Wildlife Watching, Birding and Photography Tours in Sorong city, Malagufuk of Klasouw valley of Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo and Salawati in Raja Ampat of West Papua as well as Sonder, Tomohon, Mount Mahawu, Manado, Tangkoko Nature Reserve 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.
I have organized several trips this month for some birdwatchers and photographers who want to see tropical birds in Raja Ampat and Sorong regency. During each of the trip, we explored the southern region of Waigeo to look for Glossy-mantled Manucode, Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise. On the second part of the trip, we did rainforest tour in Malagufuk village of Klasow valley to find Lesser Birds of Paradise, Twelve-wiredBird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird and King Bird of Paradise. The duration of this tour is 8 days/ 7 nights.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
We experienced heavy rain during most of this tour. The month of June is quite a challenging experience for me. The walking path in the forest became very muddy after the heavy rain. Fortunately, we could see and photographs most of the paradise birds that I mentioned above.
We saw and photographed other birds as well such as Wompoo Fruit-dove, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red-cheeked Parrot, Papuan Eclectus, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Black-sided Robin, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, and etc.
Magnificent Riflebird
Although most of our activities are about birdwatching and photography tour, we also spent time on swimming and snorkeling especially in the house reef areas of the resort. Reef fish such as striped-surgeonfish, diagonal sweetlips, parrotfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish could be seen and photographed at depths of 1.5 to 2 meters or more.
To photograph birds in distant trees, tour participants bring D-SLR or mirrorless with (large CMOS censor) camera that is equipped with 150-600 mm lens. Some bring bridge camera such as Nikon P1000.
Birdwatching in Sorong regency and Raja Ampat
Birdwatchers usually Swarovski, Leica, or Nikon 10×42 mm. As a birding guide, I usually carry a spottinh scope that is mounted on a tripod.
Coral reef in Raja Ampat
If you are interested in taking a holiday in Indonesia by enjoying birdwatching and photography tour in Raja Ampat, Klasow valley of Sorong regency and other parts of Indonesia such as Minahasa highland and Tangkoko Nature Reserve, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
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.
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 SONDER OF MINAHASA HIGHLAND OF NORTH SULAWESI
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, White-breasted Woodswallow.
Some birds in Sulawesi
The farmland of Sonder and the forest along the riverside is the site for watching Green Imperial Pigeon, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Zebra Dove, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Finch-billed Myna, Lesser Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle and etc.
Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Fantail, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
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, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, and a lot more.
Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
Manado city is the main gate for visiting Sonder forest and farmland in Minahasa Highland. There are daily flights between Manado and major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong city. They are server by such airlines as Lion Air, Batik Air, Garuda. Direct international flight from Singapore and Manado city is server by Scoot Air.
Sonder is a small sub-district town in Minahasa highland
Flight routes to Manado city
If you are interested in birding and nature photography tour in Sonder forest and farmland of Minahasa highland, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com.
Tropical rainforest of West Papua has been an important destination for visitors who are interested in watching birds of paradise and wild animals.
From 27 August to 10 September, I guided a Russian birdwatcher, on a 2-week birdwatching, wildlife watching, snorkeling and sightseeing tour in bird's head region of West Papua in the Republic of Indonesia. His name was Dmitry Ivanov and he flew in from South Korea.
Flight route to Sorong city
Birdwatching Sites: Klasow valley, Sorong, Saporkren of Waigeo island and Arfak mountains of Manokwari regency
Day 1 (27 August 2022)
I met my client Dmitry at DEO airport of Sorong city. He flew from Seoul of South Korea. After taking a few hours rest in a hotel in Sorong and enjoying lunch, we began our birdwatching activity in mangrove forest around 45 minutes ride to the suburb of the city. There, we saw Pacific Swallow, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Sahul Sunbird (formerly called Olive-backed Sunbird). Suddenly rain started to fall. We walked back to the car and had some tea and biscuits while waiting for it to stop. After the rain we still did birdwatching again and saw Oriental Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Great-billed Heron, Willie Wagtail, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Helmetted Friarbird. It was already dark when we returned to the city. We had dinner at Padang Restaurant. The food was spicy.
Birding Raja Ampat
Day 2 (28 August 2022)
In the morning, we left for Waisai. The ferry boat was crowded with people. All tickets were sold out. There were a big group of Christians from Supiori who made a pilgrimage tour to their fellow Christian community in Waisai town. However, I urged a porter to arrange a seat for my client with the captain of the boat. We got 1 VIP ticket at an extra charge and an economy ticket.
Arriving in Waisai, we continued our trip by speedboat to a beach resort. We still had time to enjoy birding that day. We saw Papuan Frogmouth, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Willie Wagtail, Lesser Frigatebird, Tern, Helmetted Friarbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Sacred Kingfisher, and Glossy Manucode (which is a Bird of Paradise). Back to the resort, we had a nice view of Palm Cockatoo sitting on the branch of a cattapa tree over the white sandy beach. It was eating its fruits.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Day 3 (29 August 2022)
We woke up early at 04:00 and had some tea and bread. After that we left the resort by boat to a beach in Kabui bay where we continued our trip by hiking steep slopes for one and a half hour to the site of Wilson's Bird of Paradise. We arrived around one and a half hour later. We watched the paradise bird until eight o'clock. When we returned to the beach we saw Dusky Scrubfowl, Brahminy Kite, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pacific Swallow, Willie Wagtail, White-bellied Sea Eagle. We had a stop at Saporkren village and enjoyed some interactions with villagers. In the resort, we took pictures of Papuan Frogmouth.
In the afternoon, by speedboat we went to Raflow resort to enjoy birding. There, we saw Red Bird of Paradise, White-breasted Woodswallow, Variable Goshawk, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Rainbow Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Mimic Meliphaga, Hooded Butcherbird, Dwarf Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Eastern Osprey, Helmetted Friarbird, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Mimic Meliphaga, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, Spangled Drongo.
Red Bird of Paradise
Day 4 (30 August 2022)
We woke up in the morning again and had a short hiking to the lek of Red Bird of Paradise. In the same site, we watched Helmetted Friarbird, Spangled Drongo, Hooded Butcherbird. After watching paradise bird we still enjoyed birding in the area and saw Grey-headed Goshawk, Spangled Drongo, Rusty Mouse Warbler. We walked down the slope and did birding walk along the road where we watched Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Brown headed Crow, Coconut Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna, Blyth's Hornbill, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Torresian Crow.
In the afternoon at 15:00, we left for Friwen to enjoy snorkeling and seeing coconut crab on a small island not far from it. The Friwen wall was a great snorkeling site for seeing soft corals as well as hard corals and a lot of tropical fish.
Because coconut crab only came out at night, we decided to move to Nyetreiram islet at 18:00 local time. The land owner who accompanied us cut some coconuts and left it on the islet to attract the coconut crabs. We waited at the jetty of the islet. Fifteen minutes later, they came out of their hiding places. We were invited to see them. We were watching and taking pictures of the crab for around twenty minutes when we felt strong winds blew on the sea. A big storm was coming. When we were back on the boat, the waves were getting bigger. I asked our boat driver Zeth whether it was ok to return to our beach resort or take cover in Gam island. He said we could return to the resort. We decided to go back in full speed. Soon after we arrived, the sea storm hit our beach. Fortunately, we were already on land and inside our warm cottage. It was a great experience.
Day 5 (31 August 2022)
Birding in the morning along the road, we were able to watch: Black Butcherbird, Hooded Butcherbird, Mimic Meliphaga, Red Bird of Paradise, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Variable Goshawk, Lowland Peltop, Pacific Reef Heron, Brown-headed Crow, Torresian Crow, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Oriental Dollarbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker.
A Chinese photographer, Phang, joined us. Because I forgot my binoculars, he was glad to lend his binoculars. We enjoyed watching and photographing birds. Phang returned to the guesthouse earlier whereas I and Dimitry continued walking to the area of Raflow resort where he photographed Eastern Reef Egret near the resort.
Klasow Valley of Sorong Regency
We left Raja Ampat at 14:00 and arrived in Sorong at around 16:00. I went to supermarket to buy more food materials and then continued our trip to Klasow valley by 4WD car. We arrived at around 19:00. The rain started to fall. We continued walking along a wooden bridge for around three hours. We saw frog, lizard, grasshopper, cricket, moths, and bandicoot. Arriving in the village at 22:00, we had dinner and took a rest. I was very tired but could not sleep well.
Klasow Valley
Day 6 (1 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 05:00 and then started to make preparation. We watched Western-crowned Pigeon, King Bird of Paradise, Frilled Monarch, Blue Jewel Babbler, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Papuan Lorikeet, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna. There were calls of Yellow-billed Kingfisher. Unfortunately, we could not see it. At around 12:00 we returned to the village and had lunch. After that we took a rest. At 16:00, we did a birding walk along the bridge where we saw Hooded Pitta, Brown Oriole, Black Lory, and some other beautiful birds of Sorong's lowland forest. Blyth's hornbill flew over the forest several times. There were hibiscus flowers in the village. I took some pictures of them.
Day 7 (2 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 04:00 and then made a preparation. After having some tea and biscuits, we walked to the lek of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. It was a long walk. Walking up a steep slope, we saw wallaby. I aimed my flashlight at the marsupial animal. With the light, Dmitry could take pictures of the wallaby. The male Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise was already on top of his display tree when we arrived. We watched him performing the "pole dance" for around thirty minutes before continuing our trip to watch the Lesser Birds of Paradise. We stayed there until 09:00. In addition to Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise and the Lesser Birds of Paradise, we were able to watch Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blyth's Hornbill, Shining Flycatcher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise
Lesser Birds of Paradise
At around 10:00, we slowly returned to the village and had our lunch. After that we took a rest until around 14:00. In late afternoon, we walked along the boardwalk to watch birds including Yellow-faced Myna, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Papuan Babbler. I played the sound of Hooded Butcherbird. Several minutes later he showed up.
We saw some interesting birds including Golden Myna, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, and Oriental Dollarbird. We waited for the cassowary to visit the village but we did not see it. In late afternoon, we walked back to main road. It was drizzling. Reaching the main road, we saw that the parking lot was still empty. So we continued birding along the road. Wompoo Fruit Dove flew fast crossing the road over the canopy of the forest. There was an Orange-bellied Fruit Dove perching on the top branch of a tree. When our car arrived, we ended our birding in Klasow valley and returned to Sorong where stayed one night at Swissbel hotel.
Arfak Mountains
Day 8 (3 Sept. 2022)
We flew to Manokwari in the morning of 3 Sept 2022. However, we did not go directly to Arfak range. We had to go to a supermarket to buy food materials for our 6 days stay in the mountains. After that, we went to traditional market in Wosi to buy more fruits, vegetables and eggs.
The duration of the car trip from Manokwari city to Arfak mountains was approximately 2 hours. Unloading our bags and food supplies from the 4WD car, we brought them to Lorikeet guesthouse. We did not take a rest. There was still time to watch Vogelkop Bowerbird. Because the nearest blind was only around 5 minutes walk, we immediately went to it. Dmitry was able to see the Vogelkop Bowerbird and took some picturws of the bird. Back to the guesthouse, we were able to see some nice birds including Green-backed Robin and White-shouldered Fairywren. There was a tall tree in the middle of the flower garden of the guesthouse. There, Great Cuckoo Dove liked to eat its fruits.
Day 9 (4 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 04:30 and made preparation as well as had some tea and biscuit. At 05:00 we started hiking up the steep slope of Mount Soyti. It took around twenty minutes to reach the birdwatching hut of Western Parotia. Inside it, Dmitry sat to wait for the paradise bird to come. Becuase villager had put a red pandanus fruit near the dancing ground of Western Parotia, other birds came to eat the grain of the fruit too. There was a female Western Parotia. And there were also female black sicklebill.
After watching the parotia, we did general birding along the road. We saw Capped-white Eye, Ornate Melidectes, Sclater's Whistler, Mountain Fruit Dove, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive Flycatcher, Western Smoky Honeyeater.
During nightwalk, we saw tree frog, mouse, and stick insect. We heard wing beats of flyingfox but we could not locate the tree where he feeded on.
Day 10 (5 Sept 2022)
At 04:00 we woke up to make preparation and to have a quick breakfast. We had some bread, rambutan fruits, and tea. Dmitry, accompanied by two villagers went to the site of Magnificent Bird of Paradise. It took around one hour twenty minutes of walking to reach it. He returned at around 10:30 with smiling face. Dmitry was able to make pictures and a short video of the paradise bird. In the afternoon, he returned to the site of Western parotia again. He wanted to watch the adult Western Parotia performing his courtship dance. However, only the female Black Sicklebill, juvenile Western Parotia that were seen at that site. On a separate site, I saw Spotted Jewel Babbler at the entrance door of the birdwatching hut. We did late afternoon birding walk and saw Grey Green Scrubwren, Green-backed Robin.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise
Day 11 (6 Sept 2022)
As usual during the birding tour, we woke up early in the morning. Our destination this time as Maibri village and our target bird to see was the Crescent-caped Lophorina or Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise. The weather that morning was sunny. As a result, we were able to see the paradise bird. At the same site, we also saw Black-eared Catbird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise (male and female), Crinkle-collared Manucode and a female Western Parotia. We heard the sounds of Plum-faced Lorikeets on the canopy of the forest. However, we could not see them. In the afternoon, Dmitry tried to watch the adult male Western Parotia but it did not come to its dancing site.
Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise
Day 12 (7 Sept 2022)
I organized a trip for Dmitry to watch Arfak Astrapia in the forest of Syioubri village near a place that was called German Camp. At 02:00 early morning time, by a 4WD car, we went to the village where Dmitry started his guiding trip to the top of the mountains guided by Elyakim. They arrived at around 03:00 and waited for the sunrise. He was able to watch both the Arfak Astrapia and the Black Sicklebill.
In the afternoon, Elyakim offered him an alternative site to watch adult Western Parotia performing his courtship dance performance. Because a bird hide had not been prepared, Elyakim told us that he would build it first. We could go there to watch the bird at 04:00. We went there by 4WD car. It was quite far from Lorikeet Guesthouse. The birding site was located at steep slope in the forest that was inside the territory of Pigout village. We waited for Elyakim to come out of the forest. He showed up at 17:00 and said that the bird had already performed the dance. He had built the hide and offered Dimitry to come and watch it the next day. We agreed to come again the next day at 13:00. Some Sulphur-crested Cockatoo landed on the trees at the edge of a cliff above us. Dmitry took some nice pictures of them using his Nikon Coolpix P1000 camera.
Day 13 (8 Sept. 2022)
At 05:00, we went by 4wd car to Maibri village to watch Masked Bowerbird. Serinus, a local villager, who owned the land, guided us to the birdwatching hut. When we arrived at the hut and entered it, we saw that the bower of the Masked Bowerbird had been demolished. We still sat down in the blind to wait for the bird to complete his demolition works. Unfortunately, he did not come. We returned to our guesthouse and took a rest at 09:00. There were some birds that were seen playing in the flower garden of the guesthouse. Some that I saw were Black Fantail, Blue Grey Robin, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Great Cuckoo Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo Dove, Mountain Fruit Dove, Western Smoky Honeyeater, Cinnamon Melidectes, Vogelkop Melidectes, White-shouldered Fairywren, Glossy Swiftlet, Blue Grey Robin, and etc.
In the afternoon, we did a trip to territory of Pigout village to watch Western Parotia. It was a happy moment for Dmitry because he was able to see and made video of the male Western Parotia performing his courtship dance.
At 17:00 we returned to Manokwari city. He stayed at Mansinam Beach Hotel. I stayed at home.
Having Papeda as dinner at the restaurant of Mansinam Beach Hotel. At night, we had Papeda, a kind of porridge made of Sago starch, and yellow fish soup.
Day 14 (9 Sept 2022)
We had a morning flight to Sorong city. After taking a rest and having lunch, we went to mangrove forest recreational park by car. Birding in this mangrove forest, we were able to watch Brown-backed Honeyeater, and White-bellied Cuckooshrike. Suddenly rain started to fall in the area. We sat in.a shelter to wait for it to stop. Fortunately, the rain lasted for only around twenty minutes. We continued birding again while walking along the boardwalk of the mangrove park. We saw Metalic Starling, Rainbow Bee-eater, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive-backed Sunbird and Nankeen Nightheron. There were several observation towers in the park. They allowed us to see the magnificent few of the mangrove forest. Unfortunately, there were a lot of plastic wastes which were thrown to the forest floor by the visitors. We also saw Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Pacific Swallow. I played the sounds of Blue Black Kingfisher. He came out but not perched on the visible branch of the mangrove strees. He flew over a water of the canal in front of us and into the forest on its other side. He did it several times.
Dmitry told me that he wanted to watch Emperor Fairywren. I played its soundsany times both in the Mangrove park and in the protected forest of Sorong but the bird did not come out of its hiding places. At around 18:40, we returned to Sorong city. We still had grilled fish at Tembok area for our dinner before returning to Swissbel hotel.
Day 15 (10 Sept. 2022)
At 8:30, I arranged his transfer to DEO airport where he would fly to Jakarta at 10:45. We said goodbye to each other before he entered the check-in hall.
I also left Sorong for Manokwari in the afternoon at 12:45 by Batik Air. It ended the two weeks birdwatching tour in West Papua.
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in West Papua and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Susnguakti is the name of a forest in lower montane region of Arfak mountains. It is a great site for nature lovers to go hiking and watching birds of paradise and wild animals. It can be reached from Manokwari city by car.
A couple of Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakto forest of Arfak mountains Manokwari regency - West Papua province - Indonesia
Birds that can be watched in this forest include Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeaminor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurusregius) and Magnificent Riflebird (Ptilorismagnificus), Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Black-billed Cuckoo Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Western Ornate Fruit Dove, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Frilled Monarch, Golden Cuckooshrike, Papuan Spangled Drongo, Fairy Lorikeet, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Papuan Frogmouth, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc.
Typical Itinerary
Day 1
Meeting with tour participants in Manokwari city
Transfer to Susnguakti by car (1 hour)
Hiking to basecamp (1 hour)
Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise (first attempt)
Night walk
Day 2
Wake up at 05:00, make preparation, have tea or coffee, walk to birding site of Lesser Birds of Paradise.
Continue to the site of King Bird of Paradise
Explore the forest to see various kinds of birds, insects (beetles, butterflies), reptiles as well as unique tropical plants.
Night walk to fins possum and nocturnal animals.
Day 3
Wake up early in the morning to watch Magnificent Riflebird which is another species of birds of paradise.
Explore forest to see more plants and animals
After lunch, we will pack our things and walk down the mountains. We will return to Manokwari city.
The walking tour in this forest of Arfak mountains can be extended for several more days to include tour to higher elevation forest to watch more birds of paradise and other animals of West Papua.
Natural Attractions of Susnguakti Forest
In addition to birds the forest of Susnguakti is the habitat of snakes, butterflies and beetles.
Activities
Visitors can follow trails during the days and nights to see plants and animals of the forest. During night walks, local villagers can immitate the calls of a female cuscus possum to attract the male ones. When a male possum comes down from a tree, visitors can take pictures. During the day, visitors can go to the nearby stream to enjoy the cool water that comes out of the stones of the forest.
Cuscus Possum is a nocturnal animal in the rainforest of West Papua
Insect Watching
There are butterflies, beetles, grasshopper, cicada, fireflies, and other unique insects in the forest. Visitors can see them when staying for a few days in the jungle camp of Susnguakti forest. Colourful butterflies of Arfak mountains can be seen in this forest.
Butterflies can be watched and photographed in Susnguakti forest
Accommodation
As of today, most of the visitors who go to Susnguakti forest will stay in a basecamp as described in the following pictures.
A simple basecamp in the forest of Susnguakti for visitors to stay for a few days to watch birds of paradise and other wildlife.
Dome tents for tourists in Susnguakti forest
How to get to Manokwari city
International visitors need to fly to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar, Surabaya, Makassar, or Manado. After that they can continue their trip to Manokwari city. I can meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Susnguakti forest.
Flight Routes from major cities in Indonesia to Manokwari city
To book your trip to Susnguakti forest, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I could also organize a trip for you to Sorong, Tambrauw, Raja Ampat, Kaimana or even to Java and Bali, Sulawesi and Halmahera of Indonesia.
West Papua province of Indonesia is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in seeing the ecosystem of coral reef and rainforest. There is a beach in this region where visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling as well as wildlife watching. Its name is Weyos beach. A lot of animals and plants can be seen here.
Wildlife Watching Tour in West Papua
Between April and September, visitors can walk a long the beach to find turtles that land on it to lay eggs. Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Green turtles usually lay their eggs at this beach. They are protected by government. Visitors who stay at this beach can watch birds, reptiles and mammals in this coastal forest. Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise and Magnificent Riflebird, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, as well as Brahminy Kite, Western-crowned Pigeon could be watched in this area.
Tropical birds in the forest of Tambrauw
The exploration of the forest of Weyos beach can also be carried out at night to see deer, monitor lizard, snake, and cuscus possum and wallaby.
To do the wildlife watching, visitors need binoculars, camera and head torch or flash light. Because this forest is located far from cities, logistical preparation will be needed before carrying out this trip. This includes preparation of boat, tents, sleeping bag, and purchase of food in the city.
Visitor who want to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at Weyos beach can bring snorkeling device (mask, snorkel, and swim fins) and a good underwater camera like Nikon W-300, or Olympus TG-6.
Marine Life in the North Coast of West Papua
Flight Route
To visit Weyos beach, international visitors need to fly from their country to Jakarta or Denpasar or Surabaya or Manado. These are cities in Indonesia.
After that the flight can be continued to Sorong city by domestic airlines such as Garuda, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air or Lion Air.
Flight route to Sorong city
From Sorong city, the trip to Weyos beach and be continued by 4wd car and then by boat. If the trip from Sorong city is conducted early in the morning, visitors will arrive at Weyos beach in late afternoon.
I suggest that visitors traveling in a group of at least three to four peoplenor even six to share the cost. However, a solo traveler is welcomed if he or she can cover the cost of the trip to this secluded beach.
Weyos - a secluded Beach in West Papua
If you are interested in taking a tour to this beach, and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
Arfak mountains have been a must visit destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers for years. Before this Covid-19 pandemic hit the entire globe, I often organized birding tours for visitors to this mountain range.
Usually I started from Susnguakti which was the lower montane forest of Arfak. I and the tourists whom I guided spent 3 to 4 days in a simple base-camp.
Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus)
We walked through the forest to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, and Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy Manucode and a lot of other birds. Sometimes, we saw Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Imperial Pigeon, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Blyth's Hornbill, and Hooded Pitta.
Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)
While staying in Susnguakti forest, I often organized night walking tours in the forest to see cuscus possum, Papua dragon tree lizard, snakes, and various kinds of insects. Sometimes we were quite lucky and able to see Spot-winged Monarch and King Bird of Paradise sleeping on lower branches of trees.
King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius)
This lower montane forest of Arfak range was also a great place to watch Hooded Butcherbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and Yellow-billed Kingfisher.
After spending 3 - 4 days exploring the rainforest of Susnguakti forest, I and the visitors whom I guided continued our exploration of the birds of higher montane forest of Arfak mountains especially in Mokwam region. There were a few villages in Mokwam. We stayed in Lorikeet Guesthouse and did birding walks in the forest of Kwau village. There, we stayed for 4 days/ 3 nights to watch Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus), Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata), Black Sicklebill, Long-tailed Paradigala, and a lot more.
Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata)
We also had the chance to watch a lot of birds other than paradise species such as Vogelkop Bowerbird, Black-breasted Boatbill, Papuan Flycatcher, Green-backed Robin, Vogelkop Melidectes, Mottled Berryhunter, Masked Bowerbird, Brehm's Tiger Parrot, Feline Owlet-nightjar and etc.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus)
Indonesia government may open this country for foreign tourists next year. It will be a great opportunity for birdwatchers and other nature lovers to visit West Papua not only to see birds, wild animals and the ecosystem of rainforest as a whole but also to meet its friendly people and see their unique cultures.
I can be contacted by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Birding in Minahasa Highland
Minahasa highland is a good destination for visitors who love nature. The tropical rainforest, farmland and paddy fields of the region is the habitat of a lot of species of birds and butterflies. There are such birds as:
Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Green Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, White-faced Cuckoo, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Zebra Dove, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Chestnut Munia , Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Barred Rail, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, White-eyed Drongo, Sulawesi Drongo, Glossy Swiftlet, Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow, Gray-rumped Treeswift and a lot more.
Black-naped Oriole
Collared Kingfisher
Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
Birdwatching is usually conducted on foot, along the roadside of a forest, or through farmland and paddy fields. Birdwatchers usually bring binoculars, spotting scope and cameras. These devices greatly increase their birding experience.
If you are interested in visiting the Province of North Sulawesi and taking a birding tour in Minahasa highland, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for guiding service.
From 2 to 4 January 2020, I guided Sue, an American tourist who likes hiking, in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari. She took a long flight from the United States to Seoul of South Korea, to Jakarta of Indonesia and then to Manokwari city of West Papua province. When she arrived at the airport, I arranged her transfer to the forest. I met her later in the afternoon and then started our exploration of the tropical rainforest to watch paradise birds. The first bird that she saw was Hooded Butcherbird. I used a scope, Kinglux 20-60×60 and a tripod to spot and watch the bird. This bird has got very beautiful songs.
Basecamp for Tourist in Arfak range
The next morning, we went to a blind near our basecamp to watch the Magnificent Riflebird. We went there early. We reached the blind before he landed on the branch where he usually sits to attract his female partner. When the sunlight reached the canopy of the forest, the male Magnificent Riflebird came, he started to call his female counterpart. He straightened and cleaned or dried his wings. We watch the bird using the scope again. After that we continued our adventure in the forest by hiking to the lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise located around 5 minutes from the Magnificent Riflebird (Ptilorismagnificus).
King Bird of Paradise
We saw the Lesser Birds of Paradise but not long enough. The birds moved to other dancing site. It was around 08.30. We returned to our basecamp to have some tea. At the basecamp, I asked my friend and a villager to accompany Sue to higher elevation area where they could watch King Bird of Paradise.
Dome tent, mattrass, pillow, and blanket that we provide for tourists in Susnguakti forest
I asked two villagers to return to the lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise. We went there to build a screen made of leaves so that we could conceal our bodies while we watch the paradise birds through small holes that we made in the screen.
Lesser Birds of Paradise
At lunch time, we returned to the basecamp. My friends returned with good news that they were able to watch several King Birds of Paradise (Cicinnurusregius). They also saw Brown Cuckoo Dove, and Common Paradise Kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea) as well as other tropical birds.
Sue Draheim was taking pictures of the Lesser Birds of Paradise
Sue took a rest inside her dome tent after lunch. I and some villagers continued our routine works, clearing and sweeping the footpath. We used brooms made of the bones of palm leaves. We made several clearing areas near some big trees as our new birding sites.
Night walk was arranged. Sue was able to see cuscus possum. In the previous night, she saw glowing mushroom and a Papuan Frogmouth.
Cuscus Possum
The next morning, we went to the lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise again. This time Sue was able to watch and take good photos of the beautiful birds. We still did some tours in the forest where we saw Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, and Olive Flycatcher.
Suddenly the weather changed. It started to rain while we were watching the fruit dove. We had to walk back to our basecamp. Lunch was served earlier. When the rain had stopped, we packed our things again and left the forest for the main road and then returned to the city by a public transport vehicle that we chartered.
