Coastal Birds of Raja Ampat

Eastern Osprey at the beach of Waigeo island

When I go birding in Sorong, Manokwari and Tambrauw regencies, most of the birds that I see are the ones that live in tropical rainforest. The case is different if I do birding walk along the beach of Waigeo, Kri and Mansuar islands of Raja Ampat archipelago.
There I see sea birds. Some of them include Radjah Shelduck (Tadorna radjah), Beach Kingfisher (Todiramphus saurophagus), Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica), Eatern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii).

Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes)

When visiting Raja Ampat, I like to enjoy snorkeling too. There are a lot of beautiful corals and tropical reef fish that I can see such as butterflyfish, moorish idol, anemonefish, surgeonfish, and even black-tip reefshark.
As a matter of fact, birds and fish are not the only animals that we can see in Raja Ampat. There are also butterflies, beetles, lizards and sometimes snakes that we can find among the coastal vegetation.

Piaynemo islets in Raja Ampat

The coral reef of Raja Ampat is very rich of marine life. It is the natural habitat of thousands of species of creatures such as fish, urchin, sea star, mollusc, and mammals. That's why it is not surprising to see that there are a lot of seabirds living in these islands.
If you plan to go birding in Raja Ampat, besides putting your super zoom camera, binoculars and spotting scope into your bag, don't forget to also put  mask, snorkel, and fins into it.
Also read:
Kofiau Monarch
Birding in North-east region of Waigeo island
Birding in Raja Ampat
Birding in Raja Ampat of West Papua
Rainforest Tours in Raja Ampat
Birdwatching and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

Snorkeling and Birding in Waigeo Island of Raja Ampat

a pair of Rufous-bellied Kookaburra in Waigeo island

I cannot count how many times I have visited Raja Ampat. But every trip that I did to these tropical islands was wonderful and unique. My last tour was in the southern region of Waigeo island where I enjoyed snorkeling/ freediving and birding at Paradisea beach. I spent 2 days there exploring the coastal forest of Waigeo and the coral reef of the beach.

Paradisea beach in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat

Equipment
As usual, I brought my Fujifilm Finepix HS50EXR, Visionking 10x42 binoculars, and a Kinglux 20-60×60 spotting scope.
Snorkeling and Freediving
For snorkeling, I only brought a mask and a snorkel. The marine life in the coral reef of Paradisea beach was abundant. During a short snorkeling session, I saw various species of surgeonfish, anemonefish,  damselfish, needlefish, grouper, sweetlips, wrasse, lionfish, and goatfish.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat has been considered as the best destination for tourists who want to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, and free-diving. With 1,427 species of reef fishes, 553 corals and 42 mantis shrimps, Raja Ampat is the richest in the world for its marine biodiversity.
Visitors who want to enjoy snorkeling or freediving at this beach must do a complete buoyancy control so that they will not destroy the coral reef. They could ony stand on the sand by swimming closer to the beach.
Birdwatching
During the short birding walk, I saw Yellow-faced Myna, Lowland Peltop, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Moluccan Starling, Willie Wagtail, Spangled Drongo, Beach Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red Bird of Paradise, Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Blyth's Hornbill, Frigatebird, Common Greenshank, and Crested Tern.
Also read:
Birdwatching and Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat
Snorkeling and Sightseeing Tour in Raja Ampat
Birding and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

Birding Tour in Susnguakti Forest of Arfak Mountains

I have just completed a birding and wildlife watching tour for 4 French visitors in Arfak mountains. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights in Susnguakti forest watching Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Bird of Paradise. Several birding huts had been built by local guides to increase the chance of birders to see the birds.

Lesser Birds of Paradise

Birding in Susnguakti forest of Arfak mountains

In addition to watching birds, they also enjoyed night walk to see cuscus possum. Local guide who accompanied the French visitors immitated the sounds of female cuscus to attract the male one. When the male cuscus had come down from the tree through a hanging vine, everybody could see him and take picture of the animal. Cuscus possum is a marsupial and nocturnal animal that usually goes out at night to find food and mating partner.
If you are interested in visiting Susnguakti forest of Arfak mountains or other places in West Papua, and want me to be your private guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Birding in highland and lowland of Manokwari

Magnificent Bird of Paradise

I organized a birding tour for 3 French tourists last week. I guided them to high elevation forest in Arfak mountains for 3 days and then to Mesirokow forest in lowland region of Manokwari for 3 days. While in Arfak range, we watched Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird, Western Parotia, Western Smoky Honeyeater, Vogelkop Melidectes, Feline Owletnightjar, Mountain Owletnightjar and a lot of other birds.
In lowland forest of Manokwari, we watched Little Egret, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Heron, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Lowland Peltop, Pacific Baza, Little-ringed Plover, Gray Wagtail, Variable Goshawk, Blyth's Hornbill and a lot more.

Birding in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

In addition to birds, we also saw cuscus possum, butterflies, and forest lizards. The temperature in lowland forest of Manokwari was quite warm but we enjoyed the birding walk very much. We could swim in the river after that. We walked along the banks of the river in the mornings and in the afternoons. I provided dome tents, mattrasses, cooking and eating equipment for my clients so that they did not have to bring heavy things from their country. Bruno, one of the three participants brought a Swarovski HD spotting scope. It greatly enhanced our birding experience. With that device, we could see birds that were resting on the branches of distant trees clearly.

Birdwing Butterfly: Ornithoptera tithonus

We stayed in tents It was a nice birding experience. The scenery was very beautiful and local people were very helpful. If you are interested in taking a tropical birding tour in Manokwari, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. I could guide single traveler and also a group of visitors with 2 to 8 participants. The itinerary can be customized according to the needs and wants of the participant.

Golden Myna in Love

Golden Myna in Klasow Valley

I often see Golden Myna (Mino anais) when I guide visitors on a birding tour in Mesirrokow river forest of Manokwari, in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. The best time to watch the bird is between 17.00 to 18.30 local time. They like to sit on top of trees especially on dead branches and twigs. Golden Myna are usually seen as couple but they also like to fly together in a group to find fruiting trees. The head, wings, and underparts are black. Its chest, and nape are yellow. Field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler says that the bird is uncommon. In contrary, in Klasow valley, our chance to see the bird is much higher.
If birds of paradise are seen as King of Seduction, Golden Myna could be called King of Romance. Paradise birds are polygamous meaning that they have got more than one sexual partners whereas Golden Myna is monogamous.

Golden Myna (Mino anais)

Birdwatching is an environmentally friendly hobby for millions of people. Birders often travel in small groups of 2 to 8 people. But there is also solo traveling birder whom I serve. To enhance birding experience, I often provide a good pair of binoculars, and spotting scope. If you are interested in traveling to West Papua to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and watching tropical birds, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:
Birds in Raja Ampat
Parrots in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat

Eclectus Parrot

Female Eclectus Parrot

Here is the picture of a female Eclectus Parrot that was flying fast in Waigeo island. The bird had red wing feather and blue underparts with dark beak. I also saw a male one but my camera could not follow him. He had green feather with red feather under his wings. They are sexually dimorphic. Eclectus Parrot live in lowland and lower montane forest of mainland New Guinea and a lot of smaller islands around it.
It is easy to see them in Klasow valley of Sorong regency and Mesirokow forest in lowland region of Manokwari. When I visited Numfor island in Cendrawasih bay of West Papua, I saw them too. Local people considered the birds as pests. They caught them and sold the birds to pet lovers in Manokwari city or Biak town.

Eclectus Parrot in Numfor island

Magnificent Bird of Paradise

Male Magnificent Bird of Paradise

Here is the picture of Magnificent Bird of Paradise in the forest of Arfak mountains. I watched the bird when I guided three French visitors on 1-week hiking and birding tour in higher montane and lowland forest of Manokwari. To watch the paradise bird, we had to wake up early in the morning at 04.00. First, we needed to make preparation such as wearing suitable clothing and shoes for hiking and checking our cameras and binoculars. Second, we needed to have tea or coffee and some snacks so that we had enough energy for 1-hour morning walk to the birding ground.
Magnificent Birds of Paradise began to be active at approximately 06.00 when the sun rose in the east. He would call his female counterparts. Both male and female birds were sexually dimorphic with male had more colorful and beautiful feather.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise are polygamous. It means they have got more than one sexual partners.
After spending 3 days/ 3 nights in Arfak range, we continued our birding trip to Mesirokow forest un lowland region of Manokwari.

King Bird of Paradise in Arfak Mountains

Arfak mountains are famous destination for birding. There is a good site for watching King Bird of Paradise, its name is Mount Mabowi. Its lower montane forest is a good site for watching King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius). While I was guiding some Australian and Chinese tourists in that forest, I saw a male King B.O.P. while he was calling his female counterpart for mating. The male and female King Bird of Paradise were sexually dimorphic. Male had red upperparts and white belly. The female one had plain brown wings feather with white underparts covered with dark brown stripes.

King Bird of Paradise in Arfak mountains

Taking pictures of the bird was quite difficult, The bird was quite small. He sat in the vines or twigs of a tall tree. I had to immitate his calls to attract his attention. When he jumped or flew to another twig, I was able to spot him and quickly aimed my camera at the bird. During the birding trip in Arfak mountains, I also saw other birds such as Lesser Birds of Paradise, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove (Macropygia amboinensis) in the forest of Mount Mabowi.

Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove

There are several birding sites in Manokwari that visitors can go to. I recommend Arfak range (both lower montane and higher montane forests), Lowland Forest of Manokwari in Mesirrokow river-forest and Mansinam islands.
Please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180 if you want to watch King Bird of Paradise in Mount Mabowu of Arfak range - Manokwari
For taking pictures of birds, I recommend a powerful bridge camera with telephoto lens, i.e.: Nikon COOLPIX P900 Digital Camera 16MP 83x Optical Zoom 1080/60p Video Built-In Wi-Fi

Watching Willie Wagtail in Manokwari

Here is the picture of Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) that I saw while I was guiding visitors on a 3-day tour in Manokwari. The bird has got black upperparts and white underparts. The birds like to seat on the branches of trees or shrubs that extend over a river. At first, I thought it was feeding on small fresh water fish. But the article in Wikipedia says that the bird eats insects. I often see the bird when I travel along the coastal area of Manokwari, Numfor island and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.

Willie Wagtail

Birding in Raja Ampat
Recently when I visited Waisai town of Raja Ampat, I saw some Willie Wagtails when I was standing at a cape near the harbor of the regency. Some male birds were chasing a female bird for mating. Therefore, I conclude that the mating season of Willie Wagtail is in October. In addition to Willie Wagtail, I also saw Beach Kingfisher, Coconut Lorikeet, Moustached Treeswift and Singing Starling. It was a short birding experience but I really enjoyed it very much.

Willie Wagtail in Waisai town of Raja Ampat

Coconut Lorikeet

For the Coconut Lorikeet, it was feeding on the nectar of flowers of a tree in front of me. I heard his sound and immediately aimed my camera at him. He was walking down a branch and looked at me. It was only a fleeting moment but I got a few nice shots of him. Seconds later, he flew away.

Watching River Birds in Manokwari

Little Egret

Manokwari regency as a tourist destination has got several sites for birding, i.e. Island and coastal area, Lowland area, Lower Montane forest, Higher Montane Forest and Lakes in Higher Elevation area. Because many birds live in lowland and lower montane forest, these areas have become an important destination for birders.
There is a forest in Manokwari lowland region that I highly recommend for birders. Its name is Mesirrokow river forest. Here, visitors can watch birds that like to live near or along the banks of the river. Some of them include Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Little-ringed Plover, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna and Blyth's Hornbill.

Beautiful Fruit Dove

A birding expedition to this river-forest area needs at least 3 to 5 days. Visitors will need to stay in tents and enjoy birding along the banks of the river. As a tourist guide, I offer private birding trip for anyone who is interested in taking a birding tour into this lowland forest of Manokwari.
I have organized numerous hiking, camping and birding tours to this area since seven or eight years ago in cooperation with local villagers. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing or having tea or coffee at the banks of the river. The scenery of the river environment is very beautiful. So, I highly recommend this place as your next birding destination.
If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com or send me whatsapp message to: +6281332245180.

Little-ringed Plover

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• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Minahasa
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• Bird Photography Tour in Sonder of Minahasa

Riverwalk Birding Expedition in Manokwari

Manokwari is considered by a lot of birdwatchers as an important destination for birdwatching. There are several birding sites in the regency which tourists can visit to watch birds such as the lower and higher montane forest of Arfak range and lowland forest of Manokwari.
For birding in lowland forest of Manokwari, I highly recommend Mesirrokow forest. To go birding in the area, visitors need to do riverwalk trip. Much of the forest area in Mesirrokow have not been explored by foreign visitors.

As a tourist guide, I offer 3 days/ 2 nights - 4 days/ 3 nights riverwalk birding expedition for visitors who want to see Blyth's Hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Little-ringed Plover, Oriental Dollarbird, Yellow-faced Myna, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Willie Wagtail, Little Egret, Brahminy Kite and a lot more.
Birds usually fly over the river or sit on the branches of trees along both sides of the river. To watch them, we could use binoculars and spotting scope. Night walks can also be done to watch nightjar, Papuan frogmouth or fruit bats.

Birdwatchers who want to participate in this Riverwalk Birding Expedition need to bring water shoes. A good pair of binoculars, camera with super zoom or telephoto lenses and field guide book Birds of New Guinea, torch are important things which visitors should bring.
Because there is no guesthouse in the forest, we will stay in tents that are built at the side of the river. As a tourist guide, I can provide dome tents, cooking and eating utensils as well as sleeping bags for participants.
Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com  or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Camping near the river

Birding in Manokwari Lowland Forest

Willie Wagtail

There is a huge birding site in the lowland forest of Manokwari which tourists can visit to watch such birds as Yellow-Capped Pygmy Parrot, Willie Wagtail, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Yellow Faced Myna, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Large-tailed Nightjar, Eclectus Parrot and a lot more.
I have organized a lot of birding and camping tours for visitors who want to enjoy birdwatching in this forest for several days. We build tents at the sides of the river and enjoy riverwalk in the mornings and afternoons.

Brahminy Kite in Manokwari Forest

In addition to birding, visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing or even fishing in the river.
The duration of the tour is usually 3 days/ 2 nights to 5 days/ 4 nights. This riverwalk camping tour in the lowland forest of Manokwari is suitable for nature lovers who want to see not only birds but also wild flowers, unique trees and shrub plants as well as insects, mammals, reptiles and marsupial animals of New Guinea.
It is not difficult to reach this place. Just fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia) and then continue your trip by taking a domestic flight to Manokwari city. I will meet you at the airport and organize your birding trip to this forest.
To enhance your birding experience, you need to buy field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt, and Bruce Beehler. It is available on Amazon. Bringing a camera with DSLR camera with telephoto lens or bridge camera such as the Canon SX60 or Nikon P900 will increase your chance of taking pictures of birds that sit in distant branches of tall trees. For binoculars, brands such as Swarovski, Nikon, Leica, Vortex are the popular products.

Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Watching Lesser and King Birds of Paradise in Arfak Mountains

Arfak mountains have been considered as an important tourist destination for watching birds of paradise. One of the birding sites in Arfak range that is often visited by birdwatchers is Mount Mabowi. It is located in the eastern region of the range, approximately one and a half hour ride from Manokwari city.

I and local villagers have built tents for visitors who want to stay for several days in the jungle to watch such paradise birds as Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) and King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius). There are also other birds that we could watch including the Papuan Frogmouth, Common Paradise Kingfisher and Hooded Butcherbird. In addition to watching birds, visitors who do night walk guided by local villagers may also see other animals such as cuscus possum, soa-soa Lizard, bandicoot and snake.
Itinerary

Cuscus Possum

2 days/ 1 night hiking, birding and wildlife watching trip in Mount Mabowi
Day 1 
We can go to Mount Mabowi by taking public transportation from bus terminal at Pasar Wosi. We will find a minibus that goes to Warmarway village. Before going, we need to buy some food materials that we need for tue trip such as canned fish, instant noodles, eggs, tempe (fermented soybean) and some bottled water. It takes 1 hour to reach the village. We will pick up some local villagers who will work for us in carrying our food, and bags as well as photographic equipment. The car will take us to the foot of Mount Mabowi. We will continue our trip by walking up steep slopes for 1 hour to reach the basecamp that is located in the middle of the jungle. The basecamp is ready to be used. Cooking and eating utensils such as knives, cooking pans, boiling pans, spoons, forks and glasses are available in the forest. After having lunch, we can go hiking in the afternoon at 15.00 local time to find Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). Before dark, we can return to the village. After having dinner, we can continue our jungle tour by doing night walk. Local guide will bring us to certain places in the forest where he will call male Cuscus Possum by immitating tue call of female cuscus possum.  Sometimes, we may also find Soa-soa Dragon Lizard during the night walk. At approximately 22.00, we will return to our basecamp to sleep.

Soa-soa Dragon Lizard

Day 2
We will wake up early in the morning at 05.00 and do short walk again to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise. This is a second attempt. At approximately 08.00, we can continue our birding walk to find King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius). After the morning bird trip, we can return to our basecamp to have brunch (combined breakfast and lunch). Usually there are various species of butterflies that like to fly around our basecamp. We can take pictures of them while drinking coffee or tea after the long morning walk.
In the afternoon, we will walk down the slopes and catch a public minibus that will transport us back to the city again.

As a tourist guide, I offer hiking and camping tour to this lower montane forest for tourists who want to explore the natural bio-diversity of Arfak range and see birds and animals that I mention above. The average duration of the tour is 2 days/ 1 night to 3 days/ 2 nights.
Visitors who want to go hiking and watching paradise birds have to be physically fit. The path from main road to the basecamp is steep. It takes approximately one hour of walking up steep slopes from main road to the basecamp. The basecamp is large enough to accommodate 4 to 6 visitors.
Don't forget to bring torch, a good pair of binoculars, and camera with telephoto lens if you want to take pictures of birds, butterflies, and other wild animals in the forest. We will provide cooking and eating utensils for visitors.

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp number: +6281332245180 to book your trip.

Birds of Paradise Watching Trip

King Bird of Paradise in Arfak Mountains

I have just completed a 2-week birding tour in West Papua province of Indonesia. It started in Arfak range of Manokwari and finished in Raja Ampat islands. Three visitors from China, Australia were the participants of the tour. We spent 4 days in higher montane forest, 2 days in lower montane forest of Arfak range, 5 days in Klasow valley and finally 3 days in Waigeo island.

When hiking and birding in higher montane forest, we watched Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus), Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata). We also saw a Superb Bird of Paradise for a few minutes when he was eating fruits in Besuei tree. Other birds that we saw in the mountains including Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornis inornata), Green-backed Robin, Blue-grey Robin, Vogelkop Melidectes, Feline Owlett Nightjar and Mountain Owlett Nightjar, Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia amboinensis).

Lesser Birds of Paradise in Sorong Lowland

We spent one night camping in the forest of Mount Mabowi to find Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), and King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) We were able to see them both but were not lucky enough to see Cuscus Possum during a night walk near our basecamp. 

The next trip after Arfak range was lowland rainforest of Sorong regency. There we spent 5 days in a jungle village located near Klabolo creek. Klabolo means Naked Water in local language of Mooi tribe. Again, we saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, and King Bird of Paradise. We were very lucky to also watch the Male Magnificent Riflebird for approximately 15 minutes in a branch of a tall tree near our jungle hut. While in the lowland forest of Sorong, we made several attempts to see Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleuca). Unfortunately, we could only hear its sounds in the mornings and in the afternoons. 

Red Birds of Paradise in Raja Ampat

However, we saw a lot of other birds in lowland forest of Sorong regency. Some of them include Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Hooded Butcherbird, Golden Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Helmetted Friarbird, Lowland Peltop, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Large Fig Parrot, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, and Yellow Faced Myna.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

At the conclusion of our Birds of Paradise Watching Trip in West Papua, we watched Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise in Raja Ampat. We saw them in the afternoon and early in the morning. It was an unforgetful experience for the participants of the tour. In addition to hiking, and birding, we enjoyed swimming, snorkeling and seeing the beautiful scenery of Raja Ampat islands at the end of our trip. 

If you want to take a private tour with me as your guide to watch Birds of Paradise and enjoy swimming and snorkeling in Raja Ampat, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

A Guesthouse in Raja Ampat for Birding, Snorkeling and Relaxing

Hornbill

I used to receive email from someone who wants to watch hornbill. Although it is an easy request, most often, the place where visitors go to watch that big bird is wrong. Watching birds under the canopy of dense forest is very difficult. I know a forest area in Manokwari where watching hornbill is easy. It is a lowland forest with huge open space. This is a very nice birding site for visitors who want to watch hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, and other tropical birds.

Here, the chance to see hornbill as well as other tropical birds is higher due to the existence of wide open space for birding in the forest.
Please, contact my email: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180 to book your birding trip in West Papua.

Willie Wagtail in Mesirrokow Forest of Manokwari

Here is the picture of Willie Wagtail (Rhypidura leucophrys) that I saw in Mesirrokow river forest of Manokwari. The bird likes to play on dry wood that has been washed to the shore of a river waiting to catch insects. The birds can be seen in other areas of Manokwari particularly in trees near small lakes.
The bird is also abundant in Numfor island.

Willie Wagtail in Manokwari forest

Mesirrokow river-forest is a highly recommended site in Manokwari that is suitable for visitors who want to enjoy riverwalking and birdwatching. I have organized a number of camping trips to the area for visitors who come from Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom, other European countries.
If you are interested in camping and birding in Mesirrokow lowland river-forest area of Manokwari, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Variable Goshawk in Mesirrokow Forest of Manokwari

This is the picture of Variable Goshawk (Accipiter hiogaster) that I took in Mesirrokow forest of Manokwari. The forest has been considered as a highly recommended site for watching lowland birds of New Guinea particularly for the ones that live in vogelkop region.

Variable Goshawk in Mesirrokow Forest of Manokwari

I made the picture when I was guiding a French visitor who spent 4 days/ 3 nights swimming, hiking, birding and camping in the area. In addition to the goshawk, we also saw other birds such as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Brahminy Kite, Little Egret, Yellow-faced Myna, Little-ringed Plover, Palm Cockatoo, Willie Wagtail, Moustached Tree Swift and Black-capped Lory.
In my previous trips to this forest, I saw Large-tailed Nightjar, Yellow Capped Pygmy Parrot, Golden Myna, Grey Goshawk, Papuan Flowerpecker, and Pinon Imperial Pigeon.
The rainforest of Mesirrokow is still in its earliest development as destination for eco-tourism. There are no guesthouses, toilets, and other support facilities for tourists. Although the forest is lack of facilities, it is still attracting tourists who go there to watch birds and enjoy the river and forest scenery of Manokwari.
Most tourists enjoy 3 days/ 2 nights camping, hiking, birding and swimming in Mesirrokow forest. For avid birdwatchers, they can spend up to 1 week birding in the area. If you are interested in birding and camping in the forest of Mesirokow, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Camping Site in Arfak Mountains

Basecamp in Arfak range

I went to Mount Mabowi of Arfak mountains last week. I spent three nights there repairing our tents. We use them to serve our visitors who want to explore the bio-diversity of tropical rainforest of Arfak mountains. There are a lot of trees, shrubs, lianas and creeping plants, orchids, and mushrooms that we can see in the jungle. Insects such as butterflies, dragon flies, ants and grasshopper are abundant. There are also lizards, frogs and birds as well as marsupial animals that can be found in the forest.
Most visitors stay between 3 to 4 days hiking and camping in Mount Mabowi. They enjoy watching birds, observing tropical plants and animals of New Guinea.
If you are interested in taking a hiking and camping tour with me in Mount Mabowi of Arfak range, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180

Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains

There is a very nice destination for rainforest tour in West Papua province of Indonesia. Its name is Tambrauw mountains. It is located between Manokwari and Sorong regency. Tropical rainforest that covers the mountains is the natural habitat of deer, cuscus possum, wallaby, tree kangaroo, and a lot of species of birds such as Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird and Magnificent Bird of Paradise.

Rainforest in Tambrauw Mountains

Because of its remote location, the cost of traveling to the regency is quite expensive. I suggest that visitors go there in a group of at least 2 to 4 people. I could guide a solo traveling visitor too as long as he or she is willing to pay for the cost of the trip. By traveling in small group, visitors can share the cost of transportation, food, local guides, and accommodation. The trip to Tambrauw mountains may include camping near a river, hiking in the jungle and walking in remote roads along a mountain ridge or a cliff. These area will provide open spaces or forest clearings where visitors can watch birds and other wild animals easily.

If you are interested in visiting Tambrauw mountains to explore its the bio-diversity of its rainforest and want me to be your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Birding in Raja Ampat of West Papua

Palm Cockatoo in Raja Ampat

Here is the picture of Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus). I saw the bird while I was traveling in Raja Ampat. I also saw Pacific Swallow, Radjah Shelduck, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink Spotted Fruit Dove, Papuan Blyth's Hornbill, Olive-backed Sunbird, Starling, Island Kingfisher and Wilson Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise.

Red Bird of Paradise

Wild Flowers in the Forest
When I was climbing a steep cape in Fish Lagoon, I saw beautiful flowers. They were orchids, one that I recognized was the Giant Tiger Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum). Another one is a terrestrial orchid that I still haven't been able to identify. Here is its picture:

Terrestrial Orchid in Raja Ampat

If you know its name, please, inform me by text message to my email or whatsapp number below.
As a tourist guide, I provide rainforest birding tours for visitors who want to go birdwatching and snorkeling in Raja Ampat, Manokwari, Numfor and Sorong regency.  The duration of the tour is between 3 days to 2 weeks depending on how many places visitors want to visit.
Also read:
Coastal Birds of Raja Ampat
Snorkeling and Birding in Waigeo Island of Raja Ampat
Birdwatching and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat
Rainforest Tours in Raja Ampat