Bali Barat National Park
The problem in the national park is accommodation-or lack of it: in fact, there is none. The best bet is Pondok Sari at pemuteran on the fringe of the park, about 30 km from Gilimanuk, or, if you are not too fussy, Nusantara II in Gilimanuk itself. The advantage of the latter is very pleasant walk along the bay to a wide expanse of grassland, where Chesnut-headed Bee-eater, Asian Pied and Black-winged Starlings, White-shouldered Triller and Striated Grassbird are all to be seen. Migrating Oriental Plover and Little Curlew can be spotted on the turf, while across the bay, up to nine Lesser Adjutants are usually visible evenly spaced along the beaches.
But first you must get a permit in order to prowl around. Go to the National park headquarters at Cekik, at he junction of the north and south coast-roads, or the office at Labuhan lalang, 8 km back along the northern road. Labuhan Lalang is the departure point for snorkeling and diving tours on the fantastic reef surrounding Menjangan island, which is also the best spot for beach Thick-knee and lemon-bellied White-eye.
To see the endangered Bali Starling, you will need the assistance of the wardens who will take you by boat to Teluk Telor ranger station on Prapat Agung Peninsula. An alternative is to walk-12 km in each direction-from the Prerelease Training Centre at Tegal Blunder, located 1 km down a track that leads off the main road at the village of Sumberklampok mid-way between Labuhan Lalang and the Park Headquarters. The Bali Starling is one of the world’s rarest birds, with only 35 or so left in the wild, and as the issue of its probable extinction is so sensitive, the situation changes all the time. However, if a visit is possible, Tegal Bunder, with its varied habitats of acacia forest, scrub, savannah and manrove swamp, yield species seldom seen elsewhere, nightjars, hornbills, malkohas, pitas, rollers and treeswift are all there, and look out especially for Black-thighed Falconet, Oranged-breasted Green Pigeon and Lineated Barbet, the whole place is seething with Green Junglefowl.
For a most rewarding foray, climb the steps to the Jayaprana temple at Teluk Terina, then descend to the stream-bed behind the compound. Follow the stream back to the road, cutting across the longer, almost parallel, reaches, Marvel at the wildlife in general large squirrel, barking deer, and huge, black silvered leaf monkeys or langurs. With luck you may catch up with owls-brown hawk, buffy fish and even Oriental Bay, which has recently been “rediscovered) here. Perhaps the greatest reward will be rufous-backed kingfisher. Look for Banded Pitta and Fulvous-chested Flycatcher in the scrubby forest near the road.
If you have decided to base yourself at Pondok Sari, a walk west along the beach (or on the track behind it) will take you to a rainwater catchment area that is teeming with birds. Both large-tailed and savanna Nighjars are readily flushed and the area is good for bee-eaters, trillers, drongos, woodswallows and starlings, too.
source: Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore