Tag: Birding in Indonesia

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.

Bird List of Cangar Hot Spring – July 7th 2018

No.	English Name	Scientific Name
1.	Sooty-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus aurigaster
2.	Eastern Spotted Dove	Spilopelia chinensis
3.	Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach
4.	Javan Grey-throated White-eye	Heleia javanica
5.	Lesser Shortwing	Brachypteryx leucophris
6.	Horsfield’s Babbler	Malacocincla sepiaria
7.	Ashy Drongo	Dicrurus leucophaeus
8.	Sunda Cuckooshrike	Coracina larvata
9.	Javan Yellownape	Chrysophlegma mentale
10.	Pink-headed Fruit-dove	Ptilinopus porphyreus
11.	Cave Swiftlet	Collocalia linchi
12.	Flame-fronted Barbet	Psilopogon armillaris
13.	Black-banded Barbet	Psilopogon javensis
14.	Javan Warbler	Phylloscopus grammiceps
15.	Javan Bulbul	Ixos virescens
16.	Javan Whistling-thrush	Myophonus glaucinus
17.	Ruddy Cuckoo-dove	Macropygia emiliana
18.	Javan Banded Pitta	Hydrornis guajanus
19.	Orange-breasted Trogon	Harpactes oreskios
20.	White-bellied Fantail	Rhipidura euryura
21.	Little Pied Flycatcher	Ficedula westermanni
22.	Indigo Flycatcher	Eumyias indigo
23.	Sunda Minivet	Pericrocotus miniatus
24.	Blue Nuthatch	Sitta azurea

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.

3. Grey-and-Buff (Red-crested) Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus

Pairs with immature male were foraging in the forest around mount Ijen.

4. Javan Kingfisher Halcyon cyanoventris

Single individuals perched on cable when we drive down from mount Ijen and one other in small marshes near Baluran NP

5. Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus

5 individuals were seen in the morning near Sadengan grassland, Alas Purwo NP.

Gallery:

Systematic List:

6. Javan Pond-Heron Ardeola speciosa | Buyan Lake, Bali
7. Wooly-Necked Stork Ciconia episcopus | Paddy-field near mount Ijen, East Java
8. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus | Alas Purwo NP
9. White-Bellied Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster | Bali Barat NP
10. Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela | Bali Barat NP
11. Black-Thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius |Baluran NP
12. Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator | Baluran NP
13. Green Peafowl Pavo muticus | Baluran NP
14. Green Junglefowl Gallus varius | Baluran NP
15. White-Breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus | Small marshes near Baluran NP
16. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus | Bali Barat NP
17. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura | Small marshes near Baluran NP
18. Black-Naped Tern Sterna sumatrana | Baluran NP
19. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii | Baluran NP
20. Pink-Necked Green-Pigeon Treron vernans | Bali Barat NP
21. Orange-Breasted Green-Pigeon Treron bicinctus | Baluran NP
22. Pink-Headed Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus porphyreus | Mt. Ijen
23. Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea | Baluran NP
24. Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall | Bali Botanical Gardens
25. Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia emiliana | Bali Botanical Gardens
26. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata | Bali Barat NP
27. Island Collared-Dove Streptopelia bitorquata | Bali Botanical Gardens
28. Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis | Baluran NP
29. (Grey-capped) Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica | Baluran NP
30. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus | Small marshes near Baluran NP
31. Sunda Coucal Centropus nigrorufus | Alas Purwo NP
32. Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis | Bali Barat NP
33. Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi | Bedugul Botanical Gardens
34. Grey-Rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis | Bali Barat NP
35. Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo coerulescens | Bali Barat NP
36. Oriental Dwarf-kingfisher Ceyx erithaca | Baluran NP
37. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus | Bali Barat NP
38. Collared KingfisherTodiramphus chloris | Baluran NP
39. Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater Merops leschenaulti | Bali Barat NP
40. Blue-Tailed Bee-Eater Merops philippinus | East Java
41. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris | Baluran NP
42. Yellow-Eared Barbet Psilopogon australis | Alas Purwo NP
43. Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus | Bali Barat NP
44. Freckle-Breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos analis | Baluran NP
45. Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker Picoides moluccensis | Baluran NP
46. Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus | Alas Purwo NP
47. Crimson-Winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus | Baluran NP
48. Black-Winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus | Mt. Ijen
49. Sunda Cuckooshrike Coracina larvata | Mt. Ijen
50. Pied Triller Lalage nigra | Baluran NP
51. White-Shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii | Bali Botanical Gardens
52. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus | Mt. Ijen
53. Sunda Minivet Pericrocotus miniatus | Mt. Ijen
54. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia | Baluran Np
55. Sooty-Headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster | Bedugul Botanical Gardens
56. Olive-Winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus | Baluran NP
57. Yellow-Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier | Baluran NP
58. Ruby-Throated Bulbul Pycnonotus dispar | Alas Purwo NP
59. Orange-Spotted Bulbul Pycnonotus bimaculatus | Mt. Ijen
60. Sunda (Javan) Bulbul Ixos virescens | Mt. Ijen
61. Lesser Racket-Tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer | Bali Botanical Gardens
62. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus | Bali Botanical Gardens
63. Black-Naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis | Bali Botanical Gardens
64. Blue Nuthatch Sitta azurea | Mt. Ijen
65. Crescent-Chested Babbler Cyanoderma melanothorax | Bali Botanical Gardens
66. Grey-Cheeked Tit-Babbler Mixornis flavicollis | Alas Purwo NP
67. Javan Whistling-Thrush Myophonus glaucinus | Bali Botanical Gardens
68. Golden-Bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea | Bali Barat NP
69. (Javan) Sunda Warbler Phylloscopus grammiceps | Bali Botanical Gardens
70. Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis | Bali Botanical Gardens
71. Mountain Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus | Bali Botanical Gardens
72. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis | Small marshes near Baluran NP
73. Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris | Bali Botanical Gardens
74. Sunda Bush-Warbler Cettia vulcania | Mt. Ijen
75. Russet (Javan)Bush-Warbler Locustella montis | Mt. Ijen
76. Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps | Baluran NP
77. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata | Small marshes near Baluran NP
78. Fulvous-Chested Jungle-Flycatcher Cyornis olivaceus | Bali Botanical Gardens
79. Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus | Mt. Ijen
80. Indigo Flycatcher Eumyas indigo | Mt. Ijen
81. Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina | Mt. Ijen
82. Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermani | Bali Botanical Gardens
83. Grey-Headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis | Bali Botanical Gardens
84. Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher Cyornis rufigastra | Baluran NP
85. Hill-blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas | Baluran NP
86. Sunda Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica | Bali Barat NP
87. White-Bellied Fantail Rhipidura euryura | Mt. Ijen
88. Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea | Baluran NP
89. White-Breasted Wood-Swallow Artamus leucorynchus | Bali Barat NP
90. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava | Bali Botanical Gardens
91. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus | Baluran NP
92. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis | Bali Botanical Gardens
93. Short-Tailed Starling Aplonis minor | Bali Botanical Gardens
94. Black-Winged (Grey-backed) Myna Acridotheres melanopterus tricolor | Baluran NP
95. Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus | Alas Purwo NP
96. Olive-Backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis | Bali Barat NP
97. Indonesian Honeyeater Lichmera limbata | Buyan Lake, Bali
98. Scarlet-Headed Flowerpecker Dicaeum trochileum | Baluran NP
99. Blood-Breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum sanguinolentum | Bali Botanical Gardens
100. Mountain White-Eye Zosterops montanus | Bali Botanical Gardens
101. Javan Grey-Throated White-Eye Heleia javanica | Bali Botanical Gardens
102. Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora | Baluran NP
103. Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides | Small marshes near Baluran NP
104. Scaly-Breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata | Mt. Ijen
105. White-Headed Munia Lonchura maja | Small marshes near Baluran NP
106. Asian Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus | Small marshes near Baluran NP
107. Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica | Alas Purwo NP
108. Black-Crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax | Small marshes near Baluran NP
109. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos | Buyan Lake, Bali
110. Gull-Billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica | Baluran NP
111. Lesser Crested-Tern Thalasseus bengalensis | Baluran NP
112. Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis | Baluran NP
113. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica | Baluran NP
114. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus | Baluran NP
115. Great Tit Parus Major | Baluran NP
116. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus | Buyan Lake, Bali
117. Long-Tailed Shrike Lanius schach | Buyan Lake, Bali
118. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus | Buyan Lake, Bali

Other Taxa:

1. Long-talied Macque
2. Javan-leaf Monkey / Javan Langur
3. Banteng
4. Timor Deer
5. Water Buffalo

For 3 days we visited the most popular Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java which is famous for its panoramic epic Mount Bromo, Tenggerese peoples and the highest peak of Java island, Semeru mountain. In contrast to other visitors who usually visit the breathtaking mount Bromo or climb Semeru mountain, we visited four birding spots around that area. This National Park still has a large rainforest that is still good and protected, and would be good habitat conditions for wildlife, especially birds.

On 17 January morning we headed to Piket Nol, Lumajang, East Java. The cliff area that became the crossroad of Malang-Lumajang highway still has good forest. We start from the searching of a bridge then walk westwards. In the morning the condition of passing vehicles is quite rare, so we just enjoy bird watching. Highlight birds that we managed to see for this spots are (Javan) Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Banded Kingfisher, (Javan) Banded Broadbill, Yellow-throated Hanging-parrot, Yellow-eared Barbet and Grey-cheeked tit-babbler.

Then at noon we drove to the south coast of Lumajang, at Selok Anyar village where habitat in this area is a rice field along the edge of the coastline with some angles there are fish ponds owned by the residents. Also there are some rice fields that become pastures where the buffalo graze.

We arrived here at 1.00 pm at a fishpond, immediately greeted by the Small-blue Kingfisher flying past us toward the other ponds. Then we walked along the rice fields, pastures and ponds to the rows of Australian pine tree beachside. As a result we noted many birds and the highlights were Javan Kingfisher, Small-blue or Cerulean Kingfisher, Javan Plover, Red Avadavat, Javan Munia.

On the second day we can only do a short birding until 10.30 pm in Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP because the rain does not stop until night. But in the lowland forest with a semi-natural lake, we managed to note endemic birds such as Javan Kingfisher, Sunda Cuckoo, Javan-banded Pitta, Sunda Forktail, and Javan Sunbird.

Similarly on the last day we were less fortunate. Arriving at the fourth birding spot, Coban Trisula departs from Ranu Darungan 1.5 hours through the rainforest in the area of Senduro and Tengger villages in Ranu Pani village and arrives at the location around 10:00 am. Not long after the rain was down until the afternoon. The rain stopped briefly, and there were some active birds like Pink-headed Fruitdove and White-browed Shrike-Babbler as well as the end of birding trips at Bromo Tengger Semeru NP.

HIGHLIGHTS:

(Javan) Buff-rumped Woodpecker: 2 individuals seen at Piket Nol, Lumajang, East Java.

Banded Kingfisher: a female perched for 30 minutes at Piket Nol, Lumajang, East Java.

(Javan) Banded Broadbill: 2 adults with 1 immature, looking for it’s meals at Piket Nol, Lumajang, East Java.

Yellow-throated Hanging-parrot: 2-3 birds were foraging at Piket Nol, Lumajang and 1 flight at Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Yellow-eared Barbet: party of 22 birds at fruiting ficus sp tree in Piket Nol, Lumajang, East Java.

Sunda Coucal: 2 birds seen at sugarcane fields in south-coast of Lumajang, East Java.

Grey-cheeked Tit-babbler: a small flock about 6 birds at Piket Nol, Lumajang, East Java.

Crescent-chested Babbler: 6 birds foraging at bushes in Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Javan Plover: a small flock of 6 birds foraging at paddy field in south-coast of Lumajang, East Java.

Javan Kingfisher: 3 individuals at paddy field south-coast of Lumajang and 1 bird at Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Small-blue or Cerulean Kingfisher: 2 birds perched at a fishpond in the south-coast of Lumajang, East Java.

Blue-eared Kingfisher: a pair of male and female around lake of Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Javan-banded Pitta: 4 individuals calling each other at Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Javan Sunbird: A pair of male and female in Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Sunda Forktail: single bird at the lake of Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Sunda Cuckoo: 2 birds singing in the canopy of a big tree in Ranu Darungan, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Pink-headed Fruitdove: 1 adult and 1 immature foraging at Coban Trisula, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

White-browed Shrike-Babbler: 1 male and 2 female catch moths at Coban Trisula, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, East Java.

Red Avadat: 30 individuals looking for food on the ground of a paddy field in the south-coast of Lumajang, East Java.

Javan Munia: total 67 birds foraging paddy seed at paddy field in south-coast of Lumajang, East Java.

Other notable birds included:

Crested-serpent Eagle, Black-thighed Falconet, White-breasted Waterhen, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Lesser Shortwing, Horsfield’s Babbler, Ashy Drongo, Red-billed Malkoha, Plaintive Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo, Collared Kingfisher, Black-banded Barbet, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Pied Triller, Scarlet Minivet, Large Woodshrike, Black-headed Bulbul, Sooty-vented Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Ashy Tailorbird, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Purple Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, Common Buttonquail, Barred Buttonquail, Pacific Golden Plover, Common Sandpiper, Swinhoe’s Snipe, Pin-tailed Snipe, Greater Crested Tern, Spotted Dove, Savanna Nightjar, Cave Swiftlet, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow, Western Yellow Wagtail, Paddyfield Pipit, Zitting Cisticola, Plain Prinia, Common Tailorbird, Scaly-breasted Munia.

PHOTOGRAPHED BIRDS:

On 7 January 2017 my friends and I visited Ngongap cliff for camping and birding. Ngongap cliff is located in District Girisubo, Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta province. Gunung Kidul landscape is hilly, known as the “Gunung Sewu” (Thousand Mountains), as well as the beautiful southern coastal region. Ngungap cliff is not a sandy beach, but a cliff of rock long, directly adjacent to the deep blue sea and the waves were malignant. Around the Ngungap cliff, green hills covered with natural vegetation and teak. Steep cliffs, blue sea and the cool breeze make this wonderful place to fill a vacation while birding.

Because there is no public transportation to the site, we use a motorbike to get there. We decided to set up tents in order not to lose many moments, both observations and the scenery. Departing at 04:00 pm, the trip takes approximately two hours from the city center to get the location. Along the way, on the right and left of the road looks green hills accompany the trip. It incredibly spoils the eyes.

Arriving at the location, we immediately set up tents in a flat spot near the cliffs. Hot coffees accompanied us for chatting and telling stories on cold nights. From a distance, we hear the night birds shout at each other. It seems Sunda Scops Owl has already started looking for prey. There was the sound of other birds that are very familiar, but not a night bird. Soon we had coffee, picked up a camera and started birding. Behind the dense bushes the sound was very loud and clear, over and over. We point the flashlight at the source of the sound, but not visible form and motion, just its sound. The dense bush blocks us to go deeper, finally we await the appearance of the owner of that sound. The sound was like a Red-legged Crake but we’re not sure because we have not seen it. After an hour we waited, and the bird did not appear. Finally, we recorded the sound for later identification.

The sun was rising on the eastern horizon, a red tinge gradually disappearing. Green Junglefowl heard crowing in the distance. Sooty-headed Bulbul and Yellow-vented Bulbul were seen foraging together near our camp. Our equipment set up and immediately started birding. A hill near our camp where we observed at night, into the first place to explore. From a distance, a flock of Pink-necked Green Pigeons was feeding on a tree. At shrubs below, Island Collared Dove was busy sunbathing and cleaning its feathers. About ten meters to the right, Racket-tailed Treepie foraging noisily. The last two are birds that are not often encountered in Yogyakarta.

Then we move toward a rice field area that is not too wide. We met with Javan Munia, White-capped Munia and Scaly-breasted Munia in considerable numbers, and were eating rice grains that had yellowed. Teak flowers that grow on the edge of rice fields become a favorite place for Olive-backed Sunbird and Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker. Other bird species observed in this area such as Lesser Coucal, Sunda Coucal, Long-tailed Shrike, Common Taylorbird, Plain Prinia, Javan Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher and more.

After four hours of birding around the rice paddies we went to the cliff edge. Halfway there we met Peregrine Falcon flew past quickly and disappeared behind the hill. Around 10:00 am, we began to observe on the edge of the cliff under the blazing sun. Not long to wait, from a distance White-tailed Tropicbird fly closer to the cliffs to the west of us. These birds use the holes in the cliffs to nest and lay their eggs. It’s not difficult to see this bird, sit on the edge of a cliff while drinking coffee, these birds will be out of the nest hole and fly around the cliffs. The best time to see this bird is in the afternoon when it returns to the nest hole.

These birds will fly quite a long swirled around the cliffs before entering the nest hole. Other birds that use cliff holes for nests are the Black-nest Swiftlet and Edible-nest Swiftlet. Local residents around the coastal region will harvest these bird’s nests every year for sale. These birds also fly around the edges of the cliffs along Cave Swallow, Pacific Swallow, and House Swiflet. We also found Javan Myna and (Indonesian) Spotted Kestrel that were perched on the cliff. Birding closed with the presence of White-bellied Sea-eagle soaring long enough. Landscape and beautiful birds completes unforgettable vacation.

Birding in this nice and beautiful scenery of Javanese traditional village, Menoreh mountains provide you a chance to see many lowland birds. The hilly landscape (300–800 meters asl) covered with an agroforestry ecosystem proves to be a good habitat for birds. If you’re in Borobudur, then facing to the south you’ll see the shape of the Menoreh mountains like a figure who sleeps in the mountains. Local residents believe that the figure is Gunadharma, the architect of Borobudur.

Menoreh Mountains are located in the northwest end of Kulon Progo district of Yogyakarta province (borders Central Java province), part of the ridge line east of the zone “oblong domes/ridges”. Birding site in the village Jatimulyo, just about an hour’s drive west of Jogja city (32 km). Also an hour’s drive south of the famous Borobudur (36 km).

Continue reading “Menoreh Mountains, Birding in Javanese Traditional Village“