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This tour was run by Partnership for International Birding, Charles Thornton-Kolbe’s company Charles@pibird.com. Participants consisted of 4 Americans and 2 Swedes with Jon Hornbuckle as leader and Leio DeSouza assistant leader. Birding was very successful and the logistics ran smoothly, largely thanks to Sue Gregory of Sicklebill Safaris, except for the flights. Some of us lost 24 hours as Virgin Australia’s Brisbane to Port Moresby flight returned to Brisbane due to a technical problem, and two of the Air Niugini domestic flights were some 4 hours late. We had been warned of potential problems with clan warfare around Tari but as we did not stop where the trouble had been occurring, this was not an issue. What was an issue was loss of good birding trails due to logging along the Tari road.
We saw many species of birds including 19 Birds-of-Paradise, nearly all the species possible on our itinerary, and the two Satinbirds, numerous parrots, pigeons including the magnificent Southern Crowned Pigeon and rarities such as New Guinea Bronzewing and Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon; 14 kingfishers and specialities such as New Guinea Flightless Rail, male Flame Bowerbird, the rarely seen Papuan Hawk-Owl, and Painted Quail-thrush for some.
ITINERARY
July 7: Sogeri Lodge
Leio and the Ellerstroems spent the day birding around Sogeri Lodge, recording 30 species. JH and the American four flew to Port Moresby without landing to Brisbane, eventually being taken to a good hotel in town.
July 8: Varirata NP
Leio and the Ellerstroems had an excellent day’s birding in Varirata NP guided by Daniel Wakra. They saw several species of Fruit-Doves and good birds such as Cinnamon Dove, Barred Owlet-nightjar, Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, Painted Quail-thrush, Crested Pitohui, Growling Riflebird and Mountain Drongo. The rest of us flew to Port Moresby, transferred to Sogeri Lodge and on to Varirata where we found the others at the Raggiana BoP lek at 16.00. Seeing little else, we returned to Sogeri for dinner.
July 9: Varirata NP
Most of the day was spent at Varirata with Leonard and Daniel, breaking for lunch at Sogeri. Birding was slow, thanks to wind and the weekend presence of large numbers of young people camping. Good birds included Wampoo and Beautiful Fruit-Doves, Dwarf & White-crowned Koels, Yellow-billed & Dwarf Kingfishers, Papuan King Parrot, Goldenface, Stout-billed and Barred Cuckooshrikes, Rusty and Hooded Pitohuis, Crinkle-collared Manucode and White-faced Robin. Late afternoon we visited the start of the Kokoda Trail where we saw Great-billed Mannikin, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird and Grey Shrikethrush.
July 10: Fly to Tari, birding on the road
Early transfer to POM airport for the 08.45 Air Niugini flight to Tari, delayed for 4 hours, arriving at 14.15. Collected by Benson, driven to Makara Lodge, birding above the lodge after lunch: Moustached Treeswift, Great Woodswallow, Brown-backed, Sclater’s and Regent Whistlers, Blue-capped Ifrit, King-of-Saxony & Superb Bird-of-Paradise and Slaty Robin. A good dinner at the Lodge.
July 11: Tari
Morning on the Tari road and a trail below Tari Gap, lunch at the Lodge, pm at Ambua’s runway, then Tari Gap: 2 Black-mantled Goshawk, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo, Stella’s Lorikeet, Red-collared Myzomela, Black-throated Honeyeater, Yellow-browed Melidectes, Tit & Crested Berrypeckers, Mountain Peltops, Black & Dimorphic Fantails, Torrent Lark, Lesser Melampitta, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, White-winged Robin and Capped White-eye.
July 12: Tari
06.30 down the road to scope a distant Black Sicklebill displaying, then back to the roadside forest near the Lodge for Mountain Kingfisher and a scarce Spotted Berrypecker for some. Drive to Tari Gap, where a Papuan Harrier was hunting, and on to a trail beyond. This was disappointing except for Papuan Treecreeper, Loria’s Satinbird, Crested Satinbird for only 2 of us, and the opportunity to study the bower of a MacGregor’s Bowerbird. Back to the Lodge for lunch, intending to return to the forest and walk another trail but heavy rain stopped us so we only went part way to Tari Gap. We did see Stephanie’s Astrapia at last and then Archbold’s Nightjar at dusk.
July 13: Benson’s gardens, charter flight to Mt Hagen, drive to Kumul
We visited Benson’s gardens after breakfast to look for Blue BoP and Lawes’s Parotia. We heard the Blue but visibility was poor due to low cloud or fog but walking further into the gardens gave eventual success. We drove to Tari airport, arriving 09.45 for the 11.00 charter flight to Mt Hagen. The plane was 2 hours late arriving at Tari so we did not reach Mt Hagen till 14.30. Driving to Kumul, we arrived at !5.40. We watched the feeding table whilst eating a late lunch and then did a little birding on the trails Rain prevented looking for Mt Owlet-nightjar.
July 14: Minamba Valley AM, Kumul trails PM
An early surprise was a Papuan Boobook that had flown into the Lodge. Leio was able to catch it and put it into a large box to rest before releasing it in the evening. Then we drove from Kumul to the Minamba Valley where a male Lesser BoP gave a fine display; other birds here included Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Ornate Melidectes, Mountain Honeyeater and White-bellied Cuckooshrike. On the return to Kumul a few birding stops gave a Papuan Harrier perched in a tree close to the road, an unusual sight, 1 or 2 Yellow-breasted Bowerbirds and 6 Torrent Flyrobin. PM on Kumul trails and watching the feeder table.
July 15: King of Saxony & Blue BoP sites
An early unsuccessful search for an Owlet-nightjar, we took a short drive to the King of Saxony site, a patch of hillside forest with a few good birds. In addition to a pair of Saxony BoP, we saw Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove, Plum-faced Lorikeet, Mottled Berryhunter (Whistler), Black-bellied Cuckooshrike and Brown Sicklebill. After lunch we drove down the river valley to a Blue BoP site but could only hear the Blue’s calls. Returning to Kumul, we concentrated on finding a male Crested Satinbird, eventually seen high in the forest. A brief view of a flushed New Guinea Woodcock was a surprise.
July 16: Dablin Creek & OK Menga
We took an early drive to Mt Hagen for the 09.25 PNG Air flight to Tabubil, the only internal flight arriving on time. At 10.30 we were met by Samuel and taken to Cloudlands Hotel. Sam guided us till 18th, after which Jimmy took over. The rest of the morning was spent at Dablin Creek, birds included Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot, Spotted & Tawny-breasted Honeyeaters, Black-shouldered Cuckooshrike & Papuan White-eye. Lunch was taken after buying food at the well-stocked shopping centre. In the afternoon we drove to Ok Menga to look for Salvadori’s Teal. Unfortunately, as it was the weekend fishermen were active along the river so no Teals, and little else except , Pesquet’s Parrot. We tried to find pizzas for supper but had to make do with meat, French fries, salad and ice-cream at a nearby Club.
July 17: Dablin Creek & OK Menga
Morning at Dablin Creek again,, walking up the metal walkway this time. We saw White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo, Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot, Scrub Honeyeater, Grey-headed Cuckooshrike, Variable Pitohui & Magnificent BoP, but only heard Obscure Berrypecker and Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler. In the afternoon we returned to OK Menga and the Tunnel, with Jimmy this time. Still no Salvadori’s Teal but we had a few birds such as.Dusky Lory and the rarely seen Orange-fronted Hanging-Parrot. At dusk we tried for Shovel-billed Kingfisher and had a response but the bird would not come out of the forest. On the way back to Cloudlands we saw 2 Large-tailed Nightjars, then heard another Shovel-bill calling but again it would not come out.
July 18: Dablin Creek & Km 17
With a final 4 hours at Dablin Creek we saw Black-headed Whistler, Black-winged Monarch, 4 Carola’s Parotia! & a White-rumped Robin for MG. We checked out of Cloudlands, bought more food and drink at the shopping centre, then drove towards Kiunga with Sam and Jimmy, stopping at OK Menga, again with no luck. We continued to Km 17 for 2 hours of birding, seeing Pink-spotted & Orange-bellied Fruit-Doves, Asian Koel, Papuan Spine-tailed Swift, Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot, Glossy-mantled & Trumpet Manucodes, Greater B0P & Golden Myna, then checked in at Kiuna Gugest House for two nights.
July 19: Boystown Road & Km 17
06.00 we drove to the observation hill along Boystown Road, arriving at the same time as Rockjumper. They stayed till 09.30 as they were flying back to POM while we left at 11.30. Birds seen included Grey-headed and Variable Goshawk, Orange-fronted & Dwarf Fruit-Doves, Greater Black Coucal, Littl,e Bronze-Cuckoo, Metallic Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red-flanked Lorikeet, a lovely male and 2 female Flame Bowerbirds, Plain Honeyeater, Yellow-bellied Gerygone, Lowland Peltops, Golden & Frilled Monarchs, Rufous-backed Fantail. Magnificent Riflebird was heard calling, too far away to be located.
After lunch at the Guest House we drove to Km 17.and walked through the forest to the BoP lek. Here we saw 5 or 6 Greater BoPs displaying noisily, probably with one or two Raggianas or hybrids. A Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon was flushed nearby accidentally. As we walked back to the road we heard a Painted Quail-thrush but could not see it. At the road we saw Yellowish-streaked Lories fly over and a Lesser Black Coucal called from thick bushes.
July 20: Kwatu Lodge by boat
Samuel had bought provisions yesterday for our 3 days at Kwatu Lodge. We were ready to leave at 06.00 but there was no sign of the boatman – he finally arrived at 06.40 with Jimmy and we departed down the Fly River. We were just in time to see a 12-wired BoP displaying on a bare tree, but not for long. We continued to the Elevala River, picking up some new birds on the way ro Kwatu. After lunch we birded in forest and from the boat. New birds were Black-billed Brushturkey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, 5 Southern Crowned Pigeon,(roosting in trees late afternoon), Collared Imperial Pigeon, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Little & Common Paradise-Kingfishers, Little & Azure Kingfishers, Palm Cockatoo, Large and Double-eyed Fig-Parrots, Yellow-bellied Longbill,Golden Cuckooshrike, Grey Whistler, Shining Flycatcher and a male King BoP displaying.
July 21: lowland forest around Kwatu Lodge
We spent all day on the river and in forest, with two visits to the Flightless Rail hide/blind. The morning visit was unsuccessful but in the afternoon we had a Bronzewing on a low perch, soon joined by a single, active Flightless Rail. Nearby we saw a migrant Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, a Cinnamon Dove & a Blue Jewel-Babbler. The only other new birds were Emperor Fairy-Wren and Large-billed Gerygone. We stayed on the river till an hour after dark and were rewarded by seeing.a Papuan Nightjar, a Papuan Frogmouth and best of all, a Papuan Hawk-Owl. Back at the Lodge a nearby Hook-billed Kingfisher teased us by calling what seemed like most of the night.
July 22: Kwatu to Kiunga by boat
Heavy rain confined us to the Lodge all morning. We had intended to spend the morning in the nearby forest but no birding was possible. We decided on an early lunch before taking the boat back to Kiunga when the rain stopped at mid-day. Birds were rather thin, a fine male Flame Bowerbird perched up being one of the best, with White-bellied Pitohui and. White-bellied Thicket-Fantail the only additions to the list. Back at the Guest House at 15.30 we decided to stay in to clean up and pack for tomorrow’s departure.
July 23: Km 17, fly to POM
We were ready fo go to Km 17 but had to wait 30 mins for the bus to arrive. We waiked to the Greater BoP lek and found it very active with at least 10 birds displaying. Leio set up his scope to focus on the Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon on the nest but it was too distant for me. No new birds were seen so we returned to the Guest House to check out and proceed to the airport for the 11.55 flight to POM. Of course the flight was delayed by more than 3 hours so we had another long wait. Some of us visited a new restaurant nearby to have lunch. The only event of interest was a sighting of two thin snakes up a tree in the car park that eventually dropped down onto a car, causing some alarm to the spectators. By the time we reached POM it was too late to visit PAU as hoped. We were taken to Sogeri Lodge, only to find it was full but rooms had been booked for us at the Club a few miles away. There we found the rooms were quite good except that mosquitos were present in some. We were able to chose dinner from the menu and add ice-cream.
July 24: Varirata NP & PAU. Fly to Australia
We decided to start the day back at Varirata as most of us had only had about one day there. Leonard was due to meet us at PAU so we had to pay for him to take an early taxi to Sogeri. We were ready to pick him up there after breakfast at 06.15 but our bus driver failed to arrive till 07.00 so we lost some of our valuable time. We birded on two trails till 09.45, seeing Stephan’s Emerald Dove, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Fairy Gerygone, Black-faced Monarch and Growling Riflebird, but missing Forest Bittern again.
We moved on to PAU from 10.00 till 12.00, unusually dry with much fewer birds than normal. We did see Plumed Whistling-Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Pied Heron, Little Pied & Little Black Cormorants, Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamp-Hen, Comb-crested Jacana, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, 3 roosting Papuan Frogmouths, Common Kingfisher , Black-backed Butcherbird, Grey Shrikethrush and Figbird, but no Spotted Whistling-Ducks, Green Pygmy Goose, Rufous Night-Heron, Bar-shouldered Dove, Dusky Myzomela, Black-faced Cuckooshrike or Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. We drove the short distance to POM airport for our international flights to Brisbane, Cairns and Manila, said our farewells, and for the first time my and Calvin’s flight (to Brisbane) left 10 mins early!
TRIP LIST
- Plumed Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna eytoni: 34 at PAU
- Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa: a few at the Club near Sogeri and at PAU
- Black-billed/Yellow-legged Brushturkey, Talegalla fuscirostris: 1 seen near Kwatu, heard most days in the lowlands including Varirata.
- Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis moluccus: 4 flew over the Club
- Striated Heron, Butorides striata: only 1, on the Elevala River
- Eastern Cattle Egret, Bubulcus coromandus: fairly common in small numbers
- Great Egret, Ardea alba: a few singles
- Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia: a few singles
- Pied Heron, Egretta picata: one at PAU
- Little Egret, Egretta garzetta: a few at PAU
- Little Pied Cormorant, Microcarbo melanoleucos: singles at the Club and PAU
- Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris: a few at the Club and PAU
- Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo: 2 in flight at Port Moresby (POM) airport
- Pacific Baza, Aviceda subcristata: singles at Varirata, Dablin Creek and Boystown road, 2 on 2 days on the Elevala
- Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Henicopernis longicauda: 1 or 2 on 5 days in the Kiunga/Tabubil area
- Variable Goshawk, Accipiter hiogaster: singles at Sogeri and Boystown road, a pair at Dablin Creek
- Black-mantled Goshawk, Accipiter melanochlamys: 2 below Tari Gap
- Grey-headed Goshawk, Accipiter poliocephalus: 2 at Sogeri, singles at Boystown road and near Kwatu
- Papuan Harrier, Circus spilothorax: female-types at Tari Gap and near Kumul
- Black Kite, Milvus migrans: a few at Tari, several daily from Mt Hagen to beyond Kumul
- Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus: singles at Varirata, a few from Mt Hagen to Kumul
- Brahminy Kite, Haliastur Indus: 1 or 2 most days
- White-bellied Sea Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster: 2 singles from the boat
- New Guinea Flightless Rail, Megacrex inepta: 1 showing well from the hide near Kwatu
- Purple Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio: a few at PAU
- Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa: 1 at PAU
- Masked Lapwing, Vanellus miles: 2 at POM airport, a few at the Club and PAU
- Comb-crested Jacana, Irediparra gallinacean: 7 at PAU
- New Guinea Woodcock, Scolopax rosenbergii: 1 flushed in Kumul’s forest
- Metallic/White-throated Pigeon, Columba vitiensis: 1 in flight at Boystown road
- Slender-billed/Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Macropygia amboinensis: 1 or 2 most days in the lowlands
- Bar-tailed/Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove, Macropygia nigrirostris: 1 at Kumul
- Great Cuckoo-Dove, Reinwardtoena reinwardti: singles above Tari, and at Dablin Creek, heard at Varirata
- Stephan's Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps stephani: 1 at Varirata
- New Guinea Bronzewing, Henicophaps albifrons: 1 perched low at the Flightless Rail site, 1 flushed in the same area
- Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon, Trugon terrestris: 1 on a nest with 1 egg at Km 17
- Peaceful Dove, Geopelia placida: 1 at Sogeri
- Cinnamon Ground-Dove, Gallicolumba rufigula: singles at Varirata and near Kwatu
- White-breasted/bibbed Ground-Dove, Alopecoenas jobiensis: heard on the Tari road
- Pheasant Pigeon, Otidiphaps nobilis: heard several times at Varirata
- Southern Crowned Pigeon, Goura scheepmakeri: 5 seen from the river roosting in trees near Kwatu
- Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus magnificus: 1 at Varirata
- Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus perlatus: 10+ at Varirata on 8th (LDS), 1 or 2 daily at Dablin Creek and Kiunga area
- Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus aurantiifrons: 1 at Boystown road
- Superb Fruit- Dove, Ptilinopus superbus: singles at Varirata and near Kwatu
- Beautiful Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus pulchellus: 1 at Varirata
- Mountain/White-breasted Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus bellus/rivoli: 1 below Kumul
- Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus iozonus: a few at Km 17 and Boystown road
- Dwarf Fruit-Dove, Ptilinopus nainus: singles at Varirata (LDS) and Boystown road
- Purple-tailed Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula rufigaster: 1 at Varirata on 9th and 24th, heard at Boystown road
- Rufescent Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula chalconota: 1 at Varirata
- Pinon's Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula pinon: 1 below Kumul, up to 8 daily at Tabubil, 2 or 3 near Kwatu
- Collared Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula mullerii: common at times along the Fly and Elevala rivers
- Zoe's Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula zoeae: 2 at Varirata on 8th and 9th, heard at Dablin Creek
- Torresian Imperial-Pigeon, Ducula spilorrhoa: 1 perched in a tree at PAU (usually only seen in flight)
- Papuan Mountain-Pigeon, Gymnophaps albertisii: common above Tari, 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek
- Ivory-billed/Greater Black Coucal, Centropus menbeki: 1 seen at Boystown road, heard at Varirata and Kwatu
- Black-billed/Lesser Black Coucal, Centropus bernsteini: 1 seen at Km 17 (JH)
- Pheasant Coucal, Centropus phasianinus: 1 or 2 at Varirata
- Dwarf Koel, Microdynamis parva: 2 seen at Varirata and another heard, 1 at Boystown road
- Eastern/Asian Koel, Eudynamys orientalis/scolopaceus: up to 3 daily in the Kiunga area
- Channel-billed Cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae: only 1 seen along the river on 20th
- Long-billed Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx megarhynchus: 1 heard calling near Kwatu
- Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx ruficollis: 1 on 2 days near Makara Lodge
- White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx meyerii: 1 at Dablin Creek
- Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus: 1 at Boystown road
- White-crowned Cuckoo, Cacomantis leucolophus: 1 at Varirata
- Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Cacomantis castaneiventris: 2 at Dablin Creek
- Brush Cuckoo, Cacomantis variolosus: I seen at Dablin Creek, 2 at Boystown road, heard frequently
- Papuan Boobook, Ninox theomacha: 1 flew into Kumul Lodge, was released after resting, later seen near the feeder. 1 at Cloudlands at dawn, heard elsewhere
- Papuan Hawk-Owl, Uroglaux dimorpha: 1 seen by flash-light and heard calling near Kwatu
- Papuan Frogmouth, Podargus papuensis: 3 roosting in a large tree at PAU
- Papuan Nightjar, Eurostopodus papuensis: 1 flying over the river near Kwatu after dusk
- Archbold's Nightjar, Eurostopodus archboldi: 1 at the quarry on the Tari road
- Large-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus: 2 on the road after dusk just outside Tabubil
- Mountain Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles albertisi: heard calling briefly on 2 mornings
- Barred Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles bennettii: 1 roosting in a tree hole at Varirata
- Moustached Treeswift, Hemiprocne mystacea: 2-4 near Makara Lodge and in the Kiunga area
- Glossy Swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta: common throughout
- Mountain Swiftlet, Aerodramus hirundinaceus: fairly common at Tari and Kumul
- Uniform Swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis: common throughout the lowlands
- Papuan Spine-tailed Swift, Mearnsia novaeguineae: a few daily in the Kiunga area
- Oriental Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis: 1 at Varirata (LDS), a few daily in the Kiunga area
- Hook-billed Kingfisher, Melidora macrorrhina: heard around Kwatu, even late at night
- Common Paradise-Kingfisher, Tanysiptera galatea: 1 flying around near Kwatu very responsive to play-back but difficult to see, another heard
- Little Paradise-Kingfisher, Tanysiptera hydrocharis: 1 seen near Kwatu and another heard
- Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, Tanysiptera Sylvia: 1 of this Australian migrant showing well near the Flightless Rail hide
- Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Tanysiptera danae: 2 at Varirata
- Shovel-billed Kookaburra, Clytoceyx rex: heard calling at dusk at the tunnel and on the road near the check-point at Tabubil
- Blue-winged Kookaburra, Dacelo leachii: 2 near Sogeri (LDS), 1 at Varirata
- Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Dacelo gaudichaud: 2 at Varirata (LDS), a few in the Kiunga area
- Forest Kingfisher, Todiramphus macleayii: 1 at Varirata (LDS),
- Sacred Kingfisher, Todiramphus sanctus: 1 or 2 near the tunnel, a few in the Kiunga area
- Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Syma torotoro: singles at Varirata and Boystown road, a few others heard
- Mountain Kingfisher, Syma megarhyncha: 1 seen near Makara Lodge, a few others heard
- Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis: 1 at PAU
- Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Ceyx solitarius: 1 at Varirata
- Azure Kingfisher, Ceyx azureus: singles at Varirata and on the Elevala
- Little Kingfisher, Ceyx pusillus: 1 on the Elevala river
- Rainbow Bee-eater, Merops ornatus: up to 10 at Varirata, 1 below Kumul
- Blyth's Hornbill, Rhyticeros plicatus: 2 at Varirata, several daily in the Kiunga area
- Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus: up to 4 daily near Kwatu
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita: a few at Varirata, up to 4 daily in the Kiunga area
- Pesquet's/NG Vulturine Parrot, Psittrichas fulgidus: 2 at Dablin Creek, near the tunnel, and near Kwatu
- Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot, Micropsitta keiensis: 1 at Km 17, 3 at Boystown road
- Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot, Micropsitta bruijnii: 4 at Dablin Creek
- Papuan King Parrot, Alisterus chloropterus: 1 at Varirata, 2 at Benson’s gardens
- Eclectus Parrot, Eclectus roratus: fairly common in the lowlands
- Red-cheeked Parrot, Geoffroyus geoffroyi: up to 6 at Varirata, several most days in the Tabubil and Kiunga area
- Blue-collared Parrot, Geoffroyus simplex: heard near the tunnel
- Brehm's Tiger Parrot, Psittacella brehmii: a few at the Kumul feeder table most of the time
- Plum-faced Lorikeet, Oreopsittacus arfaki: 2 at Kumul
- Red-flanked Lorikeet, Charmosyna placentis: 10 at Boystown road
- Stella’s/Papuan Lorikeet, Charmosyna stellae/papou: 6 on the Tari road, 2 at the Lesser BoP site and 1 at the Saxony site near Kumul
- Yellow-billed Lorikeet, Neopsittacus musschenbroekii: 10 on the Tari road
- Orange-billed Lorikeet, Neopsittacus pullicauda: a few along the Tari road
- Black-capped Lory, Lorius lory: a few at Varirata and daily in the Kiunga area
- Yellow-streaked Lory, Chalcopsitta scintillata: 2 at Boystown road, 3 near Kwatu
- Dusky Lory, Pseudeos fuscata: 4 near the tunnel, 150 at Km 17
- Goldie's Lorikeet, Psitteuteles goldiei: 2 on the Tari road
- Coconut Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus: singles at Varirata, near the tunnel and Kwatu
- Large Fig Parrot, Psittaculirostris desmarestii: 3 near Kwatu
- Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot, Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii: 1 at Dablin Creek and Km 17, 10 at Boystown road and Kwatu
- Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Cdi yclopsitta ophthalma: up to 10 near Kwatu, heard at Boystown road
- Orange-fronted Hanging-Parrot, Loriculus aurantiifrons: 2 feeding in a tree near the tunnel
- Hooded Pitta, Pitta sordid: heard near Kwatu
- White-eared Catbird, Ailuroedus buccoides:1 seen at Varirata on 7th & heard there on 8th. (LDS)
- MacGregor's Bowerbird, Amblyornis macgregoriae: a bower was examined at Tari Gap but no bird seen
- Flame Bowerbird, Sericulus ardens: a male and 2 females were observed in flight at Boystown road, and a perched male on the journey from Kwatu to Kiunga
- Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera lauterbachi: 1 or 2 on the journey back to Kumul on 14th
- Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Chlamydera cerviniventris: 5 at the start of the Kokoda trail
- Papuan Treecreeper, Cormobates placens: 1 on a trail beyond Tari Gap, heard near Kumul
- Emperor Fairywren, Malurus cyanocephalus: 1+ near Kwatu
- White-shouldered Fairywren, Malurus alboscapulatus: up to 4 at Varirata, Tari and near Kumul
- Papuan Black Myzomela, Myzomela nigrita: a few at Varirata and Dablin Creek
- Red-collared Myzomela, Myzomela rosenbergii: up to 6 daily in the Tari and Kumul areas
- Rufous-backed Honeyeater, Ptiloprora guisei: 2 at Tari
- Grey-streaked Honeyeater, Ptiloprora perstriata: fairly common at Tari and Kumul
- Plain Honeyeater, Pycnopygius ixoides: 1 at Boystown road
- Marbled Honeyeater, Pycnopygius cinereus: heard near Ambua
- Streak-headed Honeyeater, Pycnopygius stictocephalus: 2 at Varirata, singles at Dablin Creek, Km 17 and Boystown road
- Spotted Honeyeater, Xanthotis polygrammus: singles at Dablin Creek and Boystown road
- Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Xanthotis flaviventer: 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek, Km 17 and Kwatu
- Meyer's Friarbird, Philemon meyeri: 1 heard calling briefly at Boystown Road
- New Guinea Friarbird, Philemon novaeguineae: a few at Sogeri, Varirata, and Tabubil/Kiunga
- White-throated Honeyeater, Melithreptus albogularis: 1 at Sogeri on 7th (LDS ) & 8th
- Long-billed Honeyeater, Melilestes megarhynchus: heard at Dablin Creek
- Common Smoky Honeyeater, Melipotes fumigates: common at Tari and Kumul
- Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Conopophila albogularis: 1 at Sogeri (LDS)
- Black-throated Honeyeater, Caligavis subfrenata: 4 at Tari Gap, 2 heard above Macara Lodge
- Obscure Honeyeater, Caligavis obscura: 2 at Boystown Road
- Yellow-browed Melidectes, Melidectes rufocrissalis: a few around Ambua
- Belford's Melidectes, Melidectes belfordi: common at Tari and Kumul
- Ornate Melidectes, Melidectes torquatus: 1 at Tari, 2 at Minamba Valley
- Mottle-breasted Honeyeater, Meliphaga mimikae: heard at Tari
- Mountain Honeyeater, Meliphaga orientalis: singles at Minamba Valley and Dablin Creek
- Scrub Honeyeater, Meliphaga albonotata: a few at Dablin Creek, 1 near Kwatu
- Mimic Honeyeater, Meliphaga analoga: 3 at Varirata, singles near Kwatu
- Graceful Honeyeater, Meliphaga gracilis: 2 near Makara Lodge
- Elegant Honeyeater, Meliphaga cinereifrons: 2 at Varirata
- Goldenface, Pachycare flavogriseum: 1 or 2 at Varirata
- Rusty Mouse-warbler, Crateroscelis murina: singles at Varirata & Tari, heard at Dablin Creek
- Mountain Mouse-warbler, Crateroscelis robusta: 1 seen near Tari Gap
- Pale-billed Scrubwren, Sericornis spilodera: 2 at Varirata
- Papuan Scrubwren, Sericornis papuensis: 2 or 3 at Varirata, a few at Kumul
- Large Scrubwren, Sericornis nouhuysi: a few at Kumul
- Brown-breasted Gerygone, Gerygone ruficollis: a few at Tari and Kumul
- Large-billed Gerygone, Gerygone magnirostris: 1 at Kwatu
- Yellow-bellied Gerygone, Gerygone chrysogaster: 1 at Boystown road
- Green-backed Gerygone, Gerygone chloronota: heard at Varirata, Dablin Creek & Km 17
- Fairy Gerygone, Gerygone palpebrosa: 1 seen at Varirata, others heard
- Loria's Satinbird, Cnemophilus loriae: a male on a trail beyond Tari Gap
- Crested Satinbird, Cnemophilus macgregorii: a male on a trail beyond Tari Gap & at Kumul
- Obscure Berrypecker, Melanocharis arfakiana: heard at Dablin Creek
- Black Berrypecker, Melanocharis nigra: 2+ at Varirata & 1 near Kwatu
- Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Melanocharis versteri: 1 below Tari Gap
- Spotted Berrypecker, Rhamphocharis crassirostris: 1 near Makara lodge
- Yellow-bellied Longbill, Toxorhamphus novaeguineae: 1 or 2 near Kwatu
- Tit Berrypecker, Oreocharis arfaki: parties of 5 or 6 at Tari and near Kumul
- Crested Berrypecker, Paramythia montium: a few at Tari, Kumul & Dablin Creek
- Spotted Jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa leucosticte: heard near Tari Gap
- Blue Jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa caerulescens: 1 seen near Kwatu, another heard
- Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, Ptilorrhoa castanonota: heard at Varirata and Dablin Creek
- Painted Quail-thrush, Cinclosoma ajax: 1 at Varirata on 8th (LDS) , heard there on 9th and at Km 17
- Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Machaerirhynchus flaviventer: 2 at Varirata, heard near Kwatu
- Black-breasted Boatbill, Machaerirhynchus nigripectus: 1 at Tari, others heard there and at Kumul
- White-breasted Woodswallow, Artamus leucorynchus: up to 10 at Varirata, a few below Kumul
- Great Woodswallow, Artamus maximus: up to 10 at Tari, a few near Kumul
- Lowland Peltops, Peltops blainvillii: 1 at Boystown road
- Mountain Peltops, Peltops montanus: a few at Tari and Dablin Creek
- Black Butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi: 1 at Tari & Dablin Creek, a few at Km 17, heard at Varirata
- Black-backed Butcherbird, Cracticus mentalis: 3 at PAU
- Hooded Butcherbird, Cracticus cassicus: 2 at Varirata, 1 at Dablin Creek, a few daily in the Kiunga area
- Mottled Berryhunter (Whistler), Rhagologus leucostigma: 1 near Kumul
- Stout-billed Cuckooshrike, Coracina caeruleogrisea: 2 at Varirata, heard at Dablin Creek
- Barred/Yellow-eyed Cuckooshrike, Coracina lineate: 1 at Varirata
- Boyer's Cuckooshrike, Coracina boyeri: a few at Varirata, 2 on 2 days at Kwatu
- White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Coracina papuensis: a few at Sogeri (LDS), 2 in the Minamba Valley
- Hooded Cuckooshrike, Coracina longicauda: 4 at Tari
- Black-shouldered Cicadabird, Coracina incerta: 1 at Dablin Creek
- Grey-headed Cuckooshrike, Coracina schisticeps: 2 at Dablin Creek, a few at Km 17 & Boystown road
- Black Cicadabird, Coracina melas: 1 at Varirata
- Black-bellied Cuckooshrike, Coracina Montana: 4 at Tari, 3 near Kumul
- Golden Cuckooshrike, Campochaera sloetii: up to 6 near Kwatu
- Papuan Sittella, Daphoenositta papuensis: 8+ near Tari Gap
- Rufous-naped Whistler/Bellbird, Aleadryas/Pachycephala rufinucha: singles at Makara Lodge & Dablin Creek
- Crested Pitohui/Piping Bellbird, Ornorectes cristatus/Ornorectus cristatus: 1 seen at Varirata (LDS) & others heard there
- Rusty Whistler, Pachycephala hyperythra: heard at Dablin Creek, probably 1 seen
- Brown-backed Whistler, Pachycephala modesta: 1 or 2 daily at Tari, a few at & near Kumul
- Grey Whistler, Pachycephala simplex: 1 near Kwatu
- Sclater's Whistler, Pachycephala soror:: singles near Makara & Dablin Creek
- Regent Whistler, Pachycephala schlegelii: singles on 3 days at Tari, a few at or near Kumul
- Black-headed Whistler, Pachycephala monacha: 1 at Dablin Creek, heard in Benson’s gardens
- White-bellied Whistler, Pachycephala leucogastra: heard near Kwatu
- White-bellied Pitohui, Pseudorectes incertus: 2 seen from the boat as we returned to Kiunga
- Rusty Pitohui, Pseudorectes ferrugineus: a few at Varirata, heard at Km 17 & Boystown road
- Little Shrikethrush, Colluricincla megarhyncha: 2+ at Varirata, singles near Kwatu
- Grey Shrikethrush, Colluricincla harmonica: singles at the Kokoda trail & PAU
- Long-tailed Shrike, Lanius schach: 1 at Tari Gap & a fewnear Kiunga
- Australasian Figbird, Sphecotheres vieilloti: 2+ at PAU
- Southern Variable Pitohui, Pitohui uropygialis: singles at Dablin Creek
- Hooded Pitohui, Pitohui dichrous: 2+ at Varirata
- Brown Oriole, Oriolus szalayi: a few at Varirata & OK Menga
- Spangled Drongo, Dicrurus bracteatus: fairly common in the lowlands
- Pygmy/ Mountain Drongo, Chaetorhynchus papuensis: 1 at Varirata (LDS)
- Willie Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys: common throughout
- White-bellied Thicket-Fantail, Rhipidura leucothorax: 1 from the boat en route to Kiunga
- Black Fantail, Rhipidura atra: singles at Tari, 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek on 3 days
- Chestnut-bellied Fantail, Rhipidura hyperythra: 1 or 2 on 2 days at Varirata
- Friendly Fantail, Rhipidura albolimbata: fairly common in the uplands
- Dimorphic Fantail, Rhipidura brachyrhyncha: a few at Tari
- Rufous-backed Fantail, Rhipidura rufidorsa: 1 at Boystown road
- Black/Fantailed Monarch, Symposiachrus axillaris: heard at Tari and Kwatu
- Spot-winged Monarch, Symposiachrus guttula: 2 at Varirata
- Black-faced Monarch, Monarcha melanopsis: 2 singles at Varirata
- Black-winged Monarch, Monarcha frater: 1 at Dablin Creek
- Golden Monarch, Carterornis chrysomela: 4 at Boystown road
- Frilled Monarch, Arses telescopthalmus: singles near Kiunga, Kwatu & at Varirata
- Torrent-lark, Grallina bruijnii: 1 at Ambua, 2 at Dablin Creek
- Shining Flycatcher, Myiagra alecto: common along the Elevala river
- Grey Crow, Corvus tristis: 1 or 2 at Sogeri, Varirata, on the road to Kiunga, Boystown road and near Kwatu
- Torresian Crow, Corvus orru: a few from POM to Varirata
- Lesser Melampitta, Melampitta lugubris: 1 near Tari Gap
- Blue-capped Ifrit, Ifrita kowaldi: 1 or 2 almost daily at Tari and Kumul
- Glossy-mantled Manucode, Manucodia ater: a few in the Kiunga area
- Crinkle-collared Manucode, Manucodia chalybatus: 2 at Varirata, 1 at OK Menga & Boystown road
- Trumpet Manucode, Phonygammus keraudrenii: singles at Varirata & Km 17, heard at Boystown road
- Short-tailed Paradigalla, Paradigalla brevicauda: 3 singles near Makara
- Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Astrapia mayeri: 3 or 4 at Tari Gap, a few at & near Kumul
- Princess Stephanie's Astrapia, Astrapia stephaniae: 2 at Tari
- Queen Carola's Parotia, Parotia carolae: 4 at Dablin Creek including 1 adult male
- King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Pteridophora alberti: 2 or 3 daily at Tari, 2 near Kumul
- Superb Bird-of-paradise, Lophorina superb: a few daily at Tari
- Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus: heard at Boystown road & Km 17
- Growling Riflebird, Ptiloris intercedens: 2 seen on 2 days at Varirata, others heard
- Black Sicklebill, Epimachus fastosus: a male scoped below Ambua, others heard
- Brown Sicklebill, Epimachus meyeri: 2 seen at Tari, others heard, frequently at the Kumul feeder
- Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, Diphyllodes magnificus: 1 male & 2 females/imm. at Dablin Creek, heard at Varirata
- King Bird-of-paradise, Cicinnurus regius: a male displaying near Kwatu, 1 heard at Boystown road
- Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, Seleucidis melanoleucus: male displaying by the Fly River, 2 other birds near Kwatu
- Greater Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea apoda: at least 6 seen at Km 17 and Boystown road with a few others in flight around Kwatu
- Raggiana Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea raggiana: c10 lekking at Varirata & a few at Km 17
- Lesser Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea minor: a male displayed for some time jn the Minamba Valley, near Kumul
- Blue Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea rudolphi: a male seen briefly from the Ambua runway,and in Benson’s gardens,Tari; heard near Kumul
- Black-sided Robin, Poecilodryas hypoleuca: frequently heard in forest around Kiunga and Kwatu but never seen
- Black-throated Robin, Poecilodryas albonotata: 1 seen at Tari Gap
- White-winged Robin, Peneothello sigillata: fairly common at Tari and Kumul
- Slaty/Blue-grey Robin, Peneothello cyanus: 2 at Makara Lodge
- White-rumped Robin, Peneothello bimaculata: up to 4 heard daily at Dablin Creek but only seen by MG
- White-faced Robin, Tregellasia leucops: 3 together at Varirata
- Torrent Flyrobin, Monachella muelleriana: 6 below Kumul, 2 at Ok Menga
- Canary Flyrobin, Microeca papuana: 2 near Makara Lodge
- Lemon-bellied Flyrobin, Microeca flavigaster: singles at Varirata (LDS) and near Kumul
- Lesser Ground Robin, Amalocichla incerta: heard at Tari Gap
- Pacific Swallow, Hirundo tahitica: fairly common throughout
- Island Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus maforensis: a few at Tari
- Papuan Grassbird, Megalurus macrurus: a few at Tari and Kumul
- Golden-headed Cisticola, Cisticola exilis: at least 1 at the Kokoda Trail
- Black-fronted White-eye, Zosterops minor: 2 at Varirata, a few near Kumul
- Capped White-eye, Zosterops fuscicapilla: 6+ at Tari
- Papuan White-eye, Zosterops novaeguineae: 1 at Dablin Creek
- Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica: flocks daily in the Kiunga area but no Yellow-eyed spotted
- Singing Starling, Aplonis cantoroides: 2 at Port Moresby airport (JH)
- Yellow-faced Myna, Mino dumontii: singles at Varirata and PAU, fairly common in the Kiunga area
- Golden Myna, Mino anais: up to 5 daily in the Kiunga area
- Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus: 1 at Tari Gap, common at Kumul
- Pied Bush Chat, Saxicola caprata: singles daily at POM airport, Tari, Kumul and Mt Hagen
- Red-capped Flowerpecker, Dicaeum geelvinkianum: seen throughout in small numbers
- Black Sunbird, Leptocoma sericea: surprisingly scarce with only a few noted in the Tabubil/ Kiunga area
- House Sparrow, Passer domesticus: in and near towns, fewer than Tree Sparrow
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus: locally common in and near towns
- Blue-faced Parrotfinch, Erythrura trichroa: 4 on the Tari road
- Great-billed/Grand Mannikin, Lonchura grandis: 2 at the Kokoda Trail
- Grey-headed Mannikin, Lonchura caniceps: 15 at the Kokoda Trail
- Hooded Mannikin, Lonchura spectabilis: small flocks below Ambua and near Kumul
- Australian Pipit, Anthus australis: a few at Mt Hagen airport
MAMMALS
Spectacled Flying Fox Pteropus conspicillatus: Locally common along the rivers near Kiunga.