Grand Beliem Valley: West Papua

One of several local flights we took 

within West Papua.

Lake Senteni.

On 18th September we flew to Senteni & birded around the lake area. This is quite a scenic area & it was nice to be out of the forest for a change.

Whistling Kite.

Rob Hutchinson.

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird

Crimson Finch

In the afternoon we birded a nice area of grassland, which was very pleasant.

Locals taking a selfie!

The distant Cyclops Mountains.

View from my hotel bedroom in Wamena.

The fake bar!

On 19th September we flew to Wamena & drove up a winding valley towards the fabled Snow Mountains. It was a very scenic journey & we made a few birding stops along the way.

Friendly Fantail

Greater Ground Robin.

New Guinea Thornbill

Grey-streaked Honeyeater

Orange cheeked Honeyeater

Black Sittela

White-winged Robin

Mountain Firetail

Papuan Harrier

Eurasian Kestrel of an endemic race.

Our home for the next five nights.

Home from home!

Our excellent back up team.

Mountain Swiftlet - looking a bit different from

 the fieldguide!

Western Alpine Mannakin

One of our brilliant porters.

Belford's Melidectes

 Papuan Fly-robin

Wattled Ploughbill

 A totally amazing bird!

 Hooded Cuckooshrike

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

 Chestnut Forest Rail

 Very tricky to see! it was so quick!

Singing!

One of the highlights of the trip

Lesser Melampitta

 Very secretive.