Birding near Sorong city

Olive-backed Sunbird

This is the picture of Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) that I saw in a forest near Sorong city. For tens of years, this city has become the main gate to Raja Ampat islands for tourists who to spend their holiday scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling. However, there are also a lot of tourists who want to enjoy hiking, birdwatching and nature watching in general.

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Birding Tour
As a tourist guide, I have organized tours to forest areas near Sorong city. Because this forest is just outside the city, visitors can start the tour early in the morning and then return to their hotel before dark. From a short hiking and birdwatching trip, I saw Helmetted Friarbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Coconut Lorikeet, and Yellow-faced Myna. I also saw some birds flying very fast in front of me making it difficult to identify them. I guess they were Black Lory, and Hooded Butcherbird.

American tourists were watching birds.

In addition to birds, visitors who take this tour will be able to see savanna hills, terrestrial Spathoglottis orchids, butterflies, grasshoppers, and unique tropical plants of Papua.
We will walk along the ridge of Savanna Hills and then down to tropical rainforest of Sorong that is still in very good condition. The shortest trip is one day, but we can organize multiple day hiking, camping and birding tour that lasts for 3 to 4 days. There are several sites in the forest where we can use to build our basecamp. Because organizing a multiple day tour in the forest needs more logistical supplies, we will bring tents, mattrasses, cooking and eating utensils.
What to Wear and What to Bring

To take this trip, please, wear sport/ hiking shoes with socks, long pants or short pants, apply insect repellent lotion, t-shirt and hat. During rainy season, bring raincoat.
To enhance your birding experience, bring a pair of binoculars such as the Swarovski EL 8.5×42, spotting scope and tripod as well as birding camera such as Nikon P900 or Fujifilm HS50EXR.