Birding Trip to Teluk Wondama Regency

Most of mainland and islands of Teluk Wondama regency is covered by pristine tropical rainforest. It is the natural habitat of hundreds of species of birds.

There are several birdwatching sites around Rasiei town 

Rowi Forest - This birding site is located behind the local government's building. You can walk along an old road or explore the banks of Rowi river that flows from Wondiboy mountains to the sea to find such birds as Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Helmetted Friarbird, Singing Starling, Olive-backed Sunbird, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Glossy Swiftlet, Spangled Drongo, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Black Sunbird, Mimic Meliphaga. The mangrove forest is around one kilometer away from the village. It can easily be reached on foot especially in the morning. You need to be accompanied by villagers or local guide from HPI Wondama in order to watch birds and other wildlife in the forest. If you walk along the sides of the river up the slopes to Wondiboy mountains, you can see more birds and wildlife. This forest area can be explored in multiple days if you bring camping gear and food supply.

Rasiei Beach is another birdwatching site in Teluk Wondama that birders can explore to find such birds as Sacred Kingfisher, Pacific Swallow, Lesser Frigatebird, Whimbrel, Little Tern, Torresian Crow, Willie Wagtail, White-bellied Sea Eagle. As a matter of fact, coastal birds can also bee seen along the beach of Wondama bay. 

Sobey Village - This coastal village is another interesting site for birdwatching because you can explore its lowland forest, mangrove, sand bank that is located around two hundred meters from the beach. Flocks of sea birds such as plover, tern, lesser frigatebird, and egret can often be seen on this sand bank.

As you explore further area to the north of Wondama Bay, we will arrive at Wandamui Hill. This viewpoint overlooks the sea and the other side of the bay. Town dwellers like to visit it for taking selfie pictures which they will share in social media. Birds soaring in the sky like Lesser Frigatebird, Brahminy Kite, Long-tailed Buzzard and White-bellied Sea Eagle can easily be observed from this hill. There is a good shelter which you can use to see the beautiful scenery of Wondama Bay and watch birds that sit on the branches of the surrounding trees or fly over the hills to different areas of the forest. Eclectus Parrot, Black-capped Lory, as well as the small Olive-backed Sunbirds are quite common in the area. In the evening more bird activity can be seen from this viewpoint.

Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)

The road that goes between Yopanggar village and Aisandami village is a great site for birding and wildlife watching. You can go directly to Yopanggar, spend one or two nights in the village and slowly do the birding walk to Aisandami village. It is not only birds that you will see but also other rainforest animals including mammals, reptiles, and insects. The Duari bay where Aisandami village is located is a great site for birding because it has got a huge mangrove forest. For easy birding, just walk along the sides of the road outside the village. To book your trip to Wondama, please, contact us by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

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