On fine morning (May 16th 2018) we managed one day birding trips on Malang, East Java for a couple clients from Indonesia. 19 species succeed to observe from two birding locations such as Batu Apple Farm and Raden Soerjo Greater Park Forestry.
Our first stop was at Apple Farm for Javan Kingfisher. Not to long wait, we were immediately greeted by a Javan Kingfisher after parking our car. For 30 minutes in location, four individual Javan Kingfishers recorded. Other than that we recorded Common Tailorbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul and Yellow-vented Bulbul.
Satisfied in the first location, we continued the trip to the second location that made us drive for 30 minutes. In that tropical rain forest we managed to find Sunda Cuckooshrike, Cinereus Tit, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sunda minivet, Scaly-breasted Munia, and Blue Nuthatch.
Then we moved to another area of the park in Watu Ondo waterfall. Montane birds such as Sunda (Javan) Bulbul, Orange-spotted Bulbul, Ruddy Cuckoo-dove, Flame-fronted Barbet, and female Little-pied Flycatcher accompany us to enjoy the breeze atmosphere. We decided to climb down toward the waterfall for a moment.
For lunch, we chose a small restaurant around the area to taste local traditional food. After that we hang out at twin bridges waiting for more birds, hoping the Javan Hawk-eagle will appear. Failed to wait more because the afternoon was getting cloudy, so we decided to finish the trip with birds closing the day such as Javan Grey-throated White-eye, Ashy Drongo, White-flanked Sunbird and Indigo Flycatcher as our client’s favorite.
We were so happy after a successful trip with clients from the US. During April 4 – 7th 2018 between their honeymoon in Indonesia, together we were birding in Bali and East Java. The tours were fantastic with a total of 118 species, also main target Bali Myna and Javan-hawk Eagle success to be recorded. 90% of the birds we found were new for Casey and Versha.
The tours started in Bali where we visited main birding locations such as around Bedugul Botanical Gardens and Bali Barat National Park. Then the following day we visited great forests around mount Ijen and savanna like grassland in Baluran NP and Alas Purwo NP. Casey and Versha were amazed with the habitat in each birding location and they enjoyed the pace of the tours.
Here the itinerary of the tours:
Day 1 – April 4th 2018 Meet up at hotel in Benoa, Bali at 5.00 am then drive to Bedugul Botanic Garden in search of montane birds. Arrived here at 7.00 am, then we birding until 11.00 am. Lunch at a small restaurant near the locations, 00.30 pm continue birding around lake Beratan and Buyan. Suddenly the rain fell so we decided to change the birding area in Bali Barat NP for the main target, Bali Myna/Starling.
We were so lucky, when we arrived the rain stopped and the wild (no rings on its legs) Bali Myna perched on the rooftop near the parking area. We spent just 30 minutes then looking at other birds in another part of Bali Barat NP while we drove to the port of Gilimanuk.
Before dawn we took a ferry and crossed the Bali strait. Then drive to the Grand Harvest Resort near Mount Ijen. We stayed overnight here before boarding Mount Ijen the next day.
Day 2 – April 5th 2018
Check out from the hotel then drive for 30 minutes to the forest around mount Ijen. When we arrived, we quickly looked for the most targeted birds in Ijen, Grey-breasted Partridge. Sadly, we only heard after hanging up for half an hour. Continue looking at other montane birds. Lunch in Paltuding (entrance ticket to hike mount Ijen), where plenty of small restaurants are available. After that at 00.30 pm drive down while stopping by in search of endemics and others.
At 02.00 pm we finished birding in mount Ijen, then we drove to the small marshes near Baluran NP. Our target is Asian Golden Weaver, successfully added to our list. After dinner we stayed in Watu Dodol for the next two nights.
Day 3 – April 6th 2018
After breakfast we went to Baluran NP, while driving-in the park we stopped in an evergreen area. Then we continue looking for other lowland birds in the mangrove area until 11.00 am. Lunch at a small canteen near the Bama beach, after that Versha wanted to enjoy the sea while we rested for a while. In the afternoon, drive-out then stop in Bekol savannah-like grassland to enjoy the sunset.
Day 4 – April 7th 2018 We had a long drive on the last day. In the morning at 6.30 am we arrived in Alas Purwo NP at the south-eastern part of the island. First location was Sadengan grassland. We enjoyed our morning coffee while Banteng was grazing in front of us. We were birding in Alas Purwo until 9.00 am the drive out to a restaurant at Banyuwangi before we took ferries to cross Bali strait again.
111 species is ‘lifer’ or new for Casey, all kingfishers on this trip become Versha’s favorites, also the Long-tailed Macaque and Javn-leaf Monkey / Javan Langur. Here the highlight birds and the systematic list:
Highlights of the trip:
1. Bali Myna (Starling) Leucopsar rothschildi
Found in Teluk Trima, Bali Barat NP. 1 wild bird and about 10 individuals with rings on its legs.
2. Javan Hawk-eagle Nisaetus bartelsi
Single adult bird was soaring in the forest around Mount Ijen.
