Trekking and Watching Paradise Birds in Arfak Mountains

Jungle Tour
I woke up at 4 a.m. It was still dark when I asked Yunus Sayori, our field guide from Warmarway village, to boil some water. I and Kathrin would go trekking this morning to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise. We were in the jungle of Arfak mountains that has been popular among birdwatchers who want to watch various species of birds of paradise. For hundreds of years Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) have been hunted by Papuan people who sell the skins to collectors. Some are used in head decoration for traditional dances and rituals.

When the hot water is ready, I woke Kathrin up and asked her to drink coffee. At around 5.15 a.m. we left our camp that was located in the middle of the tropical jungle for the birding ground. Since it was still dark, we brought flashlight. We had to walk up steep slopes and crossed a stream. While we were about to cross the stream, we were surprised by a fast moving white snake that were running away from us. It was also surprised to see us. White snake is very venomous reptile.

The sun was about to rise on the East when we reached the birding ground. Male Lesser Birds of Paradise had been calling female birds. Slowly the morning light got brighter. A lot of mosquitoes were flying around us. I forgot to bring my repellent lotion. We had to be patient with this situation.
Itwas hard to spot the birds as they constantly jumping from one branch to another in high trees. Finally, one of them landed on a branch above my head. He was there for less than one minute but I was able to shoot him using my compact camera - Nikon coolpix P500 (see the above picture).
After watching paradise birds for 3 hours, we returned to our camp. The Papuan children from Warmarway village (Yosias, Magdalena, Yunita, and ...) had finished cooking breakfast for that morning. We really enjoyed the food that they prepared.

We could take some pictures of this beautiful bird. Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) usually live in the lower montane forest.

Visitors who want to watch the paradise birds need to stay in the camp that is provided for tourists by the villagers.
Trekking in the tropical rainforest of Arfak mountains is only suitable for visitors who like adventure.

Sea Tour
In addition to jungle tour, as a tourist guide, I can organize a snorkeling tour for visitors who are interested in seeing reef fish and coral reef of Manokwari. Bring your own snorkeling gear such as mask, snorkel, and fins before taking this tour. We will explore the waters of Dore bay to see striped surgeonfish, convict surgeon fish, lion fish, anemonefish, urchin, damselfish and sea star.

The usual duration of jungle tour and snorkeling tour is between 5 to 7days.
Please, contact me by email to peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested take this tour. This article is written by Charles Roring
Also read:
Rainforest Tour in Sorong regency

Rainforest Tour along Dopi River of Manokwari regency

The tropical rainforest along Dopi river is located on the west of Manokwari town. To reach the river, we need to walk for around 3 hours. There is a camp at the bank of the river that is usually used by foreign visitors when they go trekking and camping in the lowland rainforest of Manokwari. 

Wildlife

Wild animals such as kangaroo, deers, wild pigs, casuari, possums, monitor lizards (soa-soa) snakes, cuscus may be seen in the jungle around Dopi river if visitors camp there for several nights. 

Birdwatching

The rainforest of Dopi are also home to a lot of species of lowland birds. Two Swedish birdwatchers spent 3 days birding along the river. They were able to see some species which they wrote in the following list:
Longtailed Honey Buzzard
Variable Goshawk
Brahminy Kite

Common Sandpiper

Beautiful Fruit-dove
Pinon Imperial Pigeon

Palm Cockatoo
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Rainbow Lorikeet
Pesquet Parrot (endangered species)
Yellowcapped Pygmy-parrot
Moluccan King Parrot

White-eared Bronzed-cuckoo
Jungle Hawk Owl

Marbled Frogmouth

Azure kingfisher
Rufous-bellied Kookabara

Papuan (Blyth's) hornbill

Black Sunbird
Yellow bellied longbill
Pygmy longbill

Olivecrowned (Papuan) Flowerpecker
Spangled drongo
Hooded Butherbird

Lesser Birds of Paradise

Yellow Faced Myna

Birds are usually active early in the morning and before sunset.

I have guided a lot of tourists along the river of Dopi on a number of rainforest tours since several years ago. They came from France, England, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. Some visited the rainforest just to enjoy walking in the tropical jungle while others went there to see birds, flowers and various species of trees, flowers, and green plants.

Flowers

Terrestrial orchids can be seen growing on the mountain just 1-hour walk from Dopi river. They have got red, pink, and white colors. African tulip (Spathodea campanulata) blooms out of the branches of tall trees. They can easily be recognized by their orange color. Another flower that attracts the attention of visitors is Glory Vine (Varadaya splendida). It release fragrant smell. This vine plants grows near the bank of Dopi river. Ylang-ylang plants also grow in the forest. The extracted oil from the flowers are highly valued by beauticians and natural therapists around the world.
Trekking and Camping
The best way to experience the nature is by staying fore several nights at the bank of the river. Two camps have been built on separate locations in the jungle which visitors can use. Accompanied by our local guides, visitors can walk in the mornings, in the afternoons and at nights to explore the rainforest and see various species of animals that live in the rainforest. Most often, the sounds of birds can clearly be heard while visitors swim or take a bath at the river.
We have prepared cooking gear for visitors so they don't have to bring pan, plates, or glasses. This rainforest tour program is prepared by Charles Roring to help local people get some money from their efforts in preserving the tropical rainforest of Dopi river. 

For trekking, camping and birdwatching at Dopi river, please contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com

Birding in Arfak Mountains - a short trip report

Paradise Bird in Arfak Mountains

The mountain range of Arfak is a nature reserve in the south of Manokwari that has been famous as a favorite destination for birdwatchers. I guided Professor Richard Ebright from 18 to 20 July 2013 on a birding tour in a cloud forest of the range. He came here as a tourist who wanted to watch birds of paradise in Arfak mountains prior to his scuba diving trip in Cendrawasih bay.

When we were walking and watching birds, we saw several birds that have got outstanding characteristics such as:

• Vogelkop Bowerbird that decorates his "palace" or bower with beautiful flowers, snail shells, fruits and other colorful articles. He made his bower from twigs.
• Male Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata) that dances like a ballerina to seduce his female bird. Male Western Parotia does not have feather as elaborate as Lesser Birds of Paradise but his "ballet dance" is really fantastic. 
• Magnificent Birds of Paradise that displays his beautiful feather, expand his chest and plays his sickle like tail antennas to attract his female birds.

I, Prof. R. Ebright and some villagers who worked to support our birding tour

In order to see these unique and beautiful birds of New Guinea, we had to wait for each of them in dark hides/ blinds that were cold, and full of mosquitoes. I brought anti insect lotion that we applied on our exposed skin.

Each of the above bird species has its separate dancing or courtship ground. On the average we needed to spend 3 to 5 hours to see each bird came to the respected dancing ground. Our long waiting and boring bore excellent results. We were able to make videos and photographs of the birds. We also saw other interesting birds that came to or landed on the ground where Western Parotia would dance. They were Cinnamon Ground Dove and Spotted Catbird. There were to other small birds that I could not identify.

Cinnamon Ground Dove

The Cinnamon Ground Dove ate grains that fell onto the surface of the ground. When we were waiting for the male Western Parotia to dance, it was the Cinnamon bird that came first. Naturally male Western Parotia has got dancing skills that he uses to perform beautiful dances that look so beautiful. I hope that there will be a choreographer that can develop or create a human dance after the Western Parotia's dance so more people can enjoy it.

Magnificent Bird of Paradise

After exploring the dense, wet and cold forest of Arfak range for several days, finally I and Prof. Richard Ebright had to return to Manokwari. He would continue his trip to Cendrawasih Bay going on board of MV. Dewi Nusantara. He would scuba dive in the bay to see pristine coral reef of West Papua as well as swim with whaleshark.

Before getting on the car, I, Prof. Ebright and some villagers posed for pictures. Some of the villagers were university students who were studying in Papua University. They worked as local guides, cooks and porters in this eco-tourism program. The money that they earn was very valuable for them in supporting their study. So, I was very happy to see that my eco-tours in Manokwari and West Papua could bring positive impacts to the education of Papuan youths.

Vogelkop Bowerbird

The birding site in the slopes of Arfak range was located between 1,300 to 1,500 meters above sea level. I had to charter a 4WD pick-up truck such as Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger, buy food and other logistical materials needed during the tour in tropical cloud forest of Arfak mountains. It took around 2 hours from the city of Manokwari to reach the forest. 

If you are interested in taking birding tour, in Arfak mountains and other areas of Indonesia,  please contact me Charles Roring by E-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birding in West Papua - a trip report

One Night in Arfak mountains

After trekking for 10 hours in the lowland forest along Pami river, the next morning I and the 3 French tourists continued their trip to upper montane forest of Arfak mountains. They were Paul, Sophie and Stephanie. We left Manokwari early in the morning hoping to reach the forest of Kwau village at around 6 a.m. so that we would be able to watch vogelkop bowerbird seducing his female birds. The 4WD pick-up truck that was carrying us was driven by Goris. He drove the Toyota Hilux too fast. Unfortunately, the driver made a mistake. By accident he drove the truck into a ditch that was covered by thick grass. We had to put granite stones into the ditch to help the driver pulled the car out of it. The car could not arrive on time.

Fortunately, when these French guests went to watch the vogelkop bowerbird (Amblyornis innornatus), they were able to see it. In the afternoon, they were able to watch Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata) whose male bird dances like a ballerina. They were lucky because not all of the guests who visited Arfak range saw the bird. Well, because the one that dances is a male bird, the right term might be dancer or danseur. What is a male ballet dancer called? balletmen or ballerino :-)
At night, the temperature dropped. I saw the French women put on thick clothing. It is funny to see European wear several layers of clothing. Perhaps, they are not use to cold temperature anymore because they have been living in Bali for more than five years. They are scuba divers who are attracted to the beauty of coral reef of Indonesia. All of us went to bed at around 8 a.m. in order to wake up early in the morning to watch the Magnificent birds of paradise.
They did a very long walking tour in the jungle. They fell to the ground, experienced bruises on their feet and become exhausted at the end of the trip. But they said that they really liked the rainforest tour. I am really grateful for their support in my eco-tourism program that is aimed at preserving rainforest and empowering the indigenous people of Papua. by Charles Roring/ E-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com

Trekking in the jungle of Manokwari

Also read:

• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Manado City: Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour

The best way to explore the wealth of tropical rainforest is by walking through it. Last week, I guided 3 French tourists on a 3-day trekking tour in the jungle of Manokwari. In the first day of the trips, we explored the lowland forest along Pami river. It was a long walk. We started at 9.30 a.m and finished at 18.30 p.m. The French tourists were tough and they were able to complete the whole journey that day. They were Anne, Stephanie and Paul. 

Trekking in the Forest of Manokwari

They saw beautiful scenery of forest when walking through Pami river. Very few tourists had experienced this trip. The purpose of the trip was to see the complex ecosystem of the tropical rainforest. While walking, they were able to see various species of trees, butterflies and birds. The most significant bird was Blyth's hornbill that frequently flies over the canopy of the forest. 

The next day, the walking tour program was continued to higher elevation forest between 1,300 to 1,500 meters above sea level where the French tourists would watch several birds of paradise such as Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata), Magnificent Birds of Paradise (Cicinnurus Magnificus). Another unique bird that was called as the king of seduction was Vogelkop bowerbird (Amblyornis innornatus). They were able to see all of them although only had a small glance of the Magnificent one. While sitting in the blind to watch the birds, they also saw a Cinnamon fruit dove. 

A French tourist was trekking in West Papua

The last day of the trekking journey was completed after they had a long walk from the guesthouse at the foot of Mt. Soyti to Kwau village. They were thrilled by the panorama of Arfak range when walking down the steep slopes that overlooked the village. 

Arfak range has been a favorite destination among tourists who visit West Papua. Anybody who wants to book this trekking program has to be physically fit. If you are interested in trekking in the lowland and highland forests of Manokwari, please contact me (Charles Roring) by email: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Trekking in the Minahasa Highland

The highland of Minahasa is located in North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. It is a great destination for visitors who love nature. The best way to enjoy its natural beauty is by walking through it. As a tourist guide, I offer a trekking tour for visitors who want to see farmlands, paddy fields, waterfall, rivers, villages of Minahasa. 

The duration of the tour is around 3 days to 1 week depending on the time which the participants have. Hiking shoes,