Penggaron Birding Trip

Penggaron, January 27^th, 2009

One month before we get news from one of our friends in Yogyakarta. His name is Mr Wawan from NGO Kutilang Bird Club Yogyakarta. He ask to SBC to guides some tourists who want to birdtour in Semarang. Three tourists were Mr Ian Frasen from Australia, Mr. Nakamura and Mrs. Tatsumoko from Japan.

Actually, Mr. Ian Frasen went to Semarang to attends a seminar. But, during the free time, he and two of his colleague had birdwatch. Mr. Ian invite Mrs. Tatsumoko and Mr. Nakamura for birdwatching. We requested for the best place for birdwatching in Semarang.

Wanawisata Penggaron is one of the best birding place in Semarang. Penggaron is very close to the city. In there, also has high bird diversity, unique and nicely. SBC noted that at least 97 species are listed in there. With some species, such as the Merak Hijau/Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), Elang Ular Bido/Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela), Kadalan Birah/Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris), Kadalan Kembang/Red-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus javanicus) and some of migratory raptors.

We depart from basecamp at about 04.30, and met with Mr. Ian and friends at 5 am at the entrance of Wanawisata Penggaron. After introduce ourselves, we go to camping ground. Usually, in this place we can find Kadalan Birah/Chestnut-breasted Malkoha and Kadalan Kembang/Red-billed Malkoha . When we go to camping ground, we meet with a couple of Paok Pancawarna/Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana) that were playing on the road, but unfortunately Mr Ian and friends didn’t see the existence of a couple of these birds.

After we arrived on camping ground, We prepare our equipment, immidately. Because of there wasn’t bird catch arround camping ground, we decide to other place, Savana. In this place we hope could see Merak Hijau./Green Peafowl. But unfortunately these beautiful birds were reluctant to show this beauty. Kadalan Birah/Chestnut-breasted Malkoha and Kadalan Kembang/Red-billed Malkoha regular play in the trees around the camping ground is also reluctant to show how beautiful they are.

Elang Ular Bido?Creasted-serpent Eagle with their characteristically scream, pearch in one of the big tree. In addition, we also met with Tiong Lampu/Dollar Birds (Eurystomus orientalis), Sikep Madu Asia/Oriental Honey Buzzard, Cekakak Jawa/Javan Kingfisher, Srigunting Hitam/Black Drongo, Tekukur Biasa/Spotted Dove, Walet linchi,/Cave Swiftlet Sepah Kecil/Small Minivet, Bondol Peking/Scaly breasted Munia, Bubut Alang-alang/Lesser Caoucal, Delimukan Zamrud/Emerald Dove, Prenjak Coklat/Brown Prinia, Falco sp., Layang-layang Api/Barn Swallows , Cipoh Kacat,/Common Iora Kehicap Ranting/Black-naped Monarch, Cekakak Sungai/Collared Kingfisher, Tangkar Centrong/Racket-tailed Treepie, and Kutilang/Sooty-headed bulbul. Also heard from a distance voice of Green Junglefowl.

Feel enough observation time, we just provide information about the birds and the location of the observation that there is a profile in Semarang and our community. During our last meeting with Mr Ian and colleagues, he says quite satisfied with the birding location “The location is very close to the city, easily reached, the birds of prey enough for the size of forest city”, he argued. We’re happy because our first experience of accompanying Birdtour get a positive response from them.

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