Birdwatching in Yamdena, Tanimbar Islands (Maluku)

Yamdena (Tanimbar islands)Yamdena is well off the beaten track and has only been visited by a handful of birders, but beautiful, pristine, tropical ecosystems and 8 endemic species, including a megapode, cockatoo, two thrushes and two fantails, make Yamdena well worth a visit.

General information

There is only one road, which runs along the southeast coastline. Arrange with your hotel for a vehicle and driver for the day (about $40) and simply drive up the road until you find promising looking places. About 20 km out of Saumlaki (there are no km marker posts) is a large chicken-rearing compound on the right. The birding is good if you walk north along an old logging track leading into a forest grassland mosaic on the left after 500 m. 5 km past the compound the road crosses a large tidal channel. The tail forest to the south of the channel, on the east side of the road, is good area for endemics, icluding Slaty-backed Thrush.

It is also worth hiring a speedboat to explore the western seaboard of Yamdena, but hire costs are high (at least $150 per day) island Whistler is quite easy to find on small islands at the entrance to Saumlaki Bay, and you should see Australian Pelican and Great-billed Heron. A great 2-3 day trip is to head up the western coast to the remote village of Matikan, which backs onto pristine monsoon forests, with a diversion along the way to explore the mangrove and swamp forests fringing the Salwassa Bay.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Banda Islands

Banda islandsThe tiny Banda islands are one of Indonesia’s best get-away-from-it-all destinations. Fabulous diving and snorkeling and opportunities for other watersports such as wind-surfing, water-skiing and fishing, coupled with the island’s fascinating history, attract increasing numbers of tourists but the islands have not yet been spoilt by unsightly tourist developments. For the bird-watcher these islands offer a few interesting small-island specialities and very good seabird-watching opportunities.

Getting there
By sea the large Pelni passenger liner, rinjani, stops in Banda every second Friday and the following Sunday, before heading on to Ujung Pandang, Surabaya, Jakarta and Dumai (Sumatra), and then back again on its 2-week route. Perintis lines offer deck passage at something like $3, but they can be slow and uncomfortable.

Accommodation/dining
All accommodation on Banda tends to fill during October and the last 2 weeks of December-reserve ahead. The only two hotels in Bandaneira are owned by Des Alwi, Who organizes diving operations on the islands. There is a selection of homestay.

General information
The rainy season is from mid-June through August (southeast monsoon) high winds (the west monsoon) can blow from mid-January to February (the east monsoon).

Foreign exchange there are no banks on Banda, so bring all the rupiahs you will need from Ambon.

Boat rentals;
Large vessel: Diesel-powered, for more than 10 passengers, $150/day, $25/hr.
Launch: Diesel-powered, 5-10 passengers, $100/day, $20/hr.
Speedboat: Gasoline-powered, 4 passengers, $110/day, $25/hr.
Manuk Islands for the 2-3 day journey out to this island (about 120 km southeast of banda) Indonesia’s largest seabird colony, you will need the large vessel; they charge about 4880 for this trip.
Lontar (Banda Besar) to reach Lontar Island, to see the nutmeg groves and fort Holandia, charter a boat from one of the hotels or from a free-lancer at the dock near the market.