Paradise Birds in Arfak Mountains

Located in the eastern part of the bird's head region of New Guinea, Arfak mountains can be considered as one of the best birding and trekking destinations in Indonesia. Several tour operators offer birding trip to the range which is only a 2-hour car trip from Manokwari city. Warmarway village that is located on the eastern coast of Arfak is a recommended place for watching Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). The tree s where the birds like to gather stand on steep slopes approximately 400 meters above sea level. Birdwatchers have to cross a small river, walk up steep trails to reach the trees. A pair of binoculars, or a camera with telephoto lens is needed to caprture or make videos see the birds when they perform courtship dances.

Other lowland birds that can be seen flying over the canopy of the rainforest are Blyth's hornbill, Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus); Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua Galerita), frigate, and various species of kingfishers. 

The male Magnificent Birds of Paradise (Cicinnurus magnificus) that expands his feather and swings his blue antennas to impress female birds can be seen in the mornings in upper montane forest of Arfak range. Birdwatchers need to be physically fit to reach the birding ground of the bird. The indigenous people in Arfak mountains call it: knang bird.
Before the morning or afternoon shows, male Magnificent BOP has to clear the ground from fallen leaves or twigs.
Local guides can build birding hut (blind) for visitors who want to watch the Magnificent BOP. To increase the chance of sighting the birds, villagers put a red fruit (Pandanus conoideus) on a branch of a tree above the dancing ground of the birds. Birds of paradise like the fruit very much. It is not only the birds that eat the fruit but also humans.
Some researchers from Cendrawasih University even claim that red oil that is extracted from the red fruit is effective for curing patiens who suffer from cancer, HIV. Villagers in Papua have consumed red fruit oils for years. They add the oil to the vegetables that they cook and eat them with pork, or chicken and sweet potatoes. In recent years, the demand for the fruits is rising due to its medicinal merit.

As a tour guide, I have accompanied a lot of tourists on many birding trips to Arfak mountains and the North Coast of Manokwari. One day, I guided 2 Finish tourists. When they were sitting in a blind waiting for the male Magnificent BOP to come, suddenly they saw a female Lesser Birds of Paradise. It is a surprise for all of us to see her perching near the red fruit. It was the usual dancing ground of the Magnificent BOP but then a Lesser birds of paradise showed up. The red fruit that the villager had put could attract the bird. The photographer, Marko Laakonen, used a D-SLR camera that is powered with a telephoto lens to shoot the bird.
Besides watching birds, visitors can also see insects, buterfly and other animal such as Cuscus. Local guide - Yunus Sayori can attract male cuscus by imitating the voice of the female one.

Another important species of birds of paradise that can be seen in Arfak mountains is the Western Parotia. To attract females, a male Western Parotia has to perform a courtship dance. It looks like a classical ballet. He will shape his feather like a petticoat before dancing and shaking his head that is decorated with 6 antennas. His throat has got a glowing shield that reflects black, yellow and turquoise. His nose to forehead area is white. It looks contrast to his black feather. Its eyes are clear black with strong ring of blue around them. In Latin, it is called Parotia sefilata.

Other birds from Arfak Mountains
In addition to birds of paradise, birdwatchers can also see other species of birds such as Black Fantail, Hooded Pitohui, Feline Owlet-nightjar when they go trekking in the jungle.

Feline Owlet-nightjar in the forest of Arfak range

Black Fantail in Kwau forest of Arfak range

There are still more species of birds that we can see in Arfak mountains. To see them, we need to explore the jungle. Wear a good pair of sport or trekking shoes while walking in Arfak. Apply mosquito repellent lotion.

How to get to Arfak mountains?
You need to fly from your country to Jakarta - the capital of Indonesia. Then you can fly to Manokwari. There are several airlines that fly between Jakarta and Manokwari. They are the Lion Air, Express Air and Sriwijaya Air. When you arrive in Manokwari, you can meet me.  I can help you arrange your trip to Arfak especially to Warmarway village. For itineraries and prices, please contact me: Charles Roring/ E-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com

Trekking in Arfak

Hundreds of nature lovers go to Arfak mountains every year. They go trekking in the jungle to watch birds of paradise or see various species of plants including Orchids and Rhododendron flowers, bamboo, palms and a lot big trees. There are several villages that tourists can visit. One of them is Warmarway. Here, visitors can swim or enjoy fishing at the beach and stay for one night at a shelter that is built for tourists.
Trekking and Birdwatching
Warmarway village is a coastal village that is located on the east of the mountain range. Lesser birds of paradise can be seen in the jungle. Warmarway village is only 1 hour ride by car or motorcycle from Manokwari city.

If you are interested in visiting Warmarway, you could go there by a mountain bike, motorcycle or car. Public transportation that goes to the village is available at Wosi market. Because lesser birds of paradise in the jungle of Warmarway usually dance in the mornings and in the afternoons before sunset, you should stay there for at least one night to watch the birds. Sleeping bag and mosquito net is needed.
Before leaving for Warmarway, don't forget to buy food at local market for you and at least 2 villagers who will accompany you as local guides.

The indigenous people are friendly. Local trekking guide Yunus Sayori and the villagers of Warmarway will welcome you with smile and do their best to serve you during your trekking tour in the slopes of Arfak mountains.
After spending one or two nights in Warmarway, you could go back to the city or continue your trip further south to Ransiki town. by Charlges Roring/ E-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com

See the map below to find where Warmarway is

Wave Surfing at Abasi Beach of Manokwari

The waves along the north coast of Manokwari are big now. So, it is a perfect time to go surfing. Surfers from several foreign countries have visited Manokwari since December when strong winds from the North East begin to hit Manokwari coasts especially in the mornings and in the afternoons. This month, we can see some local and foreign surfers at Abasi and Bakaro beach. For foreign surfers, it is an opportunity to explore new surfing sites in the Pacific. Some of them are several experienced surfers from an international team that has traveled around the world. On the other hand, local youths who go to the sea with the international surfers see it as a chance to learn new techniques from their more experienced counterparts.

Papuan surfers in Manokwari have formed a small club called Abasi Klub Surfing. This local initiative is a trying to promote Manokwari as an alternative destination for foreign surfers who want to explore new surfing sites in Indonesia. As the largest tropical island in the world, Papua has got hundreds of kilometers of coastline that has got surfing and marine sports potentials. Members of Abasi Klub Surfing regularly practice surfing at Abasi beach and the Pantura (meaning North Coast). Most of their activities in the form of photographs and videos have been uploaded to the club's blog at abasiklubsurfing.blogspot.com. This blog attracts the attention of foreign travelers and surfing enthusiasts to visit Manokwari as their next destination. In addition to surfing, other outdoor activities that visitors like to do in Manokwari are trekking, birdwatching, snorkeling and mountain biking.
If you are interested in traveling to and need more info about Manokwari, please contact me by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com. I will be happy to arrange your trips and provide guiding service during your stay in this regency.

Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise in Arfak mountains

A male between two female birds of paradise - photo by Charles Roring

Lesser birds of paradise (paradisaea minor) is perhaps the most popular birds in the avian world. The male bird has got beautiful brown, yellow, white and green feather that he displays during a courtship dance. The usual times for the show is in the mornings and in the evenings. Birders who want to watch the lesser birds of paradise can fly to Manokwari city - the capital of West Papua province in the Republic of Indonesia. An approximately 1 hour car ride will bring visitors to a village called Warmarway. After that, the journey will be continued on foot to ascend a steep forest to a level of around 400 meters above sea level.
In addition to watching the birds of paradise, visitors can see various species of tropical plants in Arfak mountains. At night, nocturnal animals such as cuscus will come out for mating.
Another place in Manokwari that is also a nice birding site is Asai. Birdwatchers can along along a river that divides the jungle. Tropical birds such as sulphur crested cockatoo, hornbills and various species of doves often fly over the river.
Please, contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in watching these birds in their natural habitat. by Charles Roring

Surfing in Manokwari

From December to early March, Manokwari is experiencing strong wind in its north coast. Big waves land on the beach making it as a favorite destination for wave surfers. There are a lot of places in Manokwari where surfers can enjoy their sports. Yesterday, I made some movies about how Papuan boys play with the waves. I upload some of them in Youtube. Here is the video that shows three boys surf simultaneously. Actually, this is dangerous because they many collide while riding the surfboards.

Another surfing spot where big waves can be experienced all year round is near Abasi beach. Surfers can fly to Manokwari and enjoy surfing in any month they choose. So, if you want to surf in Manokwari, please, contact me by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com

Also read:

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