Lore Lindu National Park

Montane forest, Anaso track
Photo by wintibird, October 2014

Asia, Indonesia

Overview

Lore Lindu National Park is located in central Sulawesi and consists of lowland and montane rainforest. It covers 2,180 km². Most birdwatchers visit the park from August to October.

Birds

Sedoa Valley
Photo by wintibird, October 2014

More than 70 Sulawesi endemics can be found in the park.

Notable Species

This park is the best if not only place to see some of the endemics of the island of Sulawesi. Geomalia, Hylocitrea, Malia, Cinnabar Boobook, Scaly Kingfisher, Pygmy Cuckooshrike, Dark-eared Myza, White-eared Myza, Maroon-backed Whistler, .... the list is long.
However, most species occur in low densities and need time to find. Be sure to spend several days here and also plan to do Anaso track maybe twice.

Check-list

Danau Tambing
Photo by wintibird, October 2014

Birds you can see here include:

Spotted Whistling Duck, Red-backed Buttonquail, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Sulawesi Woodcock, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Sulawesi Goshawk, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Small Sparrowhawk, Sulawesi Hawk Eagle, Spotted Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Sulawesi Masked Owl, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Cinnabar Boobook, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Satanic Nightjar, Great Eared Nightjar, Uniform Swiftlet, Sulawesi Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Purple Needletail, Pacific Swift, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Sulawesi Cuckoo, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Lesser Coucal, Green-backed Kingfisher, Scaly Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Common Emerald Dove, Sulawesi Ground Dove, Red-eared Fruit Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon, Sombre Pigeon, Yellow-and-green Lorikeet, Golden-mantled Racket-tail, Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Cerulean Cuckooshrike, Pygmy Cuckooshrike, Sulawesi Cicadabird, White-rumped Triller, Citrine Canary-Flycatcher, Rusty-bellied Fantail, Maroon-backed Whistler, Yellow-vented Whistler, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Golden-headed Cisticola, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Island Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Blue-fronted Flycatcher, Great Shortwing, Sulawesi Thrush, Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Sulawesi Leaf Warbler, White-breasted Woodswallow, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Short-tailed Starling, White-necked Myna, Fiery-browed Myna, Grosbeak Starling, Sulawesi Drongo, Black-naped Oriole, Piping Crow, Sulawesi Babbler, Malia, Geomalia, Dark-eared Myza, White-eared Myza, Sulawesi Myzomela, Black Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Mountain White-eye, Lemon-bellied White-eye, Black-fronted White-eye, Streak-headed White-eye, Scaly-breasted Munia, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Hylocitrea, Mountain Serin

Other Wildlife

Tonkean Macaque can be seen. Other mammals are very hard to find.

Site Information

History and Use

The park has been created to protect the forest and the cultural heritage of the region (especially the granite megaliths). However, deforestation and illegal logging and land encroachement for agriculture are big threats today. The park is badly protected and the law not enforced. Recently the road to Wuasa has been upgraded and more human activity in the park is to be expected.

Areas of Interest

Anaso Track

This old logging track leads from the pass up to Gunung Rore Kautimbu (ca 2300m). The track is no longer drivable. It's best to start 1 or 2 hours before dawn to reach the higher forest in time. Doing the track is essential for Mountain Serin, Geomalia, White-eared Myza, Satanic Nightjar, Sombre Pigeon, Hylocitrea and Maroon-backed Whistler. Watch out for roosting Satanic Nightjar in open, rocky places. Geomalia is usually seen on the path, walk slowly and attentive. You will need a full day for the track. Take enough water and food with you.

Pass (Danau Tambing)

Most birds can be seen walking along the road around Danau Tambing (Lake Tambing). You can also look out for birds at the camping ground and the lake. There is not much traffic. Early morning is most rewarding, during the afternoon you will hardly see any birds at all.

Sedoa Valley

This narrow valley between the pass and Wuasu is a good spot for lowland species. Swiftlets can be seen hunting over the river and some open-country species have colonised the area due to the ongoing deforestation. On the church in the first village south of the pass a Sulawesi Masked Owl can be seen sometimes at night.

Access and Facilities

The park can be reached by road from Palu. Palu has a domestic airport with several flights, including a direct flight from Jakarta and others from Makassar.
You need about 4 to 5 hours by car to reach Wuasa, where most birders stay. There is no public transport.
Accomodation can be found in Wuasa in the Sedoa Valley (south of the park). Alternatively there is a camping ground on the pass with basic accomodities.

Contact Details

Forest Departement
Jl. Mawar Nr. 10
Palu, Central Sulawesi
Tel./Fax. : +62-451-423608

External Links

• Official Website of Forest Departement
• Lore Lindu on Google Maps

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