Interesting Podcast – Drawing Room: Twitchers

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Tara

I really enjoyed this interview with a couple of Australian Twitchers (keen bird watchers). Unlike Mr Dooley, I don’t have a life list. I am trying to see as many parrots as possible and also any interesting birds in the area but I can’t afford to take off at at the drop of a hat when someone reports a rare bird someplace. I like to spend as much time as possible observing the birds but sometimes a quick fly-over is all you get! I do have to work within my limitations on time and especially money and just be grateful for the birding travel I get to do with frequent flyer miles.

There were some parts I could really relate to like when he talks about nature being in our lives no matter where we are. I could also relate to when he said he saw a rare bird in the Roman Forum, something most tourists wouldn’t notice. When I was at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, I think I paid more attention to the Rose-Ringed Parakeets than the architecture!

I have to agree with the “Holy Grail” bird – the Night Parrot. I would just be happy to know they are alive and well and are not extinct!

Broadcast:: Tuesday 16 April 2013 7:40PM (view full episode)

Image: The Night-parrot (Supplied)

Tonight in the Drawing Room, you’re joined by a couple of twitchers. Not people who twitch, but people who are rather fond of birds.

Sean Dooley once broke the Australian record for spotting the most species of birds in one year, and he has just written the forward to the re-issue of one of our most loved bird books, Mateship With Birds by A.H. Chisholm.

You’ll also be joined by Michael Veitch, actor, comedian, author and birdwatcher.

Birding In Wamena/Lake Habema

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Tara

Although we didn’t go there, you can also use Jayapura/Sentani as a gateway to Wamena and Lake Habema. This does add quite a bit to your budget as there doesn’t seem to be any cheap way to do it which is the reason we didn’t go there.

Location of Wamena

Trigana Air flies there several times a day but they only show schedules on their website, you can’t book online. From what I could see online, you will need to have a local travel agency arrange your guide, porters and transport. Burung Nusantara has some information and recommendations for guides and travel agencies. Since I didn’t go there, I can’t speak as to the quality of the services but there are links to birding trip reports on their website. You will need to have this area mentioned on your Surat Jalan along with Nimbokrang and anywhere else in West Papua you plan to visit.

If you do make it there, the birds are amazing! Burung Nusantara shows the highlights as: Salvadori’s Teal; Snow Mountain Quail; Chestnut Forest-Rail; Dusky Woodcock; Goldie’s Lorikeet; Mountain Kingfisher; Macgregor’s Honeyeater; Crested Satinbird; Papuan Grassbird; Greater Ground-Robin; Lesser Ground-Robin; Alpine Robin; Wattled Ploughbill; Northern Logrunner; Papuan Whipbird; Blue-capped Ifrita; Torrent-Lark; Splendid Astrapia; King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise; Superb Bird-of-Paradise; Brown Sicklebill; Lesser Melampitta; Archbold’s Bowerbird; Alpine Pipit; Mountain Firetail; Snow Mountain Munia.

I would add the Tiger Parrots to that list!

Nimbokrang Has Easy Birding Too

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Tara

After braving the planks in the swamp forest of Nimbokrang, I was ready for something less strenuous the next day. Fortunately Jamil knew just the place, a small mountain about 40 minutes from town by motorcycle (100,000 rupiahs extra). It was only me this time, my husband wanted to look around town. We set out at the crack of dawn and made it up the mountain in time to watch the sunrise.

(Don’t expect Nat Geo style professional photos, the birds were usually far away, in flight and many shots are blurry. I have not edited them since this is a travel blog and I want you to see the exact conditions you will be taking photos in when you go there).

Sunrise over Nimbokrang from the mountain

The birds didn’t take long to show up. Although I still had to view them from a distance (attempting to get photos) at least they did fly through open skies a bit more as opposed to dense foliage in trees. Jamil identified several Brown Lories, Eclectus Parrots, Red-Cheeked Parrots and a solitary Rainbow Lorikeet which I thought was strange as I am used to seeing them in large flocks in Brisbane. I did have a go at “find the hidden bird” shots, pointing the camera at trees where birds were flitting about, hoping to catch them. Sometimes I got lucky, sometimes I didn’t! Brahminy Kites were easier to photograph as they are larger and fly slower. The highlight of this excursion was a stunning Palm Cockatoo!

Find the hidden bird!

Brahminy Kite, Nimbokrang

Red-cheeked Parrot, Nimbokrang

Palm Cockatoo, Nimbokrang

Brown Lory

Find the hidden bird!

Brown Lory, Nimbokrang

Red-cheeked Parrot, Nimbokrang

These next photos are of a pair of Double-eyed Fig Parrots who were perching in a tree on a property belonging to Jamil’s friend. It was a bit muddy and I didn’t trust myself to get close enough without slipping and scaring them off so I asked Jamil to get some shots for me and he did!

Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Nimbokrang

Double-eyed Fig Parrots, Nimbokrang

Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Nimbokrang

Another Brahminy Kite swooping lazily around.

Brahminy Kite, Nimbokrang

These Victoria Crowned Pigeons sometimes come into Jamil’s backyard so that’s why I was lucky enough to get close-ups!

Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Nimbokrang

Victoria Crowned Pigeons, Nimbokrang

Jamil knew I was anxious to see Buff-faced Pygmy Parrots. They sometimes also visit his backyard but not today. In the afternoon, we staked out a nest hoping they would come back at roosting time but they didn’t.

Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot Nest, Nimbokrang

The next morning, Jamil hopped on his bike and went looking for them.

Pak Jamil, Nimbokrang

He found a pair in a neighbor’s tree and took me down there. I could see them furtively darting about in the branches but they were so tiny I never did get a clear look………….and they are fast too! I watched them for a few minutes, then they took off into the distance. This is the mark of an excellent guide, Jamil took the time to make sure I saw the birds I wanted to see (Birds of Paradise and Parrots) and really cared that I was happy and got to see all the birds possible. We didn’t get ALL the targeted birds, there were no Pesquet’s Parrots or Salvadori Fig Parrots. He can’t conjure birds out of thin air (though sometimes it did seem like he could)! We devoted an afternoon and a morning just to the Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot whereas other birders may have had other priorities and he would have gone elsewhere.

According to Burung Nusuantara, these are the most sought-after birds for a Nimbokrang trip. The linked page also has links to trip reports by other birders that may be of interest.

Northern Cassowary; Pale-billed Sicklebill; Blue-and-Black Kingfisher; Brown Lory; Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise; Shovel-billed Kingfisher; Victoria Crowned Pigeon; King Bird-of-Paradise; Blue Jewel Babbler; Brown-necked Crow; Hook-billed Kingfisher; Vulturine Parrot; Papuan Hawk-owl; Lesser Bird-of-Paradise; Brown-collared Brush-turkey; Greater Black Coucal; Papuan Nightjar; Grey Crow; Black-sided Robin; Lowland Peltops; White-eared Catbird; Wompoo Fruit-Dove; Coroneted Fruit-Dove.

This brought an end to my birding adventure in Nimbokrang. Jamil called the bemo to pick us up and it was back to Sentani for an overnight stay since we had an early flight to Manokwari the next day.

Extreme Birding 1 – Planking In Nimbokrang

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Tara

As I mentioned in the post about getting to Nimbokrang, Pak Jamil is the must-have birding guide in Nimbokrang. A prime example of the success of eco-tourism, Jamil was formerly a bird trapper who discovered it was much more rewarding to keep the birds in the wild and help tourists see them. He is a marvel, can identify birds that are barely tiny dots in the sky and knows all bird calls and can name them in English. You can contact him by text message at +62-852-5433-2796. Keep it simple, give him the dates first and ask if he can accommodate you in his spare room. He speaks English reasonably well. As of March 2013, he charges 500,000 per day for guiding and worth every rupiah!

There are a few other fees to land-owners and the police so budget an extra $50-60 of rupiah. If you need a motorbike to get to a birding location it’s an extra 100,000 rupiah ($10).

PLANKING NIMBOKRANG STYLE

We arrived in the early afternoon and after a siesta, Jamil took us to the swamp forest outside the village of Nimbokrang. He wore gumboots and loaned me a pair of boots left behind by a friend as my walking shoes were inadequate for the swampy conditions. Have a look at the trail!

Planking in Nimbokrang Swamp Forest

Planking in Nimbokrang Swamp Forest

My husband struggles with the slippery planks and takes off his shoes – big mistake!

Jamil strolls through the swamp with the same ease that I stroll though a shopping mall!

I sit on this tree stump trying to capture birds with my camera

Catch up, Ina!

We saw some really amazing birds and Jamil gave me the list once we got back to the house. Sorry, I am just not agile enough to nail them with that tiny red dot when they fly so fast! I did try and will post a few pics but there won’t be any Nat Geo quality shots. We visited the swamp forest twice – in the afternoon on the first day and the early morning on the second day to see the two endemic Birds of Paradise. I had a problem with my camera after it fell in the mud and I somehow discharged the battery while cleaning it and missed out on getting a good shot of the Twelve-Wired Bird of Paradise who was perched atop a tree for several minutes. The Lesser Bird of Paradise was more elusive, darting around trees and calling enticingly so we knew he was there but not coming out for a good view.

We saw lots of parrots here but the few pics I took were backlit and I can’t make out the colours well enough to identify them. Jamil was pointing them out – Brown Lories, Dusky Lories, Black-capped Lories, Red-fronted Lorikeets, Red-flanked Lorikeets and Eclectus Parrots. Non-parrot birds include: Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Black-browed Triller, Streak-headed Munia, Singing Starling, Green-backed Honey-eater, Brahminy Kite, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Lesser Black Coucal, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Helmeted Friarbird, Red-capped Flowerpecker, Yellow-faced Myna, Willy Wagtail, Spangled Drongo, Golden-headed Cisticola and Brown Cuckoo Dove.

Eclectus

Willy Wagtail

Lesser Black Coucal

Golden-headed Cisticola

Birding In Biak

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Tara

We only had one day to hit the popular birding spots but I was pretty confident that we could get the main parrots species I wanted to see and as many other endemic birds as possible. We arrived around 5:30 in the morning and were met at the airport by our guide Jefta. He took us to the Aerotel Irian across the street which I had booked online so we could drop off the bags, get the camera gear ready and meet Benny from Discover Papua who had organized our day trip. I had previously negotiated a price for 1 day birding with guide, lunch box and taxi of Rp. 1,350,000 (about $135). I paid Benny in cash and then off we went with Jefta and the driver. This was an easy birding day as we simply drove from one place to another, mostly birding from the side of the road or walking a short ways into the bush. This suited us just fine as we were a bit tired from the red eye flight.

According to Burung Nusantara, the key species on Biak are Long-tailed Starling, Biak Black Flycatcher; Biak Paradise-kingfisher; Biak Lory; Geelvink Pygmy-parrot; Biak Scops-owl; Biak Monarch; Biak Coucal; Biak Scrubfowl; Biak Gerygone; Biak White-eye.

We successfully found the Biak (Black-winged) Lory and Red-flanked Lories flying overhead in a couple of spots and the Geelvink Pygmy Parrot in a tree in the Warafri area but they stayed deep in the foliage and I couldn’t get a clear shot of them. I barely managed to get a couple shots of the Triton Cockatoos also in the Warafri area. They are a sub-species of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos we have in Australia.

Jefta, Benny and Ina

I’ve identified the birds that I can, hopefully some friends will see this and fill in the blanks. I should have written them down when we were there.

Triton Cockatoo

Long-tailed Starling

See that tiny dot, I think that's pne of the Lories

See that tiny dot, I think that’s one of the Lories

Not sure but I think its a fruit dove

Fruit Dove

Find the hidden Geelvink Pygmy Parrots!

Biak Coucal

Back at the hotel, we saw several birds around the pool and garden, this time closer up!

Parrot Lover’s Cruise Shore Excursions

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Tara

The Parrot Lovers Cruise which I blogged about a couple of months ago have posted details of two of their shore excursions but I was unable to post while I was in West Papua due to poor internet so better late than never!

PUERTO RICO

October 26 – Discover how scientists and aviculturists are working together to save the critically endangered Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot with this exclusive tour available only to guests aboard the Parrot Lover’s Cruise. Departing at 8:30am local time, attendees will get a chance to visit the Vivaldi (or Rio Abajo) Aviary, a research station which is closed to the general public and located in the 5,000 acre Rio Abajo Forest Reserve.

While on site, you will meet with members of the PR Amazon Recovery team. During a tour of facilities and surrounding area, you will learn about the captive breeding and release program and may be able to glimpse one of the parrots that have recently been returned to the wild. A small donation is included in your excursion price and will assist with efforts to save this critically endangered species. With a stop at the mall for some lunch and shopping, then back to the cruiseship to find your luggage awaiting your arrival, there’s no better way to start your trip!

Ticket Price: USD $110 per guest (excludes lunch.) Each ticket includes a $36 donation to aid parrot conservation. Contact Carol to book your spot »

ST THOMAS

November 1 – Departing at 10:00 am local time, you’ll be met at the cruise ship pier and taken to the famous Coral World, where you’ll be fascinated by the many species of underwater life represented here. You’ll experience what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch a shark, hand-feed a stingray, or watch newborn seahorses learn to swim! As you explore Coral World, you’ll be surrounded by native trees and plants, as well as fabulous views of the ocean, the shoreline of St. Thomas, and neighboring islands. Enjoy the Caribbean reef encounter, shark shallows, lagoon, turtle pool, nature trail, touch pool, stingrays, and much more! You’ll stay dry while watching non-captive fish and other marine life from the Undersea Observatory, which takes you 100 feet offshore and 15 feet beneath the sea in the middle of a living coral reef. You’ll also visit the Lorikeet Aviary, where you’ll have the opportunity to feed the many exotic birds and observe them playing. In addition to all of this, Coral World also has shops, bars, restaurants, restrooms, and a nature trail. We will then head over to the Butterfly Farm, where Daily bird shows are offered on The Butterfly Garden entrance porch. Let Troy, Miss Priss, Coral, Elvis & Ginger entertain you with their antics and skills. They are great showoffs!

This tour includes:

• Round trip transportation from the cruise ship pier

• Coral World

• Lorikeet Aviary

• Undersea Observatory

• Closeup views of aquatic life

• Bird feeding

• Shop/snack/restroom opportunities

• Butterfly Farm and Bird Show

Ticket Price: USD $87.00 per guest (excludes lunch.)
Contact Carol to book your spot »

Excursion schedule subject to change.

Remember that although this cruise is on sale to the general public, in order to participate in the parrot lover’s programs, you must book through

CAROL CIPRIANO

Carol’s Travel Time
570.470.0034

carolstraveltime@gmail.com

And it’s all for a good cause as the funds raised go to the World Parrot Trust!

I Have A Confession To Make

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Tara

Over the past 3 weeks, it looks like MTTW has been “business as usual” with a post every day. In reality, I have been off on the birding adventure of a lifetime in West Papua, Indonesia! I prepared 3 weeks of posts in advance and scheduled one everyday as I didn’t want the blog to look like no one is home and also for my personal home security I don’t like to publish online that I will be away from home. Now that I’m back, I am planning a whole series on West Papua and how to organize a birding trip there. It’s without a doubt the most difficult and physically demanding trip I have ever been on and one I wish I had done when I was much younger and more physically fit but you can’t turn back the hands of time and no one gets younger! What makes birding in West Papua so rewarding is the beauty and uniqueness of the birds such as the Birds of Paradise and the Parrots…………and that the guides are so highly skilled at finding them. These skills come from their roots as bird trappers and poachers so thankfully they have seen the value in keeping their native birds wild and free and earning an honest living helping eco-tourists to see them in the wild.

I am still pretty worn out and came home with the flu so for now I will just outline the chapters in this series which will be forthcoming over the next few days.

1. Preparing for a trip to West Papua, Indonesia

2. Getting to West Papua using miles and getting around

3. Birding in Biak

4. Birding in Nimbokrang

5. Birding in the Arfak Mountains

6. Birding in Raja Ampat – Waigeo Island and Sorong

7. Bali for Birders

8. Shopping in Indonesia – Bird Related Souvenirs

9. Review Sriwijaya Airlines Business Class

10. Bird Species Profiles (various species we saw, will be interspersed with the above)

Why You Should Support Eco-Tourism

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Tara

I know a lot of people think I am nuts for spending lots of frequent flier miles and money to get to exotic places where I can see wild birds in their natural habitat. For many, they think it is enough to simply watch nature documentaries on the Discovery Channel. But when you actually travel to these places and see wildlife in person you are part of a world-wide effort to show native populations that wildlife belongs in the wild and not in traps and cages. Have a look at this video (found in this article) to see what fate awaits many endangered species if we don’t do something to stop the evil practice of trapping and poaching.

Pretty confronting and sickening, right? But this is the reality for thousands of innocent birds who are cruelly stolen from their forest homes and nests. Some species such as the Spix’s Macaw are already extinct in the wild and only still on the planet due to conservation efforts. Let’s not lose any more species!

This is where we, as eco-travelers can help. We can show the local people that wild birds are more valuable left alone in nature because WE will come there to see them. And we will stay in local lodges, eat in local restaurants, buy local crafts, hire local guides and provide lots of jobs. I have personally met several guides who started out as poachers and were retrained to be forest wardens, protect the local native species and guide tourists on photo safaris. So let’s support these people when we travel. Yes, we do use miles to get there and hotel points in the gateway cities near the airports but this should allow more people to afford eco-tourism and leave us more money to spend out in the field supporting the local economy and giving these people a chance to make an honest living while preserving their wildlife!

2013 Parrot Lovers Cruise – Southern Caribbean

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Tara

If you are a dedicated conservationist, eco-tourist or birder who has been looking for an excuse to ease your spouse/partner into the adventure; this is soft ecotourism at its best! What could be easier than boarding a luxurious cruise ship in San Juan and relaxing at sea while you cruise to a different Caribbean island just about every day. Many of these islands have native parrot populations and there will be other bird species too. And best of all, your participation benefits the World Parrot Trust’s conservation efforts!

Parrot Lovers Cruise 2013

In order to participate in the seminars and dedicated birding excursions, you must book with the official travel agency, Carol’s Travel Time. If you book before 18 Feb, they are offering some bonus goodies:

Take your choice from one of the following “extras” when you book now:

1. Classic Beverage Package for two (including spirits – $616 value), or

2. Pre-paid gratuities for two ($161 value) or,

3. A $200 onboard credit

Hurry, “extras” offer ENDS Feb. 18!

Puerto Rican Amazon

I always recommend flying in a day or two in advance of a cruise to make sure you don’t get held up by weather delays. There’s plenty to do in Puerto Rico and I will be covering that in another blog, and I will also go over how to get there on frequent flyer miles.

They have already announced one of the excursions in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico

Ticket Price: USD $110 per guest (excludes lunch.) Each ticket includes a $36 donation to aid parrot conservation. Contact Carol to book your spot »

Please note:

Prices are valid while availabilty lasts. Please contact Carol for current rates.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single or 3rd/4th person occupancy is available, contact Carol for pricing.
Prices quoted include a donation to the World Parrot Trust and conference expenses (on-board seminars and activities).
Bookings must be made through Carol’s Travel Time in order for passengers to be able to participate in Parrot Lover’s Cruise seminars and activities.

How to get to Puerto Rico using frequent flyer miles.

Where to stay in Puerto Rico using hotel points.

Birding Goes High-Tech With BirdsEye App

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Tara

Yesterday I was blogging about the top 8 apps eco-travelers and birders (and even normal travelers) should have on their iPhones. As if by cue, I got an update from one of my recommended apps, E-Bird. This is a new one for me so I am very anxious to try it out on our trip to West Papua.

BirdsEye App

They have some great advice on how to speed up your data entry on their blog. The main one I will have to be concerned with is having the lists and locations stored since I know there won’t be any internet where we will be birding.

6) Know the options for creating new locations and choose the fastest one.

“Recent Locations” is the fastest way to create a checklist for a location you have birded, well, recently. The great thing about this option is that it loads the eBird checklist for that location from memory even when there is no internet connection available.

They also recommend preparing your checklists in advance.

3) Start your checklist when you start birding…

…rather than when you finish. This isn’t so much a time saver as it is a great way of achieving better estimates of numbers for each bird and also for remembering to include everything that you see. I keep my count as I’m birding and then do a final review before hitting submit.

They have a handy demo of the app.

I am not normally a “checklist” type of birder and especially when I see wild parrots I want to just enjoy them and observe their behaviour, but I do like high-tech stuff too. I’ll give it a go, see how it works out. I am not expecting that all of our guides will speak English but they usually have some kind of field guide and point at the picture to communicate with us.

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