Brilio.net/en - Bali is not all about beach, sand and sun. If you have done your fair share of exploring the island and gotten a bit tired with too many lounging sessions in a posh beach clubs, it is time to look up beyond Balis mystical land to the blue sky above.
Bird watching may be worth to try for your next escape to the island. Here are some places to do it:
1. Bali Starling Conservation by Begawan Foundation
Photo:www.begawanfoundation.org
Located inside the Green School compound 30 minutes away from Ubud, the conservation area hosts 63 of the famous Bali Starling or Jalak Bali (Leucopsar Rothschildi). Although being regarded as the mascot of Bali, the species is highly endangered.
At one point, there were thought to be only 5 birds left living in the wild, which motivated Begawan Foundation to bring back this beautiful bird to Bali. The conservation is managed by the foundation and can be visited by public as part of Green School in-house tour.
Inside this breeding center, the birds are being kept in the cages before being released as they reach maturity. Several notable figures have taking part of these bird release including the esteemed conservationist Jane Goodal and the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon during his last visit in August 2014.
Aside of the herd Bali starling, the breeding center also host the quirky Rangkong bird or hornbill, which also native to Bali with her look-alike sibling can be found in Borneo as well. These unusual looking (and sounding) birds might be a thrilling sight and education for the little ones.
2. The home of the holy heron in Petulu
Photo:terraceatkuta.com
This sight is almost free-of-charge and yet as entertaining and liberating as it could ever be.
Located in Petulu village, just about 3 kilometers north-east of Ubud, the magic heron resides. These flocks of herons are magical as they would fly out of the village every morning and yet still find ways to fly back home as the sun sets.
They do this every single day at the same time, resembling the workers routine of coming home after working hours. And bizarrely, the birds only occupy the line of trees by the main road, and nowhere else in the village. The residents have tried to move the herds to other trees at the back of the village. But their efforts saw no success. The heron just love their home trees by the main road and remains unmoved until now.
These heron colonies are said to be holy. History recorded that, at first, there was no heron ever found in Petulu. However the situation changed exactly in 1965, couple days after the horrendous communist tragedy in Indonesia. The villagers believe that the herons are the reincarnation of thousands of Balinese who were killed during the anticommunist massacre in Indonesia during the year. In Bali alone, 80.000 people were killed within two weeks of the tumultuous event.
The best time to check out this natural phenomenon is by sunset. Ticket is available for 15K per person to get into the village. Sit back across the tress amidst the glowing rice fields, and in no time you will see a herd of Herons flew in from the west. They would do a mini a show-off acrobatic circle before each securing their spot the trees.
Together, they create a fascinating sight with their white furs dotting the green lush trees.
3. Enjoying the wild at West Bali National Park
Photo:bernardbaliadvisor.com
If you have plenty of time to spare and wanted to escape the hustle bustle of the usual Bali scape, then head up to the West Bali National Park for bird watching in the wild.
A conservation area, West Bali National Park is located in the north western tip of Bali, in a 190 square kilometer of land that encompass breathtaking natural landscapes, long beach, reefs and islets.
The park is a refugee of much Bali wildlife. It hosts 175 species of plant, 14 of which are endangered species like bayur (Pterospermum javanicum), ketangi (Lagerstroemia speciosa), and burahol (Stelechocarpus burahol), and is a home to many endangered animals including Sunda Pangolin, Indian Muntjac, Mouse-deer, Leopard Cat, Black Giant Squirrel, and non other Bali starling.
Bird-watching enthusiast can easily spot the Bali starling in the open space. At Tegal Bunder, inside the national park, it is also possible to visit the Bali starling project release center or doing trekking with certified guides to spot the starlings in the wild.
Even if bird watching is not your favorite activities, the scenic landscape of this national park is enough to indulge every sense and taste.
Contributor: Nadia Bintoro