Tari Valley rainforest

Dwarf Cassowary Casuarius bennetti: An immature beside the track from Varirata lookout plunged into the stream with a tremendous splash, and the front few clients saw it swimming and scrambling up the bank to vanish into the forest. This is one of the most difficult to find species in the park.

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

Eurasian Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: 6 nesting at Alexishafen Ponds gave us our only sightings of this very local species in NG.

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor (B): One off Kimbe Island.Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel: At least 44 over Hisiu was a high count, and 2 off Kimbe Island.

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

Australian Darter Anhinga (r.) novaehollandiae: Seen at Lake Kerea and Kiunga only.

Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana: We saw a single of this rare bird whilst going along the Elevala.

Great White Egret Egretta alba: One out on a reef off Walindi was a surprise.

Pied Heron Egretta picata: Great views at Moitaka SP where we counted some 15 birds.

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia: Small numbers around POM.

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 in breeding plumage.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta: A single at roadside ponds near Brown River was the only one.

Eastern Reef-Egret Egretta sacra (B): 2 dark morph and a white phase off Walindi.

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

Nankeen (Rufous) Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus: Singles near POM and along the Elevala.

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis: A single immature along the Ketu River off the Elevala.

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca: 20 at Brown River.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus (B): A single near Dalom on NI.

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

Long-tailed Buzzard Henicopernis longicauda: Seen very well at Varirata, Tabubil and Kiunga, with outstanding views from Varirata Lookout.

Bat Hawk Macheirhamphus alcinus: An adult over the Boystown Road on June 11 was a huge range extension for this rare species in NG, one of the most surprising sightings of the trip! First for Western Province, and a great flight view.

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus: Two immatures near Ambua, 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 (B): Good views near Kimbe Island.

Eastern Marsh Harrier (Spotted Marsh or Papuan Harrier) Circus spilonotus: A nice look at singles at Aroa, and again near Sogeri.

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus: One along the Sogeri Road.

Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus: A single calling over the car park at Varirata.

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

Black-mantled Goshawk Accipiter melanochlamys: Brief foggy views at Benson’s Trail.

Grey-headed Goshawk Accipiter poliocephalus: Nice views of a single of this rather uncommon species at Katu Creek along the Elevala.

(New Britain Grey-headed Goshawk Accipiter princeps: A possible sighting, as a large grey and white accipiter flew across the Garu road, never to be seen again. Sob!)

Meyer’s Goshawk Accipiter meyerianus: A marvellous view of a perched male below the Lodge, a rare bird indeed.

New Guinea Harpy-Eagle Harpyopsis novaeguineae: Heard along the Tree House trail and below the Bailey Bridge at Ambua, then we flushed one that flew rapidly off below canopy height along Benson’s Trail, only a lucky few at the front getting onto it.

Brown Falcon Falco berigora: One en route from Boana and a single near Ambua.

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

Spotted Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna guttata: A lovely flock of 30 at Alexishafen ponds, two at Lake Kerea and an unexpected four spotlit roosting at Garu on New Britain.

Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata: 20 at the PAU ponds and 4 at Alexishafen.

Green Pygmy-Goose Nettapus pulchellus: Lovely views of 12 at Lake Kerea and a single at the PAU, a delightful species.

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa: A few at the PAU, 4 at Alexishafen and a few near Walindi.

Melanesian Scrubfowl (Volcano Scrubfowl) Megapodius eremita (B): Excellent views in the forest surrounding the breeding colony around the hot springs at Pokili and flying at dusk near Walindi, looking like aberrant swamphens on first glance! We arrived on one of the twice weekly egging days (Tuesdays and Fridays!) and had the amazing spectacle of hundreds of mud caked locals emerging carrying palm leaf bundles of eggs!

New Guinea Scrubfowl Megapodius affinis: Brief views for some of the small dark legged birds on Pig Island off Madang, now split from freycinet.

Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius freycinet (H): Heard along the Ok Ma.

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.

Brown Quail Coturnix australis: 4 at the PAU, often seen near the Gap, and heard near Varirata.

-Redbacked Buttonquail Turnix maculosa: Three (which the guys all missed!) across the road during a ladies’ pit stop at Lake Kerea…….

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

Buff-banded Rail Rallus philippensis (B): Two over the Bulominski Highway on NI.

White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea: Lovely views of 5 including both adult and imm. at Alexishafen.

Rufous-tailed Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccanus (H) : Noisy around Tabubil, and heard along the Limbin track on NI.

Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa: A few at the PAU and Alexishafen.

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

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea What a great little bird, well seen at the PAU and Alexishafen.

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva: A single at Kiunga airport.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius: Splendid birds 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 and could well be a split.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus: Heard at Hisiu and a single at Walindi.

Crested Tern (Greater Crested Tern) Sterna bergii (B): Seen off Lorengau.

Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana (B): A single off Lorengau.

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: Widespread.

Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia nigrirostris: Three at Ambua were the only sighting.

Great Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardtii: Nice views at Kiunga and Tabubil of this truly spectacular bird. An amazing view of one along the Ok Ma road was especially memorable.

Pied Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena browni (B): A brief flight view of this spectacular endemic near Limbin, a real hard one to find.

Emerald Ground-Dove Chalcophaps indica: A brief view of one at Kau FR was it this time.

Stephan's Ground-Dove Chalcophaps stephani: A single near Kiunga and a fine flight view near Hoskins.

Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica (B): Terrific flight views of a total of at least 9 adults and immatures on Kimbe Island, and a super adult on a beach on Big Malo-malo Island, a great and tough to get bird.

New Britain Bronzewing Henicophaps foersteri: Great views of one near Garu on our final afternoon on June 24, a long shot that paid off well as it bulleted out in response to my tape. A long awaited life bird for PG, and confirms the tape recordings that were long thought to be this rare species.

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata: A few around Port Moresby.

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis: A single at the PAU.

Cinnamon Ground-Dove Gallicolumba rufigula (H): Heard calling distantly at Akame along the Elevala, but no views obtained except by Eric.

Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis: Brief flight views of one at Varirata, for a lucky few.

Southern Crowned Pigeon Goura scheepmakeri: Brief views of this world class bird along the Elevala, they were very difficult this time.

Thick-billed Ground-Pigeon Trugon terrestris (H): Heard at Varirata and near Kiunga, one day we'll get to see it!

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

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

Ornate Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus ornatus: Good views of a single at Varirata..

Superb Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus superbus: Good views of a male and female near Tabubil, and again at Varirata.

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

Coroneted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus coronatus: Wonderful views of a male of the north coast race at Kau and on Pig Island of all places, and a single at Brown River for some. This is always a tough species to find.

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

Yellow-bibbed Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus solomonensis (B): Good views of this diminutive and sparse small island specialist on Kimbe Island.

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

Claret-breasted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus viridis: A male perched by the waterfall track on Manus, naturally enough the one time I did not have my scope handy!

Dwarf Fruit Dove Ptilinopus nana: Great views of a female at Brown River. The scarcest of the Ptilinopus in PNG.

Purple-tailed Imperial-Pigeon Ducula rufigaster: Excellent views of two of this sparse species near Kiunga.

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

Grey Imperial Pigeon (Island Imperial Pigeon) Ducula pistrinaria (B): Good views near Hoskins, and a maximum of 30 on Kimbe Island.

Finsch's Imperial Pigeon Ducula finschii (B/H): Heard near Limbin, Pokili and Garu, but no response to my tape this time. The rarest of the Bismarck endemic Ducula.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon Ducula pinon: Nice views of both flyovers and perched birds along the Fly River.

Black Imperial-Pigeon (Bismarck Imperial-Pigeon) Ducula melanochroa (B): Outstanding views of 9 in the hills near Limbin, a scarce and elusive species.

Collared Imperial Pigeon Ducula muellerii: Maximum 50 by the Fly River. This is a specialist of riverine forest and the numbers vary greatly according to time of year. Where do they go?

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

Torresian Imperial Pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa: A single of the Torresian form at the PAU. Nice views of 5 of the potential split subflavescens at Pokili, the Yellow-tinted Imperial-Pigeon.

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

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: Very few again this year, just 4 flyovers at the Ok Ma was it! Nowhere near as common as in pre-drought times.

Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus

Goldie’s Lorikeet Trichoglossus goldiei: A flyover flock of 15 along the Ok Ma was fortunate as this is a very sparse species here.

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.

Josephine’s Lorikeet Charmosyna josefinae: A single flying with a Papuan Lorikeet near the Gap at Tari was unusual.

Red-flanked Lorikeet Charmosyna placentis: Lots of flyovers on the mainland and nice looks on New Ireland on several occasions of feeding birds in flowering trees. Bismarck birds have a different flight call to Western Province birds.

Red-chinned Lorikeet Charmosyna rubrigularis (B): 120+ near Limbin, seen very well and always a tough bird to find.

Papuan Lorikeet Charmosyna papou: Flight views 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! The green undertail was a help!

Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus: A star bird, great views along the Fly River with a flock of 4 on one day.

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

Blue-eyed Cockatoo Cacatua ophthalmica (B): Common and performing well in the Hoskins-Lavege area, much to George’s delight

Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta pusio: Seen well after a balancing act on a slippery track at Varirata, and seen in flight on New Britain where PG had a very close view. One of the world's smallest parrots.

Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta keiensis: Seen well in the Kiunga area. A restricted range species.

Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta bruijnii: Seen nicely at Tabubil, the birds being the brighter yellow capped Tabubil form which may be an undescribed subspecies.

Meek’s Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta meeki (B): Very good views of this endemic on Manus. We still don’t know what they feed on.

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

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

Large Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris desmarestii: Outstanding views of 5 feeding birds along the Katu River. A hard one to find.

Edward’s Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris edwardsi: Lovely views at Boana, amazingly obliging and scored well as one of the bird’s of the trip.

Painted Tiger-Parrot Psittacella picta: A wonderful view of a single up at the Gap for as long as we wanted, this is the hardest of the tiger-parrots to find.

Brehm's Tiger-Parrot Psittacella brehmii: A nice view for some of a skulking bird along Benson’s Trail.

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

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

Blue-collared Parrot Geoffroyus simplex: The wind chime bird, seen and heard in flight at Tabubil and heard at Varirata. The usual flight dots……

Song Parrot (Singing Parrot) Geoffroyus heteroclitus (B): Seen in flight near Kimbe and along the Lavege track, an uncommon Bismarck-Solomon endemic species.

Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus: Splendidly common and very noisy , especially in the Bismarcks.

Vulturine Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus (H): Heard at Akame but no views near Kiunga and none along the Ok Ma due to adverse weather. It gets scarcer every year due to hunting.

Bismarck Hanging-Parrot Loriculus tener (B): A single bulleted over calling along the Pokili track, a very nice find.

Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus: Seen near Tari and an immature at Tabubil

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

Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis: Nicely seen below Ambua.

Long-billed Cuckoo Rhamphomantis megarhynchus: Great looks at single adult male near Kiunga. Formerly a great rarity that is becoming better known these days.

Gould's or Little Bronze-Cuckoo (Malay Bronze) Chrysococcyx minutillus/russatus: Seen at Brown River and Boana. The resident race here is poecilurus, similar to russatus. These birds were more like minutillus, split by Australian authorities as Little Bronze-Cuckoo.

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus: A single at Varirata was unusual.

Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx ruficollis: Excellent views at Ambua again.

Dwarf Koel Microdynamis parva: Brief views of a male along the Tabubil road at Kiunga, and at Kau for few..

White-crowned Koel Caliechthrus leucolophus (H): Heard at Tabubil only.

Australian Koel Eudynamys (s.) cyanocephala: Males at Kiunga gave us this dubious split, quite common along the Elevala.

Common (Asian) Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus: Male birds on Bird Island can be assigned here.

Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae: Great views of 24 of these weird prehistoric-looking creatures flying by the Guest House at Kiunga.

Violaceous Coucal Centropus violaceus (B): A good view of one calling loudly in the Lavege area, and a fly-by at Garu. A bizarre species that is more like a huge malkoha, and with a great call.

Greater Black Coucal Centropus menbeki: A view of this huge lumbering creature clambering about in a thicket beside the Brown River road

Pied Coucal (White-necked Coucal) Centropus ateralbus (B): Quite common in the Hoskins-Lavege area, and seen on several occasions.

Lesser Black Coucal Centropus bernsteini: Nice views of two drying off after rain at Kiunga.

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

Papuan Boobook Ninox theomacha: Calling briefly at Ambua, where it is taped-out these days. None at Tabubil due to poor weather.

New Ireland (Bismarck) Boobook Ninox variegata (B): Excellent views of a calling bird along the Limbin road at dusk, leaning forward to call and flicking the wings as it did so. A life bird for PG, and good to get some great tape of its calls as this is a very little known species, which is endemic to NI. Note that both the Handbook of the Birds of the World and the recent Owls monograph from Pica Press erroneously show it as on New Britain as well.

Manus Boobook Ninox meeki (B): Two were duetting at dusk along the Rossun road, and Aaron and Eric managed to flush them down in a forested gully.

(Golden Owl Tyto aurantia)(H/B) : What was almost certainly this species was calling along the forest edge at Garu on June 24, in the pouring rain. The call was a typical but quite shrill Tyto descending shriek, which we heard 4 times, though close by only the once. Next time…….A mega rarity still, virtually unknown.

Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis (H): Heard by Akame Lodge.

Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus (H): Heard calling by Akame Lodge, a new locality for the species. The calls seem slower than Queensland birds.

Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus (B): Seen well on the track near Garu.

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

Uniform Swiftlet Collocalia vanikorensis

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

White-rumped Swiftlet Collocalia spodiopygia (B): Common on Manus and New Ireland and sparse this time in lowland New Britain. The birds do seem very much darker than the Queensland form so maybe the split of that form is justified?

Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta: Common in the hills and lowlands, and also on Manus and New Ireland. Many of the Manus birds have white rumps.

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

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

Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera danae: Good views at Varirata, a great bird

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, and the 4^th Tanysiptera species for the trip.

Hook-billed Kingfisher Melidora macrorrhina: This strange crepuscular skulker was seen at Akame Lodge.

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra Dacelo gaudichaud: Common and noisy in lowlands and hills.

Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii: An excellent bird, seen really well in the POM savannas.

Forest Kingfisher Halcyon macleayii: Lovely views near Varirata.

New Britain Kingfisher (White-mantled K) Halcyon albonotata (B): Wonderful views of 3 of this rather rare species near Pokili.

Collared Kingfisher Halcyon chloris (B): Nice views on New Britain and NI, strangely buff coloured beneath unlike the much whiter NI birds. How many species does this group consist of? Also heard at Hisiu.

Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sancta: A common winter migrant from Australia in the lowlands.

Beach Kingfisher Halcyon saurophaga: Lovely views at Pig Island off Madang, and again on Kimbe Is.

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

Dwarf Kingfisher (Variable D K) Ceyx lepidus (H): Heard at Boana and along the Ok Ma, plus we heard the red billed sacerdotis race on both Manus and New Britain, a potential split.

Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea: Brief views of one at Varirata.

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

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis: Many migrants at Kiunga, maximum 70 on June 7^th.

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

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida: Brief views for a couple of us at Akame Lodge.

Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster: Calling and seen very well in flight at Akame Lodge by a couple of us.

Superb Pitta Pitta superba: Nice views again of this rare endemic on Manus, after a considerable struggle this time as they were not calling much. Thank you Aaron!

Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica: Seen at Lae Nadzab airport.

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica: The common NG swallow.

Hooded Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina longicauda (H): Heard near Ambua and mimicked by the Mountain Mouse-warbler!

White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina papuensis: Singles near POM. Common on New Ireland and Manus.

Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina novaehollandiae: Seen near Port Moresby.

Large-billed (Stout-billed) Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina caeruleogrisea: Seen well at Varirata and Tabubil.

Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina lineata: Seen nicely at Varirata (axillaris), and also at Limbin (sublineata), both sightings being of the barred females of the very distinct NG races in which the males have little or no barring. This may well be a split.

Boyer's Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina boyeri: Good views at Varirata and Kiunga.

Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris: Seen at Varirata and again on Manus and at Limbin, where quite common. Also a female at Km 120 near Tabubil, which was very unusual. The POM birds give the harsh "der der der" call, and may be a distinct species from north Australian birds which vocalise very differently

Black-shouldered Cicadabird Coracina incerta: Seen and heard at Boana and Tabubil, where there are few records of the very similar (and frequently confused) Cicadabird.

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

Black Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina melaena: A nice male at Varirata and a pair at Brown River, never an easy one to find.

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

Golden Cuckoo-Shrike Campochaera sloetii: Nice views in the Kiunga area.

Black-browed Triller Lalage atrovirens: Seen nicely at Kau FR.

Varied Triller Lalage leucomela

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach: Seen well during a stop at Telefomin, also at Ambua.

Pied Chat (Pied Stonechat) Saxicola caprata: Common at Ambua and at Jackson’s Airport.

Log-runner Orthonyx temminckii: Good looks at a pair up at the Gap, surely a split from the Australian birds based on quite distinct songs, calls, habitat and much smaller size.

Painted Quail-Thrush Cinclosoma ajax: A lengthy effort to see calling birds at Varirata got brief looks for a couple of us, then we had outstanding views of a pair at Akame, where this very sparse endemic species is a recent discovery.

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

Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler Ptilorrhoa castanonota: A brief look for a few of us at Varirata.

Lesser Melampitta Melampitta lugubris: Lovely views of two silent birds along Benson’s Trail after a brief glimpse of one calling near the Tari Gap.

Greater Melampitta Melampitta gigantea (H): One of New Guinea's least known birds but not uncommon around Tabubil, where we heard them calling close by. A plane low overhead was very bad luck at a critical point…….

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

Rufous Babbler Pomatostomus isidorei: Great views near Kiunga.

Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis: Common above Ambua. Calls and habitat are distinct from Australian birds and this could well be a split.

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis: Two along the Boana Road and also at Limbin.

Island Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephala: Seen at Ambua.

Wallace’s Fairywren Sipodotus wallacei: Brief views near Akame, a new species for the area of this most aberrant of the fairywrens.

Emperor Fairy-Wren Malurus cyanocephalus: Brief views of a pair at Brown River and again at Kiunga.

White-shouldered Fairy-Wren Malurus alboscapulatus: Seen near Varirata, Tari, and Boana.

Rusty Mouse-warbler Crateroscelis murina: Variations on a theme of three notes kept us entertained, and all of us eventually got to see the singer at Varirata or Tabubil.

Mountain Mouse-warbler Crateroscelis robusta: Excellent views above Ambua, where it mimicked a Hooded Cuckoo-shrike.

Pale-billed Scrubwren Sericornis spilodera (NL): This scarce species was seen at Varirata by a few only.

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

Buff-faced Scrub-Wren Sericornis perspicillatus: Nicely seen at Ambua.

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

Yellow-bellied Gerygone Gerygone chrysogaster: Kiunga and Varirata, seen well.

Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronotus: The song really is the best thing about it, but we got a nice look eventually at Tabubil.

Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa: Seen at Varirata.

Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris: Seen at Hisiu and heard at Akame Lodge.

Mangrove Gerygone Gerygone levigaster (NL): Elisabeth saw one at Hisiu, where they overlap with Large-billed Gerygone.

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

Sooty Thicket-Fantail Rhipidura threnothorax (H): Heard along the Ok Ma, a real skulker.

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

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

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: Common at Ambua.

Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris: Common in the hills, but the song varied a lot!

Rufous-backed Fantail Rhipidura rufidorsa: Heard near Kiunga, and seen along the Ok Ma road where it is very scarce. Always a hard one to see.

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys: Seen almost everywhere, including on a wrecked boat off Walindi.

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

Island Monarch Monarcha cinerascens: Eric saw one on Pig Island off Madang, and I glimpsed one on Kimbe Island. This is very much a small island specialist.

Black-faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis: Nice looks at Varirata, where several immatures gave good views.

Black-winged Monarch Monarcha frater: Good views at Varirata, and an immature in the lowlands at Brown River was unexpected.

Spectacled Monarch Monarcha trivirgata (NL): Eric saw an immature in Varirata, where there is just one previous record, the species is a migrant to the Trans-Fly as a rule.

Spot-winged Monarch Monarcha guttula: Good views at Kiunga and also at Varirata.

Rufous Monarch Monarcha rufescens: A single female or immature was with a mixed species flock above Akame which included Golden, Hooded, Frilled and Spot-winged Monarchs. This is a very rare species on the southern watershed, with just a couple of previous records from this area. A PNG tick for PG.

Hooded Monarch Monarcha manadensis: A single above Akame Lodge, always a tough bird to find.

Black-tailed Monarch (Bismarck Pied Monarch) Monarcha verticalis (B): A single along the Pokili track was it for this rather sparse endemic.

Admiralty Pied Monarch Monarcha infelix (B): Good looks at 2 of this attractive and scarce endemic along the waterfall trail on Manus.

Golden Monarch Monarcha chrysomela: A lovely view of a male near Kiunga and again at Varirata and Tabubil, plus two near Limbin. Unusually common this trip.

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

Ochre-collared Monarch Arses insularis: Two fairly obliging birds at Kau FR.

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula: A male near Varirata.

Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca (NL): A female above Boana for some was a good find of this sparse migrant here.

Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto: Common along the Fly River and at Brown River.

Lesser Shining (Dull) Flycatcher Myiagra hebetior (B): A male seen and more importantly for identification, heard this year at Pokili. Also heard at Garu.

Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus flaviventer (H): Heard at Varirata.

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

Torrent Flycatcher Monachella muelleriana: Nicely seen above Tabubil. 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 Varirata.

Olive Flycatcher Microeca griseoceps: Seen twice at Varirata, this is a very sparse and unobtrusive species.

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

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

Garnet Robin Eugerygone rubra: We eventually all got pretty good views of a male found by Joseph along Benson’s Trail. A very curious species, an arboreal gerygone-like robin!

Mangrove Robin Eopsaltria pulverulenta: Good views at Hisiu, specially for Mark and Beverley.

Black-sided Robin Poecilodryas hypoleuca: Another elusive robin, eventually seen well at Akame after a lengthy tape duel.

Black-throated Robin Poecilodryas albonotata: Seen very nicely near Ambua.

Northern Scrub-robin Drymodes superciliaris (H): We heard this very shy species at Varirata and along the Ok Ma.

Lesser Ground-Robin Amalocichla incerta (H): We briefly heard this mega-skulker at Ambua.

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

White-rumped Robin Peneothello bimaculatus: Another elusive robin, seen well along the Ok Ma.

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

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

Common Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis (B): Heard along the Lavege track and we glimpsed a male on Manus for good measure.

Mangrove Golden Whistler Pachycephala melanura: Good views of the odd sounding birds on Pig Island off Madang, but none at Hisiu this time.

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

Regent Whistler Pachycephala schlegelii: Seen quite well at Tari.

Golden-backed Whistler Pachycephala aurea: Good views at Km 120 this again year, three adults showing well after initially being difficult.

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

Rusty Whistler Pachycephala hyperytha: We saw this rather rare bird along the Ok Ma, where it was quite tape responsive.

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: A pair seen well at Hisiu. A good split from the Rufous Whistler of Australia as both calls and the appearance of both sexes are quite different.

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

Little Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha: Varirata and Kiunga.

Grey Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla harmonica: Seen well at Varirata.

Variable Pitohui Pitohui kirhocephalus: Good views of several black headed birds in the Kiunga area. Immatures lack the dark head.

Hooded Pitohui Pitohui dichrous: Frequent at Tabubil and Varirata.

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

Rusty Pitohui Pitohui ferrugineus: Brief looks at Varirata.

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

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera : Really excellent views at Ambua, both white headed and dark headed birds, may well be a split from the Australian ones.

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

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.

Spotted Berrypecker Rhamphocaris crassirostris: Excellent views of a male bird by the Lodge at Ambua, looking strikingly long billed. A very seldom seen species, thank you Eric!

Red-crowned Flowerpecker (Papuan Flowerpecker) Dicaeum pectorale: Good views at various sites from Ambua to Varirata.

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

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

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

Yellow-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis

Black-fronted White-eye Zosterops atrifrons: Seen well, the common lowland and hill forest white-eye.

Western Mountain White-eye (Dark-capped White-eye) Zosterops fuscicapillus: Seen nicely at Ambua.

New Guinea White-eye Zosterops novaeguineae (NL): Eric saw two by the Lodge at Ambua

Black-headed White-eye Zosterops hypoxantha (B): Good views on Manus and again along the Limbin road.

Tawny Straightbill Timeliopsis griseigula: Unbelievable! We had excellent views of one feeding with Tawny-breasted Honeyeaters along the main road at Brown River. The red eye was very striking. This was a life bird for PG, a species that has had hardly any recent records and is probably much overlooked in seldom visited areas. We may be the first tour to see it. Yip yip!!!

Long-billed Honeyeater Melilestes megarhynchus: Seen on several occasions, most notably at Brown River and again at Kiunga.

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

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

Pygmy Honeyeater Oedistoma pygmaeum: Nice views at Brown River and Kiunga.

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

Silver-eared Honeyeater Lichmera alboauricularis: Seen very nicely at Aroa.

Red-throated Myzomela Myzomela eques: A good look at one along the Ok Ma. Always sparse.

Ashy Myzomela Myzomela cineracea (B): Quite common in the Hoskins-Lavege area, a distinctive island allospecies of M. eques.

Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura: Seen at Hisiu only.

Papuan Black Myzomela Myzomela nigrita: Well seen at Varirata.

Bismarck Black Myzomela Myzomela pammelaena (B): A small island endemic, we saw a single along the Limbin road where it must be a wanderer from offshore.

Red Myzomela Myzomela cruentata (B): A single at Boana for some. We then found it commonly in the hills on New Ireland where it is probably best treated as an allospecies of the mainland Red Myzomela.

Sclater’s (Red-bibbed) Myzomela Myzomela sclateri (B): Excellent views of males and females on Kimbe Island from the boat, learning from last year where landing proved unrealistic!

Mountain Red-headed Myzomela Myzomela adolphinae: Seen well at Varirata as usual.

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

New Ireland (Olive-yellow) Myzomela Myzomela pulchella (B): We found about ten along the Limbin Road, a rather rare NI endemic, mostly males.

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...I am still unsure of the identity of white eared Meliphaga in forest by the Elevala.

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

Graceful Meliphaga Meliphaga gracilis: Seen near Tabubil.

Yellow-gaped Meliphaga Meliphaga flavirictus: Two near Akame Lodge, always a rare species.

Varied Honeyeater Lichenostomus versicolor: Nice views at Madang.

Black-throated Honeyeater Lichenostomus subfrenatus: Common at Ambua this time.

Obscure Honeyeater Lichenostomus obscurus (H): Heard along the Boystown Road at Kiunga.

Spotted Honeyeater Xanthotis polygramma: Eric saw one at Varirata, and we all had a good look at another along the Ok Ma road.

Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer: A common hill forest species.

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

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

Plain Honeyeater Pycnopygius ixoides: Excellent views of two at Kiunga, a very seldom recorded species.

Meyer's Friarbird Philemon meyeri: Good views at Kau FR, another very sparse species.

New Guinea Friarbird (Helmeted) Philemon (novaeguineae) buceroides: Now again lumped with Helmeted by Clements, maybe prematurely. Common in the lowlands and hills.

New Britain Friarbird Philemon cockerelli (B): More distinct than I recalled, we saw a few on New Britain.

Manus Friarbird Philemon albitorques (B): The chowka is common and very noisy on Manus, an endemic too.

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

Grey-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora perstriata: Quite common at Ambua.

Yellowish-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora meekiana: Great work from Joseph got us this rare canopy species near the Lodge, where we saw one individual perching in a dead tree.

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

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

Common Smoky Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus: Common at Ambua

Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis: Common at the PAU on day one.

Blue-faced Parrot-Finch Erythrura trichroa: A single by the track at Ambua Lodge.

Papuan Parrot-Finch Erythrura papuensis: Susan found us a very nice hulking bird feeding in the canopy near the Blue BoP. A rare and seldom seen species.

White-spotted Mannikin Lonchura leucosticta: Brief flight views in a grassy patch by the Kiunga airstrip, on both attempts.

Streak-headed Mannikin Lonchura tristissima: Two in forest at Kau were a good find.

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

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! Also seen near Garu, with white underparts.

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax (NL): A few near Lake Kerea for some.

Forbes Mannikin Lonchura forbesi (B): Eight in oil palm clearance near Pinikiou along the Bulominski Highway were a good find of this sparse New Ireland endemic.

Buff-bellied Mannikin (Bismarck Mannikin) Lonchura melaena (B): We saw 4 with Forbes’ Mannikin in oil palm clearance near Pinikiou along the Bulominski Highway. This is newly discovered on NI, we found it first in June 99, previously only known from NB and Buka. These birds are a rich rusty buff on the belly, much darker than the NB birds which are pale whitish buff. The black chest is a good field character, as is the larger size than Forbes’. Maybe a new subspecies or perhaps the same as on Buka.  We also saw a flock of about 30 along the Garu track, of the NB race, and 3 at Hoskins airport.

Hunstein’s Mannikin Lonchura hunsteini (B): Nice views of 3 of this localized NI endemic near the airport at Kavieng.

Grand Mannikin Lonchura grandis: : Great views at Boana and Alexishafen ponds, where they were nesting.

Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus: A female was seen well at the Tari Gap, this species seems to have got much harder to find since the '97 drought.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus: PNG has only two introduced species on the mainland (Rock Dove the other) plus Indian Myna on Bougainville, the sparrow only colonizing since 1992. We duly logged it in POM.

Singing Starling Aplonis cantoroides: Port Moresby, Madang, Lae and New Britain.

Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica: Common in the lowlands.

Yellow-eyed Starling Aplonis mystacea: Brief views for a few of two with Metallics along the Elevala, a rather rare and local species.

Golden Myna Mino anais. Nice views along the Fly of this spectacular and uncommon species. Also seen well at Brown River.

Yellow-faced Myna Mino dumontii: Common in the lowlands of the mainland.

Long-tailed Myna Mino kreffti (B): 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.

Brown Oriole Oriolus szalayi: The amazing friarbird mimic, or is it vice versa? Good views at Varirata.

Figbird Sphecotheres viridis: Several at the PAU and at the Islander in the Port Moresby area, very local in PNG.

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

Paradise Drongo Dicrurus megarhynchus (B): Excellent views of 3 of this large spectacular and noisy endemic drongo along the Limbin Road. They are remarkably like small Astrapias in flight!

White-breasted Wood-swallow Artamus leucorhynchus

Great Wood-swallow Artamus maximus: A few around Boana and Tabubil, and lovely views at Ambua.

Bismarck (White-backed) Wood-swallow Artamus insignis (B): A single along the Limbin Road gave excellent views, a great bird. A very sparse Bismarck endemic.

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 at Brown River and near Kiunga, where we saw 5 on one day along the Elevala of this uncommon bird.

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

White-eared Catbird Ailuroedus buccoides: A glimpse in Varirata after we heard it calling "zik".

Archbold's Bowerbird Archboldia papuensis: One seen briefly but quite well by Benson’s Trail.

Flame Bowerbird Sericulus aureus: Wonderful views of a male of this incredible species late one morning (1200) near Kiunga, after a morning of heavy rain. Also quite a good look at the female nearby. This was voted the bird of the trip, and it was certainly a crippling view via the scope for some time.

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

Macgregor’s Bowerbird Amblyornis macgregoriae: A brief look for some of us in a fruiting tree along the waterfall trail at Ambua. Heard at the Blue BoP site too.

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

Crinkle-collared Manucode Manucodia chalybeata: Great views near Kiunga and Tabubil, though I have never seen it at Kiunga previously..

Trumpet Manucode Manucodia keraudrenii: One in the forest near Kiunga gave good views.

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

Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus: Good views of a male along the Ok Ma road, often shy and hard to find.

Eastern Riflebird Ptiloris (m.) intercedens: Several brief look at males and a female at Varirata. This form is a recent split by some authorities from the previous species. Its call is very different, growls v whistles.

Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise Seleucidis melanoleuca: Amazingly good and prolonged views of displaying males by the Fly and Elevala Rivers near Kiunga. Voted one of the birds of the trip.

Loria's Bird of Paradise Cnemophilus loriae: Fair views of males and females at Ambua.

Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri: Excellent views of males and females at the Gap, the pale blue eye being very obvious when seen well. Also memorable for its amazing machine-gun like call.

Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastuosus: A female found by Joseph gave nice scope views below the Lodge. This is the largest of the BoP's, a rather rare bird that is extirpated from the more accessible areas.

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia Astrapia mayeri: Wonderful views of up to five males 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: A male en route to the Lodge, and 3 birds next day. A fine bird.

Carola's Parotia Parotia carolae: Fine views of five females and immatures at Dablin Creek this time. An elusive fruit nomad that I was getting worried about missing.

Lawes Parotia Parotia lawesii: A good but brief look at a male plumaged bird below the Lodge.

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).

King Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus regius: Wonderful views of a male high in a tree near Akame Lodge.

Magnificent Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus: Brief views of a female plumaged bird and an elusive male near Tabubil, where it is getting harder to find due to clearance.

Raggiana Bird of Paradise Paradisaea raggiana: Some nice males displaying near Kiunga, immatures and females in Varirata and also up at Boana where it seems to be replacing the Emperor BoP.

Greater Bird of Paradise Paradisaea apoda: Nice views of several males in fine plumage in the display areas near Kiunga. Many show evidence of hybridisation with Raggiana.

Blue Bird of Paradise Paradisaea rudolfi: Fabulous views of a couple of females as well as prolonged scope views of a superb male at Benson’s site near Ambua.

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. They are at least as distinct as the various corvid species in Australia.

Trip Favourites, as voted on the last night:

1. Flame Bowerbird, 2. King-of-Saxony, 3. Twelve-wired BoP, 4= Ribbon-tail, 4= Blue BoP.

MAMMALS

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

Bare-backed Fly-fox Dobsonia moluccensis: An electrocuted specimen near Tabubil.

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.

Spiny-furred Bandicoot Echymipera rufescens : Curiously, one individual appeared on the Ok Ma road at mid-day and was duly stoned and chased for it’s trouble, as thousands of years of instinct subsumed the more civilized veneer of our driver!

Admiralty Cuscus Spilocuscus kraemeri: A male spotlit one night on Manus, and an unfortunate female that got her rest tree chopped down the next morning……

REPTILES

New Guinea Freshwater Crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae: A 30 cm specimen was caught by Akame Lodge.

BUTTERFLIES

Ornithoptera priamus poseidon: Excellent birdwings at Hoskins, Kiunga and Varirata.

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

© Phil Gregory, Cassowary House, Blackmountain Road, Kuranda 4872, Queensland, Australia.

Phone: (61) 07 40 937 318 Fax: (61) 07 40 939855

e-mail: sicklebill@internetnorth.com.au

June 2000

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