Birding in the Farmland of Minahasa Higland of Indonesia

Minahasa highland is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in seeing the landscape of farmland, as well as watching birds and butterflies. 

Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

The recommended destination is Sonder. It is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa regency, approximately 1 hour drive from Manado city. Birding can be done early in the mornings or in late afternoons. Sometimes fog covers the forest if we go too early. Fog affects the quality of pictures that we take.

Yellow-billed Malkoha

Black-faced Munia- this picture was taken in foggy condition

The high elevation farmland of Sonder is the habitat of such birds as Warbling White-eye, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, and etc. 

Black Kite

White-breasted Woodswallow

The surrounding vegetable garden above Sonder town is the place to look for Black Kite, Slender-billed Crow, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, Barred Rail, Gray Wagtail, and etc. 

A female Gray Wagtail

In certain months of the year, some migrant birds land in the highland of Minahasa to avoid winter in northern Asia. One of them is Gray Wagtail. The bird likes to walk on the clear ground of the farmland or along the less crowded roadroad. The agricultural land provide food such grain, insect and worm for the birds.

Food crops in the Farmland of Minahasa Highland

The farmland in Minahasa peninsula is a beautiful place for sightseeing. While enjoying walking and birding, we could various kinds of food crops such as papaya, mango, duku, durian, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, corn, cabbage, carrots, peanuts and etc. that the Minahasan farmers grow. These harvest of these food crops are sold not only inside the Minahasan region but also to other places in Indonesia.

Other Interesting Places in North Sulawesi

In addition farm tour, visitors could explore other interesting places in Minahasa such as Woloan village that is famous for its wooden house construction, Leilem village to see furniture making, Makatete hills that provides visitors with the magnificent view of Manado city and Bunaken.

If you are interested in visiting Minahasa regency, you need to fly to Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. There are regular daily flights between Manado and some major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong city. They are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, and TransNusa. 

To book a tour in Manado city or Minahasa regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.