Sulawesi & Halmahera: Oct 15—Nov 06, 2010

The province of Sulawesi, formerly known as the Celebes, in Indonesia, is the large, rather odd-shaped island—variously described as shaped like a spider or an orchid—to the east of Borneo and west of New Guinea. Indonesia has the highest rate of endemicity of any country, and Sulawesi has the highest number of endemic bird species of any of the Indonesian islands. Arguably, more than 70 species are found nowhere else! Additionally there is a whole suite of endemic mammals and plants. Halmahera, the largest of the Moluccas or Spice Islands, lies just a short distance to the east and has a similar odd shape, but a totally different avifauna. It has an equally remarkable 22 endemic birds!

We will visit three of Sulawesi's national parks: Tangkoko, Lore Lindu, and Dumoga-Bone. These evocative names conjure up images of all sorts of exciting birds, and we won't be disappointed! From cool, mossy cloud forests to luxuriant lowland rainforests, our targets will include the extraordinary Maleo, a suite of endemic raptors, some cracking kingfishers, the unusual Purple-bearded Bee-eater, the colorful Knobbed Hornbill, some tricky forest-dwellers like Geomalia and Great Shortwing, some amazing endemic starlings, and many more.
      
Our jumping-off point for Halmahera is the small island of Ternate. Dominated by a gently smoking volcano, it is the most important town of the fabled Spice Islands. This island is much drier and has more affinities with the Australasian region than Sulawesi, but has an equally rich selection of endemics, including the famous Wallace's Standardwing, certainly one of the strangest of the birds-of-paradise. We should be able to watch this fabulous bird at a display site, but we'll also be keen to find the huge and stunning Ivory-breasted Pitta, as well as other endemics like White Cockatoo, Goliath Coucal, Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar, and the rare Moluccan Scrubfowl.

Travel in Sulawesi and Halmahera is a real adventure and, although not especially difficult, it is certainly off the beaten track! Indonesia is one of the most exciting birding destinations on earth, and these fascinating islands should not be missed.

Accommodations excellent to basic, but all with private facilities, except when camping at Labi Labi (2 nights); moderate pace with some day-treks; travel by 4WD vehicles; climate hot and dry with a chance of rain at any time.