Exploring North Sulawesi: A Morning Birding Tour from Tomohon Town

Nestled in the cool highlands of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, the town of Tomohon serves as an ideal base for birdwatching enthusiasts. Surrounded by volcanic peaks, lush forest slopes, rushing waterfalls, and wetlands, this scenic highland area offers easy access to a rich variety of Sulawesi endemics, forest birds, and waterfowls.

Sulawesi Myzomela

A tailored birding tour starting from Tomohon connects some of the most accessible and rewarding birding sites in the region.

1. Mount Lengkoan

Mount Lengkoan offers cool mountain air and lush, elevated forest edge habitats. The combination of flowering trees and mid-elevation canopy makes it a prime location for spotting nectar-feeders and highland specialists.

Featured Bird Species:

 * Sulawesi Myzomela (Myzomela chloroptera)

* Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher

 * Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker (Dicaeum nehrkorni)

 * Mountain White-eye (Zosterops montanus)

 * Turquoise Flycatcher (Eumyias panayensis)

 

Warbling White-eye

2. Tounelet Slope

Located nearby in the Sonder district, the Tounelet Slope features easily accessible forest and roadside birding spots. Its mix of open canopy and dense growth attracts colorful canopy dwellers and sub-canopy species.

Featured Bird Species:

 * Pale-blue Monarch (Hypothymis puella)

 * Sulawesi Hanging-Parrot (Loriculus stigmatus)

 * Yellow-sided Flowerpecker (Dicaeum aureolimbatum)

 * Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)

 * Grey-cheeked Green-Pigeon (Treron griseicauda)

 * Sahul Sunbird (Cinnyris frenatus)

3. Talikuran Rice Fields

Moving into the agricultural countryside of Minahasa, the flooded paddy fields around Talikuran offer open-country and wetland birdwatching. Here, birders can spot rails, kingfishers, and open-land passeri navigating the muddy tracks and dikes.

Featured Bird Species:

 * White-browed Crake (Poliolimnas cinereus)

 * Barred Rail (Hypotaenidia torquata)

 * Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

 * White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)

 * Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis)

 * Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla)

4. Kengkang Waterfall

Surrounded by riverine forest and humid ravines, Kengkang Waterfall is an excellent location to observe species that thrive near moving water, forest understories, and damp gorges.

Featured Bird Species:

 * Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx fallax)

 * Green-backed Kingfisher (Actenoides monachus)

 * Sulawesi Pitta (Erythropitta celebesensis)

 * Rusty-backed Thrush (Geokichla erythronota)

 * Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus temminckii)

5. Lake Linow

Famous for its changing volcanic colors and sulfur vents, Lake Linow provides a unique aquatic stopping point. While enjoying the geothermal scenery, birders can watch for waterbirds, swallows, and edge species foraging along the lake margins and nearby pine trees.

Featured Bird Species:

 * Sunda Teal (Anas gibberifrons)

 * Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

 * Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

 * Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

 * Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis)

 * Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster)

Booking

If you are interested in taking this early morning general birding tour from Tomohon town, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link. 

Coral Reef Preservation in Dorey bay of Manokwari

I have been providing snorkeling tours around some tropical islands in the Dorey bay of Manokwari since the beginning of 2010. Tourists who want to enjoy this interesting marine sport come with their own snorkeling gear such as mask, snorkel and fins. The waters in this bay is quite warm. So, the use of wetsuits is optional. There is a lot of tiny animals in the water that can cause skin problems to snorkelers and scuba divers. So, I recommend that visitors wear swimsuit or wetsuits and apply special lotion to protect their skins.
I don't provide diving or snorkeling gears because they are not available in this town. The trips that tourists like the most are snorkeling tour around Mansinam and Raimuti islands. Here the coral reef are still in good condition especially in places where no or fewer people around. Coral reef is the tropical rainforest of the sea. Why we name it that way? Because the biodiversity of the coral reef is very high. It is even higher than the tropical rainforest. Various species of fish and marine animals can be found living among these wonderful animals. Animals? Coral reefs are animals. They really are. I don't want to discuss the biology of the coral reef here because I have written a lot of articles about it. You can read them here: coral reef.

In recent years the number of wastes dumped into the sea of the Dorey bay Manokwari is rising significantly. During rainy days, tons of plastic cups, bottles and other domestic and industrial wastes flow to the sea after being swept by the rain from the city. These wastes cover the sea surface and blockade sunlight from hitting the surface of the corals. If single cells algae that live in symbiotic relationship with the corals cannot perform the photosynthesis, the coral will die. The wastes also brings bacteria and other diseases that are harmful to the corals. Soon the corals will die and the whole underwater ecosystem will be effected. As a result, the number of fish will decrease and the fishermen cannot catch fish in the nearby water anymore. They have to go further to the open ocean to catch fish. This means they will need larger boats and machines and huge fishnets. When the fish arrive in the market, the price will be higher because the fishermen have to spend more money to catch fish.

So, the snorkeling trips that I provide to foreign tourists will raise awareness among city dwellers to the preservation of coral reef in Dorey bay of Manokwari. They will realize that it is important to protect or preserve the coral reef and keep the sea clean. In addition, the presence of tourists in the Dorey bay of Manokwari will automatically provide side jobs to the fishermen and villagers living around the islands. The added income which they get will improve their living condition so that they will be more appreciative to the coral reef around them. No coral reef means no snorkeling trips and no snorkeling trips offered on the internet means no tourists would come.

There are still a lot of things that I need to do to preserve this wonderful but fragile environment. Educational materials about the importance of coral reef should also be provided to Manokwari facebook users in Indonesian language so that they will be able to read and understand this matter well. I believe that if there are more people give attention to the cleanliness of our sea in the Dorey bay of Manokwari, the corals will be more protected. Coral reef preservation is not the responsibility of tour operators and ecotourism enthusiasts alone. It is the responsibility of all human being. Coral reef provide food and at the same time catch dissolved carbon dioxide and plays a very important role in reducing global warming. If all the corals and forest around the world are restored, the issue of global warming will not be as serious as what we see today. by Charles Roring 

Also read: 

• Coral Bleaching and Global Warming
• Freediving Photos from Raja Ampat
• Snorkeling with American tourists in Manokwari

Early Morning General Birding Tour in Sonder and Lake Linow

North Sulawesi is one of Indonesia’s most interesting destinations for birdwatching, offering a variety of habitats and many bird species, including several endemic to Sulawesi. The Early Morning General Birding Tour in Sonder and Lake Linow provides an opportunity to explore the beautiful Minahasa highlands while searching for forest birds, garden birds, and waterbirds in their natural habitats.

Birding in Minahasa highland

The tour starts early in the morning, when birds are generally most active. The cool air, peaceful surroundings, and sounds of birds calling from the trees create an ideal atmosphere for birdwatching. The main birding sites in Sonder include Mount Lengkoan, Tounelet Slope, and Tincep’s Kengkang Waterfall, followed by a visit to Lake Linow near Tomohon town.

Mount Lengkoan is an interesting location for observing birds associated with forest edges, trees, and surrounding agricultural landscapes. Birdwatchers can look for species such as the Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Drongo, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Superb Fruit-Dove, and Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker. The Sulawesi Serpent Eagle may also be encountered soaring above the surrounding hills. These birds make the area attractive to visitors interested in discovering the unique avifauna of Sulawesi.

Crimson Sunbird

The next stop is Tounelet Slope, where a combination of gardens, cultivated land, trees, and patches of natural vegetation provides opportunities to observe different bird species. Among the birds to look for are the Sulawesi Cuckoo-Dove, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Pale Blue Monarch, Black-naped Oriole, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Chestnut Munia, and Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker. Glossy Swiftlets and White-nest Swiftlets may also be seen flying overhead. Careful observation is important because many birds move quickly through the vegetation or remain concealed among the branches.

Tincep’s Kengkang Waterfall offers a different birdwatching experience. Surrounded by lush vegetation and a natural ravine, the waterfall provides a pleasant environment for exploring the local birdlife. The combination of trees, shrubs, and flowing water makes this location an interesting place to search for birds. Species to look for include the Green Imperial Pigeon, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-Dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-Dove, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, and Sulawesi Serpent Eagle. Listening carefully to bird calls can be particularly helpful in this area, where dense foliage may make some species difficult to see.

After exploring the birding sites in Sonder, the tour continues to Lake Linow, a volcanic lake near Tomohon famous for its changing water colors and beautiful natural scenery. The lake and its surroundings offer opportunities to observe waterbirds, birds of open habitats, and species associated with nearby vegetation. A variety of birds have been documented in the Lake Linow area, making it an interesting destination for birdwatchers.

Bird species to look for around Lake Linow include the Sunda Teal, Collared Kingfisher, Purple Heron, Javan Pond Heron, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, White-breasted Waterhen, Barred Rail, Australasian Swamphen, Barn Swallow, White-breasted Woodswallow, Zebra Dove, and Brahminy Kite. Depending on the season and local conditions, other resident birds and occasional visitors may also be encountered. The lake provides opportunities to observe birds feeding along the shoreline, resting among vegetation, or flying over the water.

The Early Morning General Birding Tour in Sonder and Lake Linow is suitable for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, and travelers who want to discover the natural beauty of North Sulawesi. Visiting Mount Lengkoan, Tounelet Slope, Tincep’s Kengkang Waterfall, and Lake Linow allows participants to experience a variety of landscapes while searching for the region’s distinctive bird species.

Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, a camera, comfortable walking shoes, drinking water, and suitable outdoor clothing. Moving quietly and respecting the natural environment will help make the experience more enjoyable while minimizing disturbance to wildlife.

Birdwatching at the edge of Lake Linow

This tour offers a rewarding introduction to the birdlife of the Minahasa highlands, combining the search for Sulawesi’s endemic forest birds with opportunities to observe waterbirds around Lake Linow. Although bird sightings depend on weather, season, and local conditions, the diversity of habitats makes Sonder and Lake Linow appealing destinations for an early morning birdwatching adventure.

If you are interested in taking a morning general birding tour from Tomohon to Mount Lengkoan, Tounelet Slope, Kengkang Waterfall in Sonder as well as Lake Linow of Lahendong village, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link.

Also read:

• Hiking Tour in Minahasa Highland
• Minahasa Highland Tour
• Things to do in Minahasa Highland
• Manado city - what to do?

Wildlife Tour in Klaimis Forest of Sorong Regency

Klaimis is a rainforest area around 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Sorong city. It is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. 

Visitors who are interested in biodiversity of tropical rainforest can take this wildlife watching tour to Klaimis forest before or after their trip in Raja Ampat. 

Some of the animals that live in tropical rainforest of Sorong regency

For visitors who are interested in birdwatching, they could watch such birds as Lesser Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blue-black Kingfisher, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Papuan Pitta, Eastern Hooded Pitta, Blue Jewel Babbler, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruit-dove, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, Tawny-breasted Honeyester, Yellow-bellied Longbill, Blue Jewel Babber, Northern Cassowary, Pheasant Pigeon, Red-billed Brush Turkey, and etc.

In addition to birds, visitors could see butterflies such as Blue Mountain Swallowtail, Great Eggfly Butterfly, Silky Owl Butterfly, Common Green Birdwing, Swamp Tiger, Blue Tiger, Lacewing, New Guinea Clipper and etc. There are dragonflies, and damselflies too. Usually, we could see them along the sides of a small stream or river.

The rainforest of Klaimis is the habitat of cuscus, echidna, fruitbat, bandicoot, tree mouse, and dorcopsis. We could see them when we do night walk in the forest, usually after dinner. Certain mammals in New Guinea and its surrounding islands are marsupial. 

Where to stay?

In Klaimis forest, there is a small guesthouse that is built by villagers for tourists. It has got 3 bedrooms equipped with mattrasses. There is also a small electrical generator that we use for lighting and recharging our cell phones and cameras.

Where is Sorong city and how to get there?

Sorong city is the capital of Southwest Papua Province. It is the main gate for visitors who travel to Raja Ampat. 

What to bring?

These are things that visitors need to bring when taking the tour: camera with telephoto lens and its extra memories and batteries, insect repellent lotion or spray, torch, raincoat or rain poncho, 

Visitors can fly from their countries to Singapore. After that, they could continue their trip to Manado by Scoot Air. There are daily direct flights between Sorong city and Manado city. They are served by Lion Air and TransNusa.

Booking your tour

If you are interested in taking this wildlife tour from Sorong city before your trip in Raja Ampat, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link.

Also read:

• Sightseeing Tour from Manado city 
• Butterfly Watching Tour in Sonder Tangkoko Town
• Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, and Minahasa Highland
• Minahasa Highland Tour: Hiking, Birding and Sightseeing
• Things to do in Manado city
• Jungle Tour in Sorong Regency

Louvre glass windows of a Wooden House

Louvre glass windows are commonly used in timber framed houses in tropical region. The minimum thickness of the glass is 3 millimeter. The following photograph shows the passive ventilation of a house in Wasior town of West Papua province of Indonesia. The glass windows attached inside wooden frames were installed around the outer walls. Below the corrugated clay roofs are the jalousie windows made of timber. Because the humidity in this tropical island is high, the louvre and jalousie windows greatly reduce the moisture inside the wooden house and improve the indoor air quality of the rooms.

We all know that the temperature in tropical region is quite high between 30 to 32 degrees Celcius during the days. Louvre glass windows can enhance the air circulation inside a house without the help of fan. The maintenance cost is also low. However louvre windows are not suitable for passive ventilation in cold region. This was written by Charles Roring

Also read: 

• Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Wooden Furniture from Leilem
• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa regency
• Birdwatching tour in Minahasa highland