In mid to late October 2023, I had clients from Italy, Elena and Giuseppe, a recently married couple. This time, the birding experience was combined with a snorkeling trip in Raja Ampat. The tour commenced on October 18 in Jayapura and concluded on October 30 in Sorong. Despite initial concerns due to the onset of the rainy season, the tour unfolded under exceptionally favorable weather conditions, with sunny skies prevailing throughout our destinations.
On the morning of October 18, I met Elena and Giuseppe at Sentani Airport. After enjoying breakfast at the airport, we proceeded to Nimbokrang, our residence for the next 3 days. Our first day of birding in Nimbokrang focused on one of the most sought-after photo targets: the Common Paradise Kingfisher. At this location, we also observed the (Papuan) Eclectus Parrot and white-shouldered Fairywren, among others. In the afternoon, we visited the Papuan Hooded Pitta hide, which proved less welcoming on that particular day.
On October 19, we departed the homestay at 5 am, heading to the KM 8 forest, a highly regarded birding location in Nimbokrang. Our primary target for the day was the twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. Navigating a slippery track due to overnight rain required careful steps. Our target appeared in the dim light, with a male and two females engaging in a captivating display. Another target that morning was the Papuan Pitta. Unfortunately, despite a prolonged wait in the hide, the Pitta, though close, declined to enter. In the afternoon, we ventured deep into the forest for trekking, reaching the Magnificent BoF location. Despite sighting the target, inadequate sunlight thwarted our attempts to capture a photograph.
On the 3rd day in Nimbokrang, we resumed trekking at 5 am, with the Lesser Bird of Paradise as our target. Alongside achieving our goals, we encountered other significant species such as the Hooded Butcherbird, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, White-bellied Ticktfantail, and King BoP. Before returning to Nimbokrang, we made another attempt at the Papuan Pitta in a different hide, yet inclement weather foiled our efforts.
Before our return to Jayapura, we spent the afternoon birding around the village. We revisited the Common Paradise Kingfisher location to obtain better photos and then the Papuan Hooded Pitta, which proved more amenable this time. That night, we stayed at a hotel in Jayapura.
The following day, we flew from Jayapura to Sorong, with a layover in Manokwari, where we encountered several birders also en route to Sorong. Upon arriving in Sorong, we immediately embarked on birding in the Mangrove Area, where we encountered a Blue-and-back Kingfisher.
On October 22nd, we ventured out of the city of Sorong to the forest near Mokwam. The weather was sunny, resulting in the most productive morning of the trip. We successfully identified 25 species that morning, including Blyth’s Hornbill, Golden Monarch, Frilled Monarch, and Yellow-faced Myna. After lunch, we took a ferry to Waigeo, Raja Ampat Islands, where we spent 10 days.
During the first two days in Raja Ampat, we birded at Warkesi, capturing photographs of two iconic birds of Waigeo Island: the Red BoP and Wilson’s BoP. Additionally, we achieved several important targets, including the Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Palm Cockatoo, and Blyth’s Hornbill. We also encountered snakes, lizards, and monitor lizards.
On the 3rd day, we embarked on a sea trip, prioritizing snorkeling while incorporating birding opportunities at every chance. Our snorkeling locations that day included Pasir Timbul, Mnta Sandy, Sawandarek, Yenbuba, Cape Kri, and Mansuar.
During the second day of our sea trip, we visited Piaynemo, an iconic Raja Ampat location with a group of small islands. In the same location, we explored Bintang Lake and snorkeled in Rufas and Arborek. On our way back, we stopped at Friwen to observe the endemic mammals of Waigeo Island, specifically the Waigeo Spotted Cuscus.
On the third day of our sea trip, we headed to Mioskun, where we observed a Flying Fox colony and encountered a Spice Imperial pigeon and a Pied Imperial Pigeon. From Mouskun, we proceeded to Friwen Beach for relaxation, lunch, and birding, and concluded the afternoon at Freewen Wall.
On October 28th, we journeyed to the other side of Waigeo Island, reaching a location called Kali Biru. This river exploration and swimming in the clear waters resulted in several targets, including the Brown Oriole.
On the morning of the 29th, we returned to Sorong by ferry. In the afternoon, we revisited the birding location outside the city of Sorong in Mokwam. Like previous birding sessions, this location proved to be the most productive, yielding returns of several bird species. These included the Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove, Greater Black Coucal, Pacific Baza, Pygmy Eagle, Blyth’s Hornbill, Red-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Black-capped Lory, Ruby-throated Myzomela, Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, Gray-headed Cicadabird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Yellow-faced Myna, and Streak-headed Munia. This marked our last day of birding in Papua.
Early morning of October 30, I dropped Elena and Giuseppe off at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong. Overall, this tour was successful, although of course some targets were not achieved for various reasons. While in Nimbokrang we faced hostile weather in the morning, making us less productive. When we arrived in Sorong, the weather was better. The first day of birding in Sorong was very productive although short. This good weather continued in Waigeo and during snorkeling in Raja Ampat. The sea is calm and clear all day.
This report was also published at: https://www.wallaceabirdtour.com/2024/01/29/west-papua-birding-trip-report-2023/
