Red-bellied (Sahul) Pitta

We had the chance of seeing three species of Pitta on this trip with all proving extremely difficult to see due to the time of year, apparently they are much easier during August and September.  The Red-bellied (Sulawesi) Pitta we only heard, the Ivory-breasted Pitta only gave two brief views so no photos and this one Red-bellied (Moluccan) Pitta eventually gave up hiding and showed well.  The taxonomy of these Red bellied's is quite complex with recent studies splitting them into 16 different species making the Sulawesi birds a different species to the one on Halmahera where this was photographed.

Common Paradise Kingfisher

Another dramatic Kingfisher, difficult to pickup in dark dense forest as it sits motionless low down making digiscoping difficult!

Moluccan Owlet Nightjar

We were suppose to have had four nights on Halmahera but unfortunately our internal flight was delayed and we missed a night which only left three.  Owlet Nightjar was a much sought after bird which we wanted to see so we were gutted when we missed it on the first night and again on the second night - we were birding when we became aware of a bad accident on the next bend, we immediately stopped birding and assisted in the aftermath where unfortunately one gentlemen died so after this very sad end to the second day our spirits were lifted when we eventually saw this stunning bird on our last night on the Island.

Ornate Cuscus

The Ornate Cuscus or Molluccan Cuscus is a marsupial and endemic to Indonesia - this one was photographed on Halmahera.

Sulawesi Scops Owl

After a few attempts at various sites finally managed to get shots of Sulawesi Scops Owl

Green-backed Kingfisher

Again in Tangkoko, Green-backed Kingfisher another beautiful endemic of Sulawesi

Tangkoko

Tangkoko in Northern Sulawesi is amazing - the Tarsiers, the Black Macaque monkeys, Maleo birds, Cuscus and the Hornbills make this their habitat - great for photography here's a few more starting with Bear Cuscus which I can't decide whether it's ugly or cute

Black Macaque

Red-backed Thrush

Ochre-bellied Boobook

Three of these stunning owls were found roosting during the day - strange in appearance with marble like eyes

Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher

This birding trip was arranged independently for 18 days including travel, it took some arranging as 7 internal flights were required but despite all the travelling we managed to see everything we wanted and more including 13 species of Kingfisher - here's the smallest!

Spectral Tarsier

Two of these beautiful little creatures were seen at Tangkoko in Northern Sulawesi

The wanderer returns

Finally after a few delayed and missed flights Wayne and Neil returned home from Sulawesi and Halmahera today - 5000 photos to go through and he's back at work tomorrow so it will be a slow job getting them on here but here's one to be going on with - Wallace's Standardwing, the bird that Wayne has always wanted to see and the highlight of the trip.

Lunar Hornet Moth - Sesia bembeciformis

What a brilliant find by Adrian Jaques at Messingham this morning - a clearwing moth - always wanted to see one and couldn't believe my luck when it was still there this afternoon, apologies for all the images but it is a truly amazing creature - still can't comprehend that it is a moth!  First image taken by Adrian this morning the rest by myself this afternoon.