The Return of Birdwatching in Samas Beach Yogyakarta

I decide to observe again birds in Samas Beach because i need picture this object. I take a picture like vegetation which possible birds life, beauty point of interest view and beauty landscape.

If you have passed a gateway, take right small street. It's better you ride by cycle, because you can reach all the ways, no noisy and no scarry animals. You can see around where ever you like. There are many beauty place for to be watched. The pandanus vegetation dominated in here. That is my objection. Because this place usually birds can be found. If i lucky, i get their nest.

Oh yes, i see a group birds on a Terminalia catappa branches. The name bird is blekok (Ardeola speciosa). I count them about 10-15. I take a few picture for documentation.

I take for 2 an hor to observe. I sit and hide in shrub. It's enough my body feel ill. But no longer, the kingfisher come and sit on branch. I account only one. I look around this lagoon. In a center of lagoon, i see bird which have perform like kuntul, big (40-50 cm), white-neck, sitting on dry branch. Idon't know this name species. This bird not move, just a hed look to be moved.

I had taken a feww picture in the Samas Beach Yogyakarta. It's enough to me. I'll come back again soon later.

Birdwatching in Samas Beach Yogyakarta

Samas Beach located 24 km from south Yogyakarta. Samas Beach has brown sand coastline. There is vegetation formation coastline like pascaprae formation, pandanus formation and cemara udang (Casuarina equesetifolia) formation. Samas beach has area conversation center for penyu belimbing (Dermochelys coriacea), tree vegetation reserve which supported by Toyota and astra. Infrastucture in Samas Beach like smooth asphalt road, park area for bus, cycle and motorcycle available here. About food you can found stall in here.

In Samas Beach you can see bird species like kuntul (Ardeola speciosa) in paddy field, Casuarina equesetifolia vegetation formation, acasia (Ecualyptus sp) vegetation formation.
In Samas beach you can fishing in lagoon coastline. there is much fish species for catched.
For to reach Samas Beach you can use by bus Bantul-Samas direction from Giwangan Bus station. You just pay IDR 5,000. Very cheap.

Samas beach have camping ground. In this area you will found mercusuar.
People in Samas Beach respect to all tourist and they are friendly people.
Unfortunately there is no hotels. A few tourist visit in this destination. Dangerous wave. Don't swim.
The bird species which can be found:
1. Ardeola speciosa (in group on paddy field)
2. Colocalia esculenta.
3. Leucopsar sp
4. Passer montana.
I observed bird species at 08.00 am to midday

Birdwatching in Parangtritis Beach Yogyakarta

Bordered by the deep blue indian Ocean on the south it is only natural that Yogyakarta has series of beautiful beaches on its long coast-line. The most popular is Parangtritis Beach, 28 km away. Legend has it is that Parangtritis is the domain of Nyai Roro Kidul, the beautiful Quen of The South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, the founder of modern mataram empire. There are also popular as a row of three beaches Baron, Kukup, Sundak and Krakal which are about 70 kilometres from the city. Smooth asphalt roads, winding up and down the hill, lead us easily to these exotic beaches. And if we go a bit further, Wediombo, a quiet unexplored beach will welcome us. The white-sand, clear water and thundering waves offer a breathtaking view.

Birdwatching in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, Sumatra

Along the Look Trail

Storm’s Stork is less wary than the duck, but more difficult to find. You may strike lucky at any of the above-mentioned sites. This swampy lake is only accessible (with a guide) in October when the water is at its lowest. Ironically, a 10-min walk from the guest-house, is where most bird-watchers finally see this Little-known stork, whose nest was first described for science as recently as 1987.

The 2-km, circular Look Trail enters the forest on the right, 150 m back along the track out of Way Kanan, and exits directly behind the guest-house. It passes through an area of stunted, secondary forest. The open undergrowth makes it a great place to get good views of galliformes, which are usually such difficult birds to see well. It is a real delight to watch a male Crested Fireback quietly scraping amongst the leaf litter, its blue eye-wattles, navy-blue, slightly iridescent body plumage and white outer tail feathers contrasting subtly with the browns and greens of the forest.

Birdwatching in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, Sumatra Island

Searching for White-winged Duck

With a world population of only about individuals spread across India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sumatra, White-winged Ducks are decidedly thin on the ground. However, they are birds of lowland swamp forest, and a few of the 30 or so that live in Way Kambas are always to be found in tha vicinity of Way Kanan. It is just a matter of catching up with them-something which is much easier during the dry season between June and November, when water levels recede, leaving a few small pools, and you do not have to wade through waterlogged forest.

Rawa Gajah (elephant swamp), a 20-min paddle up the river from Way Kanan, is usually the first place to try. On the river you will have no trouble getting acquainted with the impressive Stork-billed Kingfisher-unmistakable, thanks to its large size and yellow head-and you will probably also see Grey-headed Fish-eagle perched on an over hanging bough. Rawa Gajah is a wetland of about 1 ha that dries out to grass and mud at the height of the dry season (October) but which, when flooded, is a regular spot for the ducks as wel as Lesser Adjutant.

Rawa Pasir (sand marsh) and the forest pond of Ulung-ulung Satu are also good areas for ducks: both are located 3-4 km from Way Kanan, along (for the first part) a well-maintained trail that starts behind the Tiger project building at Way Kanan. There are plenty of exciting birds to see on the way-so it is worth taking your lunch and making a day of it. The forest edge around Rawa Pasir can be particularly productive for leafbirds, bulbuls, flowerpeckers and sunbirds.

The ducks are incredibly wary, so getting good views before fly away is something of an art. The problem lies in the abrupt juxtaposition of forest and water; scanning the whole of the river at Rawa Pasir or the large pond at Ulung-ulung Satu without stepping into full view is almost impossible. Moreover, many birders can tell of how, after assuring themselves that no ducks were present, they stepped out into the open only for a group of ducks to explode in a blaze of black-and-white wing flashes from behind a semi submerged log.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

Looking for White-winged ducks and Frogmouth in Way Kambas National Park

Famed as the easiest locality in Sumatra to find White-winged Duck and Storm’s Stork (both endangered and both very elusive), the 130,000-ha Way Kambas National Park is also an excellent place to see other lowland forest species. The availability of overnight accommodation at Way Kanan, a small forest clearing on the banks of the scenic Way Kambas river, 13 km inside the park, means that you are right on the spot to search at dawn and dusk for shy forest species such as pheasants and frogmouths.

Sadly, Way Kambas is not a place where the magnificence of pristine Sumatran rain forest can be experienced. The area was logged out prior to its annexation for conservation in 1972 and the trees are still stunted in appearance. Luckily the birds and an impressively large number of animals have survived, and many of the 300 birds species can be seen during a 3-4 day visit. The park accessibility-under 8 hrs by road and ferry from Jakarta and by road and ferry from Jakarta and 1,5 hrs from Bandar Lampung airport-adds to its popularity.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching with Trawas for Environmental Education

Trawas’s Centre for Environmental Education

The Centre for Environmental Education (PPLH Seloliman) above Trawas, a 1, 5-hr drive inland from Surabaya, is a great place to combine fruitful birding with comfortable stay in the hills. You can see rare Thick-billed Flowerpeckers and Violet Cuckoos in the forest on the hill above the centre, and during the wet season, listen for the chirruping calls of Forest Wagtails. The Centre is planted with nectar rich Calliandra shrubs, which attract numerous flowerpeckers and sunbirds. It is delightful to watch splendid Javan, endemic Violet-tailed and Purple-throated Sunbirds from the breakfast table.

The walk below the centre to where tall forest drapes the river banks makes a pleasant 2-hr excursion, especially if you have so far missed Javan Kingfisher, Blue Whistling-thrush or the distinct Javan race of Greater Goldenback, all of which are quite common here. Some authorities consider the latter a full species on account of the female’s having a yellowish crown rather than the normal white-on-black pattern. In any event, walk the short distance from the Centre’s entrance to the main road, and at this junction follow a path leading down to the river, to check them out.

The more adventurous may wish to climb to mt Pananggungan (1,653 m), where there are good vantage points for eagle watching (Javan Hawk-eagle has been recorded here) and rewarding views of the surrounding area. The trail for the 3,5-hr climb starts from the Hindu temple a 15-min walk uphill (on the right0 from the Centre.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Kali Lemahan, Surabaya, East Java

Out to the Mud-flats

in the wet months between October and march, a boat journey down to the mud-flats at the mouth of the Kali Lemahan is a must. The pond owners will assist you to hire a small motorized prau (canoe) for the 45-min journey. Seeing the thousands of wintering or passage waders here is one of Java’s great birding experiences. These mud-flats are famous for the large numbers (up to 1,000) of rare Asian Dowitchers that spend the northern winter here. Indeed, the flats are a wader-watcher’s delight: 18 or more species can be found by carefully scanning the flocks with a telescope. Other highlights are Australian Pelicans, swimming out at sea, and another endangered species, Milky Stork; although often seen on the mud-flats, the latter has yet to be recorded breeding in this part of Java.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Ujung Pangkah, Surabaya, (East Java)

Ujung Pangkah’s Herons

Java’s largest heronry, however, is found in the more natural setting of the Ujung Pangkah area on the delta of the Bengawan Solo; this huge river, popular in nostalgic Javan songs, is just a 2-hr drive from Surabaya’s hustle and bustle. An entrepreneurial local fishpond keeper decided to protect the colony as it produced a cheap source of fertilizer which he used to raise Javan tilapia (a cichlid fish) in his pond. A careful scan through the breeding colony will reveal 13 waterbird species, including Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis and the odd Rufous Night Heron. This colony 25,000 or more birds has become a popular destination for day trippers and has earned the pond-keeper the prestigious kalpataru award, presented by the government to individuals who have worked to benefit the environment.

Ujung Pangkah’s offers a glimpse of how the whole of Java’s north coast used to look; today it has largely been converted to sterile shrimp pond. The patchwork of ponds, avenues of trees, swamps, mangrove bushes and undisturbed shores here, however, support a full complement of the island’s water and shorebirds.

After enjoying the heronry, walk around the fish ponds and to the nearby estuaries for more good birding. The neat, yellow Javan White-eye and the endangered Javan Coucal, which reveals its presence with a loud “booping” call. Are two speciality species that inhabit the bushes and trees edging the ponds. Swampy areas along the coast are good for Sunda Teal-easily recognized by its strange, bulging forehead, the rare Bronze-winged Jacana and flocks of Asian Golden Weaver.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Around Surabaya (East Java)

Surabaya

Around Surabaya

Herons and Dowitchers on the Solo Delta

At first glance the industrialized region of Surabaya may not seem very promising for birding, but marveling at spectacular heronries, watching Asian Dowitchers on the Solo Delta, or relaxing at the hill retreat of Trawas are just some of the highlights this area has to offer.

Sadly, the abundant egrets and herons that once enlivened Java’s rice fields are becoming a sight of the past; pesticides, persecution and the destruction of suitable nesting trees have all taken their toll. Today, heronries are generally restricted to remote reserves and off-shore islands, but nesting herons also find safe havens in some of Java’s big cities. In Surabaya, a large colony of night herons has taken up residence in the zoo, where their droppings try the patience of zoo-keepers and visitors alike.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Wasur National Park (Papua)

Wasur National Park

The 13,00 ha Wasur National Park, located in the extreme southeast of Papua, bordering the Papua New Guinea border, is a veritable bird paradise and access is easy. The flat expanse of the vast Fly-Digul River delta is a mosaic of swamps, reedbeds and open savannah woodlands with denser forests along the rivers. In the dry season, literally thousands of waterbirds-many migrants from Australia-concentrate on the receding pools. There are mangroves and mudflats to search for shorebirds, and two species of bird-of-paradise in the denser forest.

Key species

Australian Bustard

www.anhs.com.au

Southern Cassowary, Brolga Crane, Magpie Goose, Australian Bustard, Noisy Pitta, Rufous-bellied and Spangled Kookaburras. Recently, Crimson Finch, White-spotted and Grey-crowned Mannikins and Fly River Grassbird have all been recorde on the Papua side of the Fly River and are all new additions to the Indonesian bird list. Black Mannikin, present just a few km across the border in Papua New Guinea, has not yet been confirmed in Wasur National Park.

Other wildlife

Sugar Glider, Striped Possum, Rusa Deer, Agile Wallaby and forest wallabies, bandicoots and cuscus.

Getting there

The best place to get information and help in arranging tours to the national park is the World Wide Fund for Nature office on Jl Brawijaya sepadem, WWF are developing community tourism activities, including birding, in the park. Hiring a jeep is expensive unless you are in a group (around $75 a day, which includes driver/guide and fuel). It is cheaper and more pleasant to hire horses from the villagers. This creates less disturbance and provides a good vantage point for watching birds if you hang on (the horse are very tame). The WWF office will give you the price per day and can help you arrange a guide. The park entrance fee (pay at either Wasur or Ndalir KSDA posts) is a IDR 2,000 per person. Do not forget copies of your surat jalan for the police posts in the park.

For the Maro river trip, you ideally need two days. Arrange boat hire from the Kelapa Lima Maro river crossing, just to the north of Merauke. Like jeep hire, it is more economical if there are several people sharing the expense. Prices could be from IDR 400,000-900,000 per day including a boatman. Take all your own food.

Accommodation/dining

There are guest-houses in four villages; Yanggandur and Soa (for greater Bird-of-paradise), Onggaya (by the beach near Ndalir) and Soa (on the Maro river). These provide very simple accommodation, cooking equipment ets. Take your own food and water into the park.

General information

The best time to visit from August to December.

If you hire a jeep and driver for the 3-day trip described in the colour section, spend the first night at Tomeran village and the second at Ukra. Leave Ukra mid-morning to get to Rawa Biru by early afternoon. Ask the driver to meet you in Yanggandur and spend the rest of the afternoon (3-4 hrs) walking the track up to Yanggandur. Spend the night here for a dawn sighting of Greater Bird-of-paradise. Leave Yanggandur mid-morning to allow time to look around Wasur village on the way back to town. If you only have 2 nights, go straight to Ukra on the first night (you can get there in one day if you rush) and Yanggandur on the second.

At the village of Soa, about 5-6 hours up river (depending on tide), arrange for guide to take you in the monsoon forest nearby. Best chances to find the King Bird-of-paradise will be early in the morning.

Be very of snakes in Wasur; there are some real nasties including Taipan and Death Adder. There is no snake bite serum available in Merauke, so watch where you tread.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in The Lake Habbema Trek

The lake Habbema Trek

One of the world’s classic birding treks, from the high alpine lake and marshes down through pine, moss and rain forest into the Baliem Valley. Truly amazing birds-see below-and a people and culture from another age. Not tobe missed, and, as there is a road up to lake Habbema, the birds can be enjoyed on a (mostly) downhill trail.

Key species

Blue-breasted Quails

www.zyworld.com

Snow Mountain and Blue-breasted Quails, Swinhoe’s Snipe, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Painted Tiger-parrot, Lorentz’s Whistler, Sooty Honeyeater, Snow Mountain Munia, Archbold’s Bowerbird, Macgregor’s Bird-of-paradise, Brown Sicklebill, Splendid Astrapia, King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise.

Getting there

To get to Lake Habbema, charter a jeep ($30) for the 90-min drive up a new road.

General information

The requisite surat jalan should be obtained, eg at Jayapura/Sentani, before flying into Wamena. When you arrive in Wamena, the police check your passport and permit. The desk clerk at the hotel/losmen will ask for these, and will usually be able to send someone to the police station (which is just behind Pasar Nayak) to take care of this for you. Make sure that your permit is endorsed for Lake Habbema, if necessary.

The trek runs up the Ibele Valley, from the village of the same name to Lake Habbema. It can be done in either direction and, although there is some satisfaction in walking up through the different habitats found with increasing altitude, and out into the alpine zone, it is hard not to resist taking the new road to “the top” at Lake Habbema and enjoying the birding while walking downhill.

There are no “official” places to stay or eat on the trail. It is possible to manage without a tent-by staying in the rather dilapidated “post”-but it is helpful to have one available. Food has to be carried in, as only sweet potatoes and eggs, are available in the villages.

The first day is spent birding the alpine grasslands and marshes around Lake Habbema (3,000 m), with a spectacular panorama across to the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Snow (Jayawijaya) Mountains, Pos IV, a hut by the lake, is dilapidated and leaky. From the lake it is about a 2-hr walk over the pass (3,200 m) to Pos III, located in moss forest and the place to stay for the first night. The trail down the Ibele valley is not too steep, but can be very muddy and slippery.

Walking times (at an average birding pace) between places to stay are listed below.

How long you take is entirely up to you.

Habbema to Pos III 1.5-2 hrs

Pos III to Yaubagema 3 hrs

Yaubagema to Dyela 3 hrs

Dyela to Ibele 5 hrs

Ibele to Beneme 2.5 hrs

Alternatively,

Dyela to Depolo 3 hrs,

Depolo to Beneme 5 hrs

At Beneme the cultivation starts. You can catch a bus (or truck) back to Wamena from either Ibele or Beneme (1.5 or 1 hr).

Rain is a possibility at any time but there is said to be drier period from March-May, with July also relatively dry. The temperature is generally pleasant during the day but it can be cold at night, particularly at the higher altitudes.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Biak and Supiori Islands (Papua)

Biak and Supiori Islands

These two islands in Geelvink (Cenderawasih) By support 5 endemic species and another 3 shared only with neighbouring Numfor Island. This is reason enough to make the flight out from Jayapura or Sorong to Biak. The Indonesian Government is making efforts to develop tourism on the island. Biak itself is largely deforested; neighbouring Supiori is a nature reserve, although the terrain makes for quite difficult walking.

Key species

Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove
www.bird-stamps.org

The endemics are Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove, Biak Red Lory, Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Biak Coucal,, Biak Paradise-kingfisher, Biak Monarch, Biak Flycatcher, Biak White-eye.

General Information

All but one of the endemics can be found in an area of mixed degraded and primary forest on the far eastern tip of Biak. Charter a vehicle in Biak town to take you east along the southern coast road via Mokmer and Bosnik to Warafri (take a turning on the left just before the Barito Pacific base camp), about an hour’s drive from Biak. Bird along the road or logging tracks.

In Supiori, the place to head for is the village of Korido on the southwest coast. Public boats leave from Biak town only erratically, so probably the best option is to hire a powered longboat for the trip. A bridge now connects Biak and Supiori. The section of road between Yemdoker and Korido is finished, but the section between Yemdoker and Sorendiveri is still under construction. You will need 2-3 days to stand a good chance of finding the endemics, and the 5-hr sea trip can be wet and is not totally safe. Expect to pay $75-100 for the 3-day charter. The police station in Korido will sort you out with basic accommodation. There is a steep trail into primary forest behind the village and trails running inland and paralled to the coast in both directions from Korido. A site for the intrepid only

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Batanta Island (Papua)

Batanta island

Located off the western tip of the vogelkop peninsula, this island is the only home of the-even by bird-of-paradise standards-extraordinary Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise. Guides will take you to a lek, and in a visit of two days you should see other memorable and rare species such as Red Bird-of-paradise, Pheasant Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Papuan frogmouth, and Puff-backed Meliphaga. The overall species diversity is however, much lower than on the mainland.

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
www.surfbirds.com

Getting there

At the jetty in Sorong, the regional capital of the Vogelkop Peninsula, served by daily flights from Ambon, Biak, Jayapura and Jakarta (via Ujung Pandang), find a boat to hire for the 3-day return trip to Batanta. Expect to pay around $300 for 3 days, including petrol. The crossing to Yenenes on Batanta takes 3-3.5 hrs, then it is a further 1.5 hrs east along the coast to Wai Lebed (a village of a dozen or so huts strung along the beach).

General information

In Wai Lebed, if you want to see Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise get local guide to go there. The trail runs runs along the shore to a small lodge that offers good accommodation. Here the forest meets the sea. The Red Birds-of-paradise are a few hundred metres inland in the lowland forest. The Wilson’s lek is a tough, 1.5 hr walk up to a ridge on the flank of Mt Batanta. You have to start at dawn.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Arfak Mountains

Arfak mountains

The spectacular Arfak mountains, on the eastern corner of the Vogelkop peninsula rise steeply behind the coastal town of Manokwari. Dissected by roaring torrents and sheer, steep-sided valley gorges, trekking into the Arfaks takes stamina, but the effort is rewarded with sightings of some spectacular species only found in the mountains of the Vogelkop Peninsula.

Key species

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise

www.answers.com

Wattled Brush-turkey, Vogelkop Whistler, Vogelkop Bwerbird, Long-tailed Paradigalla, Buff-tailed and Black Sicklebills, Arfak Astrapia, Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise.

Getting there
Manokwari to Mokwam
The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) flies every week or two to Wokwam but more frequently to Minyambou, which is an easy few hour’s walk from Mokwam. They will try to schedule a flight to suit your timing if given several day’s notice, but it is very difficult to contact them other than in person; WWF or a travel agent may be able to help. The cost is very reasonable and depends on the total weight of the party and luggage. It is unlikely to exceed $50 a journey! Their hangar and operations are located on the far side of the airport.

Accommodation
There is virtually no accommodation or food in the Arfaks. However, the porters/guides are adept at building waterproof shelters so it is fesible to manage without a tent. At Mokwam it may be possible to stay in the WWF hut, if pre-arranged with WWF, a valuable source of information-and possibly assistance-in manokwari.

General information
The permit or surat jalan is most conveniently arranged in Jayapura (at Sentani Airport, at the police/immigration office just outside the terminal) or Biak. You may need an endorsement to travel outside Manokwari, so report to the local police on arrival.

Porters are easily hired in Mokwam to carry luggage, food and cooking utensils, all of which you should bring with you. The guides can show you good birds around Mokwam, eg Long-tailed Paradigalla and Western Parotia on Siobri, and the spectacular bowers of Arfak Bowerbird.

Rain occurs most days throughout the year, especially in the afternoon and evening. It is warm/hot every day but can be quite cool at night on or near the ridge. There are a few leeches and mosquitos.

taken from Birding indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Papua

Important notes for travelers in Papua

As a foreigner wishing to move around Papua. It will be necessary to first obtain your Surat keterangan jalan or traveling permit. This traveling permit issued by the Head of Police and lists the places that you are approved to visit. At airports in Papua, the police usually check whether you have the correct traveling permit before they will allow you on the plane.

Even you do manage to get on the plane without the permit, at your destination police will check the arrival of all foreigners and you will need to show the permit to them. Therefore, although it means spending an extra day in Jayapura to get the permit, you are strongly advised to do so, as this will significantly reduce your risk of hassles with authorities when traveling within the province.

 

Papua mens

www.infopapua.com

Planes to Jayapura arrive in Sentani airport some 45 minutes from Jayapura town. You may need to travel into jayapura itself to visit the police station. From the airport, an airport taxi will set you back IDR 100,000 for an air conditioned minibus which will take you to wherever you want to go. Alternatively you can take a three stage regular taxi ride from the airport and you will share a smaller vehicle with around 20 other people. Using this means, you go from Sentani to Abepura (IDR 2,000), from Abepura to Terminal Entrop (IDR 2,000) and from Terminal Entrop to jayapura centre (IDR 2,000).

Traveling permits can obtained at either the local level police station (POLRES)
When you arrive at the Police station head for the “Bagian Orang Asing” (Foreigner Section) and ask for a surat keterangan jalan. At this stage you will need to state all the places you want to visit, so that the police can make one Travelling Permit for all your intended visits. It best to list all your possible destinations (your flight is cancelled, the plane doesn’t arrive?) you can still visit somewhere else. You will need to take with you half a dozen copies of your passport sized photo of yourself. Once you get your permit, make several copies as you will need to leave a copy of it with the police in each the places you are visiting.

Bear in mind that the “Bagian Orang Asing” normally shuts on Saturday and Sundays, so try to arrive in Jayapura when the following day is a week day, other wise you will be hanging around Jayapura for the weekend. Also try to get the police station in the morning, as things shut up around two in the afternoon.

source Birding Indonseia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Kai Island

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

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.

Birdwatching in Galala, Halmahera (Maluku)

Galala

The extraordinary, 1.5-km nesting beach of the Moluccan Scrubfowl is located 4 km to the north of Galela. The scrubfowls fly in at night, so getting good views is difficult-just before dawn is best. The nest ground is managed in a traditional manner and birders should not go without a letter of introduction from eitheeer Anu or Pak Amir at the PHPA office in Tobelo. With this you will be able to stay in one of the small huts; bring your own food, candles and mosquito repellent.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore