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.