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 or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

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

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 or send whatsapp message to: +6281332245180.

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 or text message to my whatsapp number: +6281332245180

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Sulphur crested Cockatoo in lowland forest of Manokwari

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) lives in Australia, New Guina and a lot of small islands in the Pacific region. I often see the birds when I guide tourists on a hiking, camping and birding trip in lowland forest of Manokwari. They make nosy screeching sounds in the forest if they play together in a tree.
Cockatoes create nests by making holes in large trees high above the ground.
To watch these birds, we need to bring binoculars such as the 10x42 or 12x50 mm and if possible a good spotting scope.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo eats tropical fruits including papaya, banana, and other fruits in the jungle. They play great roles in spreading the seeds of fruits which they eat to all parts of the forest.
Birding and Wildlide Watching in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

Sulphur crested cockatoo in Manokwari

I have organized a lot of birding tours for European, American and Australian visitors to the forest of Manokwari where visitors could watch various species of birds including Yellow Faced Myna, Golden Myna, Lowlsnd Peltop, and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Eclectus parrot, Little-ringed Plover, and Little Egret, Brahminy Kite and Variable Goshawk, and Palm Cockatoo, Moustached Treeswift. There are other animals too such as beetles and butterflies, fruit bats, soa-soa lizard, snake, deer and forest pigs.
Camping

Camping in Manokwari Lowland Forest

A hiking, camping, birding and wildlife watching tour usually lasts for 3 to 5 days. Since there is no guesthouse in the forest, tourists will stay in tents by the river. As a tourist guide, I can provide tents, matrasses, sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils so that visitors do not have to carry heavy things from their country.
However, I highly suggest that visitors bring flashlight/ torch, a good pair of binoculars and birding guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler. Don't forget to put your electronics inside ziploc bags or plastic containers when you go with me to the river area.
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in lowland forest of Manokwari, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp/ text message to: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Birding and Photography Tour in Minahasa Highland
• Birding and Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland