I had a day to kill in Bali on my return from North Sumatra this
week so instead of surfing (plenty in Nias) and lazing by the pool...
Inspired by Stijn De Win’s one day trip, I organised a driver to
pick me up from my hotel in Legian at 4am and drive the 3 hours to Bali Barat
National Park – West Bali, while I slept in the back. Arrived at 6.50! (Return
trip – Rp500,000 or $55 at 9050!!)
Met local guide Hery (essential to have a guide if you want to
get into the park proper) who took me around for the half day – 7am to 3pm
(Rp500,000 or $55). Hery’s has been guiding for over 9 years in the National
Park and his contact is +62 81338078010 or email hery_kn@yahoo.co.id.
We started at the boat launch site with a completely un-tickable
view of Yellow-throated Hanging Parrots. “Don’t worry, there are plenty”...
Still off the list after many other non-tickable views...
Caught a boat over to the Park proper (Rp400,000 or $44) and
birded for 3 hours until we reached the captive breeding centre of the Bali
Myna.
Plenty to see including Beach Thick-knee, Great-billed Heron,
Sunda Cuckoo-Shrike and Small Minivet. But the highlights were Black-winged
Starling (endangered), and the Bali Myna (critically endangered). I saw 1 of
the “un-banded” wild bird with a “banded” version. Apparently more are to be
released soon! Only bummer was a very distant and un-tickable view of
Black-thighed Falconet.
Took the boat over to Menjangan Island for easy views of
Lemon-bellied White-eye to complete all my Bali White-eyes!
Headed back to the mainland and off in the car towards Gilimanuk
to a forest walk by a stream. Started excellently with brilliant views of
Rufous-backed Kingfisher! But I was really here to see the recently split Javan
Banded Pitta. On the way I picked up some classics like Crescent-chested
Babbler and Grey-rumped Treeswift. But even after hearing a couple, no Pitta...
Off back to the launch area for a quick lunch then onto the
Menjangan Resort for a “wind down the window of the car” view of Green
Junglefowl. Nice.
Lastly had one last crack at Javan Banded Pitta at another site
as storm clouds threatened overhead. Walked to an area that looked very unlike
Pitta territory and with a quick tape play had a sensational Male in the bins
for about 15-20 secs! Brilliant!!!! A female was also heard nearby but not
seen.
As Hery and I high fived and walked back to the car, the heavens
opened and continued to pour destroying my chance of seeing Lesser Adjutant at
Gilimanuk. Oh well next time.
All up, 39 species (not bad for a half day), 11 lifers and 19
new for Indonesia. Cost $170 including transport, guide, boat, NP fee and
breeding centre donation, lunch and drinks.
Happy!
Steve Potter
I – Indonesia
L – lifer
*** - Sensational!
- Green Junglefowl (I,L)
- Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker
- Laced Woodpecker (I)
- Coppersmith Barbet (I)
- Blue-eared Kingfisher
- Rufous-backed Kingfisher (I,L) ***
- Collared Kingfisher
- Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (I)
- Lesser Coucal
- Cave Swiftlet
- Grey-rumped Treeswift (I,L)
- Savanna Nightjar
- Island Collared-Dove
- Emerald Dove (I)
- Zebra Dove
- Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon (I)
- Beach Thick-knee (I)
- Great-billed Heron (I)
- Javan Banded Pitta (I,L) ***
- Golden-bellied Gerygone
- Long-tailed Shrike
- Mangrove Whistler (I,L)
- White-breasted Woodswallow
- Sunda Cuckoo-Shrike (I,L)
- White-shouldered Triller
- Small Minivet (I,L)
- Pied Fantail
- Black Drongo
- Common Iora
- Fulvous-chested Jungle-Flycatcher
- Black-winged Starling (I,L)
- Bali Myna (I,L) ***
- Great Tit
- Pacific Swallow
- Yellow-vented Bulbul
- Lemon-bellied White-eye (I,L)
- Crescent-chested Babbler (I,L)
- Australasian Lark (I)
- Olive-backed Sunbird
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