Our three-week trip to the southern Moluccas and far eastern Lesser Sundas kicked off today with a morning in the field on the Indonesian island of Ambon. Our group proved popular with the locals as we checked out the scrub patches along Tulahu Road.
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| Lazuli Kingfisher |
The highlight of the morning was a pair of fine Lazuli Kingfishers. This species is endemic to Ambon and neighbouring Seram and can be difficult to find, so it was nice to have it under our belts so early in the trip.
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| Lazuli Kingfisher - female left, male right |
We also managed excellent views of Ambon White-eye, the only bird endemic to Ambon. We saw individual white-eyes in two spots along the road through secondary forest.
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| Slaty Flycatcher |
Slaty Flycatcher, a Moluccan endemic, was common. Other species included Moluccan and Metallic Starlings, Superb and Claret-breasted Fruit-Doves, Seram (Spanged) Drongo, Black-breasted (Olive-backed) and Black Sunbirds, Ashy Flowerpecker (endemic to Ambon and Seram), Red-cheeked Parrot, Seram Swiftlet, Uniform and Glossy Swiftlets, Collared Kingfisher, Seram Golden Bulbul (endemic to Ambon and Seram), Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Arctic Warbler and Spectacled Monarch.
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| Metallic Starling |
wow - those kingfishers would've been such a thrill too
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