Minahasa highland is a beautiful destination for visitors who are nature lover. They can explore the region to see its beautiful volcano, lake, forest and farmland. While walking across the highland, visitors could do birdwatching, and butterflywatching.
A lot of species of birds could be watched in higher elevation forest of Mount Mahawu. They include Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Myzomela, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, and etc.
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| Birdwatching in Mount Mahawu |
Going down the slope of Mount Mahawu, visitors could stop at the traditional market where local vendors sell vegetables, fruits, dog meat, snake meat, pork, forest rat meat and etc. This traditional market is also called Extreme Market.
After hiking and seeing the crater of Mount Mahawu as well as seeing the landscape of Minahasa, visitors could continue their trip to Lake Linow. It is a volcanic lake that still emits hot steam into the air. The lake is the habitat of various species of water birds such as White-breasted Waterhen, Purple Heron, Javan Pond Heron, Barred Rail, Collared Kingfisher, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret and etc.
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| Lake Linow |
After exploring Tomohon and its surrounding volcano and lake, visitors could continue their trip to Subdisctrict Sonder. Taking a walk down the slopes will allow visitors to see various agricultural crops which local farmers grow, enjoy birdwatching and butterflywatching as well as seeing local villagers in their daily activities. Birds that could be watched along the roadside include: Bay Coucal, Hair-crested Drongo (white-eye), Black-naped Oriole, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Woodpecker, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Zebra Dove, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, and etc.
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| Yellow-billed Malkoha |
For butterflies, visitors could see Blanchard's Tree Nymph, Blanchard's Wood Nymph, Celebes-banded Swallowtail, Menado Yellow Tiger butterfly, Meyer's Jay, Blue Bottle butterfly and Lime Swallowtail.
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| Blanchard's Wood Nymph butterfly |
Birdwatchers are always interested in birds that live in the mountains because the endemism is high. The higher elvevation forest and farmland of Subdistrict Sonder is the habitat of interesting species such as Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Crimson Sunbird and etc. There are also predator like Black Kite, Sulawesi Scops Owl and Sulawesi Masked Owl.
If you are interested in visiting Minahasa highland and are looking for a guide to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp by pressing the following button:
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