Have you ever observed thousands of Eastern Cattle Egrets Bubulcus comorandus in a nest tree? If not, Ketingan can be the right choice of location. Located about 12 km to the Southwest from the center of Jogja. Administratively in the area of Tlogoadi village, Mlati sub-district, Sleman regency, special region of Yogyakarta. There you can witness the behavior of Eastern Cattle Egret in the nest trees in the garden of villagers.
Since the inauguration of the village monument by Sultan Hamengkubuwono X in 1997, thousands of birds have come and used the trees around Ketingan as a nesting place. Initially, the residents tried to expel the Eastern Cattle Egrets because they were worried about the decline of garden products, health problems caused by the amount of dirt around the gardens and houses. Since 2000, Ketingan was inaugurated as a tourist village by the Sultan.
Eventually, however, the villagers realized that they began to share space and stop the evictions and instead started building village regulations and put up signs of stop shooting and hunting birds, especially Eastern Cattle Egrets around the village. In Indonesia this species and its family became protected animals based on UU No. 5/1990 and PP No. 7/1999.
Eastern Cattle Egret or Cattle Egret have a size body about 50 cm. In the non-breeding period: white body plumage, except orange stroke on the forehead or lores of some birds. Yellow iris, yellow bill, and black legs.
During the breeding period: head, neck and breast coloured faded orange. Iris, legs and breast coloured bright red. Can be distinguished from other herons because the body is more robust, the neck is shorter, the head is more round, and the beak is shorter and thicker.
With thousands of Eastern Cattle Egret birds in Ketingan, people, especially domestic and foreign tourists, are interested in coming to observe their behavior in nest trees. In certain months such as in early September this bird will leave the nest, but will return during the breeding season, arriving around mid-October to nurture and go away when the chicks are grown.
Other Attraction on Ketingan
It is a blessing for residents by renting out rooms or home-stays for tourists. The average price of home-stays in Ketingan is Rp. 75.000, – per night (3X meals).
For birdwatchers or bird-photographers, it is very easy and close to observe it with up to 7000 individuals. Simply by going down the village alleys and looking for a fairly short nest tree about 6-8 meters you will get a good view or photo.
Beside that, tourists can follow and enjoy the traditional ceremonies. Try to live a few days before harvest time and participate in Wiwitan (thanksgiving before harvest time) or come before planting time and follow the tradition of Angler (salvation before rice planting). After the peak season of harvest time, the residents will be celebrating with Merti Bumi which is always held in September. At the event, various performances of art and culture such as wayang performances, carnival and kenduri as a form of gratitude to the Creator of the abundant produce can be witnessed.
How to get to Ketingan Village via public transport:
– From Adisucipto International Airport heading to Ketingan village: go exit to the Trans Jogja Bus Shelter, take a bus going to Jombor Bus Station. Then take a “Angkot” going to Mlati, get off at Pasar Cebongan and call for ojek to the location.
– From Giwangan Bus Station heading to Ketingan village: take a bus going to Tempel, get off at Jombor Bus Station. Then take a “Angkot ” going to Mlati get off at Pasar Cebongan and call for ojek to the location.
– From Jombor Bus Station heading to Ketingan village: take a “Angkot” going to Mlati, get off at Pasar Cebongan and call for ojek to the location. – From Lempuyangan heading to Ketingan village: go to Trans Jogja Bus Shelter and take a bus going to Jombor Bus Station. Then take a “Angkot” going to Mlati, get off at Pasar Cebongan and call for ojek to the location.
– From Tugu station heading to Ketingan village: go to Trans Jogja Bus Shelter and take a bus going to Jombor Bus Station. Then take a “Angkot” going to Mlati, get off at Pasar Cebongan and call for ojek to the location.If you go Ketingan using car or motorbike try to follow this point using google map.