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More Reports for this regionANNOTATED BIRD SPECIES LIST.
The list below follows the taxonomy set out in Birds of New Guinea by Beehler et al and the numbers are references to the plates in that book. Species noted in capitals are endemic to Papua New Guinea and its satellite islands.
1. Black-billed Brush-turkey (Talegalla fuscirostris) Heard only - this species heard called constantly at Ekame Lodge, particularly at night, but we never saw it.
1. Brown Quail (Coturnix australis) A single bird toward dusk on the road where the forest opens on to grassland at the Tari Gap.
2. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) About 10-20 birds on the ponds in the grounds of the Pacific University on 6th July.
2. Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) About 10-20 birds on the ponds in the grounds of the Pacific University on 6th July.
3. Cattle Egret (Egretta ibis) A few birds in the lowlands.
3. Great Egret (Egretta alba) Only one record, a single bird up river from the Ekame Lodge.
3. Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana) A solitary bird perched in a tree overhanging the river as we drifted downstream from Ekame Lodge to Kiunga.
3. Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia) A couple of birds at the airport in POM.
3. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) Two birds in the grounds of the Pacific University on 6th July.
3. Striated Heron (Ardeola striata) Single birds seen daily during our time on the Fly River and at Ekame Lodge.
4. Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) Several birds on the ponds of Alixhafen Missionary College near Madang.
4. Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) 15-20 birds on ponds in the grounds of the Pacific University.
4. Spotted Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna guttata) Several birds on the ponds of Alixhafen Missionary College near Madang.
5. Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrhocephalus) Several individuals seen in open country around Kumul Lodge and between Lae and Madang.
5. Grey (Variable)Goshawk (Accipiter novaehollandiae) Several individuals seen during our time on the Fly River and at Ekame Lodge.
5. GREY-HEADED GOSHAWK (Accipiter poliocephalus) Two individuals seen briefly on 16th and 18th June over the Fly River.
6. Black Kite (Milvus migrans) Common; seen regularly including hundreds on the long drive to Madang.
6. Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) Seen regularly throughout the trip mainly in the lowlands.
6. Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) Only a couple of records from Kiunga and on the last day at the Pacific University.
6. LONG-TAILED BUZZARD (Henicopernis longicauda) 3 birds seen at Km17 north of Kiunga on 16th June with sporadic records thereafter.
6. Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata) Six birds seen on the trip up the Fly River on 17th June with odd records thereafter.
7. White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) A single individual flying over the sea from our hotel in Madang.
8. Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) A single record over grasslands on the road to Madang on 26th June.
9. Spotted Marsh Harrier ( Eastern Marsh [Papuan] Harrier) (Circus spilonotus) Several birds circling over the burning grasslands in the Markham Valley. ( Now more regularly referred to as Eastern Marsh Harrier and not to be confused with the Australian Spotted Harrier.)
10. Chestnut Forest-Rail (Rallina rubra) Heard only; a pair taped up the hill at the back of Kumul Lodge came in close calling vociferously but refused to show themselves.
10. Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) A single bird in the reeds at Alixhafen Missionary College.
10. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) Up to 30 birds in the grounds of the Pacific University.
11. Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) 10 or so birds on the ponds at Alixhafen Missionary College.
11. Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) Up to 20 birds seen around Kiunga.
15. Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata) Seen only on the first day at the Bluff Inn although they must have been in other places.
15. SOUTHERN CROWNED PIGEON (Goura scheepmakeri) Sam spent ages trying to track down a calling bird deep in the forest up river from Ekame Lodge. How he located it was a mystery because it was perched high in the canopy some way off and could only be seen through a narrow window through the trees. Nevertheless we enjoyed scope views of the extraordinary head and crest of this the world's largest living pigeon. It is an extraordinary creature and we were lucky enough to see an other 25 individuals in our time at Ekame usually in small groups along the river. We had fantastic views but these birds are very timid and will not tolerate any kind of close approach.
16. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia nigrirostris) A pair seen daily along the Dablin Creek Pipeline Road.
16. Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia amboinensis) Heard on several occasions but seen only once; a pair on the Boystown Road.
16. GREAT CUCKOO-DOVE (Reinwardtoena reinwardtii) Great views of this species as a single bird perched, called from its song post at the Tari Gap.
17. BEAUTIFUL FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus pulchellus) A couple of birds on a fruiting tree on the Fly River and one spotlit at roost at Ekame Lodge.
17. ORANGE-BELLIED FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus iozonus) 15-20 birds in a fruiting tree on the Fly River with several more around Ekame Lodge.
17. ORANGE-FRONTED FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus aurantiifrons) Seen regularly throughout the lowlands from Kiunga to Tabubil, with a maximum count of 20 at the fruiting tree on the Fly River.
17. ORNATE FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus ornatus) Seen on 2 dates, with 6 birds in the fruiting tree on the Fly River and a couple at Ekame Lodge.
17. PINK-SPOTTED FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus perlatus) Seen in small numbers at all lowland sites visited.
17. Superb Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) Only one record with 2 birds on the 24th June at Km17 north of Kiunga.
17. WHITE-BREASTED FRUIT-DOVE (Ptilinopus rivoli) Fantastic views of a pair of this attractive species at Kumul Lodge and several singles at Tari.
17. Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) Surprisingly only one record with a single bird at Ekame Lodge.
18. COLLARED IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula muellerii) Seen daily on the Fly River with a maximum count of 100 in the fruiting tree on 17th June.
18. PINON IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula pinon) Common; seen in numbers during each of the 4 days we were on the Fly/Elevala Rivers.
18. PAPUAN MOUNTAIN PIGEON (Gymnophaps albertisii) Seen on several dates in the lowland usually flocks of 15-20 birds flying overhead.
18. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) Seen in POM; after that we stopped looking.
18. ZOE IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula zoeae) A few singles noted near Kiunga and on the Fly River; also a couple at Keki Lodge.
19. PAPUAN LORIKEET (Charmosyna papou) A few examples of this exquisite lorikeet at Kumul Lodge on 24th June with several others on the Hina Pipi Trail at Tari on 1st July.
19. GOLDIE'S LORIKEET (Trichoglossus goldiei) A flock of 15 birds seen feeding in a tree by the men's house at Kumul. Also a couple of birds on the Hina Pipi Trail at Tari.
19. WESTERN BLACK-CAPPED LORY (Lorius lory) Seen daily throughout the lowlands with 20 birds on a fruiting tree on the walk to Keki Lodge.
19. Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) Seen daily in small numbers at all lowland sites.
19. PLUM-FACED LORIKEET (Oreopsittacus arfaki) 4-5 birds feeding quietly on the Hina Pipi Trail at Tari on 1st July.
19. ORANGE-BILLED LORIKEET (Neopsittacus pullicauda) A couple of birds at Kumul Lodge and four at Tari on the Waterfall Trail were the only records.
19. YELLOW-BILLED LORIKEET (Neopsittacus musschenbroekii) 4 birds at Kumul Lodge on 25th June and 10 birds on successive days at Tari on the Waterfall Trail.
20. PAPUAN KING-PARROT (Alisterus chloropterus) Again this species proved tough to see with records only from the Spirit Garden at Tari on 25th June and at Varirata on 4th & 5th July.
20. Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) Seen daily at all lowland sites in the south with a maximum of 8 at Ekame Lodge on 18th June
20. GREATER STREAKED LORY (Chalcopsitta scintillata) Several birds feeding on the entrance road to Varirata on 15th June and later a couple of birds along the Gre Dringas Road on 20th June.
20. Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyus geoffroyi) Small numbers along the Gre Dringas Road on 16th & 20th June, at Keki Lodge on 28th June and at Tari on 4th July.
20. BLUE-COLLARED PARROT (Geoffroyus simplex) Poor view first over the Dablin Creek Road on 22nd June and then rather better views over the Tari Gap on 3rd July. Principally identifiable by their tinkling, bell like calls. .
20. Great-billed Parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos) Strangely one of the first parrots we saw on the trip at Gre Dringas Road on 16th June is not supposed to be there at all as it is native of the West Papuan Islands. Presumed to be an escape.
20. VULTURINE (PESQUET'S) PARROT (Psittrichas fulgidus) This increasingly rare parrot seen only twice. First glimpsed as it flew over one of the trails at Ekame Lodge but a much better view, again of a single individual at Keki Lodge.
20. Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) This species proved uncommon and was seen only on 3 dates. Great views of a perched bird as we drifted down the Elevala River back to Ekame Lodge on 18th June.
20. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) Common on the Fly River and at Keki Lodge but rarely seen elsewhere.
21. YELLOW-CAPPED PYGMY PARROT (Micropsitta keiensis) A couple of birds on the trail to the Greater BoP display tree at Km17 on 21st June.
21. EDWARD'S FIG-PARROT (Psittaculirostris edwardsii) Several small groups totalling about 10 birds on the Boanna Road.
21. LARGE FIG PARROT (Psittaculirostris desmarestii) Several birds at the fruiting tree on the Fly River on 17th July and a single at Ekame a couple of days later.
21. Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) Up to 20 birds seen feeding in the fruiting tree as we made our way up the Fly River on 17th June with several more records from Ekame Lodge.
21. ORANGE-BREASTED FIG-PARROT (Cyclopsitta gulielmiterti) Great views of 2 of this species feeding low in trees close by the Gre Dringas Road on 20th June.
21. BREHM'S TIGER-PARROT (Psittacella brehmii) Single bird seen daily at Keki Lodge then several other individuals in various locations at Tari which all proved to be Brehm's thus making it the only Tiger Parrot we saw.
23. Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) Seen on a couple of occasions around the Ekame Lodge.
23. Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae) 10 of these prehistoric looking cuckoos watched closely at the fruiting tree on the Fly River.
23. Common Koel (Eydynamys scolopacea) Heard on several occasions but seen only once on the Boystown Road.
23. GREATER BLACK COUCAL (Centropus menbeki) Heard only; at dusk in the forest at Km 17 north of Kiunga.
23. Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus) Seen on a 3 or 4 dates in various locations in the lowlands.
23. Malay (Litttle)Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx minutillus) Scope views of this species high in the fruiting tree on the Fly River.
23. LONG-BILLED CUCKOO (Rhamphomantis megarhynchus) Heard only as we made our way up the Fly River on 17th June. Irritatingly the bird was perched in the open but flew off just as we were about to put our bins on it allowing only a brief glimpse. This is the second time we have glimpsed this rare bird having suffered a similar experience in Irian Jaya .
23. WHITE-CROWNED KOEL (Caliechthrus leucolophus) Heard only; this secretive species heard several times on our first evening at Varirata - but never subsequently.
24. COMMON PARADISE-KINGFISHER (Tanysiptera galatea) Regrettably, identifiable but poor views of this species. One shot across the Fly River in front of the boat streamers flying and the 2 birds seen flitting through the forest upriver from Ekame Lodge on 19th June never quite seemed to stay in the bins long enough to be admired.
24. BROWN-HEADED PARADISE-KINGFISHER (Tanysiptera danae) Great views of this excellent species on the Tree House trail at Varirata on 5th July. The Field Guide illustration of this species gives no clue as to its vibrant glowing colour.
24. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) A couple of birds at the Jais Aben dive resort on the outskirts of Madang on 27th June.
24. YELLOW-BILLED KINGFISHER (Halcyon torotoro) Heard at Km 17 north of Kiunga on 21st June we had to wait until Varirata NP before seeing this bird. Even there, unexpectedly, there seemed to be few birds calling making them difficult to find and we had to be satisfied with a couple of flight views.
24. MOUNTAIN KINGFISHER (Halcyon megarhyncha) Heard only with a couple of birds calling on the Waterfall Trail at Tari on 2nd & 3rd July.
24. Forest Kingfisher (Halcyon macleayii) Seen at Varirata NP on our first day and also at the end of the trip.
24. Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) Common and seen daily in the lowlands throughout the tour.
24. Collared Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris) Up to 6 birds at the Jais Aben dive resort on the outskirts of Madang on 27th June.
24. HOOK-BILLED KINGFISHER (Melidora macrorrhina) Fantastic views of this crepuscular species roosting low in the bush upstream from Ekame Lodge. How Sam found it is a complete mystery but Chris has the video footage to prove he did!. Heard calling regularly at dusk and dawn - one of the great evocative sounds of the forest at night.
24. RUFOUS-BELLIED KOOKABURRA (Dacelo gaudichaud) Two birds in the forest upstream from Ekame Lodge on 17th June provided great views.
25. BLYTH'S HORNBILL (Rhyticeros plicatus) Great to see these wonderful creatures again; still fairly common in the forest along the Elevala River where we saw up to 12 in one day.
25. Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) Common in the lowlands with a maximum of 20 seen on the day we travelled up the Fly River
25. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) Seen only on the first afternoon at Varirata.
26. Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa) Great views of this magnificent owl tinged with some regret about disturbing it at its roost. The spectacle of the owl was almost exceeded by the bizarre sight of the landowner in full Huli dress and bright yellow face-paint scrambling up the roost tree.
26. Barn Owl (Tyto alba) A single bird on the road pre-dawn as we made our way from the Bluff Inn to POM airport.
26. Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) Great views of a this species perched above our hut at dawn at Ekame Lodge on 18th June in the Spirit Garden at Tari on 30th June.
26. Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus) Heard only at Ekame Lodge on 17th June and at Keki Lodge. Fortunately we were to obtain great views of this species in Australia.
26. MOUNTAIN OWLET-NIGHTJAR (Aegotheles albertisi) Heard only around the chalets at Keki Lodge. Regrettably, one Wallace who was awake at 02.00 and heard the bird failed to wake the other sleeping Wallace who was very keen to look for it!!
27. Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) Heard only at Varirata NP on 15th June.
27. MOUNTAIN NIGHTJAR (Eurostopodus archboldi) A pair watched at length at dusk at Kumul Lodge. They flew around the dining room occasionally perching on the thatched roofs of the chalets giving great views.
28. Uniform Swiftlet (Collocalia vanikorensis) Common, seen daily in the lowlands.
28. Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta) Common and seen regularly in small groups in the lowlands and forested hills.
28. MOUNTAIN SWIFTLET (Collocalia hirundinacea) Seen in small parties over the forest in the highlands at Kumul and Tari.
28. PAPUAN SPINE-TAILED SWIFT (Mearnsia novaeguineae) A few small groups seen over the forest on the Fly and Elevala rivers.
28. MOUSTACHED TREE-SWIFT (Hemiprocne mystacea) A single bird perched along the Boystown Road on 20th June.
28. White-breasted Wood-swallow (Artamus leucorhynchus) Seen in small numbers on the first day at Varirata and on the last day at the Pacific University
28. GREAT WOOD-SWALLOW (Artamus maximus) One or two birds daily at Kumul Lodge perched on the flagpole.
29. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Seen in small numbers, usually singles throughout the trip.
29. Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) Seen regularly throughout the trip.
30. BLUE JEWEL-BABBLER (Ptilorrhoa caerulescens) Initially heard and them glimpsed in the forest at Km 17 but we enjoyed great views when Sam whistled one in on the trail at the rear of the Ekame Lodge which leads to the "pigeon drinking place". This much desired bird proved to be smaller in real life than suggested by the amazing pictures in Coates.
30. CHESTNUT-BACKED JEWEL-BABBLER (Ptilorrhoa castanonotus) Heard initially on the Dablin Creek road on 22nd June the bird responded vigorously to tape allowing good but brief views. A second bird also flew through the forest some minutes later.
31. Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus) Seen on a couple of dates foraging around the chalets and car park at Kumul Lodge.
32. STOUT-BILLED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina caeruleogrisea) A couple of birds on the Dablin Creek Pipeline Road on 22nd June and at Keki on the 28th.
32. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) A single bird at the Bluff Inn Motel near POM was the only record.
32. HOODED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina longicauda) Several birds along the roadside between Warili Lodge and Benson's village on 1st July and also higher up at Tari on the 2nd .
32. BOYER'S CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina boyeri) Commonest of the Cuckoo-shrikes seen regularly throughout the trip.
32. BLACK-SHOULDERED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina morio) 2 birds at Varirata NP in the late afternoon of 4th July.
32. GREY-HEADED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina schisticeps) Two birds seen on 16th &20th June as we made our way up and down the Fly River.
32. White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina papuensis) Three birds seen along the Boanna Road near Lae Airport on 29/6.
32. BLACK-BELLIED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina montana) Single birds on two dates; at Kumul on 24th June and on the Waterfall Trail at Tari on 4th July.
33. BLACK CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina melaena) A single bird seen on the Lookout Trail at Varirata on our final morning.
33. BROWN ORIOLE (Oriolus szalayi) Several birds seen and heard on the trail to the Magnificent BOP stake-out off the road between Dablin Creek from Tabubil.
33. Figbird (Sphecotheres viridis) Fairly common in the lowlands with several birds seen in the grounds of the Bluff Inn, Varirata NP and the Pacific University.
33. GOLDEN CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campochaera sloetii) Three males scoped in the fruiting tree on the Fly River on 17th June.
33. Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela) Heard initially in the grounds of the Bluff Inn and seen at Dablin Creek and the Pacific University.
34. EMPEROR FAIRY-WREN (Malurus cyanocephalus) With great difficulty 2 birds seen skulking in the bush along the Boystown Road on 20/6.
34. WHITE-SHOULDERED FAIRY-WREN (Malurus alboscapulatus) A couple of birds at Dablin Creek on 23rd June, also at the Boanna Rd and at Tari .
34. Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timorensis) A couple of birds in the grasslands around Warili Lodge on 1st & 3rd July.
35. Fairy Gerygone (Gerygone palpebrosa) 2 birds seen on the trail to the "pigeon drinking place" at Ekame Lodge on 18th June.
35. Green-backed Gerygone (Gerygone chloronotus) Seen on Sam's new trail upriver from Ekame Lodge on 19th June.
35. YELLOW-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone chrysogaster) Single birds at Ekame Lodge on 18th June and at Varirata NP on 5th July.
35. GREY GERYGONE (Gerygone cinerea) A couple of birds on the trails around Kumul lodge on 24th & 25th June. This bird now apparently known as Mid-mountain Warbler to avoid confusion with the Grey Warbler of New Zealand.
35. BROWN-BREASTED GERYGONE ( Gerygone ruficollis) Two somewhat skulking individuals at Kumul Lodge.
35. Island Leaf-Warbler (Phylloscopus trivirgatus) A couple of birds at one of the stops on the way from Tari Airport to Warili Lodge.
35. RUSTY MOUSE-WARBLER (Crateroscelis murina) Several birds heard on 22nd & 23rd June at Dablin Creek but only one seen on the second date.
36. PALE-BILLED SCRUB-WREN (Sericornis spilodera) A couple of birds at Varirata NP on 5th July.
36. LARGE SCRUB-WREN (Sericornis nouhuysi) Seen daily in small numbers at Tari.
36. BUFF-FACED SCRUB-WREN (Sericornis perspicillatus) Seen daily in small numbers at Tari.
36. PAPUAN SCRUB-WREN (Sericornis papuensis) Up to 10 birds seen daily at Kumul Lodge.
37. DIMORPHIC FANTAIL (Rhipidura brachyrhyncha) Two birds seen in the car park area of Kumul Lodge on 25th June.
37. BLACK FANTAIL (Rhipidura atra) A couple of birds as we walked up the pipeline above the Dablin Creek Road.
37. CHESTNUT-BELLIED FANTAIL (Rhipidura hyperythra) A single bird seen on the Circuit Trail on 5th July.
37. FRIENDLY FANTAIL (Rhipidura albolimbata) Common and seen regularly throughout.
37. NORTHERN FANTAIL (Rhipidura rufiventris) A couple of birds seen on the Dablin Creek Road on 21st &22nd June.
37. RUFOUS-BACKED FANTAIL (Rhipidura rufidorsa) A single bird seen on Sam's new trail upstream from Ekame Lodge on 18th June.
37. WHITE-BELLIED THICKET-FANTAIL (Rhipidura leucothorax) Heard only; a single bird in a bush along the Gre Dringas Road refused to show.
37. Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) Common and seen regularly mainly around human settlement.
38. Black-faced Monarch (Monarcha melanopsis) A couple of birds seen on the Circuit Trail at Varirata NP on 5th July.
38. SPOT-WINGED MONARCH (Monarcha guttula) At Varirata NP on the Circuit Trail on 5th July and at the start of the Tree House Trail the following day.
38. HOODED MONARCH (Monarcha manadensis) Seen at Ekame Lodge on 18th June along the trail to the "pigeon drinking place".
38. GOLDEN MONARCH (Monarcha chrysomela) A single bird scoped in the fruiting tree on the Fly River on 17th June.
38. FRILLED MONARCH (Arses telescophthalmus) Relatively common at Varirata NP where it was seen on every visit. Also seen at Ekame Lodge.
38. Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) Two birds seen on 17th &18th June along the banks of the Elevala River.
39. SNOW MOUNTAIN ROBIN (Petroica archboldi) At Kumul Lodge on 25th June, sitting on the balcony of our cabin in the early afternoon we noticed a small, dull black bird foraging energetically through the scrub and bushes some 15-20 metres away. The bird moved conspicuously, revealing a dull crimson red spot on its upper breast before dropping down out of sight never to appear again. It was not heard to call. According to Beehler et al Snow Mountain Robin is confined to rocky slopes above 3850 metres and Kumul Lodge is only 2900 metres so the record must be regarded as questionable but upon careful review of Beehler we cannot think that it could have been any other species.
39. MOUNTAIN PELTOPS (Peltops montanus) Single bird on the Dablin Creek Road on 22nd June.
39. LOWLAND PELTOPS (Peltops blainvillii) Scope views of 2 birds on the Gre Dringas Road on 16th June.
39. TORRENT FLYCATCHER (Monachella muelleriana) Eight of these delightful birds from the bridge that carries the road to the Ok Tedi mine where it crosses the river beyond Dablin Creek.
39. BLUE-GREY ROBIN (Peneothello cyanus) 2 birds seen at the start of the Waterfall Trail above Ambua on 2nd & 3rd July.
39. Pied Chat (Saxicola caprata) Seen daily in small number in the grasslands outside Kumul Lodge.
39. WHITE-WINGED ROBIN (Peneothello sigillatus) Fairly common in the gardens at and bush surrounding Kumul Lodge with up to 8 seen daily.
39. BLACK-SIDED ROBIN (Poecilodryas hypoleuca) Two birds seen in the forest on a trail upstream from Ekame Lodge on 18th June.
39. BLACK-THROATED ROBIN (Poecilodryas albonotata) A single bird seen on the Waterfall Trail above Ambua Lodge on 2nd July.
40. CANARY FLYCATCHER (Microeaca papuana) A single at Dablin Creek on 24th June with further single records from Tari on 1st &2nd July.
40. Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster) Seen once on the entrance road to Varirata NP on 15th June.
40. BLACK-BREASTED BOATBILL (Machaerirhynchus nigripectus) Singles seen daily on the trails around Ambua Lodge and on the road up to the Tari Gap.
40. GARNET ROBIN (Eugerygone rubra) One of these exquisite little creatures on the Hina Pipi Trail above Ambua on 1st July.
40. Richard's Pipit ( Anthus novaseelandiae) Several birds in the grasslands below Kumul Lodge on the road to Mt Hagen ( town)
41. BLACK-HEADED WHISTLER (Pachycephala monacha) Two birds in the grounds of Kimwinga Lodge between the airport and the town at Mt Hagen on 23rd June.
41. BROWN-BACKED WHISTLER (Pachycephala modesta) Two birds seen on the Waterfall Trail at Tari on 2nd July.
41. REGENT WHISTLER (Pachycephala schlegelii) This handsome whistler seen regularly in the forest around Kumul Lodge and around Ambua and on the road up to the Tari Gap.
41. SCLATER'S WHISTLER (Pachycephala soror) Female at Dablin Creek on 22nd June , male seen on Hina Pipi Trail on 1st July and on the Waterfall Trail two days later.
42. WATTLED PLOUGHBILL (Eulacestoma nigropectus) First seen by some at Kumul Lodge on 24th June, the rest of us caught up with this strange little bird on the Waterfall Trail at Ambua Lodge on 2nd July
42. BLUE-CAPPED IFRITA (Ifrita kowaldi) This much wanted bird seen first, for some, at Kumul Lodge on 26th June and then great views of 2 birds well above the bailey bridge on the road to the Tari Gap on 3rd July.
42. RUFOUS-NAPED WHISTLER (Pachycephala rufinucha) A single at Kumul Lodge on 25th June and further records around Ambua on 2nd & 3rd July.
42. Grey Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica) Only noted once on the road into Varirata NP on 15th June.
42. Little Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) Seen at Ekame Lodge on the trail to the pigeon drinking place on 18/6 and at Banari Road, Tari on 2nd July.
42. RUSTY PITOHUI (Pitohui ferrugineus) Seen regularly with up to 6 birds daily at Varirata NP.
42. WHITE-BELLIED PITOHUI (Pitohui incertus) This uncommon and restricted range species, found only in the annually flooded forest of the upper Fly River heard on 17th June and two birds seen well on 19th June.
42. BLACK PITOHUI (Pitohui nigrescens) 2 birds on the Waterfall Trail on 2nd June were the only record.
42. HOODED PITOHUI (Pitohui dichrous) Two birds seen in the depth of the forest at Varirata following the long bushwhacking march in search of Eastern Riflebird.
42. VARIABLE PITOHUI (Pitohui kirhocephalus) A single bird seen halfway up the Dablin Creek Road on 22nd July.
43. PAPUAN FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum pectorale) A couple of birds at Ekame Lodge on 17th June and also at Dablin Creek Road on 21st June.
43. CRESTED BERRYPECKER (Paramythia montium) This eagerly anticipated species first seen at really close quarters at Kumul Lodge on 24th June subsequently on three dates at Tari with 10 birds on the afternoon of 3rd July near the Tari Gap.
43. TIT BERRYPECKER (Oreocharis arfaki) Another eagerly sought species seen at Kumul Lodge with 4 birds on 24th June and also at Tari on 2nd July.
43. BLACK BERRYPECKER (Melanocharis nigra) A single at Keki Lodge on 1st July and again on the Circuit Trail at Varirata NP on 5th July.
43. FAN-TAILED BERRYPECKER (Melanocharis versteri) Two birds at Kumul Lodge on 24th June.
43. BLACK-FRONTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops atrifrons) 4 or 5 birds along the Dablin Creek Pipeline Road on 22nd June with a further single at Kumul on 25th June.
43. WESTERN MOUNTAIN WHITE-EYE (Zosterops fuscicapillus) After some debate we determined 3 birds seen on the Dablin Creek Road to be this species.
44. Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Conopophila albogularis) A single record in the grounds of the Pacific University on 6th July.
44. White-throated Honeyeater ( Melithreptus albogularis) A single bird along the entrance track to Varirata NP on 15th June.
44. RUFOUS-BACKED HONEYEATER ( Ptiloprora guisei) A couple of birds seen foraging among the Hina Pipi Tail at Tari.
44. GREY-STREAKED HONEYEATER (Ptiloprora perstriata) A few birds seen daily at Kumul Lodge usually foraging in the shrubby vegetation around the cabins and also a few single records from Tari.
45. Black Sunbird (Nectarinia aspasia) 2 birds around Ekame Lodge on the 16th June and on the Boystown Road on the 20th .
45. PAPUAN BLACK MYZOMELA (Myzomela nigrita) 2 birds on the Circuit Trail at Varirata NP on 5th June.
45. Red-collared Myzomela (Myzomela rosenbergii) A single bird on the Hina Pipi Trail at Tari on 1st July
45. Yellow-bellied Longbill (Toxorhamphus novaeguineae) Two birds on Sam's new track up river from Ekame Lodge.
46. MIMIC MELIPHAGA (Meliphaga analoga) 3 birds from the "grassy knoll" on the Boystown Road on 20th June.
46. SCRUB WHITE-EARED MELIPHAGA (Meliphaga albonotata) Single birds seen on each of our visits to the Dablin Creek Road.
46. Varied Honeyeater (Lichenostomus versicolor) 4 birds seen at the Jais Aben dive resort near Madang on 27th June.
46. Tawny-breasted Honeyeater (Xanthotis flaviventer) 2 birds at the Boystown Road on 20th June and a further 2 at Km17 the following day.
47. COMMON SMOKY HONEYEATER (Melipotes fumigatus) Both common and conspicuous at Kumul Lodge and Tari with up to 10 birds seen daily.
47. Belford's Melidectes (Melidectes belfordi) Very common and noisy at Kumul Lodge and at Tari.
47. Yellow-browed Melidectes (Melidectes rufocrissalis) Seen most days at Tari with a maximum of 6 birds on 1st July.
47. Ornate Melidectes (Melidectes torquatus) After some effort a single bird seen well in the grounds of Kimwinga Lodge 23rd June.
47. LONG-BILLED HONEYEATER (Melilestes megarhynchus) A single on the Dablin Creek Road on 22nd June.
47. STREAK-HEADED HONEYEATER (Pycnopygius stictocephalus) A single bird along the Boystown Road on 20th June.
47. MEYER'S FRIARBIRD (Philemon meyeri) A single bird along the Boystown Road on 20th June.
47. Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides) 20 birds in the grounds of Bluff Inn Motel on 15th June with other records of smaller groups along Boystown Road, at Varirata and the Pacific University.
48. GRAND MANNIKIN (Lonchura grandis) 8 birds along the Boanna Road on 29th June.
48. Grey-headed Mannikin (Lonchura caniceps) A flock of 15-20 birds in the grounds of the Pacific University on 6th July.
48. MOUNTAIN FIRETAIL (Oreostruthus fuliginosus) 2 birds seen daily in the car park at Kumul Lodge with another 2 at Tari Gap on 1st July.
49. Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) A single bird scoped at Varirata NP on 5th July; another 6 birds at the Pacific University the following day.
49. YELLOW-BREASTED BOWERBIRD (Chlamydera luterbachi) A single bird observed at the Superb BOP site on the way up to Kumul on 23rd June and 6 seen on the way down a few days later.
49. GOLDEN MYNA (Mino anais) Several birds seen on the trip up the Fly River on 16/6 and a further 4 at Ekame lodge on 19th June.
49. Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) Single birds seen daily in the grasslands outside Kumul Lodge.
49. RUFOUS BABBLER (Pomatostomus isidorei) A small flock on the trail to the pigeon drinking place on 18th June.
49. YELLOW-FACED MYNA (Mino dumontii) A large flock on the approach road to Varirata NP on 15th June and around Kiunga the following day. Smaller numbers at Ekame Lodge and at Keki.
50. FLAME BOWERBIRD (Sericulus aureus) One of the most wanted birds on the trip. On 20th June we gave ourselves 3 hours at "the grassy knoll" along the Boystown Road which is one of the best places to see the birds flying over. With 5 minutes to go we had seen three females in flight and perched which was fine but not what we were really after. Suddenly an bright orange, gold and black bird flapped into view - a fantastic male which alighted in a tree 50 metres away. Just as we were about to put the scope on it the bird flew off but to our immense relief it flew only a few metres before perching in full view allowing us to enjoy its glowing fiery plumage. Shortly after another male flew slowly by to complete a great morning.
50. FIRE-MANED BOWERBIRD (Sericulus bakeri) Due to problems with the 4WD necessitating a 10km walk in to Keki we missed the male bird which apparently had been showing well in the late afternoon of 27th June and sadly only the female chose to put in appearance on 28th .
50. CRESTED BIRD OF PARADISE (Cnemophilus macgregorii) Despite suffering a near heart attack running at altitude from one end of Kumul Lodge to the other we arrived in time to enjoy good views of the black and orange plumage of the male of this elegant little male BoP. (Thanks to Chris who found it for sending John to summon us) Also seen briefly at the Tari Gap on 3rd July.
50. LORIA'S BIRD OF PARADISE (Cnemophilus loriae) A male watched at close quarters on the Waterfall Trail near Ambua on 2nd July.
51. LESSER BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisaea minor) 15-20 of these birds including several fabulous males at their display tree at Keki Lodge on 28th June. We were able to note the absence of the brown padded cushion seen on Greater BOP and the calling was quite different, less raucous and more fluid.
51. GREATER BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisaea apoda) Great views of these fantastic birds at their display tree in the forest at Km17 on the Kiunga-Tabubil Road. This is the same tree where Attenborough filmed his wonderful footage and we were treated to the full range of display poses. There was also a full male Raggiana in the tree and what appeared to be a male hybrid allowing close comparison. Fantastic!!
51. RAGGIANA BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisaea raggiana) Initially heard at Varirata NP on our first day, then a couple of immatures in the forest at Ekame Lodge and finally one splendid male in the Greater BOP display tree at Km27 north of Kiunga.
51. TWELVE-WIRED BIRD OF PARADISE (Seleucidis melanoleuca) Shortly after a misty dawn as we travelled up the Fly River we heard the a bird calling, stopped the boat, hauled up onto a sandbank where we spent the next hour watching a male atop his display perch going through his full courtship display including the ruffling up of neck feathers to create a 360 degree frill and the stroking of his wires over a supplicant female below. With parrots, pigeons and manucodes calling and flying over the forest this was an hour that will last long in the memory.
51. BLUE BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisaea rudolphi) A male and two females observed at length in and from the gardens of Benson's village a little way below Warili Lodge. The beautiful male was watched on its exposed calling perch allowing us to appreciate the red and purple base of its amazing blue plumes and the females watched at close quarters as they fed on a small fruiting tree in the village potato fields. One of the trip highlights.
51. MAGNIFICENT RIFLEBIRD (Ptiloris magnificus) This species now split into Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) in the west of PNG around the Kiunga Tabubil area and Eastern Riflebird (Ptiloris intercedens)in the east around Varirata. We failed to find (or hear) Magnificent Riflebird around Kiunga/Tabubil but were successful with Eastern Riflebird in Varirata. On 6th July we heard several birds calling and eventually obtained poor flight views of a male in a gully deep in the forest but later had good views of a female in a fruiting tree on the Creek Trail.
52. BROWN SICKLEBILL (Epimachus meyeri) A female of this species seen at 3 metres immediately on arrival at Kumul on 23rd June in a bush right by the path to the cabins. A couple of birds seen the following day. Subsequently heard daily at Tari with 8 birds including a stunning male at the Tari Gap on 3rd July. Its staccato machine gun burst at close quarters in a misty moss and epiphyte festooned forest has to be one of the great forest birding experiences.
52. BLACK SICKLEBILL (Epimachus fastuosus) Heard only; this species is apparently usually seen in Tari at great distance in the grey light of dawn in forest about 1 kilometre from the road or the lawns of Ambua. We heard it on 2 mornings some way off but despite trying different locations could not get on to it.
52. RIBBON-TAILED ASTRAPIA (Astrapia mayeri) Several males at Kumul, one with perfect long streamers which proved quite approachable and allowed us to see every detail of its iridescent emerald and purple breast plumage. Up to 5 birds seen daily at Kumul and also up to 6 birds daily at Tari although never quite as close as Kumul. The strange whiffling noise of their wings in flight is another great sound.
52. STEPHANIE'S ASTRAPIA (Astrapia stephaniae) This species proved very elusive and we only saw one female at Kumul Lodge on 24th June.
53. LAWES' PAROTIA (Parotia lawesii) We spent ages in the Spirit Garden at Tari looking foe a male of this species, seeing its dancing groundand hearing it call but in the end we had to settle for a female in the fruiting tree in Benson's village on 2nd July.
53. CAROLA'S PAROTIA (Parotia carolae) 4 birds seen at Dablin Creek on 22nd June of which one was a male. Regrettably only brief views were obtained of the male before it flew off leaving us to admire the females.
53. SUPERB BIRD OF PARADISE (Lophorina superba) First heard on the road from Mt Hagen to Kumul Lodge but remained hidden on 23rd June but we did see 2 birds briefly at the same site on the way back down on 26th June. However 4 birds were seen at the Tari Basin on 30th June with a single the following day.
53. MAGNIFICENT BIRD OF PARADISE (Cicinnurus magnificus) On 21st June we visited a lek of this very much wanted species between Tabubil and Dablin Creek and were delighted to hear the bird calling noisily. However this is a very wary and hard to see bird so we set up a camouflage net hide about 30 metres away from the display ground intending to return the following morning. This we did and were rewarded with brief views of the male displaying on its display branch. However the view was somewhat obscured by vegetation, so after the bird departed we did some limited but judicious gardening to open up the view for the following morning. Well before dawn the following morning before the bird was calling we slipped into the hide and waited. It worked very well and shortly after dawn we were all privileged to see the male displaying to a female. Fantastic!
53. KING BIRD OF PARADISE (Cicinnurus regius) Regarded by some as the most beautiful bird in the world we were taken by Sam to a display tree for the King BOP on 17th June and spent an hour watching this fabulous bird. Tiny (16cm) bright scarlet above, glossy velvet white below with blue legs its two elongated tail wires tipped with emerald green discs it is indeed extraordinary. Add to this its acrobatic movement and constant harsh calling it was hard to tear ourselves away. Having done so we had to return for a second look a couple of days later.
53. KING OF SAXONY BIRD OF PARADISE (Pteridophora alberti) Yet another extraordinary bird; we saw several females in the forest downhill and a couple of kilometres beyond Kumul Lodge we had to wait until Tari for the real thing. We heard several birds calling as we walked uphill above the bailey bridge at Tari and once on the Hina Pipi Trail found a male foraging through the epiphyte and moss festooned branches which came very close allowing us to enjoy its erect antenna like head plumes.
54. ARCHBOLD'S BOWERBIRD (Archboldia papuensis) A female observed briefly at the Tari Gap in the late afternoon of 3rd July.
54. CRINKLE-COLLARED MANUCODE (Manucodia chalybata) A single bird from the grassy knoll on the Boystown Road on 20th June and a further single at Dablin Creek on the 22nd .
54. GLOSSY-MANTLED MANUCODE (Manucodia atra) Two birds calling from an exposed perch as we stood on the banks of the Fly River on 17th June proved something of an identification challenge.
54. Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica) Up to 50 birds seen as we travelled up the Fly River on 17th June.
54. Mountain Drongo (Chaeotorhynchus papuensis)
54. SHORT-TAILED PARADIGALLA (Paradigalla brevicauda) After a long wait we finally saw this species foraging in mid storey on the moss covered trees along the Waterfall Trail just above Ambua Lodge. It's a curious looking bird ; the shape reminded us of a chubby immature blackbird that the cat has just taken the tail off.
54. SINGING STARLING (Aplonis cantoroides) A few birds seen at the Jais Aben dive resort near Madang on 23rd June.
54. Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) Single seen in the forest at Km 17 on 21st June and a couple at Varirata NP on 5th July.
54. TRUMPET MANUCODE (Manucodia keraudrenii) Two birds calling loudly watched as we stood on the banks of the Fly River early in the morning of 17th June their shaggy mane of neck feathers clearly visible in the scope.
55. Black Butcherbird (Cracticus quoyi) 2 birds seen on the Boanna Road near Lae on 29th June and a further 2 at Tari on 3rd July.
55. Black-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus mentalis) A single bird seen at the Pacific University on 6th July.
55. GREY CROW (Corvus tristis) Several birds around the Greater BOP display tree at Km17 on 16th & 20th June. A large flock of 20 or so birds at Keki Lodge on 28th .
55. HOODED BUTCHERBIRD (Cracticus cassicus) Common in the lowlands around Varirata and Kiunga.
55. Torresian Crow (Corvus orru) Seen regularly in small numbers at Varirata NP.
ADDITIONAL SPECIES SEEN BY CHRIS LODGE
3. Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) A single bird on one of the trips up river from the Ekame Lodge.
19. RED-FLANKED LORIKEET (Charmosyna placentis) Seen on the trail into the Greater BoP display tree.
24. Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx lepidus) A fly by along the stream on the Lookout Trail on 6th June.
24. Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea) Seen on the trip up the Fly and Elevara Rivers on 17th June.
34. Wallace's Fairy-wren (Sipodotus wallacii) Brief but stunning views of this uncommon species on the Koiari Tree House Trail on 5th July.
39. White-faced Robin (Tregellasia leucops) Seen briefly during the off piste long march at Varirata NP on 5th July.
46. SPOTTED HONEYEATER (Xanthotis polygramma) A single bird at the start of the long march through Varirata NP on 5th July.
Annotated Mammal Species List.
Dusky Pademelon (Thylogale brunii) Good views at dusk in Varirata NP on June 15th of this species before it bounded off into deep cover
Giant White-tailed Rat (Uromys caudimaculatus) Seen on the Waterfall Trail above Ambua on 2nd July. Presumed to be this species based on taxonomy and distribution.
New Guinea Quoll (Dasyurus albopunctatus) An example of what was presumed to be this carnivorous marsupial species was seen on the Waterfall Trail above Ambua Lodge on 3rd July. May also be known as Satanellus albopunctatus, New Guinea Marsupial Cat.
Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) What was presumed to be this species seen at dusk at Kiunga on 18th June. In his notes Andy Anderson suggests that this was in fact Brown Glider but our researches have failed to come up with aspecies of that name - but he may well be right.
end of report