Birding in Tomohon

Tomohon is a small town in Minahasa highland of the Province of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Tomohon is surrounded by mountains, forest, farmlands, lakes and paddy fields. These are attractive birding sites for visitors who want to see the beauty of nature and watch various species of birds of Sulawesi. 

Mount Mahawu is the place for watching birds that live in high elevation forest. Some of the birds which visitors could see include Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Superb Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Drongo, Red Jungle Fowl, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and etc. Mount Mahawu is also a beautiful destination for visitors who want to enjoy sightseeing especially from the edge of its crater.

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher in the forest of Mount Mahawu

Lake Linow is a beautiful site for sightseeing and birdwatching. Birds that could be seen in the lake include White-breasted Waterhen, Javan Pond Heron, Barn Swallow, Sunda Teal, Australasian Swamphen, Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, Little Egret, Purple Heron, and etc. 

Kayawu Rice Field is another birding site of Tomohon that is good for watching White-breasted Woodswallow, White-browed Crake, Barred Rail, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, Glossy Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, and Cattle Egret. From Kayawu, we could return to Tomohon town via Woloan villages. Local people there are experts in building knocked-down wooden houses.

Subdistrict Sonder - After exploring birding sites in Tomohon, we could go further to forest, farmland and waterfall in Subdistrict Sonder. The high elevation forest of Mount Lengkoan is the site for watching such birds as Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Black Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, and etc.

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

Another interesting site for birdwatching in Sonder is Tincep village. Its Kengkang waterfall is the site for watching Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Black-fruit-dove, Black-naped Oriole and etc. Tincep has got huge rice field area. Visitors could watch Pied Stilt, Buff-banded Rail, Barred Rail, Collared Kingfisher, Javan Pond Heron, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and etc.

If you are interested in birding in Tomohon of Minahasa highland and other areas in North Sulawesi, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read: 

• Birding in Tomohon of North Sulawesi, Indonesia
• Birds in Mount Mahawu
• Birding Tour in Sonder of Minahasa highland
• Birding in Tangkoko

Birding in Tomohon of North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Tomohon is a town in Minahasa highland of Indon sia. It is surrounded by volcanoes, farm forest and rice fields. It is also located near Sonder town, another important birding site in Minahasa regency. From Tomohon, most visitors go to Mount Mahawu to look for Scaly-breasted Kingfisher. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of other birds that are interesting for visitors to see. They include Superb Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Pitta, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, and etc. For nocturnal birds, visitors could watch such birds as Speckled Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Sulawesi-masked Owl and etc.

Birding Sites Around Tomohon

In addition to Mount Mahawu, there are other birding sites that can be reached from Tomohon town. They include Lake Tondano, Lake Linow, Sonder's farm forest, Kayawu rice field, Tincep's Rice Field and Kengkang Waterfall.

Birding activities are conducted in the mornings from 06:00 to 09:00, late afternoon from 15:00 to 18:00 and at nights from 19:00 to 21:00. 

Sulawesi Pitta

In Lake Linow, Lake Tondano; Kayawu and Tincep's Rice Field, most of the birds that can be watched are water birds. They include Pied Stilt, Javan Pond Heron, White-browed Crake, and etc.

Sonder is a highly recommended destination for highland birds such as Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, and etc. There are also Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Black-naped Oriole, Pygmy Woodpecker, and White-rumped Triller.

After birding in Tomohon, Mount Mahawu, Sonder's forest, Tincep's rice field and Kengkang Waterfall, visitors could continue their trip to other places such as Tangkoko Nature Reserve. The average duration of a birding tour in North Sulawesi is 7 to 9 days.

Birding in Tomohon, Mount Mahawu and Sonder Forest of Minahasa highland

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

Also read:

• One Week Birding Trip in North Sulawesi
• Birding Tour in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Tangkoko

Minahasa Highland Tour: Birdwatching in Tomohon and Sonder of North Sulawesi

Sulawesi island in Indonesia is considered as one of the most popular destinations for visitors who are keen on birdwatching. There are 169 species of birds that are endemic to Sulawesi island. It is the highest in Indonesia. 

Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, White-browed Crake, Crimson Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird

Minahasa highland, located in the Province of  North Sulawesi, has got a number of places which visitors can go to enjoy birdwatching. One of them is Mount Mahawu. Its forest is the habitat of such birds as Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Myzomela, Warbling White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Superb Fruit-dove, and etc. 

Birding activity could carried out early in the morning at 06:00. However, fog often covers the top area of the volcano until around 07:00. So, the recommended time to start morning birding in Mount Mahawu is around 07:00 or 07:30 when the fog has disappeared. Another birding site in Minahasa highland is Lake Linow. This volcanogenic lake is the habitat of a lot of water birds including White-breasted Waterhen, Javan Pond Heron, Little Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Barn Swallow, Sunda Teal, Wood Sandpiper, Australasian Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Barred Rail, Isabelline Bush-hen, Collared Kingfisher and etc.

Warbling White-eye

After exploring birding sites in Tomohon, we could continue our trip to Sonder. The higher elevation forest of Mount Lengkoan is the habitat of a lot of interesting species of birds such as Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Black Kite, Sulawesi Scops Owl, and etc. 

Pygmy Woodpeckee

Sonder is surrounded by agricultural area which is a good site to watch Finch-billed Myna, Bay Coucal, Hair-crested Drongo (white-eyed), Black-naped Oriole, Zebra Dove, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Pale Blue Monarch, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, White-breasted Woodswallow, and etc.

The slopes between Tomohon and Sonder are covered by forest and agricultural plants. They are the habitat of Bay Coucal, Hair-crested Drongo (white-eyed), Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Black-billed Koel, Collared Kingfisher, and etc. Visitors could explore the slope by walking along the roadside. The best time for roadsode birding is early in the morning at around 06:00. 

How to get to Tomohon?

Tomohon is a town in Minahasa highland. It can be reached by car from the airport of Manado city in about 1 hour. Visitors need to fly from their country to Manado city. There is direct flight from Singapore to Manado. There is also direct flight from Guangzhou to Manado city. Every day there are regular flights between Manado city and some major Indonesian cities. They are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, and TransNusa.

Flight routes from some Indonesian cities to Manado

Road that connects Manado city - Tomohon and Sonder

If you are interested in taking a Minahasa highland tour with emphasis on birdwatching, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:

Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland: A beautiful destination for birdwatchers.

Birding in Tangkoko

Lowland Forest and Coastal Area of Tangkoko

The tropical rainforest of Tangkoko Nature Reserve is the habitat of hundreds of species of tropical birds. Some of them include Green Imperial Pigeon,  Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, White-necked Myna, Finch-billed Myna, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sahul Sunbird, Ashy Woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, and etc. 

Most birdwatchers will need to walk under the canopy of the thick forest of Tangkoko to see most of the above birds. 

Another birding site in Tangkoko that is good for watching birds that like to sit on the canopy of the forest is Temboan Hill. Birds that could be watched and photographed from this hill include Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Black-naped Oriole, Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail, Black-billed Koel, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and Pygmy Hanging Parrot.

Some birds in Tangkoko's Forest

Birds such as Great-billed Kingfisher, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Lesser and Greater Frigatebirds, Pied Imperial Pigeon are usually watched along the coastal area. 

Speckled Boobook at the edge of Tangkoko's forest

A trip by a motorized boat to Naun river is usually conducted by tour organizer to increase the chance for tour participants to watch the Great-billed Kingfisher. 

In addition to watching birds, visitors who go to Tangkoko can also watch other animals such as Gursky's Spectral Tarsier, Celebes-crested Macaque, Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, and Northern Dwarf Squirrel, and etc. Various species of butterflies could also be watched there. They include: Common Birdwing, Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly, The Clipper and Lime Swallowtail. For visitors who are keen on butterfly watching and insect watching, the farmland near Manado city and the hills of Subdistrict Sonder are good places for that purpose.

The duration of this birding and wildlife watching activity in Tangkoko is usually 3 to 4 days. 

High Elevation Forest of Minahasa Highland

After completing the birding tour in Tangkoko, the tour to watch tropical birds of Sulawesi could be continued to Tomohon town for another 3 to 4 days in Minahasa highland to look for Superb Fruit-dove, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Turquoise Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye and etc.. A lot of endemic birds could be watched in this region too. They include: Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Pitta, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Speckled Boobook, and Sulawesi Masked Owl. 

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher in Mount Mahawu

Birding activities in Minahasa highland will be conducted in Mount Mahawu of Tomohon, Mount Lengkoan of Sonder, and farm forest between Tomohon and Sonder as well as Lake Linow, wetland ricefield and waterfall areas of Sonder.

 

Marine Tour to Bunaken Islands

For tour participants who want to combine this birding tour and marine tour, a trip to Bunaken islands can be added in the itinerary to see the seascape of tropical islands of Bunaken, Siladen and Nain Atol as well as to see the wealth of the marine biodiversity coral reef through snorkeling and scuba diving. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa highland, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Bird Photography Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Mahawu, and Sonder's Farm Forest
• Wildlife Watching in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland
• Birds in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland 
• Some Bird List for Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Mount Mahawu of Minahasa Highland
• Wildlife watching and photography tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

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 the Sonder Subdistrict 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.  

Tangkoko Birding in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia

Tourists who go to Bunaken or Lembeh Strait for diving often consider taking land tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland. The main activities in both places are hiking and wildlife watching. Birds, butterflies, reptiles and insects could be seen during the land tour. 

There are a lot of species of tropical birds that can be watched in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland. The small ones that can be seen in the surrounding parks of the birding lodges and homestays include Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, and Yellow-sided Flowerpecker. 

When we walk into the jungle of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, we will see more interesting birds such as Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Ashy Woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, and etc. 

Birders must not skip Temboan hill, it is the site for watching big birds such as the famous Knobbed Hornbill, and Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, and other smaller birds such as Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Finch-billed Myna, Black-billed Koel, and etc.

Birding in Tangko and Minahasa Highland

Estuary of Naun River

Great-billed Kingfisher could be found in Naun river. It could be reached by motorized boat for around 20 to 30 minutes from Batu Putih village depending on the size of the boat, the power of the engine and the weather. Sea birds that could be seen along the way include White-bellied Sea Eagle, Osprey, Pacific Reef Heron, Striated Heron, and etc. 

In the forest of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, we could also see Celebes-crested Macaque, Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, and Gursky's Spectral Tarsier. 

Tomohon and Mount Mahawu

More unique birds of Sulawesi could be seen when we explore the higher elevation forest and farmland of Minahasa. Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Myzomela, and Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove are some of the many birds that could be watched in Mount Mahawu near Tomohon town. 

Corn, vanilla, clove, papaya and rice

Sonder Town and its Surrounding Forest Farm

Most of the population of Minahasa highland work as farmers. They grow various kinds of food crops such as corn, rice, red bean, vegetables and fruits. These food crops attract insects rats, and birds. When we walk in an open farmland of Subdistrict Sonder, sometimes we could see birds of prey soarking in the air. They include Black Kite, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Sulawesi Goshawk, and etc. In paddy fields, we could find White-browed Crake, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Buff-banded Rail, Barred Rail, and Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Scops Owl.

Shrub plants that grow on both sides of the road on the hill of Sonder town are the habitat of Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Black Sunbird, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Black-faced Munia. The big trees on this hill are the habitat of Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Yellow-billed Malkoha, and etc. 

If you are interested in taking a land tour in the province of North Sulawesi for birding and wildlife watching and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Related Posts:

• Birding in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland of North Sulawesi Province
• Wildlife Watching in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland
• Farmland Tour in Sonder town of Minahasa Highland

Bird Photography Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Mahawu and Sonder's Farm Forest of North Sulawesi

A Trip Report by Charles Roring

Manado city - Temboan Hill - Tangkoko Nature Reserve

In late April 2025, I guided a Dutch photographer on 1 week bird photography tour across Minahasa Peninsula of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. I met my client at Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city and then continued our trip by car to Tangkoko Nature Reserve. It took around 2 hours to reach it. For the next 4 days 3 night s exploring the forest of Tangkoko, the coastal area of Batu Putih village, Temboan Hill, the man-made lake. There we watched and photographed a lot of species of birds. It was th first place that we stopped to watch and take pictures of birds. 

Lilac Kingfisher

For photographer, Temboan Hill is the most recommended site to visit. A D-SLR camera with 600 mm lens is the recommended device. There, we saw and photographed Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Gray-cheeked Imperial Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Black-billed Koel, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo. 

We spent several days walking inside the rainforest of Tangkoko which was the habitat of kingfishers. There were Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher. Ashy Woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Blue-backed Parrot, White-necked Myna could also be seen there. We tried to find Great-billed Kingfisher along the riverside but we were not so lucky. We saw the bird but it was impossible to take picture of the kingfisher. He was sitting on a big branch of a tree behind twigs and leaves. We could only see other birds such as Barred Rail, Little Egret and Nankeen Night Heron. The parking lot of Tangkoko was a good site for observing Sulawesi Bear Cuscus. We saw some interesting birds there too including Speckled Boobook, Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

Temboan Hill at the edge of Tangkoko Nature Reserve

At night, we saw and photographed Sulawesi Scops Owl. It was sitting on the branch of a tree near the birding lodge where we stayed. In the morning we saw Isabelline Bush-hen was swimming in a "little water pond" in the middle of the unpaved road that connected our birding lodge with the main road.

There was a man-made lake located between Temboan Hill and Batu Putih village where the birding lodges and homestays were. Oriental Darter, Purple-winged Roller, Slender-billed Crow, Little Grebe, Little Heron, White-breasted Waterhen were seen there.

Bird Photography Trip in the forest of Mount Mahawu

Tangkoko - Manado city - Tomohon - Lake Linow

We continued our trip to Tomohon town which was around 2 hours ride from Tangkoko. There were several birding sites that we visited during our 3 days/2 nights in Tomohon. Lake Linow was the first site that we went to after arriving in Minahasa highland. For water birds, we went to Lake Linow. 

We saw and photographed Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron, White-breasted Waterhen, Barn Swallow. We saw terns sitting on the other side of the lake. It was difficult to identify them, too far. We could not spent much time at the lake. Heavy rain started to cover the lake area and its surroundings. 

Lake Linow in Minahasa highland

Tomohon town - Mount Mahawu

In Mount Mahawu, we saw and photographed the famous Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, Warbling White-eye, Turquoise Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher and etc. Going to Mount Mahawu too early in the morning was not always a good idea. When we arrived there was strong wind, and the whole forest was covered by fog. In addition to Mount Mahawu, we also visited a restaurant that was surrounded by flower garden. Sulawesi Myzomela, Sahul Sunbird and Yellow-sided Flowerpecker were the birds that we saw there.

Sonder's Farm Forest

We also went to Sonder's farm forest, around 30 minutes drive from Tomohon town. We saw Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black-crowned White-eye, Warbling White-eye, Black Sunbird, Yellow-billed Malkoha. On my previous trip to that site in one morning I saw Black Kite, Sulawesi Goshawk, Black-naped Oriole and White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Black-faced Munia, White-breasted Woodswallow. Sonder's farm forest was not a pristine forest but has got good open areas to watch and photograph birds. Actually there were several more birding sites in Subdistrict Sonder that we had not visited during this trip.

In our last day in Tomohon, we visited Mount Mahawu again in the afternoon. We saw the Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, and a lot of small birds that I have mentioned above. There was Superb Fruit-dove but he flew when we walked closer to photograph him. We left Tomohon for Manado city at around 10:00 a.m. Arriving at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, I said thank you, good bye to my client. 

This short trip report is written by Charles Roring from birdingsulawesi.com

Also read:

• Wildlife Watching and Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland

• Birds in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

Birding in Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Sonder Forest of Minahasa Highland

I guided a British tourist in early October 2024 in Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The first site that we visited was Lake Linow. We watched water birds that swam, walked and flew around the lake areas such as: Sunda Teal, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Black-backed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Barred Rail, Barn Swallow, Whiskered Tern, Javan Pond Heron, Uniform Swiftlet, Common Sandpiper.

   Sulawesi Pitta in Minahasa Highland

Crater of Mount Mahawu and birds that could be found in the area

In the afternoon, at 15:00, we continued our trip to Mount Mahawu where we walked up the stairs that led us to its crater. It was raining at that time, the stairs were slippery. Fortunately, when we reached its top, the rain stopped. 

We saw Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black Sunbird, Turquoise Flycatcher, Glossy Swiftlet, and a large flock of Warbling White-eye in trees at the edge of the crater.

When we walked down the slope to the parking lot, we saw Sulawesi Malkoha. We continued birding along the road of Mount Mahawu where we saw White-bellied Imperial Pigeon and Gray-sided Flowerpecker.

Warbling White-eye

The next morning, we watched Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-eyed Drongo and Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela still in the slope of Mount Mahawu. There was a Sulawesi Serpent Eagle that was soaring high in the sky above the forest area of the volcano.

We continued our birding tour to Subdistrict Sonder that late morning. We saw Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Gray-streaked Flycatcher, Sahul Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, and etc. I saw a Pink-necked Green Pigeon and then a Stephan's Dove that were flying down fast from the forest down the slope of Sonder's hill to the farmland area.

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher in Mount Mahawu

In late afternoon, we went birding again along the slope of Mount Mahawu. This time the bird was relatively the same as this morning and yesterday. Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Turquoise Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker and etc. There were more species that we could later add in our list, i.e. Superb Fruit Dove, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, and Sulawesi Scops Owl. 

Crimson Sunbird in Sonder's forest of Minahasa

The last day of our birding trip in North Sulawesi was conducted in Sonder of Minahasa regency. We saw Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Drongo, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Myna, Green Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi Swiftlet, Lesser Fish Eagle, White-browed Crake, Collared Kingfisher, Crimson Sunbird, and Yellow-billed Malkoha. We heard the call of Bay Coucal and Isabelline Bush Hen. Unfortunately, we could not see them. 

North Sulawesi is a highly recommended destination for birdwatching and sightseeing. 

Hair-crested (White-eyed) Drongo

Accommodation

Most tourists who travel to the highland of Minahasa chose Tomohon town as their place to stay. There are hotels and homestays that can be booked from the internet. 

Booking

If you are interested in traveling to Manado city and doing a walking tour for sightseeing or hiking for birdwatching, and butterfly watching, and want a guide to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birds in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve
• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Black-naped Oriole
• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi
• Birds of Sulawesi

Birding in Sonder and Mount Mahawu of Minahasa Highland with Polish Birdwatchers

A few weeks ago, I guided some Polish birdwatchers in Minahasa highland. We visited Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow and Subdistrict town of Sonder. 

Black-napes Oriole in the small forest of Tounelet slope of Sonder town, Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia

Finch-billed Myna

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

We arrived late in Mount Mahawu, It was around 14:00 local time when we went birding. Fortunately, we still saw some birds that we were looking for - the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker,  Gray-sided Flowerpecker. 

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

After lunch, we went to the territory of Subdistrict town of Sonder, we saw more birds there including the Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, and Citrine Canary Flycatcher. Our time window for birding was too narrow. We missed the Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, and White-faced Cuckoo Dove. 

Turquoise Flycatcher

We went to the rice field area but we did not see the Isabelline Bush-hen that we we're looking for. We only heard their sounds in the bush.

Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove

If you are interested in taking a birding and sightseeing tour in North Sulawesi of Indonesia and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Discovering Black-naped Oriole, a tropical jewel of the Canopy
• Birdwatching and Photography Trip in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Butterflywatching in Minahasa Highland
• Birds in Minahasa

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher in Mount Mahawu

Scaly-breasted Kingfisher

This is the photograph of Scaly-breasted Kingfisher (Actenoides princeps) that I saw in the forest of Mount Mahawu several kilometers from Tomohon town. I organized bird trip for 4 Taiwanese tourists at that time. We were walking along the trails inside the forest when we saw the bird roosting on the branch of a tree around 1.5 meters above the ground. It was a very good sighting because the bird stayed on the branch for more than 5 minutes.
The bird is an important target among birders who want to see endemic avifauna of Sulawesi.
Guiding Service

As a tourist guide, I offer birding tours to this region for visitors who want to go to Sulawesi. Please, read this tour package. However, it can be customized according to the interest of customers.
In addition to watching birds, visitors could see local people who are working in the farmlands, or making traditional palm sugar or even see how local villagers make metal farming tools.

If you are interested in traveling to Indonesia to do birdwatching, sightseeing and nature tour in North Sulawesi and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:

• Kingfishers in Minahasa Peninsula

• Tangkoko Birding