresian Crow sat on a tree that grew on a vertical cliff. We spent around 1.5 hours birding in the island. After that, we slowly moved along the coastal area of another island trying to find birds in tree again. We were quite lucky that morning because we could see White-bellied Sea Eagle, Moustached Treeswift, Brahminy Kite, Pacific Swallow, and more Spice Imperial Pigeon. The marine scenery of Raja Ampat waters was very beautiful. A Beach Kingfisher was flying fast above us. In his bill, he was holding a crab.

Beach Kingfisher

Puff-backed Meliphaga

When we had returned to our guesthouse, I did some snorkeling at its house reef. Again I saw Anemonefish, Striped Surgeonfish, Butterflyfish, Moorish Idol and a Banded Sea Krait. I tried to take pictures of the snake while he was moving fast in the water. Well, I was able to get some pictures of the venomous snake.

Banded Sea Krait

Moorish Idol

Well, I was able to get some good photos but not so sharp. In the afternoon, I saw a Puff-backed Meliphaga that is preparing her nest around twenty centimeters above the ground.
If you are interested in taking a combined birdwatching and snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat with me as your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Birding in Arfak mountains with 5 British Tourists

Last week, I guided 5 British tourists on a 6-day/ 5-night hiking and birding tour in Arfak mountains. They were Trev, Ken, Chris, Zod and Mark. The tour was organized by Samuel and Taty from Tangkoko of North Sulawesi. Because they were not familiar with birds of Arfak mountains, they asked me to guide their clients. I said, yes. So I guided them.

During the trip, we watched such birds as Western Parotia, Black Sicklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Crinkle-collared Manucode, and Masked Bowerbird. They were important targets for birding tourists who went there.
The Fantastic Masked Bowerbird
On the third day of our birding trip, we had to split the group into 3 smaller ones because the blinds for Superb BOP, Magnificent BOP, and Masked Bowerbird were small. I and Ken got the blind for the Masked Bowerbird. We had a rare experience. We were already in the blind at 05.30. The male Masked Bowerbird landed at 08.25. After checking his bower for around 3 minutes, he left again. Thirty minutes later, he came again. This time he was with the female Masked Bowerbird. She inspected the bower and then sat in the middle of the bower that looked like a gate. Seeing his female counterpart occupying his bower, the male Masked Bowerbird began to perform his courtship dance which lasted for around 1 hour. He flapped his wings, bowed down in front of his female bird while presenting a blue article that was a cap from a big bottle of mineral water, and a dried brown leaf that looked like a small carpet. He flew to horizontal branches of a shrub plant in front of his bower and jumped up and down the horizontal branches of the plant. After that he danced at the back of the female bird checking her tail. Soon after that he mounted on her back and then mated with her. The mating was less than 4 seconds.
He continued dancing again and the female bird kept on sitting between the bower. The courtship dance performance lasted for another 1 hour. They were mating again at the end of the dance show.
In total, I and Ken enjoyed a 2-hour non-stop courtship dance performance, and 2 mating sessions of the Masked Bowerbird. It was fantastic!

A Fruit Dove in Arfak mountains

Birding in Kabui of Raja Ampat

Kabui is the name of a bay in Raja Ampat islands. It is one of my favorite birding sites. Every time I organize a birding tour in Waigeo, I always try to include a trip by motorized boat to the bay so that visitors could see the beauty of its karst formations and watch such birds as Beach Kingfisher, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Stephan's Emerald Dove, Great-billed Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Brahminy Kite, Eastern Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Wimbrel, Sooty Tern, Lesser-crested Tern and a lot more.

Birding by boat in Kabui bay of Raja Ampat

There are hundreds of karst islets in the bay. The waters inside the islets are very calm even during wave season. In my previous trips with an American tourists I saw Little-pied Cormorant, Striated Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Rainbow Bee Eater, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Olive-backed Sunbird, Blyth's Hornbill.

Field guide book is needed for identifying birds that we see. Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt, Bruce Beehleer and their friends is the one that I often use. There is also Birds of New Guinea: including Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville by Phil Gregory. These books could be ordered online from Amazon.

Birding devices such as binoculars, spotting scopes, flash lights that will be used during the trip to this regency can be bought from Amazon.

Boat is not a stable platform for birding especially in the waters that are not calm. I ask boat driver to stop the boat or lower its speed. Most often we have to land at a beach to enjoy birding.

I usually bring a spotting scope and tripod and put it on a beach so that tour participants can watch birds that sit on the branches of tall trees in remote islands. Moustached Tree Swift, Eclectus Parrot, Singing Starling, and Violet-necked Lory are some of the birds that we can watch in Kabui bay.

In my last birding trip to the bay with American tourists, we included snorkeling activity. It was a very nice adventure.

If you want to travel to Raja Ampat and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Shooting Birds at Warduwer Beach of Raja Ampat

Still about birding in Warduwer beach of Waigeo island, I see more birds in the mornings and in the evenings. The branches in tall trees are the places where birds like to sit. I like to photograph birds that I see. During my recent birding walk at the beach, I made photos of Palm Cockatoo, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Hooded Butcherbird, Singing Starling, and a lot more. I had put some pictures of them in my previous posts.

Palm Cockatoo

Claret-breasted Fruit-Dove

Hooded Butcherbird

Mimic Meliphaga

It was not easy to take pictures of birds in distant trees. I sometimes have to try different settings of my camera. I also have to stabilize my hand or even hold my breath to minimize my body movements. Canon 200D is a camera for beginning level user of a D-SLR camera. The use of Tamron 150-600 mm greatly enhances its reach. However, I don't always get good pictures of birds that I shoot. For instance, when I shot a Red Bird of Paradise in high tree, it was too far from me. I could not make sharp pictures. However, I am satisfied that Warduwer beach is a great place for birdwatching. I highly recommend this place as an easy birding site for visitors who want to visit Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.

Red Bird of Paradise

A beach resort will soon operate at this beach. Its name is Raja Ampat Flow Resort (RAFLOW). More trees and flower plants will be planted in the beach so it will look greener and beautiful. I expect to see more birds and butterflies at this beach.

Coral reef is the rainforest of the sea. A lot of soft coral in the sea looks like flowers. Warduwer beach has got coral reef that is very beautiful. Visitors can enjoy swimming, and snorkeling to see the "flowers" and the fish. I often organize sightseeing boat tour, snorkeling, hiking and birdwatching in Raja Ampat for tourists who want to see this beautiful archipelago.

If you plan to visit Raja Ampat and want me to guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Evening Bird in Raja Ampat

A few days ago I had an evening bird walk at Warduwer beach. It was located in southern region of Waigeo island. As usual, I brought my Canon 200D and Tamron 150-600 mm lens as my photograhic device. I did not have special target to shoot. The first bird that I saw near the entrance gate to the beach was a Helmetted-Friarbird. He made some calls but later was busy with his prey.

Helmetted Friarbird at Warduwer Beach of Raja Ampat

There were a couple of Yellow-faced Myna. They were sitting on the branches of a small tree. It was quite difficult for me to shoot them. I looked around the beach to find the best spot and was very happy to find a small sand hill near the tree. I walked up to the top of the hill and carefully adjusted my camera to adapt with the light condition. I raised my camera and aimed it at the birds. I shot them several times but later made several adjustments on the settings of the camera to get better quality pictures out of the camera.

Yellow-faced Myna

A crow landed on the lower branch of the same tree while I was busy making photographs of the myna. I shot the bird again but shortly after that she flew away.

Crow

After shooting the bird, I walked down the sand hill to the beach. The sun slowly disappeared from the horizon. I walked to the beach and tried to find if there were birds among the green vegetation that were standing near the sea water. I saw Sacred Kingfisher sitting on a stone but it was too far from me. Beach Kingfisher flew fast in front of me. It was evening time and the sea was in low tide. An Eastern Reef Egret landed on an exposed hard coral. I made some pictures of the bird too.

Eastern Reef Egret (Ardea modesta) at Warduwer beach

Beach Resort, House Reef and Snorkeling
Evening was a good time for birding at Warduwer beach. Soon Raja Ampat Flow (RAFLOW) Resort will begin its operation at the beach. This beach resort will become an ideal place for visitors who like birdwatching and snorkeling.
The house reef of RAFLOW Resort is in very good condition. There are a lot of fish that snorkelers can see while swimming over coral reef. Some of them include Moorish Idol, Butterflyfish, Anemonefish, Three-spot Dascyllus, Parrotfish, and even the Wobbegong, and Stonefish.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

How to get there?

It is easy to visit and stay at Raja Ampat Flow Resort. First, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
Second, you continue your flight to Sorong city.
Arriving at Domine Eduard Osok Airport of Sorong, you need to go to Pelabuhan Rakyat by airport taxi. The usual price is 100,000 rupiahs per taxi (one way). Ir can carry around 4 people.
The price of the ticket for crossing by ferry from Sorong to Waisai town is 100,000 rupiahs per person.
Arriving at the harbor, visitors are usually asked by government officers of Raja Ampat regency to pay entrance fee: 1,000,000 rupiahs per person.
After that they can use taxi or be picked up by shuttle hus to Raja Ampat Flow Resort.

Booking
If you are interested in taking a combined Snorkeling and Birding Tour in Raja Ampat, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Paradise Bird Watching and Wildlife Tour in Indonesia

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