My Birding Cameras

Magnificent Bird of Paradise taken using
Nikon Coolpix P500

Camera is a very important device for a birding guide like me. I have used several diferent types of cameras since 2010 both the D-SLR and bridge ones.

When I guided tourists for the first time on a birding trip to Numfor island, I only used a pocket camera Sony Cybershot DSC-W30.

In 2010, I started to use A Sony  Dslr camera with Sigma lens 70 - 300 mm. After that I used Nikon P500 which was only a bridge camera but quite powerful for distant subjects.

Morning Bird Tour in South Waigeo of Raja Ampat

Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra)

Waigeo island is a nice destination for avid birdwatchers who want to see tropical rainforest and coastal birds. One day I was guiding three tourists in the southern region of Waigeo island. Two were from Australia and one was from China. We woke up early in the morning at around 04.30 to have coffee/ tea and some biscuits. After making sure that we had all the equipment needed for early morning walk in the jungle, we left for the lek of Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra).

Birding on the Way to Anggi Lakes in Arfak mountains

I visited Anggi lakes a few days ago. These lakes were located in Arfak mountains at elevations of around 2,000 meters above sea level. I went there by a 4WD car. I was with some friends of mine who were also interested in seeing the lakes and meeting the head of the local government of Arfak mountains regency. Our car left Manokwari city in the morning at 05.00. We moved fast towards District Oransbari and then to Ransiki town. After that we turned right at the street junction. The sounds of birds could be heard in the morning as our car climbed the slopes of Arfak mountains. Some Blyth's hornbill flew high. Minutes later, the slopes became very steep and zig-zag.

Lake Anggi Giji

Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus)

Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) is a species of bird that is native to New Guinea and its surrounding islands. The male is green and the female is red. Local people in West Papua call them kakaktua hijau and kakaktua merah. 

The bird can be watched in lowland rainforest of Waigeo island in Raja Ampat, Klasow valley of Sorong regency. The followings are pictures of Eclectus Parrot that I took this morning in the forest of Manokwari. This parrot is a prolific seed dispersers, so, it also plays important role in maintaining the growth of rainforest.

A Couple of Eclectus Parrot

Long-tailed Paradigala

This is the picture of Long-tailed Paradigala (Paradigalla carunculata) which I saw in Arfak range several months ago. This bird of paradise landed on the red pandanus fruit that had been placed by villagers in front of a blind to attract such birds as Western Parotia, Superb Bird of Paradise, Black Sicklebill and Magnificent Bird of Paradise.

The birding site itself was called Mount Soyti located above the Lorikeet Guesthouse. It was in the territory of Kwau village in Mokwam region. 

Long-tailed Paradigalla

Birding in North Waigeo of Raja Ampat

I had an opportunity of visiting north-east region of Waigeo island two weeks ago. I went there with 2 Dutch volunteers, Wally and Coby from The Protestant Church of The Netherlands who went to the village to help local villagers build clean water facility for their turtle conservation initiative. When we arrived at the village, we were welcomed by children and youth who performed traditional dance.

Traditional Welcome Dance

Birding in Malagufuk Village of Klasow Valley

by Charles Roring

Malagufuk village in the middle of Klasow valley

I have just completed a birding tour with 2 Australian tourists, Peter Lansley and Daniel, in Malagufuk village of Klasow valley. We spent four days exploring this lowland forest of Sorong regency to watch various species of tropical birds.
We went there by a chartered 4WD car from Sorong city. It took around one and a half hours to reach the valley. The axis path that led us into the village was very muddy but rich in avifauna. We had to wear gum-boots. While walking into the village, we saw Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and Wompoo Fruit Dove. It took around three hours of walking to reach the village. The average walking duration was actually 2 hours. Because we enjoyed birding, we spent longer time along the path.