The Highland Region
Minahasa Peninsula is a region in North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. It has become an important destination for visitors who are interested in birdwatching and wildlife watching. Natural places that I highly recommend for visitors to see are listed below:
Sonder's forest of Mount Lengkoan -
This is a forest in Subdistrict Sonder. The lower slopes are mostly covered by agricultural plants. The higher elevation forest is covered by tropical rainforest. A lot of species of birds could be found here. There are Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Crimson-crowned Myzomela, Black Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Black-faced Munia, Black Kite, Mountain Tailorbird, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, and etc.
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| Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo in Tounelet Slope of Sonder town, Minahasa highland |
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| Black-crowned White Eye in Sonder's forest of Mount Lengkoan |
Tincep's Rice Field - This is another birdwatching and sightseeing sight in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency that is the natural habitat of such birds as Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, White-browed Crake, Pied Stilt, Zebra Dove, Red-collared Dove, White-breasted Woodswallow and etc.
Kengkang Waterfall - The forest in the steep ravine of the waterfall is the site for watching Green Imperial Pigeon, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, and etc. It is also an important site for butterfly watching. Some of the butterflies that can be seen in this area include: Gigon Swallowtail, Lime Swallowtail, Blanchard's Ghost (Idea blanchardii), Blanchard's Wood Nymph (Ideopsis vitrea), Sacred Tabby (Pseudergolis avesta), Helen's Birdwing (Troides helena), and Sulawesi Clipper Butterfly (Parthenos sylvia salentia). Kengkang is also a good site for non-birding visitors who are interested in enjoying beautiful natural scenery of Minahasa highland.
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| Flowers along the roadside of Tincep village in Minahasa highland |
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| Pale Blue Monarch in Tounelet Slope of Minahasa highland |
Mount Mahawu : This is a volcano that is not active anymore. It can be reached from Tomohon town by car or motorcycle. Its slopes are covered by rainforest and agricultural crops. Birds that could be found in Mount Mahawu include Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Warbling White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eye, Yellow-billed Malkoha and etc.
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| Scaly-breasted Kingfisher in Mount Mahawu |
Lake Linow - Some part of this volcanic lake emits hot steam every day. This is a tourist destination that is often visited by both domestic and international tourists. Lake Linow is the habitat of a lot of species of birds such as White-breasted Waterhen, Sunda Teal, Barn Swallow, Uniform Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Australasian Swamphen, Wandering Whistling Duck, Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Dusky Moorhen, Sulawesi Crow, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and etc.
Pine Forest - This is another tourist attraction site in Minahasa highland that can be reached from Tomohon town or Subdistrict town of Sonder. Birds that can be watched include Sunda Teal, Collared Kingfisher, Gray-rumped Treeswift, Barn Swallow, Zebra Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, and etc.
Lake Tondano - This is the site for watching such birds as Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Collared Kingfisher, Black Kite, Osprey, Barn Swallow, Black-browed Triller, Cinnamon Bittern, Barred Rail, and etc. Some parts of Tondano town stretch along this lake. Tourists could stay in this town if they want to explore the lake and its surrounding attractions for a few days.
Lowland and Lower Montane Forest
The top destination for this trip is Tangkoko Nature Reserve. It is the habitat of a lot of species of birds such as Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Knobbed Hornbill, Purple-winged Roller, Finch-billed Myna, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Pale Blue Monarch, Blue-backed Parrot, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Speckled Boobook, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Babbler, White-necked Myna, Sulawesi Crow, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, and a lot more.
Visitors could enjoy birding inside the rainforest of Tangkoko or go to Temboan Hill to watch birds that land on the canopy of the trees.
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| Great-billed Kingfisher |
For, watching the Great-billed Kingfisher, visitors usually go by motorized boat to Naun river from Batu Putih village. Along the way, visitors could watch Pied Imperial Pigeon, Blue Rock Thrush, Common Sandpiper, Pacific Reef Heron, Osprey, Great-billed Heron, and etc.
Farmland at the Outskirts of Sam Ratulangi Airport
This is a suitable site for visitors who only have little time in Manado city but still want to enjoy birdwatching. The farmland at the outskirts of Manado city is the site for watching Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Bay Coucal, Pale Blue Monarch, Collared Kingfisher, Sahul Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Pacific Swallow, Glossy Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, Sulawesi Crow, Barred Rail, Isabelline Bush-hen, and etc. Actually, the garden of Sam Ratulangi airport is suitable for last minute birding. Birds such as Scaly-breasted Munia, Javan Myna, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, and even Javan Myna could be seen there.
Manado city is the main gate to enter Minahasa Peninsula of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. Visitors can fly to Manado from any major cities in Indonesia. Flights could be served by Garuda, Lion Air, Super Airjet, Batik Air, TransNusa. Direct flight between Singapore and Manado is available and is served by Scoot Air.
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| Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city |
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour both in the highland and lowland of Minahasa peninsula and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
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