Birds of Paradise Watching Tour

King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius)

I have just completed a 2-week birding tour in West Papua province of Indonesia. The main target of this tour was birds of paradise. Three visitors from China, and Australia participated in this tour. We spent 6 days in higher and lower montane forests of Arfak range, 5 days in Klasow valley and 3 days in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.

During the tour, we were able to watch:

• Western Parotia, 
• Magnificent Bird of Paradise, 
• Lesser Birds of Paradise, 
• Superb Bird of Paradise, 
• King Birds of Paradise, 
• Magnificent Riflebird, 
• Wilson's Bird of Paradise, and 
• Red Bird of Paradise. 
• We also heard the sounds of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise but were not able to see it.

Birding in the rainforest of West Papua was relatively difficult particularly for those who were not accustomed to hot and humid climate of the rainforest, the steep slopes, muddy path and numerous insects.
In higher montane forest of Arfak range, we stayed in a simple but comfortable guesthouse for 4 nights to watch Magnificent B.O.P., and Western Parotia. In lower montane forest of the range, we stayed for one night in tents that were built in the middle of the forest. We had to walk up steep slopes to reach our basecamp and did birding the next morning. The site where Lesser Birds of Paradise gathered and danced was approximately 20 minutes walk from our basecamp. After watching the Lesser BOP, we continued our tour to watch King Bird of Paradise that day. It was a nice experience because we could see both of them. Despite the hardships that we faced during the trip, we consider that it was a successfull journey.
In addition to birds of paradise, there were also other animals that we saw such as soa-soa monitor lizard, wallaby, northern cassowary, snake and colorful butterflies. Glowing mushrooms, wild flowers and unique plants attracted our attention too.
Raja Ampat
In the final leg of our birding tour, we stayed at wooden bungalows in Raja Ampat that were built on the water. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights there to watch Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. Raja Ampat is a tropical paradise for marine lovers. After hiking and birding in the jungle, we could jump into the sea and enjoyed swimming and snorkeling just in front of our guesthouse. A lot of tropical fish such as damselfish, anemonefish, striped surgeonfish, and butterflyfish thrive in the coral reef of the island.
To enhance the birding experience of the participants, I provide binoculars and spotting scope for them. They brought their own D-SLR cameras that were equipped with telephoto lenses.
There were a lot of other birds that we watched in the jungle such as Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Lowland Peltop, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, and Hooded Butcherbird, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and Golden Myna. Some were sitting on lower branches of trees whereas many on top of high trees.

We spent the last three days of our trip staying in wooden bungalows on the crystal clear water of Raja Ampat. It was an unforgetful experience because we could enjoy swimming and snorkeling over pristine coral reef of the archipelago.
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in West Papua, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Palm Cockatoo from Tambrauw Mountains

This is the photograph of Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) that was made by a Belgian visitor in Tambrauw Mountains. The bird has got black feather with red cheek. In West Papua and other parts of eastern Indonesia, the bird is called Kakatua Raja (meaning King Cockatoo). The bird eats tropical fruits and is considered as an important seed disperser for New Guinea rainforest. If you are interested in watching Palm Cockatoo and other birds in Tambrauw Mountains, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Birding in Tambrauw Mountains

I had a birding trip to Tambrauw Mountains early this month. I spent 3 days visiting several forest areas of the region to meet villagers and explore the rainforest. During the trip, I saw interesting birds such as Lesser Birds of Paradise, Forest Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Papuan Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Brahminy Kite, and quite interestingly a Red-necked Phalarope/ Northern Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus).

Northern Phalarope in Tambrauw Mountains

 According to several reports on the internet this Northern Phalarope breeds in the Arctic. They migrate to the south during winter time. However, most of them spend their time on the ocean. Field guide book Birds of New Guinea (written by Bruce Beehler, and Thane K. Pratt) says that only two records from land, one carcass found on the glacier on Mount Jaya and one in a paddy field near Merauke. So, the sighting of Red-necked Phalarope in Tambrauw Mountains is a new information for anybody who observes migratory birds. I only saw one bird at the time. It was amazing to see such a small bird that took a very long journey from Arctic region to West Papua.

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in the rainforest of Tambrauw Mountains, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains

Tambrauw Mountains

Tambrauw is a mountain range that is located in the vogelkop region of West Papua. It is covered by tropical rainforest. I visited the mountain a few days ago to see the biodiversity of the forest environment. The tropical rainforest that covers the mountains and valleys of this regency is the natural habitat of a lot mammals, reptiles, marsupials, and insects. There are unique tropical trees, shrubs and lianas that visitors can see while walking through the dense forest of Tambrauw.
Birds such as Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus), Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), New Guinea Vulturine Parrot can be found in Tambrauw regency. Cuscus possum, deer, wild pigs, soa-soa monitor lizard, and a lot of species of insects also make the mountains as their natural habitat. While I was traveling in the mountains I saw plants such as sago, bamboo, a lot of kinds trees in the slopes and flat lands.
How to get there?
There are two entry points which visitors can choose to reach Tambrauw, i.e. Manokwari city and Sorong city. If you fly into Manokwari, you will be able to fly to Anjai and then by 4wd car to Tambrauw Mountains.
If you fly into Sorong city, I can organize your trip to Fef town by a chartered 4wd car.
Activities:
Hiking, camping, birdwatching/ wildlife watching

Nature lovers who are interested in seeing rainforest are highly recommended to go to Tambrauw Mountains. As a tourist guide, I organize rainforest tour for everybody who wants to explore the wealth of bio-diversity of Tambrauw. The duration of the tour is 5 to 7 days. 

If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Watching Red Bird of Paradise in Raja Ampat

Birding Trip to Raja Ampat
I visited Raja Ampat last week. I went there crossing thea sea from Sorong city to Waigeo island by fast passenger boat to do some birding and sightseeing trip in the southern region of Waigeo island particularly near Kabui bay. I was a n unforgetable journey because I was able to watch Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus), and a lot of other birds that live in lower montane forest of Waigeo island.
I stayed at a wooden house built on the water. The scenery of the surrounding waters was very beautiful.

Paradisaea rubra

Watching Red Bird of Paradise
To watch Red Bird of Paradise, I had to wake up early in the morning at 05.00. It was still dark. After drinking some water and wash my face, I and my friend walked up the slopes of Waigeo to reach the birding ground of the paradise birds. It took around 40 minutes to reach it. Arriving at that place, we climbed an observation platform whose height was approximately 5 meters above the ground.
Some male Red Bird of Paradise were already sitting on the branches of the tree. They were waiting for their female counterparts. It did not take long for us to watch their dance performance. After a 15 - 20 minute-waiting, we began to hear the sounds of their calls. These were followed by the courtship dance performance of two male birds of paradise. They did this to attract the attention of female bird of paradise for mating.

Shooting the Paradise Birds
I turned on my digital camera. It was a Fujifilm HS50EXR and then slowly moved to an open space on the platform where I could see the birds clearly. When I saw that one of the male birds was dancing with his whole body on the upside down pose, I quickly aimed my camera and shot him several times. It was a nice shot but the early morning light was not bright enough.
The pictures of the birds of paradise were good enough.
As a tour guide, I offer birding and snorkeling trip to Raja Ampat for anybody who wants to see tropical birds, coral reef and fish of this wonderful archipelago.

Kabui bay in Raja Ampat archipelago

I can guide solo traveling visitor and be a birding and snorkeling buddy. I can also organize a multiple day birding and snorkeling tour for a group of 2 to 8 visitors or even more who wants to watch birds in Arfak mountains, Sorong regency and Raja Ampat.
Swimming and Snorkeling
As the epicenter of marine biodiversity, the sea of Raja Ampat  is the natural habitat of thousands of species of marine animals including anemonefish, surgeonfish, lionfish, damselfish, grouper, manta, turtles, and a lot more.
Please, bring your own snorkeling gear such as mask, snorkel, fins. You can also bring an underwater camera if you want to enjoy snorkeling in the waters of Raja Ampat.
Booking
For more info on customized itinerary and cost, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.