Palm Cockatoo from Tambrauw Mountains

Palm Cockatoo in Tambrauw Regency

This is the photograph of Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) that was made by Wim Boyden, a Belgian visitor in Tambrauw Mountains. The bird has got black feather with red cheek. In West Papua and other parts of eastern Indonesia, the bird is called Kakatua Raja (meaning King Cockatoo). The bird eats tropical fruits and is considered as an important seed disperser for New Guinea rainforest.
Based on my personal observations of guiding tourists in Tambrauw regency since 2010, there are a lot of other birds that can be seen including Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Black-capped Lory, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Hooded Pitta, Blyth's Hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and etc.
The recommended destination for birdwatching is Fef town which is the capital of Tambrauw itself. Visitors should travel in a group of three to four people to share the cost of transportation, food and accommodation in order to travel efficiently.
If you are interested in watching Palm Cockatoo and other birds in Tambrauw Mountains, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Cockatoos and Parrots of West Papua
Watching New Guinea Vulturine Parrot
Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

Birding in West Papua

Here is the picture of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that I saw while I was guiding Gauri, a lady from India on a 2-week nature tour, snorkeling, and birding trip in Raja Ampat, Sorong regency, and the Arfak mountains. We visited remote uninhabited islands, villages and walked through empty road in the jungle to find tropical birds, butterflies, cuscus possum and wild flowers. We also enjoyed swimming and snorkeling at secluded white sandy beaches of Raja Ampat to see its coral reef and colorful fish.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in Waigeo island

While in Raja Ampat, we did not go to places that had been frequently visited by tourists such as southern area of Waigeo, Kri, Gam, Mansuar and Arborek islands. Instead, we went to eastern region of Waigeo. We went to Sopen village and explored its nearby islands, i.e. Waim and Mamiaef. We also did rainforest tour through a river in the north of the village and then continued our trip southward to Yen-Papir Karst. Here, went hiking to the top of one of the islets to see its beautiful scenery. Standing on the top of the rock island inside the karst formation, we felt as if we were looking over a huge lake.

Yenpapir Karst in Raja Ampat

Sahul Sunbird

I brought several sets of snorkeling equipments (masks, snorkels, lifejackets) and birding devices (binoculars, spotting scope and bridge camera Fujifilm HS50EXR) during the tour.
During our birding tour in eastern region of Waigeo, we also Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Red Bird of Paradise, Palm Cockatoo, Beach Kingfisher, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Lesser-crested Tern, Lesser Frigatebird, Pacific Swallow, White-breasted Wood Swallow.
In Sorong, we saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, Northern Cassowary, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit Dove, and a lot of other birds during the tour.
In Arfak range, we saw Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Black Sicklebill, Western Parotia, and Vogelkop Bowerbird.
Also read:
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Birding Tour to Raja Ampat

Birding in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

Yellow Capped Pygmy Parrot

There is a nice birding site in northwest region of Manokwari. Its name is Mesirrokow. It is located deep in the forest. To reach it, visitors need to go there by car, and then continue their trip on foot through the forest and through the river. Various species of birds can be seen along the banks of the river such as Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Glossy Manucode (Manucodia ater), Little-Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) and a lot more.
There is no guesthouse in the jungle, so, our accommodation will be portable dome tents. Cooking and eating utensils are provided.
Birding in the forest along the Mesirrokow river is easy because the open space is very wide. A good pair of binoculars and a spotting scope will enhance the birding experience.

Hiking and Birding in Mesirrokow forest

In addition to birding, visitors can enjoy swimming and sunbathing. Fishing can be done in the river too.
Also read:
Riverwalk Tour
Birding tours in rainforest

Watching Birds in Tambrauw Mountains

American birdwatchers in Tambrauw 

Here is the picture of American tourists and local people in the forest of Tambrauw regency who were watching nocturnal birds.  male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) in tropical rainforest of Tambrauw mountains. The bird can be found in lowland and lower montane forest. Visitors who want to go there can also see other birds such as Black Capped Lory, Forest Kingfisher, Egret, Variable Goshawk, King Bird of Paradise, Golden Myna, and a lot of species of birds that live in lower to upper montane forest areas of the regencies. Ayapokiar village, Ases valley and Mount Sakofsiah are important sites in Tambrauw Mountains which tourists can visit to watch birds and other wild animals as well as see interesting tropical plants.

As a tour guide, I can organize a birding trip for visitors who want to see rainforest environment and enjoy birding. I can guide single traveler and also groups of visitors. Because the cost of a chartered 4wd car is quite expensive, I suggest that birdwatchers come in a group of 2 to 4 people.

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia
• Continue your trip to Manokwari city by taking a domestic flight
• I will meet you in Manokwari and organize your hiking and birding trip in Tambrauw Mountains

What to bring

In general, every birdwatcher knows what they should bring when going to the forest for birding such as a good pair of binoculars, spotting scope and tripod, laser pointer. For birding in Tambrauw mountains, a field guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler is highly recommended.

Booking

Please, contact me by e-mail to: leororing@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp number: +6281332245180.

Tambrauw regency in Papua Barat province of Indonesia

Birding Trip to Tambrauw Mountains

Moustached Treeswift in Aibogiar ridge of
Tambrauw Mountains

This is the picture of Moustached Treeswift (Hemiprocne mystacea) that I see in Aibogiar ridge of Tambrauw Mountains. I visited that region to watch birds and explore the tropical rainforest that covers most of its slopes, ravines and valleys. I also saw Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot and a lot of other birds that make the forest of Tambrauw as its habitat. Tambrauw regency is located between Sorong and Manokwari. It has got the potentials to be developed as a highly recommended destination for birdwatchers.
How to get there?

Tambrauw Mountains

If you want to enjoy hiking and birding in Tambrauw Mountains, here is the routes that you can take to reach the region.

• First, fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• After that, take a domestic flight to Sorong city.
• I could meet you at the airport and organize your birding and wildlife watching trip to Tambrauw.

Coconut lorikeet

What to bring

In general, every birdwatcher knows what they have to bring when they want to enjoy birding in the forest. Here are some of the things that visitors need:

• A good pair of binoculars and spotting scopes
• Digital camera with telephoto lens
• Field guide book: Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler
• Flash light/ torch
• Ponco
• Ziploc plastic bags to protect your electronics in case of rainings

Booking

Traveling to Tambrauw Mountains is quite expensive. I suggest that visitors travel in group to share the cost. If you are interested in going to Tambrauw Mountains, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Birding Tour in Tambrauw Mountains

This is the picture of Great Cuckoo Dove (Reinwardtoena reinwardti) that was made by a Belgian tourist in the forest of Tambrauw Mountains. There are a lot of beautiful birds which visitors can see while traveling to the regency. Birds such as Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) and Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphylodes magnificus) can be found in region.

As a guide, I could organize tour to the regency for visitors who are interested in seeing rainforest environment. Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains

Tambrauw Mountains

Tambrauw is a mountain range that is located in the vogelkop region of West Papua. It is covered by tropical rainforest. I visited the mountain a few days ago to see the biodiversity of the forest environment. The tropical rainforest that covers the mountains and valleys of this regency is the natural habitat of a lot mammals, reptiles, marsupials, and insects. There are unique tropical trees, shrubs and lianas that visitors can see while walking through the dense forest of Tambrauw.
Birds such as Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus), Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), New Guinea Vulturine Parrot can be found in Tambrauw regency. Cuscus possum, deer, wild pigs, soa-soa monitor lizard, and a lot of species of insects also make the mountains as their natural habitat. While I was traveling in the mountains I saw plants such as sago, bamboo, a lot of kinds trees in the slopes and flat lands.
How to get there?
There are two entry points which visitors can choose to reach Tambrauw, i.e. Manokwari city and Sorong city. If you fly into Manokwari, you will be able to fly to Anjai and then by 4wd car to Tambrauw Mountains.
If you fly into Sorong city, I can organize your trip to Fef town by a chartered 4wd car.
Activities:
Hiking, camping, birdwatching/ wildlife watching

Nature lovers who are interested in seeing rainforest are highly recommended to go to Tambrauw Mountains. As a tourist guide, I organize rainforest tour for everybody who wants to explore the wealth of bio-diversity of Tambrauw. The duration of the tour is 5 to 7 days. 

If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp message to: +6281332245180.