When we firstly being asked to arrange a trip to West Papua in January 2025, we were a bit skeptic. Since it is in the middle of rainy season in Indonesia and also known as not the breeding season for the Birds of paradise species. However, we did it. We plan it, we organized and execute it. The results: Everybody was enjoying the trip.
We were succeed in collecting 240 species of birds in our list. One of our guests said he got 208 lifers within this trip. As to one other, it was a very good photography trip for him, since he visited Papua New Guinea in the 90’s and now he came to West Papua with the latest mirrorless camera.
At least 2 Birds of paradise species were seen to show the breeding behaviour. They were mating at their dancing lek or pole. Those two species are the Twelve-wired bird of paradise and Lesser bird of paradise. In arfak mountain, we saw the Western parotia dance. Even though there were no females seen. So probably he was just practicing. However, it already beyond our expectation.
The other Paradisea species seen, even though not mating, were the Magnificent bird of paradise, Magnificent riflebird, Pale-billed sicklebill, King Bop, Wilson’s Bop, Red Bop, Vogelkop lophorina, Trumpet manucode, and Glossy mantled manucode. So within this trip we succeed in seeing 12 species of Bird of paradise in total.
The rain which we predicted will occur throughout our 18 days trip, happened only falling within 2 birding days. The rain were mostly fell during the night, which are no problem at all with us. Since we only do a few night birding. Very hard rain in some nights even better since it lower the temperature and made us sleep like a baby. During the day we got sunshines, good cloudy days, and some light rains. Therefore we still can have birding time during the light rain. We always check the weather forecast during the night briefing after dinner, so we can plan the next day activities better and prepared.
In Rajaampat we went to Pulau Merpati, which is a very good place to see other species that not live in Waigeo. Such as the Varied honeyeater, Supertramp fantail and Island whistler. It was a very good sailing. The sea was very calm, the sky was bright blue with clouds. After seeing Beach thick knee, Spice imperial pigeon, Violet-necked lory, we sail to an island for a short break for snorkeling. It was wonderful, we saw lots and lots of coral reef fish species and a huge giant clam.
Within this trip, we also saw some of the not common species to see. Like the Dwarf Koel, Shovel-billed Kookaburra, White-crowned Koel, and White-striped forest rail. So our guests were very very happy. At the end, we might comment this trip with “It is much better to have light rain birding time in West Papua than the winter snow in Europe”.
