Birdwatching with Callyn Yorke

My birding pal, Christo, had already arranged our itinerary when I arrived at Bunaken. He met me at the dock in Manado, with Kiki, his brother-in-law, whom agreed to be our driver. Our first stop was an ATM, of which there are plenty in Manado (and elsewhere in Sulawesi). The conversion rate for US Dollars was about 1: 11,400 Indonesian Rupiah. Since the biggest currency denomination is a 100K Rupiah note (roughly $10), it seemed I would be carrying around a backpack full of cash just to cover basic food and transportation. And there was another inconvenience. Sulawesi ATM's dispense a maximum daily withdrawl ranging from US $50-$100. Fortunately, Most hotels and large stores accept VISA, which becomes pretty much a necessity for transactions exceeding $100. The good news: Sulawesi is much less expensive than Singapore. For example, deluxe accomodation on the Sulawesi mainland can be obtained for $50-60 US per day. Food is ridiculously inexpensive; a full, three-course Indonesian-style meal costs less than $5. Public transportation is just pennies per mile. Long-term drivers will negotiate reasonable prices for their service. Car rental is available for about $60 per day, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone lacking driving experience in the region.

Christophorus Merung Tangkoko National Park, Sulawesi 17 June 2014 Christo was the go-to guy for just about all of our needs. In addition to making logistic arrangements for us, he demonstrated expertise in natural history and especially Ornithology. Christo instantly identified the majority of birds we encountered and knew the Latin binomials for all of the Sulawesi birds (about 500 species). He had received his training while working for several international conservation organizations in Indonesia, including The Wildlife Conservation Society and The Nature Conservancy. http://avconline.avc.edu/cyorke/

Bird Survey Karst Beriun Mountain East Kalimantan Borneo

Laporan ini merupakan hasil pembahasan dari data yang dikumpulkan oleh The Nature Conservancy pada suvey keanerakaraman jenis burung di kawasan karst gunung Beriun pada tanggal 10 – 25 July 2011. Survey dilakukan pada satu lokasi dengan membuat 4 transek dengan panjang bervariasi antara 1800 – 3000 m; yang kebanyakan mengikuti transek dari orangutan pada hutan sekunder dengan ketinggian antara 100 – 600 mdpl. Data dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan 2 metode survei kualitatif dan kuantitatif utama, yaitu: Line transek: Survey dilakukan pada hutan sekunder dengan total panjang transek 23.8 km. kami mencatat kehadiran species melalui perjumpaan langsung dan estimasi jarak perpendikular pada setiap perjumpaan. Sedangkan jenis-jenis yang teridentifikasi melalui pendengaran cukup dicatat nama jenisnya saja serta informasi lainnya seperti lokasi habitat tanggal observasi, tanpa memperkirakan jarak perpendikularnya. Bird mist netting: Selain pengumpulan data dengan line transek, kami juga melakukan survey dengan menggunakan jaring kabut. Lima net panjang 12 m x 2.6 m kami pasang pada hutan sekunder dengan ketinggian net sekitar 1 m dari permukaan tanah dengan total 1174.8 mist-net hours. Survei line transek yang dilakukan pada 4 jalur utama dengan total panjang jalur 23.8 km, berhasil terlihat 71 jenis burung dari 28 famili dan hanya menemukan 2 jenis endemik kalimantan. Informasi mengenai burung tidak hanya diperoleh dari hasil survei jalur saja, akan tetapi juga dilengkapi dengan data-data dari hasil bird mist-netting. Data ini diperoleh dengan menggunakan mist net (jaring kabut) dengan panjang sekitar 12 m x 2,6 m yang kami pasang dengan ketinggian 1 m dari permukaan tanah. Dengan total lama pasang net adalah 104.5 jam (enam hari, masing-masing 2-3 buah jaring setiap hari) nist net (satu jam mist net sebanding dengan satu meter jaring yang dibuka selama satu jam) dan berhasil menjaring 17 individu dari 10 spesies yang terjerat LAMPIRAN Lampiran 1.Daftar jenis burung yang tercatat di kawasan Karst gunung Beriun selama survei 13 – 25 Juli 201 1 Alcedo meninting 2 Alcippe brunneicauda 3 Alophoixus bres 4 Alophoixus phaeocephalus 5 Anthracoceros albirostris 7 Anthracoceros malayanus 6 Arachnothera flavigaster 8 Arachnothera longirostra 9 Blythipicus rubiginosus 10 Buceros rhinoceros 11 Buceros vigil 12 Cacomantis sonneratii 13 Celeus brachyurus 14 Centropus bengalensis 15 Ceyx erithacus 16 Chloropsis cochinchinensis 17 Chloropsis cyanopogon 18 Chloropsis sonnerati 19 Collocalia esculenta 20 Collocalia fuciphaga 21 Collocalia maxima 22 Copsychus malabaricus 23 Copsychus saularis 24 Coracina fimbriata 25 Corvus enca 26 Culicicapa ceylonensis 27 Dicaeum trigonostigma 28 Dicaeum Ignipectus 29 Dicrurus aeneus 30 Dicrurus annectans 31 Dryocopus javensis 32 Ducula aenea 33 Enicurus leschenaulti 34 Enicurus ruficapillus 35 Eurylaimus ochromalus 36 Gracula religiosa 37 Harpactes duvaucelii 38 Harpactes kasumba 39 Hypogramma hypogrammicum 40 Hypothymis azurea 41 Indicator archipelagicus 42 Irena puella 43 Ixos malaccensis 44 Ketupa ketupu 45 Lophura bulweri 46 Lophura ignita 47 Macronous ptilosus 48 Malacocincla malaccensis 49 Malacopteron affine 50 Malacopteron cinereum 51 Malacopteron magnirostre 52 Malacopteron magnum 53 Megalaima rafflesii 54 Meiglyptes tristis 55 Meiglyptes tukki 56 Nyctyornis amictus 57 Oriolus cruentus 58 Oriolus xanthonotus 59 Orthotomus atrogularis 60 Orthotomus ruficeps 61 Pellorneum capistratum 62 Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus 63 Phaenicophaeus curvirostris 64 Philentoma pyrhopterum 65 Picumnus innominatus 66 Pitta granatina 67 Pomatorhinus montanus 68 Prionochilus xanthopygius 69 Pycnonotus atriceps 70 Pycnonotus brunneus 71 Pycnonotus cyaniventris 72 Pycnonotus erythropthalmos 73 Pycnonotus plumosus 74 Pycnonotus simplex 75 Pycnonotus tympanistrigus 76 Reinwardtipicus validus 77 Rhinomyias umbratilis 78 Rhipidura perlata 79 Sasia abnormis 80 Sitta frontalis 81 Spilornis cheela 82 Stachyris erythroptera 83 Stachyris poliocephala 84 Terpsiphone paradisi 85 Treron olax 86 Trichastoma rostratum 87 Tricholestes criniger

Morowali Nature Reserve

Located on the eastern arm of Central Sulawesi, Morowali Nature Reserve consists of a 209,000 ha protected area containing almost completely intact primary forest. The north of the reserve is dominated by steep mountains reaching over 2600 m in height, but the terrain in the south is much less rugged and terminates in a wide coastal plain with natural lakes and swamp forest. This region, together with much of eastern Central Sulawesi, comprises some of the most extensive formations of ultrabasic rock in the world. This results in soils which have a severe deficiency of important plant nutrients and instead contain toxic concentrations of certain heavy metals. Consequently, ultrabasic forest areas have largely been spared from intensive agriculture and logging due to the poor conditions for planting and lack of valuable timber trees. The indigenous Wana people live throughout the reserve and consist of about 600 families that follow a traditional lifestyle. Their subsistence is based on swidden and shifting agriculture, hunting, and harvesting of forest products such as rattan and damar. Current Status This nature reserve was first established in March 1980, but although it is a completely protected area there are no currently maintained facilities or management staff. It is possible that in the near future Morowali have been proposed become a national park, which would lead to funding for proper management but also probably result in the majority of lowland areas being subsequently zoned for logging. Due to the relatively intact indigenous culture of the Wana people, Morowali has recently been proposed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Access The reserve is approachable from several directions, but the easiest is to take a 2-hour boat ride from Kolonodale to Tambayoli, which is a settlement at the western end of the park. It is possible to charter your own boat to access other parts of the park, but this is much more expensive. Kolonodale can be reached by bus from Palu or by a 6-hour boat ride from Baturube. Alternatively, to reach Kolonodale from Macassar or Rantepao it is necessary to first take a bus to Soroako, cross Lake Matano via boat, and then take a small bus from the village of Nuha. When to visit The best time to visit is in the dry season (September to November). During the rainy season (May to June) the Soyojaya valley is sometimes prone to flooding, and the rivers are more difficult to cross. What to see Despite having a great diversity of wildlife which includes all the larger endemic mammals such as Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa), Anoa (Bubalus quarlesi), and Sulawesi Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii), spotting animals in the forest is relatively difficult. Most species are very wary of people due to continuous hunting pressure from the local inhabitants. Over 170 bird species have been recorded from Morowali, including many endemics. Notable species include the Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), Ornate Lory (Trichoglossus ornatus), all five endemic kingfishers, and 18 species of forest pigeons and doves. The Tambayoli valley is a pleasant and easy place to spot numerous raptors, water birds including the Wooly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus), and nightjars at dusk. Reptiles include the bizarre Sail-fin Lizard (Hydrosaurus amboinensis), and huge 9 meter-long Reticulated Pythons (Python reticulatus). A wealth of fascinating plants can also be seen in the reserve, ranging from massive Agathis (damar) trees to rare orchids and seven species of pitcher plants (Nepenthes). Despite the great potential for nature tourism, Morowali sees few foreign visitors and there are currently no developed facilities available. Guides can be found in Kolonodale, Tambayoli, or Morowali village, but you must be well-versed in Bahasa Indonesia as few of them speak English. Simple accomodation can be obtained at any village or town, usually by making arrangements with the kepala desa (head of the village). Hiking is generally very pleasant if one follows the well-established trails used by the Wana, but can get tiring on the mountains. When trekking it is most convenient to stay in Wana huts or jungle shelters, but tents must be carried when attempting some of the more remote peaks. Leeches can only be found on some of the wetter mountains. Malaria is a small probem in the Tambayoli area. If you are concerned, you might want to consider prophylactics.

Bats

At least 55 species of bats are thought to occur within the park. Bats are very important in the functioning of the forest. They play a vital role in the pollination and seed dispersal of many tropical plants, including wild bananas and some species of pandans or screw palms. There is a close relationship between certain forest plants and particular bat species; a fall in bat numbers has the potential, therefore, to affect long-term forest composition. Recent field survey in the park have led to the discovery of two types of fruit bat that are thought to represent new species.(Lore Lindu NP Central Sulawesi, A Visitors' Guide, 2001)

Mammals

The rugged of interior of Lore Lindu National Park is home to Sulawesi's largest native mammals, the mountain Anoa (Bubalus quarlesi), and Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). While the Anoa is spotted occasionally, the Babirusa is now quite rare and unlike to be seen. The common Sulawesi Warty Pig (Sus celebensis), Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis), two species of Tarsier (Tasius dianae; T.pumilus), the Tonkean Macague (Macaca tonkeana), two species of the marsupial Cuscus (Aiulurops ursinus dan Strigocuscuc celebensis), and Sulawesi's largest carnivore, the nocturnal Sulawesi Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroeckii)are know to live there. The park has at least five species of squirrel, and 31 of its 38 rat species are endemic. The most commonly seen animals are those that enjoy the secondary forest or agricultural areas and tolerate human presence. Many bats fall into this category and pigs and troupes of the macaque monkey are sometimes spotted raiding corn drops or cocoa plantations.

Reptiles; Fish and Amphibians

There are 21 species of lizard in the park and many of Sulawesi's 68 species of snakes can also be found here, including the python (Python reticulatus) and King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). The most commonly seen snakes are the racers (Elaphe erythrura and E. janseni). The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world, and common in many parts of southeast Asia. The longest python ever recorded, a specimen measuring 9.97 m in length, was collected in Sulawesi. Occasionally these pythons take large prey and in March 1998 a man was eaten in Kulawi by a 5 m specimen that was later killed. python are also sometimes hunted for their skin and meat. Twenty one species of amphibians and six fish species, including an endemic species in lake Lindu, Xenopoedilus sarasinorum, have been identified within the park. Eels are common in all park streams but fish are found only in the larger rivers and lakes (book of A Visitor's guide Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi,2001)

Hornbill

Sulawesi's two species of hornbill demonstrate a unique example of different canopy use. The Red Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix, lives and feeds in the upper canopy, while the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill Penelopides exarhatus, occupies the lower canopy. Both species display an interesting egg-laying habit. The male, with the female's help, uses mud to seal the female inside the selected tree hole nest, leaving just a small slit to pass food to his mate. She remains enclosed while she incubates her eggs and raises her offspring until they are able to fly. During the nesting season of July to September males work hard supplying fruit to the demanding family. Figs are a crucial food source for these birds and waiting near a fruiting tree is the easiest way to observe them. The hornbill, in turn, plays a significant role in seed dispersal for the tree. The Red Knobbed Hornbill, called rangkong in indonesia and locally know as Allo, is probably the most obvious bird in the park. Depicted on the park logo, it is common in many areas and easy to locate, with its loud, raucous call and noisy wing-beat, as it flies above the canopy. Usually existing in pairs, it often gathers in larger groups in a fruiting tree. Sporting prominent red casques,and bright blue skin in the gular area at the base of the bill (which stretches to store fruit), the males have buff-coloured heads while the females are smaller and have a glossy black heard and neck. The bird is something called Burung tahun, the year bird. Its yellow bill has red stripes, and the bird supposedly grows ane new stripe per year. Large (104 cm), Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion; widespread and common, sometimes abundant. Inhabits primary lowland, hill and lower montane forest, and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest and remnant forest patches within extensive areas of cultivation; occasionally visits mangrove forest. Frequent the canopy. Forages in fruiting trees, often with other frugivores, including fruit pigeons, starlings and occasionally squirrels. Has been seen to drive Sulawesi Macaque from a fruiting fig tree in which the macaques were feeding. Feeds mainly on fruit (especially figs Ficus spp); also large insects,etc. The Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill is the samallest of the hornbills and much harder to spot. A neat yellow and black bird, it lives in kin groups and defends its territory. Breeding is from April to July and older sons help the adult male provide food for the female and offspring. A small hornbill (53 cm). Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion. Widespread and locally moderately common, especially at lower elevations. Inhabits primary lowland and hill forest, forest edge and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest. Usually in pairs or groups of up to 10 birds, occasionally singly. Noisy and active; often difficult to observe. Flies through the forest. Feeds in the mid-canopy of fruiting trees. Other name Sulawesi Hornbill.