All, On the back end of a work trip to East Kalimantan I spent two nights at Sungai Wain Protected Forest about 45 minutes from the CBD of Balikpapan. It is important to note that access to the forest has changed, so be aware! Bule (foreigners) are no longer allowed to camp anywhere in the forest, enter after dark and not allowed to walk past camp 2. This dramatically restricts access to some of the good primary forest, which holds Orang-tuan. I was forced to camp / stay in the village and walk in each day with limited trails and a lot of duplication of the same birding area. Access was cheap, I spent 375000 R (41 AU / USD) in total for two and a half day access with a ranger and a place to stay (very very basic place to stay). Having said this, I did see over 60 species of birds in 2 days and a bit (list below) and heard a fair few others. The birding was still good and I managed great views and a poor photograph of a female Borneo Peacock Pheasant which is a mega. I have birded a few weekends around SE Asia, usually in conjunction of work trips and found the species very similar to Panti Forest north of Singapore with very few Borneo Endemics about. I had no guide support, only a tag along ranger who spoke no English, so I was on my own. I did not mind this, but I am sure I missed many things due to my lack of regional knowledge or an up to date ear.
The forest is obviously being well protected as indicator species, such as Hornbills and Mammals were common. I saw Otters, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, many types of Squirrel and Tree Shrew and three species of Primate…however I was not able to get to the forest which held Orang-utan. Anyone who has a reason to be in Balikpapan in east Kalimantan should consider extending their stay for a visit here. Ground-Cuckoo is also possible as well as a good selection of other birds. If anyone is interested in a more detailed list or help with logistics, feel free to contact me. themcneills@rocketmail.com. Brahminy Kite White-bellied Sea-Eagle Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Common Emerald Dove Green Imperial-Pigeon Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Malaysian Eared-Nightjar Edible-nest Swiftlet Gray-rumped Treeswift Scarlet-rumped Trogon Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher Stork-billed-Kingfisher Rufous-collared Kingfisher Blue-throated Bee-eater Bushy-crested Hornbill Asian Black Hornbill Red-crowned Barbet White-bellied Woodpecker Orange-backed Woodpecker Black-and-red Broadbill Banded Broadbill Garnet Pitta Pacific Swallow Scarlet Minivet Black-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Yellow-vented Bulbul Olive-winged Bulbul Red-eyed Bulbul Yellow-bellied Bulbul Hairy-backed Bulbul Blue-winged Leafbird White-rumped Shama Rufous-tailed Shama Ferruginous Jungle-Babbler Short-tailed Babbler Black-capped Jungle-Babbler Moustached Tree-Babbler Sooty-capped Tree-Babbler Scaly-crowned Tree-Babbler Rufous-crowned Tree-Babbler Gray-headed Babbler Black-throated Babbler Chestnut-rumped Babbler Chestnut-winged Babbler Striped Tit-Babbler Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler White-bellied Yuhina Arctic Warbler Gray-chested Jungle-Flycatcher Rufous-winged Philentoma Black-naped Monarch Pied Fantail Spotted Fantail Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Brown-throated Sunbird Bronzed Drongo Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo Black Jay Slender-billed Crow Hill Myna Eurasian Tree Sparrow Cheers,
Roger
Roger McNeill Samford Valley, SEQ
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
