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Notes on short trip to 3 Locations in West-Timor, 21/11/2004-23/11/2004:,
Locations visited:
Camplong (CAM) 21/11/2004 (c.200-450m asl)
Bipolo (BIP) 22/11/2004 (close to sea-level)
Muara Olio (OLI) 22/11/2004 (Sea-level)
Camplong and Bipolo were visited early mornings, c. 6.00am-13.00am and Muara Olio was visited at around 14.00pm-16.00pm. Visit to Olio hampered by heavy rains and high tide. Some observations made from the seafront on Kupang’s Northern shore, in front of Hotel Susi.
Great Frigatebird Fregata
minor
A single male bird observed over Kupang’s Northern seafront on 23/11.
Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel
Three male birds over Kupang’s Northern seafront on 20/11, with 3 (2m,
1f) again there on 22/11.
Great Egret Egretta
alba
A single bird was seen feeding on the beach at OLI. Bird in non-breeding
plumage with a yellow bill with black tip.
Intermediate Egret Egretta
intermedia
Two birds were seen flying in to dry rice-fields, about 1km East of Oesao
(c.20km East of Kupang). They joined a flock of Cattle Egret Bubulcus
ibis.
Little Egret Egretta
garzetta
Three birds noted on the beach at OLI. All birds had yellow soles.
Pacific Reef-egret Egretta sacra
A single dark-morphed bird on the rocky beach on Kupang’s Northern
shores.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus
ibis
Seven birds observed in dry rice-fields about 7km East of Kupang on 21/11.
Also a flock of 34 molting birds in the dry rice-fields at Oesao on the same
date.
Short-toed Eagle Cirrcaetus
gallicus
A single adult bird was seen hovering and soaring over Kupang’s El
Tari airport on 23/11.
Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis
Two adult male birds in the CAM forest at c.250 and 220m asl. Also
2 adult males in the BIP forest (one observed catching a Cicada in mid-flight)
with 4 more birds seen circling high over the forest before disappearing
to the West.
Spotted Kestrel Falco
moluccensis
A pair was observed hunting near the village of Bipolo and a single male
seen perched on a pole near the El Tari airport on 23/11.
Sunda Teal Anas
gibberifrons
Thirteen birds seen on the OLI mudflats. All identified as Sunda Teal over
Grey Teal A.gracilis, on account of the bulged foreheads.
Brown Quail Coturnix
ypsilophora
Two birds flushed just outside the El Tari airport entrance on 23/11.
Grey Plover Pluvialis
squatarola
Three birds on the OLI beach.
Red-capped Plover ? Charadrius
ruficappilus ?
A bird, believed to be this species, in non-breeding plumage was seen in
a flock of Rufous-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis on OLI’s
beach. Notes: Very small (smaller than C.ruficollis), dark legs. Light
brown upperparts, black bill, white forehead and brown crown and hindneck.
No white hindneck collar could be seen. White underparts.
Lesser Sand-plover Charadrius
mongolus
Twenty-seven birds in several small flocks and singly on the OLI beach.
Greater Sand-plover Charadrius
leschenaultii
Seventeen birds, mainly seen singly, spread out over the beach at OLI.
Oriental Plover Charadrius
veredus
Four birds observed in dry rice-fields, 1km East of the village of Oesao
on 21/11. Over 100 birds at Kupangs’ El tari airport on 23/11.
Whimbrel Numenius
phaeopus
Eleven birds on the OLI beach and a single bird on the rocky shore in Kupang’s
towncenter on 22/11.
Far-eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
Two birds on the OLI beach.
Terek Sandpiper Xenus
cinereus
Five birds on the OLI beach.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Five birds on the OLI beach and noted every day on Kupang’s rocky beach
in the town center.
Rufous-necked Stint Calidris
ruficollis
Over 40 birds of this species positively identified on Oli’s beach.
Biggest flock consisting of 21 birds.
Stint sp. Calidris
sp.
Over 25 Stints were failed to be identified. Most birds sitting too far away
to determine species.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris
acuminata
Seven birds on the OLI beach.
Australian Pratincole Stiltia
isabella
At least 4 birds in the dry rice-fields 1km East of Oesao. A single bird
at the El Tari airport on 23/11.
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias
hybridus
Common off the coast in Kupang in flocks of up to 10 birds. Also 5 on the
beach at OLI.
White-winged Black-tern Chlidonias
leucopterus
A flock of 41 birds was observed over a large grass field picking insects,
inflight, of the grass and catching them in midair and picking them off the
grass. Observation made at a village at the Km16-marker on the Kupang-Soe
road. The large circling flock was at this for about 15 minutes before the
flock headed North towards the sea. All birds in non-breeding plumage.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon
nilotica
Seven birds, in full breeding plumage, were observed on the beach at OLI.
Birds appeared to be of sub-species macrotarsa from Australia on account
of large bill, grayer upperparts.
Little Tern Sterna
albifrons
Four birds off the Kupang Northern coast in the citycentre on 21/11 and 4
birds on the OLI beach. All birds in non-breeding plumage.
Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii
At least 15 birds off the Northern shore in Kupang on 22/11.
Timor Green Pigeon Treron
psittacea
A single bird observed in mid-storey of a tall tree at BIP. Observed for
several minutes.
Black-backed Fruit-dove Ptilinopus
cinctus
A single bird observed at CAM at c.325m asl but several heard calling
(c.200-400m asl). At BIP also a single bird.
Rose-crowned Fruit-dove Ptilinopus
regina
Common at both CAM and BIP, with more than 5 birds heard at CAM and 2 birds
observed and 2-3 heard calling at BIP.
Pink-necked Imperial Pigeon Ducula
rosacea
Three birds at BIP, observed in the top of a dry tree in the heart of the
forest.
Rock Pigeon Columba
livia
Recorded from all location, mainly around villages but in the center of Kupang
a bird was observed on a nest in the crown of a coconut palmtree.
Timor Black Pigeon Turacoena
modesta
A single bird observed at both CAM and BIP. Vocal records: 1 at CAM and at
least 3 at BIP.
Spotted Dove Streptopelia
chinensis
Common in the outskirts of Kupang. Also 1 in the village of Bipolo and 2
birds just outside the village of Camplong. At OLI, 3-4 birds in the scrub
between the fishing village and the East-Timor refugee village.
Barred Dove Geopelia
maugei
At least 3 birds heard calling at BIP and several birds observed along the
main Kupang-Soe road around the villages. Also at least 5 birds at OLI.
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps
indica
At least 5 birds at BIP. Observed feeding on the paths in the forest or flying
at high speed through the forest. A single bird observed flying out of a
dry river gully near Oesao.
Olive-headed Lorikeet Trichoglossus
euteles
Two birds at c.375m asl at CAM and 5-6 birds at BIP.
Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus
geoffroyi
Three birds in mid-storey of a tall fig-tree at BIP.
Olive-shouldered Parrot Aprosmictus
jonquillaceus
At least 6 birds at BIP.
Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis
variolosus
A single bird at BIP, observed in a tree bordering the dry, rocky river,
eating a moth.
Gould’s Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx
russatus
4-5 Birds heard singing at CAM (c.220-350m asl) and a single bird
observed at the dry river-bed at BIP.
Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops
novaehollandiae
Two birds at CAM at c.200m asl and a single bird heard calling at
BIP.
Lesser Coucal Centropus
bengalensis
Individual birds heard calling from both CAM and BIP. The one at CAM at c.410m
asl.
Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus
affinis
At least 3 birds were seen over the Kupang waterfront in the city centre
at c21.15hrs with another bird heard calling at c.22.25hrs.
Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus
fuciphagus
The only record of this bird was at CAM, where 5 birds were observed at c.400m
asl.
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia
esculenta
More than 10 birds at CAM, not recorded at BIP and at least 5 birds over
OLI. Also common in the countryside and over Kupang.
Fork-tailed Swift Apus
pacificus
4 Birds over CAM (c.200-400m asl), 2 over BIP and common over Kupang
in small flocks of up to 5 birds.
Little Swift Apus
affinis
3 Birds over CAM (c.350m asl) and common over Kupang in small flocks
of up to 6 birds.
Common Kigfisher Alcedo atthis
A single bird seen flying out of the mangroves at OLI.
Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Halcyon
australasia
A single bird observed in the Taman Parawisata in the village of Camplong.
Collared Kingfisher Halcyon
chloris
A single bird heard calling at CAM at c.425m asl. 2-3 Birds at BIP,
a single bird at OLI and a single bird feeding on the rocky beach at Kupang’s
North coast in the citycentre.
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops
philippensis
2 Birds over CAM (c.250m asl), over 25 at BIP (where seen in a flock
with next species) and 5 birds at OLI.
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops
ornatus
At least 10 birds at BIP. Observed in a mixed flock with M.philippensis.
Common Dollarbird Eurystomus
orientalis
At least 4 birds observed at BIP. Seen over-flying the forest and perched
on dead branches in trees.
Barn Swallow Hirundo
rustica
Common and numerous at all locations, including the city of Kupang.
Pacific Swallow Hirundo
tahitica
Common and numerous at all locations, including the city of Kupang.
Tree Martin Hirundo
nigricans
A flock of more than 15 birds observed at CAM at c.300m asl.
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla
flava
Two birds behind the beach at OLI. A single bird at the El Tari airport on
23/11. Three birds in the dry rice-fields at Oesao on 22/11.
Richard’s Pipit Anthus
novaeseelandiae
A single bird seen displaying from a fence in the dry rice-fields of Oesao
on 22/11.
Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnototus
aurigaster
Seems to be established at CAM, where at least 4 birds were observed between c.250-400m
asl. Also 4 birds the entrance of the El Tari airport on 23/11. At Bipolo
calls resembling that of P.aurigaster were heard but birds not positively
identified.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius
schach
A single bird observed in the village of Bipolo. Bird perched on a fence.
Pied Chat Saxicola
caprata
Common to abundant at all locations, especially in and around dry rice-fields
and around villages. Seen also in downtown Kupang on 23/11.
White-bellied Chat Saxicola gutturalis
Three males and 2 females observed at CAM between c.300-425m asl.
Several males heard singing from the forest.
Chestnut-backed Thrush Zoothera
dohertyi
Just one bird heard singing from the forest at BIP.
Orange-sided Thrush Zoothera
peronii
A single bird heard singing at CAM at c.375m asl. At BIP, 2 birds
observed and at least 2 birds heard singing. A popular cage-bird in Kupang,
especially with Javanese shop-keepers.
Timor Stubtail Urosphena
subulata
More than 4 birds heard at CAM. A single bird observed at BIP but many heard
from the scrub.
Clamorous Reed-warbler Acrocephalus
stentoreus
Several birds heard singing in the Olio reed beds.
Buff-banded Grassbird Buettikoferella
bivittata
A short glimpse of a birds caught at CAM at c.220m asl. Two/three
Others heard singing from the scrub. A single bird heard at BIP.
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola
juncidis
Common around villages in dry rice-fields and gardens. Many around the village
of Bipolo.
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola
exilis
Two birds near the village of Bipolo in breeding-plumage. Also common around
other villages, especially around Oesao. Also 2 birds heard singing at the
El Tari airport on 23/11.
Timor Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus
presbytes
More than 5 birds at BIP. Not recorded at CAM.
Black-banded Flycatcher Ficedula
timorensis
One bird observed at BIP.
Timor Blue Flycatcher Cyornis
hyacinthinus
Two birds at Bipolo.
Plain Gerygone Gerygone
inornata
Very common at both CAM and BIP with many birds heard singing at both locations.
Spectacled Monarch Monarcha
trivirgatus
A single bird observed moving through mid-storey at the CAM forest at c.220m
asl.
Northern Fantail Rhipidura
rufiventris
Very common at both CAM and BIP, especially so at CAM where many birds were
observed from c.200m to 450m asl.
Rufous Fantail Rhipidura
rufifrons
Very common at both Cam and BIP.
Fawn-breasted Whistler Pachycephala
orpheus
Common to abundant at both CAM and BIP.
Common Golden Whistler Pachycephala
pectoralis
At both Cam and BIP, a single male was heard singing.
Red-chested Flowerpecker Dicaeum
maugei
Very common at both CAM and BIP, especially CAM. Several heard around villages
on the Kupang-Soe road.
Olive-backed Sunbird Nectarinia
jugularis
One pair at CAM, 3 pairs at BIP, 2 pairs at OLI and common in the city of
Kupang.
Flame-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia
solaris
Three pairs at CAM and 1 pair at BIP.
Ashy-bellied White-eye Zostyerops
citrinellus
Common to abundant at both CAM and BIP. At CAM (c.235m asl), an adult
bird was seen feeding a juvenile bird. Also common in the city of Kupang.
Near the waterfront on the Northern shore, an adult bird was seen carrying
nesting material into a coconut palmtree.
Spot-breasted Dark-eye Heleia
muelleri
Two birds observed at CAM with at least 3 more heard singing. At BIP, 1 bird
observed with at least 2 more heard singing.
Brown Honeyeater Lichmera
indistincta
Two birds at CAM, 2 birds at BIP and more than 15 birds in the trees behind
the beach leading to the East-Timor refugee village. Very noisy.
Black-chested Honeyeater Myzomela
vulnerata
Two pairs at CAM and a single pair at BIP.
Streaky-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga
reticulata
At least 7 birds at CAM and 4 birds at BIP.
Timor Friarbird Philemon
inornatus
Four birds at CAM and over 15 at BIP, outnumbering next species.
Helmeted Friarbird Philemon
buceroides
Four birds at CAM and 7 at BIP.
Red Avadavat Amandava
amandava
Seventeen birds in the scrub behind the beach at OLI. Also 5 birds observed
at the El Tari airport on 23/11.
Zebra Finch Taeniopyga
guttata
Seven birds at BIP. Eleven birds at OLI behind the beach and common
in Kupang at parking lots, sandlots and scrub.
Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca
Big flocks totaling c.100 birds observed in the dry rice-fields at Km16 from
Kupang on the Soe road. Mixing with L.punctulata, P.montanus and L.quinticolor.
Scaly-breasted Munia Lochura
punctulata
Big flocks totaling c.150 birds observed in the dry rice-fields at
Km16 from Kupang on the Soe road. Mixing with L.molucca, P.montanus and L.quinticolor. Also
5 at the El Tari airport on 23/11.
Five-coloured Munia Lonchura
quinticolor
Four birds near the village of Bipolo. Small flocks totaling c.35
birds, observed in the dry rice-fields at Km16 from Kupang on the Soe road.
Mixing with L.molucca, P.montanus and L.punctulata.
Tree Sparrow Passer
montanus
Abundant in Kupang and present in all the villages passed on the main road
to the 3 locations. At Km16 on the Kupang-Soe road, large numbers were seen
feeding in the dry rice-fields with the three Lonchura species.
Short-tailed Starling Aplonis
minor
A total of 6 birds observed at BIP. Flocks of 3 and 2 and a single bird.
Olive-brown Oriole Oriolus
melanotis
Three birds at CAM and at least 8 birds at BIP.
Timor Figbird Sphecotheres
viridis
A total of 5 birds observed at BIP. Single bird seen mobbing a Wallacean
Drongo Dicrurus densus.
Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus densus
Two birds at Cam and also 2 birds at BIP.
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus
leucorhynchos
Four birds at BIP.
Large-billed Crow Corvus
macrorhynchos
A single bird near Oesao on 22/11.
References:
Pizzey G. & Knight F. 1997, Birds of Australia, HarperCollins Publishers, London
Coates B.J. & Bishop K.D. 1997, Birds of Wallacea Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Dove Publications, Alderley
Drijvers R. 2000 NTT birdsounds, cassette.
Address:
Mark Schellekens
Woloara-Ende-Kelimutu
Flores, N.T.T. 86372
Indonesia
e-mail: ljmschellekens@yahoo.com
Mobile: (0062)81339165676
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