Birding in Tomohon of Minahasa Highland

Tomohon is a small town in the highland of Minahasa. It is surrounded by villages, mountains, and agricultural lands. 

Warbling White-eye

Tomohon is the recommended destination for visitors who are interested  in watching tropical birds of Sulawesi that live in higher elevation forest. The duration of birding activity in Tomohon and its surrounding forest is between 3 to 4 days. There are a few birding sites around Tomohon. 

Crater of Mount Mahawu

• Mount Mahawu - This is an important destination for birdwatchers and photographers who want to see Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and Sulawesi Pitta, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, Black-crowned White-eye and etc. Visitors usually go by car or motorcycle to the forest of Mount Mahawu that is located near its crater. In general, the recommended time for birding is around 06:00 in the mornings. However, the top region of Mount Mahawu is usually covered by fog. The fog begin to disappear when sunlight starts to warm up to canopy of the forest causing the fog to evaporate. Visitors can start birding at around 08:00 if they want to avoid the fog. 

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

• Lake Linow - This is a volcanic lake that is locatee around twenty minutes drive from Tomohon. Birds that could be watched in and around the lake include White-breasted Waterhen, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, Barn Swallow, Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, and etc.

Birding in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency

• Subdistrict Sonder - This is another small town that is surrounded by mountains, hills, agricultural land and paddy fields. A lot of species of birds could be watched Sonder. In higher elevation forest, the species of birds are relatively similar. They include Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Turquoise Flycatcher, Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Black Sunbird. In lower montane farm forest, visitors could watch Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Crow, Sahul Sunbird, Pale Blue Monarch, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, and etc.

Water fall and flowers in Tincep

The waterfall area near Tincep village is the habitat of Green Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and etc. It is also great place to observe various speciea of butterflies. 

Accommodation

There are hotels, homestays which visitors could choose to stay when spending their birding holiday in Tomohon. 

How to reach Tomohon

Tomohon can be reached by car from Sam Ratulangi airport of Manado city.

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Tomohon and its surrounding forest and farmland and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.