Birds in Manokwari Lowland Forest

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

I have organized a lot of birding tours in lowland, lower montane and higher montane forest of Manokwari. From all of the tours, I made pictures of birds and did identification works using field guide book Birds of New Guinea - written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler as my main reference. My favorite birding site is Dopi and Mesirrokow forests. It is a lowland forest area of Manokwari. Birds that can be seen this forest are listed below:

Little-ringed Plover

• Long-tailed Honey Buzzard
• Variable Goshawk
• Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
• Common Sandpiper
• Little-ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
• Little Egret
• Beautiful Fruit-Dove
• Pinon Imperial Pigeon
• Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
• Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus)
• Rainbow Lorikeet
• Black-capped Lory
• Pesquet Parrot
• Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta keiensis)
• Moluccan King Parrot
• Great Cuckoo Dove (Reinwardtoena reinwardti)
• Jungle Hawk-Owl
• Marbled Frogmouth
• Azure Kingfisher
• Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
• Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud)
• Papuan (Blyth's) Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)
• Black Sunbird
• Yellow-bellied Longbill
• Pygmy Longbill
• Olive-crowned (Papuan) Flowerpecker
• Spangled Drongo
• Willie Wagtail
• Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus)
• Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)
• Magnificent Bird of Paradise
• Glossy-mantled Manucode
• Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii)
• Large-tailed Nightjar
• Western-crowned Pigeon (Goura cristata)

The above list should be considered as temporary only. I will add more birds into the list as I see more birds during my next birding trips in this lowland forest of Manokwari. 

Book your birding tour

Here is my email: peace4wp@gmail.com and my whatsapp: +6281332245180. Please, contact me for your birding tour in Manokwari as well as other areas in West Papua. 

Riverwalk Birding Tours in Manokwari

Riverwalk Tour in Manokwari

Riverwalk and Birding Tour in Manokwari

There is a river that goes deeper into rainforest of  Manokwari regency. This forest is very suitable for birdwatchers who like to watch birds such as Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Dollarbird, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, King Bird of Paradise, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Papuan Hornbill, and Azure Kingfisher and a lot of other tropical birds.
Tropical rainforest that cover both sides of the river is the natural habitat these tropical birds as well as other animals such as cuscus possum, bandicoot, snake, butterflies, beetles and wild-pigs.
I have organized numerous riverwalk tours for visitors to this lowland forest of Manokwari. They came from as far as Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Birding is the main tourist attraction in this forest but visitors can also see unique tropical plants and animals of this forest.
Bird/ Wildlife Watching Optics

Pinon Imperial Pigeon

I personally provide a Kinglux 20-60×60 spotting scope and a pair of Visionking 10×42 mm binoculars. However, I highly suggest that every visitor bring his or her own binoculars to enhance the birding or wildlife-watching experience. There are a lot of brands that are available in the market such as Leica, Swarovski, Nikon, Bushnell, Vortex and etc. I personally have tried some of them such as the Swarovski SLC 10x42 WB, and the Swarovski EL 8,5×42 7,6 degrees binoculars. There is also Eagle Optics 10×42 mm binoculars. Unfortunately, Eagle Optics as a manufacturer of high quality but more affordable birding binoculars have stopped their operation.

Field-guide Birding Book

For visitors who are serious about birdwatching in West Papua, a field-guide book: Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler is the the best companion for their trips. It can be ordered from Amazon online bookstore.

How to fly to Manokwari

• Take an international flight from your country to Jakarta (the capital of the Indonesia)
• After that take a domestic flight to Manokwari city. Airlines such as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik Air provide regular flights between Jakarta and Manokwari.

Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180 if you are interested in taking a riverwalk birding tour in Manokwari. Or you could click the above About Me/ Contact Me link and use the available form to book your tour.

Manokwari Birding Tours

The lowland forest of Manokwari regency is a rich environment for birds. There are a lot of tropical birds that live in the region such as:

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

• Moluccan King Parrot, 
• Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, 
• Palm Cockatoo, 
• Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, 
• Black-capped Lory
• Coconut Lorikeet
• Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, 
• Great Cuckoo Dove
• Beautiful Fruit Dove
• Boyer's Cuckooshrike, 
• Black Butcherbird, 
• Olive-crowned Flowerpercker, 
• Pinon Imperial Pigeon, 
• Beautiful Fruit Dove,
• Azure Kingfisher, 
• Magnificent Riflebird, 
• Hooded Butcherbird, 
• Common Sandpiper, 
• Lesser Bird of Paradise, 
• King Bird of Paradise 
• Little-ringed Plover
• Variable Goshawk
• Brahminy Kite
• Dollarbird
• Papuan Frogmouth
• Papuan Hornbill
• Little-Egret
• Golden Myna
• Yellow-faced Myna
• Grey Crow
• Spangled Drongo
• and a lot more etc. 

Riverwalk and Birding 

As a tourist guide, I offer this birding tour for visitors who want to see birds, and explore the tropical rainforest of Manokwari for several days. We will stay in the jungle hut or tents to watch birds. Birds like to perch and sing in trees in the mornings and in the afternoons. Visitors should wear watershoes so that they can enjoy riverwalk. Some parts of the river is quite deep. So, swimming is also possible to be done in the river. I have guided tourists from the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France, the UK, and even from some Asian countries such as Thailand and China on birding tour in this area. They were able to watch tropical birds and some migratory birds in lowland forest and river environment of Manokwari.
I suggest that birdwatchers/ nature lovers bring binoculars, and spotting scopes to see birds, butterflies as well as wild animals that live in lowland forest of Manokwari.
Booking
Please, contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180 if you are interested in taking the tour with me as your guide

Camping and Riverwalk Birding Tours in Manokwari Forest

I offer camping and riverwalk tours for visitors who are interested in exploring the bio-diversity of lowland forest of Manokwari. Riverwalk, swimming and birdwatching are the main activities that we do during the tour. Visitors who take the tours come from the Netherlands, the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Frsnce, China, Switzerland, Sweden, and several other countries. They enjoy the tours for 3 to 5 days. For identification purposes, I use field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler. During the tours, we will stay in tents at the side of a river and do riverwalk tours along its banks to find tropical birds such birds as:

• King Bird of Paradise
• Magnificent Riflebird
• Lesser Birds of Paradise
• Yellow-faced Myna
• Golden Myna
• Papuan hornbill, 
• Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, 
• Palm Cockatoo
• Black-capped Lory
• Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
• Moluccan King Parrot
• Pesquet's Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus)
• Rainbow Lorikeet
• Pinon Imperial Pigeon, 
• Western-crowned Pigeon
• Beautiful Fruit Dove, 
• Pink-spotted Fruit Dove
• Dollarbird
• Spangled Drongo 
• Willie Wagtail
• Azure Kingfisher
• Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
• Common Sandpiper 
• Olive-crowned Flowerpecker
• Variable Goshawk
• Black Sunbird
• Yellow-bellied Longbill
• Pygmy Longbill
• and a lot of other tropical birds. In addition to birds, visitors can also see butterflies, beetles, wild flowers and a lot of unique plants of West Papua.

A good pair of binoculars, and spotting scope will enhance birding experience of the visitors. I use a pair of 10×42 Visionking binoculars and a 20-60×60 spotting scope plus a tripod. Because the open space is wide, it is easy to spot birds that fly across the river or perch on the branches of high trees.

Birds can be seen in trees that grow on both sides of the river. The riverside is one of the best places to watch birds because we can enjoy birding without having to walk up and down steep slopes of mountains. Visitors like the environment. They can enjoy swimming, sightseeing and birding at the same time.

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

Tropical Birding Tours in Susnguakti Forest

King Bird of Paradise

Finding Paradise Birds

Susnguakti is the name of Lower Montane Forest of Arfak range in Manokwari regency. It is a recommended destination for tourists who are interested in hiking, camping, and observing rainforest animals, particularly birds of paradise, and plants that live in the area. I organize a 3 to 4 day wildlife and birdwatching tour to see Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Common Paradise Kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea), Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus), Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) and other tropical birds of West Papua. There is no guesthouse in the middle of the jungle. Visitors will stay in huts that we have built for visitors. Cooking and eating utensils have been prepared in the huts.

Lesser Birds of Paradise - the King of Seduction

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

Tropical birds are usually active in the mornings and in the afternoons. To watch Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), visitors have to wake up at 05.00 for making preparations. After drinking tea or coffee and some biscuits, they could leave their tents for the birding ground that is located approximately 5 to 10 minutes walk to the south of the forest. Birds can be watched using binoculars and telephoto camera. Male lesser birds of paradise call their female counterparts and perform courtship dance in order to win their hearts. Several male birds compete one another to mate with the female birds. These birds of paradise have got several sex partners. They have been hunted since ancient times. So, they practice poligamy to survive. After 09.00 morning time, visitors can return to the basecamp and then continue their birding activities to higher elevation area.
The next target bird is King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) which lives in higher elevation area of Susnguakti forest. If we are lucky, we can also see Magnificent Birds of Paradise and Glossy Manucode.
In addition to birds, visitors can also watch Cuscus Possum, Bandicoot, and Soa-soa Lizards in the forest. A night walk in the forest will be organized by local guides for visitors to see these animals.

Birding Optics

Most birders know what to bring when they go on a tour to watch tropical birds in remote forest region. In general, birdwatchers bring a good pair of binoculars preferably 10×42 mm Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, Nikon or Cannon. High definition birding binoculars are made of ED lenses and Bak 4 prism glasses. I personally have got a more affordable Visionking 10×42 mm binoculars and a 20-60×60 Kinglux spotting scope.

Extended Trip
In addition to birding in Manokwari, I can organize birding tours to Tambrauw mountains or to Raja Ampat islands.
Booking
Please, send me (Charles Roring) e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Rainforest Birds in Lowland of Manokwari

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Tropical Birds

I often guide tourists to lowland forest area in Manokwari. We spend several days hiking, camping, birding and wildlife watching in tropical rainforest. My favorite destination is Mesirokow river or Susnguakti forest. In the middle of the jungle, there is no guesthouse, so we must stay in tents if we want to spend several days finding rainforest birds. From my previous trips in Mesirokow river, we were able to see Glossy Manucode (Manucodia ater), Blyth's hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Beautiful Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus pulchellus), Variable Goshawk (Accipiter hiogaster), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii), Golden Myna (Mino anais), and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), Nightjar (which is usually seen at night) and etc.

Birding Optics

Celestron Hummingbird Micro Spotting Scope with ED lens

To watch these birds, visitors need do morning walks and late afternoon walks. Birds are usually active during that time. But riverwalk tour can also be carried out in the afternoon to increase the chance of seeing such birds as Little-ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Willy Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), and Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus).

To enhance birding experience, visitors need a good pair of binoculars preferably the ones that are made of ED lenses and Bak4 prism glasses such as Swarovski EL 8.5×42 or Canon 15×50 IS UD 4.5° and Swarovski SLC 10×42 WB. 

I personally bring more affordable binoculars such as the Visionking 10×42 mm and a Kinglux 20-60×60 spotting scope.

Olive-crowned Flowerpecker

Watching tropical birds with a spotting scope in open space such as the Mesirokow river greatly improves the birdwatching experience of visitors. I used to guide 3 French birdwatcher who brought Swarovski ATX 30-70×95 spotting scope. The images of birds this device produced were clear and sharp even though the birds were sitting on the branches of high trees and were far from us. Unfortunately, this device was very expensive. Only serious birdwatchers who have got money that will buy that device.

For taking pictures, DSLR Camera with 600 mm super telephoto lens is highly recommended but a bridge camera such as Canon SX 60HS, Nikon Coolpix P900 will give good pictures of tropical birds in distant trees or in the other side of the river.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in lowland forest of Manokwari; Klasow valley of Sorong regency; The forest area near Sorong city and tropical jungle of Waigeo island in Raja Ampat, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:
Watching Birds in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
Palm Cockatoo of Raja Ampat
Parrots in Waigeo island

Rainforest Animals in Manokwari

I often guide tourists in tropical rainforest of Manokwari. The objective of the tour is to see the biodiversity of the environment both in lowland and highland region. These two environments have got diferent species of animals and plants.
Lowland and Lower Montane Region

Ikaheka white snake (Micropechis ikaheca)

There are two forest areas that I regularly visit, i.e.: Susnguakti Forest and Mesirokow Forest. Animals that I saw in these forests were:

• Birds such as Lesser Birds of Paradise,  King Bird of Paradise, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Coconut Lorikeet, Dwarf cassowary,
• Mammals: Bandicoot, cuscus possum, fruit bats. I often see foot prints of wild pigs and deer in Mesirokow river.
• Reptiles: Green tree lizard, blue tail lizard, Soa-soa lizard, Papuan iguana, Ikaheka white snake (which is very venomous), and etc. 
• Amphibious animals: Frogs
• Insect: Cruiser butterfly, priamus butterfly, taenaris catops butterfly, and beetles such as tiger beetle and eupholus schoenherri butterfly and etc.

Higher montane forest of Manokwari 

Lesser Birds of Paradise in lower montane region

From my personal observation, big animals such as deer and wild pigs do not exist from elevation 1,500 and above. But tourists are happy to visit the region to watch Vogelkop Bowerbird, Masked Bowerbird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise, and Western Parotia. There are butterflies such as Ornithoptera tithonus (birdwing family), and Taenaris schoenbergi kenricki.

There is another species of bird of paradise called Black Sicklebill at the elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level. To watch the bird, visitors need to wake up at 03.30 a.m. and make preparation. At 04.00, they can start hiking to the top of Mount Soyti. Local guide cannot fully guarantee that after the two-hour walk, visitors will be able to see the bird.

Rainforest Tours

Cuscus possum

I offer tours to rainforest near Manokwari city. The duration of the tour can be as short as 1 day to as long as 1 week or more. Because most of the activities will be carried out in the middle of the forest, we will stay in base-camps in the jungle. I provide tents, cooking and eating utensils. I also have got two pairs of Visionking binoculars which visitors and a Kinglux spotting scope 20-60x60 may use during the tours. However, I highly recommend that visitors bring their own birdwatching/ wildlife-watching optics as well as telephoto camera.

You need to wear t-shirts and short/ long hiking pants for the tours. Dark colours are better for watching animals. Head torch, anti insect spray are important too for the jungle tours.

For tours in Susnguakti forest, local guide, Mr. Yunus Sayori often conducts night walk in the jungle to find cuscus possum. He will immitate the sounds of female cuscus to attract male cuscus. When the male possum comes down through the hanging vines, He will turn on his torch or flash light so that visitors could see the nocturnal animal and then take picture.

Flights to Manokwari

Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik, and have got regular flights between Manokwari and Jakarta city. You need to fly from your country to Jakarta and then take a domestic flight to Manokwari by one of the airlines that I mention above.

I can also organize rainforest animal watching tours in Klasow valley of Sorong regency and in Raja Ampat. For these sites, your flight destination should be Sorong city. You could visit traveloka.com to find schedules and ticket price.

Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Hiking in Table Mountain
• Birding Kabui bay of Raja Ampat
• "Shooting" birds at Warduwer beach of Raja Ampat

Tropical Birding Tour in Rainforest of Sorong regency

King Bird of Paradise in Sorong forest

I have organised numerous hiking and birding trips to tropical forest of Sorong regency for tourists who come from Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. We went there to watch several species of birds of paradise such as Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleuca), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), and a lot of other tropical birds that live in lowland forest and Ridge Forest of Sorong regency.

Birding Optics

Lowland Peltop

High quality binoculars such as Swarovski EL 8.5×42 or Canon 15×50 IS UD 4.5° Image Stabilizer are needed when visitors watch the paradise birds. In open habitat such as the cleared area of the village, visitors can use spotting scope to watch such birds as Moustached Treeswift, Blyth's hornbill, and Yellow-faced Myna that like to perch on the branches of high trees around the clearing areas near the forest.
The usual duration of the trip is 3 to 5 days with the number of participants between 4 to 6 tourists. During the birding tour, visitors could also see Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Golden Myna (Mino anais), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud), Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-breasted Kingfisher and Azure Kingfisher, and sometimes the Rainbow Bee-eater.
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:
Morning Birds in Waigeo Island of Raja Ampat
Watching Birds with Singaporean tourists in Waigeo island
Tropical Birding Tour in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

Nature Tour near Sorong City

Granite Stone River in Sorong city Forest - West Papua

Yesterday, I had a nature tour to a forest near Sorong city. It was a nice experience because I could see hill savanna, rainforest, some species of birds and wild flowers.
I started hiking at 14.30 and finished at 17.30. The first part of the trails consisted of hills that were covered by tall grass with some trees on the slopes. When I went deeper into the jungle, I could see more big trees, and bird activities. Walking along the ridge of the hills, I could watch Helmetted Fiarbird (Philemon buceroides), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii), Olive-back Sunbird (Cynniris jugularis), Olive-crowned Flowerpecker (Dicaeum pectorale), Coconut Lorikeet, Black Lory and a couple of Black-browed Trillers.

Terrestrial Orchid Flowers in Sorong City Forest

I also saw a green jewel beetle, butterflies, and some terrestrial orchid that stood on the slopes of the hills among the tall grass. I was quite surprized to see a river full of large granite stones with beautiful view of green rainforest on its surroundings.
Sorong city has been an important gate for visitors who want to visit Raja Ampat. Most of the attraction of the archipelago is coral reef. For visitors who are interested in rainforest, Sorong ridge forest can be an affordable alternative destination.

Sorong city can easily be reached by plane and ships. Pelni passenger ships have got regular service that connect this city with other major cities in Indonesia. There are also daily flight services between Sorong and Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia) and Manado city (an important tourist destination in North Sulawesi province). If you fly to Sorong city, I could meet you at the airport or hotel where you stay and organize a tour to this rainforest. Don't forget to bring binoculars, camera with telephoto lens and anti-insect lotion.
If you are interested in taking a hiking tour in Sorong, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:
Morning Bird Tour in South Waigeo of Raja Ampat
Snorkeling and Birding in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
Birding and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

Rainforest Birdwatching Tour in Sorong City

Yellow-bellied Sunbird in Sorong forest

Most tourists who want to visit Raja Ampat must fly to Sorong city first. After that, they could cross the sea to one of the islands in Raja Ampat to enjoy their holiday. After spending a few days to one or two weeks in the islands, they will return to Sorong city to take their return flight  - back to their country. Usually, they wait for one to three days. There are also visitors who are interested in exploring nature of the mainland of West Papua.

Olive-crowned Sunbird in Sorong forest

As a tourist guide, I offer tours for tourists who are interested in hiking and birding in the rainforest of Sorong regency. The duration of the tour can be as short as half day to as long as four days. During the tours, visitors will be able to see the ecosystem of rainforest, beautiful hills, birds, butterflies and unique tropical plants of Sorong regency.

Helmetted Friarbird in Sorong forest

Visitors need a good pair of binoculars, hiking shoes, camera, and if necessary a set of spotting scope.
I personally recommend Swarovski EL 8.5×42 or Canon Image Stabilizer 15×50 IS UD 4.5° that provide high resolution image with rich and true colors of nature and wildlife.
If you are interested, please, contact me: Charles Roring by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Rainforest Animals in Tambrauw Mountains

Deers were running in Kamundan river of
Tambrauw Mountains

When I run tours, I often see rainforest animals. The variety of species is high particularly in lowland and lower montane forest that is still in pristine condition. One example is the Aiwatar forest in Tambrauw mountains of West Papua province, the Republic of Indonesia. Aiwatar is located in remote region. The nearest village is Senopi. During my hiking trip in the area, I was able to watch deers, wild pigs, snake, beetles and butterflies, frogs and a lot of species of birds, including birds of paradise.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise in Tambrauw

It was a vey exciting experience for me to watch deers running across the river, and male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) performing courtship dance to seduce win the heart and mate with their female counterparts. 

Because of its remote location, Tambrauw mountains cannot be reached anytime. A trip to the region has to be planned several months earlier. So, if you plan to visit rainforest of Tambrauw mountains to see its wild animals, please, contact me using the form available on the right side of this blog or e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com. I can also be contacted by whatsapp at the following number: +6281332245180. written by Charles Roring.
Also read:
Birdwatching Tour in Klawos Forest of Tambrauw Regency