Around Ruteng : much place for birdwatching
Key species
All the montane species, in particular Dark backed Imperial Pigeon, Flores Scopsowl (a speciment recently collected near lake Rana Mese), Russet-capped Tesia, Timor Leaf-warbler, Yellow-breasted Warbler, Flyeater, Brown-capped Fantail, Bare-throated Whistler, Mountain White-eye, Yellow-browe Dark-eye, Sacaly-crowned Honeyeater.
Golo Lusang
7 km south of Ruteng on the road to Iteng, the 1,650 m pass between Mt Lika and Mt Watu Ndao is a fabulous place for an early morning symphony of Bare-throated Whistlers and views to the south coast and even across to Sumba.
Getting there
For an early start arrange a charter from your hotel the night before (IDR 25,000); at other times take a bemo from the bus station in the direction of Ponggeok or Iteng (IDR 3,000) and ask to be dropped off at the pass. To return to Ruteng flag down a passing bemos or truck (IDR 3,000).
General Information
The forest on the south of the pass is less disturbed and to explore it simply wander down the road. Several wood-cutters’ trails give access to the forest. An interesting trail enters to the southeast at Ulu Wae Ces, 1 km back down from the pass in the direction of Ruteng. The trail climbs upwards through a tunnel of shrubs and after 1 km enters secondary scrub and climbs steeply for a further 1 km to another pass. There is good forest over this pass and you reach a small meadow after another 1 km.