Kai Island The Kai Islands. Kai Kecil, Dullah (Tual) and Kai Besar, are not as bird rich as the Tanimbars, but nevertheless support 4 endemic species. Kai Coucal is common on all three islands, White-tailed Monarch and Great Kai White-eye are confined to Kai Besar, and little Kai White-eye to kai Kecil. The beaches are an added attraction: those on Kai Kecil are truly a vision of paradise.
However, the vegetation is mainly scrub and only a few patches of good forest remain. There is good forest to be found on Kai Besar and other islands in the group; Warlaba and Manir.
Getting there
The airport is located at langgur, on Kai Kecil, which is connected to Dulah Island by a bridge. Tual, the capital of southeast maluku, is on Dullah. Taxis ($7) meet the plane for the 20-min drive into Tual. Alternatively walk out to the main road and jump on a bemo for IDR 2,000.
Accommodation and Dining
There are a few losmen in Tual. The bay is huge, the beach just idyllic, and there is easy access to forest behind. Trails lead about 5 km into the forest and there are lots of scrubfowl mounds. Catch a bus from the new Langgur Terminal (IDR 2,000) or charter a bemo ($3).
The stunning Pasar Panjang beach at Ohoillilir (also on the west coast0 is popular with locals and back-packers alike. A group of beach cottages is located 500 m north of the village. The beach is 15 km from Tual; take a bus from the Langgur Terminal (IDR 5,000).
General Information
Taman Anggrek, signposted on the right just before Dullah village, a short bus journey from Langgur Terminal, has a patch of forest surrounding a small lake. Kai Cicadabird and Little Kai White-eye have been seen here.
There is nice patch of mangrove forest (at ur), about 5 km outside Tual. From Tual take a bemo signed Ur. In Ur village ask directions to “Hutan Bakau”. Wander around the bay and through the mangroves.
There still good forest in the northern part of Kai Besar. The raja of Watlaar, on the northwestern shore, is a proponent of the role of traditional law in forest conservation. Ferries leave a small quay in Ohoiren (close to the bridge on the Langgur side) at 10.00 am and 12.00 am to Banda Eli on Kai Besar. From there catch a bemo to Yamtel on the east coast, from where longboats leave at 2 pm for the 3-hr journey up the coast (IDR 30,00).
source Birding indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore