Birding in Lowland Forest of Sorong

Variable Goshawk

Klasow valley in Sorong regency is a nice destination for birdwatcher who wants to see such birds as Northern Cassowary (Casuarius unappendiculatus), Variable Goshawk, Golden Myna, King Bird of Paradise, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Lowland Peltop, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and a lot of other birds that make the lowland rainforest of West Papua as their natural habitat.
Duration: On the average, the birding trip lasts between 4 to 5 days. Visitors can stay at a simple guesthouse built by local villagers.
How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• Fly to Sorong city. 
• I will meet you at the airport and organize your tour to Klasow valley by a 4WD car.

If you are interested in visiting Klasow valley and enjoy birding with me, please, send email to (Charles Roring): peace4wp@gmail.com or text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180

Also read:
Watching the Courtship Dance of the Red Bird of Paradise
Watching Birds and Sea Turtle in Waigeo Island

Birding in Raja Ampat

Red Bird of Paradise

Raja Ampat islands in Indonesia have been considered as the best destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and other activities that are related to marine tourism. However, its hundreds of tropical islands are also very good destination for bird and wildlife watching. I have visited the islands a lot of times to organize marine tours as well as land tours for tourists.

Beautiful Birds

I guide birding visitors to Raja Ampat islands to see such birds as:

• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita),
• Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), 
• Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), 
• Moluccan King Parrot,
• Rainbow Lorikeet which is now called Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
• Red-cheeked Parrot,
• Great-billed Parrot
• Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra), 
• Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus respublica),
• Hook-billed Kingfisher, 
• Rufous Bellied Kookaburra, 
• Sacred Kingfisher, 
• Beach Kingfisher, 
• Spice Imperial Pigeon, 
• Pinon Imperial Pigeon
• Pied Imperial Pigeon
• Great cuckoo Dove
• Pink-spotted Fruit Dove
• Radjah Shelduck
• Pacific Swallow
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Sooty Tern
• Lesser-crested Tern,
• Striated Heron
• Eastern Reef Egret
• Little-pied Cormorant
• Lesser Frigatebird, 
• Eastern Osprey, 
• Brahminy Kite, 
• White-bellied Sea Eagle,
• Torresian Crow
• and a lot more. 

The duration of the birding walk can be as short as 2 days to as long as 1 full week. Most often, the birdwatching tour is combined with sightseeing trip by boat to various tropical islands and snorkeling activities in coral reef sites of Raja Ampat.

American tourists were birdwatching in Waigeo island

Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson B.O.P. and most other paradise birds are polygynous meaning that they are sexually very active and have more than one partners. To attract females, a male Red B.O.P. has to creates beautiful sounds of calls, perform a courtship dance to show his bright color plumage. This mating ritual, if I may call it, is performed early in the mornings (approximately from 06.00 to 09.00) and in the afternoons from around 15.00-17.00. We may consider them as philander or womanizer from the forest but these birds have to do that in order to survive.

Map Location of Raja Ampat

When you decide to take a birding trip to Raja Ampat islands, there are certain things that you need to bring such as:

• A good pair of binoculars
• Birding camera
• A spotting scope (optional)
• Watch/ alarm clock to manage your wake-up and birding time.
• Field guide book Birds of New Guinea
• Hat that you may need to use when birding during sunny days
• Anti-insect lotion/ spray
• Darker color clothing (dark green t-shirt and etc.)
• Flashlight

Visitors who also want to enjoy snorkeling could bring their snorkeling sets (masks, snorkels, and fins) as well as underwater camera.
If you are interested in visiting Raja Ampat and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Also read:
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Marine Life in Raja Ampat
Snorkeling Tours in Raja Ampat

Birding Tour in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua

The mountain range of Tambrauw is located between Manokwari and Sorong. It is one of the best birding sites in West Papua province of Indonesia. A lot of species of birds live there including Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Mountain Peltops, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Red-breasted Kingfisher, and Yellow-billed Kingfisher.

French tourists were birdwatching in Tambrauw Mountains

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)  Photo: Wim Boyden

As a tourist guide, I could organize birding trip to the area especially for visitors who want to spend multiple days birding in the lower montane and upper montane forest of Tambrauw.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon  Photo: Wim Boyden

Because of its remote location, I highly suggest that visitors go in a group of 3 to 4 people or more to share the cost of transportation, food and accommodation. Most of Tambrauw regency is covered by pristine rainforest. For birding sites that are located deep in the forest, we will provide tents, sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils for our clients.

Most birdwatchers know what they have to bring when going on a birding trip. Usually a pair of binoculars and a camera with telephoto lens will be needed for the purpose. Sometimes, laser pointer is used to show where a bird sits in a high tree. I personally use a Visionking 10×42mm binoculars that are equipped with Bak 4 Prism and multi-coated lens. For watching birds in an open forest area, I bring a Kinglux 20-60×60 mm spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod. It gives me clear view of birds in high trees especially when the weather is good.

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Tambrauw mountains and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: leororing@gmail.com or whatsapp to: +6281332245180

Also read:

• Tour Package for Holiday in Raja Ampat
• Snorkeling and Birding in Raja Ampat

Camping and Birding in Arfak Mountains

Common Paradise Kingfisher

Arfak mountains have been famous as one of the most important destinations among birdwatchers. There are several places in the region that are frequently visited by foreign birdwatchers who want to see paradise birds. One of them is Susnguakti forest. It is located in the south of Manokwari city approximately one hour by car. To watch birds such as Magnificent Riflebird, Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), and Common Paradise Kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea) visitors need to stay for at least 2 to 3 days in the mountains. As of today, there is no guesthouse in the jungle of Mount Mabowi. So, birdwatchers need to stay in tents in campsites that have been prepared by local guides.

Lesser Birds of Paradise

Birds are usually active in the mornings and in the afternoons. For instance, Lesser Birds of Paradise like to gather and dance at around 06.00. So, visitors need to wake up early at 05.00. After drinking tea or coffee and some biscuits or bread, they have to walk for 20 minutes to the birding ground. They can watch the birds until 09.00. In addition to watching Lesser B.O.P., visitors can watch King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), Hooded Butcherbird, Rainbow Lorikeet, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, and a lot of other birds that are endemic to New Guinea.

Birders, in general, bring their own binoculars, and spotting scope. Some also bring Swiss Army Knife, GPS tracker, and sound recording device. I highly recommend a field guide book: Birds of New Guinea written by Than K. Pratt, and Bruce Beehler.

Cuscus Possum in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari.

Night walk is usually carried out by local villagers and guide to find cuscus possum. In certain places, villagers and tourists will stop and sit on the ground. After that, one of the villagers will immitate the sound of female cuscus to attract the male one. When the call is being done, all flash lights have to be off. Glowing mushrooms can also be seen at night especially during rainy season.

Bringing a portable dome tent is a good idea but not a must. There are some campsites in the forest of Mount Susnguakti which I, and local villagers built for visitors. There are also plates, glasses, and cooking pans. With all of the available equipment, I hope that visitors who go to the forest can enjoy their birding trip in the area well.


Also read:

• A Visit to North-east Region of Waigeo island
• Watching Birds and Sea Turtle in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
• King Bird of Paradise

Birding Tour in Manokwari Lowland Forest

Birding in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

West Papua has been considered as a world class destination for birding. There are a lot of places in this region where birdwatchers can visit to see colorful birds including several species of birds of paradise. One of the birding sites that I know is the lowland forest of Manokwari. It is located in the western area of the city and can be reached by car. The birding ground itself is located deep in the forest. Visitors have to walk through the jungle, and cross rivers to reach it.
The lowland forest is the natural habitat of such birds as Papuan Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii), Golden Myna (Mino anais), Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Glossy Manucode (Manucodia ater), Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), and a lot more.
The Birding Tour

Large-tailed Nightjar

Visitors stay for 3 to 5 days in the forest and do hiking a long the sides of the river to see birds. There are no hotels or resorts in the area, visitors stay in tents which they need to bring for the trip.
Day 1
We will start the tour by going to the market to buy food supplies. After that we will charter a car that will bring us to the entrance point of the lowland forest. We will continue our trip on foot. After one hour walking, we will arrive at Campsite 1. We will install our tents and put our bags in them. While our local guides prepare our lunch or evening food, we can start birding immediately.  Birds such as Yellow-billed Kingfisher (Syma torotoro), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud), Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon) and Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) are some of the target birds that we will try to find in the surrounding area.
Overnight stay in Campsite 1 near the river
Day 2

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

The next morning, we will have tea and coffee before dismantling our tents and walk deeper into the jungle. Usually between 05.30 to 07.00 we could see a lot of bird activities where Sulphur Crested Cockatoes go out of their nests and Blyth's hornbill birds begin to fly over the sky to find fruits. In the middle of the day, we will rebuild out tents in Campsite 2.
There are also Yellow-faced Myna, Moustached Treeswift, Dollarbird and Pinon Imperial Pigeon that like to have sunbathing under the morning sun before flying away to any corners of the forest. We could do night walk to find Papuan Frogmouth or Fruit Bat and other birds that sleep in lower branches of the trees at night but difficult to be seen during the day. Overnight Stay in Campsite 2
Day 3

Birding Walk

We expect more bird activity in the forest and hopefully, we could find birds such as Spangled Drongo, Golden Myna, Magnificent Riflebird, Hooded Butcherbird, Pink-spotted Fruitdove. We will walk around to find Western-Crowned Pigeon, Variable Goshawk, Helmetted Friarbird, Large Fig Parrot.
Overnight stay in Campsite 2.
Day 4
We will walk back to main road. It takes approximately several hours to reach it. During the riverwalk, we will be able to see more birds and wild animals.
We will return to Manokwari city again by car.

What to bring:
Visitors who want to do birdwatching in this area need to bring binoculars, spotting scope, field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler, and flashlight.
What we provide:
As tour guide, I provide sleeping bags, tents, eating utensil and cooking equipment.
Also read:
Birding in Raja Ampat
Watching the Courtship Dance of Red Bird of Paradise