Birdwatching in Pripahamandas

Pripahamandas (Kilometer Dua Belas)

The steep-sided forest valley, the water catchment for Waingapu, offers a pleasant introduction to forest birding. Citron-crested race of Yellow-crested Cockatoo still occurs, Great-billed Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet and Green Imperial Pigeon are all common.

Getting there

From Waingapu take any bus in the direction of Waikabubak and get off at km 12 (you will have to pay the full Waikabuhak fare); alternatively hitch a ride or charter a vehicle from your hotel.

General Information

From km 12 it is a 50-m walk to the top of the limestone escarpments and a lovely view into the valley. To descend into the valley bottom, there is a rough trail at km 11. it is possible then to walk up the river and return via another trail, which joins the road at km 15; however on this trail you have to climb a short rock face.

Birdwatching in Waingapu Bay

Waingapu Bay

A few minutes walk from Waingapu town, the mud-flats and sandbars of waingapu bay attract good numbers of shorebirds during the migration months of Mar-may and late Jul-Oct. the variety of species is variable; careful scanning of the high water roost on a sandbar at the eastern end is sometimes rewarded with scarcer shorebird species.

Key species

Far Eastern Curlew, Greater Sand-plover, Great Knot, Terek Sandpiper, Rufous-necked stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper has also been recorded.

Getting there

Opposite the police booth to left of the Merlin hotel, take a track down the side of the mosque. Turn left at the asphalt road and walk for 400 m as far as sharp right bend. Continue straight on along a dirt track for 100 m to a second asphalt road. Turn right and continue for 200 m to a sharp right-hand bend. Take a small path on the left across disused shrimp ponds to the beach.