Wallacea is the fascinating zone of transition between Oriental and Australasian faunal zones in eastern Indonesia, named after the famous explorer Sir Alfred Wallace. While areas such as the Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi (and Halmahera) are frequently visited, much of the Moluccas have rarely attracted birders and it is these we will explore in search of over 100 Moluccan endemics. We concentrate on five major island groups - Obi, Morotai, Seram, Buru and the Kai islands, with side trips to smaller islands including Boano and Bacan.
Despite the remotenessof the islands, much of the tour is spent roadside birding, easy walking, and the prospect of over 60 endemics even for those with extensive experience in Indonesia, while those new to the region will easily see over 100 Indonesian endemics. To transport overselfves between islands we use a combination of flights, overnight ferries (with private cabins) and fast ferries.

‍Seram
The long island of Seram still supports vast forests, particularly along its mountainous spine within the huge Manusela National Park. It is here that we will spend much of our time, since the vast majority of the islands endemics can now be found from a road which cuts through the park without the need for expedition-style treks into the mountains as used to be the case! Prime target here is the delightful pink-hued Salmon-crested Cockatoo but there are many others to find including Streaky-breasted Fantail, Grey-hooded and Rufescent Heleia, Seram Honeyeater, Seram Oriole, Seram Friarbird, Seram Golden Bulbul, Seram Imperial Pigeon and with a great deal of luck, the rare Purple-naped Lory. Also within the forest we will keep a look out for two likely splits; Seram Leaf Warbler and the Skulking Seram Grasshopper Warbler. Overhead we might find soaring Gurney's or Pygmy Eagles or catch sight of a Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk passing by, meanwhile both the stunning Lazuli Kingfisher and wacky Long-crested Myna prefer to survey their areas from high, exposed branches. Night-time explorations should locate the recently split Seram Boobook, Moluccan Scops Owl and the Masked Owl here that is sometimes split as an endemic species.

Boano
‍As an exciting side trip we were the first  bird tour company to visit here for the Critically Endangered Boano Monarch, endemic to the small island of Boano adjacent to Seram, which we refound here in 2011, more than 17 years since the last sighting. Also on the island is an endemic race of Common Paradise-kingfisher (hs has also been split off, along with Seram and Buru races as Amboyna Paradise-kingfisher) and Seram Fantail (a split from Northern).

‍Buru
This little-visited island holds more than 20 endemics, and again is nearly all roadside birding. Endemics include Buru Racquet-tail, Tawny-backed Fantail, Buru Warbling-flycatcher, Buru Golden Bulbul, Buru Cuckooshrike, Buru Fantail (split from Northern), Buru Friarbird, Buru Oriole, Buru Monarch and Buru Green Pigeon among others, and by driving high into the mountains we will hope to find some of the islands rarities like Buru Thrush, Buru Honeyeater, Buru Myzomela, Buru Leaf Warbler, Buru Grasshopper-warbler, Buru Mountain Pigeon and even a very slim chance of three of the most little-known species in all of Indonesia - Black-lored Parrot, Buru Lorikeet and Madanga Pipit, all of which we've seen in the past here. The excitement again continues after dark with Lesser (or Australasian) Masked Owl and Buru Boobook, the latter we recently sound recorded for the first time and found it to be highly distinct from its Seram counterpart.

‍Kai Kecil and Kai Besar
‍The islands of Kai Kecil and Kai Besar lying far to the southeast of Seram, in South Moluccas, form the major part of the Kai archipelago. Most of our birding will be on Kai Kecil where most of the endemics can be found in the remaining scraps of forest, again from the roadside - Kai Coucal, Kai (White-tailed) Monarch and Kai Kecil White-eye. A side trip to the hillier Kai Besar is required to find Kai Besar White-eye, plus Kai Leaf Warbler which like the Buru and Seram Leaf Warblers still languishes within Island Leaf Warbler despite their very distinctive appearance and songs. In addition, Kai Cicadabird, Wallace's Fruit Dove, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Rufous-sided/Banda Sea Gerygone and both Papuan and Banda Sea Pittas are present.

‍Ambon
The gateway to the Moluccas, this relatively small island is the regional hub and we will be transiting through the island each time we take a boat or flight to the more exciting, endemic-filled islands. What extra time we have on this island will be spent looking for the islands single endemic, Ambon White-eye. Other possibilities here include a few endemics shared with the surrounding islands, notably Seram/Ashy Flowerpecker, Seram Fantail, Red Lory and Seram Golden Bulbul.

‍Obi
Currently, Obi has just the following endemics Moluccan Woodcock, Carunculated Fruit Dove, Red-tinged Myzomela, Obi (Cinnamon-breasted) Whistler, Obi Paradise-kingfisher, Obi Paradise-crow, and Obi Golden Bulbul, according to the IOC checklist. However, with forthcoming taxonomic alterations this number will soon jump up to at least five that includes a drongo, fantail, paradise-kingfisher, white-eye and myzomela (latter two both undescribed) all of which we hope to find. It's not only the endemics we'll be looking for, but also a few North Moluccan endemics like Blue-and-white Kingfisher, Violet-necked Lory (of the endemic race, obiensis and split as 'Scaled Lory' along with the West Papuan race), Chattering Lory, and North Moluccan Leaf Warbler. Moluccan Variable Kingfisher, Common Paradise-kingfisher (a field guide split as Obi Paradise-kingfisher), Moluccan Whistler, Moluccan Starling, Cinnamon-bellied and Moluccan Imperial Pigeons, and several raptors including Pygmy Eagle are also possible.

‍Bacan
Bacan holds a distinctive white-eye, that will undoubtably be split from the Cream-throated White-eye complex (and already is the regional field guide), and yet another interesting drongo - Bacan Spangled Drongo, and undescribed taxon. In addition, a few species that are also found on Halmahera are likely during our brief visit here.

‍Morotai
Leading the way, we were the first bird company to visit this island. Morotai, a small island to the north of Halmahera, gained prominence during WWII, with 'The Battle of Morotai', for 11 months, as the allies used the island as a base to liberate the Philippines. With forthcoming taxonomic arrangements, the island will have four endemics - Morotai Friarbird, Morotai Spangled Drongo, Morotai Paradise-kingfisher and Morotai White-eye. In addition, the island holds a number of endemic subspecies, including Chattering Lory, Halmahera Paradise-crow and Sultan's/Moluccan Myzomela. There are several other species possible, including Violet-necked Lory, Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Halmahera Swiftlet, Varied and Halmahera (Moluccan) Goshawks, Moluccan Scops Owl, Moluccan Hanging Parrot, Drab Whistler, Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Halmahera Golden Bulbul and Halmahera Flowerpecker.