Trekking in Syugrar river of Tambrauw Forest

I have just returned from the jungle of Tambrauw mountains after organizing a tour for 6 Polish visitors who wanted to see tropical rainforest. They spent 2 weeks of their vacation period scuba diving in Raja Ampat and walking in the jungle of Tambrauw. While in Raja Ampat, they stayed in comfortable bungalows of Kri Eco Resort. In the contrary, when they went into the jungle, they had to stay in dome tents battered by heavy rain.
We went trekking and camping at the bank of Syugrar river (approx. 4 hours by 4WD car).

During the tour, we saw various species of birds including lesser birds of paradise, sulphur crested cockatoo, blyth's hornbill, deer, wild pigs, cuscus possum, beetles, butterflies, and a lot of species of plants. We built tents and stayed in the jungle for 4 days/ 3 nights. We did day and night walks in the jungle. As a tour guide, I provided several dome tents for them.

We also had a riverwalk where we explored the forest by walking through Syugrar river. Its current was not so strong so we could walk against it.

If you are visiting West Papua (Sorong town and Raja Ampat) and want to combine your trip with jungle tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

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 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