Birding in Manokwari and Sorong

Cuscus Possum in Arfak mountains

I frequently organize birding tours in Manokwari and Sorong for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds that live in New Guinea's rainforest. The most important destinations in Manokwari are Arfak mountains and Lowland Forest along Mesirrokow river. For Sorong regency, Klasow valley has become the most favorite destination among tourists.

MANOKWARI
Arfak Mountains - lower montane forest
Birds that can be found in the jungle are Common Paradise Kingfisher, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Hooded Butcherbird, Magnificent BoP and a lot more. There is a camping site at Mount Mabowi which visitors can stay for several nights. Hiking activities can be done in the mornings to watch birds and in the nights to find cuscus possum and dragon tree lizard.

Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus)
 in Mount Mabowi of Arfak Mountains

Mesirrokow river - lowland forest
This forest area is located in northwest territory of Manokwari regency. Birds such as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Papuan Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus), Little-ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii), Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus), Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta keiensis) can be seen along the banks of Mesirrokow river forest.
However, it is not only birds that visitors can see in the jungle, there are various species of lizards including the soa-soa monitor lizard, deer, wild pigs and colorful butterflies.

SORONG REGENCY
Klasow valley is relatively new among visitors who want to watch birds in West Papua. Most of the land is flat but the path to the lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) is steep and slippery.

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)
 in Klasow valley of Sorong regency

Birdwatchers like to visit the area because there are a lot of birds that live in the forest of the valley. Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Large Fig Parrot (Psittaculirostris desmarestii), Black lory (Chalcopsitta atra), Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus perlatus), Beautiful Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus pulchellus), Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyus geoffroyi),  Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud) are some of the birds that we could see in Klasow valley. Sometimes wild Northern Cassowary bird enter the jungle village in to ask for food from local villagers. There is also King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) in the forest near the village but visitors need to use a good pair of binoculars such as the 10x42 or the 12x50 ones to see the small bird properly.

passion flower

Tour Duration
On the average, visitors spend between 1 to 2 weeks to watch birds both in lowland forest of Manokwari, and Klasow valley of Sorong regency.

Booking
If you are interested in taking a birding trip in Arfak mountains of Manokwari and Klasow valley of Sorong regency and want me to organize your trip and be your guide, for itinerary and cost, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text/ whatsapp message to: +6281332245180.