Another Birding Tour in Arfak Mountains and Klasow Valley

I have just conducted another birding tour in Arfak mountains and Klasow valley with a Dutch-Australian lady. We flew from Sorong city to Manokwari by Lion Air and then went directly to Arfak mountains by a chartered 4WD car.  We went hiking to watch Western Parotia, Black Sicklebill, Vogelkop Lophorina (female), Magnificent Bird of Paradise as well as other birds such as Blue Gray Robin, Black Fantail, Ornate Melidectes, Fantail Monarch, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Gray Green Scrubwren, Green-backed Robin, Mountain Fruit Dove, and Feline Owlet Nightjar. 

Some rainforest birds in Arfak mountains in Manokwari and Klasow Valley (Malagufuk) of Sorong regency

We visited the sites of Wattled Brush Turkey, and Vogelkop Bowerbird but it always rained in the afternoons when we were there. So, we could not see the birds.

After spending 4 days/ 3 nights in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, we flew back to Sorong city again. We had to buy food materials before continuing our trip to Klasow valley where we spent 3 days 2 nights there. We saw a lot of species of birds including Hooded Pitta, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Tawny Straightbill, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Greater-black Coucal, Sahul Sunbird, and a lot more. 

Ornate Melidectes in Arfak mountains

For mammals, we saw dorcopsis, ground mouse, bandicoot, and fruit bats. I don't have field guide book for mammals of New Guinea. So, I could not accurately determine their species. 

We also saw a lot of species of butterflies from the Titonus birdwing in Arfak range to Meadow Argus, Hypolimnas Bolina, and Papilio Ulysses in Klasow valley. 

If you are interested in taking a bird tour in Arfak mountains, and Klasow valley of West Papua and need someone to arrange your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180. 

BIRDING IN SONDER OF MINAHASA HIGHLAND OF NORTH SULAWESI

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa highland of Indonesia. It is a great destination  for visiting birders who want to see the  avifauna of Sulawesi island. 

Yellow-billed Malkoha, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Sooty-headed Bulbul, White-breasted Wood swallow, Crimson Sunbird

There are several interesting birding sites in Sonder and its surrounding areas. The paddy fields are the habitat of Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Isabelline Bush Hen, White-breasted   Woodswallow. 

Some birds in Sulawesi

The farmland of Sonder and the forest along the riverside is the site for watching Green Imperial Pigeon, Gray-cheeked  Green Pigeon, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Zebra Dove, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo, Finch-billed Myna, Lesser Fish Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle and etc. 

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

As we explore the higher elevation forest of Sonder, we could see more interesting birds such as the White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, and a lot  more.

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

Manado city is the main gate for visiting Sonder forest and farmland in Minahasa Highland. There are daily flights between Manado and major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong city. They are server by such airlines as Lion Air, Batik Air, Garuda. Direct international flight from Singapore and Manado city is server by Scoot Air. 

Sonder is a small sub-district town in Minahasa highland

Flight routes to Manado city

If you are interested in birding and nature photography  tour in Sonder forest and farmland of Minahasa highland, please, contact me  by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read: 

• Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve
• Manado City Tour

• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder Town
• Collared Kingfisher
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
• Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• Birding in the Paddy Fields of Subdistrict Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Watching Tropical Birds in West Papua and Minahasa Highland with A British Tourist

I am now in a fast passenger ferry that is going to Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We spent a few days in Sausapor, Klabili and Malagufuk to watch and photograph birds. We saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, and Glossy-mantled Manucode. We also saw Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Superb Fruit Dove, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Rusty Mouse Warbler, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Pacific Baza, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, and etc.

In Sausapor town, we stayed in Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort. It was a comfortable accommodation for visitors who love birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling and wave surfing.

Red Bird of Paradise

Our next targets will be Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise as well as other birds such as Beach Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Brown Oriole, Helmetted Friarbird, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, Spice Imperial Pigeon, and a lot more.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

Birding in Minahasa Highland

Before birding in West Papua, we spent 3 days/ 2 nights in Minahasa highland where we watched Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Green Imperial Pigeon and Sulawesi Scops Owl.

Pale Blue Monarch

Black-naped Oriole

Gray-sided Flowerpecker

We also visited rice field areas of Sonder where we watched Javan Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, White-browed Crake, Zebra Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Chestnut Munia, and Scaly-breasted Munia. We tried to watch Isabelline Bush-hen by playing his sounds, unfortunately, she was not interested to come out of her hiding place in the bush.

Crimson Sunbird in Sonder's Forest of Minahasa Highland

We completed our birding trip in Minahasa highland by visiting Kengkang waterfall in Tincep village which was the habitat of Gray-rumped Treeswift, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-eyed Drongo, and Green Imperial Pigeon. The strong sound of the waterfall made it difficult for us to hear the sounds of birds. So, we had to fuly rely on binoculars to look for birds that were sitting on the branches of trees. I also used my spotting scope to watch birds in distant trees. The mist from the waterfall fill the surrounding atmosphere slightly reducing the image quality of birds that we saw through the telescope.

Forest and farmland in Minahasa highland

After birding in Minahasa highland, we continued our trip to Sorong city where we did birding in Tambrauw, Klasow valley and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.

Accommodation

During our birding trip in Minahasa highland, we stayed in Hotel Villa Emitta of Tomohon town which is approximately 1 hour by car from Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado city. 

The main gate to travel to Minahasa highland is Manado city. It can be reached by planes of Garuda, Batik Air, Lion Air and TransNusa from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong. 

Flight Route from major cities in Indonesia to Manado city

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email 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

Birding in North Sulawesi and West Papua

I have just completed two consecutive group tours that covered Minahasa highland in North Sulawesi Province and Klasow valley in Sorong regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia as well as Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency of West Papua province. The first tour consisted of 4 Polish tourists and the second one consisted of 9 Swedish visitors. 

Some birds in Minahasa highland
Reference: https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Some birds in Sulawesi

In Minahasa highland, birding activity was conducted along the slope of Mount Mahawu to find the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and in Subdistrict town of Sonder to watch: Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, and etc.

Forest Bittern

In Southwest Papua Province, we visited Sausapor, Klasow valley (Klabili and Malagufuk), Sorong ridge forest and Mangrove forest near Sorong city. The Vogelkop region is the natural habitat of such paradise birds as Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode and etc. 

We also saw a juvenile female Northern Cassowary, and Forest Bittern which is a special avifauna of New Guinea. 

The first part of the tour with Polish tourists was a difficult one because we experienced heavy rain. For the second part with Swedish group the rainy season has just stopped. It was easier to conduct. 

We saw a lot of tropical birds during the tour including Eclectus Parrot, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-capped Lory, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Violet-necked Lory, White-breasted Fruit Dove, Western-crowned Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, and etc.

The Polishs tourists, when in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, saw Western Parotia, Arfak Lophorina, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird and a number of birds that are endemic to high elevation forest of Arfak mountains.

If you are interested in taking a tour to Minahasa highland in North Sulawesi and birding sites in West Papua and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read:

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

Watching Twelve-wired and King Bird of Paradise in Tambrauw

Recently I guided a European couple in Tambrauw regency. We visited Klabili village and District town of Sausapor. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights exploring tropical rainforest. We watched birds including the Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise and King Bird of Paradise as well as South Papuan Pitta, Forest Bittern, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot and Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. 

Tropical Birds in Tambrauw Regency of Indonesia

During the tour, we also did night walk to look for nocturnal bird. We saw Papuan Frogmouth and Northern Tree Snake (Dendrelapis calligaster).

To watch the paradise birds in Klabili village, we had to wake up early at 04:00. We made preparation, and had some tea and coffee with some biscuits. At 04:30, we left our homestay for the site of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus). It took around 1 hour of walking to reach it. It was down when we arrived. Minutes later, the male Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise began to call his mating partner. 

When the female Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise came, she landed on a lower tree trunk. Local villagers called it "stick." The male flew to that stick and began his courtship dance performance which lasted for more than 1 hour. 

After watching the dance performance, we continued rainforest tour that morning to the site of Forest Bittern. Along the path we saw other birds such as Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and Blyth's Hornbill. The Forest Bittern was sitting on his nest. We watched it using a spotting scope from a distant in order not to disturb the bird.

We continued our walking tour in the forest to King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) at around 09:45. The bird was sitting on a branch of a tall ficus tree. It was very difficult to find it. 

We still do general birding to see Yellow-faced Myna, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmeted Friarbird, and Black Lory. 

There was a hide behind Klabili village. We entered it before lunch time. We put some worms and played their sounds. The Hooded Pitta landed shortly. He was there for only a few seconds. The Southern Papuan Pitta came later and stayed for around 15 minutes until it started to rain. 

At 14:00, we continued our next adventure to Sausapor. We saw Brush Cuckoo, Sahul Sunbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blyth's Hornbill, Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove and Hoodee Butcherbird. The forest at the outskirt of Sausapor is the habitat of birds of prey including White-bellied Sea Eagle, Gurney's Eagle, Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Brahminy Kite and etc.

If you are interested in taking a bird of paradise watching tour in West Papua of Indonesia and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to +6281332245180.

Also read:

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

Paradise Bird Photography Tour in West Papua of Indonesia

I often organize tours for photographers who want to take pictures of paradise birds in tropical rainforest of West Papua of Indonesia. The places that we visit include Sorong city, Sausapor, Klabili, Malagufuk, and Waigeo of Raja Ampat, as well as Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency. 

King Bird of Paradise

Magnificent Riflebird

Birds of Paradise that can be seen and photographed in their natural habitat include: Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Black Sicklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise, Trumpet Manucode, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise, and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. 

Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise

Participants can also see and photograph other birds such as Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Violet-necked Lory, and a lot more.

Red Bird of Paradise

To do the bird photography trip, participants need to bring D-SLR camera with large sensor plus telephoto lens such as the Sigma Sports 150 to 600 mm or Tamron G2 150-600 mm. 

Lesser Bird of Paradise

The recommended entry point for bird photography tour is Sorong city or Manokwari city in the Republic of Indonesia. Participants need to come in a group of two to four or more to share the cost.

Western Parotia

This paradise bird tour can be combined with a birdwatching tour to a Wallace region (transitional zone from Asia to Australia), especially to North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. 

p.s. Photos in this article were taken by my clients and me during our previous tours. 

BIRDWATCHING AND SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN MINAHASA PENINSULA

Minahasa peninsula in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia is a highly recommended destination for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds of Wallace region (the transitional zone between the continent of Asia and Australia) which is the habitat of a lot of unique tropical birds of Sulawesi island.

Pale Blue Monarch

The rainforest and farmland of Minahasa is the habitat of such birds as:

• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot 
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Ashy Woodpecker
• Gray-sided Flowerpecker
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker 
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Sulawesi Fantail
• Zebra Dove
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove
• White-faced Cuckoo-dove
• Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove
• Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon
• Green Imperial Pigeon
• Rock Pigeon
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Warbling White-eye
• Sahul Sunbird
• Crimson Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Turquoise Flycatcher
• Pale Blue Monarch
• Black-naped Oriole
• Collared Kingfisher
• Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher
• Green-backed Kingfisher
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Slender-billed Crow
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• White-browed Crake
• Barred Rail
• Buff-banded Rail
• Barn Swallow
• Sunda Teal
• Cattle Egret
• Little Egret
• Cinnamon Bittern
• Finch-billed Myna
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Ivory-backed Woodswallow
• Barn Swallow
• Gray-rumped Treeswift
• Sulphur-bellied Whistler
• Brush Cuckoo
• Chestnut Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Black-faced Munia
• Glossy Swiftlet
• Purple Needletail
• Hair-crested Drongo
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Red-backed Thrush
• and etc.

Red-backed Thrush

Birding sites that can be explored by visitors include Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Pine Forest, The hill forest, farmland and paddy field of Subdistrict Sonder. 

Yellow-billed Malkoha

More birds could be watched if we explore lowland and lower montane forest in Talawaan waterfall and farmland; and in Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Birds such as Sulawesi Pygmy Hornbill, Knobbed Hornbill, Purple-winged Roller, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Great-billed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Myna, and etc.

Scaly-breasted Munia, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa
• 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