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Extension : Arfak foothill forest birdsThis extension carries us to the increasingly threatened foothill forests of the Oransbari Peninsula, home to a rich and colorful lowland forest avifauna that includes Northern Cassowary and Western Crowned-Pigeon, a profusion of parrots, from the diminutive Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot to the vulturine Pesquet’s Parrot, as well as dazzling forest kingfishers like the crepuscular monotypic Melidora, gorgeous Painted Quail-thrush and Blue Jewel-Babbler, and five bird of paradise species. This is the most complementary of the three recommended Arfak extensions in terms of species diversity. Its distinction from the next destination primarily lies in the presence here of such tantalizing extreme lowland specialists as the delightful Western Crowned-Pigeon and not-to-be-missed King Bird of Paradise, forest birds which do not normally venture above 300 m elevation. Day-by-day itineraryDay 1 [Monday] After a hearty pre-dawn breakfast in our Manokwari hotel, we will set out on the two hours’ drive by chartered 4WD-vehicle to our drop-off point on the Oransbari peninsula, from where we will bird all morning toward a camp at 180 m elevation in primary foothill forest along a fast-flowing stream. All along the walk, wacko Blyth’s Hornbills, majestic Palm and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, and noisy Red-cheeked and Eclectus Parrots fly overhead as we familiarize ourselves with the common or more conspicuous forest interior birds: Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Slender-billed and Great Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo, Superb and Beautiful Fruit-Dove, Purple-tailed and Pinon Imperial-Pigeon, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, New Guinea Friarbird, Rufous Babbler, Little Shrike-thrush, Variable and Rusty Pitohui, Hooded and Black Butcherbird, Brown Oriole, Northern Fantail, Spangled Drongo, Spot-winged and Frilled Monarch, Yellow-faced Myna, Black Berrypecker, and Green-crowned Longbill. After lunch at camp, we will bird all afternoon in the vicinity, where we stand an excellent chance of seeing avian delights as Large Fig-Parrot, Western Crowned-Pigeon, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise-Kingfisher, Moluccan King-Parrot, and Magnificent, King and Lesser Bird of Paradise. A nocturnal foray after dinner may produce Jungle Hawk-Owl, Wallace's Owlet-Nightjar, and Marbled Frogmouth. Day 2 [Tuesday] We may start out early with a short spotlighting session, and will take our pre-dawn breakfast as the dawn chorus develops. We will bird all morning in the vicinity of camp where in addition to the previously mentioned species we may also feast our eyes on Red-billed Talegalla, White-crowned and Dwarf Koel, Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot, Cinnamon Ground-Dove, Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon, White-eared Catbird, Black-sided and Torrent Robin, and Blue Jewel-Babbler. After lunch we will bird toward a camp at 275 m elevation. Red-billed Talegallas and Magnificent Riflebirds call everywhere in these foothills and it need not take long before we'll surprise our first pair of Blue Jewel-Babbler running away into cover. Other birds that we may see here include Long-billed Cuckoo, Double-eyed and Large Fig-Parrot, Pesquet’s Parrot, Pheasant Pigeon, Wallace’s Fairywren, Black-chinned Robin, Painted Quail-thrush, Rusty Whistler, and Rufous Monarch. After dinner, Jungle Hawk-Owl, Wallace's Owlet-Nightjar, and Marbled Frogmouth may all be heard and, with some luck, seen on a nocturnal excursion here. Day 3 [Wednesday] After an optional nocturnal foray and pre-dawn breakfast, we will ascend slightly higher along a narrow ridge that supports a display tree of the Lesser Bird of Paradise where several fine adult males usually gather. We shall take ample time to observe and truly absorb the full array of displays and interactions at the lek. Besides, while sitting quietly in the forest, there’s always a chance of a Northern Cassowary, Red-billed Talegalla, or Pheasant Pigeon casually walking by. After lunch we will spend most of the afternoon in a gulley, where we should be rewarded with sightings of Azure and Variable Kingfisher, Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon, Red-bellied Pitta, Rusty Mouse-warbler, and Sooty Thicket-Fantail, if we haven’t already seen them elsewhere. After dinner a nocturnal walk is a possibility as ever. Day 4 [Thursday] We could start out early again with a short spotlighting session prior to our pre-dawn breakfast. After a short birding walk near camp we will require most of the morning to walk back to our pick-up point, where there is ample time to wash up and refresh before driving back to Manokwari. After lunch in town we will transfer to Rendani Airport for the afternoon flight to the Indonesian gateway of your choice. Related linksRead on about the birdlife of the Arfak Mountains. Browse our terms and conditions. Browse our check-list of the birds of Papua. |
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