A Rushed, Non-Focused Bird-watching Trip in Bali
This Bali trip was never meant to be a proper bird-watching expedition. It happened in between other things. Travel plans, obligations, and time pressure shaped most of it. Birding filled whatever space was left.
Day 1: Arrival and Birding in Serangan island
We arrived in Denpasar at 9.30 AM on 10 February 2024, picked up a rental car, and headed out almost immediately. There wasn’t much time to slow down or reset. That set the tone for the rest of the trip.
Our first stop was Serangan Island. Not knowing the exact birding spots, we ended up walking around Pura Sakenan instead. Birding there was very casual. Mostly looking around while walking, stopping when something moved. A few birds showed up, nothing memorable, but it felt good to start paying attention again after traveling.
By 2 PM, we were tired and hungry, so we stopped at Warung Babi Guling Depot Betty in Luwus. At that point, food mattered more than squeezing in another location.
Later in the afternoon, around 5.20 PM, we visited Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. The light was already fading and the place was busy. Birding wasn’t really part of the plan anymore. It was more about walking, looking around, and letting the day end on its own.
That evening, we reached Lebah Sari in Busungbiu Village, Singaraja. The area was quiet. After a long drive, we tried some light astrophotography(and failed). Nothing serious, just enjoying the stillness before resting.
Because the trip involved a lot of moving around, we split camera roles. I carried the heavier setup, a Nikon D7200 with a Tamron 150–600mm G2, and handled the birding whenever it happened. My sister carried the D3200 with an 18–200mm, and also used a 35mm f/1.8 for low light and general travel shots. It wasn’t a lightweight setup, but it made things simpler.
Day 2: Bird-watching in TNBB(West Bali National Park)
The next morning, 11 February, we left early and headed toward Bali Barat. The drive took longer than expected, and we arrived at Bali Barat National Park at 9.48 AM. We birded with Bli Heri from Balibirdingtour, spending a few hours moving between two hides. Everything felt rushed. Birds appeared briefly, sometimes just long enough for a few photos.
We saw a Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Horsfield’s Babbler, a male Javan Banded Pitta(which I also encountered at Banten), an Emerald Dove, and even a wild chicken that vanished before I could react. By around 1 PM, birding stopped and we went to eat.
Near the port area, we photographed the Bali Myna. The guide shared some location information before we parted ways. The encounter was short(due to the rain), but it stood out.
From there, we rushed toward Kintamani, arriving at 6.47 PM under heavy rain. That was the end of the day.
Day 3: Back to Denpasar
The following morning felt calmer. We visited a heron colony, where we also spotted a White-breasted Waterhen, then walked the Campuhan Ridge Walk. This was one of the few moments when things slowed down. We encountered a Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo and a Ruby-throated Bulbul, and for a while, it felt like proper birding again.
By 4 PM, we were back in Denpasar. I stopped by my office’s Bali branch and ended up joining a PRD session, despite being on holiday. After that, we grabbed coffee and headed to the next hotel. That night, we went to Pantai Jerman and took a few photos before resting.
Day 4: Back Home
On the final morning, we visited Nusa Dua Beach. Bird activity was limited. Mostly fantails, constantly moving. Some shorebirds, and another bird that kept diving repeatedly, and I never managed to identify it properly. Those kinds of sightings tend to stay in your head longer than the confirmed ones.
Soon after, we packed up and headed to the airport. We had to return to Jakarta for the presidential elections, which felt like an abrupt but fitting end.
Closing Thoughts
Over the course of a few days, we covered roughly 750 kilometers by car, spending more time moving between places than staying in them. Much of the trip happened through the windshield, watching the landscape change while constantly recalculating how much daylight was left. It wasn’t a focused bird-watching trip. Long drives, tight schedules, and divided attention shaped most of it. Still, there were moments worth remembering. Not every trip needs to be neat or productive. Some are just fragments, and this one was exactly that.