Kisol: Birdwatching in Lowland Forest

An easy base for lowland forest birding. Kisol is a small village, 68 km from Ruteng, 9 km east of Mborong, on the road to Bajawa near the south coast. At Nangarawa, on the coast south of Kisol, there are patches of lowland forest and scrub; there is also a small estuary with mangroves, 10 km along a bad road passable to 4WD vehicles. Mt Poco Ndeki (Pacandeki) is a forested mountain south of Kisol, 45 min on foot.

Key species

Most lowland species including Bonelli’s Eagle, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Green Junglefowl, Green Imperial Pigeon, Flores Green Pigeon, Great-billed Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Moluccan and Wallce’s Scopsowls, White-rumped Kingfisher, Elegant Pitta, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Black-naped and Spectacled Monarchs, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Yellow-spectacled White-eye, Thick-billed Darkeye, Flores crow. In open country or on the south coast: Wooly-necked Stork, Changeable Hwak-eagle, Malaysian Plover, Beach Thick-knee, Lesser Whistling-duck.

Getting there

Take any Bajawa bus and get off at Kisol ($2). Alternatively charter a car for the 2-hr drive ($30).