ULTIMATE SUMATRA TOUR REPORT 2024

20 / 24 July - 15 August 2024

by Pete Morris

Our 2024 tour to Sumatra was a brilliant success! A great and enthusiastic group, largely good weather, and, other than the odd re-arranged flight, good logistics, all helped, allowing us to find nearly all of our target birds. Enggano and Nias were not part of our itinerary, and of the remaining endemics, we saw all but two, one of which we heard! Our bird of the trip was undoubtedly the fantastic Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, and we enjoyed unbelievable encounters with this species on two occasions. Nightbirds were conspicuous, with unforgettable encounters with Oriental Bay Owl, Large, Sumatran, Gould’s and Sunda Frogmouths, Salvadori’s and Bonaparte’s Nightjars, and a host of other owls including Simeulue, Mentawai, Rajah and Reddish Scops Owls. We did brilliantly for gamebirds with top views of Sumatran, Red-billed and Roll’s Partridges, Bronze-tailed Peacock-Pheasant and Salvadori’s Pheasant and the pittas also performed with endemic Schneider’s and Graceful Pittas giving great views, and we also found Malayan Banded, Western Hooded and Blue-winged Pittas! In fact the highlights are too many to mention, but other memorable sightings included Storm’s and Milky Storks, point-blank Red-legged Crake, the brilliant Sumatran Woodpecker, the rare Aceh Bulbul, an amazingly obliging Marbled Wren-Babbler and the stunning Sumatran Wren-Babbler. In addition, the islands produced all the hoped-for goodies including good numbers of the rare Silvery Pigeon. All in all, it was a superb trip!

We began with a pre-tour visit to Way Titias. This entailed a relatively straightforward walk in, a couple of nights camping, and a wander out. The main objective was to find the apparently tricky Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, and we achieved this on the first morning with outrageous views of a pair of these magnificent creatures. We ended up walking around the forest with one of the individuals for an hour, often just a few metres away, and left it happily feeding. It was quite literally the tamest bird in the forest; totally out of character for this species, but we were not complaining!! We worked hard on some other goodies here, in particular the scarce Sumatran Partridge, eventually getting some great views, though sadly we only managed to hear Long-billed Partridge. Other highlights included an obliging Graceful Pitta, Sunda Owlet, Sumatran Babbler and a number of other species that are scarce or absent on the main tour such as Chestnut-naped Forktail, Streaked and Ruby-throated Bulbuls, Brown Fulvetta, the attractive Maroon-breasted Philentoma, Spotted Fantail and White-tailed and Pale Blue Flycatchers. We also saw a good number of other interesting species that we were to see again on the main tour.

After a hugely successful few days we met up with the rest of the group and headed for Way Kambas, arriving at our very comfortable lodge after dark. Way Kambas has a reputation for being great for nightbirds, and we exploited this with plenty of sessions looking! A fantastic Oriental Bay Owl at point blank range was perhaps the best, but the supporting cast included great views of Gould’s, Large and Sunda Frogmouths (the latter two seen at nests), the rare Bonaparte’s Nightjar, Buffy Fish Owl, Brown Boobook and Reddish and Sunda Scops Owls, not to mention Eastern Barn Owls in the nearby village and Large-tailed, Savanna and Malaysian Eared Nightjars! Whilst looking, we also found a few roosting birds including a brilliant Red-legged Crake, two Malayan Banded Pittas, Western Hooded Pitta, and Rufous-backed and Ruddy Kingfishers!

Daytime birding was also good, and by mostly walking along a broad track we gradually built up an impressive list of superb lowland Sundaic species. All lowland forest can be slow at times, but as usual, persistence paid off. Particular favourites included a fine male Olive-backed Woodpecker, two Malaysian Honeyguides, smart Red-crowned Barbets, colourful Red-naped, Diard’s and Scarlet-rumped Trogons, stunning Rufous-collared and Banded Kingfishers, a fabulous Red-bearded Bee-eater and a suite of great broadbills, namely Banded, Black-and-yellow, Dusky and electric-coloured Green Broadbills. Along the track we encountered a flock of Crested Partridges, Red Junglefowl, lovely Malay Crested Firebacks, Storm’s Storks and Common Emerald Doves. Fruiting trees held Green Imperial Pigeons and Little Green Pigeons, and on one occasion a flock of Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeons flew by. Canopy flocks harboured another set of species which included Green Iora, Scarlet and Fiery Minivets, Dark-throated Oriole, Lesser Cuckooshrikes, Greater Green, Lesser Green and Blue-winged Leafbirds and Red-throated Sunbirds, and a good number of bulbul species were found along the track. Woodpeckers were well represented, and included the diminutive Rufous Piculet, and Buff-rumped, Buff-necked, Orange-backed, White-bellied, Checker-throated and Banded Woodpeckers. Clumsy Raffles, Red-billed and much-wanted Chestnut-bellied Malkohas moved through the canopy, from which Violet and Banded Bay Cuckoos sang. In the undergrowth and mid-storey we found Grey-chested Jungle-Flycatcher, Rufous-winged Philentoma, a couple of Rufous-tailed Shamas and a fine array of babblers which included the smart Sunda Scimitar Babbler, musical Sooty-capped, Rufous-crowned, Scaly-crowned and Moustached Babblers, attractive Chestnut-rumped, Chestnut-winged and Ferruginous Babblers, the endemic Sumatran Babbler, ground-dwelling Mourning and Malayan Black-capped Babblers, and the charismatic Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler. Along the rivers we found a Lesser Adjutant, Stork-billed, Cerulean and Blue-eared Kingfishers, Black-and-red Broadbill, the water-loving Malayan Swamp Babbler, and colourful Malaysian Blue Flycatchers, whilst other miscellaneous species of interest included a Black-thighed Falconet, Blue-rumped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Sooty Barbet, vocal Black Magpies, Common Hill Myna, Ashy and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds, Purple-naped Spiderhunter, and colourful Van Hasselt’s and Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds. Nearer to our lodge, we found Javan Munia and Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, and saw Spectacled and Yellow-eared Spiderhunters very well. Quite a haul really, and plenty to reflect on as we made our way to Padang, via a couple of flights!

Our next stop was the Mentawai Islands and the following morning we were on the largely uneventful journey over to Sipora and checked in to our reasonably comfortable lodge. Our explorations of Sipora were successful, and despite the rapid and ongoing clearance of the forest, we found all of our targets. Nocturnal excursions yielded many great views of the endemic Mentawai Scops Owl and the local (as yet undescribed) form of Sunda Frogmouth. We got some great looks at a couple of pairs of Mentawai Malkohas, and found numerous (Barusan) Olive-winged Bulbuls, several Barusan Cuckoo-Doves and the local and distinctive (Mentawai) Crested Serpent Eagle. Other local forms included very distinct forms of Ashy and Hair-crested Drongos (both likely splits) and the local (Barusan) Thick-billed Pigeon which proved elusive though we found it in the end. More widespread species noted (many of which are represented by endemic subspecies) included Violet Cuckoo, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Green and Pied Imperial Pigeons, Whiskered and Grey-rumped Treeswifts, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Black-naped Tern, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Mangrove Whistler, Black-naped Monarch, Black-naped and Dark-throated Orioles, Black-headed Bulbul, Ashy Tailorbird, Asian Glossy Starling, Orange-bellied and Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers, Crimson Sunbird and White-headed Munia. Some of us also saw another Red-legged Crake. We also managed to see Siberut Flying Squirrel and heard the rare Kloss’s Gibbon. Sadly, local culture dictates that the hunting of primates is an integral part of life on these islands so all primates are rare and exceedingly shy!

The ferry back yielded a few Bintangs and Bridled Terns, and the following day we made our way from Padang to Kayu Aro, our base for exploring the endemic-rich Gunung Kerinci. We settled in to our comfortable hotel, ready for some tough birding on Gunung Kerinci. Copious trapping and forest clearance has made many of the birds unfeasibly shy and difficult to find, and this, coupled with the nature of the terrain, and the disproportionate percentage of skulkers and tough birds, means that seeing the goodies on Kerinci requires time, effort and a little luck. We had three and a half days and some tough walking to explore the mountain, and again, came away with an excellent haul! Top birds included two stunning Rajah Scops Owls, a brilliant daytime Sumatran Frogmouth, Salvadori’s Nightjar, amazing views of Schneider’s Pittas (at least four), Salvadori’s Pheasants, Bronze-tailed Peacock Pheasant and Red-billed Partridge (all at close range), stunning Sumatran Trogons, brilliant Rusty-breasted and Sumatran Wren-Babblers, and confiding Shiny and Brown-winged Whistling Thrushes. We had to climb a little higher to find endemic Sumatran Blue Robin and Sumatran Shortwing, and higher still for Rufous-vented Niltava, attractive Orange-spotted Bulbuls, Sumatran Owlet and Fire-tufted Barbet, though sadly we only heard Sumatran Cochoa. We also saw many more widespread species. Mixed flocks consisting of Mountain Leaf Warblers, delightful Sunda Warblers, White-throated Fantails, Black-capped and Warbling White-eyes, Sumatran Flowerpeckers, and Temminck’s Sunbirds were joined by roving Grey-throated, Golden and striking Spot-necked Babblers. Higher in the canopy, Sunda and Grey-throated Minivets fed with White-browed Shrike Babblers, as well as striking Blue Nuthatches and a variety of hyperactive squirrels. We also had good looks at confiding Eye-browed Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Cupwing, Lesser Shortwing and numerous Snowy-browed Flycatchers, and were frequently entertained by Mitred Leaf Monkeys and vocal Siamangs.

On our final day at Kerinci, most of the group headed off in search of Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, though those on the pre-tour put in a last effort for the cochoa. It was heard again, at close range, though sadly, no cigar! Mountain Scops Owl provided some compensation! Those of us that went for the cuckoo were kept waiting for a while, but then treated to another unbelievable performance from this brilliant species, as a Sumatran Ground Cuckoo sang in front of us in full view! A good variety of other localized species were seen too, including Sumatran Drongos (complete with horns!), Cream-striped, Spot-necked and Sumatran Bulbuls, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush and Sumatran Treepie, as well as Banded Bay Cuckoo, Black and Blyth’s Hawk Eagles, Gold-whiskered and Black-browed Barbets and, as we were leaving, the much-wanted Ruby-throated Bulbul.

From our comfortable base in Sungai Penuh (tourist infrastructure really has improved in the last decade and most accommodation is now pretty good!) we had a day and a half to explore the hill forests along the Tapan Road, birding at slightly lower altitudes than at Kerinci, right down to the lowlands. Sadly no tiger this time, but some great birds! Perhaps the ultimate highlight was an unbelievably confiding Marbled Wren-Babbler, which showed off just a few metres away! We also had good looks at an immature Graceful Pittas and saw plenty more Sumatra Treepies and Cream-striped and Spot-necked Bulbuls. We eventually found Sumatran Green Pigeons at a fruiting tree, and saw numerous Little Cuckoo-Doves, a Barred Cuckoo-Dove, the awkward Green-billed Malkoha, Silver-rumped Spinetail, Crested Honey Buzzard, Rufous-bellied Eagle, some excellent Rhinoceros Hornbills, Black-browed, Black-eared and more Fire-tufted Barbets, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Black-and-crimson Oriole, Sunda Cuckooshrike, the smart Blue-winged Leafbird (the endemic subspecies has a lot of yellow on the head), Cinereous, Hairy-backed, Ochraceous, Spectacled, Scaly-breasted and Grey-bellied Bulbuls, Sangkar White-eye, Horsfield’s and smart Grey-headed Babblers, Sunda Forktail, and Fulvous-chested Jungle-Flycatcher. It’s one of those areas where you always feel there was more to see!

After a final morning on the Tapan Road, we made the rather long, slow and tedious drive back to Padang. It’s not that the roads are bad, just relatively narrow and busy, so average speeds are low. However, we did get to enjoy a fine meal that evening, and a night in a (relatively) luxurious hotel!

The following day was a pretty easy one as we flew up to Medan to another comfortable hotel. Flights dictated that we had to stay overnight in Medan, but rather than do nothing, we decided to head out to the coast to look for Milky Stork and to boost the list. This we managed well, with great views of about 20 Milky Storks, at least three, perhaps five, summer plumaged Asiatic Dowitchers, numerous Terek Sandpipers, large flocks of Eurasian Curlews, and a good variety of other terns, waders and herons.

The following day flight changes dictated that we had to fly to Bandar Aceh, meaning that the whole day was spent travelling to Meulaboh, our base from which to explore the Gunung Leuser Ecosystem. Our two days there were very successful, despite the fact that much of the second day was washed out by persistent rain! We were very targeted in our efforts, and began at dawn looking for the now very rare (through trapping) Aceh Bulbul. Birds close to the road have been trapped out, so it required some good scope work down a precipitous grassy slope to locate this rarity, with good views for all in the end. Moving on we found Black Laughingthrushes and then a group of Sunda Laughingthrushes loosely associated with a pair of the rare and shy Sumatran Laughingthrush which gave some decent views though you had to be quick. A stunning Sumatran Woodpecker was much more obliging, and we went on to find a fine pair of Sumatran Leafbirds and later, a superb and showy group of Roll’s Partridges. Other species seen during the day included Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Speckled Piculet, a pair of attractive Yellow-breasted Warblers, and more Sumatran Drongos. By the following morning we were really just lacking the endemic Blue-masked Leafbird (as Sumatran Mesia seems to have all but gone from this area), and after a tense wait for the rain to stop, we found it, with some great looks. Other species found in the area included some smart Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Red-headed Trogon, Bar-winged Prinia, and Indigo, Little Pied and Rufous-browed Flycatchers. We also saw a number of the montane endemics already seen at Gunung Kerinci.

We flew out from Meulaboh the following morning, but once again, due to flight schedules, had an afternoon in Medan, so once again explored the coast at Percut. Here we were again impressed with the huge numbers of shorebirds present, and saw as many as 40 Milky Storks, many at close range!

The final leg of our tour saw us visiting the pleasant island of Simeulue. Simeulue is a popular island with surfers, and we took advantage of this, staying in a very pleasant surf camp and commuting to and from the birding sites. Again, habitat destruction was rife, though on this island the reason was that much of the native forest was being converted to oil palm plantations! Another ecological catastrophe, but fortunately fragments of habitat remained and these still held the species that we were after! Top of our hit list was the endearing Simeulue Scops Owl, and this cute little owl gave us little trouble, granting us fabulous views! The endemic Simeulue Parrot was scoped, and the globally rare Silvery Pigeon was found in surprisingly good numbers, with many good looks. Other interesting species included the distinctive (Simeulue) Crested Serpent Eagle, the isolated local form of Great Eared Nightjar, the small and vocally distinct form of White-bellied Woodpecker (surely a likely split) and the plain-grey form of Ashy Drongo, so different from those further south in the Mentawai Islands. We also found a variety of more widespread species (many of which are represented by endemic subspecies) including Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Barusan and Little Cuckoo-Doves, Thick-billed Pigeon (normal red bill base here), numerous Green and a few Pied Imperial Pigeons, Violet Cuckoo, Brown-winged Kingfisher, the local form of Red-breasted Parakeet, Bar-bellied and Lesser Cuckooshrikes, Fiery and Scarlet Minivets, Black-naped Oriole, Sunda Crow, the amazingly bright local form of Black-naped Monarch, Oriental Magpie-Robin (still fairly common here considering how heavily trapped they are in most areas) and some brilliant Copper-throated Sunbirds. Open areas added Zitting Cisticola and Paddyfield Pipit! We also saw the stocky local form of Long-tailed Macaque, another likely split!

It had been a great and successful finale to the trip, and as we boarded our plane to Medan, and flew over the endemic-rich inaccessible (thankfully) montane forests below us, we could reflect back on a brilliantly successful tour to this diverse and endemic-rich part of Indonesia. Let’s hope this superb destination continues to deliver in years to come, despite the immense human pressure on the habitats and wildlife!

BIRDS OF THE TOUR

1^st SUMATRAN GROUND CUCKOO

2^nd ORIENTAL BAY OWL

3^rd MARBLED WREN-BABBLER

4^th Roll’s Partridge

5^th Sumatran Woodpecker

6^th Rajah Scops Owl

7^th Large Frogmouth & Red-billed Partridge

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.2) (this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created).

Species only seen on the pre-tour extension to Way Titias are marked (E).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

BIRDS

Ferruginous Partridge ◊  Caloperdix oculeus   Heard distantly a couple of times [ocellatus].

Crested Partridge ◊  Rollulus rouloul   Decent looks at a group of 6+ crossing the track (including a male that lingered) in Way Kambas NP.

Red-billed Partridge ◊  Arborophila rubrirostris   Brilliant views along the trail at Gunung Kerinci.

Roll’s Partridge ◊  Arborophila rolli   Great views of a group of 4 in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Sumatran Partridge  Arborophila sumatrana (E)  Seen on four occasions at Way Titias. Generally very difficult to see well, we got great looks in the end!

Long-billed Partridge ◊  Rhizothera longirostris (E)  Heard a few times at Way Titias but did not come close!

Salvadori’s Pheasant ◊  Lophura inornata   Two females seen brilliantly at Gunung Kerinci [nominate].

Malayan Crested Fireback  Lophura rufa   A few seen well, including a roosting male, in Way Kambas NP.

Bronze-tailed Peacock-Pheasant ◊ (Sumatran P-P)  Polyplectron chalcurum   Three, including a male, seen brilliantly at Gunung Kerinci [scutulatum].

Red Junglefowl  Gallus gallus   A few seen well along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [bankiva].

Malaysian Eared Nightjar ◊  Lyncornis temminckii   Good views of one at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension. Also seen well, responding to playback, in Way Kambas NP.

Great Eared Nightjar  Lyncornis macrotis   Brilliant views of 2 of the endemic form on Simeulue [jacobsoni].

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus   A few, first seen well around the fringes of Way Kambas NP [bimaculatus].

Savanna Nightjar  Caprimulgus affinis   A few seen well around the fringes of Way Kambas NP. Also one seen well at Percut [nominate].

Bonaparte’s Nightjar ◊  Caprimulgus concretus   One seen well, at Way Kambas NP.

Salvadori’s Nightjar ◊  Caprimulgus pulchellus   Decent spotlight views of a calling bird in the canopy at Gunung Kerinci. White in wings and tail visible [nominate].

Large Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus auritus   Great views of an adult on the nest daily in Way Kambas NP. Also a begging juvenile seen well along the track.

Gould’s Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus stellatus   Great views of one in Way Kambas NP.

Sumatran Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus poliolophus   Brilliant views of a roosting bird on two days near to at Gunung Kerinci. Also heard at night.

Sunda Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus cornutus   Great views of a breeding pair daily in the garden of our lodge by Way Kambas NP. Also a pair seen well along the track there [nominate]. A couple of the little-known (and perhaps undescribed Mentawai Islands form), seen well on Sipora.

Grey-rumped Treeswift  Hemiprocne longipennis  Two forms noted: harterti on the mainland and perlonga on Sipora and Simeulue.

Whiskered Treeswift  Hemiprocne comata   Plenty seen well [nominate].

Plume-toed Swiftlet  Collocalia affinis   Plenty seen well, including one inside Meulaboh Airport [nominate].

Edible-nest Swiftlet  Aerodramus fuciphagus   Birds assumed to be this species, with pale rumps, first seen in Way Kambas NP. Several seen well on Sipora [vestitus]. Special buildings to facilitate harvesting their nests were everywhere, complete with sound systems to attract the birds!!

Silver-rumped Spinetail ◊  Rhaphidura leucopygialis   A few seen in Way Kambas NP. Also seen along the Tapan Road.

Brown-backed Needletail  Hirundapus giganteus   One seen at 1120m in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem. Appeared big  and assumed to be this species on timing as in theory too early for the other migrants [nominate]

Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis   One seen in Way Kambas NP [infumatus].

Greater Coucal  Centropus sinensis   Heard only in Way Kambas NP [bubutus].

Sumatran Ground Cuckoo ◊  Carpococcyx viridis   Absolutely incredible views of a pair at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension, where we even walked around with one for about an hour, down to 3 or 4 metres at times!! And then, brilliant views of one again in Kerinci Seblat NP. Not surprisingly, our bird of the trip!!

Raffles’s Malkoha  Rhinortha chlorophaea   A few seen, the first in Way Kambas NP.

Red-billed Malkoha  Zanclostomus javanicus   One seen in Way Kambas NP [pallidus].

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus curvirostris (E)  Non leader. One seen at Way Titias.

Mentawai Malkoha ◊  Phaenicophaeus oeneicaudus   Now split, we saw two pairs well on Sipora.

Chestnut-bellied Malkoha ◊  Phaenicophaeus sumatranus   One seen well along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP.

Green-billed Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus tristis   A couple seen at Way Titias and seen along the Tapan Road [nominate].

Violet Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus   A male seen in Way Kambas NP and several seen well (including females/immatures) on Sipora and on Simeulue [nominate].

Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii   Several heard at various sites and one seen in Kerinci Seblat NP [fasciolatus].

Plaintive Cuckoo  Cacomantis merulinus   A few heard at various sites and a couple seen.

Sunda Brush Cuckoo  Cacomantis sepulcralis   Heard only, on the way back from the Tapan Road. Formerly Rusty-breasted Cuckoo [nominate]

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo  Surniculus lugubris   Heard only on the edge of Way Kambas NP [brachyurus].

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)  Columba livia ‘feral’  

Silvery Pigeon ◊  Columba argentina   Good numbers seen on Simeulue. Many in flight, but a few perched and showing well in the scope. Great!

Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis  [tigrina].

Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall  Great views of one at the top end of the Tapan Road. Others heard [nominate].

Barusan Cuckoo-Dove ◊  Macropygia modiglianii   A few seen on Sipora [elassa] and on Simeulue [hypopercna].

Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps   Plenty in upland areas on the mainland [sumatrana]. Also seen on Simeulue [simalurensis].

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica   Plenty seen well [nominate].

Zebra Dove  Geopelia striata  

Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon ◊  Treron fulvicollis   Decent flight views of a flock in flight at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Little Green Pigeon ◊  Treron olax   Great views of several in Way Kambas NP.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon  Treron vernans   First seen near to Way Kambas NP. Also seen on Sipora.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon  Treron curvirostra   A few seen well on Simeulue [haliplous].

Thick-billed Green Pigeon ◊ (Barusan G P)  Treron [curvirostra] hypothapsinus   Just a couple seen on Sipora [smicrus].

Sumatran Green Pigeon ◊  Treron oxyurus   Best views were along the Tapan Road.

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron sphenurus   A few seen high up at Gunung Kerinci and also seen well in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [etorques].

Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea   First seen in Way Kambas NP [polia]. Also seen on Sipora and Simeulue where we noticed their bills appeared decurved [consobrina].

Mountain Imperial Pigeon  Ducula badia   A few seen well in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Pied Imperial Pigeon  Ducula bicolor   Several seen well on Sipora and just a few seen on Simeulue.

Red-legged Crake ◊  Rallina fasciata   Excellent views of one in the spotlight found while ‘thermalling’ along near to Way Kambas NP. Also one seen to playback on Sipora.

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus   One seen in the paddies at Way Titias, a couple seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP and a few seen on Simeulue [nominate].

Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus   Non leader from the bus, near to Medan. Assumed to be this species rather than the Australasian White-headed Stilt.

Pacific Golden Plover  Pluvialis fulva   A few seen on the mudflats at Percut.

Greater Sand Plover  Anarhynchus leschenaultii  Good numbers seen at the rivermouth at Percut [nominate].

Eurasian Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus   Hundreds at the rivermouth at Percut [variegatus].

Eurasian Curlew  Numenius arquata   c1000 at the rivermouth at Percut [orientalis].

Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica  c10 seen at the mudflats at Percut [menzbieri].

Black-tailed Godwit (Eastern Black-t G)  Limosa [limosa] melanuroides   Four seen on the second visit to the mudflats at Percut.

Asian Dowitcher ◊  Limnodromus semipalmatus   Two together and later three together (probably different birds) in summer plumage at the rivermouth at Percut.

Terek Sandpiper  Xenus cinereus   Good numbers seen at the rivermouth at Percut.

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos   A few seen at Percut.

Common Redshank  Tringa totanus   100+ from at the rivermouth at Percut.

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia   A couple at the rivermouth at Percut.

Curlew Sandpiper  Calidris ferruginea   A few at the rivermouth at Percut.

Bridled Tern  Onychoprion anaethetus   Leader only, a few seen from the ferry back from Sipora [nominate].

Little Tern  Sternula albifrons   Good numbers at the rivermouth at Percut [sinensis].

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica   A few seen at the rivermouth at Percut [affinis].

Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida   20+ at the rivermouth at Percut [javanicus].

Common Tern (Eastern C T)  Sterna [hirundo] longipennis   c20 on the second visit to the mudflats at Percut.

Black-naped Tern  Sterna sumatrana   Best views were around Tuapejat Harbour, Sipora [nominate].

Lesser Adjutant  Leptoptilos javanicus   A single over Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP.

Milky Stork ◊  Mycteria cinerea   At least 40 seen very well on the mudflats at Percut with many great views.

Storm’s Stork ◊  Ciconia stormi   Three, two flushed from a pool and one flushed from the track, at Way Kambas NP.

Little Cormorant  Microcarbo niger   20+ at the rivermouth at Percut.

Cinnamon Bittern  Botaurus cinnamomeus   A male at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP. Also one seen on Simeulue.

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax   A couple on the boat back at Percut [nominate].

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [nigripes].

Striated Heron  Butorides striata javanica   Several at Percut [javanica].

Javan Pond Heron  Ardeola speciosa   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Great Egret (Eastern G E)  Ardea [alba] modesta   Common at Percut.

Medium Egret  Ardea intermedia   One seen by Lake Kerinci on the way back to Sungai Penuh. A few at Percut.

Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP.

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea   A few at the rivermouth at Percut [jouyi].

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [manilensis].

Osprey (Western O)  Pandion [haliaetus] haliaetus   One seen at the rivermouth at Percut.

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus   First seen in the paddyfields near to the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [hypoleucus].

Crested Honey Buzzard  Pernis ptilorhynchus   One seen well along the Tapan Road [torquatus].

Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela   Best views were in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [batu].

Crested Serpent Eagle ◊ (Mentawai S E)  Spilornis [cheela] sipora   Two seen, one very well, on Sipora.

Crested Serpent Eagle ◊ (Simeulue S E)  Spilornis [cheela] abbotti   Great views of a pair on Simeulue.

Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus alboniger   Excellent views in Kerinci Seblat NP and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii   Excellent views along the Tapan Road and several in the Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [formosus].

Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis   An immature at the Letter W waterfall and an adult along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP [nominate].

Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus   A few of the of this declining species seen well over the mudflats at Percut.

White-bellied Sea Eagle  Icthyophaga leucogaster   First seen over Tuapejat, Sipora.

Eastern Barn Owl  Tyto javanica   Great views of an adult and two well grown chicks in the roof of the school near to Satwa Ecolodge. Also heard at the hotel in Sungai Penuh [nominate].

Oriental Bay Owl ◊  Phodilus badius   Brilliant views of one, and the other of the pair briefly, along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Brown Boobook  Ninox scutulata  Superb views of a couple in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Sunda Owlet ◊  Taenioptynx sylvaticus   Great views of two, and others heard, at Way Titias. Also seen well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Reddish Scops Owl ◊  Otus rufescens  Brilliant views of one along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Mountain Scops Owl  Otus spilocephalus   Heard low down at Gunung Kerinci and seen there by Charles while the rest of us were looking for ground cuckoos [vandewateri].

Simeulue Scops Owl ◊  Otus umbra   Brilliant views of a pair on Simeulue.

Mentawai Scops Owl ◊  Otus mentawi   Great views of plenty on Sipora.

Rajah Scops Owl ◊  Otus brookii   Stunning views of two individuals over three days, along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [solokensis]. Great birds.

Sunda Scops Owl ◊  Otus lempiji   Great spotlight views of one along the track around the boundary of Way Kambas NP. Others heard and another briefly in the lodge garden [nominate].

Buffy Fish Owl  Ketupa ketupu   Brilliant views of an adult and a fledged juvenile at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Barred Eagle-Owl ◊  Ketupa sumatrana   A heard only no leader for Charles at Gunung Kerinci.

Sumatran Trogon ◊  Apalharpactes mackloti   A couple seen at Way Titias and then several seen well along at Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Red-naped Trogon  Harpactes kasumba   Several seen very well in Way Kambas NP. A real stunner [nominate].

Diard’s Trogon  Harpactes diardii   Several seen along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP. Generally a bit skittish [sumatranus]!

Scarlet-rumped Trogon  Harpactes duvaucelii   Several seen very well along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP.

Orange-breasted Trogon  Harpactes oreskios   A couple heard at Way Titias and a male seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [uniformis].

Red-headed Trogon  Harpactes erythrocephalus   A female seen well at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension and a female seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [flagrans].

Rhinoceros Hornbill  Buceros rhinoceros   A couple of pairs seen well along the Tapan Road [nominate].

Helmeted Hornbill ◊  Rhinoplax vigil (E)  One heard only at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension. Sadly this species is now rare due to poaching.

Oriental Pied Hornbill  Anthracoceros albirostris   A pair seen well on Sipora [convexus].

Bushy-crested Hornbill  Anorrhinus galeritus   A pair seen well along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP. Also seen well along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP.

Wreathed Hornbill  Rhyticeros undulatus   Two seen in flight at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension. Also seen in Kerinci Seblat NP.

Oriental Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis   One seen near to Satwa Ecolodge.

Rufous-collared Kingfisher ◊  Actenoides concretus   Three males seen well at various spots in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Banded Kingfisher  Lacedo pulchella   A male seen well at Way Titias and a few seen well in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Stork-billed Kingfisher  Pelargopsis capensis  One seen and others heard in Way Kambas NP [cyanopteryx]. Also seen well on Simeulue [simalurensis].

Ruddy Kingfisher  Halcyon coromanda   Great views of one in the spotlight found while ‘thermalling’ at Way Kambas NP [minor].

White-throated Kingfisher  Halcyon smyrnensis   Several seen including at Way Kambas NP and on Sipora [perpulchra].

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris   Two forms: laubmannianus first seen around Way Kambas NP; chloropterus seen on Simeulue.

Cerulean Kingfisher ◊ (Small Blue K)  Alcedo coerulescens   One seen in the scope at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP.

Blue-eared Kingfisher  Alcedo meninting   One seen at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis   Leader only, seen at the rivermouth at Percut [bengalensis].

Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher  Ceyx rufidorsa   Great views of the nominate form at Way Kambas and the endemic jungei was seen on Simeulue.

Red-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis amictus   Great views in Way Kambas NP and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Blue-throated Bee-eater  Merops viridis   One seen just outside Way Kambas and also a few seen on Simeulue.

Fire-tufted Barbet ◊  Psilopogon pyrolophus   Many seen superbly at Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Golden-whiskered Barbet  Psilopogon chrysopogon   More commonly heard than seen [nominate].

Red-crowned Barbet ◊  Psilopogon rafflesii   Several good looks around Way Kambas NP.

Red-throated Barbet  Psilopogon mystacophanos   Great views of several in a fruiting tree at Way Titias. Also heard along the Tapan Road [nominate].

Black-browed Barbet ◊  Psilopogon oorti   Plenty seen at Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road.

Yellow-crowned Barbet  Psilopogon henricii   Two or three heard only along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Black-eared Barbet  Psilopogon duvaucelii   Great views of one along the lower Tapan Road.

Sooty Barbet ◊  Caloramphus hayii   Seen well a couple of times in Way Kambas NP.

Malaysian Honeyguide ◊  Indicator archipelagicus   Seen well twice in Way Kambas NP, with prolonged scope views the first time. A nice bonus!

Speckled Piculet  Picumnus innominatus   One seen well in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [malayorum].

Rufous Piculet  Sasia abnormis   A couple seen well in Way Kambas NP and excellent views of one along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus moluccensis   First seen  at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

White-bellied Woodpecker  Dryocopus javensis   One seen at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

White-bellied Woodpecker ◊ (Simeulue W)  Dryocopus [javensis] parvus   Brilliant views of a few of this small and distinctive form on Simeulue.

Banded Woodpecker ◊  Chrysophlegma miniaceum   Great views of a pair in Way Kambas NP. Also a pair seen along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP [malaccense].

Checker-throated Woodpecker  Chrysophlegma mentale   Excellent views of at Way Titias and again in Way Kambas NP [humii].

Greater Yellownape  Chrysophlegma flavinucha   First seen well along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP, and along the Tapan Road. Also seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [mystacale].

Lesser Yellownape  Picus chlorolophus   Good views of a couple along the Tapan Road[vanheysti].

Sumatran Woodpecker ◊  Picus dedemi   Brilliant views of a male at c1500m in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem. Stunner!

Orange-backed Woodpecker  Chrysocolaptes validus   One seen in Way Kambas NP [xanthpygus].

Olive-backed Woodpecker  Gecinulus rafflesii   Great views of a male in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Maroon Woodpecker  Blythipicus rubiginosus   Much more frequently heard than seen, but a few sightings including in the lower areas of Kerinci Seblat NP.

Rufous Woodpecker  Micropternus brachyurus   Several heard in Way Kambas NP. A pair seen well at the top end of the Tapan Road [badius].

Buff-rumped Woodpecker  Meiglyptes grammithorax   Three seen well in Way Kambas NP.

Buff-necked Woodpecker  Meiglyptes tukki   One seen well at Way Titias and also seen in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Black-thighed Falconet  Microhierax fringillarius   One flew over the clearing at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP.

Blue-rumped Parrot  Psittinus cyanurus  A few fly overs in Way Kambas NP [nominate]. Also seen on Sipora [pontius].

Simeulue Parrot ◊  Psittinus abbotti   Excellent views of a perched pair many flyovers on Simeulue.

Red-breasted Parakeet  Psittacula alexandri   Seen well perched at the quarry at Kuala Baru on Simeulue [cala].

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot ◊  Loriculus galgulus   Many fly overs in Way Kambas NP. Also seen on and on Simeulue.

Long-tailed Broadbill  Psarisomus dalhousiae   Heard only a few times [psittacinus].

Dusky Broadbill  Corydon sumatranus   A couple of groups seen well in Way Kambas NP and aso great looks along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP [nominate].

Black-and-red Broadbill  Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos   A pair seen well in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Banded Broadbill  Eurylaimus javanicus   A few seen well in Way Kambas NP [harterti].

Black-and-yellow Broadbill  Eurylaimus ochromalus   First seen at Way Titias and a few seen well in Way Kambas NP.

Green Broadbill  Calyptomena viridis   Nice views of a couple at Way Titias and then several, including some stunning males, seen well along in Way Kambas NP [gloriosa].

Schneider’s Pitta ◊  Hydrornis schneideri   A female seen brilliantly from a hide at Gunung Kerinci. Also at least three juveniles and another female seen along the trail there.

Malayan Banded Pitta ◊  Hydrornis irena   A male briefly at Way Kambas NP, then two females seen brilliantly at night there.

Graceful Pitta ◊  Erythropitta venusta   Brilliant views of an adult at Way Titias, and a juvenile seen well along the lower Tapan Road.

Blue-winged Pitta ◊  Pitta moluccensis   Surprisingly, excellent views of a responsive bird at Way Kambas NP.

Western Hooded Pitta  Pitta sordida   Great views of two found while ‘thermalling’ at Way Kambas NP [mulleri].

Golden-bellied Gerygone  Gerygone sulphurea  A few heard and first seen well at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus picatus   First seen at Way Titias and several seen at Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road [intermedius].

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus hirundinaceus   Best views were on the nest at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP.

Rufous-winged Philentoma (R-w Flycatcher)  Philentoma pyrhoptera   Seen well at Way Titias and in Way Kambas NP.

Maroon-breasted Philentoma  Philentoma velata (E)  Several seen well at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension [caesia].

White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus   First seen near to Satwa Ecolodge [amydrus].

Common Iora  Aegithina tiphia   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [horizoptera].

Green Iora  Aegithina viridissima   One seen at Way and a few in mixed flocks in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Fiery Minivet  Pericrocotus igneus   A couple of small groups in mixed flocks at Way Kambas NP [nominate]. Also, several seen well on Simeulue, including a pair attending a nest [trophis].

Grey-chinned Minivet  Pericrocotus solaris   A few seen at Way Titias, Gunung Kerinci and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [montanus].

Sunda Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus miniatus   A couple seen in a mixed flock along the trail at Gunung Kerinci.

Scarlet Minivet  Pericrocotus speciosus   Seen at several sites on the main island of Sumatra [xanthogaster], and also seen on Simeulue [minythomelas].

Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike (Roving C)  Coracina [striata] sumatrensis   One displaying at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP, also seen a couple of times on Sipora [sumatrensis]. Those seen well on Simeulue were the endemic form [simalurensis].

Sunda Cuckooshrike Coracina larvata   A couple seen well along the Tapan Road. Also seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [melanocephala].

Pied Triller  Lalage nigra   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [striga].

Lesser Cuckooshrike  Lalage fimbriata   A few in mixed flocks along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [schierbrandi]. Also several seen well on Simeulue, where common [compta].

Mangrove Whistler  Pachycephala cinerea   Excellent views of one on Sipora and others heard there. Also heard on Simeulue.

White-browed Shrike-babbler (Blyth’s S-b)  Pteruthius aeralatus   Several seen well in mixed flocks at Gunung Kerinci [cameranoi].

[White-bellied Erpornis  Erpornis zantholeuca   A single leader only sighting in a mixed flock at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension appeared to be this species. Given its apparent rarity, and lack of definitive documentation, left as tentative [saani]!]

Black-and-crimson Oriole ◊  Oriolus consanguineus   Great views at Way Titias and quite common along the Tapan Road and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus   One seen well in Way Kambas NP [nominate]. Also, excellent views of a few on Sipora [mentawi].

Black-naped Oriole  Oriolus chinensis   Seen well a few times on Sipora [sipora]. Also, several seen well on Simeulue [munda].

Bronzed Drongo  Dicrurus aeneus   First seen well along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [malayensis].

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus remifer   A few seen well at Way Titias and several seen along the Tapan Road [nominate].

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus paradiseus   A few seen well in Way Kambas NP. Also common on Simeulue [platurus].

Sumatran Drongo ◊ Dicrurus sumatranus   One seen well at Way Titias, a couple along the Tapan Road, and great looks in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Hair-crested Drongo ◊ (Mentawai D)  Dicrurus [hottentottus] viridinitens   Common and seen well at all sites on Sipora.

Ashy Drongo  Dicrurus leucophaeus   Several seen well along the Tapan Road [phaedrus].

Ashy Drongo (Simeulue A D)  Dicrurus [leucophaeus] celaenus   Several of this distinct form seen well on Simeulue.

Ashy Drongo (Mentawai A D)  Dicrurus [leucophaeus] periophthalmicus   Fairly common and seen well at all sites on Sipora.

White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis   Common along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [atrata].

Malaysian Pied Fantail  Rhipidura javanica   One at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [longicauda].

Spotted Fantail  Rhipidura perlata (E)  A few seen well in flocks at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension.

Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea   Plenty seen well on the main island of Sumatra, the first in Way Kambas NP [prophata]. Seen well several times on Sipora where quite white-bellied [leucophila]. The excellent and bright local birds were seen very well several times on Simeulue [consobrina]. This form is in fact very similar to the much talked about ‘Babi’ Monarch.

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher  Terpsiphone affinis (E)  A few, including a nice white male, at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension [nominate].

Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach   A few at the forest edge at Way Titias and several around the entrance to the trail at Gunung Kerinci etc [bentet].

Malayan Black Magpie  Platysmurus leucopterus   Excellent views of one, and others heard, at Way Titias. Also seen in Way Kambas NP, but shy!

Sumatran Treepie ◊  Dendrocitta occipitalis   First seen along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP, and several seen well at the top end of the Tapan Road. Also several seen well in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Sunda Crow ◊  Corvus enca   Heard along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP, then a flock seen on Simeulue. Note the recent split [compilator].

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis   A few seen at Way Titias and common at Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road etc [antioxantha].

Cinereous Tit  Parus cinereus   Non leader, seen by Charles at Gunung Kerinci.

Hairy-backed Bulbul  Tricholestes criniger   Several along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP. Also seen very well along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Yellow-bellied Bulbul  Alophoixus phaeocephalus   A couple seen at Way Titias and several in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Ochraceous Bulbul  Alophoixus ochraceus   One seen well along the Tapan Road [sumatranus].

Buff-vented Bulbul  Iole crypta   A few seen at Way Titias, common along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP. Also seen along the lower Tapan Road.

Cinereous Bulbul ◊  Hemixos cinereus   A few seen at Way Titias. Also along the Tapan Road and common in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Cream-striped Bulbul ◊  Ixos leucogrammicus   Great views of a small flock at a fruiting tree at Way Titias. Also seen along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP, and common along the Tapan Road. A few seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem too.

Sumatran Bulbul ◊  Ixos sumatranus   Great views of several along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP and then common in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Streaked Bulbul  Ixos malaccensis   A few seen well at Way Titias and one seen along the Tapan Road.

Black-headed Bulbul  Brachypodius melanocephalos   A few seen at Way Titias [nominate]. Several seen well on Sipora and on Simeulue [hyperemnus].

Spectacled Bulbul  Ixodia erythropthalmos   A few seen well along the lower Tapan Road.

Grey-bellied Bulbul  Ixodia cyaniventris   Great views of several at Way Titias and a few seen well along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Scaly-breasted Bulbul  Ixodia squamata   A few seen well along the lower Tapan Road [webberi].

Ruby-throated Bulbul ◊  Rubigula dispar  Several seen brilliantly at Way Titias. Also seen well near to the entrance of the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP [matamerah].

Cream-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus simplex   Several seen at Way Titias and in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Olive-winged Bulbul  Pycnonotus plumosus   A pair near to Satwa [nominate].

Olive-winged Bulbul ◊ (Barusan B)  Pycnonotus [plumosus] porphyreus   Common on Sipora where many were seen well.

Asian Red-eyed Bulbul  Pycnonotus brunneus   Several in Way Kambas NP and along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Spot-necked Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus tympanistrigus   First seen along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP, and also common along the Tapan Road. Just one seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Aceh Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus snouckaerti   Excellent scope views of a pair in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem. Quite far off but good through the scope, and very distinctive birds! Becoming rare, and difficult to find.

Orange-spotted Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus bimaculatus   Seen very well high up on Gunung Kerinci, and also along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP [nominate].

Yellow-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus goiavier   Plenty seen [analis].

Sooty-headed Bulbul  Pycnonotus aurigaster   A few at various sites. Introduced to Sumatra [nominate].

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo javanica   Fairly common with many seen well [nominate].

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica   Non leader seen by some at Medan Airport.

Pygmy Cupwing  Pnoepyga pusilla   Several heard and a couple seen well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [lepida].

Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris   This bamboo lover was seen well at Way Titias, along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [papilio].

Mountain Tailorbird  Phyllergates cucullatus   Several heard and a couple seen well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [nominate].

Aberrant Bush Warbler (Mountain B W)  Horornis flavolivaceus   Many seen well higher up at Gunung Kerinci. Also heard in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [flaviventris].

Chestnut-crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus castaniceps   Heard at Way Titias and seen by some in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [muelleri].

Sunda Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus grammiceps   Several seen well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [sumatrensis].

Yellow-breasted Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus montis   Great views of a pair at the summit of the road we explored in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [barisanus].

Mountain Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus trivirgatus   Very common along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [nominate].

Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis   A couple seen on Simeulue [malaya].

Hill Prinia  Prinia superciliaris   A pair seen well at Way Titias and also seen well along the Tapan Road and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [dysancrita].

Bar-winged Prinia ◊  Prinia familiaris   Good views of a pair in Beutong Village in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Yellow-bellied Prinia  Prinia flaviventris   First seen in the paddyfields near to the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP [rafflesi].

Dark-necked Tailorbird  Orthotomus atrogularis   Several heard and a few seen, the first in Way Kambas NP.

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird  Orthotomus sericeus   Several heard and a few seen in Way Kambas NP [hesperius].

Ashy Tailorbird  Orthotomus ruficeps   Several heard and a few seen, including in Way Kambas NP [cineraceus]. Also, extremely common on Sipora [concinnus].

Black-capped White-eye  Zosterops atricapilla   A few seen at Gunung Kerinci and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Warbling White-eye (Mountain W-e)  Zosterops [japonicus] montanus   A few seen along the trail at Gunung Kerinci.

Sangkar White-eye ◊  Zosterops melanurus   Several seen well along the Tapan Road [concinnus].

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler  Mixornis gularis   Easy to hear and some good views in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler  Macronus ptilosus   Great views of a pair at Way Kambas NP [trichorrhos].

Golden Babbler  Cyanoderma chrysaeum   Several seen well at Way Titias, at Gunung Kerinci and along the Tapan Road and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [frigidum].

Chestnut-winged Babbler  Cyanoderma erythropterum   Great views in Way Kambas NP [pyrrhophaeum].

Rufous-fronted Babbler  Cyanoderma rufifrons (E)  Several seen well at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension [poliogaster].

Black Laughingthrush ◊  Melanocichla lugubris   Good looks at a couple of flocks in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Sunda Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus bornensis   Several seen well at Way Titias, where common in mixed flocks. Also seen in Way Kambas NP [occidentalis].

Chestnut-rumped Babbler  Stachyris maculata   Great views in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Grey-throated Babbler  Stachyris nigriceps   Several seen well at Way Titias and around Gunung Kerinci [larvata].

Grey-headed Babbler  Stachyris poliocephala   Brilliant views of a couple of pairs along the lower Tapan Road.

Spot-necked Babbler ◊  Stachyris strialata   Seen well at Gunung Kerinci, at the top end of the Tapan Road.Also a pair seen along the Nagan Raya to Beutong Road in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Marbled Wren-Babbler ◊  Turdinus marmoratus   Outstanding views of a confiding individual at the top end of the Tapan Road [nominate].

Sooty-capped Babbler  Malacopteron affine   Great views along the track in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Scaly-crowned Babbler  Malacopteron cinereum   Great views along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Rufous-crowned Babbler  Malacopteron magnum   Another good songster that showed well in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Moustached Babbler  Malacopteron magnirostre   One seen at Way Titias and then seen well along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Malayan Black-capped Babbler ◊  Pellorneum nigrocapitatum   One seen sneaking along on the ground, and a few heard in Way Kambas NP.

Mourning Babbler  Pellorneum malaccense   A couple seen well at Way Titias and a few seen well in Way Kambas NP. One of the components of the Short-tailed Babbler split.

Sumatran Babbler ◊  Pellorneum buettikoferi   Great views at the forest edge at Way Titias and at Way Kambas NP.

Malayan Swamp Babbler ◊  Pellorneum rostratum   Great views of a pair along the river in Way Kambas NP. Others heard. One of the components of the White-chested Babbler split.

Ferruginous Babbler  Pellorneum bicolor   One seen well and others heard in Way Kambas  Others heard.

Horsfield’s Babbler  Malacocincla sepiaria   More heard than seen, but seen well at Way Titias and along the Tapan Road [barussana].

Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler ◊  Gypsophila rufipectus   Many heard and seen brilliantly from the hide at Gunung Kerinci.

Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler  Napothera epilepidota   Excellent views of one at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension. Presumably the lowland form lucilleae. Also seen well from the hide at Gunung Kerinci, where presumably the form diluta.

Sumatran Wren-Babbler ◊  Napothera albostriata   Great views of a pair at Gunung Kerinci. A really excellent endemic.

Brown Fulvetta  Alcippe brunneicauda (E)  Common in mixed flocks at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension.

Long-tailed Sibia  Heterophasia picaoides   A few seen at Gunung Kerinci and a few seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [simillima].

Sunda Laughingthrush ◊ (Grey-and-brown L)  Garrulax palliatus   Good views of a couple of small flocks in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Sumatran Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax bicolor   A shy pair seen well on two dates in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem. Pretty skittish, but perhaps not surprising as this species has almost been trapped to extinction!

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus mitratus   A flock along the trail to Danau Kaco, in Kerinci Seblat NP and then good numbers seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Asian Fairy-bluebird  Irena puella   A few seen, the first along the lower Tapan Road [crinigera].

Blue Nuthatch ◊  Sitta azurea  A few at Way Titias and a pair seen along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [expectata].

Asian Glossy Starling  Aplonis panayensis   We saw three forms: strigata on the mainland; pachistorhina common on Sipora; altirostris quite common on Simeulue.

Common Hill Myna  Gracula religiosa  Best views were at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Javan Myna  Acridotheres javanicus   Introduced and common in the north.

Common Myna  Acridotheres tristis   An introduced pair were seen at Kuala Namu (Medan) Airport. One was bald with a tiny tuft on the back of the head!!

Sumatran Cochoa ◊  Cochoa beccarii   One was heard only at Gunung Kerinci.

Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis   A few seen well on Simeulue [musicus].

Rufous-tailed Shama ◊  Copsychus pyrropygus   Excellent views of two along the track to Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP. The first had two white tail feathers!

White-tailed Flycatcher  Leucoptilon concretum (E)  A male and juv seen well at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension [nominate].

Rufous-vented Niltava ◊ (Sumatran N)  Niltava sumatrana   Good views of one fairly high up along the trail at Gunung Kerinci.

Large Niltava  Niltava grandis   Best views were from the hide at Gunung Kerinci [decipiens].

Indigo Flycatcher ◊  Eumyias indigo   Several seen well at Way Titias. Best views on the main tour were  in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [ruficrissa].

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus   A few seen along the Tapan Road [thalassoides].

Rufous-browed Flycatcher  Anthipes solitaris   One seen well at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension [nominate], and a singing bird seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem  [malayana].

Pale Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis unicolor (E)  One seen at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension [cyanopolia].

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis turcosus   Great views at several spots in Way Kambas NP.

Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis umbratilis   A couple seen really well in Way Kambas NP.

Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis olivaceus   A few seen well at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension. Also several seen well along the Tapan Road [nominate].

Sumatran Blue Robin ◊  Myiomela sumatrana   A few seen well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci.

Chestnut-naped Forktail ◊  Enicurus ruficapillus (E)  A couple seen well at Way Titias in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on the pre-tour extension.

Sunda Forktail ◊ (Lesser F)  Enicurus velatus   A few seen well at the top end of the Tapan Road [sumatranus].

Shiny Whistling Thrush ◊  Myophonus melanurus   Common at Gunung Kerinci, with many great views. Also, One seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Brown-winged Whistling Thrush ◊ (Sumatran W T)  Myophonus castaneus   Many seen very well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci. Also, One seen in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Lesser Shortwing  Brachypteryx leucophris   Several seen well at Gunung Kerinci [nominate].

Sumatran Shortwing ◊  Brachypteryx saturata   Common at higher altitudes on Gunung Kerinci, where several were seen well.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra   Very common along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [sumatranai].

Pygmy Flycatcher  Ficedula hodgsoni   An immature male or female seen well in a mixed flock along the trail at Gunung Kerinci [sondaica].

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni   Several heard but not seen well until we got to Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Greater Green Leafbird  Chloropsis sonnerati   Great views of a female, and a pair not so well, along the in Way Kambas NP [zosterops].

Lesser Green Leafbird  Chloropsis cyanopogon   Excellent views of a pair responding to mobbing calls at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Blue-winged Leafbird  Chloropsis moluccensis   Many seen well in Way Kambas NP and along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Sumatran Leafbird ◊  Chloropsis media   Brilliant views of a male and a female more briefly in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Blue-masked Leafbird ◊  Chloropsis venusta   Great views of a female, then a pair in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker  Prionochilus maculatus   A few seen well at Way Titias on the pre-tour extension with others in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker  Prionochilus percussus   A couple of males seen well at Way Titias with others seen in Way Kambas NP and along the lower Tapan Road [ignicapilla].

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker  Dicaeum chrysorrheum   An immature, with clear yellow vent and olive-streaked underparts seen at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [nominate].

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker  Dicaeum trigonostigma   Quite common on the mainland and Mentawai {nominate]. Also a few seen on Simeulue [antioproctum].

Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum   A couple seen at Way Titias and one seen at Way Kanan in Way Kambas NP [borneanum].

Sumatran Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum beccarii   A few seen well along the trail at Gunung Kerinci. Also a few in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker  Dicaeum cruentatum   A few seen on Sipora [batuense] and on Simeulue [simalurense].

Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum trochileum   A male seen well in the garden of Satwa Ecolodge [nominate].

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird  Chalcoparia singalensis   A male seen at Way Titias, a few seen in Way Kambas NP and seen well along the lower Tapan Road [sumatrana].

Plain Sunbird  Anthreptes simplex   A few seen very well at Way Titias and along the lower Tapan Road.

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis   First seen well at Satwa Ecolodge [nominate].

Red-throated Sunbird ◊  Anthreptes rhodolaemus   A pair high up in a mixed flock at Way Kambas NP.

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird  Leptocoma brasiliana   Great views of a male in Way Kambas NP. Also seen poorly on Sipora and a couple seen on Simeulue [nominate].

Copper-throated Sunbird  Leptocoma calcostetha   Brilliant views in the garden of our hotel on Simeulue.

Ornate Sunbird  Cinnyris ornatus   First seen well at Satwa Ecolodge [nominate].

Crimson Sunbird  Aethopyga siparaja   At least three seen on Sipora and a male seen on Simeulue [nominate].

Temminck’s Sunbird  Aethopyga temminckii   Common in all higher elevation forests. A real stunner when seen well.

Purple-naped Spiderhunter  Kurochkinegramma hypogrammicum   Seen in Way Kambas NP, but better viewsl along the lower Tapan Road [nominate].

Little Spiderhunter  Arachnothera longirostra   Plenty seen [cinereicollis].

Spectacled Spiderhunter  Arachnothera flavigaster   Great views of one in Hari’s garden near to Satwa Ecolodge.

Yellow-eared Spiderhunter  Arachnothera chrysogenys   Several seen well at Way Titias, then great views at Satwa Ecolodge, and in Hari’s garden nearby.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus   [malaccensis].

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata   First seen at the Elephant Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP. Common on Sipora [fretensis].

Javan Munia ◊  Lonchura leucogastroides   Great views of one in Hari’s garden near to Satwa.

White-headed Munia  Lonchura maja   A few seen well on Sipora. Also seen at Meulaboh Airport.

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea   A few seen at the Tapan Road and in Gunung Leuser Ecosystem [nominate].

Paddyfield Pipit  Anthus rufulus   A couple seen on Simeulue [malayensis].

MAMMALS

Southern Red Muntjac (Red M, Common Barking Deer)  Muntiacus muntjak

Sambar  Rusa unicolor

Indonesian Short-nosed Fruit Bat  Cynopterus titthaecheilus

Large Flying Fox  Pteropus vampyrus

Sumatran Treeshrew  Tupaia ferruginea   Non leader.

Javan Treeshrew  Tupaia hypochrysa

Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M)  Macaca fascicularis

Long-tailed Macaque (Simeulue L-t M)  Macaca [fascicularis] fuscus

Southern Pig-tailed Macaque  Macaca nemestrina

Black-crested Sumatran Langur (Mitred Leaf Monkey)  Presbytis melalophos

Thomas’s Langur  Presbytis thomasi

Sunda Silvery Langur  Trachypithecus cristatus

Agile Gibbon  Hylobates agilis   Heard only.

Kloss’s Gibbon  Hylobates klossii   Heard only.

Lar Gibbon  Hylobates lar   Heard only.

Siamang  Symphalangus syndactylus

Mentawai Squirrel  Callosciurus melanogaster

Black-striped Squirrel  Callosciurus nigrovittatus

Plantain Squirrel  Callosciurus notatus

Prevost’s Squirrel  Callosciurus prevostii

Niobe Ground Squirrel  Lariscus niobe

Mentawai Three-striped Squirrel  Lariscus obscurus

Black-eared Squirrel  Nannosciurus melanotis

Siberut Flying Squirrel  Petinomys lugens

Pale Giant Squirrel  Ratufa affinis

Slender Squirrel (Sumatran Mountain S)  Sundasciurus tenuis

REPTILES (Kindly compiled by Steve Bailey)

Asian House Gecko  Hemidactylus frenatus   Heard in small numbers (1-3 per day) and sometimes seen (1-2 per day) on at least ten days / nights of the tour, usually in the accommodations but sometimes also heard in the forest edge. Not noted at Gunung Kerinci, but otherwise at most areas we visited. This commensal of humans has spread almost throughout the tropical world and it is difficult not to encounter it in developed areas, especially around lights at night, where its calls are probably the most ubiquitous nocturnal vertebrate sound.

Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko   Singles heard in edge forest at Way Kambas both 26 and 27 July. Its loud calls are easily recognized.

Five-keeled Ground Skink Eutropis quinquecarinata   Two singles seen along Jalan Tampa Nama, Simeulue on 13 August. This species is found only in Sumatra, Simeulue, and eastern Java.

Water Monitor Lizard Varanus salvator  Two were seen on the main forest road at Way Kambas on 26 July and also two on Simeulue on 14 August. This is the common monitor lizard in most of its wide range of South Asia, south China, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia.

Reticulated Python Broghammerus [Python] reticulatus   We saw the world’s longest snake species!! Although this snake owns the scientifically documented world-record length of 9.83 metres, the one we saw was a youngster of only about 1.5 metres. Nevertheless, it was immediately identifiable by its distinctive color pattern featuring large tan dorsal diamonds and smaller white lateral dashes, all outlined by black, plus narrow black eyelines and saggital line. Additionally, it was proportionally long and slender for a python of its size. We saw it crossing the road after dusk at Simaobbuk, Sipora on 30 July. It allowed us a close inspection and even a touch or two.

Oriental Vine Snake Ahaetulla prasina   Pete spotlit this extremely slender snake on its night roost beside the boundary road at Way Kambas on 26 July. Green morph. Its length was approaching 2 metres, near the maximum for the species.

LEPIDOPTERA (kindly compiled by Steve Lowe)

Green-spotted Triangle  Graphium agamemnon   Way Kambas. Better known as  Tailed Jay. Found crushed underfoot with tornus/tail not visible. ID confirmed by iNaturalist. And one seen in flight

Fivebar Swordtail  Graphium antiphates   Tapan Road. One resting on the side of the road

Common Rose Swallowtail  Pachliopta aristolochiae   Danau Kaco. At the stream crossing: a very productive mineral lick  for butterflies

Papilio diophantus   Gunung Kerinci   one

Red Helen Swallowtail  Papilio helenus   Tapan Road and Danau Kaco [palawanicus].

Jungle Jade Swallowtail  Papilio karna   Danau Kaco. At the mineral lick. An emerald  stunner!

Raja Brooke’s Birdwing  Trogonoptera brookiana   Tapan Road. A clear view of one flying past quite slowly and low down along the road but no photograph.

Malayan Birdwing  Troides amphrysus   Tapan Road. One nice image allowed ID

Common Birdwing  Troides helena   Sipora Island. A few seen in flight which appear to be this species.

Full Stop Swift  Caltoris cormasa   Leuser NP, one.

[White Banded Flat  Celaenorrhinus asmara   Tapan Road. Seems the best fit but not a positive ID.]

Unequal Banded Flat  Celaenorrhinus inaequalis   Danau Kaco, one.

Restricted Spotted Flat  Celaenorrhinus putra   Gunung Kerinci, a couple.

Lesser Dart  Potanthus omaha   Sipora Island, one.

Scalloped Grass-yellow  Eurema alitha   Sipora Island, a few.

One-spot Grass Yellow  Eurema andersoni   Simeulue, a few

[Large Grass-yellow  Eurema hecabe   Way Kambas, aka Common Grass-yellow. ID by iNaturalist’s App but could also be E. nicevillei – Malayan G-y.]

Scarce Grass Yellow   Eurema lacteola   Danau Kaco, a couple.

Black-Spotted White  Leptosia nina   Way Kambas – better known as Psyche.

[Lesser Darkwing  Allotinus unicolor   Way Kambas – D uncertain- 17 spp in region!]

Common Pierrot  Castalius rosimon   Way Kambas, one.

Silver Forget-me-not  Catochrysops panormus   Simeulue.

Dark Cornelian  Deudorix epijarbas   Sipora Island.

Common Posy  Drupadia ravindra   Way Kambas, common.

Plain Plushblue  Flos apidanus   Way Kambas, one.

Oriental Common Cerulean  Jamides celeno   Danau Kaco and Simeulue Island. Common on the trip but other Jamides may also have been seen.

Burmese Caerulean  Jamides philatus   Way Kambas.

Rounded Six-line Blue  Nacaduba berenice   Simeulue Quarry, one.

White Hedge Blue  Udara akasa   Danau Kaco, one.

[Narrow-bordered Hedge Blue  Udara placidula  Tapan Road ID uncertain but this looks the best fit.]

Swinhoe’s Hedge Blue  Monodontides musina   Danau Kaco, a couple.

Lesser Grass Blue  Zizina otis   Simeulue.

Palmking  Amathusia phidippus   Way Kambas – most likely species in this genus

Orange Staff Sergeant  Athyma cama   Danau kaco, a couple.

Great Marquis  Bassarona dunya   Way Kambas, one.

Malay Lacewing  Cethosia hypsea   Tapan Road: quite common and widespread Mentawai ssp pallaurea Sipora Island.

(Tawny) Rajah  Charaxes (bernardus)   Leuser NP – rather gross sight of one attracted to the headless monitor lizard

Greater Wavy Maplet  Chersonesia rahria   Sipora Island

Common Maplet  Chersonesia risa   Tapan Road and Danau Kaco.

Malay Yeoman  Cirrochroa emalea   Sipora Island.

Rustic  Cupha erymanthis   Seen at Way, Sipora Island and Simeulue Island.

Cyrestis irmae   Seen in  Leuser NP. A Mapwing without a common name

Common Mapwing  Cyrestis maenalis   Tapan Road.

Straight-line Mapwing  Cyrestis nivea   Danau Kaco.

Tawny Palmfly  Elymnias panthera   Sipora Island, one.

Elegent Cyclops  Erites elegans   Danau Kaco.

Blue-banded King Crow  Euploea eunice   Way Kambas, a couple.

Striped Black Crow  Euploea eyndhovii   Way Kambas, one.

Striped Blue Crow  Euploea mulciber   Sipora Island, a few, and Tapan Road.

[Common Baron  Euthalia aconthea   Way Kambas.]

White Tipped Baron  Euthalia merta   Tapan Road

Common Faun Butterfly  Faunis phaon   Gunung Kerinci, a few but always low down in low light.

Crow Eggfly  Hypolimnas anomala   Leuser NP and Sipora Island.

Smaller Woodnymph  Ideopsis gaura   Danau Kaco, one of the “Rice Paper butterflies”.

Blue Glassy Tiger  Ideopsis vulgaris   Way Kambas.

Peacock Pansy  Junonia almana   Simeulue Island.

Grey Pansy  Junonia atlites   Common in trash habitat: Way Kambas, Simeulue Island and Leuser NP.

Natal Pansy  Junonia hedonia ida   Way Kambas, one – aka Brown Pansy.

Blue Pansy  Junonia orithya   Sipora Island, a couple.

Peninsular Malaya Leaf Butterfly  Kallima limborgii   Way Kambas – aka Malayan Oakleaf.

Knight  Lebadea martha   Sipora Island, one.

Common Archduke  Lexias pardalis   Tapan Road and Danau Kaco.

Great Evening Brown  Melanitis zitenius   Gunung Kerinci, just one.

Horsfield’s Bushbrown  Mycalesis horsfieldi   Simeulue Island – a tricky genus to ID.

Janardana Bushbrown  Mycalesis janardana   Way Kambas.

Purple Bushbrown  Mycalesis orseis   Tapan Road, a couple and Danau Kaco.

Mycalesis marginata   Leuser NP: now assigned to genus Mydosoma.

Common Sailer  Neptis hylas   Danau kaco, common also Simeulue Island.

False Dingy Sailer  Neptis vikasi   Sipora Island, subtle!

Dark Glassy Tiger  Parantica agleoides   Simeulue – Quarry.

Yellow Glassy Tiger  Parantica aspasia   Tapan Road, a few.

Luzon Glassy Tiger  Parantica luzonensis   Danau Kaco. Actually quite widespread beyond Luzon!

Dot-dash Segeant  Parathyma kanwa   Way Kambas aka Athyma kanwa. Odd blue tinge to horizontal bars across the thorax.

Plain Nawab  Polyura hebe   Sipora Island. One, resting on upperside of leaf above head height

Striped Ringlet  Ragadia makuta   Tapan Road, quite common.

Common Jester  Symbrenthia hippoclus   Common, Sipora Island, Danau Kaco and Tapan Road.

Spotted Jester  Symbrenthia hypselis   Danau Kaco, a distinctive underside

Short-banded Viscount  Tanaecia aruna   Way Kambas. ID on iNaturalist is T. cocytina which is unavailable in this taxonomy but cocytina is a synonym of aruna per Wiki: “Staudinger, 1889 (Pn) Tanaecia aruna rudraca Fruhstorfer, 1913 (Bl) genus:  Cynitia cocytina .. (Horsfield, 1829)…”

[Malay Count  Tanaecia godartii   Sumatra Way Kambas a tricky genus.]

Malayan Viscount  Tanaecia pelea   Tapan Road, one.

Vagrant  Vagrans egista sinha   Danau Kaco, one.

Common Cruiser  Vindula erota   Sipora Island, one.

Yellow Barred Pan  Xanthotaenia busiris   Danau Kaco and Tapan Road, a few.

Common Three-Ring  Ypthima asterope   Common in forest habitat.

[Asian Magpie Moth  Nyctemera baulus   Kerinci area – several: presumed this species, but there are several Nyctemera species and one photographed by Pete looked like N. coleta.

ODONATA (kindly compiled by Steve Lowe)

Common Parasol  Neurothemis fluctuans   Common at Way Kambas and on Simuelue.

Common Flangetail  Ictinogomphus decoratus   One at Way Kambas.

Dark-tipped Forest-skimmer  Cratilla metallica   Way Kambas.

Slender Skimmer  Orthetrum sabina   Quite common at Way Kambas.

Orange Skimmer  Orthetrum testaceum   Way Kambas and Simeulue.

Vestalis lugens   large black damselfly common along the Danau Kaco Trail, Kerinci.

Stream Glory Damselfly  Neurobasis chinensis   Photographed at Way Titias/

Grenadier  Agrionoptera insignis   Simeulue.