Birding Trip in North Sulawesi with A Canadian Birdwatcher

A trip Report by Charles Roring during 1 week birding trip in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Temboan Hill, Lake Tondano, Lake Linow, Mount Mahawu, Sonder's Mount Lengkoan Forest, Tincep's Rice Rield, Kengkang Waterfall and the outskirts of Manado city

From 31 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, I organized tour and guided Fred Hareau, a Canadian birdwatcher, on a birding trip across the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. 

We went to Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Naun River, Lake Tondano, Lake Linow, Rurukan village, Mount Mahawu of Tomohon, Sonder's forest and rice field as well as Tincep's waterfall. 

Birding in North Sulawesi

Tangkoko Forest and Temboan Hill (31 December 2025 - 1 January 2026)

In Tangkoko's forest, we saw Rusty-backed Trush, Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Babbler, Ruddy Kingfisher, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Black-billed Koel, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Maroon-chinned, Finch-billed Myna, White-necked Myna, Chinese Sparrowhawk, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Maroon-chinned Fruit-dove, Isabelline Bush-hen, Black-billed Koel, and etc. For mammals, we saw Sulawesi Bear Cuscus and Celebes-crested Macaque.

Celebes-crested Macaque

Naun River (2 January 2026)

We also did a trip by motorized boat to Naun River to find Great-billed Kingfisher. Along the sea cliffs, beach and river area, we also saw a lot of shore birds including Blue Rock Thrush, Pied Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, Little Egret, Sulawesi Crow, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Pacific Reef Heron, Common Sand Piper, Terek Sandpiper, Nankeen Night Heron, Medium Egret, Great-tailed Tattler, Terek Sandpiper, Pied Stilt and etc. 

We did night birding walks during our stay in Tangkoko. We saw Ochre-bellied Boobok, Speckled Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Northern Boobok, and Sulawesi Nightjar.

Lake Tondano (3 January 2026)

After spending 3 nights in Tangkoko, on January 3, 2026, we continued our trip to Lake Tondano where we watched Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Dusky Moorhen, Oriental Reed Warbler, White-browed Crake, Barred Rail, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Javan Pond Heron and Cattle Egret. 

During our night birding activity in Tomohon, we saw Sulawesi-masked Owl. 

Tomohon and Mount Mahawu (4 to 5 January 2026)

On 4 January 2026, we took a morning birding trip in Rurukan village to see Sulawesi Pitta. After that we continued our trip to Mount Mahawu to watch Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Warbling White-eye, and Black-crowned White-eye.

We also visited the volcanic Lake Linow near Lahendong village. There, we watched Sunda Teal, (perhaps) Whiskered Tern (in winter plumage), Sunda Teal, Collared Kingfisher, Purple Heron, Australasian Swamphen, Barn Swallow, Javan Pond Heron, and etc.

Sonder (6 January 2026)

During our birding trip in Sonder's forest from 5 to 6 January 2026 from Mount Lengkoan to Tincep's rice field and Kengkang Waterfall, we experienced a lot of rain. However, we were able to watch Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Mountain Tailorbird, Hair-crested Drongo, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-faced Munia, Barred Rail, Collared Kingfisher, Pied Stilt, Javan Pond Heron, Zebra Dove, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle,  Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Black-naped Oriole, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon. 

Manado city (7 January 2026)

To do our last morning birding walk, we left Tomohon town at 05:48 for the outskirts of Manado city. We saw Yellow-billed Malkoha, Javan Myna, Brown-throated Sunbird, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Crow, and three birds of Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora). We were quite surprised to see these birds because they were not a native bird of Sulawesi. Perhaps they escaped from cages that belonged to someone in Manado city. There was a raptor soaring high in the sky. We could not see it well because the weather was cloudy. Perhaps, it was Spotted Harrier. 

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in North Sulawesi and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing this contact link.

Also read:

• Birdwatching in Sonder

Birding and Butterfly watching Tour from Manado City

Tourists who plan to go to or have just returned from Bunaken islands and Lembeh Strait often look for tours that are related to nature. Birdwatching and sightseeing is one of them. The farmland and forest at the outskirts of Manado city are the habitat of various species of birds such as:

Birding Tour at the Outskirts of Manado city

Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Collared Kingfisher, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Gray-rumped Treeswift, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Zebra Dove, Barred Rail, Sahul Sunbird, and etc.

Black-naped Fruit Dove, Chestnut Munia, Black-faced Munia

This birdwatching tour starts at 06:00 and then stops at around 09:00. The site that we will visit is the farmland and forest area in north-east of Manado city near Sam Ratulangi Airport. 

We will meet tour participants at around 05:30 and then organize the tour by car. Participants need to bring binoculars. We will also bring a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod to enhance the birding experience of the participants. Birds that could be watched include Sahul Sunbird, Chestnut Munia, Black-faced Munia, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Slender-billed Crow, Green-backed Kingfisher and etc. 

Milon's Bluebottle

In addition to birds, tour participants could also watch various species of butterflies including Menado Yellow Tiger Butterfly, The Clipper, Celebes-banded Butterfly, Milon's Blue Bootle, Blanchard's Wood Nymph, Blanchard's Tree Nymph, The Clipper and etc. 

Blanchard's Wood Nymph Butterfly

Finch-billed Myna - an endemic species of Sulawesi island

At around 10:00, usually activity of birds has decreased significantly. We will bring back the participants to their hotels to have lunch and take a rest. We will continue the tour again at 15:00. This time the birding activity will be conducted in forest areas around Mount Tumpa. Birds that can be watched include Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Finch-billed Myna, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and etc. At 18:00, we will return to Manado city. End of Tour.

This birding tour in Manado city can be combined with nature and sightseeing tour in Minahasa highland. 

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot - another endemic species of Sulawesi island

Manado City

Manado city is the capital of the Province of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Approximately, it has got a population of 452,000 people. It is the destination for visitors who want to spend their vacation in Bunaken, Siladen and Lembeh Strait doing swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. 

Manado city is the capital of North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

Manado city is the main gate for tourists who want to travel Bunaken islands, Lembeh Strait.

Marine Tour in Bunaken

In addition to birdwatching, visitors can also enjoy marine tour in Bunaken to see its beautiful tropical islands, go swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving to see various kinds of marine creatures in the coral reef. The average duration of marine tour in Bunaken islands is 3 days to 1 week. 

Flights to Manado city

Every day, there are airplanes that fly to Sam Ratulangi International Airport of Manado city from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpassar, Makassar, and Sorong City. They are surved by such airlines as Garuda, Citylink, Lion Air, Batik Air, TransNusa and Super Air Jet. 

Flight routes from major cities in Indonesia to Manado city

Hotels

There are a lot of hotels, guesthouses and beach resorts in Manado city which tourists can choose to stay through a number of online booking apps.

If you are interested in taking this birdwatching tour from Manado city or other tours in Minahasa highland, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Nature Tour from Manado City

Manado city is the main entrance gate for visitors who want to visit Bunaken islands. It is also the capital of North Sulawesi Province in the Republic of Indonesia. A lot of tourists go to Bunaken to enjoy swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling. 

In addition to marine tours, Manado city is a great base for visitors who want to enjoy sightseeing tour to natural places. As a tour guide, I offer guided trips to various places at the outskirts of Manado city and to Minahasa highland. 

During the tour, participants will be able to see farmland, waterfalls, lake, volcano and its crater as well as the villages of local Minahasan people. Participants can also enjoy birdwatching, butterfly watching.

Birds in Minahasa Land

Binoculars and spotting scope will be needed during wildlife watching. Participants who have binoculars and cameras could bring them. A lot of species of birds could be watched during the tour. They include Zebra Dove, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Slender-billed Crow, Green Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, and etc. 

Nature Tour, Sightseeing and Wildlife Watching

Hot spring lake and pond in Minahasa Highland

Most of the native people who live in Manado city and the surrounding towns and villages are called ethnic Minahasa. They work as farmers, house builders, carpenters, government employees, teachers and nurses. The villages in Minahasa are surrounded by farmland. The farmers grow corn, papaya, tomatoes, spring onion, rambutan, durian, mango, papaya, and etc. These agricultural produced are sold to Manado and even to cities and towns in eastern region of Indonesia.

Minahasa highland tour

Sometimes, participants can buy fruits such as rambutan and papaya that are picked from the farmland, or eat foods such as fried mujair fish or grilled pork that are produced by local farmers. 

Other tourist attractions that can be visited during the tour include the traditional market and the state museum of North Sulawesi Province.

Accommodation

There are a lot of hotels in Manado city which visitors can choose to stay during the tour. 

Coastal area of Manado city

Manado city with the background of Minahasa highland

How to get to Manado city

It is easy to visit Manado city. First, visitors need to fly from their country to Jakarta or Denpasar in Indonesia. After that they could continue their trip to Manado city by taking domestic flights that are served by Garuda, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air, SuperAir Jet and TransNusa. There is also direct flight between Manado city and Singapore. Visitors who are already inside Indonesia can fly from other major cities in Indonesia such as Surabaya, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Makassar, Balikpapan, Ambon and Sorong to Manado city. Every day, there are flights that connect Manado and other big cities in Indonesia.

Manado City Tour

If you are interested in taking this tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birding Vacation in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching Tour in Minahasa Highland
• Sahul Sunbird in Minahasa Highland
• Minahasa Beach and Great-billed Kingfisher
• Birds in Minahasa
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Exploring the Natural Beauty of North Sulawesi
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Nature Tour in North Sulawesi 

Sightseeing Tour From Manado city

Manado city is the capital of the Province of North Sulawesi in the Republic of Indonesia. It is the destination for visitors who want to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and diving holiday in Bunaken islands or Lembeh Strait of Minahasa peninsula. 

In addition to the above marine tour, visitors who travel to Manado city could enjoy sightseeing tours. The tours include visits to a number of places described below:

Manado city as seen from a hill

Talawaan - This is a small village at the outskirt of Manado city. It has got a road that passes through farmland. Local villagers grow fruits and vegetables. Visitors could see rows of agricultural crops on both sides of the road. There is also waterfall in this village that is located around 10 minutes walk from the roadside. Green tropical vegetation covers the surrounding areas of the waterfall. Visitors could see various colourful of butterflies along the path to the waterfall. The farmland areas along the road of that leads to the waterfall is a good site for visitors who love birdwatching. Birds such as Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Barred Rail, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Crow, could be seen in this area.

State Museum of North Sulawesi is another tourist attraction in Manado city. It is a good place for tourists who are interested in seeing the history and the culture of peoples who live in North Sulawesi. Visitors could also have brief information of farm and kitchen tools, as well as clothing and traditional weapons which the people of North Sulawesi used in the past. 

State Museum of The Province of North Sulawesi

Bersehati and Karombasan are two traditional markets that city dwellers go to sell and buy their daily needs from agricultural produce such as rice, corn, fish, chicken and meat to electric lightbulb and smartphone. 

Another attraction is Manado Town Square. It is a long mall that is a modern shopping center. There are a lot of shops that sell food, electronics, clothing products, and even electric motorcycles and cars. 

Manado city tour

For visitors who love nature, they could explore more interesting areas such as Minahasa Highland, Mount Tumpa, or Makatete Hills.

The duration of the tour in Minahasa peninsula can be as short as 1 day to as long as 3 days or even up to 1 week. 

If you are interested in exploring Manado city and its surrounding Minahasa regencies, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing the following button:

Also read:

• Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa regency
• Birding in the Farmland of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching Tour in Minahasa Highland of North Sulawesi
• Birding and butterfly watching from Manado city

Birding in the Farmland of Minahasa Higland of Indonesia

Minahasa highland is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in seeing the landscape of farmland, as well as watching birds and butterflies. 

Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

The recommended destination is Sonder. It is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa regency, approximately 1 hour drive from Manado city. Birding can be done early in the mornings or in late afternoons. Sometimes fog covers the forest if we go too early. Fog affects the quality of pictures that we take.

Yellow-billed Malkoha

Black-faced Munia- this picture was taken in foggy condition

The high elevation farmland of Sonder is the habitat of such birds as Warbling White-eye, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, and etc. 

Black Kite

White-breasted Woodswallow

The surrounding vegetable garden above Sonder town is the place to look for Black Kite, Slender-billed Crow, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, Barred Rail, Gray Wagtail, and etc. 

A female Gray Wagtail

In certain months of the year, some migrant birds land in the highland of Minahasa to avoid winter in northern Asia. One of them is Gray Wagtail. The bird likes to walk on the clear ground of the farmland or along the less crowded roadroad. The agricultural land provide food such grain, insect and worm for the birds.

Food crops in the Farmland of Minahasa Highland

The farmland in Minahasa peninsula is a beautiful place for sightseeing. While enjoying walking and birding, we could various kinds of food crops such as papaya, mango, duku, durian, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, corn, cabbage, carrots, peanuts and etc. that the Minahasan farmers grow. These harvest of these food crops are sold not only inside the Minahasan region but also to other places in Indonesia.

Other Interesting Places in North Sulawesi

In addition farm tour, visitors could explore other interesting places in Minahasa such as Woloan village that is famous for its wooden house construction, Leilem village to see furniture making, Makatete hills that provides visitors with the magnificent view of Manado city and Bunaken.

If you are interested in visiting Minahasa regency, you need to fly to Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. There are regular daily flights between Manado and some major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong city. They are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, and TransNusa. 

To book a tour in Manado city or Minahasa regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.