One of the endemic birds in East Java is the well-known Grey-breasted or White-faced Partridge (Arborophila orientalis). It can be found from Yang highlands eastwards to Ijen mountains.
We have a client from England for two days birding in mount Ijen with the only target being Grey-breasted Partridge.
We met the client at 05.00 am 26th August 2019 on his accommodation around Banyuwangi, then we drove to the location. At around 5.45 am, we arrived at the location then we stayed in the partridge feeding station which was built by a local guide.
We spent the whole day there, but unfortunately rainfall started at midday until dusk. Even the partridge did not shown, several birds come to the station such as:
1. Red Junglefowl 2. Javan Banded Pitta 3. Temminck’s Babbler 4. Lesser Shortwing 5. Javan Whistling Thrush 6. Indigo Flycatcher 7. Snowy-browed Flycatcher 8. White-flanked Sunbird 9. White-bellied Fantail 10. Crescent-chested Babbler 11. Sunda Cuckooshrike and above us there is a fruiting tree that attract 12. Wreathed Hornbill 13. Dark-backed Imperial-pigeon 14. Grey-cheeked Green-pigeon and, 15. Pink-headed Fruit-dove.
So, after dropping off the clients on his accommodation we agreed to go on the next day. Started at the same time as yesterday but arrived earlier at 5.30 am.
Sat and waited again in the station while we enjoyed breakfast, coffee and tea. The weather was better than yesterday.
At 8.20 am we heard the partridge in the distance, then we played the playback. Slow but sure, the sound of the partridge came closer to the station.
Then at 8.40 am we heard the partridge so loud to the left of the station and came closer. Finally, a pair of White-faced Partridge came into the station.
Enjoyed when it was foraging in front of us for about 5 minutes. That was a very proper view of this partridge that was requested by our client.
Satisfied with that, we decided to go outside from the station. The local guide told us that he knows the roosting site of Javan Frogmouth. Just 200 meters away from the station, we saw three Javan Frogmouths perched on the same horizontal branch.
Before midday we tried another station, but until 11.00 am the partridge did not shown. So, we decided to have lunch at a local restaurant and the two birding tours in mount Ijen, Banyuwangi, East Java ended.
We have a successful four day birding tour in East Java, starting from 10 – 13 August 2019 for Germany clients. Three birding locations were visited, such as Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, around Probolinggo and Baluran NP.
114 bird species managed to collect in the tour list.
On the first day, we met up in Juanda international airport of Surabaya, East Java. The flight was delayed, so around 6.00 pm I started driving to the accommodation near the Bromo Tengger Semeru NP. So, the night just for rest and overnight.
Then, on the second day we started at very early morning, 04.00 am. The client has a special request to see the sunrise with the landscape of Bromo, Batok, Semeru and other mountains.
This is a famous location for a typical visitor in this national park.
Arriving at the sunrise view point at 5.15 am, we still get the first light of the day. Luckily, the weather was so bright and clear.
Spent for half an hour, then we had breakfast and coffee time at a small canteen around the viewpoint.
After that, we drove to the sand sea below the view point. Stop by to explore the birds around.
Our next stop is Ranu Pani village. We have to change the vehicle from a Jeep into an MPV car in that village.
Nothing left in the first vehicle, then we drove down in lower altitude step by step while looking for birds.
In the afternoon we have to transfer to the next accommodation in Lumajang, East Java.
Check in and dinner at the restaurant of the hotel, finished at 7.30 pm. Then we went to our rooms overnight.
We had a long drive on the third day.
After breakfast, we started driving to the next birding location in Probolinggo.
Arrived at 9.15 am, then we birded in a lowland area where the habitat is mangrove and estuary.
At 11.15 am continue driving to the last birding location in Baluran NP. Stop by the restaurant for lunch.
We still have a time when we arrive in Baluran, so we enter the forest and birded until dusk.
Same as the second day, dinner provided by the accommodation. Eat dinner, then go to bed.
On the last day, we started at 5.00 am and entered Baluran NP.
First stop was the monsoon forest before Bekol grassland-like-savannah when the birds perched, singing and drying up for the first light.
While enjoying the birds passing by from where we stopped, coffee and tea were served to our clients and team.
Then at 8.00 am changed the location to Bekol savanna and birding trek in Bama beach.
AT 11.00 am the birds were low activity, so we broke for lunch at the canteen after Bama beach.
Start birded at 1.00 pm in Bekol savanna until 3.30 pm.
The tour ended when we dropped off the clients in their accommodation inside Bali Barat NP, Bali.
During the birding tours, we nailed 114 birds species with the highlight: