Manokwari regency has been visited by birdwatchers for years. Birding activities can be done in lowland and montane forests. A lot of species of birds can be seen if we walk along a clearing area in the jungle such as the banks of a river. Tropical birds such as Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory), Moluccan King-Parrot (Alisterus amboinensis), Papuan Flowerpecker (Dicaeum pectorale) and Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea) can be seen in the lowland forest. My favorite birding site is Mesirrokow forest. I usually spend 3 days/ 2 nights walking along the sides of the river to find Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna, Little-ringed Plover, Rainbow Bee-eater, Brahminy Kite, Variable Goshawk, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Lowland Peltop, Eclectus Parrot.
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| Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari |
In Susnguakti forest, the usual birds that I see are Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Marbled Frogmouth, Hooded Pitta, Helmetted Friarbird, Fairy Lorikeet, Red-bellied Pitta, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, and etc. Tourists like to visit this forest because they could also see other animals as well such as cuscus possum, bandicoot, and Papua forest dragon.
I highly suggest that birdwatchers bring a good pair of binoculars, a spotting scope + universal stand mount for cell phone (this is important for taking pictures of birds using spotting scope and cell phone) and a tripod. I often see birdwatchers who carry a big D-SLR camera with super telephoto lens.
I used to carry Nikon Coolpix P500, and then P600. Now I use Fujifilm HS50EXR.
For birdwatching in the lowland area of Manokwari is considered very easy because most of the land is flat as you could see in the picture.
For birdwatching in Arfak mountains where the slopes are steep, the level of difficulties is moderate to tough.
Guided Birding Tours
As a tour guide, I can organize birding tour for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds in lowland and in mountainous region. The cost depends on the duration of the tours and places that we plan to visit. Please, contact me Charles Roring by email: peace4wp@gmail.com to get customized itinerary and price.
SNORKELING and BIRDING in Mansinam Island
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| Elegant Imperial Pigeon (Ducula concinna) from Mansinam island |
Booking
Just contact me again by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp/ text message to: +6281332245180.
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