Papua New Guinea Trip Report

3-26 September 1999

Leader: Phil Gregory

Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H).

Species which were not personally recorded by the leaders are indicated bythe symbol (NL).

This was our ninth tour to Papua New Guinea, home to some of the most spectacular and bizarre birds in the world. Finding birds in PNG can be a real challenge, with some of the most difficult birding on earth, but our group rose magnificently to the occasion and we recorded an outstanding selection, a new PNG trip record.

We began as ever in Port Moresby, with House Sparrow and Australian Pratincole as good trip ticks at Jackson's Airport. Grey-headed Mannikin was our first endemic en route to Moitaka Sewage Ponds, which gave us lovely views of Pied Heron and White-browed Crake as well as unexpected Radjah Shelduck, the local and scarce Spotted Whistling-Duck and a good bower of Fawn-breasted Bowerbird. A ute-load of thuggish looking characters gave me a start, but they turned out to be our security escort, and I'm sure glad they were on our side! We followed up by a trip to the attractive small lakes at the Pacific Adventist University which gave lovely views of Green Pygmy-Goose, Comb-crested Jacana and Fawn-breasted Bowerbird. Back then for lunch at the Airways and then off to Hoskins on New Britain for what is now the traditional start to the trip.

The Hotel has a new bus, I think we finally destroyed the other one last trip, but in keeping with New Britain a disgruntled hotel ex-employee had smashed the windscreen the night before we arrived. An outing up into the hills was noteworthy for some tough driving and prolonged rain, but we picked up Black Imperial Pigeon, Song Parrot, Lesser Shining Flycatcher and Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot. The hot springs next day gave us great looks at Melanesian Scrubfowl, a Black-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, a lovely pair of the very local White-mantled Kingfisher, a superb Pied Cuckoo-Dove and a wonderful adult Nicobar Pigeon. We capped this by seeing another 5 on an island off Hoskins, as well as the spectacular Beach Kingfisher. Another day outing gave us White-bibbed Fruit-Dove and the beautiful Finsch's Imperial-Pigeon, and had a brave try at taping in what I believe to be the rare New Britain Bronzewing (sob!). We found a good selection of the Bismarck-Solomon endemics, with excellent species like Pied (Yellowish), Grey and Red-knobbed Imperial-Pigeons, Red-knobbed Fruit-Dove, both White-necked and Violaceous Coucals, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Black-tailed Monarch and Buff-bellied Mannikin.

Next day we took a flight to Kiunga, far to the west on the border with Irian Jaya, for another excellent few days. It was fairly dry this year, and a quick foray around the airstrip gave us great views of the restricted range endemic White-spotted Mannikin and the scarce  and irruptive Nankeen Kestrel from Australia. Samuel, our local guide, showed us around the rich lowland rainforest surrounding Kiunga, including the Boystown road, mercifully drivable again this year. We had lovely views of a stunning male Flame Bowerbird after an initial brief glimpse, an adult of the rare Long-billed Cuckoo, the very local and frustrating Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot, nice looks at Blue Jewel-babbler and plumed male Greater and Raggiana Birds of Paradise, plus species like Red-collared Parrot, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, the rare and spectacular Vulturine Parrot, the local and uncommon Meyer's Friarbird and the beautiful Golden Cuckoo-shrike. Particularly memorable was the Hook-billed Kingfisher that nearly took my head off, just after I'd proclaimed it to be one of the hardest species to see as it didn't respond to tape.

We spent a full day on the Fly River and one of its tributaries, where adult and immature Great-billed Heron were a nice sight. We were lucky to get wonderful views of Southern Crowned Pigeon, plus the impressive and comical-looking Palm Cockatoo, Large Fig-Parrot, surprisingly just a single Collared Imperial Pigeon, and an excellent dawn performance from the Twelve-wired Birds of Paradise. Common Paradise-Kingfisher performed well, though getting it's rare and almost never seen congener the Little Paradise was even better (a Birdquest first), with a White-tailed Paradise for good measure all within a few hundred metres. This river trip is certainly a highlight of the tour, despite the bites! A huge fly past of Fruit bats added interest too. Another morning we had brief views of a flock of the rare and little known White-bellied Pitohui and a male King Bird of Paradise gave stunning views too.

A three hour drive took us next to the mid-altitude forests at the copper mining town of Tabubil. A stop en route gave the local race of Little Ringed Plover, and views of the rare relict Golden-backed Whistler as we tried to dodge the rain. The El Niño drought of 1997 is long gone, but we still had trouble with finding lorikeets, which seem to have changed their flight paths. The forest by the Dablin Creek track has regrown very well and proved very rewarding. Here we had incredible views of one of the least known birds on earth, the Obscure Berrypecker, to within 2m and may even have got some photos. We were pleased to find Carola's Parotia, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo, Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot, White-rumped Robin and Rusty Whistler for a lucky few. The Ok Ma Road is in a shocking state, but still very good for birds. Here we as usual heard the mysterious and almost unknown Greater Melampitta calling, though getting a view again proved problematic.

We had to leave a Tabubil a day early due to flight complications, which cost us a few species (Ornate Fruit-Dove, White-crowned Koel, Obscure Honeyeater. However we compensated by picking up a few nice things around the Mount Hagen area such as New Guinea White-eye, Mountain Red-headed Myzomela and Ornate Melidectes.

Situated near Tari in the Southern Highlands, Ambua Lodge is one of the most beautiful lodges in New Guinea. The surrounding forests are, without any doubt, the best place in the world to observe and admire birds of paradise. No less than ten species regularly reside here and we once again managed to see all of them. Last year's outstanding track has been damaged by a portable sawmill operation, and is supposedly off limits to the Lodge guests. Luckily we knew the landowner who kindly gave us permission to enter, and we still managed to find some wonderful species. Best ever views of Spotted Jewel-babbler were a highlight, as was a very obliging male Modest Tiger-Parrot, a Mountain Firetail as we were leaving and a couple of Log-runners that we had already seen beautifully up near the Gap.

The gap area was as rewarding as ever, though a high altitude pipit proved to be an Australian Pipit at a new height record, not the hoped for Alpine. Fully plumed male Ribbon-tailed Astrapias performed well, plus a shy female Crested Bird of Paradise, splendid Brown Sicklebills, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Crested Berrypecker, Brehm's Tiger-Parrot and Papuan Lorikeets for good measure.

The male Blue Bird of Paradise gave us lovely views down in the Tari Valley, and we also had excellent views of Torrent Flycatcher, the scarce Marbled Honeyeater and males of both Superb Bird of Paradise and Lawes Parotia, with great looks at Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot nearby.

The moss-festooned Antarctic beech forests below the Tari Gap, gave us unforgettable sightings of male Chestnut Forest-Rail, White-winged Robin, Lesser Ground-Robin, and very obliging Lesser Melampitta. The expertise and keen eyes and ears of Joseph, the local birdman, helped us immensely here. Other excellent species included Blue-capped Ifrita, Papuan Treecreeper, male Wattled Ploughbill, male and female Stephanie's Astrapias and singing male Loria's Bird of Paradise. We finally got lovely views of the elusive Torrent-lark during early morning check in the hope of Shovel-billed Kingfisher, though the latter remains a myth so far here.

The dry savanna around Aroa west of Port Moresby gave us savanna species like Blue-winged Kookaburra, Silver-eared Honeyeater, White-throated Gerygone and White-winged Triller plus a bonus Little Kingfisher. The mangrove habitat at nearby Hisiu was as ever hot, bite-ridden and muddy, but it did give us the very local White-bellied (Rufous) Whistler, and great views of Collared Kingfisher, Mangrove Robin, Mangrove Fantail, Mangrove Gerygone, Dusky Myzomela and Rufous Fantail.

An afternoon at a local wader spot also came up trumps despite the high tide, with a nice flight view of Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Torresian Imperial-Pigeons, Mangrove Robin and unexpected Red-backed Buttonquail and Swamp Harrier. Kanosia lagoon gave more waders, with lovely looks at Swinhoe's Snipe, an early Little Whimbrel, Australian Pratincoles and two more Red-backed Buttonquail!

Our final days saw us concentrating on the beautiful national park at Varirata, where we had lovely views of the spectacular Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, and nice views of the mega-skulking Northern Scrub-robin and Painted Quail-thrush. We also saw the bird of the trip, a magnificent New Guinea Harpy-Eagle that came in to see what we were doing as I was playing a tape of a Quail-thrush, and stayed to give us unbelievably good views! We had a brief view on two separate occasions of the mega-tick Pheasant Pigeon, and heard Eastern (Magnificent) Riflebirds with their bizarre growling calls. The park yielded a few good species each visit, it's a place that definitely repays the time and effort. Other outings there gave us very nice looks at plumed male Raggiana Birds of Paradise in full display, a fortuitous Crinkle-collared Manucode, great looks at Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Barred Cuckoo-shrike, Yellow-legged Flycatcher and the local Grand Mannikin nearby.

It was a truly memorable trip with some outstanding sightings. We got exceptionally good views of many stunners and found lots of endemic species, all enjoyed by a keen-eyed and enthusiastic group. My thanks to Dave for his spotting skills, and to the group for sharing their scopes so unselfishly. All in all quite an introduction to New Guinea, the land of the unexpected!

PODICIPEDIDAE

Australasian Grebe  Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

FREGATIDAE

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor:  One off Hoskins.

Lesser Frigatebird  Fregata ariel: At least 4 over Vulae Island, Hoskins.

PHALACROCORACIDAE

Little Black Cormorant  Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Little Pied Cormorant  Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

ANHINGIDAE

Australian Darter  Anhinga novaehollandiae: Seen at Moitaka, Kiunga and Brown River.

SULIDAE

Brown Booby  Sula leucogaster: A nice view right over the beach at Hisiu.

ARDEIDAE

Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana: An adult and an immature of this rare bird whilst going along the Elevala were great sightings.

Great Egret  Egretta alba

Pied Heron  Egretta picata: Great views at Moitaka SP on the first day where we counted some 60 birds.

Intermediate Egret  Egretta intermedia

Cattle Egret  Egretta ibis: The eastern race is now regular in the Port Moresby and Aroa areas, where it was hard to find ten years ago. Some were in breeding plumage.

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta: A single at the PAU ponds, two at Moitaka and one at Kanosia were all we saw.

Eastern Reef-Egret  Egretta sacra: A single dark morph over the sea at Hoskins.

Striated Heron (Green-backed Heron)  Ardeola striata: Three along the Elevala.

Rufous Night-Heron  Nycticorax caledonicus: A few around the Port Moresby area.

Black Bittern  Ixobrychus flavicollis: Good views of two along the Elevala were pleasing.

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Australian White Ibis  Threskiornis molucca: Five near Vanapa.

Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus: A single at Kanosia was a nice bonus for the trip.

PANDIONIDAE

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus: A single showed beautifully near Kimbe.

ACCIPITRIDAE

Crested Hawk (Pacific Baza)  Aviceda subcristata: Seen well at Pokili, and near both Kiunga and Tabubil.

Long-tailed Buzzard  Henicopernis longicauda: Seen very well at Tabubil and Kiunga.

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus: Just a single near Tari, very local in New Guinea.

Black Kite  Milvus migrans: A few around Lae and Mt. Hagen, a strangely local species in PNG.

Whistling Kite  Haliastur sphenurus

Brahminy Kite  Haliastur indus: Lovely views, an outstanding bird.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle  Haliaeetus leucogaster: Good views near Kimbe and at Kiunga.

Spotted Marsh Harrier (Eastern Marsh or Papuan Harrier)  Circus spilonotus: A nice look at a single at Lae, and again near Dauli and up at the Tari Gap.

Swamp Harrier  Circus approximans: Great views of one near Lea-lea, quite a rare bird in PNG and often confused with the Papuan Harrier.

Grey (Variable) Goshawk  Accipiter novaehollandiae: Nicely seen at Hoskins, Kiunga and Tabubil. The form here has now at last been split by some authorities as Accipiter hiogaster, since it differs so much from the Australian species.

Black-mantled Goshawk  Accipiter melanochlamys: Brief views up at the Gap.

Grey-headed Goshawk  Accipiter poliocephalus: Nice views of a single of this rather uncommon species at Dablin Creek, courtesy of some great spotting from Marlene!

Collared Sparrowhawk  Accipiter cirrocephalus: A single in savanna near Lea-lea.

(Meyer's Goshawk  Accipiter meyerianus (Leader only): A brief flight view of this rare bird from the bus near the Lodge late one afternoon. Sori tumas!)

Little Eagle  Hieraaetus morphnoides: Two near Tari were unexpected.

New Guinea Harpy-Eagle  Harpyopsis novaeguineae: A trip highlight, it came in like a huge silent moth as I was playing a Painted Quail-thrush call at Varirata, and landed directly overhead, permitting outstanding views for all as it peered curiously down at us. The second year running we have encountered the species along this trail too, one of the most wanted and difficult New Guinea endemics.

FALCONIDAE

Australian Kestrel  Falco cenchroides: We saw two singles of this scarce irruptive winter migrant at Kiunga.

Oriental Hobby  Falco severus. A single of this diminutive and very uncommon hobby along the road near Kiunga.

Australian Hobby  Falco longipennis: Well seen at Kiunga, an Australian winter migrant here.

ANATIDAE

Radjah Shelduck  Tadorna radjah: 3 at Moitaka were a surprise.

Spotted Whistling-Duck  Dendrocygna guttata: Marlene found us a flock of 7 perched in trees at Moitaka, it's a bird that has got much harder to find in recent years.

Wandering Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna arcuata: 24 at the PAU ponds.

Green Pygmy-Goose  Nettapus pulchellus: Lovely views at the PAU, a delightful species.

Pacific Black Duck  Anas superciliosa: A few at the PAU and Moitaka.

MEGAPODIIDAE

Melanesian Scrubfowl (Volcano Scrubfowl)  Megapodius eremita: Excellent views of several in the forest surrounding the breeding colony around the hot springs at Pokili, looking like aberrant swamphens on first glance!

Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius freycinet: a nice flight view of one flying along the beach at Lea-lea, where they live in the mangroves.

Black-billed Brush-turkey  Talegalla fuscirostris (H): Calling noisily at both Kiunga and Varirata, but both the nest mounds that we visit at the latter site had been destroyed by feral pigs.

PHASIANIDAE

Brown Quail  Coturnix australis: Nice views of three at the Moitaka and unexpectedly common along the road up to the Gap at Tari, with a single in the Lodge grounds too.

TURNICIDAE

Red-backed Buttonquail  Turnix maculosa : Gary flushed two at Lea-lea and most saw one in flight, then we had nice flight views of two at Kanosia for good measure.

RALLIDAE

Chestnut Forest-Rail  Rallina rubra: A male performed beautifully, a trip highlight for sure.

Red-necked Rail  Rallina tricolor (H): Heard near Tabubil.

Buff-banded Rail  Rallus philippensis: Good views for some at Moitaka, thanks to Sue, then a nice one near Ambua.

White-browed Crake  Porzana cinerea: Lovely views of an adult at Moitaka.

Rufous-tailed Bush-hen  Amaurornis moluccanus : An excellent view of one crossing the road near Kiunga, taped out after an epic duel with it's hidden companion across the track.

Dusky Moorhen  Gallinula tenebrosa: A few at the PAU.

Purple Swamphen (Purple Gallinule)  Porphyrio porphyrio: Lovely views of the black backed race (or species) melanotus at Moitaka and the PAU.

JACANIDAE

Comb-crested Jacana  Irediparra gallinacea What a great little bird, well

seen at the PAU.

CHARADRIIDAE

White-headed Stilt (Black-winged) Himantopus leucocephalus: Seen at Moitaka and Kanosia.

Australian Pratincole  Stiltia isabella: Four on the tarmac at Port Moresby were a nice find, then we saw 7 at Kanosia.

Masked Lapwing  Vanellus miles

Pacific Golden Plover  Pluvialis fulva: A few at Hoskins.

Little Ringed Plover  Charadrius dubius: A splendid bird near Tabubil which showed the pink base to the bill and yellow eye ring very nicely. The subspecies in New Guinea dubius has a very different call compared to

Palearctic birds.

SCOLOPACIDAE

Eastern Curlew  Numenius madagascariensis: A single at Lea-lea was nice.

Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus: Five at Hisiu and a single at Lea-lea.

Little Whimbrel  Numenius minutus: Great looks at a single that flew in at Kanosia, an early migrant.

Common Sandpiper  Tringa hypoleucos

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola: A single at Moitaka and 6 at Kanosia.

Marsh Sandpiper  Tringa stagnatilis: A single at Kanosia.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper  Calidris acuminata: 5 at Kanosia.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea: A single at Kanosia.

Red-necked Stint: Calidris ruficollis: One at Tabubil airstrip was unexpected.

Swinhoe's Snipe (Chinese Snipe)  Gallinago megala: Nice views of 7 at Kanosia.

LARIDAE

Whiskered Tern Sterna hybridus: 50 at Moitaka.

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica : 10 at Moitaka.

Crested Tern (Greater Crested Tern)  Sterna bergii: Four off Hoskins.

Black-naped Tern  Sterna sumatrana: A nice view off Hoskins.

Sooty Tern  Sterna fuscata : Great looks at a single on driftwood off Hoskins.

Noddy sp. (Brown or Black Noddy) Anous stolidus/minutus: 40 very distant off Lea-lea.

COLUMBIDAE

Rock Pigeon (Rock Dove)  Columba livia: A controversial species! PG still thinks most birds seen in Port Moresby are domestic stock, as are the Tabubil ones. One for your conscience!

Slender-billed Cuckoo-Dove (Brown Cuckoo-Dove)  Macropygia amboinensis

Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia nigrirostris: Small numbers in the west.

Great Cuckoo-Dove  Reinwardtoena reinwardtii: Nice views at Kiunga and near Tabubil of this truly spectacular bird.

Pied Cuckoo-Dove  Reinwardtoena browni: Splendid views of this spectacular endemic near Pokili, a real hard one to find.

Emerald Ground-Dove  Chalcophaps indica: A brief view of one in flight at Brown River was it this time.

Stephan's Ground-Dove  Chalcophaps stephani: A single in the hills near Kimbe.

Nicobar  Pigeon  Caloenas nicobarica: Superb views of an adult at Pokili, then five more off Hoskins the same day! One of the birds of the trip.

New Britain Bronzewing  Henicophaps foersteri: I taped one calling near Pokili but was unable to lure this rarely seen species into view. Next year maybe?

Peaceful Dove  Geopelia striata: A few around Port Moresby.

Bar-shouldered Dove  Geopelia humeralis: Ditto.

White-bibbed Ground-Dove  Gallicolumba jobiensis: Brief views for some of this scarce irruptive at Varirata again.

Pheasant Pigeon  Otidiphaps nobilis: Most got onto the ones that came near or onto the track at Varirata, a cracking bird and another tough one.

Southern Crowned Pigeon Goura scheepmakeri: I thought we were going to have poor views only, but Samuel found two from the boat, enabling us all to get superb views of this world class bird. Another two later just could not compare! A re-run of the May trip sightings!

Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon  Trugon terrestris: Heard near Kiunga, one day we'll get to see it!

Wompoo Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus magnificus: Good views at Kiunga.

Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove  Ptilinopus perlatus: Excellent telescope views on several occasions.

Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove  Ptilinopus aurantiifrons: Distant views near Kiunga of this sparse species.

Superb Fruit-Dove  Ptilinopus superbus: An odd plumaged female bird near Pokili, and then good views of a male at Varirata.

Beautiful Fruit-Dove  Ptilinopus pulchellus: Some nice looks near Kiunga this time.

White-breasted Fruit-Dove  Ptilinopus rivoli: Nice views of males at Ambua.

Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove  Ptilinopus iozonus: Kiunga birds have a maroon shoulder bar lacking in the Port Moresby ones.

Knob-billed Fruit-Dove (Red-knobbed Fruit-Dove)  Ptilinopus insolitus: Great views of small numbers of this Bismarck endemic on the Lavege track.

Dwarf Fruit Dove Ptilinopus nana: Nice views near Kiunga and a flock of 5 at Dablin Creek, then heard up at Varirata. The scarcest of the Ptilinopus in PNG.

Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon  Ducula rubricera. Large, spectacular and very vocal, a Bismarck-Solomons endemic that gave great views.

Purple-tailed Imperial-Pigeon  Ducula rufigaster: Excellent views of this sparse species near Kiunga on several dates

Grey Imperial Pigeon (Island Imperial Pigeon)  Ducula pistrinaria: Good views near Hoskins.

Finsch's Imperial Pigeon  Ducula finschii: Great views near Pokili, the rarest of the Bismarck endemic Ducula.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon  Ducula pinon: Flyovers and perched birds along the Fly River.

Bismarck Imperial-Pigeon (Black Imperial)  Ducula melanochroa: Good views in the hills at Mt. Nakru, a scarce and elusive species.

Collared Imperial Pigeon  Ducula muellerii: Just a single by the Fly River. This is a specialist of riverine forest, where have they gone?

Zoe Imperial Pigeon  Ducula zoeae: The common lowland and hill forest Ducula.

Torresian Imperial Pigeon  Ducula spilorrhoa: Nice views of both mainland spilorrhoa and the potential split subflavescens in the Bismarcks.

Papuan Mountain Pigeon  Gymnophaps albertisii: Poorly named and quite widespread in both lowlands and hills as well as the mountains.

PSITTACIDAE

Greater Streaked Lory  Chalcopsitta sintillata: Good views at Varirata and Kiunga, a subtle species that needs good views to be appreciated.

Dusky Lory  Pseudeos fuscata: Better numbers this year, but still nowhere near as common as of pre-drought times.

Rainbow Lorikeet  Trichoglossus haematodus

Eastern Black-capped Lory  Lorius hypoinochrous: Common and performing well along the Lavege track on New Britain.

Western Black-capped Lory  Lorius lory: Noisy and excellent. Good views of the race somu at Kiunga and Tabubil.

(Streaked Lorikeet  Charmosyna multistriata Leader Only: Phil glimpsed a silent single bird flying through at Dablin Creek. This rare species has become much harder since the drought.)

Red-flanked Lorikeet  Charmosyna placentis: Splendid views on several occasions of feeding birds in flowering trees. Bismarck birds have a different flight call to Western Province birds.

Papuan Lorikeet  Charmosyna papou: Excellent views of both phases of this stunning endemic in the Ambua area.

Plum-faced Lorikeet  Oreopsittacus arfaki: Nice views at Ambua.

Yellow-billed Lorikeet  Neopsittacus musschenbroekii: Both this and the next species were seen well at Ambua.

Orange-billed Lorikeet  Neopsittacus pullicauda: Seen well, though bill colour in dull light remains controversial!

Palm Cockatoo  Probosciger aterrimus: A star bird, great views along the Fly River with up to four in one day.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo  Cacatua galerita: Quite common in the west, and sounding quite different to Australian birds.

Blue-eyed Cockatoo  Cacatua ophthalmica: Common and performing well in the Hoskins-Lavege area.

Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot  Micropsitta pusio: Perched views for most on New Britain. One of the world's smallest parrots.

Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot  Micropsitta keiensis: Lots of flyovers in the Kiunga area of this restricted range species.

Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot  Micropsitta bruijnii: Seen nicely at both at Tabubil and Ambua, the latter  birds being much duller ochraceous on the crown than the brighter yellow capped Tabubil ones, which may be an undescribed subspecies.

Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot  Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii: Marvellous views at Kiunga and Tabubil, a real gem.

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot  Cyclopsitta diopthalma: Great views of a pair near Kiunga.

Large Fig-Parrot  Psittaculirostris desmarestii: Brief views of a flyover bird along the Fly River was it for this year. A hard one to find.

Brehm's Tiger-Parrot  Psittacella brehmii: Terrific views on several occasions of a calling bird at the Gap.

Modest Tiger-Parrot  Psittacella modesta: Great views of one that I taped in above the Bailey Bridge. A very little known species, the call is quite different to that of Madarasz's. Another tough bird to find.

Madarasz's Tiger-Parrot  Psittacella madaraszi: One calling at neck breaking height during a rainstorm in the lodge grounds.

Red-cheeked Parrot  Geoffroyus geoffroyi: Common at Kiunga and Varirata.

Blue-collared Parrot  Geoffroyus simplex: The wind chime bird, heard in flight at Tabubil and eventually seen at Ambua.

Singing Parrot (Song Parrot)  Geoffroyus heteroclitus: Seen in flight near Kimbe, an uncommon Bismarck-Solomon endemic species.

Eclectus Parrot  Eclectus roratus: Splendidly common and very noisy.

Vulturine Parrot  Psittrichas fulgidus: Lovely views near Kiunga and along the Ok Ma. It gets scarcer every year due to hunting.

Papuan King-Parrot  Alisterus chloropterus: Seen very well at Tari.

CUCULIDAE

Oriental Cuckoo  Cuculus saturatus: A very early migrant along the Boystown Road at Kiunga.

Brush Cuckoo  Cacomantis variolosus

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo  Cacomantis castaneiventris: Seen very nicely at Tabubil.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo  Cacomantis flabelliformis: Nicely seen at the Tari Gap.

Long-billed Cuckoo  Rhamphomantis megarhynchus: Great looks at an adult near Kiunga. A great rarity that is becoming better known these days.

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo   Chrysococcyx  lucidus : A single at Lavege.

Gould's or Little Bronze-Cuckoo (Malay Bronze) Chrysococcyx  minutillus/russatus (H): Heard at Varirata.

Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx ruficollis: Excellent views at Ambua again this year, in record numbers.

White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx meyeri: Seen well at Tabubil, a very attractive species.

Dwarf Koel  Microdynamis parva (H): Heard only this trip.

White-crowned Koel  Caliechthrus leucolophus (H): More usually heard than seen, as proved to be the case this time.

Common Koel  Eudynamys scolopacea  (H): Heard on New Britain where this doubtful split was identified on range.

Australian Koel  Eudynamys cyanocephala: Females at Kiunga confirmed this split for us, common along the Elevala where we saw 10 in a day.

Channel-billed Cuckoo  Scythrops novaehollandiae: Great views at Pokili and by the Fly River. Weird prehistoric-looking creatures!

Violaceous Coucal  Centropus violaceus: Lovely views this time in the Lavege area.

Greater Black Coucal  Centropus menbeki: Much sonorous booming, and at last a view of this huge lumbering creature clambering about in a thicket beside the Elevala. Well spotted Dave.

Pied Coucal (White-necked Coucal)  Centropus ateralbus: Quite common in the

Hoskins-Lavege area, and seen on several occasions.

Lesser Black Coucal  Centropus bernsteini: Two seen at Kiunga.

Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus: Common around Port Moresby, where the locals call it "lapun meri" or old woman.

STRIGIDAE

Papuan Boobook  Ninox theomacha: Great views at Tabubil, and calling briefly at Ambua, where it is taped-out these days,.

PODARGIDAE

Papuan Frogmouth  Podargus papuensis: A spotlight view of a single at Varirata, and a ludicrously exposed nesting bird on a dead snag hanging over the Elevala.

CAPRIMULGIDAE

White-throated Nightjar  Eurostopodus mystacalis: A nice flight view near Kiunga again.

Papuan Nightjar  Eurostopodus papuensis: A single bird flying over the Fly River at dawn, very unexpected and an excellent find of a very difficult species.

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus: A nesting bird at Pokili hot springs, and seen well at Varirata.

HEMIPROCNIDAE

Moustached Tree-Swift  Hemiprocne mystacea: Many great views, a trip favourite and what a beautiful bird!.

APODIDAE

Uniform Swiftlet  Collocalia vanikorensis

Mountain Swiftlet  Collocalia hirundinacea: Above 2000m, we ticked this one.

White-rumped Swiftlet  Collocalia spodiopygius: Surprisingly few along the Lavege track.

Glossy Swiftlet  Collocalia esculenta

Papuan Spine-tailed Swift  Mearnsia novaeguineae: Quite common in the Kiunga area.

ALCEDINIDAE

Little Paradise-Kingfisher  Tanysiptera hydrocharis: Excellent views of this great rarity above Kiunga, a Birdquest first. We finally learned the distinct call (thanks Bret and Samuel!) and the rest followed.

Common Paradise-Kingfisher  Tanysiptera galattea: A nice view along the Fly River.

Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher  Tanysiptera danae: Good views at Varirata, a great bird and the 5 th Tanysiptera species for the trip.

White-tailed (Buff-breasted) Paradise-Kingfisher  Tanysiptera sylvia: A single along the Fly River was a nice find.

Black-headed Paradise-Kingfisher  Tanysiptera nigriceps: Excellent views near Pokili, nice work Dave.

Hook-billed Kingfisher  Melidora macrorrhina: Unbelievable views at Kiunga when a bird uncharacteristically responded to my tape, nearly taking my hat off in the process.

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra  Dacelo gaudichaud

Blue-winged Kookaburra  Dacelo leachii: An excellent bird, seen really well.

Forest Kingfisher  Halcyon macleayii: Lovely views at Varirata.

New Britain Kingfisher (White-mantled K)  Halcyon albonotata: I had the site lined up from a previous trip, and we got some wonderful views of a pair near Pokili.

Collared Kingfisher  Halcyon chloris: Nice views at Hisiu and on New Britain.

Sacred Kingfisher  Halcyon sancta

Beach Kingfisher  Halcyon saurophaga: Lovely views at an island off Hoskins, the call reminiscent of a Greenshank, a useful comparison for one-upmanship in Britain!

Yellow-billed Kingfisher  Halcyon torotoro: Seen very well at Kiunga and Varirata.

Mountain Kingfisher  Halcyon megarhyncha: Seen very well along the entrance trail to the Lodge at near Ambua, a very difficult species to find.

Dwarf Kingfisher (Variable D K)  Ceyx lepidus (H): No sightings this time.

Little Kingfisher  Alcedo pusilla: One seen in the late afternoon on a small lake near Brown River, but sadly not everyone got onto it in time.

Azure Kingfisher  Alcedo azurea: Nice views of a single near Varirata.

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis: Good views near Kimbe of this very wide-ranging bird.

AEGOTHELIDAE

Barred Owlet-nightjar  Aegotheles bennetti: One heard in windy conditions up at Varirata. Frustrating.

MEROPIDAE

Rainbow Bee-eater  Merops ornatus

CORACIIDAE

Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis: Many migrants at Kiunga.

BUCEROTIDAE

Blyth's Hornbill  Rhyticeros plicatus: Great views on numerous occasions in the Kiunga area, and a few in New Britain.

PITTIDAE

Hooded Pitta  Pitta sordida  (H): At Kiunga, distant.

Red-bellied Pitta  Pitta (H): Heard at Varirata when we were intent on a Quail-thrush and Pheasant Pigeon.

ALAUDIDAE

Singing Bushlark  Mirafra javanica: Seen at Lae airport and at Lea-lea.

HIRUNDINIDAE

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo tahitica

Tree Martin  Hirundo nigricans: Common over the savannas around Port Moresby.

CAMPEPHAGIDAE

Hooded Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina longicauda: Seen well and very noisy near Ambua.

White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina papuensis

Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina novaehollandiae: Many migrants at Aroa.

Stout-billed Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina caeruleogrisea: Seen at Varirata and near Tabubil.

Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina lineata: Seen nicely at Varirata, the very distinct unbarred NG race.

Boyer's Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina boyeri: Regular observations at Varirata and Kiunga.

Cicadabird  Coracina tenuirostris: Seen on New Britain, most unexpectedly at Tiokonda near Tari which is very high for this species, and again at Varirata.

Black-shouldered Cicadabird  Coracina incerta: A few seen and heard at Tabubil, where there are no records of the very similar (and frequently confused) Cicadabird.

Grey-headed Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina schisticeps: Fairly common in the Kiunga and Tabubil areas.

Black Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina melaena: Seen at Varirata, never an easy one to find, it seems to be always our last Coracina.

Black-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike  Coracina montana: Seen well near Ambua.

Golden Cuckoo-Shrike  Campochaera sloetii: Nice views in the Kiunga and Tabubil areas.

White-winged Triller  Lalage sueurii: Nice views in long grass (!) in the savannas near Port Moresby, very local in PNG.

Varied Triller  Lalage leucomela

LANIIDAE

Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach: Ambua only, seen well.

TURDIDAE

Pied Chat (Pied Stonechat)  Saxicola caprata

Island Thrush  Turdus poliocephalus: Nicely seen up at the Gap this year.

ORTHONYCHIDAE

Logrunner  Orthonyx temminckii: Magnificent views up near the Gap. The call is quite distinct from those of the Australian birds, and a split is likely as O. novaeguineae.

CORVIDAE

Painted Quail-Thrush  Cinclosoma ajax: Great efforts to see a calling bird at Varirata eventually bore fruit for most of us.

Spotted Jewel-babbler  Ptilorrhoa leucosticta: Absolutely stunning, best ever views of two along a trail above the Bailey bridge.

Blue Jewel-Babbler  Ptilorrhoa caerulescens: Seen quite nicely at Kiunga, after lengthy efforts.

Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler  Ptilorrhoa castanonota (H): Heard at Varirata, this is normally the least difficult of the jewel-babblers.

Lesser Melampitta  Melampitta lugubris Great views of two calling and perching up in small trees near the Tari Gap. Dave's 5000th bird, a nice one to pick!

Greater Melampitta  Melampitta gigantea: (H) One of New Guinea's least known birds but not uncommon around Tabubil, where we heard them calling distantly.

Blue-capped Ifrita  Ifrita kowaldi: Seen very well on several occasions at Tari.

POMATOSTOMATIDAE

Rufous Babbler  Pomatostomus isidorei: Great views near Kiunga.

SYLVIIDAE

Australian Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus australis: Seen at the Ox-bow, usually split these days from Clamorous Reed Warbler.

Tawny Grassbird  Megalurus timoriensis: Common above Ambua.

Golden-headed Cisticola  Cisticola exilis

Island Leaf-Warbler  Phylloscopus poliocephala: Seen well near Ambua Lodge.

MALURIDAE

Emperor Fairy-Wren  Malurus cyanocephalus: Nice views of a pair at Kiunga.

White-shouldered Fairy-Wren  Malurus alboscapulatus

ACANTHIZIDAE

Rusty Mouse-Warbler  Crateroscelis murina: Variations on a theme of three notes keeping us entertained, plus some amazing mimicry, and all of us eventually got to see the singer.

Mountain Mouse-Warbler  Crateroscelis robusta: Brief views at Tari.

Pale-billed Scrubwren Sericornis spilodera: This scarce species was seen at Tabubil and Varirata.

Large Scrub-Wren  Sericornis nouhuysi: Quite common in the Ambua area.

Buff-faced Scrub-Wren  Sericornis perspicillatus

Papuan Scrub-Wren  Sericornis papuensis: Common at the Gap.

Grey Gerygone  Gerygone cinerea: Excellent  views of two at Ambua, a hard species to get.

Yellow-bellied Gerygone  Gerygone chrysogaster: Kiunga and Varirata.

Green-backed Gerygone  Gerygone chloronotus: The song really is the best thing about it.

Fairy Gerygone  Gerygone palpebrosa: Seen at Tabubil and Varirata.

Large-billed Gerygone  Gerygone magnirostris: Seen at Hisiu.

Mangrove Gerygone  Gerygone levigaster: Seen very nicely at Hisiu, a nice find in the same habitat as Large-billed Gerygone.

Brown-breasted Gerygone  Gerygone ruficollis:  Some nice views at Ambua, and a great smoky song.

White-throated Gerygone  Gerygone olivacea: Seen well in the eucalyptus savanna near Aroa, a very local species in PNG.

RHIPIDURIDAE

White-bellied Thicket-Fantail  Rhipidura leucothorax: Excellent views near Kiunga.

Rufous Fantail  Rhipidura rufifrons: Nicely seen at Hisiu.

Rufous-backed Fantail  Rhipidura rufidorsa (H): Only heard near Kiunga this year.

Dimorphic Fantail  Rhipidura brachyrhyncha: Both phases seen well at Ambua.

Mangrove Fantail Rhipidura phasiana: Seen very well at Hisiu, very local in PNG.

Black Fantail  Rhipidura atra: Well seen at Ambua, both males and females.

Chestnut-bellied Fantail  Rhipidura hyperythra: A nice view at Varirata. with a mixed feeding flock.

Friendly Fantail  Rhipidura albolimbata

Northern Fantail  Rhipidura rufiventris

Willie Wagtail  Rhipidura leucophrys: Nesting on an island off Hoskins, and seen almost everywhere.

MYIAGRIDAE

Black Monarch  Monarcha axillaris: Nice views at Ambua of this curious fantail-mimic.

Black-faced Monarch  Monarcha melanopsis: Nice looks at Varirata.

Black-winged Monarch  Monarcha frater: Good views at Varirata

Spot-winged Monarch  Monarcha guttula

Black-tailed Monarch (Bismarck Pied Monarch)  Monarcha verticalis: Good views on one occasion on the Lavege track of this rather sparse endemic.

Golden Monarch  Monarcha chrysomela: A lovely view of a male near Kiunga.

Frilled Monarch  Arses telescopthalmus: Great views of this curious bird.

Leaden Flycatcher  Myiagra rubecula

Shining Flycatcher  Myiagra alecto

Dull Flycatcher (Lesser Shining) Myiagra hebetior: Males seen and more importantly for identification, heard this year near Kimbe and at Pokili.

Yellow-breasted Boatbill  Machaerirhynchus flaviventer: One with a mixed flock at Varirata showed well.

Black-breasted Boatbill  Machaerirhynchus nigripectus: Seen well at Ambua, a very attractive bird.

EOPSALTRIIDAE

Torrent Flycatcher  Monachella muelleriana: Nicely seen above Tabubil and at Tari. A great bird.

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher  Microeca flavigaster: The Tabubil birds are odd, being very short tailed and bright yellow beneath as compared to the savanna birds at Aroa.

Yellow-legged Flycatcher Microeca griseoceps: Excellent views of this very sparse and unobtrusive species at Varirata.

Canary Flycatcher  Microeca papuana: A regular of the Ambua area.

White faced Robin Tregellasia leucops: They showed well at Varirata.

Mangrove Robin  Eopsaltria pulverulenta: Easy and tame at the Hisiu mangroves.

Ashy Robin  Poecilodryas albispecularis: Glimpsed in the forest at Ambua.

Black-sided Robin  Poecilodryas hypoleuca: Another elusive robin, seen quite well near Kiunga after a lengthy tape duel.

Black-throated Robin  Poecilodryas albonotata: Seen very nicely near Ambua one afternoon, in pouring rain.

Northern Scrub-robin  Drymodes superciliaris: Excellent views of this very shy species at Varirata.

Lesser Ground-Robin  Amalocichla incerta: Quite a nice view of this mega-skulker at Ambua.

White-winged Robin  Peneothello sigillatus: Excellent views across a trail near the Gap.

White-rumped Robin  Peneothello bimaculatus: Another elusive robin, seen nicely at Dablin Creek, but sori tumas Marlene.

Blue-grey Robin  Peneothello cyanus: Lovely views of this frequently found Ambua resident.

PACHYCEPHALIDAE

Dwarf Whistler  Pachycare flavogrisea: Common at Varirata, where they can be hard!

Common Golden Whistler  Pachycephala pectoralis: A male in the forest along the Lavege track was a good PNG tick.

Mangrove Golden Whistler  Pachycephala melanura (H): Uncharacteristically difficult at Hisiu mangroves this time.

Sclater's Whistler  Pachycephala soror: Seen well on many occasions at Tari.

Regent Whistler  Pachycephala schlegelii: Seen very  well at Tari.

Golden-backed Whistler  Pachycephala aurea: Good views this again year, two adults showing well after initially being difficult, and just missing a heavy shower.

Grey Whistler  Pachycephala simplex: Seen at Kiunga, near Tabubil, and at Varirata.

Rusty Whistler Pachycephala hyperythra: Seen by a lucky few at Dablin Creek near Tabubil.

Brown-backed Whistler  Pachycephala modesta: Seen well on several occasions near the lodge at Ambua, a PNG endemic.

Black-headed Whistler  Pachycephala monacha: Seen nicely at Tabubil and in the Tari valley.

Rufous (White-bellied) Whistler  Pachycephala (rufiventris) leucogaster: Seen well at Hisiu and Varirata. A good potential split from the Rufous Whistler of Australia.

Rufous-naped Whistler  Pachycephala rufinucha: Common and performing well at Ambua.

Little Shrike-Thrush  Colluricincla megarhyncha

Grey Shrike-Thrush  Colluricincla harmonica: Seen well in the Hisiu area.

Variable Pitohui  Pitohui kirhocephalus: Brief views of several black headed birds in the Kiunga area.

Hooded Pitohui  Pitohui dichrous

White-bellied Pitohui  Pitohui incertus: Seen briefly along the Fly River above Kiunga, with several parties in evidence. A rare and little known species.

Rusty Pitohui  Pitohui ferrugineus: Good looks at Varirata.

Crested Pitohui  Pitohui cristatus  (H): The amazing song was heard at Tabubil and Varirata, but, as usual none wanted to show.

Black Pitohui  Pitohui nigrescens (H): heard at Ambua.

Wattled Ploughbill  Eulacestoma nigropectus (H): This bizarre species was heard up at the Gap but proved elusive.

CLIMACTERIDAE

Papuan Treecreeper  Cormobates placens: Surprisingly good views of a bird in pouring rain at Ambua.

NEOSITTIDAE

Varied Sittella  Daphoenositta chrysoptera : Neck wrenching views at Ambua.

DICAEIDAE

Obscure Berrypecker  Melanocharis arfakiana: Incredible views on the Dablin Creek trail near Tabubil and others were heard along the Ok Ma road. Another of New Guinea's almost mythical birds, amazingly like a flowerpecker in habits. Instamatic photos anyone?

Black Berrypecker  Melanocharis nigra: Nice looks at Kiunga and Varirata.

Mid-mountain Berrypecker  Melanocharis longicauda: Seen briefly at Ambua.

Fan-tailed Berrypecker  Melanocharis versteri: Seen very well at Ambua.

Red-crowned Flowerpecker (Papuan Flowerpecker)  Dicaeum pectorale

Bismarck Flowerpecker (Red-banded Flowerpecker)  Dicaeum eximium: Nice looks in the Lavege/Kimbe area.

Tit Berrypecker  Oreocharis arfaki: Good views of this gorgeous looking mutant Great Tit look-alike at Ambua.

Crested Berrypecker  Paramythia montium: Superb views at the Tari Gap. A very striking bird that is not always easy to find.

NECTARINIIDAE

Black Sunbird  Nectarinia aspasia: Seen beautifully along the Ok Ma road.

Yellow-bellied Sunbird  Nectarinia jugularis

ZOSTEROPIDAE

Black-fronted White-eye  Zosterops atrifrons: Seen well this year. The common lowland and hill forest white-eye.

Western Mountain White-eye (Dark-capped White-eye)  Zosterops fuscicapillus: Seen nicely in the Tari valley.

New Guinea White-eye Zosterops novaeguineae: Lovely views of singing birds in Mt Hagen. A nice bonus species that is always hard to find.

MELIPHAGIDAE

Long-billed Honeyeater  Melilestes megarhynchus: Seen on several occasions, most notably near Tabubil.

Yellow-bellied Longbill  Toxorhamphus novaeguineae: Good views at Kiunga this year.

Dwarf Honeyeater  Oedistoma iliolophus: Common round Tabubil and at Varirata, but hard to see well.

Pygmy Honeyeater  Oedistoma pygmaeum: Brief views at Kiunga.

Green-backed Honeyeater  Glycichaera fallax: Seen well at Dablin Creek, a tricky one.

Silver-eared Honeyeater  Lichmera alboauricularis: Seen very well at the Aroa motel, a good stake-out for this local species.

Red-throated Myzomela  Myzomela eques: A brief look at one at Tabubil for some.

Ashy Myzomela  Myzomela cineracea: Quite common in the Hoskins-Lavege area.

Dusky Myzomela  Myzomela obscura: Seen well at the Hisiu mangroves.

Papuan Black Myzomela  Myzomela nigrita: Well seen at Varirata.

Mountain Red-headed Myzomela  Myzomela adolphinae: Seen well at Varirata as usual, also at Mt. Hagen.

Black-bellied Myzomela (New Britain Red-headed Myzomela)  Myzomela erythromelas: Males of this scarce endemic were seen on several occasions in forest between Hoskins and Lavege. The alternative name may also be the longest vernacular species name?

Red-collared Myzomela  Myzomela rosenbergii: Nicely seen at Ambua.

Spot-breasted Meliphaga Meliphaga mimikae: Nice looks at Varirata, a fairly distinctive species in this amazingly hard group.

Mountain Meliphaga  Meliphaga orientalis: Seen well at Dablin Creek.

Scrub White-eared Meliphaga  Meliphaga albonotata: The commonest trip Meliphaga. Birds in the hills above Tabubil are odd, with pale yellow at the rear of the ear spots and obvious gape lines.

Mimic Meliphaga  Meliphaga analoga: A few seen well at Tabubil and Aroa.

Graceful Meliphaga  Meliphaga gracilis: Seen at Hisiu and Tabubil.

Yellow-gaped Meliphaga  Meliphaga flavirictus: This rather rare unobtrusive species was seen in forest along the Elevala.

Yellow-tinted Honeyeater  Lichenostomus flavescens: Nice views at Port Moresby.

Black-throated Honeyeater  Lichenostomus subfrenatus: Common at Ambua this time, whereas we had none last year!

Obscure Honeyeater  Lichenostomus obscurus (H): A few heard at Kiunga and Tabubil.

Spotted Honeyeater  Xanthotis polygramma: Seen only at Varirata, nice looks.

Tawny-breasted Honeyeater  Xanthotis flaviventer

White-throated Honeyeater  Melithreptus albogularis: Well seen at Varirata.

Marbled Honeyeater  Pycnopygius cinereus: Seen by some near Tari, a very sparse species in PNG.

Streak-headed Honeyeater  Pycnopygius stictocephalus: Seen well at Kiunga and Varirata.

Plain Honeyeater Pycnopygius ixoides: Excellent views and tape obtained of two at Kiunga, very seldom recorded.

Meyer's Friarbird  Philemon meyeri: Good views at Kiunga this year, another very sparse species.

New Guinea Friarbird (Helmeted) Philemon (novaeguineae) buceroides: Now again lumped with Helmeted.

New Britain Friarbird  Philemon cockerelli: More distinct than I recalled, quite common.

Rufous-backed Honeyeater  Ptiloprora guisei: Regular observations near the lodge at Ambua, a PNG endemic.

Grey-streaked Honeyeater  Ptiloprora perstriata

Belford's Melidectes  Melidectes belfordi: Noisy, ugly and far too common at higher levels at Ambua!

Yellow-browed Melidectes  Melidectes rufocrissalis: Regular in the Tari Valley and at the Lodge.

Ornate Melidectes  Melidectes ornatus: A single at Tabubil for a lucky few, and again at Mt. Hagen and near Tari.

Common Smoky Honeyeater  Melipotes fumigatus

Brown-backed Honeyeater  Ramsayornis modestus: Hisiu mangroves and Brown River too.

Rufous-banded Honeyeater  Conopophila albogularis

ESTRILDIDAE

Blue-faced Parrot-Finch  Erythrura trichroa: Most of us got quite good views of this skulker at Varirata.

White-spotted Mannikin  Lonchura leucosticta: We eventually got nice views of six in a grassy patch by the Kiunga airstrip.

Grey-headed Mannikin  Lonchura caniceps: Our first endemic for the trip.

Hooded Mannikin  Lonchura spectabilis: A puzzle. Why are all the birds at Ambua now showing rich buff underparts? Back in the early 90s they were white beneath!

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin  Lonchura castaneothorax: A few at Moitaka.

Buff-bellied Mannikin (Bismarck Mannikin)  Lonchura melaena: Great views at Hoskins and near Kimbe, a rather sparse endemic.

Grand Mannikin  Lonchura grandis: Nice scope views near Sogeri.

Mountain Firetail  Oreostruthus fuliginosus: Well seen above the Bailey Bridge at Ambua, this species seems to have got much harder to find since the '97 drought. Also a memorable quote from Alan "I only saw it in my binoculars."

PLOCEIDAE

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus: The first official bird of the trip at Jackson's Airport, Port Moresby. PNG has only two introduced species on the mainland (Rock Dove the other) plus Indian Mynah on Bougainville, the sparrow only colonizing since 1992.

STURNIDAE

Singing Starling  Aplonis cantoroides: New Britain and Port Moresby only.

Metallic Starling  Aplonis metallica

Yellow-eyed Starling  Aplonis mystacea: Brief views along the Elevala, a rather rare and local species.

Golden Myna  Mino anais. Nice views along the Fly of this spectacular and uncommon species.

Yellow-faced Myna  Mino dumontii: Common in the lowlands of the mainland and in the Hoskins-Lavege area.

Long-tailed Myna  Mino kreffti: Some authors now give the New Britain kreffti full specific status under the name Island or Long-tailed Myna. It differs greatly in calls and plumage from Yellow-faced.

ORIOLIDAE

Brown Oriole  Oriolus szalayi: The amazing friarbird mimic, or is it vice versa?

Figbird  Sphecotheres viridis: Several in the Aroa and Port Moresby areas, very local in PNG.

DICRURIDAE

Mountain Drongo  Chaetorhynchus papuensis: A brief view of one at Varirata for a few. A seldom seen bird.

Spangled Drongo  Dicrurus hottentotus: New Britain birds call differently to mainland birds, which also have different calls to those in Australia. More work seems to be needed here!

GRALLINIDAE

Torrent-lark  Grallina bruijni: Excellent views of a pair on a wet morning at Ambua after an initial dip for half the group, and numerous subsequent efforts. Alan regretted his only lie-in of the trip!

ARTAMIDAE

White-breasted Wood-swallow  Artamus leucorhynchus

Great Wood-swallow  Artamus maximus: Very few around Tabubil this time, but lovely views at Ambua.

CRACTICIDAE

Hooded Butcherbird  Cracticus cassicus

Black-backed Butcherbird  Cracticus mentalis: A regular in the Moresby area.

Black Butcherbird  Cracticus quoyi: Seen well at Tabubil, where the vocalizations are amazingly distinct to the Australian and Port Moresby birds.......

Lowland Peltops  Peltops blainvillii: Seen nicely near Kiunga, an uncommon bird.

Mountain Peltops  Peltops montanus: Great views at Tabubil and Tari.

PTILONORHYNCHIDAE

Spotted Catbird  Ailuroedus  melanotis: Dave spotted two flying across the Elevala, and I got onto one which was my first actually seen in PNG! Heard quite often but it is very shy and skulking here.

Archbold's Bowerbird  Archboldia papuensis (H): Heard at Ambua, where I glimpsed one flying off.

Macgregor's Bowerbird  Amblyornis macgregoriae: A brief view for some in a fruiting tree at Ambua.

Flame Bowerbird  Sericulus aureus: Wonderful views of a male of this incredible species on two mornings at Kiunga, we went back after a brief look on the first day.

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird  Chlamydera cerviniventris: Good views on several occasions in the lowlands around Port Moresby.

PARADISAEIDAE

Crested Bird of Paradise  Cnemophilus macgregorii: A female only this time at the Gap.

Loria's Bird of Paradise  Cnemophilus loriae: Close views of males at Ambua.

Glossy-mantled Manucode  Manucodia atra: Seen and heard well along the Fly River, where very common.

Crinkle-collared Manucode  Manucodia  chalybeata: One luckily seen at Varirata, after we missed it at Tabubil after having to leave early.

Trumpet Manucode  Manucodia keraudrenii: Several in the forest near Kiunga gave good views. PG still doesn't understand why it's called Trumpet Manucode, it's more like the retching manucode!

Short-tailed Paradigalla  Paradigalla brevicauda: Brilliant views at a fruiting tree near the Gap, a really amazing and strange bird.

Magnificent Riflebird  Ptiloris magnificus: Splendid views of a male along the Ok Ma road, at the very last gasp! Long shots do pay!

Eastern Riflebird  Ptiloris intercedens (H): Frustrating at Varirata, where heard close by but remaining stubbornly out of view. This form is a recent split by some authorities from the previous species. Its call is very different, (growlers v whistlers).

Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise  Seleucidis melanoleuca: Amazingly good and prolonged views of a displaying male and females by the Fly River near Kiunga. Also one on Samuel's bus!

Brown Sicklebill  Epimachus meyeri: Excellent views of males and females at the Gap, the pale blue eye being very obvious when seen well.

Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastuosus: The largest of the BoP's, with a calling male giving nice scope views below the Lodge.

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia  Astrapia mayeri: The first was great fly-by at Murmur Pass, then wonderful views of many at Ambua, the males being one of the most bizarre and spectacular of birds. Another restricted range PNG endemic.

Stephanie's Astrapia  Astrapia stephaniae: Easily found and seen well below the Bailey Bridge at Tari, including a superb male. A PNG endemic too.

Superb Bird of Paradise  Lophorina superba: Seen at the Lodge and in the Tari Valley, a fine bird.

Carola's Parotia  Parotia carolae: Fine views of males, females and immatures at Dablin Creek this time. An elusive fruit nomad.

Lawes Parotia  Parotia lawesii: A fine male below the Lodge, and even a dancing ground for good measure.

King of Saxony Bird of Paradise  Pteridophora alberti: Fairly common in the Tari Gap area, and showing well on numerous occasions (including several superb males). The song is unbelievable, like a Corn Bunting crossed with a deep fat fryer!

King Bird of Paradise  Cicinnurus regius: Wonderful views of a male and female high in a tree above Kiunga. One of the birds of the trip.

Magnificent Bird of Paradise  Cicinnurus magnificus: A female/imm. Gave nice views near Tabubil, where it is getting harder to find due to clearance.

Raggiana Bird of Paradise  Paradisaea raggiana: A good flyover male on the Fly River, and some brilliant obliging males at Varirata.

Greater Bird of Paradise  Paradisaea apoda: Nice views of several males in fine plumage in a display tree near Kiunga.

Blue Bird of Paradise  Paradisaea rudolphi: Superb scope views of a magnificent male calling from a partly dead tree in a garden in the Tari Valley. One of the birds of the trip, this species must be one of the best birds in existence. A restricted range and near threatened PNG endemic too.

CORVIDAE

Grey Crow  Corvus tristis: A few along the Fly River and in the Tabubil area.

Torresian Crow  Corvus orru: The birds in New Britain were convincingly different from the mainland birds, both in jizz and voice, so there are good grounds for splitting them off as the Island or Bismarck Crow Corvus insularis.

MAMMALS

Great Flying-fox  Pteropus neohibernicus: Nice sightings of this huge fruit-bat on New Britain.

Bare-backed Fly-Fox  Dobsonia moluccensis: Over 3000 at dawn on October 11, flying south above the Fly River, an incredible spectacle.

Flying Fox  Pteropus sp: Hundreds in the Port Moresby area. Similar huge flying foxes along the Fly River near Kiunga and in the Hoskins-Lavege area, with a distinct golden collar on some.

Island Tube-nosed Bat  Nyctimene major: A single of this large pale species gave us a start in forest at Pokili, flushing from near the ground! I have known this identified as Golden Owl in the past by some.

Feral pig  Sus scrofa  One at Varirata.

REPTILES

New Guinea Freshwater Crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae: A 3m specimen hauled out on the banks of the sewage ponds at Moitaka on Oct. 23 was unexpected. A hatchling along the Elevala was more usual.

Lace Monitor Varanus indicus: A large one at Varirata.

FISH

Hammerhead Shark  One female caught by fisherman in the surf at Hisiu, all of 30 cm long. There is a migration past here in September-October each year it seems.

BUTTERFLIES

Ornithoptera priamus poseidon: Excellent birdwings at Hoskins, Kiunga and

Varirata.

Papilio ulysses: The spectacular blue morpho-like swallowtail, common in lowland forests.