Morning Birding in Tounelet Village of Subdistrict Sonder, Minahasa regency

There is a small forest behind Siloam hospital of Tounelet village. The village was part of Sonder town in Minahasa regency. I did some birding walk this morning at its slope. Some interesting birds could be seen sitting on the branches of the surrounding trees and on the roof-tops of the villagers' houses. Zebra Doves were the first birds that I saw. 

Zebra Dove

After that  I looked for Sulawesi Hanging Parrot that was making noisy sounds among the trees. The bird flew over my head and landed on top of a durian tree. Unfortunately, the bird was covered by twigs and green leaves. 

When I was setting up my spotting scope, I saw an Eastern Yellow Wagtail flying away from me. Perhaps, it was surprised by my sudden appearance. 

There were Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Chestnut Munia, Zebra Dove and Cattle Egret. Some Cattle Egret, White-nest Swiftlet and Glossy Swiftlet were also flying in the air. 

I also heard Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo calling from a distant tree. I used my binoculars to find where it was sitting on. It took less than 1 minute to find it. I immediately aimed my spotting scope at the bird. I had attached my cell phone on its lens using a small adapter. I was able to make a decent picture and video of the bird using this simple digiscoping system. 

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo in Tounelet village of Subdistrict Sonder

Birding at the beach outside Manado city

In addition to this morning birding at the slope of Tounelet village, a day before this, I had  birding walk at the beach of Murex Dive Resort at the outskirts of Manado city. There, I saw Pacific Reef Heron, Gray-rumped Treeswift, Collared Kingfisher, Pacific Swallow and Sooty-headed Bulbul. I did not bring any camera or digiscoping system. So, I did not take pictures of these birds. 

The beach at Murex Dive Resort at the outskirts of Manado city

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in North Sulawesi, and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me: Charles Roring by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link.