Birding in the Rainforest of Tambrauw Mountains

by Charles Roring

Forest Kingfisher in Tambrauw forest

The lowland rainforest of Tambrauw mountains is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds including those in the families of lories, parrots and cockatoos; kingfishers and kookaburras; swallows and swiftlets; and the famous birds of paradise.
Birding can be done all year round particularly along the side of Cuan river. I offer guided trekking and birding tours for those who are interested in watching these birds. I and the local villagers in Tambrauw regency believe that by offering this tour, we can introduce our customers a new experience where they can watch the birds in rainforest region that is less visited by birdwatchers.
Approximately 80 percent of the forest area has been declared by the local government for conservation. The rainforest and birding tours to this rainforest will support the government's plan and at the same time, provide alternative income generation scheme for the indigenous Papuan people who live in the regency.
How to get there:

• Fly from your country to Jakarta city the capital of Indonesia.
• Continue your trip by taking a domestic flight to Sorong city. There are daily flights served by Batik Air, Garuda, Sriwijaya, Nam Air between Sorong and Jakarta.
• We will meet you in Sorong to organize the birding and rainforest tour for you.

What to bring:
All birdwatchers know what they need to bring. But I will give some suggestions for anybody who is interested in birding for the first time.

• Spotting scope
• Digital camera with birdwatching telephoto lens such as Nikon Coolpix P900 (with extra batteries)
• Clothing for warm tropical climate such as t-shirt, shorts, water shoes, flipflops. 
• Head lamp or torch
• Birding book: "Birds of New Guinea" by Beehler and his friends.

Other activities

In addition to watching birds, visitors can enjoy butterfly watching, trekking, camping, swimming in the rainforest and discover the richness of bio-diversity of West Papua's rainforest.

Tambrauw regency is located between Sorong and Manokwari. The forest can be reached by 4 WD car from Sorong city. It takes approximately 4 hours to reach our destination where we will explore the forest for at least 4 days/ 3 nights. I can also prepare a customized tour program for anybody who plans to stay longer and combine his or her trip to another place in the bird's head region of West Papua. For detailed itinerary and cost, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Birding and Camping at the Banks of Cuan River in Tambrauw regency

Cuan is a river in Tambrauw regency of West Papua. I had a 4-day/ 3-night camping and birding tour in the river a few days ago with a tourist from Luxemburg. His name was Guillaume, a French man. I met him in Sorong city which was also the gateway to Raja Ampat. Before leaving for Tambrauw by a 4WD car, we went to traditional market to buy food that is needed for our rainforest tour. After that we headed directly to Sausapor town and then to Cuan river.

Our tents at the bank of Cuan river in Tambrauw mountains

We built tents at the bank of the Cuan river and did the birding, hiking and swimming activities. The banks were flat. So, we could easily walk in the jungle to explore the rich ecosystem of the rainforest.
I saw several species of birds in the forest. Birding in the Cuan river was very easy because we did not have to climb steep slopes of Tambrauw mountains. We just sit on the granite stones of the river and saw Blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, black capped lory, egret, friarbird and pigeons flew in the sky.

In addition to birds, we also saw a lot of interesting things in the jungle. I saw a beautiful white orchids flowers on our last tour in the forest. I considered them unique because the flowers were releasing fragrant scent. I haven't been able to identify the scientific name of the terrestrial orchid plant but all I know about orchirds is that only a few that emit fragrant scent. On the way back to the road, I saw pandanus plant that was fruiting. Pandanus fruit (locally called 'buah merah') was considered as an important herbs because it contains high anti oxidants.

There were colorful beetles and butterflies that I saw. One of them was a beetle or weevil that I found on the middle of the walking path while hiking in the jungle. I picked it up from the ground and examined the beetle carefully. It looked liked a plastic toy. Its name was Eupholus schoenherri beetle, I thought it was dead but later it walked slowly when I put it back on the green leave of a plant - such a beautiful insect.

Perhaps you still do not have any ideas where Tambrauw regency is. Tambrauw is located between Manokwari and Sorong regencies. The capital of the regency is Fef but it is being constructed so, the temporary capital is Sausapor.

If Raja Ampat is famous for its marine environment, Tambrauw regency is for its tropical rainforest. Anybody who is interested in discovering the wealth of biodiversity of rainforest, should visit Tambrauw mountains. For more info about birdwatching and rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of West Papua

Birding in the Rainforest

Paradise bird in the rainforest of West Papua

Tambrauw regency is located in the bird's head (vogelkop) region of West Papua province of New Guinea island. The capital is Fef but at the moment all of the government activities are concentrated in Sausapor. It is a small town (located in the northern coast of the island. Visitors who want to watch tropical birds can come to Tambrauw regency. There are a lot of species of birds in the region including kingfishers, blackbutcher bird, sulphur crested cockatoo, palm cockatoo, blyth's hornbill, rainbow lorikeet, brahminy kite, pinon imperial pigeon, yellow faced myna, egret, black capped lory and many more. We can explore the forest and rivers near Sausapor town to see the birds.

Tambrauw mountains have got a lot of birdwatching sites that are highly recommended for avid birders. These sites are located both along the coastal and mountainous regions. Coastal areas that are good for birding are the banks of Syuan river.

Camping by the river in Tambrauw forest

For highland birding, my recommendation is Ases Valley. From my personal experience of birding in the pristine forest of Tambrauw, the birds population and varieties are higher than in other forest locations that are close to towns. Visitors can see western crowned pigeon, pigeon, cockatoo, fruit doves, hornbills, and even several species of birds of paradise.

Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot

Birding in Different Elevations of the Mountains

Most of the landmass of the regency is mountainous region. So, birding in different elevation of the mountains will bring different species of birds that can be watched. For instance, if we go to the coastal area, we will watch Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus), Sootty tern (Sterna fuscata). But if we go to higher elevation, we may see such birds as Papuan Lorikeet (Charmosyna papou).
Tambrauw mountains are located between Manokwari and Sorong regencies. But the easiest way to reach the mountains is by chartering a 4WD car from Sorong city. So, I highly recommend to birdwatchers that they fly to Sorong city to go birding in Tambrauw. 

Hiking and Birding

Hiking cannot be separated from birding because as we walk through the paths while exploring the forest, we will have more chance to watch birds. The best way to watch birds while hiking is along the banks of a river whose water is not deep. My recommendation is Cuan River. Don't forget to wear water shoes and a hat for your hiking and birding trip in Tambrauw regency. A good spotting spot is good for open space but a powerful bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900 is recommended for avid birdwatchers.

Where is Tambrauw Mountains?

Please, look at the following map of West Papua. To participate in this birding tour, visitors have to fly from their country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia) and then continue by domestic airline to Sorong city which is the gate to Tambrauw regency.

How to get there?

• First send me (Charles Roring) an email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp
• If you want to go birding in Tambrauw mountains, first, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta - the capital of Indonesia. 
• Then continue your trip to Sorong city by one of the domestic airlines such as Garuda, Sriwijaya or Express Air. 
• When you have arrived in Sorong city, I will meet you at the airport or at the hotel to arrange your trip to Tambrauw regency.
• To minimize the cost of transportation and other logistical expenses, I suggest that  Birdwatchers need totravel in a group of at least 4 people. Why? Because, the maximum capacity of the cabin of a 4WD car is only for four passengers.
• But if you are traveling alone or with one partner, or even in a large group, I can always try find a cheaper way to reach Tambrauw regency

Birding devices

Make sure that you bring a good D-SLR or bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900 with extra batteries, spotting scope, and the latest edition of Birds of New Guinea (book). 

Other attractions

Sausapor (formerly known as Sansapor) used to be a base for US troops during World War II. As of today, people can still see some tank wrecks in the jungle left by the American troops.

Between November and March, the coastal area of Tambrauw regency is an ideal place for wave surfing. Tambrauw has got several world class surf spots that have never been visited by surfers.
To book your birding tour in Tambrauw regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. The birding tour is available all year round.

written by Charles Roring

Birdwatching in Sorong Regency of West Papua

Sorong city - the gateway to Raja Ampat

Most visitors who want to go to Raja Ampat islands usually fly to Sorong city first. It is the city where they can take a rest for one day to buy food and other supplies before continuing their trip to Raja Ampat - the most beautiful destination in the world for marine tourism. After traveling in the islands for a few days or a week, they will go back to Sorong again to wait for their return flight. There are a lot of tourists who are interested in taking land tour in Sorong city but do not know how. For that purpose, I introduce Klasow valley - a recommended destination for Rainforest, Wildlife and Birdwatching Tour.

Klasow Valley
There is a birding site in Sorong regency of West Papua. Its name is Klasow valley. Birdwatchers who want to go there must rent a 4WD pick-up truck such as Toyota Hilux G series, Mitsubishi Triton or Ford Ranger from Sorong city. It is a 2-hour ride from the city. Lowland tropical vegetation covers the valley.

Birding

Blyth's Hornbill in the rainforest of Sorong regency - West Papua

Most of the valley is flat land with a mountain range in the north bordering the valley with the coastal area. The best birding time is in the mornings and in the afternoons before sunset. Wear trekking boots or water shoes before you start walking to explore the branches and twigs of the trees in search of birds of New Guine. Make sure that you bring a pair of binoculars, a D-SLR camera with super telephoto lens or a bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900.
To enhance your birding experience, I will bring a spotting scope and field guide "Birds of New Guinea" written by Bruce Beehler and his friends.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Moustached Tree Swift, Blyth's hornbill, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Western Crowned Pigeon, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra,  and Pinon Imperial Pigeon,  are some of the numerous species of birds which you could watch in Klasow valley of Sorong regency.

Tour Package: 4 Days/ 3 Nights
Day 1
I will meet you in Sorong city. We will need to buy food in traditional market and other supplies. When everything is ready, we go to Klasow valley by a 4WD car. It takes around 1 hour to reach the valley. When the car stops, we need to continue walking through the jungle for another 1 hour to reach our base camp. We can start watching birds that afternoon in the clearing . Usually Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii) or Golden myna (Mino anais), Large Fig Parrot (Psittaculirostris desmarestii) can be seen perching on the surrounding trees near our traditional hut.
Day 2

Male Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) in Klasow valley

Wake up early in the morning at around 4.30 to walk through dense forest to reach the site near Klasow river where we will watch Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minora). Before leaving our hut, please make sure that you drink some tea or coffee and have some biscuits. The birds are active in the mornings and in the afternoons. It takes approximately 1 hour of walking up and down 2 steep hills to reach the birding site. Male paradise birds call their female birds and dance to seduce them by displaying their beautiful feather. After watching the birds, we can walk back to our base. Along the way, we may see Friarbird, Rainbow Lorikeet, or Spangled Drongo,  In the afternoon, we can have another walking tour in the jungle to watch birds, and see unique vines, various palm and pandanus plants, and butterflies that thrive in the jungle. There are a lot of herbs in the forest that are used by Papuan people to cure their disease including malaria.
Day 3

We can have another walk to see Sago trees whose lith are processed by indigenous Papuan people to extract is flour. Men usually cut the matured tree and women do the grating. They will squeeze the grated lith using water from the nearby river. We can also visit a river in Klasow valley to enjoy swimming or watching birds. Pinon imperial pigeon (Ducula pinon), Western Crowned Pigeon (Goura cristata) usually can be spotted along the banks of the river.
Day 4 

After saying good bye to the local villagers, we will walk back slowly to come out of the jungle where we will transfer you back to Sorong city.

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta - the capital city of Indonesia
• After that, fly to Sorong city. There are several airlines that regularly serve this Jakarta - Sorong route. They are Garuda Indonesia Airways, Sriwijaya Air, Express Air and Lion/ Wings Air. Your plane will land on Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) airport. 
• Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by sending e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com. I will prepare the logistics, transport vehicle and contact local villagers for your birdwatching trip in Klasow valley or any other rainforest  areas in Tambrauw mountains.

Wildlife

In addition to birds, visitors could also see other wild animals such as cuscus, deer, casowary bird, wild pigs, snake, porcupine and wallaby. A lot of insects can be found in the forest including birdwing butterfly Ornitopthera Priamus. 

Anti Insect Repellent Lotion

You need to bring a small bottle of anti insect repellent lotion to protect your skin from being bitten by mosquito, ants and very tiny insect that is locally called 'agas.' You must apply it all over your skin.

Logging Activities versus Eco-tourism
As of today, tropical rainforests that cover most part of Klasow valley and many other parts in West Papua are being threatened by logging activities. To stop them some local villagers take the initiative of introducing eco-tourism as an alternative income generation for local people. We expect visitors to be more tolerant to the lack of experience and profesionalism among the local villagers during the birding tour. From the positive perspective, we really hope that eco-tourism can help villagers stop selling their forests to loggers.

If you need my service in working as interpreter, and in arranging your trip to Klasow valley of Sorong regency, please contact me (Charles Roring) by E-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Birding in the rainforest of Manokwari

Manokwari has been a must see destination for birdwatchers. There are 3 famous birding zones in this regency:

Lesser Birds of Paradise in the forest of Arfak mountains within
territory of Warmarway village

1. Lowland Rainforest - Some of the birds that live in the lowland rainforest of Manokwari are: kingfisher, sandpiper, pigeons, drongo, yellow faced myna, and frigate birds. The rainforest along the banks of Dopi river is the site that I highly recommend for visitors. It is around 1 ride from the city. Last week, I guided two Swedish birdwatchers on a 3-day birding trip along Dopi river. They were Thomas and Connie Holmberg. We saw tens of species of birds including Azure Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Moluccan King Parrot, Beautiful fruit dove, Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot. We also saw Pesquet's Parrot (Vulturine Parrot) that is considered vulnerable to global extinction.
2. Lower Montane Forest - Much of the slopes of Arfak range are in the category of lower montane forest. We can see lesser birds of paradise, king birds of paradise, blue birds of paradise, sulphur crested cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Papuan frogmouth, brahminy kite, king fishers,  as well as lory live in this area. Most of them can also be seen in some parts of the lowland region. Warmarway village is the recommended place for watching such birds. 
3. Upper Montane Forest - For tens of years, birdwatchers have been visiting Arfak mountains to watch Vogelkop bowerbird, Western Parotia, Magnificent Birds of Paradise, Spotted Catbird, Cinnamon Ground Dove as well as flame bowerbird and Feline Owlett Nightjar. There are two villages that have been famous among birdwatcher, i.e. Syioubri and Kwau. 

Birding Equipment:
Birdwatchers who go to Manokwari or other places in West Papua, need to bring birding equipment that will be very useful for them in watching the beautiful yet shy animals. Here are some birding devices that they need:

• Binoculars - A good pair of binoculars will help birdwatchers find birds in the jungles of New Guinea that are dense and green. After finding the birds, you need to aim your spotting scope to the bird.
• Spotting Scope - This is a very important birding equipment that every birdwatcher should have. A powerful spotting scope will help birdwatcher see the detailed physical appearances and colors of the birds. 
• Photographic Equipment - Digital camera manufacturers have launched some point and shoot or bridge cameras that are affordable to most birdwatchers. Some that I highly recommend are: Canon SX 50 HS, Sony HX 300, and Nikon Coolpix P600. 

Experienced birders also bring sound player and recorder (with a parabola disk) to capture and record the sound of birds. For identifying birds, Birds of New Guinea by Beehler and his friends as well as A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia by Morten Strange and Birds of Melanesia can be used as the main references.
As a tourist guide, I can arrange your trip and organize your trip to these forests. You can stay in each zone for 1 or 2 nights to watch birds of New Guinea. Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

This article was written by Charles Roring