Birding Tour in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in the Minahasa Highland of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is a peaceful and green area with farmlands, hills, forests, and mountain slopes. The weather is cool, and the landscape is beautiful. This makes Sonder a good place for birdwatching.

Warbling White-eye

There are a lot of species of birds that live in the forest, farmland and wetland of Sonder. Some of them are endemic to Sulawesi island. Visitors who enjoy birding can walk through the villages, along the small roads, and on forest trails. Most birdwatching activities are done early in the mornings or in the late afternoons when birds are more active.

Here are some of the many birds that can be seen in Sonder:

Endemic Birds (only found in Sulawesi and nearby islands):

• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Sulawesi Babbler
• Sulawesi Leaf Warbler
• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Finch-billed Myna
• White-necked Myna
• Sulawesi Myna
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Sulawesi Serpent Eagle
• Black-naped Fruit Dove
• Ashy Woodpecker
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• Rusty-bellied Fantail
• Sulawesi Cuckoo
• Sulawesi Goshawk
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Pale Blue Monarch

Other Birds:

• Collared Kingfisher
• Sacred Kingfisher
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Barn Swallow
• Pacific Swallow
• Uniform Swiftlet
• Grey-rumped Treeswift
• Glossy Swiftlet
• Little Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Purple Heron
• Spotted Dove
• Brown Cuckoo Dove
• Emerald Dove
• Zebra Dove
• Black-naped Oriole
• Sahul Sunbird
• Crimson Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Yellow-vented Bulbul
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow
• Mountain White-eye
• Chestnut Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Asian Glossy Starling
• White-eyed Spangled Drongo
• Peregrine Falcon
• Brahminy Kite

Sonder town in Minahasa highland

Birdwatchers who visit Sonder town can stay in homestays in the area. They can also join a local birding guide who knows the best places to see birds. A typical birding trip can last one to three days. Local people are friendly and often help visitors find the best paths.

In conclusion, Sonder is a good destination for birdwatchers who want to see Sulawesi’s unique birds in a quiet and natural setting. The area is easy to reach from Manado and offers a great experience for nature lovers.

After taking this tour, visitors continue their trip by flying from Manado city to Sorong city to watch birds of Paradise in its rainforest. 

Birding Tour in Klasow valley of Sorong Regency

In addition to birding tour in Sonder of Minahasa highland, I also offer birding tour in Sorong Regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia. The main targets include Lesser Birds of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blue-black Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Western-crowned Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Ornate Fruit Dove, Papuan Eclectus, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Black Lory, and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, and etc. 

Papuan Eclectus (female) 

In general, visitors spend between 3 to 4 days in Klasow valley to watch tropical birds of New Guinea. Birds, insects, reptiles and mammals could be watched in the forest. 

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Minahasa and Sorong regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Birding and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat
• Birding walk in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
• Wildlife Tours in Rainforest of Sorong

Birding in Sorong Ridge Forest with 2 Australian Tourists

Double-eyed Fig Parrot

I went birding with 2 Australian visitors (David and Jane) today. We visited Sorong ridge forest. We left Swiss-belhotel at 05.30 for the Sunbird Ridge Forest. I carried a Kinglux 20-60×60 spotting scope to watch birds that sit on the branches of distant trees. During the tour we saw Yellow-faced Myna, Oriental Dollarbird, Brahminy Kite, Grey-headed Goshawk, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blyth's Hornbill, Red-cheeked Parrot, Black Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black-browed Triller, Fairy Lorikeet, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Eclectus Parrot.

Although in the first one hours it rained a lot, we could enjoy the hiking and birdwing tour in the forest. We also saw Eupholus schoenherri beetle and various kinds of butterfly during the tour. 

Female Black Sunbird

Sorong city is the gate to Raja Ampat. A lot of people fly to this city every day. Most of the tourists spend one or two days in Sorong before and after their trip in Raja Ampat. They could take advantage of their stay in this city by enjoying hiking and birding.

I highly recommend that visitors travel in a group of tourists to share the cost. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180 if you are interested in taking the birding tour with me as your guide in Sorong city of West Papua province of Indonesia.

Wildlife Tours in Rainforest of Sorong

I offer birding and wildlife watching tours for visitors who are interested in hiking and exploring the tropical rainforest of Sorong city. These tours are suitable for tourists who want to take land tour before or after their diving/ snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat. The duration of the tour can be customized into 1 day for day trip to 3 or 4 days adventure in tropical rainforest. We have prepared basecamp in the forest. There are cooking and eating utensils too. We provide these things so that visitors do not need to carry heavy things to explore the rainforest.

See the biodiversity of plants and animals in rainforest

Rainforest in Sorong regency of West Papua

We will explore the forest to see butterflies, beetles, and a lot of other insects,  birds, lizards, cuscus possum. Tropical rainforest of West Papua is a rich environment. There are a lot of species of trees, shrub and creeping plants, as well as wild flower plants that can be seen in the forest. Visitors will be able to see the scenery of the forest while walking along the ridge of the savanna hills. As we walk deeper and then down the slopes of the hill, we will be able to reach a river whose bed is covered by big granite stones.

Day Hiking Tour

Tropical Rainforest in Sorong regency

Most tourists request day hiking tour. I highly suggest that visitors go in a group of at least 4 people or even more to share the cost. We can start in the morning and then return in the afternoon.

How to get to Sorong city
Sorong city is the gateway to Raja Ampat islands - the most important tourist destination in Indonesia for scuba diving and snorkeling. Here is how to get there:

• Take an international flight from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia).
• After that, take a domestic flight, by Garuda or Batik Air or Sriwijaya, to Sorong city. I could meet you in Sorong and organise your trip to the forest.

Flight Route to Sorong city

Booking
To book your rainforest wildlife watching tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Birding near Sorong city

Olive-backed Sunbird

This is the picture of Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) that I saw in a forest near Sorong city. For tens of years, this city has become the main gate to Raja Ampat islands for tourists who to spend their holiday scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling. However, there are also a lot of tourists who want to enjoy hiking, birdwatching and nature watching in general.

Birding Tour
As a tourist guide, I offer this tour. Because this forest is near the city, visitors can start the tour early in the morning and then return to their hotel before dark. From a short hiking and birdwatching trip, I saw Helmetted Friarbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Coconut Lorikeet, and Yellow-faced Myna. I also saw some birds flying very fast in front of me making it difficult to identify them. I guess they were Black Lory, and Hooded Butcherbird.

In addition to birds, visitors who take this tour will be able to see savanna hills, terrestrial Spathoglottis orchids, butterflies, grasshoppers, and unique tropical plants of Papua.
We will walk along the ridge of Savanna Hills and then down to tropical rainforest of Sorong that is still in very good condition. The shortest trip is one day, but we can organize multiple day hiking, camping and birding tour that lasts for 3 to 4 days. There are several sites in the forest where we can use to build our basecamp. Because organizing a multiple day tour in the forest needs more logistical supplies, we will bring tents, mattrasses, cooking and eating utensils.
What to Wear and What to Bring

To take this trip, please, wear sport/ hiking shoes with socks, long pants or short pants, apply insect repellent lotion, t-shirt and hat. During rainy season, bring raincoat.
To enhance your birding experience, bring a pair of binoculars such as the Swarovski EL 8.5×42, spotting scope and tripod as well as birding camera such as Nikon P900 or Fujifilm HS50EXR.
Booking
If you are interested in hiking and birding in Sorong forest, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by text message to ,y whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Bird viewing and snorkeling in Raja Ampat

Wildlife Tour in Lowland Forest of Sorong regency Indonesia

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

This is the photograph of male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor). I often see the birds when I guide visitors in lowland forest of Sorong regency. It is a city which has been the main gate to Raja Ampat. As a matter of fact, Sorong has got huge area of tropical rainforest that is home to a lot of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. There are a lot of plants that grow in the forest such as iron-wood tree, matoa tree, and huge pandanus tree.
Visitors spend between 3 to 4 days hiking and watching wild animals in the forest. From my previous wildlife tours in this environment I saw deer, northern cassowary, wallaby, ulysses butterfly and beautiful wild flowers.

Itinerary
Day 1

Transfer by 4wd car from Sorong city to Klasow valley (1.5 hours)
Walk along the path from the main road to jungle village (1.5 hours)
Arrive in the village, take a rest, birdwatching around the clearing area of the village.

Day 2
Wake-up early in the morning at 04.00. Have tea or coffee and make preparation At 04.30 leave the village for the birdwatching site of Lesser BOP. Arrive at 06.00. Watch birds until 09.00. Walk back to the village. Have lunch. Take a rest. Jungle walk again to watch birds and other wildlife.
After dinner, we could do night walk to see wallaby thats comes out at night to find food and mating partner.

Day 3
Wake up in the morning to birding site of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. After that, we will continue to the birding ground of King Bird of Paradise.
After lunch we will go hiking to a hill behind the village. Back to the village, we still can enjoy birdwatching in the clearing area of the village

Day 4
Morning walk to the river in the west of the village. Visitors can enjoy swimming or exploring the surrounding forest. Back to the village. After lunch, we could walk slowly back to the main road again and then back to Sorong city by car.

Booking your rainforest tour
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.
I need information such as name, country of origin, date and time of arrival and how long you plan to do the rainforest tour.

Birdwatching in Lowland Forest of Sorong

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

Paradise Birds of Klasow Valley
Sorong is a city in West Papua province of Indonesia that has become the main gate to Raja Ampat. There is a huge valley in the east of Sorong that is famous among birdwatchers as the most recommended site for watching Paradise Birds. Its name is Klasow Valley. Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) and Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus) live in tropical rainforest of the valley and can be watched together with hundreds of species other of birds.

Visitors who go to Malagufuk village of Klasow valley usually spend at least 4 days/ 3 nights in the jungle to watch birds, and other wild animals, as well as wild flowers and unique tropical plants of the rainforest. There is a small village in the middle of the forest. There are also two jungle huts that have been prepared for visitors. The huts are equipped with mattrasses, mosquito nets and toilets.
The birdwatching site for Lesser Birds of Paradise is approximately a 1.5-hour-walk from the village. Visitors who want to watch the paradise birds need to wake up early in the morning at 04.00 to have tea or coffee and to make preparation until 04.30. After that they have to start walking. Because it is still dark, head torch will be needed for the morning jungle walk. There is another birdwatching site for Lesser Birds of Paradise approximately 30 minutes walk from the village. But the tree where the birds dance is quite high. Each visitor who wants to watch birds at this site needs to bring a good pair of binoculars. Usually, the activity of Lesser BOP at their display trees decreases after 09.00.  Birdwatchers can walk back to the village to take a rest and have lunch.
Northern Cassowary

Northern Cassowary in lowland forest of Sorong regency

There is also Northern Cassowary that regularly visits the village to ask banana fruits and sugar cane from villagers. It is a very big bird and dangerous. I used to guide a group of visitors from Rockjumper. We spent 2 days/ 1 night in the valley to watch birds. We were quite lucky to be welcomed by this Northern Cassowary. But we have to keep safe distance from the bird. During our tour in Malagufuk of Klasow valley, we were able to watch King Bird of Paradise, Northern Cassowary, Yellow-faced Myna, Helmetted Friarbird, Black Lory, Boyer's Cuckooshrike, Red-cheeked Parrot, Glossy Swiftlet, Pinon Imperial Pigeon.
Birds are not the only animals that live in this lowland forest of Sorong, there are butterfly and beetles, cuscus possum, wallaby, fish and frogs in the river, snake, wild pigs, soa-soa lizard, dear and even crocodile in big river.

Want to visit Klasow valley?
Fly from your country to Jakarta (capital of Indonesia) or Manado city (by Silk Air from Singapore).  There are regular flights from these cities to Sorong city. I could meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Klasow valley.

Booking
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in West Papua and needs me to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Traveling by ship along the coast of Tambrauw regency

I have just completed a boat trip along the north coast of West Papua. I guided five visitors from the Netherlands. We left Manokwari city by PELNI ship KM Kasuari Pasifik 3 for Sausapor town (the temporary capital of Tambrauw regency). The ship stopped in the waters of such villages as Saukorem, Imbuan, Waibem, Wau, Warmandi, Saubeba, Kwor, Opmare, Werur and finally arrived in Sausapor. That's our destination. But the ship continued its voyage to Sorong. 

We stayed for 2 days in Sausapor and explored the natural beauty of the little town. We enjoyed snorkeling over its beautiful coral reef and spent one night at the beach in search of turtles. Unfortunately, no turtles landed that night. However, we saw green frog, a large beach crab and snake. At the end of our adventure in Sausapor, we continued our trip to Sorong city by KM Sunlia. KM stands for Kapal Motor meaning Motor Vessel. 

KM Kasuari Pasifik 3 carries cargo and passengers. Its price is 50,000 rupiahs (approximately 4 Euros) per person. Because the ticket price is so cheap, tourists can use their extra money to buy fruits, food, and souvenirs from local Papuan people. This is important for the economic livelihood of the villagers who live along the coastal area of Tambrauw regency.

It stops for 2 to 3 hours in the waters of every village that I mentioned above. During the stop period, visitors can go to the village to enjoy fishing, swimming, snorkeling or have walking tour around every village. Visitors will also meet Papuan people in their daily life, before returning to the ship for their next adventure.

KM Kasuari Pasifik 3 sails between Manokwari and Sorong four times a month. It usually carries 100 passengers. Every passenger gets his or her own bed. During school holiday seasons and Christmas time, it can carry up to 200 people or even more. Visitors, upon an advanced arrangement by a tourist guide, can rent rooms in the ship that are used by ship crews. The price is 700,000 rupiahs per room for the whole trip. It can accommodate between 2 to 4 people depending on the number of bags that they carry. 

The ship plays vital role in supporting the economy of the villagers. It carries agricultural produce such as banana, coconut, and cocoa beans. Villagers also carry deer, goat, pigs, dogs, and other animals which they want to sell in Sorong or Manokwari.
If you are interested in traveling along the coast of Tambrauw regency by the ship and need me to be your private guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

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 or call 006281332245180. 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.