Gunung Gede

This was our ‘big’ day as we left the hotel at 3.30am and drove to the parking area for the hike up into the forested slopes of Gunung Gede. Upon arrival we quickly nailed Sunda Scops Owl, an adult and a juvenile being found very easily thanks to Boas’ night-time thermal imaging camera – no need for tape-playing or wafting a spotlight around! 

Sunda Scoops Owl

And then the walk began in earnest as the trail took us steadily upward on an uneven path made from rocks. It was hard going on our feet and knees and we took it very slowly, getting surprisingly sweaty rather quickly despite the cool early morning air. After about half an hour the same thermal-imaging camera paid dividends when a Javan Frogmouth was found perched right out in the open on a hanging vine not far from the trail. Nice! 

Javan Frogmouth

We yomped a bit from here in order to get to the lowest altitude you can find Javan Scops Owl, but we unfortunately dipped despite a bird coming right in to the tape and calling loudly from extremely close distance but it still managed to elude us. And then we walked up to the first shelter opposite a small lake where we had our breakfast and some hot coffee. This site turned up very obliging Eye-browed Wren-Babbler and Pygmy Cupwing, as well as our first of many Javan Whistling-Thrushes in what was a very productive session. 

Not too far away we had a confiding Lesser Shortwing right beside the path that gave repeated views, and we also saw Mountain Tailorbird, a flock of Sunda Minivets, our first Javan Fulvetta, a flock of skulking Crescent-chested Babblers and a Sunda Warbler singing its heart out from 5 feet away at eye-level. The walk continued ever upwards, steep in some parts and easier in others, and we soon added Fire-tufted Barbet to our list, saw a nice Mountain Leaf Warbler and a pair of Javan Heleia as well. 

This fine wee beastie is a Sunda Warbler

At the trail intersection, we walked towards the waterfall with a Javan Hawk-Eagle soaring high overhead, as well as a fine Indigo Flycatcher, a pair of close Trilling Shrike-Babblers, and a pair of Sunda Forktails. After another cup of coffee and a rest below the falls the really hard walk began as we headed up to the second shelter where we were meeting our porter and our lunch! 

Indigo Flycatcher

Record shot of Javan Hawk-Eagle - wasn't expecting to see this here!

Trilling Shrike-Babbler

Boy is it steep from here but we still added a fine Javan Tesia to our list, as well as a close pair of Pied Shrike-Babblers just a few feet away from us and a stonking Rufous-tailed Fantail. Lunch was enlivened by Javan Shortwing and an inquisitive Javan Whistling-Thrush before making our decent and failing miserably to find Javan Trogon. 

The dull, overcast conditions caused havoc with my camera and trying to get a decent true colour of Javan Whistling-Thrush!

A Sunda Cuckoo and Sunda Blue Robin right at the death ended proceedings. The cold beers at the restaurant never tasted so good this evening!