Birding in Bogani Nani Wartabone Park
Summary:
A massive national park which has
only partially been explored. Known sites include Tambun for Maleo and some
nice lowland birding.
Key bird species:
Maleo; Spot-tailed Goshawk; Metallic
Pigeon; Yellowish-breasted Racquet-tail; Golden-mantled Racquet-tail; Sulawesi
Hanging-Parrot; Pygmy Hanging-Parrot; Bay Coucal; Ochre-bellied Boobook;
Speckled Hawk-Owl; Purple-winged Roller; Sulawesi Hornbill; Knobbed Hornbill;
Pale-blue Monarch; Rusty-backed Thrush; White-necked Myna; Finch-billed Myna
Birdwatching locations:
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
(formerly known as Dumoga Bone National Park) is a huge area of forest spanning
the border between North Sulawesi and Gorontalo provinces. Despite its size,
the access is very poor to the central areas and most visiting birders just
visit the margins on the park around the villages of Dolodua and Toraut. Here
there are 2-3 sites where reasonable forest can be accessed quite easily, and
it is also here that the famous Maleo nesting ground of Tambun lies.
Dolodua/Toraut
The most commonly visited forest areas of Bogani are in the vicinity of the villages of Dolodua and Toraut. From the village of Dolodua there are paths heading south that follow the river and which pass through some patches of nice forest. The forest is much more extensive on the western side of the river, as this lies within the national park proper. On the eastern side of the river forest patches are interspersed with open farmland. By following the river about 6-7 km south of Dolodua the trail reaches the still-active Maleo nesting ground at Matayangan. This is nesting ground is highly threatened by egg collecting, but still provides an opportunity to see Maleo if you are lucky (see section below on Maleo).
The most commonly visited forest areas of Bogani are in the vicinity of the villages of Dolodua and Toraut. From the village of Dolodua there are paths heading south that follow the river and which pass through some patches of nice forest. The forest is much more extensive on the western side of the river, as this lies within the national park proper. On the eastern side of the river forest patches are interspersed with open farmland. By following the river about 6-7 km south of Dolodua the trail reaches the still-active Maleo nesting ground at Matayangan. This is nesting ground is highly threatened by egg collecting, but still provides an opportunity to see Maleo if you are lucky (see section below on Maleo).
By following the road onwards from
Dolodua it bends north and heads to the village of Toraut (or Taraut). A little
bit further on from here the road reaches the edge of the forest and by
crossing the river some nice condition forest can easily be accessed, Many
small trails head into the forest heading north, and then begin to rise in
altitude the further they are followed.
Birds in this area include many of
the same lowland species present at Tangkoko, with perhaps a slightly better
chance of seeing some species like Sulawesi Hornbill, Yellowish-breasted
Racquet-tail, Purple-winged Roller, Bay Coucal and the owls.
Maleo nesting
grounds
Maleo lay their eggs communally in pits dug in the ground in soil heated by either volcanic hot-springs or on beaches heated by the sun. Once laid the parents take no further part in the incubation of the eggs and after around 60 days the chicks hatch and dig their own way to the surface, to emerge fully-feathered and independent.
Maleo lay their eggs communally in pits dug in the ground in soil heated by either volcanic hot-springs or on beaches heated by the sun. Once laid the parents take no further part in the incubation of the eggs and after around 60 days the chicks hatch and dig their own way to the surface, to emerge fully-feathered and independent.
While being ecologically
fascinating, this strategy makes the eggs extremely vulnerable to collecting,
and despite the legally-protected status of Maleo in Indonesia such egg collecting
continues. To combat this threat a number of Maleo nesting grounds are now
guarded full-time, and the eggs are removed from where they are laid and
relocated to natural hatcheries where they continue to be incubated by the
volcanically heated soil, but where they are safe from the attention of egg
collectors.
The best sites for viewing maleo in
the Bogani area are all protected by the Wildlife Conservation Society –
Indonesia Program, which pays for the full-time employment of a site warden and
facilities at each. This includes Tambun, Muara Pusian, Hugayono (in the west
of the park) and the beach nesting sites at Binerean and Lagamuru.
Tambun is the most commonly visited
site, and one of the most convenient. On average around 2-3 pairs of Maleo visit
Tambun a day, given a pretty reliable shot at seeing the birds. Adults descend
from the hills to lay eggs at dawn and dusk, but can also often be seen
loitering around the site in trees during the day. To see birds here report
first to the warden on-site and he will show you to the best locations to see
the birds. Several hides have been set up and if you are lucky you will get
amazing views. It may also be possible to see newly hatched chicks being
released from the safety of the hatcheries.
Another alternative site not far
from Tambun is known as Muara Pusian. This site also has a warden, a watchtower
and hides. The main nesting ground is on the opposite side of a river from the
hides, which provides for unobstructed views if birds are present. Both Tambun
and Muara Pusian are backed by forest and trails branch out into it. So once
you have seen Maleo you can easilt spend a few hours birding around here,
seeing many of the same species as listed above for Dolodua/Toraut. To get to
Muara Pusian the easiest bet is to ask for directions at Tambun.
Sultan Birding Tours, we are specialist for birdwatching and bird photography trip in Sulawesi, Halmahera and West Papua.
email us : sultanbirdingtours@gmail.com
