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).
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| 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 or by sending text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.
