We had clients on the Holland America Noordam cruise ship which arrived in Probolinggo on January 22, 2019 and Surabaya on the next day. They want to take birding trips programmed during the docked ship in those cities.
First location on day one is around the north-west area of Mt. Argopuro. The habitat is agro-forest and stream. We got a problem with the tender that delivered our clients to the lands, and finally started driving very late at 10.00 am. Arrived at 12.00 am then began to look at the birds.
Spent 2 hours here then drove back before 04.00 pm that the ship will leave Probolinggo headed to Surabaya. At least we managed to see the highlight: a pair of Javan Sunbirds foraged in a coffee plantation.
On the next day, we met at the Port of Tanjung Perak in the north of Surabaya at 08.00 am. Then we drove for one hour to get to the Wonorejo mangrove and fishpond area. Due to the rainy season, the track was muddy. We got much time here for 4 hours birding but must walk slowly around the fishpond and mangrove until 01.30 pm. Highlight in here is: plenty of Javan Plover foraged at mudflat next to small canteen.
At 01.30 pm we started to drive back to Surabaya North Quay where the Maasdam ship docked and the two days birding trips in Probolinggo and Surabaya, East Java ended.
Other Included: Cave Swiftlet, Javan Pond Heron, Striated Heron, Little Black Cormorant, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Common Moorhen, Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Spotted Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Pasific Swallow, Malaysian Pied Fantail, Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, Scaly-breasted Munia.
Get good weather at the beginning of December 2018 which is already in the middle of the rainy season, located in Yogyakarta or simply Jogja for a 2 days birding trip. The location is in the Banaran village, Galur sub-district, Kulonprogo regency, Yogyakarta close to Trisik beach and the Progo River estuary.
I visited paddy-fields that are very large which are dominated by rice plants with a planting age of around 10-50 days on December 1st 2018. There is one bird species I look for, indeed endemic to Java and Bali islands.
It’s small sized passerines (11–12 cm ) with short bill, short rounded wings. Forehead to the nape and face are whitish. Upperparts chestnut, edges of uppertail-coverts and central rectrices reddish to reddish-yellow. Iris dark brown, eyering dark grey; bill light grey; legs grey.
Glimpses like White-headed Munia with the most distinguishing are chin to breast black, flanks broadly rufous extending across lower breast to form rufous band, belly to undertail-coverts black; more rarely, entire underside from chin to vent (including flanks) black.
This species is White-capped Munia (Lonchura ferruginosa), that can only be found in grasslands, wetlands with grasses, reeds and sedges (Cyperaceae), rice fields of Java and Bali islands.
I had a chance to chat with the local farmers, evidently they could distinguish the kind sof Munias around the rice fields of Banaran village. In this area, the birds are easier to see in the rice planted season. It will be more often after rice grains first appeared, about 25 days of planting.
“The birds like starch in young rice grains and grass seeds around the paddy-field. After the harvest season, this bird will disappear and return during the next rice planting season” Said local farmers.
On the second day I was still watching this bird, lucky to find that one was carrying a stem of grass that seemed to be used to make a nest. Follow the bird until it disappears in the dense vegetation next to the paddy-field area.
The rice fields in Banaran provide foraging and nesting locations for this species, hopefully it will be sustainable so that many generations can see this endemic.
To see birding in detail around Jogja, please follow this link below or click on the related post on the side bar.
First birding trip in Sumba island for clients from Lombok has gone smoothly. During October 7-9, 2018 we birded in two locations Billa and Lewa (part of Manupeu-Tanadaru-Laiwangi-Wanggameti or simply Matalawa NP).
Birding in the peak of the dried season is another challenge. After landing in Umbu Mehang Kunda airport then transferred to Billa for 5 drive hours. Stop by 2 hours before arriving for a short afternoon birding along the roadside of Lailara. There were 10 fruiting calabur trees Muntingia calabura that were often visited by Sumba Flowerpecker.
The remaining 2 hours before arriving in Billa was a bumpy road, wisely we used four-wheel-drive. It was also useful for exploring the birds inside the park.
Quickly when arrived, then birded at night looking for the owl. Until 9 pm we just hear the songs of Little Sumba Hawk-owl and Greater Sumba Boobook. Decided to take a rest in the ranger office. In Billa there are only 2 options for staying, camping inside the park and living with the rangers in the huge office building.
After breakfast we entered the clearing area in Billa. It was good when the birds started actively singing while sun-bathing. Then quickly follow the dried river. At midday we went back to the office for lunch, before entering the park once again we saw Short-toed Serpent-eagle perched at top of Kapok tree’s next to the office.
From afternoon until 9 pm continue birding in Billa to get another chance that we missed before. We birded along a dried river with small pools, and at night finally encountered Little Sumba Hawk-owl and a short view of Greater Sumba Boobook.
We have half a day to birding in Billa on 9 October before we move to Lewa. In the morning the weather was good as the day before. Starting at the entrance gate, we found a fruit tree which 10 bird species foraged. Some species that we missed yesterday nailed at that spot.
The last half day was spent in Lewa for owling. We just visited two locations here, Langgaliru forest and road-side-forest near the ranger office. Starting before dark until 9 pm, we nailed to see two endemic Booboks.
Then, here our highlights of the trip:
Little Sumba Hawk-owl (Ninox sumbaensis) – A single close view in Billa and a pair perched on a canopy at Lewa.
Sumba Hornbill (Rhyticeros everetti) – A male perched on a tree near its nest hole.
Sumba Flowerpecker (Dicaeum wilhelminae) – Two pairs foraging on roadside 2 hours before Billa.
Citron-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) – In the afternoon we saw 2 perched and singing loudly in Billa.
Sumba Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa segregata) – Single birds perched on top canopy in Billa.
Greater Sumba Boobook (Ninox rudolfi) – Three individuals calling each other on the road-side of Lewa.
Red-naped Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus dohertyi) – Single bird posed nicely in Billa.
Finished accompanied by a friend from Hong Kong to photograph Kingfisher around Malang, East Java. During April 26 – 29th 2018 we visited four birding locations.
The main target of this trip is the Indonesian endemic, Cerulean Kingfisher Alcedo coerulescens which can be found in Streams, canals, ponds, swamps, tidal estuaries, mudflats, mangroves, fish ponds, flooded paddyfields; from coast up to 800 m along South Sumatra through Java, Kangean Is and Bali to Lombok and Sumbawa; recorded also on Flores.
On the first day, Kevin and I met at Javan Banded Pitta’s site in Tretes, East Java that was managed by Heru Cahyono (Malang Birding Tours) in the afternoon. Before dark we move to a hotel in Batu city, dinner on the way.
Starting early in the morning we visited Batu Apple Farm to take pictures of Javan Kingfisher until 8.00 am. We have to hurry to reach the main target location on the south coast of Malang.
After lunch we arrived, then put up camouflage-tent around the fish-pond which is our favorite perch for.
About 30 minutes later, Cerulean Kingfsiher perch in 8 meter ahead. Along the afternoon the shutter was not stop clicking.
On the last day, we only have time until lunch time for the last target in the estuary area of south Malang. Ruddy Kingfisher.
Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda has widespread distribution, from NE China through Sulawesi island.
In Java (H.c. minor) this species has a few records, seems rare to find. In Kondang Merak, south Malang has many records compared to other locations in Java island but still challenging. The race minor is very small than the other, much darker, washed with violet, large silvery rump patch.
Quickly we waited in the location which usually this bird encountered. We were disturbed by the passing of other visitors, several of them curious with us. Until really quiet at around 10.30 am the Ruddy Kingfisher appeared.
Kevin took many shots, he even had time to change lenses because the birds perch to close about 3 meters away.
2 hours stayed in front of the tent, until Kevin was satisfied, then we had a long drive to his hotel in Surabaya before he took off back to Hong Kong the next day.
In the book of “Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago – Greater Sundas and Wallacea” written by Eaton J., et al which was published in 2017, stated that there are 18 species of birds that have not been scientifically described. Of these 16 are split species and the two remaining are newly discovered.
One of them is “Mutis/Timor Parrotfinch” Erythrura sp. nov, which was first discovered and documented by James Eaton in the Euclyptus forest around Mount Mutis, West Timor in 2012. After the first encounter, other birders also tried to find this parrotfinch without a legal Indonesian name in the same location, even some researchers who try to get holotype to be officially described.
On August 12, 2018, the birdpacker team (Swiss Winasis, Waskito Kukuh and Nurdin Setio) visited Fatumnasi village which is located at the foot of Mount Mutis. Guided by Sam, son-in-law of local village chief Mateos Anin, we tried to explore the birds there with the main target “Mutis Parrotfinch”.
Sam often guides overseas bird watchers, showing that some of the main locations that are commonly visited to see the parrotfinch which perhaps most closely resemble Red-eared Parrotfinch E. coloria that are currently only known from Mindanao in the Philippines, 2,000 km away.
The book states that this parrotfinch is usually observed alone or in pairs and rarely mixes with Tricoloured Parrotfinch E. tricolor which is quite common in West Timor. The place for food its foraging almost the same, from the bottom of the forest, shrubs to Eucalyptus top canopy. So far, this bird is found at an altitude of 1400-1850 asl.
It is quite difficult to find this bird, its small size; green dominant body; and the sound is very similar to its brother. Starting from morning to noon we visited 3 spots that usually have some records. Until we decide on the 4th spot to wait longer until late afternoon.
While making coffee and instant noodles on the spot while sharpening your ears and eyes, prepare for the sound or appearance of the main target. Until the supplies we make are finished and packed, we have not seen it coming. Then we decided to go back and repeat the luck tomorrow.
However, just shifted about 50 meters suddenly Sam and Swiss, who happened to walk more in front stopped and then lifted the camera. The shutter starts to sound without a word mentioning the name of the bird.
Waskito and Nurdin just kept quiet and did not make disturbing movements. After a while there was a small green object from the bush flying up to the middle canopy then perched on one of its branches. Simultaneously the two people behind lifted the binoculars and cameras slowly. Together the shutter flare alternately sounds for almost 2 minutes. After that, the object flew leaving the four of us, spontaneously we immediately shouted relieved that the object was a adult male Mutis Parrotfinch who we were looking for all day. “Yeeaaaahhhh … !!!”
Adult female Mutis Parrotfinch encountered on the second day near the same spot.
On the second day, we tried again to repeat the same place earlier and pass by shortcut to arrive quickly. About 100 meters before the destination, we met female birds completing our search for a mysterious parrotfinch from the mountain forest of Mutis.
The difficulty of finding this bird is, like the literature, it moves solitaire; small size with ripe green; and a sound that is almost similar to the Tricoloured Parrotfinch “psssttt … psssttt” in flight. But it can be guarantee, this bird really exists!
We have been visited by friends from England during his research in Java, Indonesia. He accompanied by local teams drove to our base-camp in Batu city, East Java. Suddenly the next day (July 7th 2018) we went to the Cangar hot spring part of Tahura R. Soeryo, indeed for birding!
With 9 people in the group, we started looking at the birds around the Cangar hot spring. The weather was so good and very cool for us, but not for Harry.
Any tourist attractions would be visited by many visitors. We also experienced that condition on that day. So we tried to hike in a jungle track behind the hot spring.
The length of the circular track is about 1 Km, with a fairly steep incline at the beginning and before half the length of the track.
We stopped for a while in front of a Japanese cave, scanned all directions and paid attention to every movement of leaves or twigs, hoping there was a bird behind the movement.
The pace of the trip was so dynamic, at the beginning we just saw a few bird species then after leaving the Japanese cave, we were stopped by a mix flocks. Then when we are at the half of the track, the birds become low again until the end of the track.
Orange-breasted Trogon was the main target for Harry, but only 3 of us successfully encountered it and made Harry Jealous.
This happened when I invited Harry and 5 other friends to chase the bird’s sounds, while three other friends waited on the main track. When we were near the source of the sounds, the bird even went out to near 3 of our friends.
Highlights of the day were:
1. Four individuals Javan Yellownape Chrysophlegma mentale.
– Saw around Japanese Cave, possibly 2 young and a pair of adults.
2. Pink-headed Fruit-dove Ptilinopus porphyreus
– Single female bird near the Japanese Cave
3. Black-banded Barbet
– Single bird near the Japanese Cave and 2 before half of the jungle track.
The rest of bird-list is below.
I invited the groups for lunch in Sendi, to taste local food called Nasi Jagung (corn rice) equipped with salted fish, tofu, tempe, water spinach and sambal. Then we moved to jembatan Cangar (Twin Bridge) for dessert, which was Tape Ketan (fermented black sticky rice).
While we enjoyed the dessert, we waited for the Javan Hawk-eagle. Sadly the birds was not shown, only a single male White-flanked Sunbird seen by me.
At around 2.30 pm, we agreed to finish the trip and head back home.
Although birding this time was quite chaotic, at least Harry got 3-4 lifers and enjoyed the birding and also the food on the sidelines of his research.
Birding in part of Lesser Sunda archipelago that many people, even Indonesian, are still confused with Sumbawa and Sumba, it’s a totally different island!. It lies adjacent to Lombok and west-north of Sumba. Bima is the eastern part of Sumbawa island.
Duration to birding: 3-4 Days.
There are three birding spots to clean up bird list on the Bima area:
1. Madapangga Nature Reserve
TWA Madapangga is located in the west of Bima city with a distance of about 45 Km or takes about 1 hour drive by car. The area of 232 Hectares is administratively in the village of Ndano, Bolo sub-district, Bima district, West Nusa Tenggara Province.
This nature park is a source of water for the dryness of the surrounding area. Residents around the area are very dependent on the river and its springs. In the morning and evening could meet with residents who bathe or wash clothes in the river that is located exactly on the road which connects Bima with Sumbawa city. The topography of this location is generally hilly with a slope of 15 – 40 degrees, only a small part is a relatively flat area with varying heights from 200 to 600 m above sea level.
Birding spots are relatively easy to reach, such as following the loop-track of the camping ground, around the river, and garden of the pool. We tried all those spots while we were there. Elegant Pitta, White-rumped Kingfisher, and Flame-breasted Sunbird are the icons for the area.
2. Degradated forest around Kaowa village
Flores Hawk-eagle often recorded here. Lambitu sub-district 2 hours heading to the east of central Bima city. In this hilly village is widely used as a garden or farm area by residents with the rest of the monsoon forest on each hilltop. Birding spots are located around the village water springs and the edge of forests after farm areas close enough to residents’ houses.
3. Sape
Located at eastern-coast of Bima city, take to 1 hours and 30 minutes (50 Km) drive time from city center. The habitat for looking birds in Sape is around river with dense vegetation. Perfect for looking at Nusa Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher. Also around coastline for waterbirds.
Transportation and Accomodation
Birding will be easy especially to reach the birding spot in Bima by hiring a car that is available in Bima city. We recommend staying in Hotel around in Bima city since the birding spot is not far enough.
On July 21st 2018 we had a client from the US looking for the main target, the Javan White-eye (Zosterops flavus) that is found only in west & south of Borneo, coastal north of Java and Madura.
Due to the massive hunting and poaching of all kinds of white-eye’s species, the population in the wild is in a crazy decline. Sounds like critically endangered.
Khaleb Yordan told us that the last time he saw this endemic white-eye in western of Java was 2 years ago. Yesterday was a reunion for him, also lifer for Mr. Russell Graham.
We saw more than 6 individuals in the safe area since the people around here are educated well for conservation of wildlife.
We started birding that day after leaving Juanda international airport, Surabaya, East Java. The location is not too far away, it takes about 30 minutes from the airport. At 6.30 am we went to a location called Wonorejo. This is a huge fish-pond and mangrove area.
On the first stop, before the parking area we tried looking at Sunda Coucal. Usually, it’s perched on tree or bushes top for sun-bathing. Sadly, the birds were not shown and we did not hear the sounds.
At least a male Freckle-breasted Woodpecker is perched on a dried branch. We don’t want to miss it.
Then we walk slowly, a clear call of Cerulean Kingfisher attracting us. For sure, a single bird perched in front of us, divided by the river. The kingfisher was perched on a bush near the water surface. Then it flies, responding to the other kingfisher’s calls.
We move to the parking area and prepare our stuff to get inside. But, we have to take time around the Muntingia calabura tree.
3 individuals of Scarlet-headed Flowerpeckers foraging on that tree. Our client pulled up his binocular to add it into his life-list. Bravo! new lifer again.
Satisfied with it, we continued walking to pursue our main target.
Walk for about 500 meters inside through fish-pond and mangrove trees. Then we played the Javan White-eye’s sounds. We heard the response at a mangrove tree that was full of Cave Swiftlet. This was also new for him.
We approached the tree and found the object. Voila! our ears were correct, four individuals gleaning its prey below the mangrove’s leaves at the middle canopy.
Hang out and enjoy the birds also following its movement while watching other species until our clients are satisfied.
At 8.30 am we moved out to warung (small canteen) near the parking area. After taking a break for a while we continued again to other directions. But the number of birds was low and no new birds were added to the list. So we ended the trip and started driving to the airport.
Highlights:
6+ individuals Javan White-eye (Zosterops flavus)
A male Freckle-breasted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos analis)
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.
