Wildlife Watching, Birding and Photography Tours in Sorong city, Malagufuk of Klasouw valley of Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo and Batanta in Raja Ampat of West Papua as well as Sonder, Tomohon, Mount Mahawu, Manado, Bunaken National Park, Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180
The interest of international visitors in watching paradise birds is increasing. There are places in Sorong city where visitors can enjoy birdwatching during day tours. Lesser Birds of Paradise birds are the main target of observation. However, visitors can watch a lot of other birds too such as Red-cheeked Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Shining Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.
Lesser Birds of Paradise
Usually the time to watch the paradise birds is early in the morning. Participants need to start very early in the morning at around 04:00.
I usually organize the tour by car. Arriving at the foot of the hill, tour participants still need to go hiking to the site of the paradise birds for around 1 hour.
Eclectus Parrot
Bringing binoculars and camera will enhance the birding experience. This tour can be combined with snorkeling or fishing if the sea weather is calm.
The day tour to watch paradise bird at the outskirt of Sorong city can also be combined with trips to see unique buildings whose architectural designs were inspired by nature, and culture.
For multiple day trips, the places that are good for birding include Sausapor town, Klasow valley, and Raja Ampat.
Traveling further to North Sulawesi for Birding
For birding site that can be visited from Sorong city, the Minahasa highland in the Province of North Sulawesi should also be considered. It is only around 1 hour, 25 minutes flight. Sonder forest, Mount Mahawu are good places for watching birds such as:
Black-crowned White-eye
Mountain (warbling) White-eye
Crimson Sunbird
Sahul Sunbird
Chestnut Munia
Black-faced Munia
Scaly-breasted Munia
Black-naped Oriole
Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove
White-faced Cuckoo Dove
Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon
Pale Blue Monarch
Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
Sulawesi Drongo
Hair-crested (White-eye) Drongo
Grey-sided Flowerpecker
Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
White-browed Crake
White-breasted Woodswallow
Collared Kingfisher
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
Sahul Sunbird
Black Sunbird
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Brush Cuckoo
Barn Swallow
White-nest Swiftlet
Sunda Teal
and a lot more.
Some birds in Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi
If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Sorong city is the main gate to Raja Ampat islands - a popular destination in Indonesia for marine tourism. A lot of tourists who like swimming and snorkeling fly to and leave from Sorong city every day. They spend one or two weeks in Waigeo, Mansuar, Kri, Gam, Arborek, Batanta and Misool islands.
The beach area outside Sorong city, tour participants could enjoy hiking, birdwatching, sightseeing as well as swimming and snorkeling
So far most visitors think that Sorong city is only a transit point or transportational hub. As a matter of fact, there are interesting sites which tourists can go, to see and enjoy the natural beauty of the region or to see the wealth of the biodiversity of its flora and fauna. For Sorong tours, here are some of the attractions:
In e-bird, this bird is called Blue-fronted Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii) This bird was named after William III - King of the Netherlands (1849-1890)
In field guidebook Birds of New Guinea by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler, the above parrot is called Orange-breasted Fig - Parrot (Cyclopsittagulielmitertii). In Greek mythology, Cyclop was a race of one-eyed giants. Psitta is parrot family. Gulielmi means William and tertii or tertius means the third. So, the bird is named after William III - the King of the Netherlands who ruled his country from 1849 to 1890.
Most of the land in the suburb of Sorong is still covered by tropical rainforest. It is the habitat of a lot of species of colorful birds and butterflies. They can be watched when visitors take 1 or 2 days sightseeing and birdwatching tour.
Sightseeing Tour in Sorong city
Taking this tour, the participant will be taken to forest area in the hills and coastal areas to watch such birds as Pinon Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Helmetted Friarbird, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-backed Honeyeater, and a lot more.
Mangrove Tiger Butterfly
Birdwatching and sightseeing activity is easy because participants will walk along the roadside and boardwalk.
During the wildlife watching activity, spotting scope will be provided to enhance the watching experience of each participant.
Visitors can bring camera to take pictures of flowers, birds and butterflies that exist in the surrounding areas.
Sightseeing Tour in Sorong city
In addition to exploring the surrounding nature, during the Sorong tours, we will also see unique or historical architectural design of houses or buildings in the city. One of them is the Catholic Church of Christ the King in Kampung Baru area. Its design is inspired by the 'nest' structure of Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornisinornatus).
For tour package and cost, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
I often guide tourists to watch birds and wild animals in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat regency; Sausapor and Klabili in Tambrauw regency; Malagufuk and Mangrove forest in Sorong regency. These are important birding sites in Papua Barat Daya Province of Indonesia that can easily be reached from Sorong city.
I usually start the birding trip by meeting my clients at the airport of Sorong city and then organize their transfer by 4wd car to Sausapor town in Tambrauw regency. We usually spend around 2 days and 2 nights exploring the coastal area and the forest to look for such birds as Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Oriental Pratincole, Little-ringed Plover, Black-naped Tern, Gray Crow, Blyth's Hornbill, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Red-cheeked Parrot, Yellow-faced Myna, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Western-crowned Pigeon, King Bird of Paradise, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Long-tailed Honeybuzzard. There are several birding sites at the outskirts of Sausapor town that we can visit.
Some birds in Tambrauw regency
Butterfly Watching in Sansapore Pacific Park
Not only birds that we can see in the forest and coastal areas around Sausapor town. We could also watch butterflies and see various kinds of flowers such as zinnia, beach hibiscus, red hibiscus, Barringtonia asiatica, orchids and etc. Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort is a good base for visitors who love butterflying in the area. Some butterflies that we could watch in Sausapor town include Great Eggfly (Hipolimnas bolina), Dark Tiger (Tirumalahamata), Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilioulysses) God Art's butterfly (Cyrestisacilia), Common Green Birdwing (Ornithopterapriamus) and a lot more.
The next destination for birding in Tambrauw is Klabili village which is a great site for watching Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, King Bird of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Lowland Peltop, and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra,Frilled Monarch, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Palm Cockatoo, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Papuan Babbler, Golden Myna, Helmetted Friarbird, and a lot more.
In Waigeo island of Raja Ampat, our targets include Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Radjah Shelduck, Eclectus Parrot, Beach Kingfisher, White-eyebrow Wagtail or Willie Wagtail, Pacific Reef Heron, Crested Tern, Whimbrel, Osprey, and a lot more.
I also organize excursions to islands and beach near Kabui bay to look for birds such as Coconut Lorikeet, Sahul Sunbird, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Lesser Frigatebird, Moustached Treeswift, Metallic Starling, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Beach Kingfisher and Pacific Swallow. Birding at the beach is relaxing.
Visitors can also enjoy snorkeling during the excursion. My preferred choice is Lesser Urai Island or the beach of Gam island that faces Kabui bay.
Birding Tour in Raja Ampat
It is not only birds that we photograph during the tour in Raja Ampat but also butterflies and flowers. Every time I see beautiful flowers such as plumeria, hibiscus, passion flower and orchid, I will stop and aim my camera at the flowers to take pictures of them. There are a few orchids that I have seen both in the forest and flower gardens of the homestays and resorts.
Another rainforest orchid that I used to see in Raja Ampat was Grammathophyllumscriptum. It was not in the jungle but at the flower garden of a beach resort.
In Sorong city, the usual birding sites are Mangrove forest, Love hill and Batu Lubang areas. There we can watch birds such as Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Shining Flycatcher, Sacred Kingfisher, Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, Golden Monarch, and a lot more. There are introduced species that we may see such as Spotted Dove, Scaly-breasted Munia and Yellow-vented Bulbul. Sorong city is a good site for any visitors who want to enjoy an outdoor activity before leaving for Raja Ampat or flying back to their home.
Birding and sightseeing in Sorong city
It is also the main entry point for visitors who want to spend their holiday in this Southwest Papua province enjoying swimming and snorkeling at the beach of Raja Ampat and Tambrauw as well as rainforest birdwatching and wildlife watching tour in Sorong and Waigeo.
Flying Routes
Visitors who are interested in taking this tour need to fly to Sorong city. There are daily flights from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar and Makassar to Sorong served by domestic airlines Garuda, Lion Air, Batik Air.
Visitors can enjoy their holiday by combining Raja Ampat and Minahasa Highland Tour as their travel destinations.
If you are interested in taking a holiday tour in Sorong city and its surroundings (Raja Ampat, and Tambrauw) and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
MINAHASA HIGHLAND TOUR
Minahasa is a regency in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It is a highly recommended destination for visitors who love nature. I offer tour to visitors who are interested in doing nature walk for sightseeing of villages, farmland, paddy fields and forest, birdwatching, and butterflywatching as well as interacting with local people.
Minahasa Highland Tour
We will meet you at Sam Ratulangi International Airport of Manado city and then organize your trip by car to Tomohon town (hotel) or Sonder town (homestay) in the highland of Minahasa. For the next few days of your stay in Minahasa, we will do walking tour through villages to see how local Minahasan people live in their daily life. We will also go hiking, sightseeing and birdwatching in the forest, farmland, and paddy fields to watch birds and butterflies.
In Tounelet forest of Sonder town, we could watch: Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sahul Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Slender-billed Crow, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia and etc.
Scaly-breasted Munia, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, female Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
When we walk along the paddy fields and agricultural land, we could see farmers working in their farmlands, harvesting their crops and or driving away small birds that eat their rice grain. Birds in the area that we could watch include White-breasted Woodswallow, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Cinnamon Bittern, White-browed Crake, Purple Heron, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and etc.
In higher elevation forest of District Sonder, we could watch more interesting birds such as Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-faced Munia, Crimson Sunbird and a lot more.
There are butterflies too. They include Sulawesi Leafwing, Blandchard's Tree Nymph, Blanchard's Wood Nymph, Meyer's Jay, Lime Swallowtail, Gigon Swallowtail, The Clipper, Common Birdwing and Manado Yellow Tiger.
During the tour in Minahasa highland, visitors could also see hotspring, lakes, rivers, crater of volcano, and traditional villages Other interesting places to see are Tincep and Kengkang Waterfalls which are also in the territory of District Sonder.
Tincep village in Minahasa regency of Indonesia
Traveling to Minahasa Highland
To take Minahasa Highland Tour, visitors need to fly to Manado city. There are daily flights from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Balikpapan and Sorong to Manado. For international flights, there are direct flights between Manado and Singapore served by Scoot Air, as well as Guangzhou and Manado city served by China Southern Airlines.
Flight route to Manado city
Land Route from Manado city to District town of Sonder in the highland of Minahasa
Booking
If you are interested in taking your holiday tour in Minahasa, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
Minahasa in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia is a highly recommended destination for visitors who love birdwatching. There are a lot of birding sites in the highland especially at the outskirts of Tomohon and Subdistrict town of Sonder. Visitors can go hiking, sightseeing and birding in the farmland, forest, and rice field of these towns.
Some Birds in Minahasa Highland
The first forest that can easily be reached by visitors is the tiny forest of Tounelet that is located inside Sonder town, at the back of Siloam hospital. Visitors can walk down the road slope of Tounelet village to watch birds and photograph them. Birds that can be watched include Sooty-headed Bulbul, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Eurasian Treesparrow, Black-naped Oriole, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Barred Rail, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, and Slender-billed Crow and etc.
Black-crowned White-eye
In the rice field area, we could watch more birds such as White-breasted Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Cinnamon Bittern, Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Chestnut Munia, Collared Kingfisher, and Scaly-breasted Munia.
Crimson Sunbird
More birds could be watched when we go to higher elevation forest. There are White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Black-faced Munia, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker (Picoidestemminckii), Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove (Macropygiaalbicapilla), and Warbling White-eye (Zosteropsjaponicus), Collared Kingfisher, and Hair-crested Drongo (which James Eaton's Birds of Indonesian Archipelago names it, White-eyed SpangledDrongo). More birds could be watched if we explore the forests and farmlands in lowland and lower montane areas like Tangkoko, Tunan and Mount Tumpa.
Lake Linow and Lake Lahendong are also good for birdwatching. We could watch Wandering Whistling Duck (Dendrocygnaarcuata), Gray Teal, Sunda Teal, Barn Swallow, Gray-rumped Treeswift, Collared Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Barred Rail, and etc. There are buildings and watching platform at the side of the lakes which can be used by birdwatchers to observe birds.
The roads that connect Sonder with other villages are good for general birding. Birds such as Zebra Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Slender-billed Crow, Hair-crested Drongo, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Bay Coucal, Black-billed Koel, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Finch-billed Myna, and etc. can be watched during a morning or late afternoon walking tours.
Visitors need at least 7 days for exploring Minahasa highland, lowland and lower montane forests.
Blanchard's Ghost, Manado Yellow Tiger and Blanchard's Wood Nymph Butterflies
In addition to birds, various species of butterflies could also be seen during the hiking tour in Minahasa. They include the Common Birdwing, Blanchard's Ghost, and Blandchard's Wood Nymph (Ideopsisvitrea) butterflies that like to feed on nectar of flowers in the morning.
Gray-sided Flowerpecker
Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa regency of the Province of North Sulawesi. It is a nice destination for nature lovers who are interested in seeing mountains, farmlands, ricefields, hotsprings, and forests while watching birds, butterflies and other wildlife in the region.
Sonder town in Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Tincep - the village of Flowers
Aswe continue walking along the roadside from Sonder town to Tincep village, we will see rice fields with the background of hills. Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, and swiftlets dominate the area. As we entered the village, we will see various kinds of flowers. Tincep is a beautiful village because the villagers grow colourful flowers around their house yards. Tincep is the village of flowers and butterflies.
Flowers in Tincep
Lime Swallowtail Butterfly in Tincep village of Minahasa
WILDLIFE TOUR TO TANGKOKO NATURE RESERVE
This birdwatching and photography tour in Minahasa Highland can be extended to Tangkoko Nature Reserve for at least 3 days/ 2 nights to see various species of birds and other wild animals of North Sulawesi.
Birds that can be found in Tangkoko include Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Great-billed Kingfisher, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Finch-billed Myna, White-necked Myna, Ashy Woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo, Black-naped Oriole, Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail (also called Minahasa Racquet-tail), Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, and etc.
Birding activities are conducted inside the forest of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, along the edge of the forest especially in Temboan Hill and also along the coastal area. Most often a boat trip from Batu Putih village along the coastal area to Naun river will be conducted for tour participant to see Great-billed Kingfisher. At sea, visitors could also see Pacific Reef Heron, Lesser Frigatebird, Greater Frigatebird, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Black-naped Tern and etc.
How to get to Minahasa Highland?
Manado city is the main gate to visit Minahasa.
It is very easy to visit Minahasa. First, visitors need to fly from your country to Singapore. After that visitors could take a direct flight by Scoot Air to Manado city.
If visitors fly to Jakarta, Surabaya, or Denpasar, they could continue their trip by taking domestic airline to fly to Manado city.
There is also daily flight between Sorong city and Manado city.
Flying Route to Manado City
I could meet you at the airport and organize your trip to Minahasa or other regencies in North Sulawesi.
If you are interested in taking a nature tour in Indonesia by combining West Papua and North Sulawesi regions and want me to organize your trip, you could contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I have just completed a birding tour for two Australian birdwatchers in Sausapor town, Klabili village of Tambrauw regency, and Sorong city. We spent 4 days/ 3 nights exploring tropical rainforest of the region where we saw a lot of species of birds. Some of them include Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Black Lory, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Pitta and South Papuan Pitta.
Foreign visitors were watching birds in Tambrauw
Birds in Tambrauw regency
In Sausapor town, we went deeper into the forest by using 4WD car. There, we saw Blyth's Hornbill, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Mimic Meliphaga, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Rusty Pitohui, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Hooded Butcherbird, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Torresian Crow, Lesser Black Coucal, Singing Starling, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Spangled Drongo, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and a lot more. The recommended forests around Sausapor were the one along the Sausapor - Werur road and the one in hydroelectric powerplant.
Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of the Province of Papua Barat Daya
We stayed 2 nights at Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort which is a beach accommodation that is suitable for visitors who like snorkeling and wildlife watching in the forest.
Hooded Pitta
South Papuan Pitta
In Klabili village, we saw Papuan Babbler, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot (Merlin app. calls it Pesquet's Parrot), Shining Flycatcher, Papuan Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, and Frilled Monarch. The forest in Klabili consisted of two parts, the lowland forest and the lower montane forest which are the habitat of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Western-crowned Pigeon, Papua Dwarf Kingfisher, Sooty Thicket Fantail, Moluccan King-Parrot and etc.
We stayed one night at the homestay that belongs to a villager. It was a basic accommodation but comfortable enough for birdwatching visitors who explore the forest in remote area.
Some birds on Mangrove forest of Sorong
Sorong City has got some interesting places for birdwatching. We went to Mangrove forest where we saw Brown-backed Honeyeater, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Striated Heron, Sahul Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, and Orange-fronted Fruit Dove.
Birding and Sightseeing in Sorong City
In my previous trip to a forest in Sorong regency, I guided two British ladies. We explored the forest in the mornings, afternoons and at nights. We saw a lot of species of birds including Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Black-sided Robin, Spot-winged Monarch, and Ivory-billed Coucal, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.
The rainforest areas from Sorong to Sausapor are great destination for wildlife watching. Visitors who are interested in visiting these places can go as single traveler or in a small group from two, three, to four people to share the cost of paying transportation, accommodation, guides and villagers who work to support the tour.
EASY WALKING TOUR AND BIRDING IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND
I offer 3 to 5 days birding tour package for visitors who want to visit the towns of Tomohon, Sonder and Kawangkoan in The highland of Minahasa in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. Minahasa is a highly recommended destination for visitors who want to spend their holiday by doing walking tour, seeing beautiful natural landscape, watching birds and butterflies. There are a lot of birdwatching sites in Minahasa. The level of difficulty for the walking and wildlife watching tour is easy. So, it is suitable for anyone.
Sonder is a Small Town in the highland of Minahasa
Birding in the Hill Forest and Farmland of Sonder town
In Sonder's hill forest and farmland, visitors could watch such birds as Crimson Sunbird, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Mountain White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more. Early in the morning, the temperature is cold. Most of Sonder's hill area is still covered by fog. So, birding could be done later at around 07:00 until 10:00 or even 11:00. Going to the top of the hill could be carried out by motorcycle, car, or even by hiking up the long slope. The temperature is very cool early in the morning. Bringing a good pair of binoculars will greatly enhanced the birding experience.
Waterfall, flowers, bird and butterfly in Sonder of Minahasa regency
Roadside Birding
Another birding site that can be explored by visitors is the road that connects Sonder and Kiawa village. Visitors could watch such birds as Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Brown-throated Sunbird, Finch-billed Myna, White-eyed Drongo, Black-naped Oriole, Sahul Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and a lot more. The road condition is good so birdwatchers will enjoy easy birding walk. Because there is a lot of flat ground, bringing tripod for spotting scope and camera will be good.
Birds in the farmland and forest of Sonder town in the highland of Minahasa
Birding in Paddy Field
For visitors who want to watch birds such as Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, White-browed Crake, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Rock Pigeon, White-nest Swiftlet, Barn Swallow, Glossy Swiftlet, and Barred Rail, the recommended sites will be the rice field area in the south and northeast of Sonder. The terraces of paddy field provide beautiful view of the Minahasan agricultural land.
White-breasted Woodswallow
Birding Inside Sonder Town
A few small villages form Sonder town. Villagers grow clove, durian, coconut and other tropical trees around the yards of their houses. These trees and shrub plants attract birds. So, Sonder town itself is an interesting birding site. Black-crowned White-eye, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Chestnut Munia and Scaly-breasted Munia, Brush Cuckoo, and etc.
The small town of Sonder is located around 20 minutes drive from Tomohon town. Visitors need to fly from their countries to major cities in Indonesia such as Denpasar, Surabaya, Jakarta and Makassar. There are daily flights availabe between these cities and Manado city. They are served by Lion Air, Trans Nusa, Batik Air and Garuda. Direct flights from Singapore to Manado city is provided by Scoot Air. For Chinese tourists, they could fly from Guangzhou of China to Manado city served by China Southern Airlines. From Manado to Sonder town, visitors could go by car. It takes around one hour to reach Sonder.
Flight Routes to Manado city
In the past, Sonder was famous for its clove commodity. Every harvest season, farmers dried their clove bud at the frontyards of their houses. Now, the town dwellers in Sonder town do not fully depend on one commodity. They grow vanilla, paddy, and vegetables, run pig and poultry farms. They have diversified their agricultural produce.
Accommodation
There are hotels in Tomohon town of Minahasa region which visitors can book online through booking.com or traveloka.com. We could also arrange your accommodation if you take this birding tour from us.
If you are interested in taking the tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
