Birding and Photography Tour in Indonesia to watch paradise bird, parrot, kingfisher, pigeon, dove, sunbird, flowerpecker, pitta, from Malagufuk in Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo in Raja Ampat of West Papua to Minahasa (Mount Mahawu, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, District Sonder) in North Sulawesi. I support community based tourism. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
I have just completed two consecutive group tours that covered Minahasa highland in North Sulawesi Province and Klasow valley in Sorong regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia as well as Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency of West Papua province. The first tour consisted of 4 Polish tourists and the second one consisted of 9 Swedish visitors.
Some birds in Minahasa highland Reference: https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com
Some birds in Sulawesi
In Minahasa highland, birding activity was conducted along the slope of Mount Mahawu to find the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and in Subdistrict town of Sonder to watch: Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, and etc.
Forest Bittern
In Southwest Papua Province, we visited Sausapor, Klasow valley (Klabili and Malagufuk), Sorong ridge forest and Mangrove forest near Sorong city. The Vogelkop region is the natural habitat of such paradise birds as Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode and etc.
We also saw a juvenile female Northern Cassowary, and Forest Bittern which is a special avifauna of New Guinea.
The first part of the tour with Polish tourists was a difficult one because we experienced heavy rain. For the second part with Swedish group the rainy season has just stopped. It was easier to conduct.
We saw a lot of tropical birds during the tour including Eclectus Parrot, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-capped Lory, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Violet-necked Lory, White-breasted Fruit Dove, Western-crowned Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, and etc.
The Polishs tourists, when in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, saw Western Parotia, Arfak Lophorina, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird and a number of birds that are endemic to high elevation forest of Arfak mountains.
If you are interested in taking a tour to Minahasa highland in North Sulawesi and birding sites in West Papua and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I am now in Malagufuk village organizing a 5 day- 4 night birdwatching tour with 5 British visitors and their tour organizer. We have been spending 4 days exploring rainforest to watch a lot of species of birds. Tomorrow, we will be our last day in this village.
Western-crowned Pigeon
So far, we have seen birds such as:
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
Azure Kingfisher
Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Common Paradise Kingfisher
Blue-Black Kingfisher
Large Fig Parrot
Eclectus Parrot
Moluccan King Parrot
Red-cheeked Parrot
Coconut Lorikeet
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Palm Cockatoo
Black Lory
Black-capped Lory
Frilled Monarch
Black-sided Robin
Black-browed Triller
Mimic Meliphaga
Tawny Straightbill
Papuan Frogmouth
Marbled Frogmouth
Papuan Boobook
Papuan Nightjar
Rufous Owl
Pinon Imperial Pigeon
Zoe Imperial Pigeon
Western-crowned Pigeon
Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon
Orange-bellied Fruit Dove
Pink-spotted Fruit Dove
Beautiful Fruit Dove
Great Cuckoo Dove
Brown Cuckoo Dove
Papuan Babbler
Blue Jewel Babbler
Hooded Butcherbird
Black Butcherbird
Lesser Birds of Paradise
King Bird of Paradise
Magnificent Riflebird
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise
Glossy-mantled Manucode
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Boyer's Cuckooshrike
Papuan Black Cicadabird
Yellow-faced Myna
Golden Myna
Hemeted Friarbird
Brown Oriole
Yellow-bellied Longbill
Spotted Honeyeater
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater
Frilled Monarch
Hooded Pitta
Papuan Pitta
Channel-billed Cuckoo
White-crowned Cuckoo
Ivory-billed Cuckoo
Spangled Drongo
Oriental Dollarbird
Moustached Treeswift
Glossy Swiftlet
Olive-crowned Flowerpecker
Sahul Sunbird
Black Sunbird
Gray-headed Goshawk
and etc.
There are more targets that we haven't seen although we have heard some of their sounds. They include Pheasant Pigeon, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, White-crowned Cuckoo, Lowland Peltop, Trumpet Manucode, and Wallace Owlet Nightjar.
I have guided tourists to Malagufuk for years since 2014. I introduced birding for the first time to villagers when the whole community in birding industry had not known the existence of the village. There were no boardwalk, guesthouses, toilets, and 4G internet connection. Now, more facilities have allowed visitors to enjoy more comfortable birding experience. I hope other villages in West Papua could adopt more enviromentally friendly development so that they could preserve their tropical rainforest and coral reef.
We experience rain everyday, the path is very muddy. All of us have to wear rubber boots.
I bring my 10×50 binoculars, portabe loudspeaker, laser pointer, and spotting scope. I don't use them. All of my clients are experienced birdwatchers. They bring their own equipment.
After this, I will guide a small group of birders from Spain to Klabili village and Sausapor town in Tambrauw Mountains. And then I will visit the highland of Minahasa in North Sulawesi Province of the Republic of Indonesia. This trip report is written by Charles Roring.
FARM TOUR IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND
Minahasa is a regency in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It has got fertile land both in the coastal and mountainous region. Local villagers grow such crops such as vanilla, clove, rice, corn, papaya, banana, rambutan, durian, spring onion, chilli, tomato and etc.
The agricultural produce such as carrots, cabbage, palm sugar, eggs, pork and fish are sold in towns and cities in North Sulawesi as well as other parts in eastern region of Indonesia.
Agricultural Crops in Minahasa highland
During the tour, participants could also visit traditional market to see the agricultural produce and various kinds of products such as smoked bluefin tuna, fresh tilapia fish, fruits and vegetables and etc which the Minahasan people buy and sell.
Agricultural produce in a traditional market in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency, Indonesia
If you are interested in taking farm tour in Minahasa highland and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I have just returned from a 4 day-3 night birdwatching and sightseeing tour covering two beautiful places in Papua Barat Daya Province of Indonesa. They were Sausapor town and Klabili village of Tambrauw regency. We started from Sorong city on Day 1. I guided a couple from the Netherlands.
Eastern Hooded Pitta in Tambrauw regency
We went there by a chartered 4WD car. It took around 4 hours to reach Sausapor town. After checking into our rooms, we continued our activity by doing general birding at the outskirt of Sausapor town. There are several interesting birdwatching sites in Sausapor that we visited. We stayed at Sansapore Pacific Park. It is a beach resort. At the outskirt of Sausapor town, we saw a lot of species of birds including Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Brown Oriole, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Frilled Monarch, Rainbow Bee-eater, Yellow-faced Myna, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Willy Wagtail, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and a lot more.
Some flowers at the frontyard of Sansapore Pacific Park Resort
Because the resort had its own beach with coral reef, visitors could enjoy snorkeling. There are colorful flowers that grow in the resort including Red Hibiscus, Zinnia, Beach Hibiscus, Passion Flower, and Dendrobium Orchid. The flowers attracted various species of butterflies including Ulysses, Cruiser, Great Eggfly and Taenaris butterflies. Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort is a recommended base for butterfly watching trips in Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency.
White-bellied Sea Eagle at the outskirt of Sausapor town
On the third day, we continued our trip to Klabili village. There, they watched more interesting birds including: Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Torresian Crow, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Pitta, Western-crowned Pigeon, Oriental Dollarbird, and etc.
While sitting at the verandah of Klabili homestay, we saw a female cassowary entered the frontyard.
An immature Cassowary in Klabili village
Nightwalk was also organized during the tour. The forest in Sausapor and Klabili is the natural habitat of monitor lizard, snakes, bandicoot, cuscus, and nocturnal birds.
When we arrived in Sorong city, we had a short visit to Mangrove forest to find Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, Orange-fronted Fig Parrot and other birds.
After the tour, they continued their trip to Raja Ampat.
If you are interested in taking a sightseeing and birdwatching tour in Tambrauw regency of West Papua and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
Tropical rainforest of West Papua has been an important destination for visitors who are interested in watching birds of paradise and wild animals.
From 27 August to 10 September, I guided a Russian birdwatcher, on a 2-week birdwatching, wildlife watching, snorkeling and sightseeing tour in bird's head region of West Papua in the Republic of Indonesia. His name was Dmitry Ivanov and he flew in from South Korea.
Flight route to Sorong city
Birdwatching Sites: Klasow valley, Sorong, Saporkren of Waigeo island and Arfak mountains of Manokwari regency
Day 1 (27 August 2022)
I met my client Dmitry at DEO airport of Sorong city. He flew from Seoul of South Korea. After taking a few hours rest in a hotel in Sorong and enjoying lunch, we began our birdwatching activity in mangrove forest around 45 minutes ride to the suburb of the city. There, we saw Pacific Swallow, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Sahul Sunbird (formerly called Olive-backed Sunbird). Suddenly rain started to fall. We walked back to the car and had some tea and biscuits while waiting for it to stop. After the rain we still did birdwatching again and saw Oriental Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Great-billed Heron, Willie Wagtail, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Helmetted Friarbird. It was already dark when we returned to the city. We had dinner at Padang Restaurant. The food was spicy.
Birding Raja Ampat
Day 2 (28 August 2022)
In the morning, we left for Waisai. The ferry boat was crowded with people. All tickets were sold out. There were a big group of Christians from Supiori who made a pilgrimage tour to their fellow Christian community in Waisai town. However, I urged a porter to arrange a seat for my client with the captain of the boat. We got 1 VIP ticket at an extra charge and an economy ticket.
Arriving in Waisai, we continued our trip by speedboat to a beach resort. We still had time to enjoy birding that day. We saw Papuan Frogmouth, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Willie Wagtail, Lesser Frigatebird, Tern, Helmetted Friarbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Sacred Kingfisher, and Glossy Manucode (which is a Bird of Paradise). Back to the resort, we had a nice view of Palm Cockatoo sitting on the branch of a cattapa tree over the white sandy beach. It was eating its fruits.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Day 3 (29 August 2022)
We woke up early at 04:00 and had some tea and bread. After that we left the resort by boat to a beach in Kabui bay where we continued our trip by hiking steep slopes for one and a half hour to the site of Wilson's Bird of Paradise. We arrived around one and a half hour later. We watched the paradise bird until eight o'clock. When we returned to the beach we saw Dusky Scrubfowl, Brahminy Kite, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pacific Swallow, Willie Wagtail, White-bellied Sea Eagle. We had a stop at Saporkren village and enjoyed some interactions with villagers. In the resort, we took pictures of Papuan Frogmouth.
In the afternoon, by speedboat we went to Raflow resort to enjoy birding. There, we saw Red Bird of Paradise, White-breasted Woodswallow, Variable Goshawk, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Rainbow Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Mimic Meliphaga, Hooded Butcherbird, Dwarf Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Eastern Osprey, Helmetted Friarbird, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Mimic Meliphaga, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, Spangled Drongo.
Red Bird of Paradise
Day 4 (30 August 2022)
We woke up in the morning again and had a short hiking to the lek of Red Bird of Paradise. In the same site, we watched Helmetted Friarbird, Spangled Drongo, Hooded Butcherbird. After watching paradise bird we still enjoyed birding in the area and saw Grey-headed Goshawk, Spangled Drongo, Rusty Mouse Warbler. We walked down the slope and did birding walk along the road where we watched Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Brown headed Crow, Coconut Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna, Blyth's Hornbill, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Torresian Crow.
In the afternoon at 15:00, we left for Friwen to enjoy snorkeling and seeing coconut crab on a small island not far from it. The Friwen wall was a great snorkeling site for seeing soft corals as well as hard corals and a lot of tropical fish.
Because coconut crab only came out at night, we decided to move to Nyetreiram islet at 18:00 local time. The land owner who accompanied us cut some coconuts and left it on the islet to attract the coconut crabs. We waited at the jetty of the islet. Fifteen minutes later, they came out of their hiding places. We were invited to see them. We were watching and taking pictures of the crab for around twenty minutes when we felt strong winds blew on the sea. A big storm was coming. When we were back on the boat, the waves were getting bigger. I asked our boat driver Zeth whether it was ok to return to our beach resort or take cover in Gam island. He said we could return to the resort. We decided to go back in full speed. Soon after we arrived, the sea storm hit our beach. Fortunately, we were already on land and inside our warm cottage. It was a great experience.
Day 5 (31 August 2022)
Birding in the morning along the road, we were able to watch: Black Butcherbird, Hooded Butcherbird, Mimic Meliphaga, Red Bird of Paradise, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Variable Goshawk, Lowland Peltop, Pacific Reef Heron, Brown-headed Crow, Torresian Crow, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Oriental Dollarbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker.
A Chinese photographer, Phang, joined us. Because I forgot my binoculars, he was glad to lend his binoculars. We enjoyed watching and photographing birds. Phang returned to the guesthouse earlier whereas I and Dimitry continued walking to the area of Raflow resort where he photographed Eastern Reef Egret near the resort.
Klasow Valley of Sorong Regency
We left Raja Ampat at 14:00 and arrived in Sorong at around 16:00. I went to supermarket to buy more food materials and then continued our trip to Klasow valley by 4WD car. We arrived at around 19:00. The rain started to fall. We continued walking along a wooden bridge for around three hours. We saw frog, lizard, grasshopper, cricket, moths, and bandicoot. Arriving in the village at 22:00, we had dinner and took a rest. I was very tired but could not sleep well.
Klasow Valley
Day 6 (1 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 05:00 and then started to make preparation. We watched Western-crowned Pigeon, King Bird of Paradise, Frilled Monarch, Blue Jewel Babbler, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Papuan Lorikeet, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna. There were calls of Yellow-billed Kingfisher. Unfortunately, we could not see it. At around 12:00 we returned to the village and had lunch. After that we took a rest. At 16:00, we did a birding walk along the bridge where we saw Hooded Pitta, Brown Oriole, Black Lory, and some other beautiful birds of Sorong's lowland forest. Blyth's hornbill flew over the forest several times. There were hibiscus flowers in the village. I took some pictures of them.
Day 7 (2 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 04:00 and then made a preparation. After having some tea and biscuits, we walked to the lek of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. It was a long walk. Walking up a steep slope, we saw wallaby. I aimed my flashlight at the marsupial animal. With the light, Dmitry could take pictures of the wallaby. The male Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise was already on top of his display tree when we arrived. We watched him performing the "pole dance" for around thirty minutes before continuing our trip to watch the Lesser Birds of Paradise. We stayed there until 09:00. In addition to Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise and the Lesser Birds of Paradise, we were able to watch Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blyth's Hornbill, Shining Flycatcher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise
Lesser Birds of Paradise
At around 10:00, we slowly returned to the village and had our lunch. After that we took a rest until around 14:00. In late afternoon, we walked along the boardwalk to watch birds including Yellow-faced Myna, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Papuan Babbler. I played the sound of Hooded Butcherbird. Several minutes later he showed up.
We saw some interesting birds including Golden Myna, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, and Oriental Dollarbird. We waited for the cassowary to visit the village but we did not see it. In late afternoon, we walked back to main road. It was drizzling. Reaching the main road, we saw that the parking lot was still empty. So we continued birding along the road. Wompoo Fruit Dove flew fast crossing the road over the canopy of the forest. There was an Orange-bellied Fruit Dove perching on the top branch of a tree. When our car arrived, we ended our birding in Klasow valley and returned to Sorong where stayed one night at Swissbel hotel.
Arfak Mountains
Day 8 (3 Sept. 2022)
We flew to Manokwari in the morning of 3 Sept 2022. However, we did not go directly to Arfak range. We had to go to a supermarket to buy food materials for our 6 days stay in the mountains. After that, we went to traditional market in Wosi to buy more fruits, vegetables and eggs.
The duration of the car trip from Manokwari city to Arfak mountains was approximately 2 hours. Unloading our bags and food supplies from the 4WD car, we brought them to Lorikeet guesthouse. We did not take a rest. There was still time to watch Vogelkop Bowerbird. Because the nearest blind was only around 5 minutes walk, we immediately went to it. Dmitry was able to see the Vogelkop Bowerbird and took some picturws of the bird. Back to the guesthouse, we were able to see some nice birds including Green-backed Robin and White-shouldered Fairywren. There was a tall tree in the middle of the flower garden of the guesthouse. There, Great Cuckoo Dove liked to eat its fruits.
Day 9 (4 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 04:30 and made preparation as well as had some tea and biscuit. At 05:00 we started hiking up the steep slope of Mount Soyti. It took around twenty minutes to reach the birdwatching hut of Western Parotia. Inside it, Dmitry sat to wait for the paradise bird to come. Becuase villager had put a red pandanus fruit near the dancing ground of Western Parotia, other birds came to eat the grain of the fruit too. There was a female Western Parotia. And there were also female black sicklebill.
After watching the parotia, we did general birding along the road. We saw Capped-white Eye, Ornate Melidectes, Sclater's Whistler, Mountain Fruit Dove, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive Flycatcher, Western Smoky Honeyeater.
During nightwalk, we saw tree frog, mouse, and stick insect. We heard wing beats of flyingfox but we could not locate the tree where he feeded on.
Day 10 (5 Sept 2022)
At 04:00 we woke up to make preparation and to have a quick breakfast. We had some bread, rambutan fruits, and tea. Dmitry, accompanied by two villagers went to the site of Magnificent Bird of Paradise. It took around one hour twenty minutes of walking to reach it. He returned at around 10:30 with smiling face. Dmitry was able to make pictures and a short video of the paradise bird. In the afternoon, he returned to the site of Western parotia again. He wanted to watch the adult Western Parotia performing his courtship dance. However, only the female Black Sicklebill, juvenile Western Parotia that were seen at that site. On a separate site, I saw Spotted Jewel Babbler at the entrance door of the birdwatching hut. We did late afternoon birding walk and saw Grey Green Scrubwren, Green-backed Robin.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise
Day 11 (6 Sept 2022)
As usual during the birding tour, we woke up early in the morning. Our destination this time as Maibri village and our target bird to see was the Crescent-caped Lophorina or Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise. The weather that morning was sunny. As a result, we were able to see the paradise bird. At the same site, we also saw Black-eared Catbird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise (male and female), Crinkle-collared Manucode and a female Western Parotia. We heard the sounds of Plum-faced Lorikeets on the canopy of the forest. However, we could not see them. In the afternoon, Dmitry tried to watch the adult male Western Parotia but it did not come to its dancing site.
Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise
Day 12 (7 Sept 2022)
I organized a trip for Dmitry to watch Arfak Astrapia in the forest of Syioubri village near a place that was called German Camp. At 02:00 early morning time, by a 4WD car, we went to the village where Dmitry started his guiding trip to the top of the mountains guided by Elyakim. They arrived at around 03:00 and waited for the sunrise. He was able to watch both the Arfak Astrapia and the Black Sicklebill.
In the afternoon, Elyakim offered him an alternative site to watch adult Western Parotia performing his courtship dance performance. Because a bird hide had not been prepared, Elyakim told us that he would build it first. We could go there to watch the bird at 04:00. We went there by 4WD car. It was quite far from Lorikeet Guesthouse. The birding site was located at steep slope in the forest that was inside the territory of Pigout village. We waited for Elyakim to come out of the forest. He showed up at 17:00 and said that the bird had already performed the dance. He had built the hide and offered Dimitry to come and watch it the next day. We agreed to come again the next day at 13:00. Some Sulphur-crested Cockatoo landed on the trees at the edge of a cliff above us. Dmitry took some nice pictures of them using his Nikon Coolpix P1000 camera.
Day 13 (8 Sept. 2022)
At 05:00, we went by 4wd car to Maibri village to watch Masked Bowerbird. Serinus, a local villager, who owned the land, guided us to the birdwatching hut. When we arrived at the hut and entered it, we saw that the bower of the Masked Bowerbird had been demolished. We still sat down in the blind to wait for the bird to complete his demolition works. Unfortunately, he did not come. We returned to our guesthouse and took a rest at 09:00. There were some birds that were seen playing in the flower garden of the guesthouse. Some that I saw were Black Fantail, Blue Grey Robin, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Great Cuckoo Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo Dove, Mountain Fruit Dove, Western Smoky Honeyeater, Cinnamon Melidectes, Vogelkop Melidectes, White-shouldered Fairywren, Glossy Swiftlet, Blue Grey Robin, and etc.
In the afternoon, we did a trip to territory of Pigout village to watch Western Parotia. It was a happy moment for Dmitry because he was able to see and made video of the male Western Parotia performing his courtship dance.
At 17:00 we returned to Manokwari city. He stayed at Mansinam Beach Hotel. I stayed at home.
Having Papeda as dinner at the restaurant of Mansinam Beach Hotel. At night, we had Papeda, a kind of porridge made of Sago starch, and yellow fish soup.
Day 14 (9 Sept 2022)
We had a morning flight to Sorong city. After taking a rest and having lunch, we went to mangrove forest recreational park by car. Birding in this mangrove forest, we were able to watch Brown-backed Honeyeater, and White-bellied Cuckooshrike. Suddenly rain started to fall in the area. We sat in.a shelter to wait for it to stop. Fortunately, the rain lasted for only around twenty minutes. We continued birding again while walking along the boardwalk of the mangrove park. We saw Metalic Starling, Rainbow Bee-eater, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive-backed Sunbird and Nankeen Nightheron. There were several observation towers in the park. They allowed us to see the magnificent few of the mangrove forest. Unfortunately, there were a lot of plastic wastes which were thrown to the forest floor by the visitors. We also saw Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Pacific Swallow. I played the sounds of Blue Black Kingfisher. He came out but not perched on the visible branch of the mangrove strees. He flew over a water of the canal in front of us and into the forest on its other side. He did it several times.
Dmitry told me that he wanted to watch Emperor Fairywren. I played its soundsany times both in the Mangrove park and in the protected forest of Sorong but the bird did not come out of its hiding places. At around 18:40, we returned to Sorong city. We still had grilled fish at Tembok area for our dinner before returning to Swissbel hotel.
Day 15 (10 Sept. 2022)
At 8:30, I arranged his transfer to DEO airport where he would fly to Jakarta at 10:45. We said goodbye to each other before he entered the check-in hall.
I also left Sorong for Manokwari in the afternoon at 12:45 by Batik Air. It ended the two weeks birdwatching tour in West Papua.
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in West Papua and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Last month I guided an American tourist in Klasow valley. It was part of one-week trip birding and snorkeling tour in Sorong and Raja Ampat. In Sorong, we stayed in a house that belonged to a villager. In the first day it rained a lot so we did not go out. While watching birds from the verandah of the the homestay, we saw a very small bird on the top branch of a tree. I tried to identify it but I could not. So, I installed my spotting scope and aimed it at the bird. He flew several times in the air, perhaps to catch some insects, and then returned to the tree again. Sometimes he returned to the same branch and on the other times, he landed on different branch but still on the same tree top. Using my telephoto camera, I made some photographs of the bird.
Grey-streaked Flycatcher in Klasow valley
Later, when I had returned to home, I did some identification works. After comparing it with my other photographs that I made in the same valley, I concluded that it was Grey-streaked Flycatcher (Muscicapa griseisticta). From the field guide book of Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler, it said that the bird was a migrant from Asia (China, North Korea) or Siberia (Sakhalin and Kamchatka). Well, it was a nice little bird. He performed long flight from such a very far place in the north down to lowland forest of Sorong regency in West Papua which was close to the equator.
There are tens of villages in Klasow valley which tourists can choose to visit for watching birds. Some of them include Klatomok, Klasow, Klayeli, Klaluk, Malaumkarta, Asbaken, Malagubtuk, and etc.
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Sorong forest before or after your trip in Raja Ampat islands, and want me to be your guide, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
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.
We now open a new birding site in Klasow valley. It is located in the northern region of West Papua within the territory of Tambrauw regency. Visitors who are interested in taking a guided birding trip with me to the region will be able to see various species of tropical birds including Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Magnificent Riflebird, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Western-crowned Pigeon, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, and a lot of other birds that live in West Papua's rainforest.
Dollarbird in Tambrauw regency
If you are interested to do birding in this new site, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta city and then continue your flight to Sorong city. I could meet you at the airport of Sorong and organize your birdwatching tour to Klasow valley.
Accommodation: We will stay in a house that belongs to local villagers.
New birding site is located near the road. So, it is very easy for elderly visitors to reach it.
Extended Tour to Raja Ampat
The above birding tour to Klasow valley can be extended to Raja Ampat where visitors could watch Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise as well as other birds such as the Spice Imperial Pigeon, Beach Kingfisher, and a lot more.
For booking, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email: peace4wp@gmail.com.
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 (Cracticuscassicus)
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 (Cacatuagalerita), Papuan Hornbill (Rhyticerosplicatus), Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgusmacrurus), Little-ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Willie Wagtail (Rhipiduraleucophrys), Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), Yellow-faced Myna (Minodumontii), Eclectus parrot (Eclectusroratus), Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot (Micropsittakeiensis) 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 (Paradisaeaminor) 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 (Duculapinon), Large Fig Parrot (Psittaculirostrisdesmarestii), Black lory (Chalcopsittaatra), Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopusperlatus), Beautiful Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopuspulchellus), Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyusgeoffroyi), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelogaudichaud) 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 (Cicinnurusregius) 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.
Sorong regency is an important gate for tourists who want to go to Raja Ampat. But this city is also an important hub for visitors who are interested in birdwatching. There is a huge forest area relatively near Sorong city approximately 1.5 hour ride to the east. It is a lowland rainforest. Hundreds of species of birds live in the tropical rainforest including Cassowary, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Lowland Peltop, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Magnificen Riflebird, Moustached Tree Swift and a lot more.
Western Crowned Pigeon in Klasow Valley of Sorong regency
Guided Birding
I have organized birding tours to this forest for more than 3 years and I see that the number of visitors is increasing every year. Birdwatchers can enjoy birding for 3 to 4 days exploring the bio-diversity of the forest. Guided birding tours to this lowland forest of Sorong can be done for visitors who plan to watch tropical birds and other animals such as butterflies, wallaby (a kind of kangaroo but has got smaller body), deer, snake, and wild pigs.
Paradise Birds
Magnificent Riflebird (Ptilinoris magnificus)
Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) is the vocal point of birding in this valley. But there are also other species that can be watched including King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird and Twelve-wired Birds of Paradise. There are Common Paradise Kingfisher and Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher too. To watch these birds, we need to wake up early in the mornings or late in the afternoons.
Lesser Birds of Paradise
The Great Eggfly Butterfly
ButterfliesThere are a lot of species of butterflies from the small ones such as Meadow Argus butterflies to the bigger ones such as Ornitopthera priamus and Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses) and New Guinea clipper. Visitors can watch them easily by having tea or coffee from the verandah of the garden house or walking around the clearing area of the jungle village.
Klasow valley in Sorong regency of West Papua
WatchingWallaby
I mention about wallaby. To watch this little kangaroo, we need to do night walk. The easiest way is to walk along the path that connects the jungle village of Klabolo stream and the main road.
What you need to bring
In general, most birdwatchers know what they need to bring. Here are some of the equipment that visitors need:
Binoculars - usually roof prism with magnification 10 x 42 mm.
Spotting scope with a good tripod (if you have)
Reference book Birds of New Guinea, written by Thane K. Pratt, Bruce Beehler, and friends
Flashlight/ head torch
Laser Pointer
How to get there:
Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
There are regular daily flights served by such airlines as Garuda, Xpress Air, Sriwijaya Air, Nam Air between Sorong and Jakarta.
When you have arrived in Sorong city, I could meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your birding trip to Klasow valley.
Booking:
For customized itinerary and cost, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by sending whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180.
I have just returned from birdwatching tour with two Swedish tourists in the lowland forest of Sorong regency. It was a full service birding tour in Klasow valley of West Papua. I picked them up from Waigo hotel in Sorong city and transferred them by a 4WD car to the valley. It took around 1.5 hours by car. We still need to walk through the forest to reach our birding hut located near Klabolo stream. Birdwatching
Male Lesser Bird of Paradise
One of the participants was a mature lady Inggrid Timle. She used a pair of Swift binoculars to see birds in distant trees. She said that she saw Lowland Peltops (Peltops blainvillii), Papuan hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracinapapuensis) around the clearing area near our hut.
We also saw Glossy Swiftlet (Collocaliaesculenta), Moustached Tree-swift (Hemiprocne mystacea), Dollarbird (Eurystomusorientalis), Yellow-billed Kingfisher (Halcyon torotoro), Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Forest Kingfisher (Halcyonmacleayi), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelogaudichaud), Western Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory), Large Fig-Parrot (Psittaculirostrisdesmarestii), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatuagalerita), Black Lory (Chalcopsitta atra), Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Duculapinon), Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopusiozonus), Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus perlatus), and a lot of other birds which I cannot mention in this post.
Pinon Imperial Pigeon in Klasow Valley
Night Walk
In addition to birding, we did a short night walk in search of wallaby. It was a kind of Ground Kangaroo but had smaller body. We saw two wallabies in separate locations. To do the night walk, participants need to bring torch, wear trekking boots or sport shoes and apply insect repellent lotion on their exposed skins. There were also nocturnal animals such as Papuan Frogmouth (a kind of owl), Fruit Bats that we could find in the jungle. However, we felt that we need to sleep early for watching Lesser Birds of Paradise. That's why we returned to the village early.
Flowers and Butterfly
Flowers were blooming along the path of the village
The Swedish visitors saw various colorful butterflies that fly around the clearing area of the lowland forest to collect nectar from flowers that were blooming everywhere. The villagers planted a lot of zinnia and other flowers in front of their jungle huts, church and along the path that connect their village and the main road. Some of them which I could identify were Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses), Cruiser Butterfly (Vindulaarsinoe), Great Egg butterfly (Hypolimnas bolina), Taenariscatops, and birdwing butterfly (Ornitoptherapriamus).
Jungle hut as our simple accommodation in
the forest of Klasow valley
Accommodation
Our accommodation in the jungle was a simple hut made of wood and palm leaves as roof. But there was a toilet with clean water. We provide mattresses, mosquito net. Villagers work as cooks, local guides and porters during the jungle tour.
ITINERARY Rainfores Tour in the forest Sorong regency
As a tour guide, I offer a full service rainforest tour in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. For 3 days/ 2 night tours, typical itinerary is usually described as follows: Day 1 - I will pick you up in Sorong regency. By 4wd car, we will go to a lowland forest outside of the city. It will take around 1.5 hours. We will go hiking to the jungle hut. After taking a rest, we will walk around to find Magnificent Riflebird which is a species of bird of paradise. We will do general birding to watch Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Large Fig Parrot, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Oriental Dollarbird, and etc.
Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus)
Day 2 - Early in the morning at 05.00, we will leave our hut for the forest to find Lesser Birds of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise as well as Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. We will return to the jungle hut again at noon. After taking a rest, we will do general birding to find Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Black-browed Triller, Black Lory, Grey-headed Goshawk, and etc. Day 3 - Our target in the morning is King Bird of Paradise. We will also find other tropical birds as well including Lowland Peltop, Shining Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Helmetted Friarbird, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, and a lot more. At 13.00, we will walk back to main road and return to the city by 4wd pick up car.
King Bird of Paradise
Our birding hut in Klasow valley near Klabolo stream
How to get there?
Fly from your country to Jakarta city (the capital of Indonesia)
Fly from Jakarta to Sorong city (daily flights between these cities are served by Garuda, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air, Nam Air)
I will meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and arrange your trip into the jungle of Sorong regency.
Contact Person
Please, contact me, Charles Roring, using the contact form in the top right side of this blog or to my email: peace4wp@gmail.com
Early this year I organized a rainforest tour for some French tourists in the jungle of Sorong regency. There were 3 ladies and 1 gentleman. We went hiking in lowland forest see colorful wild flowers, trees, shrubs and creeping plants as well as butterflies, birds of paradise, wallaby (a kind of kangaroo), and a lot of species of birds. The forest is located approximately 2 hours ride from Sorong town (the entrance gate to Raja Ampat islands). A lot of tourists contact me by email to do land tour before or after their trip in Raja Ampat. So, I highly recommend it as the rainforest tour destination for them.
Golden Myna
Trip to Rainforest of Sorong
Before leaving for the lowland forest, we bought food in the traditional market of Sorong. I bought a lot of smoked fish, fruits, bread, vegetables, batteries for our torches or flashlight, and bottled waters. I prepared camping tents and two big plastic tarps. When everything was ready, we left Sorong city by a 4WD car. The road was good in the first part of the trip but later we saw unpaved road when we were outside of the town. One hour later the car was entering the northern coast of Sorong regency. We saw the sea and some coastal villages. Before arriving at our destination, our car was climbing very steep slopes. There was a place on the higher ground where most cars stop for the passengers to pee and take pictures of the beautiful scenery of the sea. We stopped there too. After that we continued our trip. This time the road condition was very bad and steeper. But our driver was skillful in controlling his car. Then the car was going down steep slopes again. We arrived safe and sound at the entrance path of the jungle. Local villagers worked as porters for us. They carried our food, and bags. We still had to walk for approximately one and a half hours to reach a jungle village near Klabolo stream. The land was flat so, it was an easy walk for us.
Tropical rainforest in Sorong regency of West Papua
We walked through the jungle which was the natural habitat of various species of butterflies, birds and tropical plants. We saw such butterflies as Taenaris catops, and Papilio ulysses. There were also birds that were flying over the canopy of the forest. Some of them which I could recognize were Blyth's hornbills, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and Eclectus Parrot. We arrived in the village at 15.00 local time. I asked some women in the village to prepare food for us. Minutes later, we received a jar of hot water which we use to make some tea and ate it with some biscuits. While sitting and drinking tea in front of our guesthouse, we saw some birds flying in the sky. Some landed on the branches of the trees near us. I took out my spotting scope and mounted it on the tripod. We enjoyed our tea time with some birding activities. We saw Moustached Treeswift, Glossy Swift, Rainbow Lorikeet, Helmetted Friarbird, Pink-spotted Fruitdove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Large Fig Parrot, and Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. The jungle village of Klabolo stream was small and peaceful. People were friendly. We spent one night in the village.
Watching Courtship Dance of Lesser Birds of Paradise
Lesser Birds of Paradise
I set my alarm clock at 4.30. When it rang, I immediately woke up and prepared myself for early morning jungle walk. This time we would go birdwatching. Our goal was to find Lesser Birds of Paradise. The French ladies and gentleman were also preparing themselves. I checked them one by one whether they had torch. Guided by some local villagers, we were leaving the village for the display trees of paradise birds. It was still dark and we slowly walked up steep slopes behind the village. We could hear the sounds of wallaby and deers running away from us as we made some noise while walking through the bush. We had some rain in the middle of the tour but we decided to continue our trip.
The path was slippery. Some of us tripped and fell to the ground. But it was OK, it was part of the adventure of nature walk. We arrived at around 06.00 at the display trees. Male paradise birds had started calling the female birds to attract them. It was a nice attraction. We were watching some Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) performed courtship dance. When one female paradise bird was impressed with the dance, she would mate with the male paradise bird that gave the best performance. It was amazing. We watched paradise birds until around 09.00 and then walked back to the village again.
Hiking tour in Klaglass forest of Sorong regency
Hiking in the Forest
The lowland forest was located deeper inside the tropical jungle of Sorong regency. After brunch (combined breakfast and lunch), we left for Klaglass. More local villagers carried our logistical things. They brought mattrasses, tents, food, and water. Dense forest was waiting for us. We had to walk up some slopes but most of the ground was flat. There were a lot of small rivers which we had to cross. Sometimes we needed to walk on fallen trees to cross the rivers. We also saw sago trees, giant pandanus trees until we reached a river. We arrived at the bank of Klaglass river at around 17.00. Some young men villagers who walked ahead of us to carry our food and bags had arrived. They were clearing the bush and cutting small trees to make basecamps for us. We would stay in tents there for 3 days/ 2 nights to see the plants and animals of the forest.
Ginger Tea
Hairy white flowers in the jungle of Klasow valley
I went to the "kitchen" which was actually the tent of the villagers who worked to support the tour to ask some hot water. We spent our tea time with some cakes besides the river. Dominique, one of the French ladies, asked me whether we had some ginger. I walked to the kitchen again to find the ginger. I returned with the ginger. She cut it into smaller slices and put it into the water. So, when all of us were enjoying sweet jasmine tea, she was enjoying hot ginger tea. Later the other ladies were interested in tasting the ginger tea. So, all of us drank ginger tea by the river that evening. We we're so exhausted that night and fell asleep soon in my tent.
Bridal Veil Stink Horn Mushroom
Unique Mushrooms and Rich Bio-diversity
The humidity inside the forest of Sorong or Tambrauw regency was very high. It became a favorite climate for the growth of mushrooms. We saw various kinds of mushrooms while we were walking in the forest. There were mushrooms that looked like coral reef and there was also a mushroom that was similar to a hard penis of man. It was so unique because it was covered by a net of veil. All of the French tourists stopped for a while to take some pictures of the mushrooms.
We had full day jungle walk in the lowland forest the next day. We saw orchid plants, birds, tropical trees with very big buttresses, unique creeping plants. At the end of the day, all of the French tourists were swimming in the river. I could not identify the names of the plants because there were a lot of them.
Pinon Imperial Pigeon
Back to the village
The next morning we walked back to the jungle village near a stream. Over all the rainforest tour was tiring but all of us could see wallaby (a kind of smaller kangaroo), we heard the sound of cassowary birds, we saw Birds of Paradise, we saw a lot of birds and butterflies. We still had one night walk in the jungle where we saw wallaby. This was a kind of kangaroo but smaller than the one in Australia. We saw some of them. The French tourists told me they would help promote this rainforest tour in Sorong to their friends hoping that more people who are interested in rainforest tour to visit us.
Eclectus Parrot
How to get there?
First, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia)
Second, take a domestic flight (usually served by such airlines as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik, or Lion Air) to Sorong city.
I will meet you at the airport to organize your tour to the lowland forest and guide you during the trip.
Participants
You could take this jungle tour alone (as a private tour) or with some friends (as group tour). I will be happy to organizethe trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp message to: +6281332245180. I will prepare an itinerary and cost calculation for you.
