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Saturday, July 8, 2017

Birding and Wildlife Watching Tour in Lowland Rainforest of Manokwari

Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)
Lowland Rainforest of Manokwari
There is a beautiful birding site in northwest area of Manokwari regency. The lowland tropical rainforest that covers the region is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds including Willie Wagtail, Little-ringed Plover, Little Egret, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Dollarbird, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Papuan Blyth's Hornbill, Moluccan King Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoo Dove, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Brahminy Kite, Rainbow Bee-eater and a lot more.
I have organized numerous birding and wildlife watching tours to this forest for visitors who come from Europe, Australia, North America and China.
Birding Along the River
Birding in Lowland Forest of Manokwari
The easiest way to enjoy birding in this lowland area is by walking along the banks of the river. The ground is mostly flat and suitable for women or birdwatchers who want an easy birding walk.
On the average, the birding tour lasts between 3 to 5 days.
The longer the number of days we stay in the jungle, the deeper will be our walk into the forest.
It is not only birds that visitors can see in the lowland forest of Manokwari but also other animals such as butterflies, beetles, cicada, freshwater fish. Fruitbats like to eat breadfruits whose trees grow along both sides of the river.
Birding Gear
Blyth's hornbill
Visitors are highly recommended to bring their own binoculars 10x42 or 12x50 mm and spotting scope 20-60x60. A field guide book such as "Birds of New Guinea" written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler will needed to identify birds that we see in trees.  Taking pictures of birds are highly encouraged. A bridge camera Canon SX60 HS or Nikon Coolpix P900 is an affordable choice for taking pictures of birds in distant trees.
Camping
Campsite 1 Manokwari lowland forest
As a tourist guide, I provide camping gear, cooking and eating utensils for visitors who are interested in taking this birding tour. So, they don't need to carry these heavy things in their luggage. We may stay in only one campsite during the whole time of the tour but mostly we move our tents deeper into the jungle every day and return to main road in the last day of the tour. Local villagers will work as porters and cooks. Because, this tour is conducted in the jungle, the food that we eat will be the simple ones.

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