Birding in Klawos Forest of Tambrauw regency with 4 American Tourists

From 30 January to 1 February, I guided 4 American tourists on a birding tour to Klawos forest in Tambrauw regency. Klawos forest is located in north east region of Klasow valley. They were Greg, Michael, Debby and Bethany. They had just finished their sea tour in Raja Ampat. So, the birding trip to Klawos forest was an extra mainland tour for them.

Our targets at the time were Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Magnificent Riflebird, Golden Myna, and Lesser Birds of Paradise. Because the habitat of these birds were widely distributed in the lowland land and mountain ridge of the region, we had to do long walks from the flat land to the steep slopes of the forest.

Hooded Pitta was sleeping on a vine.

It was a nice trip. We did birding from early morning to night time. We saw a lot of birds including Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Large-Fig Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Long-tailed Buzzard, New Guinea Harpy Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Yellow-faced Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo Dove, and White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Blyth's Hornbill, Helmetted Friarbird, and a lot more. I brought my Kinglux 20-60×60mm Spotting scope at that time. So, watching those birds from a hill during sunset time was a very enjoyable experience. Only one of my guests had a good pair of binoculars. So, the spotting scope greatly enhanced their birding experience.

Exploring Klawos forest in Tambrauw regency

Walking down the steep slopes of Klawos forest after watching the Lesser Birds of Paradise, we heard the calls of New Guinea vulturine parrots from the mountain ridge behind us. Unfortunately, we could not see the rare birds.
We also did night walk around the clearing area of the forest and along the main road that connects Sorong city and Sausapor town. We saw Hooded Pitta, and Marbled Frogmouth. 

Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher

On the final day before leaving the village where we stayed in during our birding tour, we saw 3 Palm Cockatoos flying low and making whistling sounds over the village. I immediately installed my spotting scope and aimed it at the tree where they landed but they quickly disappeared into the thick forest of Tambrauw regency.

Yellow-faced Myna in Klawos Forest

Sorong city in West Papua province of Indonesia is the entrance point for visitors who want to go birdwatching in this Klawos forest. Birding in this forest is easy, we could use binoculars, and spotting scope in a number of open areas of the village.

American tourists were watching birds in Tambrauw regency accompanied by villagers

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in this forest and want me to organize your tour, please, send your message by whatsapp to my number: +6281332245180.