Raden Soerjo Greater Park Forestry is one of the remaining natural montane-forest in Java. Located in the west-slope of mount Arjuno-Welirang-Anjasmoro (3,339 m asl), has a total area of 27868.30 hectares and has a special place for birding.
This area is a mountainous plateau that stretches from the North-South. A bumpy topography of the region and mountainous with an altitude of 1000-3339 m asl. Slope level reaches 30-90% with annual rainfall ranging between 2500-4500 mm. Temperatures at night ranged from 5-10°C. Whereas in the dry season can reach 4°C. The humidity is quite high, ranging from 42-45% (lowest) to 90-97% (the highest).
The administration of this place is located in Mojokerto, Malang, Jombang, Pasuruan regency and Batu, East Java, Indonesia. More than 170 species of birds that exist in Raden Soerjo and mostly quite easy to be documented. This area is about 70 km away from one of the famous Bromo-Tengger-Semeru NP or drive for about 2 hours by cars; 67 km (2.5–3 hours) from Surabaya and 40 km (1-1.5 hours) from Malang.
Many hotels with excellent quality are available at Batu Tourism City with excellent quality. In addition, to see various endemic and highlight birds, you can also enjoy the natural hot springs or the rustic ambiance of tropical agriculture not far from the park.
There are four major sites for your productive birding, such as:
1. CANGAR
Is a natural hot spring location and is very well known and comes from springs Mount Welirang which are still active. The temperature in the bath may range from 45-50,5°C, because it is in contrast with the cool ambient air temperature. In this place, birders can observe around the halls, baths or river and can see some types of birds such as White-flanked Sunbird, Blue-nuthatch, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Sunda Minivet, or at the peak of the migration season around the bins are a variety of resident and migrant Flycatchers (Indigo, Little-pied, Grey-headed, Yellow-rumped, Mugimaki, Narcissus, Asian-brown, Dark-sided, Blue & White). Then continue the track “Jogging Track” or either of the bottom lines of Goa Jepang (ex Japanese Cave in Word War II). In these places can be found several interesting species such as the Crescent-chested Babbler, Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler, Lesser Shortwing, Pygmy Wren Babbler and if we are lucky, some rare birds might can be seen such as Orange-breasted Trogon, Sunda Warbler, White-bibbed Babbler, Javan Bush Warbler and more.
2. TWIN BRIDGE- WATUONDO WATERFALL AREA
This place is an administrative boundary region of Malang with Mojokerto separated by Cangar bridges and at best spots to see the Javan Hawk-eagle. About 1 kilometer from Cangar, Birders can relax and wait for the Javan Hawk-eagle perch, because this place is a display area for the national animals. In this Watuondo Waterfall also have common species of Lesser (Sunda) Forktail and many birds settlers such as Pink-headed Fruitdove, Sunda Bush-warbler, Mountain Leaf-warbler, Orange-spotted Bulbul, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Thrilling Shrike Barbler, Javan Grey-throated White-eye , Olive-backed & Mountain Tailorbirds, Javan Whistling Thrush.
3. WATULUMPANG – LEMAHBANG
Watulumpang located approximately 1 km from Watuondo. The land contour is flat and wide enough to make this a great place to look for Javan Banded Pitta. White-crowned Forktail are often seen here, birder can observe around the area and if lucky can find White-bellied Fantail and Chestnut-bellied Hill-Partridge.
4. GAJAHMUNGKUR – SENDI
The location is hilly and suitable to meet Sunda Bulbul, Pied Shrike Barbler, Sunda Cuckooshrike, Flame-fronted Barbet and with some luck we might able to see Wreathed Hornbill, Spotted Kestrel, Brown Prinia, Crimson-breasted Flowerpeckers, Sunda Cuckoo and more.
BEST TIME TO BIRDING: JUNE – DECEMBER
ACCESS AND ACCOMODATION:
Birders can go to the birding site in Raden Soerjo through two main lines of Surabaya or Malang and easier to use taxis. The first path can be reached from the city of Surabaya toward Mojokerto then headed to Pacet. And then following the road to Malang with a track up to the plateau, the estimated time of Surabaya towards Cangar is approximately 2.5-3 hours. The second pathway can be taken from Malang towards Batu then up into the hills to the village of Bumiaji.
Birders will see many hotels, villas, estates, apples and vegetables are quite large there before arriving at the Cangar takes about 1-1.5 hours. If birders want to spend the night, they are advised to spend the night at the Hotel/Villa/Inns around Batu or Pacet. To birding there, especially for foreign tourists and a large number of activities required to create a license that can be taken care of in the office Tahura Raden Soerjo Jl. Raden Simpang Suroso Kav. 144, Arjosari, Malang. The best day for birding is Monday to Saturday instead of Sundays or other holidays.