Paradise Bird Watching and Wildlife Tour in Indonesia: birdwatching

Showing posts with label birdwatching. Show all posts

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Sorong City Birding Tour

The outskirts of Sorong city have got several sites that are good for sightseeing and birdwatching tours. Tourists could take this tour to see the beautiful natural landscape of forest, hills and coastal area a little outside the busy city and at the same time, watch colorful avifauna such as parrot, doves, kingfishers, and hornbills.

These tours are suitable for tourists who are in transit to or from Raja Ampat.

Golden Myna - birdwatching tour from Sorong city

ITINERARY

05: 00- 06:00 - We usually starts early in the morning at We will meet you at your hotel and then organize your transfer by car to hill area outside the city. It takes nearly one hour to reach it. We will have tea or coffee with some biscuits and fruits to start our activity.
06:00 - 08:00 - When the sunlight brightens the sky, birds begin to show up on the branches of trees. We will use spotting scope to watch them. We will look for such birds as Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Coconut Lorikeet, Black Lory, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Helmetted Friarbird, Black-browed Triller, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Pacific Baza, Sahul Sunbird, Black Sunbird, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Pinon Imperial pigeon. We will walk along the roadside to watch them. In general, we spend around 2 hours doing the birdwatching walk.

Things to do in Sorong - Buddhist temple

The harbour area of Sorong city as seen from Buddhist Temple

08:00-10:00 - We will continue our activity to the coastal area. We will do birdwatching along the boardwalk to look for coastal birds such as Beach Kingfisher, Little Egret, Pacific Reef Heron, Torresian Crow, Common Sand Piper, Whimbrel and White-bellied Sea Eagle. The seascape view of beach area outside Sorong city is beautiful.
10:00-11:00 - We will return to Sorong city. After a short stop at a Buddhist Temple or a traditional market, we will bring you back to your hotel. End of The Tour.

Yellow-faced Myna

Birding in Sorong regency - tourist guide in Sorong

Sightseeing and birdwatching tour from Sorong city

If you are interested in taking this short birding tour during your waiting time in Sorong and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Sorong City Sightseeing and Birding Attractions for Tourists

Sorong city is the transit point for visitors who are interested in traveling to or from Raja Ampat. Scuba divers need 1 day off before flying back to their country. On the average, they have got at least 24 hours of stay in the city. There interesting places that they can visit while in Sorong city. Here are some of them:

Papuan Eclectus

Beach Kingfisher

Sorong Ridge and Coastal Area - This place is located in north-east region outside of the city approximately 1 hour drive. Visitors can enjoy walking along its roadside and boardwalk to watch birds, butterflies, and see green tropical forest along the way. The blue sea and the rocky islets offer magnificent view of the seascape of Sorong regency for tourists to enjoy. There are a lot of species of birds which visitors could watch while doing nature walk along the ridge and coastal area of this place. They include: Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Black-browed Triller, Gray-headed Goshawk, Sahul Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Blyth's Hornbill, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Papuan Eclectus, Red-cheeked Parrot, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Pacific Baza, Golden Monarch, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Coconut Lorikeet, and etc. At the beach, visitors could watch such birds as Beach Kingfisher, Pacific Reef Heron, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Willie Wagtail, and etc. Visitors need binoculars, camera with telephoto lens and spotting scope (optional) to enjoy birdwatching in this area.

Sightseeing and Birdwatching Tour in Sorong regency

Sorong Hill - This is a place at the suburb of the city that can be reached in 30 minutes drive. The view of the surrounding tropical forest can be enjoyed by visitors by standing on a towers and wooden platform that were built by government. Visitors could also enjoy birdwatching and insect watching by walking along its boardwalk. Black Butcherbird, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Black Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc.

Beautiful Fruit Dove

Hill Forest at the Suburb of Sorong City

Mangrove Forest Outside the City - There is a mangrove forest area that is located outside Sorong city. It is a hidden place. Birds such as Brown-backed Honeyeater, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Collared Kingfisher, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and etc. could be found in this area.

Sightseeing trip in Sorong city

Buddhist Temple - For visitors who are interested in culture, they can visit this Buddhist Temple that is located on a hill inside Sorong city. Visitors could enjoy the landscape view of Sorong city by walking to the higher ground of the temple. Upon special request, visitors could do meditation inside the temple.
Sorong Regency's Hiking and Swimming Sites - The name of the place is Gauksuak. It is located outside Sorong city. The rainforest on the mountaineous area is the habitat of a lot of species of animals and plants. Lesser Bird of Paradise, Blyth's Hornbill, Coconut Lorikeet, Papuan Pitta could be watched early on the morning. However, the habitat of the paradise birds could only be watched by visitors who are physically fit.

Dom Island - This is a small island that is located off the coast of Sorong city. It used to be the centre of administration of Dutch government in 1950s. At that time the Dutch was busy developing Sorong as logistical base for the exploration and exploitation of oil and coal in Klamono, Teminabuan, Bintuni and Babo. Now Dom is one of the crowdest islands in Indonesia.
Mangrove Tour by Boat and Recreational Fishing in Sorong city - the mangrove forest of Sorong is the natural habitat of a lot of species of fish. Tourists who are interested in fishing can enjoy recreational fishing by boat.

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

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Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Sightseeing and Meditative Trip in Sorong City

I have just guided Kary, a tourist from France on a motorcycle tour around Sorong city. I picked her up at Swissbel Hotel and then arranged a trip to a newly reclaimed land in the west of Sorong city. It is in the north of Halte Dom (the water taxi harbor). There were a lot of people who were sitting on the wall of the reclaimed land. The wall was protected by big granite stones from seasonal sea waves. The atmosphere was very relaxing. The city dwellers of Sorong were enjoying the beautiful scenery of the blue sea and the sunset. It was quite noisy to be at that place. Plastic wastes, cans began to appear on that area. Soon, shops, restaurants, offices and other businesses will be opened there. It is good for the economy of the city. Unfortunately, there was coral reef areas that had been burried under that newly formed reclaimed land.

A Buddhist Temple on a hill in Sorong City

We continued our trip to a more quiet place located on a hill above Sorong city. It was Vihara Buddha Jayanti - a Buddhist Temple. The workers asked me why we were so late in visiting the temple. It was around 06:30 when we arrived. After paying the entrance fee and being allowed to enter the higher ground of the temple, we walked along the stairs up to the frontyard of the temple. It was a peaceful place for anyone who wants to enjoy the landscape view of Sorong city. We could hear the noisy sounds of the motorized vehicles.

sacred statues Buddha and Kwan Im or Guanyin

Buddhism Sacred Statues in Vihara Buddha Jayanti of Sorong City

When a worker from the temple appeared from the stairs, we asked him to grant us permission to see the inside part of the temple. He told us to wait. He still had other things to do. He had to open a faucet to let water flowed along the hose. They were watering the surrounding flower plants.

Mazu - Sea Goddess

The concrete road that connected the Buddhist Temple and the main street was badly damaged. I had to be extra careful when riding my motorcyle down the steep hill.

We continued our trip to Marina Star Restaurant where we enjoyed a plate of fried shrimp bakwan snack, ice tea and beer. At around 10:00 p.m. I brought her back to Swissbel Hotel of Sorong city and then I immediately drove my motorcycle back home. The next day, I still have to organize another tour for this tourist to the suburb of Sorong.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

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.

A birdwatcher needs a good pair of binoculars.

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.

forest, farmland, river, waterfall and flowers

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.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa

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

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

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

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

Volcanic crater of Mount Mahawu in Minahasa highland of Indonesia

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

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

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

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

Farmland Tour

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

Corn, vanilla, clove, rice and papaya

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

Contact

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

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Monday, June 10, 2024

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

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

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

Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia albicapilla)

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

Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)

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

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

Black-faced Munia (Lonchura molucca)

Butterflies

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

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

Blanchard's Ghost Butterfly

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

Sooty-headed Bulbul

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

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

Gray-sided Flowerpecker

Flowers and Butterflies

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

Lime Swallowtail in Tincep village

colorful flower plants in Minahasa highland

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

My Birding Device

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

More Birding Sites

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

Eastern Cattle Egret

Traveling to Minahasa

Flight route to Manado city

land route from Manado city to Tomohon and Sonder town

Map location of Tomohon town and District Sonder in Minahasa highland

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

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

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

Accommodation

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

Booking

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

Also read:

Birding in Sonder
Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
Birding in North Sulawesi
Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
Birdwatching in Sulawesi
Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
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