An expedition to Damar Island, South West Maluku, Indonesia: 2The Damar Flycatcher has been observed repeatedly along the forest edge in an area targeted for further conversion to garden plots (usually an area 50 m by 70 m is cleared). Spending time at forest edge scanning the rattan understorey and potential perches below 3 m is a good place to begin a search for this species. Damar Flycatcher is widespread here, and learning its sibilant whistle will greatly assist detection. Male birds are far easier to observe, females often present with males but skulking within dense rattan. There are no well-marked forest trails so it is necessary to follow hunter-guides who know the forest. Olive-headed Lorikeet Trichoglossus euteles (Nuri hijau) will be heard frequently flying rapidly over the canopy, the less common Blue-streaked Lory (Asturi, Nuri biru or Nur Mer-mer) occasionally so. While the canopy is full of forest pigeons, the understorey and subcanopy often seem empty of birds other than the ubiquitous Spectacled Monarch. However Golden Whistlers, White-bellied Whistlers, particularly the females, are often seen skulking low in bushes or even hopping along the forest floor. Orange-sided Thrush can be observed daily, but getting a view of Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans amongst the dense understorey will prove more difficult. Similarly, the Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis was recorded here several times but is not confiding.
Kumur area (Kwai Protection Forest) The easiest place to observe Damar Flycatcher during the 2001 survey was the lush semi-evergreen forest south of Kumur, but actually owned by Kwai village. Kumur is an interesting 3 h (7 km) walk from Wulur, but taking a motor boat (1 h) costing c. $US 2 if public transport or c. $US 10 if a charter, is recommended. Kumur sits on the western side of the Ayerkota River (the largest on the island) with the village of Bebar Barat 100 m away on the opposite bank. The forest is accessed by walking from the village for about 3 km (1 h), much of this along the scenic Ayerkota valley. Habitat along the valley includes some secondary forest, relatively extensive dense canegrass along the river, and coconut and clove plantations. It appears to have potential for rails, warblers and waterbirds, although apart from Pacific Reef Egret none were observed during recent work. Good views can be obtained of forest on steep slopes along the length of the valley with Brahminy Kites and flocks of frigatebirds Fregata spp soaring above. Blue-tailed Imperial Pigeons glide down from the ridges and Olive-headed Lorikeet is very common in flowering coconuts. Birds are under lower hunting pressure here than Wulur (where there are many air rifles) with the Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt (Hibla manu) calling frequently from mangroves close to Kumur village. Another garden lodge is a useful base for walks to the adjacent forest where Orange-sided Thrush, Emerald Dove, Rufous-sided Gerygone, Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis (Manu metan) and Green-cheeked Bronze Cuckoo are frequently observed. After entering forest Damar Flycatcher is often seen while walking along the well-marked forest trails, usually perched on lianas or saplings 12 m above ground, where they sit silently scanning the ground below and any bare surfaces for insects. When a prey item is observed they wing-flap in apparent excitement, then fly to ground and forage amongst litter, or glean insects from shrubs or tree trunks. Their weak whistled call can be widely heard throughout the forest. The Blue-streaked Lory (Kasturi) may be observed feeding on the flowers of the Salawaku tree or Jambu air (Syzygium sp), but more usually flying at speed over the canopy. Cinnamon-collared Kingfisher and Elegant Pitta may occasionally be seen. Barn Owl Tyto alba (Uru) screech at night from the garden camp where they hunt the abundant rats, Rattus argentiventer. After finishing with forest observations, more working of the modified habitats along the Ayerkota River valley is a likely area to add new species for the island. Batumerah Specialities in the Batumerah forest include Cinnamon-collared Kingfisher (likely to be observed perched above the river), Orange-sided Thrush, Elegant Pitta, Metallic Pigeon (they drink from the river in early morning), Black-banded Fruit Dove, Orange-footed Scrubfowl and perhaps Barred-necked Cuckoo Dove. Only a single individual of the latter was recorded in 2001, but it is likely to have been under-recorded. There are no marked forest trails but walking along the rocky river channel, or with a local hunter who knows the area is a good way to explore. Unfortunately, there is active forest conversion to agricultural plots, with several being created further upstream during the survey. Terbang Utara and Terbang Selatan Green Turtle Chelonia mydas nest on the beaches at night and the nocturnal calls of the Turtle Bird (Urur Penu) or Beach Thick-knee are a sign for local people that turtles are nesting. Beach Thick-knee is common on both islands (perhaps 1030 individuals on each). It can be observed throughout the day foraging on beaches and exposed rock platforms, feeding on barnacles and molluscs. There is a roosting colony of Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor and Lesser Frigatebird F. ariel on Terbang Selatan said to sometimes number in the 1000s (about 100 individuals in 2001). In addition, the abundance of several species is much greater here than on Damar. The Orange-footed Scrubfowl is exceptionally abundant (35 pairs observed per hour), as are Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Black-banded Fruit Dove and Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, whereas White-tufted Honeyeater was surprisingly rare.
Conservation Damar Island lies in a global biological hotspot, the Banda Sea Islands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 165: Stattersfield et al. 1998). This EBA harbours 18 endemic and 41 restricted-range bird species. Damar, supporting more restricted-range birds than Sumba (an island more than 50 times larger) is of high conservation interest with its single endemic Damar Flycatcher, near threatened Blue-streaked Lory and other globally restricted forest birds such as Orange-sided Thrush and Cinnamon-collared Kingfisher, demanding the greatest attention (see Table 1). With 70-80% (140-160 km2) of the island still covered in semi-evergreen and dry tropical forest there appears little threat to these species in the near future. However, small-scale logging carried out by local people, and increasing forest clearance for crops to feed a slowly rising human population will continue to place low-level pressure on the forest. As on the Sangihe and Talaud Islands (after Wardill and Riley 1999) showing that birds and forest are important in their right by visiting the island and paying local guides is one way that the Damarese can see tangible benefits of their forest stewardship. Understandably they find it difficult to believe why anyone would travel thousands of kilometres to see birds on their island. Three restricted-range species went unrecorded during the survey; Kai Cicadabird Coracina dispar, Black-bibbed Monarch Monarcha mundus and Tricolored Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor. Any new information to assist our understanding of the status of these and other interesting species such as the newly reported Barred-necked Cuckoo Dove and Shining Starling Aplonis metallica would be useful. Research priorities for the Damar Flycatcher include a census to assess its population size and distribution, although it is now considered common and widespread in forest and under little threat of extinction. Bibliography
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