Birding in Tambrauw and Sorong (5 Days/ 4 Nights)

I have just completed a tour in Klabili village of Tambrauw regency and in the birding sites at the outskirts of Sorong city and Aimas town. I guided a couple from the Netherlands. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights in Klabili and 2 days/ 2 nights in Sorong to watch birds. During our stay in Klabili, we explored the rainforest of the village where we saw various species of rainforest birds including Papuan Pitta, Eastern Hooded Pitta, Blyth's Hornbill, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-faced Myna, King Bird of Paradise, Sahul Sunbird, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Frilled Monarch, Streaked-headed Honeyeater, Brahminy Kite, Long-tailed Honey-buzzard, and New Guinea Vulturine Parrot (Pesquet Parrot -ebird)etc. 

Eastern-hooded Pitta

We also did some night walks in Klabili where we saw Papuan Frogmouth and Flying fox.

At the outskirts of Aimas town in Sorong regency, we saw Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, and Metallic Starling. We also explored coastal area in the north coast of Sorong. There, we saw Common Sandpiper, Pacific Reef Heron, Brahminy Kite, Torresian Crow, Beach Kingfisher. We also saw, perhaps, a Blue Rock Thrush, on top of a rocky islet. Well, it is not a common bird in this region. 

Birdwatching in the north coast of Sorong regency

We also visited Love Hill of Sorong where we saw Yellow-faced Myna, and Black Butcherbird. In mangrove area at the outskirts of Aimas town, we saw White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Collared Imperial Pigeon, Orange-fronted Imperial Pigeon, Common Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover and Little Heron. There were Scaly-breasted Munia and Spotted Dove which, probably, were escaped caged birds. 

Rainforest at the suburb of Sorong city; Brahminy Kite, Beach Kingfisher

To watch birds, I use 2 pairs of 10×50 binoculars. I carried one and the other pair was mounted on the tripod. This allows everyone to watch birds that were sitting on distant branches of trees. 

Wompoo Fruit-dove

Also read: 

• Sorong city Birding Tour
• Morning Birding Tour in Sorong city

Birding Tour in North Sulawesi: Tangkoko, Lake Tondano, Mount Mahawu & Sonder Forest

Some Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

North Sulawesi is one of the best places in Indonesia for birdwatching. In a short distance, you can visit rainforest, lakes, farmland, and mountain forest. A birding tour that includes:

• Tangkoko Nature Reserve
• Lake Tondano
• Mount Mahawu
• Sonder Forest

This trip gives you the chance to see many special birds that only live in Sulawesi.

Birds in North Sulawesi

Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Tangkoko is a famous rainforest area in North Sulawesi. It is one of the best places to see Sulawesi’s unique birds. The forest is close to the coast and has many different habitats.

Some birds you may see here include:

* Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher

* Green-backed Kingfisher

* Sulawesi Hornbill

* Lilac Kingfisher

* Sulawesi Pitta

Gursky's Spectral Tarsier

The best time to watch birds in Tangkoko is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when birds are most active. In addition to birds tour participants could also see mammals, reptiles and insects. Attractive mammals include Celebes-crested Macaque, Spectral Tarsier, and Sulawesi Bear Cuscus. 

Rusty-backed Thrush

Lake Tondano

Lake Tondano offers a different birding experience. It is a large lake surrounded by villages, rice fields, and open land. This area is good for seeing waterbirds and birds that live in open spaces.

You may see:

* Wandering Whistling Duck

* Purple Heron

* White-browed Crake

* Yellow Bittern

* Collared Kingfisher

The lake area is also a good place to see birds flying over the water and feeding in the fields.

Collared Kingfisher

Mount Mahawu

Mount Mahawu is a small volcano with cool mountain forest. There is a walking path around the crater, making it easy to explore. The higher elevation means you can see different birds than in the lowland forest.

Some possible birds include:

• Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Mountain White-eye
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-Dove

On clear days, you can also enjoy beautiful views of the crater and surrounding landscape.

Crater of Mount Mahawu

Lake Linow

This is a volcanic lake that is always visited by tourists. We could see a lot of species of birds both along its shore and in the water. There are Sunda Teal, Javan Pond Heron, Whiskered Tern, Little Egret, Woodsandpiper, Barn Swallow, White-breasted Waterhen and etc.

Sonder Forest

Sonder Forest is a quieter and less crowded birding spot. It has mountain forest with tall trees and thick vegetation. This makes it a good place to find shy birds.

You may find:

• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Black-naped Fruit-dove
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Crimson Sunbird
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Mountain Tailorbird
• Black Sunbird

Because fewer people visit Sonder, it is peaceful and great for slow birdwatching and photography.

Yellow-sided Flowerpecker

Why Visit All These Places?

Each location offers a different type of habitat:

* Rainforest

* Lake and rice-field wetlands

* Farmland

* Mountain forest

* Water-falls

By visiting all four places, you increase your chances of seeing many different bird species, especially those found only in Sulawesi.

Barred Rail

Best Time to Go

You can go birdwatching in North Sulawesi at any time of year. However, the dry season usually makes forest trails easier to walk. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to see birds.

A Great Birding Experience

A birding tour to Tangkoko, Lake Tondano, Mount Mahawu, and Sonder Forest is a wonderful way to explore nature in North Sulawesi. With beautiful scenery and many special birds, this trip is perfect for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Flight routes to Manado city

How to get there?

You need to fly to Manado city. It is the capital of North Sulawesi province in Indonesia. We could meet you at the airport and then organize your tour to birding sites mentioned in this blog post.

Accommodations

There are homestays, guesthouses and hotels that you could stay in during your birding/ wildlife watching tour in this part of North Sulawesi province. We could organize it for you.

If you are interested in taking day birding tour to the above places and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing this contact link.

Birds and Paddy Fields in Sonder

Also read:

• Birding Across Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Mahawu, Sonder Forest and Manado city
• Birding and Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

Bird Photography Tour in Klabili and Waigeo

I have just completed a birding tour with an Australian photographer in Klabili village of Tambrauw regency and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We spent nearly a week to do the tour. Birds of paradise were our main target but we also saw a lot of species of birds including Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blue Black Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Moluccan King Parrot, Papuan Eclectus, Mimic Honeyeater, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoo-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Black Butcherbird, and etc.

Wildlife Tour in Klabili Village

Tour participants also enjoyed snorkeling at the house reef of the beach resort where we stayed. In the resort area, we watched and photographed a lot of birds too. There were Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Papuan Frogmouth, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Striated Heron, Willie Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pacific Swallow, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Osprey, and etc. 

Raja Ampat in July, actually, is in wave season. However, I see that the wave is not so big. Tourists could still enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Perhaps, in August, the wind will be stronger. I hope that the weather in Waigeo will be just fine so that more visitors could still enjoy their holiday there.  

Also read:

• Tour to the outskirt areas of Sorong city
• Birding in Sausapor, Klabili and Sorong City
• Birding Tour in Sorong and Tambrauw
• Birds in the Suburb of Sorong City

Tropical Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

I frequently do field survey around the forest, farmland, and paddy fields of Sonder town in Minahasa highland. There are interesting birds and butterflies that I saw. Some of them are shown below.

Black Sunbird

 

This is a Black Sunbird in Sonder farm forest in Minahasa highland.

This is Turquoise Flycatcher. The bird is small and can be found hopping around the branches of shrub plants in higher elevation forest and farmland of Sulawesi island. According to Merlin, this bird also occurs in Maluku and the Philipines.  

Another interesting bird to see is Pale Blue Monarch. The male bird has got a thin dark line that devides his neck and chest. The nest of this bird has got the shape of a small cup and is attached to small branches of a tree or a shrub plant. Pale Blue Monarch eats insect.

Below is the picture of Sulawesi Hanging Parrot (Loriculus stigmatus). This is a male bird. He has got pale eye, and red patch on the forehead. The female one has got dark eye and does not have red patch on her forehead. They can be seen in fruiting and flowering trees. The plumage of both male and female Sulawesi Hanging Parrot is mostly green.  This parrot is often seen eating tree bark. 

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot in Sonder of Minahasa highland

Black-crowned White-eye

Black-crowned White-eye is a small bird that likes to sit on the twigs of trees. We can easily recognize the bird from his black forehead, and thick white eye ring and whitish underparts.

Yellow-billed Malkoha (also known as Sulawesi Malkoha) is an endemic malkoha of Sulawesi island. It can reach a length of around 50 cm. The wings and tail are purple. Its upper bill is yellow. 

Sulawesi Malkoha

Sulawesi Scops Owl

This Sulawesi Scops Owl usually comes out at dusk to look for prey and to find mating partner. The adult bird has got a length of 20 cm. I made this picture near a poultry and pig farm at the outskirt of Sonder town. At that time, I had to whistle mimicking his sounds in order to attract him to come out of his hiding place. He flew to a tree near where I stood and landed around 6 meters above me. I quickly aimed my camera and shot at the bird. 

Black-naped Oriole

There are several species of sunbird in Minahasa peninsula of North Sulawesi province of Indonesia, i.e. Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Black Sunbird and Crimson Sunbird. On page 452-453 of the first edition field guide book: Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago - Greater Sundas and Wallacea by James Eaton et. al, it says that the Subspecies of Crimson Sunbird in Sulawesi island is called Sulawesi Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja flavostriata). It has got yellow streaking on scarlet throat and extensive red margins on upperwing as well as wider yellow rump.

Sulawesi Crimson Sunbird

In addition to forest and plantation areas, Subdistrict Sonder also has got rice field sites which are the habitat of water birds such as White-browed Crake, Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Little Egret and Cattle Egret. We could also see other tropical birds in the paddy field areas such as Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, Isabelline Bush-hen, Collared Kingfisher, Zebra Dove, Rock Pigeon, Scaly-breasted Munia, and Chestnut Munia.

Collared Kingfisher

Getting to Sonder town in Minahasa Highland

The main gate to explore Minahasa Highland is Manado city. There are regular daily flights between Manado and some major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, and Sorong. They are served by Garuda, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air, Super Air Jet, and TransNusa. There is also direct flight between Manado and Singapore served by Scoot Air.

Flight routes to Manado city

It is easy to travel to Sonder town. From Manado city (the capital of the Province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia), visitors could go by car for approximately 1 hour.

Booking

If you are interested in traveling to Minahasa highland to do hiking, sightseeing and birdwatching, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related articles:

• Birding Paradise: Exploring North Sulawesi from Manado to Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder
• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland of Indonesia
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding in the Paddy Fields of Subdistrict Sonder
• Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder Town
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Collared Kingfisher
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
• Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve of North Sulawesi
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Birding Walk in the Farmland and Paddy Fields of Sonder in Minahasa Highland

The subdistrict town of Sonder in Minahasa highland is surrounded by farmland, paddy fields and hill forest. They are the habitat of various species of birds such as Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, Zebra Dove, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Oriole, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Bay Coucal, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Green Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Triller, Lesser Fish Eagle, Finch-billed Myna, and etc.

Yellow-billed Malkoha

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

Black-faced Munia

Birding and Walking Tour Around the Forest, Farmland and Paddy Fields

Hiking and birding activities are usually carried out in the mornings at 06:00 to 09:30 and in the afternoons at 15:00 to 18:00. Tour participants can wear sport shoes, and bring wildlife watching devices such as 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars, laser pointer, spotting scope. Flash light or torch will also be needed for night walk. 

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Fantail, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Pygmy Woodpecker

Waterfall, flower garden, birds and butterfly in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa

Warbling White-eye

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa that is surrounded by forest, farmland and paddy fields

Butterfly Watching

There are beautiful butterflies that tour participants can see during the morning and afternoon walks including Blanchard's Tree Nymph, Blanchard's Wood Nymph, Sulawesi Yellow Tiger Butterfly, Lime Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus), Neptis Ida Celebensis, Sulawesi Leafwing (Dolleschalia polibete celebensis), The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia), Common Birdwing (Troides helena).

Some butterflies and an orchid flower in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa highland

Perhaps, these are Graphium meyeri meyeri butterflies.

How to get to Sonder

Sonder can be reached by car for 1 hour from Manado city which is the capital of the Province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia. Every day, there are regular flights between Manado city and some major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, and Sorong. Direct flight from Singapore to Manado city is served by Scoot Air.

Manado city is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia

Flight routes to Manado city

Car route between Sonder town and Manado city

After arriving at Sam Ratulangi airport of Manado city, visitors could continue trip to Sonder town by car. It takes approximately 1 hour to between the airport and Sonder. 

Booking and More Info

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

Also read: 

• Birding Paradise: Exploring North Sulawesi from Manado to Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder
• Tropical Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland of Indonesia
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding in the Paddy Fields of Subdistrict Sonder
• Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder Town
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve of North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Collared Kingfisher
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
• Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland of Indonesia

Sulawesi is an island in Indonesia that is located in the transitional region between Asia and Australia. Alfred Russel Wallace drew a line that separates the fauna of Asia and Australia. There are unique tropical plants and animals that are interesting for nature lovers. Sulawesi is also an attractive destination for birding visitors. There are a lot of birdwatching sites in Sulawesi. One of them is Sonder town.

Green Imperial Pigeon

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher

Sonder is a small town that is located in Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi Province.

Crimson Sunbird

Pale Blue Monarch in Tounelet Slope of Sonder town

The surrounding hills, farmlands, and paddy fields of Sonder are the habitat of a lot of species of birds such as: Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird,  Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flower, Sulawesi Drongo, Hair-crested (White-eyed Drongo), Barred Rail, Sulawesi Bush-Warbler, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, White-faced Cuckoo-dove,nSulawesi Cuckoo-dove,nZebra Dove, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Bay Coucal, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Black-naped Oriole, Collared Kingfisher, Isabelline Bush-hen, Pale Blue Monarch, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Cattle Egret, Little Egret,nPurple Heron, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Gray-rumped Treeswift, White-rumped Triller, Slender-billed Crow, White-breasted Woodswallow, Barn Swallow, Edible-nest Swiftlet,  Glossy Swiftlet, and etc.

Warbling White-eye

Barred Rail

Sooty-headed Bulbul

Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia albicapilla)

Equipment

Most tour participants bring 10×42 or 8× 42 binoculars, camera with telephoto lens, laser pointer or even a spotting scope. As a birding guide, I also bring a small portable loudspeaker. These device will greatly enhance the birding experience of birdwatchers who take the tour.

Birding in Sonder of Minahasa regency, Indonesia

Duration of the Tour

Visitors can spend at least 3 days/ 2 nights to explore the avifauna and other wildlife in the forest and farmland of Sonder. Visitors need to bring their own binoculars and camera with telephoto lens of they want to watch and photograph birds. Longer birding tours can be done by combining this trip in Sonder of Minahasa with other tours such as snorkeling tour in Bunaken, wildlife tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve or Dumoga Bone National Park, birding and snorkeling trip in Sorong and Raja Ampat regency in West Papua.

White-breasted Woodswallow

How to get to Sonder

Sonder town is located in Minahasa regency of North Sulawesi Province of the Republic of Indonesia. Manado city is the capital of North Sulawesi Province and is the main gate to enter Minahasa highland. 

Flight routes between major cities in Indonesia and Manado city

Every day, there are flights from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong to Manado city. They are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, Super Air Jet, and TransNusa.

After landing in Manado city, visitors could continue their trip by car to Sonder town. It takes approximatly one hour to reach the town.

Car route between Sonder town and Manado city

Accommodation

Visitors can stay in the homestays in Sonder. There are also hotels in Tomohon which visitors could choose to stay. As a tour operator, we could arrange your accommodations during your tour in Sonder of Minahasa Peninsula and other parts of North Sulawesi.

Other Tourist  Attractions

There are other attractions in Sonder and its surroundings such as farmland, waterfall, flower garden, terraces of rice field, hot spring and mountains which visitors can explore while visiting Sonder.

Rice field, waterfall, forest and flowers in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Booking and More Info

If you are interested in visiting Sonder to enjoy birdwatching or see its natural places, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:

• Birding Paradise: Exploring North Sulawesi from Manado to Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder
• Tropical Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding in the Paddy Fields of Subdistrict Sonder
• Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder Town
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Collared Kingfisher
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
• Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve of North Sulawesi
• Birding in North Sulawesi from Tangkoko Nature Reserve to Sonder in Minahasa Highland
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com