Yogyakarta

Destination

Yogyakarta

While not very famous among serious birders, Yogyakarta still hides a lot of charm for its visitors. In this cultural city, visiting birders can see one of the rarest birds right at the airport, search for lifers on one of the most active volcanoes in the world, or pay homage to one of Indonesia’s most successful bird conservation stories.

  • [EN] Prambanan Temple: History that Saved Java Sparrow

    Overview Prambanan Temple is a Hindu temple located right on the border between Yogyakarta and Central Java, just a shy 30 minutes away from the city. Together with Borobudur (a Buddhist temple on the other side of the city), it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the province, albeit somewhat less famous than its Buddhist counterpart. Both temples were built around the 9th century, during the peak of the ancient Medang Kingdom, and were mutually abandoned in the 10th century—most likely because of a catastrophic eruption of the Merapi volcano, which forced the kingdom to evacuate further…

  • [EN] Gajah Mada University: Casual Birding in Yogyakarta

    As one of the biggest urban park in Yogyakarta, Universitas Gajah Mada offers an easy escape for birder and photograper who just want to see some bird casually between their business. Some photogenic bird such as Blue-eared Kingfisher and Coppersmith Barbet can be a good learning target for beginner photographer, and the safety of the park becoming heaven for some urban species that becoming rare overtime such as Javan Myna and Long-tailed Shrike. However, some “surprises species” have also been reported over times: from the rare resident like Java Sparrow or wandering migrant like Tiger Shrike.

  • [EN] Yogyakarta International Airport: Coucal Upon Landing

    [EN] Yogyakarta International Airport: Coucal Upon Landing

    Serving as the main gate for many visiting birder, Yogyakarta International Airport can either give you a wonderful start of your birding journey upon arrival, or a beautiful goodbye before your departure. This is a new airport located slightly far from the city center, featuring an ornamental reservoirs that attracts some rare species in the rainy season. The main star, Javan Coucal, is becoming harder and harder to find anywhere else and it can be a wonderful species to start (or end) your list upon entering (or leaving) this cultural city.

  • [EN] Jatimulyo Village: From Poacher’s Lair to Bird-friendly Village

    [EN] Jatimulyo Village: From Poacher’s Lair to Bird-friendly Village

    Located right on the border between the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java province, Jatimulyo (ꦗꦠꦶꦩꦸꦭ꧀ꦪ)  is a 1,629.02 hectares village built among the rugged terrain of the Menoreh Karst Formation, about 45 minutes from Yogyakarta and same distance from the airport. At first glance, it does not seem to be different compared to other rural villages in this landscape; which consists of several hamlets nestled between lush agroforestry of coffee, clove, durian, and cacao, among other perennials trees. However, for Yogyakarta birder, Jatimulyo serves as our pride as one of the rare occasions where conservation action not only…