Birding in Tambrauw Mountains

Camping in Tambrauw forest

Tambrauw is a beautiful tourist destination in West Papua province of Indonesia. Most of its land is covered by tropical rainforest. Local Government of Tambrauw regency declared its territory as the regency of conservation, that's why ecotourism is seen as a sustainable income generation scheme for the indigenous people so that they could preserve their rainforest. To support this policy, I offer rainforest birding tours to anybody who wants to watch tropical birds of New Guinea. Tropical rainforest of Tambrauw and its rivers are a great sites for hiking and birdwatching as well as wildlife watching. Visitors who go there can enjoy riverwalk and rainforest tour to find:

Rainforest of Tambrauw Mountains

• Lesser Birds of Paradise, 
• King Bird of Paradise, 
• Magnificent Riflebird, 
• Palm Cockatoo, 
• Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, 
• Eclectus Parrot
• Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
• Black-capped Lory
• Pinon Imperial Pigeon
• Pink-spotted Fruit Dove
• Beautiful Fruit Dove
• Coconut Lorikeet
• New Guinea Harpy Eagle, 
• Variable Goshawk
• Brahminy Kite
• and a lot of other tropical birds that live in the mountains. There are two sites in Tambrauw which visitors can go to enjoy hiking and birding. The first one is the lowland forest and the second one is the mountain forest.

Moustached Treeswift

The duration of the trip is between 4 to 5 days. Visitors can enjoy birding along the road or enjoy camping and river walk to watch such birds as Grey Crow, Little Egret, Blyth's Hornbill and Kingfishers.

The entry point to Tambrauw is through Manokwari city and Sorong city. Because the cost of transportation is quite expensive, visitors need to go in a group of 3 to 4 people to share the price. We usually charter 4wd cars to reach the river where we will enjoy camping, riverwalk and birding.
Things to bring:

French tourists in Tambrauw mountains

Besides bringing birding optics such as binoculars, spotting scope, laser pointer and telephoto camera, visitors need to wear water shoes, t-shirt, short pants and long pants for walking in the forest. A field guide book: Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler can be ordered from Amazon online bookstore. 

Booking

Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180

Olive-backed Sunbird

Olive-backed Sunbird in Sorong forest

Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) is a small bird that lives in tropical rainforest particularly in lowland and coastal areas. Its yellow underparts often becomes the main physical characteristics that is used by birdwatchers to call him Olive-bellied Sunbird.
I saw this bird in Manokwari city, Sorong hill forest, Raja Ampat and even as far as Numfor island. His wings have got olive-greenish look. This small but very beautiful bird eats nectar of wild flowers in tropical rainforest. When I was guiding a tourist from India, I saw the sunbird was feeding on nectar of coconut flowers. I immediately turned on my Fujifilm HS50 EXR camera and shot the bird several times.

Olive-backed Sunbird in Raja Ampat

My most recent photographs of the bird were made when I went hiking and birdwatching in savanna hills near Sorong city. To watch this small bird, we need a good pair of binoculars that has got such magnification as 10×42 mm. My recommendation will be Swarovski, Nikon, Leica, or Zeiss binoculars. I personally use more affordable alternative - the Visionking 10×42 mm binoculars.
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Sorong city and want to see Olive-backed Sunbird and other tropical birds of West Papua, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180

Birds in Love

Golden Myna in Klasow Valley

Birds are very romantic when they are in love. I have seen some of them when I guided visitors on birdwatching tours in several rainforest areas of West Papua.
When I was in Klasow valley, I saw a couple of Golden Myna (Mino anais) kissing or cuddling each other on a branch of a dead tree. I walked slowly trying to hide myself under the cover of shrubs and other green plants. They were not afraid of me when I aimed my camera at them. I was able to make a lot of pictures of them. The one in this blog was my best shot.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is a species of bird that is beautiful and can be seen in lowland and lower montane forest of West Papua and its surrounding islands. The bird has got white feather with yellow crest above its head. While I was guiding a French couple in Mesirrokow river of Manokwari, I was able to see a loving couple that was sitting close to each other on a branch of a tree just above the river. They saw us but did not fly away when we walked along the riverside below them. When we were already behind them, I stopped, turned around and took some pictures of them.

Pink-spotted Fruit Dove

Another birds in love couple that I like to present in this post is Pink-spotted Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus perlatus). I saw these birds near the guesthut of Klasow valley. The male and female looked the same. I was guiding some birdwatchers in the lowland forest of Sorong regency at that time. The birds were preparing for a nest because the female bird was carrying eggs. When I returned to the valley again, I could determined the female bird had laid her eggs. I could only hear their sounds. The nest was located in higher branches blocked by leaves and twigs. The bird was also seen at Mesirrokow river - the lowland forest of Manokwari. I was guiding three French tourists. We saw the Pink-spotted Fruit Dove and Lowland Peltop at the same time.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon in lowland forest of Sorong

Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon) lives in lowland and lower montane forest of New Guinea. The feather is mostly brown. Its tail is black with very visible white stripe near its tip. I saw a couple of these birds after watching Lesser Birds of Paradise. I was guiding an Australian couple at that time.
Birding Optics
Watching birds in the forest  is a facinating activity. The birdwatching experience will be greatly enhanced if visitors bring high quality birding devices as binoculars and spotting scopes. I highly recommend Nikon EDG 8×42 mm binoculars and a pair of sturdy Swarovski SLC 10×42 mm binoculars that are suitable for all weather condition. Visitors who go birdwatching without proper birding optics will find their trips only as ordinary sightseeing tours
Written by Charles Roring

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Yellow-billed Kingfisher lives in lowland and lower montane forest of West Papua. Here is a photograph of a couple of the birds that I saw when I was guiding a Chinese lady and an Australian couple in Klasow valley. We spent 5 days exploring the tropical rainforest of Sorong regency in search of Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird and Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise.
Klasow valley is located in Sorong regency and can be reached by a 4WD car.

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

During the birdwatching trip in Klasow valley, we also saw Palm Cockatoo, Northern Cassowary, Pinon Imperial Pigeon.
We were very lucky to see the courtship dance of King Bird of Paradise. Actually, it was also the mating season of Yellow-billed Kingfisher. So, we had the opportunities to watch the birds several times. by Charles Roring

Beach Kingfisher

I often go to Raja Ampat to guide visitors who want to enjoy birdwatching and snorkeling. From my previous trips, I saw various species of coastal birds. One of them was Beach Kingfisher (Todiramphus saurophagus). This bird was quite big compared to Azure Kingfisher and Yellow-billed Kingfisher. Its calls were also unique. I could easily recognize the bird even when he was calling from behind thick branches, twigs and leaves of a tree.

One day I was standing on a hill near Port of Waisai town. I had been there photographing Willie Wagtail, Moustached Treeswift, Moluccan Starling, and Coconut Lorikeet. Suddenly, I saw a Beach Kingfisher landed on the naked branch of a tree that was very close to the beach. I quickly aimed my camera to the bird and pressed the shutter button several times. Although I could not get close up picture of the bird, I was quite satisfied with the result. At least it could be used in this post for identification purposes. written by Charles Roring

King Bird of Paradise

King Bird of Paradise in Susnguakti forest
Manokwari - West Papua

I saw King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) for the first time when I was guiding some European tourists in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. We spent 5 days/ 4 nights exploring the lowland rainforest in search of birds, wallaby, butterflies and colorful flowers. We saw two species of birds of paradise, i.e. Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), and King Bird of Paradise. Unfortunately, the sighting of King BOP was not very good because the bird was sitting on the branch of a tree above our head.

King Bird of Paradise in Susnguakti Forest
Manokwari - West Papua

When I guided a Chinese lady, and a couple from Australia in Arfak mountains of Manokwari, we were able to watch King Bird of Paradise for about one hour. It was mating season and I was able to make some pictures of the paradise bird.
The size of the bird of quite small making it more difficult for us to spot it in high tree. Fortunately, the red and white colours of the bird were significantly contrast to the surrounding green color of the leaves. To help us spot the bird, I hired young boy from the village. Usually young boy has got sharper eyes than old birdwatchers like us.
The best place in Manokwari to watch King Bird of Paradise is Susnguakti forest. It is located in the eastern region of Arfak mountains. I and local villagers built basecamp for tourists who want to watch Lesser BOP, Magnificent Riflebird, and King BOP. Visitors usually spend 3 days/ 2 nights in the forest of Susnguakti to watch these paradise birds and other wild animals that live in lower montane forest of Arfak mountains. written by Charles Roring

Red-cheeked Parrot

I have seen Red-cheeked parrots both male and female through binoculars and spotting scopes a lot of times. But it was in September 2007 when for the first time I was able to take pictures of the birds in relatively closer distance. The birds were eating the bark of a tree. I thought that the bird only eat fruits and grains. It's quite a weird behavior, actually. Compared to Eclectus Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot was much smaller.

I saw the parrot when I organized a birdwatching tour for visitors of Rockjumper. We went to Klasow valley in Sorong regency of West Papua. The lowland rainforest of the valley is the natural habitat of Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Black Lory and Northern Cassowary. We only spent one night in the forest but we saw significant number of birds including Moustached Tree Swift, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Nankeen Night Heron (which was a migrant bird), Boyer's Cuckoo-shrike, Coconut Lorikeet, Azure Kingfisher and a lot more. written by Charles Roring

Eclectus Parrot

Here is the picture of a female Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) that I see in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. The male has got green feather. In West Papua, people call them Kakatua Merah (Red Cockatoo) and Kakaktua Hijau (Green Cockatoo). I was walking with two Australian birdwatchers at that time. We had spent three days hiking and birdwatching in the forest and was about to leave for Sorong city. Suddenly there were some calls from a high tree on the left of us. Local villagers led us to walk through the trees and bush to approach the bird. After searching for several minutes, we could see the male and female parrots. I aimed my camera at the female bird and shot her several times using my Fujifilm HS50EXR. Unfortunately, I was late in shooting the male. He flew away. They were around 30 meters above us in a tall tree.

French birdwatchers in Manokwari lowland forest

Actually, it was not the first time I saw the birds. I used to see it in Numfor island when I was guiding some Dutch tourists. Some islanders in Numfor catch Eclectus Parrot birds and sell them in Biak town or Manokwari city. Eclectus parrot and its relatives Sulphur Crested Cockatoo are often considered as pest because they like to food crops planted by villagers in Numfor island. This also happens in Raja Ampat where islanders catch birds and go to Sorong to sell them in the city.
LOWLAND FOREST OF MANOKWARI

Willie Wagtail in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

Another good site for watching Eclectus Parrot is in Manokwari. There is a lowland river-forest called Mesirrokow river. Birdwatching in this forest is very easy. We could enjoy walking along the banks of the river to see a lot of species of birds and see the beautiful river-forest environment. I have guided a lot of visitors to the river. They come from France, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and China.
Well, it is not only birds that we can see in Mesirrokow forest but also butterflies, beetles, flowers, soa-soa lizards and wild tropical flowers of New Guinea. In general, visitors spend 3 days/ 2 nights to explore the high bio-diversity of the lowland forest of Manokwari. written by Charles Roring
Also read: Purple-naped Lory from Ceram island

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in Manokwari
Photo: Charles Roring

When I go birdwatching in Lowland Forest of Manokwari, I choose Mesirrokow river as my favorite destination. It is a shallow river that has got wide open space. When I and some foreign birdwatchers walk along the sides of the river, we frequently see Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) sitting on the branch of a tree or flying over the river. The bird has got fully white plumage with some yellow in underwing and undertail feather. Crest is yellow. Bill and feet are greyish black. Physically, their colors look totally different from their relatives the Palm Cockatoo. The bird usually makes noisy squawking sound that attracts the attention of birdwatchers.
Sometimes I see one but more often a couple sitting or flying side by side.

French Tourists were watching birds in Manokwari

During fruiting season, Sulfur-crested Cockatoo fly in larger groups. They are seen as pests by farmers who plant papaya, corn and other crops in their garden.
In breeding season, this cockatoo makes a nest in big iron-wood tree sometimes 20 to 30 meters above the ground. Parents will make hole using their strong bill to store their eggs. Usually there are three eggs per nest.

Hunters Accurate Prediction
Local hunters can accurately predict how old the nestling period of the baby cockatoes is by examining the seeds of fruits that fell on the ground. When the eggs are being incubated or baby cockatoes are being raised, fruits are supplied to the hole of the nest by one of the parents. They take turn in collecting fruits from the surrounding forest. Seeds that are thrown out of the nest fall to the grown and grow. When the seedlings are small, hunters say baby cockatoes still do not have feather. When the seedlings have grown higher, they can conclude that feather have grown and covered the baby cockatoes.
Bird Trading
In Indonesia, the bird is caught in West Papua and other small islands around it and traded as pets to larger cities. Population of the bird is still large in the forest. However, in recent years, continuous conversion of rainforest area into sawit-palm, cocoa and coffee plantations or other monoculture crops, combined with expansion of human settlements and road construction have caused rapid shrinking of cockatoo population and other wild animals in the forest of New Guinea and its nearby islands. Birdwatching tourism is now seen as an alternative income generation for villagers near forest areas in Klasow valley, Arfak mountains, Raja Ampat and Mesirrokow forest of West Papua as well as in many other areas in Tangkoko National Park, Bali Barat NP, Lore Lindu and various other places in Indonesia. written by Charles Roring.

Palm Cockatoo

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) in Waigeo island
Photo: Charles Roring

Here is the picture of Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) that I saw in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. The bird was eating catappa fruits (beach almond) when I shot it using my Fujifilm HS50EXR. It was quite big with black - greyish feather. The red patch on its cheek was very visible under the morning sunlight. This bird is also called Goliath Cockatoo, or Great Black Cockatoo.
In Indonesia, its name is Kakaktua Raja (meaning King Cockatoo). Birdwatchers can see the bird in mainland New Guinea (West Papua and Papua New Guinea), Maluku islands, northern region of Australia, and other tropical islands in the Pacific.
The first time I saw Palm Cockatoo in its natural habitat was in Table Mountain of Manokwari. I was guiding three Russian tourists at that time. Later, I saw the bird again in Tambrauw Mountains when I guided two Belgian tourists. I was walking with them under the canopy of the forest when suddenly this goliath looking bird landed on the branch of the tree above our heads. The Belgian tourist quickly pulled his camera out of his backpack, turned it on and aimed it at the bird. He successfuly made some nice pictures of the Goliath Cockatoo. Seconds later, the bird flew away.

Palm Cockatoo in Klasow Valley
Photo: Charles Roring

Personally, I have taken pictures of Palm Cockatoo in several different forest areas in West Papua. I like the bird because it is different from other birds. It is more independent. Unlike its relatives the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that like to fly in groups, Palm Cockatoo likes flying solo exploring the lush green of tropical rainforest. Sometimes there are a couple of the birds feeding on fruits in trees.
One day, I was guiding some European birdwatchers in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. We woke up early in the morning to see Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus). While we were waiting for the Bird of Paradise to come, a Palm Cockatoo landed on the tree trunk where the Twelve-wired BOP like to play. It was staying on that trunk approximately 30 minutes. I had a chance to take a lot of pictures of the birds. Unfortunately, the bird was quite far from us and there was some glare from the rising sun. But it was a very nice moment in my life where I could see Palm Cockatoo for quite long. And the Twelve-wired BOP? He did not come that morning. written by Charles Roring