An unexpected day on Flores!

 Delana & I met up with the rest of the Heritage Expeditions people (both passengers & staff) & we were transferred to the Hyatt Regency in Sanur. A nice hotel right by the sea. 

The very pleasant tranquil gardens of the hotel.

We met a few of the passengers over drinks, then enjoyed a nice meal together. I was pleased to see there was a bird guide Mike on board. We found out that there was to be a cultural trip to Ubud the next day. Delana & I decided to opt out of this excursion & enjoy a day resting around the hotel grounds. 

Our ship, the Heritage Adventurer, has been delayed in Singapore & while this is a disappointment, the upside is that we get to spend a day on endemic rich Flores! I contacted the local bird guide Samuel & Heritage has arranged transport for us birders for the afternoon. Every cloud has a silver lining!

Very Balinese!

There is a nice walkway along the beachfront.

Delana & I enjoyed a little casual birding in late afternoon. Followed by a pleasant evening again with everyone in the restaurant.

Several species of Egrets on the pond.

Whiskered Tern

White winged Black Tern

We took the short flight to Flores on 13th October. Upon landing, we had a short look at some flood pans by the roadside. The spot was full of Egrets & many Whiskered & a few White winged Black Terns. 

Male Brown throated Sunbird

Female

Back at the hotel, we saw a couple of Brown throated Sunbirds in the garden.

In the afternoon we birded the Potawanka Road, which cuts through excellent primary hill forest. This place is obviously a top spot, but we were birding in the heat of the afternoon & the road was incredibly busy with traffic.

White-rumped Kingfisher

This is a really spectacular species!

Flame-breasted Sunbird

Male

Best birds:

Flores Green Pigeon, one flew across the road & briefly perched high in a tree. This is a tough species to see. Tengarra & White nest Swiftlets; Besra; White-rumped Kingfisher; Ornate Pitta (heard only); Helmeted Friarbird; Wallacean (Flores) Drongo; Flores Crow (heard); Russet capped Tesia (heard) & Flame throated Sunbird.

In the evening we found 3 Mees's Nightjars & a Moluccan Scops Owl, but I was unable to obtain photos.

On our return from Komodo on 14th October Mike & I did a little birding in & around the hotel gardens. It was surprisingly productive:

Greater Coucal; Blue-tailed Bee-eater; Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker; Cinereous Tit; Zitting Cisticola; Yellow-spectacled White-eye; Lemon-bellied White-eye; Black-fronted Flowerpecker & Brown Throated Sunbird.