Birding in Sonder and Mount Mahawu of Minahasa Highland with Polish Birdwatchers

A few weeks ago, I guided some Polish birdwatchers in Minahasa highland. We visited Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Subdistrict town of Sonder. 

Finch-billed Myna

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

We arrived late in Mount Mahawu, It was around 14:00 local time when we went birding. Fortunately, we still saw some birds that we were looking for - the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker,  Gray-sided Flowerpecker. 

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

After lunch, we went to the territory of Subdistrict town of Sonder, we saw more birds there including the Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, and Citrine Canary Flycatcher. Our time window for birding was too narrow. We missed the Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, and White-faced Cuckoo Dove. 

Turquoise Flycatcher

We went to the rice field area but we did not see the Isabelline Bush-hen that we we're looking for. We only heard their sounds in the bush.

Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove

 

If you are interested in taking a birding and sightseeing tour in North Sulawesi of Indonesia and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birdwatching and Photography Trip in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Butterflywatching in Minahasa Highland
• Birds in Minahasa

Birding in North Sulawesi

The Province of North Sulawesi is a beautiful destination for visitors who love nature. Its capital is Manado city. Birdwatching is one of the popular outdoor activities which tourists can do while visiting Manado. 

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot in Subdistrict Sonder

Some Birds in North Sulawesi

There are a lot of birding sites which are good watching avifauna of Sulawesi. Some of them are described below:

Some birds in Subdistrict Sonder

ITINERARY

• Day 1. When you arrive in Manado city, we will meet you at Sam Ratulangi airport and organize your transfer to a nearby hotel. You will take a rest for around 2 houra. After that we will organize a short tour for you by car to Talawaan Forest - this is a good site for watching birds that live in warm tropical climate such as Asian Short-tailed Starling, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Sulawesi Crow, Green Imperial Pigeon, Little Egret, Sahul Sunbird, Brown Throated Sunbird, Glossy-swiftlet, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon in this area. The magnificent scenery of Manado city with the Bunaken islands could be seen from the coast of Manado city.

Spectral Tarsier

• Day 2 - 3. We will check out of the hotel and organize your transfer to Tangkoko Batu Putih Nature Reserve. This is a great destination for birdwatching. We will spend two days here. A lot of tropical lowland birds from Sulawesi island could be watched there. They include Yellow-billed Malkoha, Black-faced Munia, Red-backed Thrush, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Hornbill, Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, White-eyed Drongo, Purple Rolling, Finch-billed Myna, Sulawesi-crested Myna, and a lot more. 
• Day 4-6 We will continue our trip to Sonder where you will enjoy birding and sightseeing in it's hill forest, valleys and farmland. There are various species of endemic birds such as Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker and Gray-sided Flowerpecker could be watched in this region. Tomohon town is also the main gate to visit Mount Subdistrict Sonder. They are highly recommended destination for visitors who love watching birds. Visitors could go hiking and birding throughout the hills, slopes and paddy fields of Sonder to watch Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Purple Heron, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Barred Rail, White-browed Crake, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more. Subdistrict town of Sonder is surrounded by water. There are fish ponds and rice fields that provide food for birds. Visitors who love to see farmland can go to Sonder to enjoy its natural beauty. 
• Day 7. At the end of the tour, we will transfer you to Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city again where you will continue your trip to another destination or fly back to your country.

Birds in lowland forest of North Sulawesi

Crimson Sunbird

The entry point for taking a birding holiday in North Sulawesi is Manado city. Visitors can fly from major cities in Indonesia to Manado city. Regular daily flights between Manado city and Jakarta, Makassar, Denpasar, Surabaya, Sorong are served by Garuda, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air and TransNusa. 

There are international direct flights between Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air. 

Flight routes between Manado city and major cities in Indonesia

There are hotels in Manado city and Tomohon that can accommodate visitors who want to stay for a few days or weeks in North Sulawesi. 

Celebes-crested Macaque

If you are interested in traveling to Manado city to see its beautiful natural landscape and watch birds and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your trip, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.