Birdwatching in Terimbang (Nusa Tenggara)

Terimbang

A beautiful, unspoilt cove on the south coast, with a 1 km band of beach forest between the beach and fields around the village of Terimbang. Forested escarpments rise inland from the villages. The area has yet to be birded properly, but looks to have great potential and may support all Sumba’s endemics. As yet there is no accommodatins; visitors camp on the beach. Fisherman will sell you fish to barbecue. Bring whatever else you need.

Key species

Beach Thick-knees on the beach, Orange-footed Scrub-fowl and Rainbow Lorikeets, and the forest through which the road passes on the way is good for Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Citron-crested Cockatoo and Metalic Pigeon.

Getting there

Traveling west from Waingapu on the Waikabubak road, turn left at Praipaha (47 km from Waingapu) on the road to Wahang and Tabundung. After a further 38 km, a turning on the right leads 8 km down to Terimbang. (the turning is in Kalal forest, a good area for Citron-crested Cockatoo). Buses leave the terminal in Waingapu each morning for Wahang, but you will need to walk the 8 km from the turning or wait for a lift on one of the very few vehicles going to Terimbang.

Terimbang and Wangameti are connected by a south coast road. From Wangameti return to Kanangar, then continue down to Manukangga on the south coast, turn west via Lalindi, Tabungdung and Wahang. This journey will take a full day by car or motorbike.

source: Birding Bali. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Mt Wangameti (Nusa Tenggara)

Mt Wangameti

Sumba’s highest mountain supports the largest area of forest (40,000 ha) remaining on Sumba. It catches more rainfall than other areas of Sumba and is covered in evergreen forest, favoured habitat of the Red-naped Fruit-dove. Visitors can stay with the head of Wangameti village and hire a guide to explore the forest or climb the mountain.

Key species

All Sumba’s endemic species (except Sumba Buttonquail) and Red-naped Fruit-dove common. Eclectus and Great-billed Parrots, Sumba Cicadabird, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Tawny Grassbird and Russet-backed Rhinomyias.

Getting there

Wangumeti village is about 65 km (3 hrs) south of Waingapu. From Waingapu drive west past the airport. 10 km from Waingapu take a turning on the right to Tana Rara, a further 49 km. continuing along the road from Tana Rara to Kanangar, after 7 km you reach a rough track to Wangameti on the right. Larondja village, which abuts the forest, is 24 km along this track.

A car charter to Wangameti will cost $45. by public transport ask around for the Ende Manis truck at the terminal in Waingapu in the evening. This truck does a daily run up to the Wangameti area. If you are going by motorbike, be aware that patrol is often not available in Tana Rara or Kanagar, but you can arrange for Ende Manis to drop a jerry can of benzene at Wangameti.

General Information

Visitors can stay with a family in Larondja; they ask for IDR 60,000 a night per person, including three basic meals. The village has a communal toilet block. The forest, which starts across a small river immediately behind the village, is criss-crossed with trails for collecting loba (the bark of a tree used in dyeing). The trek to the top of Wangameti is relatively gentle climb and takes 3-4 hrs. villagers ask IDR 30,000 a day for guiding. The price for half day is the same because they lose a day’s work.