Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Shovel-billed Kingfisher |
 Barred Owlet-nightjar |
 King-of-Saxony BoP |
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 Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler |
 Flame Bowerbird |
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This budget tour was a resounding success, with sightings of 23 species of birds of paradise and some wonderful displays. Other highlights were the rarely seen Papuan Whipbird, Flame-crested Bowerbird and Banded Yellow Robin; all three species of Jewel-babbler, and probably the first ever sightings of Shovel-billed Kingfisher and Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler feeding young at the nest.
ITINERARY
July 25 Arrive Port Moresby, day at Varirata NP; Granville Motel
26 Varirata NP, Pacific Adventists University 4-6 pm
27 Varirata NP
28 a.m. fly to Tari, p.m. gardens; Warili Lodge
29-30 below Tari Gap
31 a.m. below Tari Gap, p.m. Tari Valley
Aug 1 below Tari Gap
2 a.m. gardens, to airport, fly to Mt Hagen; p.m. fly to Madang; Jais Aben resort
3 a.m. drive to Keki Lodge, bird around Lodge
4-5 Keki Lodge area
6 Keki Lodge till 09.30, drive to Madang with stops; Jais Aben resort
7 a.m. fly to Tabubil via Moresby; p.m. Dablin Creek; Hotel Cloudlands
8 a.m. Dablin Creek; p.m. Ok Ma road
9 a. m. Ok Ma road; p.m. Ok Menga
10 Ok Ma road, Dablin Creek; p.m. drive to Kiunga with stop at Km17; Kiunga
Guest House
11 a.m. Boystown Road; p.m. boat to Ekame Lodge
12 Elevala River and Ekame Lodge
13 Elevala River, p.m. to Kiunga by boat; Kiunga Guest House
14 Km17, fly to Moresby
COMMENTS ON KEKI LODGE
We visited Keki Lodge as well as the “standard” sites. Located in the Adelbert Mountains, at 900m asl.,
The Lodge is rustic but comfortable, with basic facilities: kerosene lights, communal dining area, “bathing in clear mountain stream or under a bamboo shower”. It is small, relatively cheap, within fairly easy reach of Madang – take your own food and they will cook it for you. As it is situated on the North slope, it holds birds not readily seen elsewhere in PNG, such as Flame-crested Bowerbird, Black-browed Triller, Ochre-collared Monarch, Brown-capped Jewel-Babbler, Yellow-banded Robin and even the Harpy-Eagle. It is easy to drive the 90+km west along the good, coastal road but then when you turn south on to the dirt road into the mountains the fun begins. The next 27km to the lodge is rather hazardous, especially in wet conditions. A 4x4 is essential and it is highly desirable to have Moyang, the lodge-owner, with you to help negotiate the appalling road. The few previous groups visiting Keki had had to walk the last part, sometimes as much as 9km, mostly uphill, due to deep mud and sharp bends. We had the services of ace rally-driver Ashley and so were able to drive all the way, but only after two stops to push the car out of the mud. One previous group experienced the car sliding off the road, resulting in a broken arm for Moyang. Well worth one visit!
Moyang can be contacted through Jais Aben Resort, some 15km west of Madang - a good place to stay and eat.
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/hotels/mdg_jaisabenresort.html aquaventures@global.net.pg.
Lama Rent A Car, (PO Box 294 Mt Hagen), Ph: 545 1528 tengi@daltron.com.pg can be recommended for car-hire.
Other birding sites in this region are:-
Kau Forest Reserve, close to Jais Aben - may hold Jobi Manucode or even Rufous-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher or Blue-black Kingfisher. A local guide from the village is needed to gain access - it's up the track by the secondary school opposite the Jais Aben turning on the main coastal road. Casper at Jais Aben is said to be good at setting this up. Alexishafen Ponds is a good site for Grand Mannikin and Spotted Whistling-Duck. Malolo Plantation Lodge may have a helpful local guide. Bird Island off Madang has New Guinea Scrubfowl, Island Monarch, and possibly Nicobar Pigeon.
TRIP LOG
After a late arrival at Port Moresby, we checked in to the Granville Motel, and then set off for Varirata National Park, with a stop at a roadside pool for Pied Herons and Blue-winged Kookaburra. The dry eucalypt savanna along the approach road to Varirata held Rainbow Bee-eater, Lemon-bellied and Leaden Flycatchers, and White-throated Honeyeater. Our time inside the park gave some great birds such as Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Pheasant Pigeon, Red-bellied Pitta, Dwarf Whistler, Beautiful Fruit-Dove and Golden Monarch. On the way back we stopped at the Koroda Monument, an interesting memorial to Second World War activities, and eventually located two of the rare Grand Munia amongst a flock of Grey-headed Munia. Back at the hotel, we found the manager was so worried about our “late” return that he had called out the police to look for us!
The next morning we visited the Raggiana Bird of Paradise lek at Varirata and saw a few males actively displaying. We then drove to Varirata Lookout and after admiring the fine view down to the sea, walked down the trail looking for Riflebirds, without success. Back at the picnic area, the head of a Barred Owlet-Nightjar was visible at the bird’s roost hole in a hollow tree. Other birds seen included Wampoo, Pink-spotted and Orange-bellied Fruit-Doves, Papuan King-Parrot, Black, Yellow-eyed and Black-shouldered Cuckoo-shrikes and Mountain Drongo. We left the Park mid-afternoon for the Pacific Adventist University. Here excellent views of 2 Papuan Frogmouths roosting in the Albizzia trees, were had and a good range of marshland and savanna species including Rufous Night-Heron, Spotted and Wandering Whistling-Ducks, Green Pygmy-Goose, Purple Swamphen and Comb-crested Jacana. Land birds included Black-backed Butcherbird, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, numerous Figbirds, Singing Starling and Grey-headed Munia.
Returning to Varirata for the last time, we saw lots of fruit-doves at the picnic area and then spent the rest of the morning in the valley below Gare's Lookout trail. Here we saw a male Eastern Riflebird displaying, an elusive Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, a Crested Pitohui in a feeding flock, White-faced Robin and low-flying Dwarf Honeyeaters. RF, PG and NP stayed in the valley while the rest of us tried elsewhere but we all found it quiet in the heat of the day. Additions included Little Kingfisher, Rusty Mouse-Warbler, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Glossy-mantled Manucode and Black-winged Monarch. When we met up with the other 3, we learnt they had found the Jewel-babbler’s nest in the base of a tree, containing 2 fluffy young. They kindly agreed to take me back there and I was able to see an adult come in to feed the young and remove a faecal sac, in rather dim light by then. We drove back to Moresby in the dark.
The next day we flew to Tari where the welcoming committee numbered several 100 brightly dressed locals. Steven Wari met us and escorted us to his Warili Lodge, a lengthy drive in the back of a lorry, the road being in poor condition due to recent heavy rain. After lunch, we spent the afternoon in gardens below the lodge where there were a few fruit-laden trees. It was dead from 3 till 4, and raining, but at 4.15 Lawes’ Parotias started to arrive to eat the fruit and were soon joined by Black Sicklebills and Blue BoPs. Never had I seen so many, with at least 5 male and 5 female-type Parotias, 3 Sicklebills, 4 Blues and 3 Superb BoPs. Other birds seen nearby included Little Eagle, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Black Fantail, Sclaters Whistler, Varied/New Guinea Sitella and New Guinea and Western Mountain White-eyes. We returned to the lodge highly satisfied with our first day at Tari, and exchanged notes with a Rockjumper group, largely composed of keen Brits.
The next morning we set off up the hill in an ancient Landrover with wooden seats to a garden above Ambua Lodge. Here we found Short-tailed Paradigalla, Fan-tailed Berrypecker and Black-throated Robin but after this our attempt to drive further up the hill was foiled by bad road conditions and a bad driver so it was a long walk up to Benson’s Trail. Birds were a bit thin but by the end of the day we had a pretty good list including Long-tailed Buzzard, Painted Tiger-Parrot, Papuan Lorikeet, Rufous-throated Cuckoo, Great Woodswallow, Rufous-naped and Brown-backed Whistlers, Spotted Jewel-Babbler, King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise, Brown Sicklebill, Stephanie’s and Ribbon-tailed Astrapias, Lesser Melampitta, Blue-capped Ifrita, Blue-grey and Ashy Robins, Black Sitella, Black-breasted Boatbill and Blue-faced Parrotfinch. In the evening we tried for Feline Owlet-nightjar without success but did see Mountain Nightjar.
We spent most of the next day on Benson’s Trail, seeing Forbes’ Forest-Rail, Island Thrush, Regent Whistler, Black-throated Honeyeater, Macgregor's Bowerbird, and Crested and Loria’s Birds of Paradise. Late in the day we returned to the garden above Ambua and found a stunning pair of Wattled Ploughbill. The next morning saw us at Tari Gap where another male Ploughbill was found, along with Sanford’s Bowerbird, then we walked down to Benson’s and saw a pair of Logrunner, 3 ground-loving Papuan Whipbirds, a new bird for me, and Black Pitohui. By the time we returned to the lodge for lunch, it was raining heavily so we decided to go down to Tari Valley. Here a Greater Sooty-Owl was easily located, but no Boobook, followed by a Frogmouth on a nest with a chick, and a Black-headed Whistler.
Highlights at the Gap the next morning were Crested Berrypecker, Garnet and White-winged Robins, Brown Quail and Plum-faced Lorikeet, but the rest of the day was not so rewarding, although a rare Yellow-streaked Honeyeater was a very good find. Our final morning was spent at Benson’s gardens hoping for Mountain Kingfisher but we had to settle for Marbled Honeyeater and more Blue BoPs and Parotias, while a female Black Sicklebill “anting” on a horizontal branch for some time was an interesting spectacle. Continuing to Tari airport, we had a Papuan Harrier overhead while awaiting the Airlink flight to Mt Hagen. Our connection to Madang was delayed and we had to split up with 5 going via Goroka and Lae while the other 3 left 90 mins later but only stopped at Goroka. We saw spectacular mountain scenery and braided rivers before arriving at 5.30 pm, collecting our rented 4x4 Landcruiser and proceeding to Jais Aben Resort – good accommodation and an excellent dinner.
After a buffet breakfast, we went into town to collect Moyang, the owner of Keki Lodge. We bought food then Ash drove 90km along the coastal road before stopping at a remnant forest patch. This was very birdy with Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot, Large-billed Gerygone, Dusky Myzomela and Chestnut-breasted Munia. We soon turned inland but the next 27km to Keki took 2 hours, thanks to the “road” conditions. One incident of being stuck in deep mud, required jacking-up the wheels to lay vegetation under the tyres. However, Ash’s excellent driving prevailed in the end and so we were able to spend a very rewarding afternoon around the lodge, seeing Fire-maned Bowerbird, Lesser and Magnificent BoPs, Black-browed Triller, a brief Yellow-banded Robin, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth’s Hornbill, Slaty-chinned Longbill and Long-billed Honeyeater. Supper consisted of sweet potato, taro, rice, corned beef, tuna and greens, which was to become the staple fare for the next 3 days.
The first 2 hours of the next day were spent observing the large fruiting tree at the lodge, watching Bowerbirds, BoPs and a variety of honeyeaters including Tawny-breasted and Plain, Forest and Mountain Meliphagas, with Sooty Thicket-Fantail at the forest edge and Vulturine Parrot flying over. After breakfast, we spent the rest of the morning on the forest trails: Ochre-collared Monarch, Crinkle-collared Manucode and a good number of Lesser BoPs but the common Banded Robin was very elusive. After heavy rain most of the afternoon, we had the last hour of daylight at the fruiting tree and in the adjacent forest – heard Blue/Brown-capped Jewel-babbler but could not see it. Papuan Boobook was spot-lit after dark. The following morning in the forest was devoted to seeing Yellow-banded Robin and the Jewel-babbler – good views were had of the robin at last but only RF saw the Jewel-babbler. I walked down the main track with CC, seeing Golden Mynas and one good flock with Black Cuckoo-shrike and Magnificent BoP. Raptors included Meyer’s and Grey-headed Goshawks, and Gurney’s Eagle but no Harpy. Meantime AB had seen 2 White-eared Catbirds in the forest. Most of the afternoon was spent in the clearing at the lodge – Red and Red-headed Myzomelas and Yellow-legged Flycatcher fed in flowering trees. On the final morning, we watched the rare Obscure Berrypecker feeding, had a small flock of Edward’s Fig-Parrots flying over, PG had a Catbird and AB found another fruiting tree with the Bowerbird and Magnificent BoP. As light rain started, we left at 9.30 and spent the next 3 hours on the hairy journey down to the coast, with a few stops including one when stuck in the mud. We made it and spent a little while at the big river, seeing Channel-billed Cuckoo and a distant frigatebird, then dashed back to Jais Aben for a cold beer and swim in the pool. Returning the vehicle to Lama Rentacar in town, we saw 100s of large fruit-bats flying around in daylight – apparently they are caught for soup and for shark-bait (to try to catch a shark that had killed 3 swimmers this year).
The next morning it was time to fly to Tabubil, via Moresby. We arrived on time at noon and checked into the comfortable Cloudlands Hotel, then spent a rather wet afternoon at Dablin Creek. Good birding with Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot, Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot, Fairy Lorikeet, Mountain and Yellow-billed Kingfishers, Mottled Whistler, Superb BoP and unusually, a male McGregor’s Bowerbird (for AB). The next day dawned fine (and stayed dry all day) but the bus failed to materialise. I eventually managed to borrow a Toyota Hilux from a local couple but by this time the Cloudlands bus had come and so we all returned to Dablin Creek. The birds were not very active this morning, with only Black Fantail and Monarch new. After lunch we took the Hilux to Ok Ma Road and saw Olive Flycatcher, Black-faced Monarch, White-rumped Robin, Grey-headed Cuckoo-shrike, Rufous-backed Fantail, Mid-mountain Berrypecker and a Greater Melampitta. Shovel-billed Kingfisher was heard but barely seen. Returning the following morning at first light in the Hilux, there were 3 Shovel-bills calling and one flew across the road twice but could not be spotted perched. AB and others went into the forest and found a territorial bird - it appeared to be nesting 20 m up in a big tree. We watched it take creatures to the tree but could not see the hole. NP found a White-eared Catbird feeding in a fruiting bush and Spotted Honeyeater was seen. We returned to town for lunch then on to Km 121 to check the endemic form of Little Ringed Plover. Continuing to Ok Menga hydro station, AB soon spotted a distant Salvadori’s Teal but it disappeared round the bend of the river. We had a long walk around the dredging works before locating the Teal on a rock. Torrent Flyctacher was easy but Torrent-Lark could not be found. The day was capped by a fine meal of steak or fish and chips, followed by apple pie, at the Golf Club, by special arrangement.
Our final morning in Tabubil started at Ok Ma Road with Kwiwan, Samuel’s cousin. He was able to find a displaying male Magnificent Riflebird while some of us watched the Shovel-bill tree where adults quickly fed a youngster in the hole 3 times from 7.00-9.30. We then returned to Dablin Creek for a two hour vigil at the fruiting tree. Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrots, Carola’s Parotia and Dwarf Koel were feeding and PG found a Madarasz’s Tiger-Parrot nearby. Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike and Blue-collared Parrots were also seen here. After checking out of Cloudlands and grabbing a quick fish and chips, we drove to Km17 near Kiunga, reaching it in just under 3 hours. Excellent views of displaying Greater Birds-of-Paradise were had, with a good supporting cast of Australian Koel, New Guinea Babbler, Lowland Peltops and Golden Monarch. We checked in and dined at the Kiunga Guesthouse.
The next day we drove to “Manucode Mound” on Boystown Road, to look for the spectacular Flame Bowerbird in the partly-logged forest. White-throated Nightjars were on the road and we all saw a male Bowerbird and equally gaudy Emperor Fairy-Wren. Kwiwan even found the bower near the mound. Other good birds were Red-flanked Lorikeet, Vulturine Parrot, White-bibbed Ground-Dove, Blue Jewel-babbler, Pinon Imperial-Pigeon, a displaying Trumpet Manucode and more Greater Birds-of-Paradise. We returned to the hotel for an early lunch, and set-off on the Fly River at 1.30 bound for Ekame Lodge, situated on the banks of the Elevala River. The three hour journey was rather quiet although we did see a Great-billed Heron and a crocodile. We birded at the lodge till dark, seeing a rare pair of Yellow-eyed Starlings, our only Ornate Fruit-Dove and Golden Cuckoo-shrike. Then we took a 90 min cruise on the Elevala and saw one of the star birds of the trip – a pair of Southern Crowned-Pigeons roosting in a large tree, followed by a Marbled Frogmouth. The following morning was a little frustrating as we were late leaving the lodge and so only saw the male Twelve-wired BoP in flight, missing its display. Then our search for Hook-billed Kingfisher and Little Paradise-Kingfisher was foiled, the birds only being heard. We did see Palm Cockatoo, Common Paradise-Kingfisher, a displaying male King BoP, Hooded Monarch, White-bellied Thicket-Fantail and a Beautiful Fruit-Dove on its nest, with one egg, on a big leaf about a metre above the ground. After lunch at the lodge some saw Blue Jewel-Babbler and Black-sided Robin, then we returned to the river to renew the Hook-bill quest, which was successful after a considerable effort. Other good birds were Southern Crowned-Pigeon, Large and Double-eyed Fig-Parrots, the very local White-bellied Pitohui and a male Twelve-wired BoP, perched, albeit briefly. We stayed out till 7.30, seeing a Great-billed Heron feeding at dusk, a Papuan Nightjar in flight, two perched Marbled Frogmouths and a White-bellied Sea-Eagle flying in the dark. The only real success of the following morning along the river was a Little Paradise-Kingfisher, at last, and 2 Black-sided Robins. Returning to the lodge, we took to the trails for the rest of the morning – rather quiet, as often, but we did see Hooded Pitta, Blue Jewel-Babbler and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra. After lunch NP saw Wallace’s Fairy-Wren before we returned to the boat and our journey back to Kiunga. The most notable sightings were Greater Black Coucal and 7 Channel-billed Cuckoos. On arrival at Kiunga we discovered the river level had dropped considerably, so that it was necessary to wade, and slither, through deep mud, to reach the shore. Fortunately this was taken in good spirits by all, though dinner had to be delayed till 8 pm so everyone could wash off the mud.
On the final morning we spent the first hours of daylight at Km17, having abandoned the planned return to Boystown Road as it was raining quite heavily. Here we watched a splendid bird of paradise display, with both Greater and Raggiana involved. After checking out of the hotel, we went to the airport and birded at the end of the runway as the flight was late arriving. White-spotted Munia and Lesser Black Coucal were good sightings here. Then all too soon it was time to start the long journey home, with a flight to Port Moresby and beyond, Nick and Rich continuing to Manus to look (successfully) for Superb Pitta.
I’m very grateful to all the group for making this such an enjoyable trip, and especially to Ash Banwell for his driving and bird-finding ability and to Rich Fairbank for corrections and additional records now incorporated into this report. I will organise and lead another budget tour to PNG in 2008, my 12th trip.
Pied Heron Egretta picata : 10 in a pool outside Port Moresby and common at the Pacific Adventist University (PAU).
Pacific Reef-Heron Egretta sacra : one on the coast at Jais Aben resort, Madang.
Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus : 4 at PAU and 1 on the Elevala River.
Australian Ibis Threskiornis molucca : 2 at the PAU sewage pond and 1 on the Fly River.
Spotted Whistling Duck Dendrocygna guttata : 35 roosting in trees at PAU.
Green Pygmy-Goose Nettapus pulchellus : a single female at PAU.
Salvadori's Teal Anas waigiuensis : a single female was seen on the river at Ok Menga.
Long-tailed Buzzard Henicopernis longicauda : 2 singles at Tari, up to 3 at Keki, 1 at Ok Ma Road and 2 on the Elevala River.
Papuan/Spotted Harrier Circus spilonotus : airports are the preferred habitat – we saw 2 at Tari, 3 at Mt Hagen, 2 at Lae and 1 at Kiunga.
Variable Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae : one at Varirata and 2 mating on the way down from Keki.
Grey-headed Goshawk Accipiter poliocephalus : 2 at Keki.
Meyer's Goshawk Accipiter meyerianus : one at Keki.
Gurney's Eagle Aquila gurneyi : one at Keki.
Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides : 2 singles at Tari and Keki and 1 at Tabubil.
Black-billed Brush Turkey Talegalla fuscirostris : Singles at Varirata National Park and Keki.
Brown Quail Coturnix australis : 4 at Tari Gap and 1 near Madang.
Forbes' Forest-Rail Rallina forbesi : one on Benson’s Trail, Tari on 29th with a pair there on 30th and another heard on 1st March,
Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea : 4 at the Pacific Adventist University and 5 near Madang.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius : 2 birds of the resident race papuanus were seen at K120 en-route to Tabubil.
Great Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardtii : singles on 2 days at Tari and Keki, with 2 at Keki on 4th, and 1 at Kiunga.
Stephan’s Dove Chalocphaps stephani : A single bird was seen flying across the Elevala River.
Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis : one seen at Varirata National Park and 1 heard at Boystown Road, Kiunga.
White-bibbed Ground-Dove Gallicolumba jobiensis : one of this rarely seen sp. at Boystown Road, Kiunga.
Bronze Ground-Dove Gallicolumba beccarii : one at Tari.
Southern Crowned Pigeon Goura scheepmakeri : 2 - 4 along the Elevala River on all 3 days.
Wompoo Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus magnificus : singles at Varirata National Park and at Keki on 3 occasions.
Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus perlatus : Small numbers of this attractive species were seen at all the lowland and foothill sites.
Ornate Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus ornatus : only one along the Elevala River.
Superb Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus superbus : 3 along the Elevala River.
Beautiful Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus pulchellus : several at Varirata, up to 3 at Keki, 1 or 2 at Tabubil, 4 near Kiunga, and 1 on the nest near Ekame Lodge.
White-breasted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus rivoli : 2 singles at Tari.
Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus iozonus : fairly common at Varirata and and around Kiunga.
Dwarf Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus nanus : 4 at Keki and heard near Ekame Lodge.
Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rufigaster : 5-20 each day near Ekame and 1 near Tabubil.
Pinon Imperial Pigeon Ducula pinon : one near Madang and a few along the Elevala River and Boystown Road.
Collared Imperial Pigeon Ducula muellerii : numerous along the Elevala River.
Zoe Imperial Pigeon Ducula zoeae : up to 4 at Keki and fairly common around Kiunga.
Torresian Imperial Pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa : 20 on 3rd and 7 on 6th near Madang.
Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus : up to 3 at Keki, Tabubil and in the Kiunga area.
Greater/Yellow-streaked Lory Chalcopsitta scintillata : at least 3 on 3 dates in the Kiunga area.
Black-capped Lory Lorius lory : only 1 noted at Varirata National Park, but fairly common in the lowlands and hills elsewhere.
Red-flanked Lorikeet Charmosyna placentis : a few along the Boystown road.
Little Red Lorikeet Charmosyna pulchella : 8 at Tabubil on 7th.
Papuan Lorikeet Charmosyna papou : only 3 below Tari Gap.
Plum-faced Lorikeet Oreopsittacus arfaki : common at Tari Gap.
Yellow-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus musschenbroekii : only 2 noted in the Tari area.
Orange-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus pullicauda : only 2 seen near Tari Gap on 2 dates.
Vulturine Parrot Psittatrichas fulgidus : regularly heard at Keki and 1 or 2 seen on 2 dates, 3 at Ok Ma Road, Tabubil and 1 along the Elevala River.
Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta pusio : a few at Varirata National Park, 4 at Keki on 3rd and 1 on 6th.
Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta keiensis : one at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta bruijnii : Up to 60 at Dablin Creek and Ok Ma Road.
Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta gulielmiterti : at least 5 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil and fairly common in the Kiunga area.
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma : 2 at Keki and singles on 2 dates along the Elevala River.
Large Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris desmarestii : 2-3 along the Elevala River on 2 dates.
Edwards' Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris edwardsii : a party of 6 flew past at Keki Lodge.
Painted Tiger-Parrot Psittacella picta : one at Tari Gap on 29th.
Madarasz's Tiger-Parrot Psittacella madaraszi : two singles at Dablin Creek.
Blue-collared Parrot Geoffroyus simplex : 5 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil on 10th.
Papuan King Parrot Alisterus chloropterus : 2 at Varirata National Park and 1 at Tari on 31st.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis : one above Tari on 1st August.
Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx ruficollis : one or 2 below Tari Gap on 2 dates.
White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx meyerii : one at Varirata on 25th and 1 or 2 at Keki and Tabubil.
White-crowned Koel Caliechthrus leucolophus : 2 heard at Varirata National Park and a koel thought to be this species along the Elevala River.
Dwarf Koel Microdynamis parva : 2 in fruiting tree at Dablin Creek.
Australian Koel Eudynamys cyanocephala : up to 3 daily in the Kiunga area.
Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae : 4 at Keki and along the Elevala River on 11th with 7 on 13th.
Greater Black Coucal Centropus menbeki : singles at Keki, Ok Ma Road and along the Elevala River.
Lesser Black Coucal Centropus bernsteini : singles near Port Moresby and Madang, and at Km 17, Kiunga.
Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianus : only 1 at the PAU on 26th.
Greater Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa : one seen at its tree-hole nest at Alukambe village in the Tari Valley; also heard calling at Warili Lodge and Ekame Lodge.
Papuan Boobook Ninox theomacha : widely heard calling with 2 spot-lit at Keki Lodge
Feline Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles insignis : one heard calling below Tari Gap on two nights but could not be spotted.
Barred Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles bennetti : one at its daytime roost near the picnic area at Varirata National Park.
Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus : up to 3 spot-lit along the Elevala River. The identity of a bird on a nest with a chick in the Tari Valley was debated at length but was most probably a
Papuan Frogmouth.
Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis : 2 were seen at roost at the Pacific Adventist University, one was heard at Ekame Lodge, and see above.
White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis : 2 on the road before dawn while driving to Manucode Mound on Boystown Road.
Papuan Nightjar Eurostopodus papuensis : 2 were seen over the Elevala River on 11th and 1 on the 12th.
Archbold's (Mountain) Nightjar Eurostopodus archboldi : one in the quarry near the bailey bridge below Tari Gap.
Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus : one on the road near Warili Lodge.
Papuan Needletail Mearnsia novaeguineae : one over Keki Lodge and up to 10 daily in the Kiunga area.
Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea : 3 at Varirata, up to 8 daily in the Kiunga area and up to 3 near Tabubil.
Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea : one at the ford on the entrance road to Varirata National Park.
Little Kingfisher Alcedo pusilla : singles at Varirata National Park and Keki.
Variable (Dwarf) Kingfisher Ceyx lepidus : singles at Dablin Creek and near Ekame Lodge; heard at Varirata.
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra Dacelo gaudichaud : a few singles at Keki and along the Elevala River, with 4 seen at the latter on 13th.
Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii : 3 on the way to Varirata on 25th and 2 on 27th.
Shovel-billed Kingfisher Clytoceyx rex : 3 seen at Ok Ma Road on 8th and 2 on 9th and 10th.
Forest Kingfisher Halcyon macleayii :one near Varirata and 2 near Keki.
Hook-billed Kingfisher Melidora macrorrhina : heard regularly along the Elevala River with 2 seen after a lengthy search; 1 heard at Ok Ma Road.
Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro : A pair gave great views at Varirata National Park and others were heard widely elsewhere with one seen at Dablin Creek.
Mountain Kingfisher Syma megarhyncha : a male seen at the top of Dablin Creek and one heard above Tari.
Little Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera hydrocharis : one heard along the Elevala River on 12th and was eventually seen on 13th.
Common Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea : one seen along the Elevala River and others heard; also heard near Madang.
Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera danae : 2 seen along the Tree-house trail at Varirata National Park.
Blyth’s Hornbill Aceros plicatus : singles at Varirata and Tabubil, up to 10 daily at Keki and common in the Kiunga area.
Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida : one seen near Ekame Lodge and others heard; also heard at Keki.
Red-bellied (Blue-breasted) Pitta Pitta erythrogaster : one seen at Varirata.
Australasian (Singing) Bushlark Mirafra javanica : 3 at Lae airport and 1 near Madang.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae : a few at Varirata National Park.
Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caeruleogrisea : 2 at Dablin Creek and Ok Ma Road, Tabubil, and 3 at Boystown Road.
Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina lineata : one or 2 at Varirata National Park and Keki.
Boyer's Cuckoo-shrike Coracina boyeri : up to 4 daily at Varirata National Park, up to 6 daily at Keki and 6 at Boystown Road.
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis : one or 2 at Varirata. And up to 4 near Keki.
Black-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Coracina morio : 2 at Varirata.
Grey-headed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina schisticeps : one at Varirata and up to 6 daily near Tabubil..
New Guinea (Black) Cuckoo-shrike Coracina melas (melaena) : 3 at Varirata National Park and 2 at Keki.
Black-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina montana : 2 or 3 near the bailey bridge above Tari on 2 daty and heard other days.
Golden Cuckoo-shrike Campochaera sloetii : up to 3 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil, 6 at Ok Ma Road and 1 at Boystown Road.
Black-browed Triller Lalage moesta : up to 3 daily at Keki.
Varied Triller Lalage leucomela : at least 2 at Varirata National Park and 1 or 2 at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus : one to 2 on 3 days near Tari Gap.
Island Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephalus : up to 4 on 4 days below Tari Gap.
Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris : up to 3 daily at Keki and up to 4 daily near Tabubil.
Sooty Thicket-Fantail Rhipidura threnothorax : calling daily at Keki but only 1 seen;also heard near Tabubil.
White-bellied Thicket-Fantail Rhipidura leucothorax : one along the Elevala River.
Black Fantail Rhipidura atra : 1 or 2 most days above Tari and daily at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Chestnut-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hyperythra : up to 4 daily in Varirata National Park and 1 or 2 daily at Keki.
Dimorphic Fantail Rhipidura brachyrhyncha : one or 2 daily between Benson's trail and Tari Gap.
Rufous-backed Fantail Rhipidura rufidorsa : 2 at Ok Ma Road and 1 near Ekame Lodge.
Black Monarch Monarcha axillaris : one above Tari and 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Black-faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis :2 singles near Tabubil.
Black-winged Monarch Monarcha frater : 2 at Varirata National Park and daily at Keki.
Spot-winged Monarch Monarcha guttula : one or 2 daily at Varirata National Park and singles at Keki and Km17, Kiunga, with 2 near Ekame Lodge.
Hooded Monarch Monarchamanadensis : one near Ekame Lodge.
Golden Monarch Monarcha chrysomela : one at Varirata National Park and 2 at Km17, Kiunga.
Frilled Monarch Arses telescopthalamus : Up to 6 daily at Varirata National Park, 1 at Tabubil and up to 3 daily in the Kiunga area.
Ochre-collared Monarch Arses insularis : up to 3 daily at Keki.
Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula : 2 singles on the approach road to Varirata.
Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto : 2 along the Elevala River.
Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus flaviventer : 2 at Varirata National Park and Keki, 2 singles at Dablin Creek.
Black-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus nigripectus :a few most days below Tari Gap.
Lesser Ground-Robin Amalocichla incerta : one at Benson’s Trail on 30th and 2 on 31st.
Torrent Flycatcher Monachella muelleriana : 6 at Ok Menga, Tabubil.
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster : one by the entrance gate at Varirata National Park.
Yellow-legged Flycatcher Microeca griseoceps : one at Keki Lodge.
Olive Flycatcher Microeca flavovirescens : 2 at Dablin Creek.
Canary Flycatcher Microeca papuana : 2-5 daily on Benson’s Trail, Tari.
White-faced Robin Tregellasia leucops : a pair was nesting at Varirata National Park and 2 others were seen there.
Garnet Robin Eugerygone rubra : a male at Tari Gap, probably with a female, on 1st Aug.
Black-sided Robin Poecilodryas hypoleuca : one or 2 were seen on 2 days near Ekame Lodge.
Banded Yellow Robin Poecilodryas placens : commonly heard at Keki Lodge but very difficult to see, with 4 spotted on 5th.
Black-throated Robin Poecilodryas albonotata : up to 3 seen on 3 dates below Tari Gap.
White-winged Robin Peneothello sigillatus : only 2 seen once at Tari Gap.
Blue-grey Robin Peneothello cyanus : up to 3 on 4 dates above Tari.
White-rumped Robin Peneothello bimaculatus : 3 at Ok Ma Road on 8th and 1 on 9th.
Ashy Robin Poecilodryas albispecularis : singles on 3 dates on Benson’s Trail, a bird more often heard than seen.
Wattled Ploughbill Eulacestoma nigropectus : after 1 and 2 female-types below Tari Gap, a male was observed dancing round a female with scarlet wattles inflated!
Mottled Whistler Rhagologus leucostigma : 2 at Dablin Creek.
Goldenface / Dwarf Whistler Pachycare flavogrisea : at least 2 at Varirata National Park.
Rufous-naped Whistler Pachycephala rufinucha : 2 –4 most days below Tari Gap.
Brown-backed Whistler Pachycephala modesta : 2 –4 most days below Tari Gap.
Grey-headed (Grey) Whistler Pachycephala simplex : at least 2 daily at Varirata, and 1 or 2 daily at Keki and near Tabubil.
Sclater's Whistler Pachycephala soror : up to 3 on 4 dates above Tari and 1 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Regent Whistler Pachycephala schlegelii : up to 5 on 3 dates below Tari Gap.
Black-headed Whistler Pachycephala monacha : one in the Tari valley.
Rufous (Little) Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha : up to 5 daily in Varirata National Park, 2 singles near Ambua Lodge and heard along the Elevala River.
Hooded Pitohui Pitohui dichrous : fairly common in Varirata National Park and Keki, with 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek.
White-bellied Pitohui Pitohui incertus : 4 were seen along the Elevala River.
Rusty Pitohui Pitohui ferrugineus : one at Varirata National Park, 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek and one near Ekame Lodge
Crested Pitohui Pitohui cristatus : heard daily at Varirata National Park and occasionally near Tabubil and Ekame Lodge but only seen once, at Varirata.
Variable Pitohui Pitohui kirhocephalus : one near Ekame Lodge.
Black Pitohui Pitohui nigrescens : 2 singles near Warili Lodge.
New Guinea Babbler Pomatostomus isidorei : 4 at Km17, Kiunga and heard near a nest along the Elevala River.
Blue Jewel-Babbler Ptilorrhoa caerulescens : a good showing this year with 2 or 3 on all 3 days along the Elevala River; at Keki the form is P. i. Geislerorum, split by Coates (2001) and HBW as Brown-capped J-B – it was heard occasionally and seen once.
Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa castanonotus : a pair was observed feeding 2 young in the nest at the base of a tree in Varirata National Park, and 2 were seen at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Spotted Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa leucosticta : one or 2 were seen at Benson’s Trail on two occasions.
Northern Logrunner Orthonyx novaeguineae : A pair was seen on 2 days at Benson’s Trail.
Papuan Whipbird Androphobus viridis : 3, probably a family party, were found by AB near Benson’s Trail and seen by some on 2 days.
Blue-capped Ifrita Ifrita kowaldi : good numbers on 29th below Tari Gap but only 1 and 3 on subsequent days.
Wallace's Fairywren Sipodotus wallacii : 2 near Ekame Lodge on 13th.
White-shouldered Fairywren Malurus alboscapulatus : 2 on most days above Tari.
Emperor Fairywren Malurus cyanocephalus : 5 at Boystown Road, Kiunga.
Rusty Mouse-Warbler Crateroscelis murina : Heard far more often than seen but 5 were seen on 27th at Varirata National Park and 1 or 2 at Keki and Dablin creek,Tabubil.
Mountain Mouse-Warbler Crateroscelis robusta : up to 6 on 3 days below Tari Gap
Pale-billed Scrub-wren Sericornis spilodera : singles at Varirata National Park, near Madang and Dablin Creek.
Large Scrub-wren Sericornis nouhuysi : up to 4 daily below Tari Gap.
Buff-faced Scrub-wren Sericornis perspicillatus : fairly common below Tari Gap.
Papuan Scrub-wren Sericornis papuensis : common below Tari Gap.
Grey Gerygone Gerygone cinerea : one to 3 on 3 days below Tari Gap.
Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronotus : one or 2 daily at Varirata National Park and up to 4 in the Kiunga area.
Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa : 2 daily at Varirata National Park and 3 daily at Keki.
Yellow-bellied Gerygone Gerygone chrysogaster : one or 2 at Varirata National Park and Keki, and 1 or 2 in the Kiunga area.
Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris : one at Keki.
Brown-breasted Gerygone Gerygone ruficollis : 7 in the Tari Valley.
Black Sitella Neositta Miranda : 6 below Tari Gap on 29th.
Papuan/Varied Sitella Neositta /chrysoptera : 2 below Warili Lodge on 28th.
Papuan Treecreeper Cormobates placens : disappointingly, this bird was only heard, not seen, near Warili Lodge.
Obscure Berrypecker Melanocharis arfakiana : one or 2 daily at Keki and 1 at Ok Ma Road, Tabubil.
Lemon-breasted (Mid-mountain) Berrypecker Melanocharis longicauda : only 1, at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Black Berrypecker Melanocharis nigra : 3 at Varirata National Park, 6 at Keki and 2 at Tabubil.
Fan-tailed Berrypecker Melanocharis versteri : up to 6 on 4 days below Tari Gap.
Tit Berrypecker Oreocharis arfaki : numerous this year below Tari Gap.
Crested Berrypecker Paramythia montium : only 2 or 3 on 2 days at Tari Gap.
Olive-crowned (Papuan) Flowerpecker Dicaeum pectorale : singles at Varirata National Park, daily below Tari Gap and a few at Keki.
Black-fronted White-eye Zosterops atrifrons : up to 20 were seen daily along the Casuarina-lined trails in Varirata National Park, at Keki and Dablin creek.
Capped (Western Mountain) White-eye Zosterops fuscicapillus : common in the Tari Valley.
New Guinea White-eye Zosterops novaeguineae : a flock near Ambua Lodge on 28th.
Yellow-bellied Longbill Toxorhamphus novaeguineae : 2 at Dablin creek and singles along Boystown road, Kiunga, and near Ekame Lodge.
Slaty-chinned Longbill Toxorhamphus poliopterus : singles daily at Keki and 2 at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Dwarf Honeyeater Oedistoma iliolophus : a few at Varirata National Park and 2 at Keki.
Pygmy Honeyeater Oedistoma pygmaeum : 2 at Dablin creek and Ok Ma Road, Tabubil.
Red Myzomela Myzomela cruentata : 2 at Keki.
Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura : 2 on the way to Keki.
Papuan Black Myzomela Myzomela nigrita : 2 singles at Varirata National Park.
Red-headed Myzomela Myzomela erythrocephala : 2 at Tari airport.
Mountain Myzomela Myzomela adolphinae : just one at Varirata National Park.
Red-collared Myzomela Myzomela rosenbergii : one or 2 daily below Tari Gap.
Long-billed Honeyeater Melilestes megarhynchus : up to 3 daily at Keki, 2 at Dablin creek, Tabubil and singles at Boystown Road and near Ekame Lodge.
Spot-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga mimikae : one at Varirata.
Forest White-eared Honeyeater Meliphaga montana : up to 3 at Keki.
Mountain Honeyeater Meliphaga orientalis : 2 at Keki, and fairly common at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Scrub (White-eared) Honeyeater Meliphaga albonotata : a few at Dablin creek, Tabubil and 2 along the Elevala River.
Puff-backed Honeyeater Meliphaga aruensis : one along the Elevala River.
Mimic Honeyeater Meliphaga analoga : a few in Varirata National Park and at Keki.
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavescens : one at the Granville Hotel, Port Moresby.
Black-throated Honeyeater Lichenostomus subfrenatus : singles below on 3 days at Tari Gap.
Varied Honeyeater Lichenostomus versicolor : 3 at Keki.
Spotted Honeyeater Xanthotis polygramma : 2 at Dablin creek and Ok Ma Road, Tabubil.
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer : 1 or 2 daily at Keki and a few daily in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Green-backed Honeyeater Glycichaera fallax : one at Dablin creek.
White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis : 2 in the eucalyptus savanna on the approach road to Varirata National Park.
Plain Honeyeater Pycnopygius ixoides : 3 or 4 at Keki.
Marbled Honeyeater Pycnopygius cinereus : 2 at Alukambe village, Tari valley.
Streak-headed Honeyeater Pycnopygius stictocephalus : singles at Varirata National Park and along the Boystown Road, Kiunga.
Yellowish-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora meekiana : one found near the entrance gate at Ambua Lodge, a rarely seen and elusive species.
Rufous-backed Honeyeater Ptiloprora guisei : a few above Tari.
Black-backed (Grey-streaked) Honeyeater Ptiloprora perstriata : common below Tari Gap.
Belford's Melidectes Melidectes belfordi : common above Ambua Lodge with c.20 seen daily.
Yellow-browed Melidectes Melidectes rufocrissalis : 2 below Ambua Lodge on 3 days and 1 at Dablin Creek.
Smoky Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus : common below Tari Gap and a few at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis : At least 6 were seen at the Pacific Adventist University and up to 10 were seen around the Hideaway Hotel, Port Moresby.
Brown Oriole Oriolus szalayi : one or 2 daily at Varirata National Park, Keki and around the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Green Figbird Sphecotheres viridis : 20 at the Pacific Adventist University.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach : singles below Warili Lodge and 2 on the way to Keki on 3rd Aug.
Mountain Drongo Chaetorhynchus papuensis : one on 26th and 2 on 27th at Varirata.
Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus : a few daily at Varirata National Park, only 1 at Keki and up to 6 daily in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Great Woodswallow Artamus maximus : Up to 4 were seen daily above Tari, up to 7 at Keki and up to 10 daily at Tabubil.
Mountain Peltops Peltops montanus : one at Varirata National Park, 2 below Tari Gap and at Dablin Creek.
Lowland Peltops Peltops blainvillii : 2 at Km17, Kiunga and 1 along the Elevala River.
Black-backed Butcherbird Cracticus mentalis : 4 at the Pacific Adventist University and 1 along the road to Varirata National Park.
Hooded Butcherbird Cracticus cassicus : one or 2 daily at Varirata and fairly common in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi : one in the Tari valley and 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Lesser Melampitta Melampitta lugubris : one or 2 on 3 days below Tari Gap, with one watched attacking a giant (15”) worm for 10 minutes (RF, NP).
Greater Melampitta Melampitta gigantean : one seen on 2 days at Ok Ma Road.
Loria's Bird of Paradise Cnemophilus loriae : 4 feeding on berries on Benson’s Trail on 30th.
Crested Bird of Paradise Cnemophilus macgregorii : one on Benson’s Trail on 30th and 2 on 31st.
Glossy-mantled Manucode Manucodia atra : one at Varirata and up to 6 along the Elevala River.
Crinkle-collared Manucode Manucodia chalybata : singles at Keki on 2 days and at Ok Ma Road, and 2 at Dablin Creek.
Trumpet Manucode Manucodia keraudrenii : 2 at Km17, along Boystown road, Kiunga and others along the Elevala River.
Short-tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda : one or 2 in a garden near the entrance to Ambua Lodge.
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia Astrapia mayeri : up to 8 birds were seen on 4 days, including several adult males, between the bailey bridge and Tari Gap.
Princess Stephanie's Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae : 5 on 29th and 2 on 30th in the Ambua/Warili Lodge area.
Carola's Parotia Parotia carolae : 2 feeding in a fruiting tree at Dablin creek, Tabubil on 8th and 1 on 10th.
Lawes' Parotia Parotia lawesii : 5 males and 5 female-types below Warili Lodge on 28th and 1 on 2nd Aug.
King of Saxony Bird of Paradise Pteridophora alberti : up to 4 males were seen displaying in the treetops below Tari Gap, with up to 3 females also seen; one male on 29th was displaying inside the forest barely above head height.
Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus : up to 3 daily at Ok Ma Road and heard in the Kiunga area.
Eastern Riflebird Ptiloris intercedens : Heard much more often than seen at Varirata National Park but a male was seen displaying below Gare's Lookout Trail, perched in a low dead tree, and another seen in the same valley.
Superb Bird of Paradise Lophorina superba : up to 3 in the Tari valley and up to 4 at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastuosus : 3 on 28th and 1 on 2nd in gardens below Warili lodge.
Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri : 2 or 3 below Tari Gap on 3 days.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus : one or 2 female types were seen in fruiting trees at Keki daily and Dablin creek, Tabubil on 8th.
King Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus regius : a male and female near Ekame Lodge along the Elevala River.
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise Seleucidis melanoleuca: views of a displaying male were obtained along the Elevala River on 13th and 3 birds seen on 12th.
Greater Bird of Paradise Paradisaea apoda : 12 at the lek site at Km17 near Kiunga, where the combination of displaying Greater, Raggiana and hybrids produced a great spectacle both early morning and evening; a few singles were also seen around Tabubil and along the Boystown road, Kiunga.
Raggiana Bird of Paradise Paradisaea raggiana : 8 at the lek site near Varirata Lookout and a few others in Varirata National Park; 4 males at the display site at Km17 with 1 or 2 around Tabubil and Kiunga, and one in the Tari valley.
Lesser Bird of Paradise Paradisaea : up to 20 daily at Keki Lodge – noisy but difficult to see lekking.
Blue Bird of Paradise Paradisaea rudolphi : 4 incl 2 males gave excellent views below Warili Lodge on 28th, while a male gave a stunning fly-past on 2 Aug, the perfect end to a near perfect time at Tari.
White-eared Catbird Ailurodeus buccoides : 1 or 2 at Keki on 2 days, 1 seen unusually well feeding on fruit at Ok Ma Road, and 1 or 2 at Boystown Road – an unprecedented showing for this elusive species.
Spotted Catbird Ailurodeus melanotis : at least 2 heard calling near Ekame Lodge and seen very briefly.
Sanford's Bowerbird Archboldia sanfordi : 3 at Tari Gap on 31st.
Macgregor's Bowerbird Amblyornis macgregoriae : one on Benson’s Trail on 30th and 3 on 1st Aug; 1 at Dablin Creek on 7th.
Flame Bowerbird Sericulus aureus : 5 at Boystown Road and 1 along the Elevala River.
Fire-maned Bowerbird Sericulus bakeri : 2 – 4 daily at Keki Lodge including at least 1 full adult male.
Fawn-breasted Bowerbird Chlamydera cerviniventris : a few on the way to Varirata and at the PAU.
Grey Crow Corvus tristis : a few daily at Varirata National Park and fairly common at Keki and in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Singing Starling Aplonis cantoroides : 2 at the Pacific Adventist University.
Yellow-eyed Starling Aplonis mystacea : 2 in a flock of Metallic Starlings A. metallica along the Elevala River on 11th.
Yellow-faced Myna Mino dumonti : fairly common in all the lowland and hill locations visited.
Golden Myna Mino anais : 10 at Keki, 2 at Ok Ma Road and Boystown Road, and 6 along the Elevala River.
Blue-faced Parrot-Finch Erythrura trichroa : at least 6 near Ambua lodge on 29th.
Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus : one or 2 on 4 days below Tari Gap.
White-spotted Munia Lonchura leucosticta : 2 at Kiunga airport on 14th.
Grand Munia Lonchura grandis : 2 near Kokoda Monument with Grey-headed Munias.
Hooded Munia (Mannikin) Lonchura spectabilis : after 1 near Warili Lodge, a large flock was seen in the Tari Valley.
Grey-headed Munia (Mannikin) Lonchura caniceps : at least 50 in the grasslands near Kokoda Monument.
Chestnut-breasted Munia (Mannikin) Lonchura castaneothorax : 20 near Madang on 3rd and 6 on 6th. Pied Heron Egretta picata : 10 in a pool outside Port Moresby and common at the Pacific Adventist University (PAU).
Pacific Reef-Heron Egretta sacra : one on the coast at Jais Aben resort, Madang.
Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus : 4 at PAU and 1 on the Elevala River.
Australian Ibis Threskiornis molucca : 2 at the PAU sewage pond and 1 on the Fly River.
Spotted Whistling Duck Dendrocygna guttata : 35 roosting in trees at PAU.
Green Pygmy-Goose Nettapus pulchellus : a single female at PAU.
Salvadori's Teal Anas waigiuensis : a single female was seen on the river at Ok Menga.
Long-tailed Buzzard Henicopernis longicauda : 2 singles at Tari, up to 3 at Keki, 1 at Ok Ma Road and 2 on the Elevala River.
Papuan/Spotted Harrier Circus spilonotus : airports are the preferred habitat – we saw 2 at Tari, 3 at Mt Hagen, 2 at Lae and 1 at Kiunga.
Variable Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae : one at Varirata and 2 mating on the way down from Keki.
Grey-headed Goshawk Accipiter poliocephalus : 2 at Keki.
Meyer's Goshawk Accipiter meyerianus : one at Keki.
Gurney's Eagle Aquila gurneyi : one at Keki.
Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides : 2 singles at Tari and Keki and 1 at Tabubil.
Black-billed Brush Turkey Talegalla fuscirostris : Singles at Varirata National Park and Keki.
Brown Quail Coturnix australis : 4 at Tari Gap and 1 near Madang.
Forbes' Forest-Rail Rallina forbesi : one on Benson’s Trail, Tari on 29th with a pair there on 30th and another heard on 1st March,
Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea : 4 at the Pacific Adventist University and 5 near Madang.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius : 2 birds of the resident race papuanus were seen at K120 en-route to Tabubil.
Great Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardtii : singles on 2 days at Tari and Keki, with 2 at Keki on 4th, and 1 at Kiunga.
Stephan’s Dove Chalocphaps stephani : A single bird was seen flying across the Elevala River.
Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis : one seen at Varirata National Park and 1 heard at Boystown Road, Kiunga.
White-bibbed Ground-Dove Gallicolumba jobiensis : one of this rarely seen sp. at Boystown Road, Kiunga.
Bronze Ground-Dove Gallicolumba beccarii : one at Tari.
Southern Crowned Pigeon Goura scheepmakeri : 2 - 4 along the Elevala River on all 3 days.
Wompoo Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus magnificus : singles at Varirata National Park and at Keki on 3 occasions.
Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus perlatus : Small numbers of this attractive species were seen at all the lowland and foothill sites.
Ornate Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus ornatus : only one along the Elevala River.
Superb Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus superbus : 3 along the Elevala River.
Beautiful Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus pulchellus : several at Varirata, up to 3 at Keki, 1 or 2 at Tabubil, 4 near Kiunga, and 1 on the nest near Ekame Lodge.
White-breasted Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus rivoli : 2 singles at Tari.
Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus iozonus : fairly common at Varirata and and around Kiunga.
Dwarf Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus nanus : 4 at Keki and heard near Ekame Lodge.
Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rufigaster : 5-20 each day near Ekame and 1 near Tabubil.
Pinon Imperial Pigeon Ducula pinon : one near Madang and a few along the Elevala River and Boystown Road.
Collared Imperial Pigeon Ducula muellerii : numerous along the Elevala River.
Zoe Imperial Pigeon Ducula zoeae : up to 4 at Keki and fairly common around Kiunga.
Torresian Imperial Pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa : 20 on 3rd and 7 on 6th near Madang.
Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus : up to 3 at Keki, Tabubil and in the Kiunga area.
Greater/Yellow-streaked Lory Chalcopsitta scintillata : at least 3 on 3 dates in the Kiunga area.
Black-capped Lory Lorius lory : only 1 noted at Varirata National Park, but fairly common in the lowlands and hills elsewhere.
Red-flanked Lorikeet Charmosyna placentis : a few along the Boystown road.
Little Red Lorikeet Charmosyna pulchella : 8 at Tabubil on 7th.
Papuan Lorikeet Charmosyna papou : only 3 below Tari Gap.
Plum-faced Lorikeet Oreopsittacus arfaki : common at Tari Gap.
Yellow-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus musschenbroekii : only 2 noted in the Tari area.
Orange-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus pullicauda : only 2 seen near Tari Gap on 2 dates.
Vulturine Parrot Psittatrichas fulgidus : regularly heard at Keki and 1 or 2 seen on 2 dates, 3 at Ok Ma Road, Tabubil and 1 along the Elevala River.
Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta pusio : a few at Varirata National Park, 4 at Keki on 3rd and 1 on 6th.
Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta keiensis : one at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta bruijnii : Up to 60 at Dablin Creek and Ok Ma Road.
Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta gulielmiterti : at least 5 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil and fairly common in the Kiunga area.
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma : 2 at Keki and singles on 2 dates along the Elevala River.
Large Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris desmarestii : 2-3 along the Elevala River on 2 dates.
Edwards' Fig-Parrot Psittaculirostris edwardsii : a party of 6 flew past at Keki Lodge.
Painted Tiger-Parrot Psittacella picta : one at Tari Gap on 29th.
Madarasz's Tiger-Parrot Psittacella madaraszi : two singles at Dablin Creek.
Blue-collared Parrot Geoffroyus simplex : 5 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil on 10th.
Papuan King Parrot Alisterus chloropterus : 2 at Varirata National Park and 1 at Tari on 31st.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis : one above Tari on 1st August.
Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx ruficollis : one or 2 below Tari Gap on 2 dates.
White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx meyerii : one at Varirata on 25th and 1 or 2 at Keki and Tabubil.
White-crowned Koel Caliechthrus leucolophus : 2 heard at Varirata National Park and a koel thought to be this species along the Elevala River.
Dwarf Koel Microdynamis parva : 2 in fruiting tree at Dablin Creek.
Australian Koel Eudynamys cyanocephala : up to 3 daily in the Kiunga area.
Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae : 4 at Keki and along the Elevala River on 11th with 7 on 13th.
Greater Black Coucal Centropus menbeki : singles at Keki, Ok Ma Road and along the Elevala River.
Lesser Black Coucal Centropus bernsteini : singles near Port Moresby and Madang, and at Km 17, Kiunga.
Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianus : only 1 at the PAU on 26th.
Greater Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa : one seen at its tree-hole nest at Alukambe village in the Tari Valley; also heard calling at Warili Lodge and Ekame Lodge.
Papuan Boobook Ninox theomacha : widely heard calling with 2 spot-lit at Keki Lodge
Feline Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles insignis : one heard calling below Tari Gap on two nights but could not be spotted.
Barred Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles bennetti : one at its daytime roost near the picnic area at Varirata National Park.
Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus : up to 3 spot-lit along the Elevala River. The identity of a bird on a nest with a chick in the Tari Valley was debated at length but was most probably a
Papuan Frogmouth.
Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis : 2 were seen at roost at the Pacific Adventist University, one was heard at Ekame Lodge, and see above.
White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis : 2 on the road before dawn while driving to Manucode Mound on Boystown Road.
Papuan Nightjar Eurostopodus papuensis : 2 were seen over the Elevala River on 11th and 1 on the 12th.
Archbold's (Mountain) Nightjar Eurostopodus archboldi : one in the quarry near the bailey bridge below Tari Gap.
Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus : one on the road near Warili Lodge.
Papuan Needletail Mearnsia novaeguineae : one over Keki Lodge and up to 10 daily in the Kiunga area.
Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea : 3 at Varirata, up to 8 daily in the Kiunga area and up to 3 near Tabubil.
Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea : one at the ford on the entrance road to Varirata National Park.
Little Kingfisher Alcedo pusilla : singles at Varirata National Park and Keki.
Variable (Dwarf) Kingfisher Ceyx lepidus : singles at Dablin Creek and near Ekame Lodge; heard at Varirata.
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra Dacelo gaudichaud : a few singles at Keki and along the Elevala River, with 4 seen at the latter on 13th.
Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii : 3 on the way to Varirata on 25th and 2 on 27th.
Shovel-billed Kingfisher Clytoceyx rex : 3 seen at Ok Ma Road on 8th and 2 on 9th and 10th.
Forest Kingfisher Halcyon macleayii :one near Varirata and 2 near Keki.
Hook-billed Kingfisher Melidora macrorrhina : heard regularly along the Elevala River with 2 seen after a lengthy search; 1 heard at Ok Ma Road.
Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro : A pair gave great views at Varirata National Park and others were heard widely elsewhere with one seen at Dablin Creek.
Mountain Kingfisher Syma megarhyncha : a male seen at the top of Dablin Creek and one heard above Tari.
Little Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera hydrocharis : one heard along the Elevala River on 12th and was eventually seen on 13th.
Common Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea : one seen along the Elevala River and others heard; also heard near Madang.
Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera danae : 2 seen along the Tree-house trail at Varirata National Park.
Blyth’s Hornbill Aceros plicatus : singles at Varirata and Tabubil, up to 10 daily at Keki and common in the Kiunga area.
Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida : one seen near Ekame Lodge and others heard; also heard at Keki.
Red-bellied (Blue-breasted) Pitta Pitta erythrogaster : one seen at Varirata.
Australasian (Singing) Bushlark Mirafra javanica : 3 at Lae airport and 1 near Madang.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae : a few at Varirata National Park.
Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caeruleogrisea : 2 at Dablin Creek and Ok Ma Road, Tabubil, and 3 at Boystown Road.
Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina lineata : one or 2 at Varirata National Park and Keki.
Boyer's Cuckoo-shrike Coracina boyeri : up to 4 daily at Varirata National Park, up to 6 daily at Keki and 6 at Boystown Road.
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis : one or 2 at Varirata. And up to 4 near Keki.
Black-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Coracina morio : 2 at Varirata.
Grey-headed Cuckoo-shrike Coracina schisticeps : one at Varirata and up to 6 daily near Tabubil..
New Guinea (Black) Cuckoo-shrike Coracina melas (melaena) : 3 at Varirata National Park and 2 at Keki.
Black-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina montana : 2 or 3 near the bailey bridge above Tari on 2 daty and heard other days.
Golden Cuckoo-shrike Campochaera sloetii : up to 3 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil, 6 at Ok Ma Road and 1 at Boystown Road.
Black-browed Triller Lalage moesta : up to 3 daily at Keki.
Varied Triller Lalage leucomela : at least 2 at Varirata National Park and 1 or 2 at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus : one to 2 on 3 days near Tari Gap.
Island Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus poliocephalus : up to 4 on 4 days below Tari Gap.
Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris : up to 3 daily at Keki and up to 4 daily near Tabubil.
Sooty Thicket-Fantail Rhipidura threnothorax : calling daily at Keki but only 1 seen;also heard near Tabubil.
White-bellied Thicket-Fantail Rhipidura leucothorax : one along the Elevala River.
Black Fantail Rhipidura atra : 1 or 2 most days above Tari and daily at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Chestnut-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hyperythra : up to 4 daily in Varirata National Park and 1 or 2 daily at Keki.
Dimorphic Fantail Rhipidura brachyrhyncha : one or 2 daily between Benson's trail and Tari Gap.
Rufous-backed Fantail Rhipidura rufidorsa : 2 at Ok Ma Road and 1 near Ekame Lodge.
Black Monarch Monarcha axillaris : one above Tari and 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Black-faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis :2 singles near Tabubil.
Black-winged Monarch Monarcha frater : 2 at Varirata National Park and daily at Keki.
Spot-winged Monarch Monarcha guttula : one or 2 daily at Varirata National Park and singles at Keki and Km17, Kiunga, with 2 near Ekame Lodge.
Hooded Monarch Monarchamanadensis : one near Ekame Lodge.
Golden Monarch Monarcha chrysomela : one at Varirata National Park and 2 at Km17, Kiunga.
Frilled Monarch Arses telescopthalamus : Up to 6 daily at Varirata National Park, 1 at Tabubil and up to 3 daily in the Kiunga area.
Ochre-collared Monarch Arses insularis : up to 3 daily at Keki.
Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula : 2 singles on the approach road to Varirata.
Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto : 2 along the Elevala River.
Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus flaviventer : 2 at Varirata National Park and Keki, 2 singles at Dablin Creek.
Black-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus nigripectus :a few most days below Tari Gap.
Lesser Ground-Robin Amalocichla incerta : one at Benson’s Trail on 30th and 2 on 31st.
Torrent Flycatcher Monachella muelleriana : 6 at Ok Menga, Tabubil.
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster : one by the entrance gate at Varirata National Park.
Yellow-legged Flycatcher Microeca griseoceps : one at Keki Lodge.
Olive Flycatcher Microeca flavovirescens : 2 at Dablin Creek.
Canary Flycatcher Microeca papuana : 2-5 daily on Benson’s Trail, Tari.
White-faced Robin Tregellasia leucops : a pair was nesting at Varirata National Park and 2 others were seen there.
Garnet Robin Eugerygone rubra : a male at Tari Gap, probably with a female, on 1st Aug.
Black-sided Robin Poecilodryas hypoleuca : one or 2 were seen on 2 days near Ekame Lodge.
Banded Yellow Robin Poecilodryas placens : commonly heard at Keki Lodge but very difficult to see, with 4 spotted on 5th.
Black-throated Robin Poecilodryas albonotata : up to 3 seen on 3 dates below Tari Gap.
White-winged Robin Peneothello sigillatus : only 2 seen once at Tari Gap.
Blue-grey Robin Peneothello cyanus : up to 3 on 4 dates above Tari.
White-rumped Robin Peneothello bimaculatus : 3 at Ok Ma Road on 8th and 1 on 9th.
Ashy Robin Poecilodryas albispecularis : singles on 3 dates on Benson’s Trail, a bird more often heard than seen.
Wattled Ploughbill Eulacestoma nigropectus : after 1 and 2 female-types below Tari Gap, a male was observed dancing round a female with scarlet wattles inflated!
Mottled Whistler Rhagologus leucostigma : 2 at Dablin Creek.
Goldenface / Dwarf Whistler Pachycare flavogrisea : at least 2 at Varirata National Park.
Rufous-naped Whistler Pachycephala rufinucha : 2 –4 most days below Tari Gap.
Brown-backed Whistler Pachycephala modesta : 2 –4 most days below Tari Gap.
Grey-headed (Grey) Whistler Pachycephala simplex : at least 2 daily at Varirata, and 1 or 2 daily at Keki and near Tabubil.
Sclater's Whistler Pachycephala soror : up to 3 on 4 dates above Tari and 1 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Regent Whistler Pachycephala schlegelii : up to 5 on 3 dates below Tari Gap.
Black-headed Whistler Pachycephala monacha : one in the Tari valley.
Rufous (Little) Shrike-Thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha : up to 5 daily in Varirata National Park, 2 singles near Ambua Lodge and heard along the Elevala River.
Hooded Pitohui Pitohui dichrous : fairly common in Varirata National Park and Keki, with 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek.
White-bellied Pitohui Pitohui incertus : 4 were seen along the Elevala River.
Rusty Pitohui Pitohui ferrugineus : one at Varirata National Park, 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek and one near Ekame Lodge
Crested Pitohui Pitohui cristatus : heard daily at Varirata National Park and occasionally near Tabubil and Ekame Lodge but only seen once, at Varirata.
Variable Pitohui Pitohui kirhocephalus : one near Ekame Lodge.
Black Pitohui Pitohui nigrescens : 2 singles near Warili Lodge.
New Guinea Babbler Pomatostomus isidorei : 4 at Km17, Kiunga and heard near a nest along the Elevala River.
Blue Jewel-Babbler Ptilorrhoa caerulescens : a good showing this year with 2 or 3 on all 3 days along the Elevala River; at Keki the form is P. i. Geislerorum, split by Coates (2001) and HBW as Brown-capped J-B – it was heard occasionally and seen once.
Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa castanonotus : a pair was observed feeding 2 young in the nest at the base of a tree in Varirata National Park, and 2 were seen at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Spotted Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa leucosticta : one or 2 were seen at Benson’s Trail on two occasions.
Northern Logrunner Orthonyx novaeguineae : A pair was seen on 2 days at Benson’s Trail.
Papuan Whipbird Androphobus viridis : 3, probably a family party, were found by AB near Benson’s Trail and seen by some on 2 days.
Blue-capped Ifrita Ifrita kowaldi : good numbers on 29th below Tari Gap but only 1 and 3 on subsequent days.
Wallace's Fairywren Sipodotus wallacii : 2 near Ekame Lodge on 13th.
White-shouldered Fairywren Malurus alboscapulatus : 2 on most days above Tari.
Emperor Fairywren Malurus cyanocephalus : 5 at Boystown Road, Kiunga.
Rusty Mouse-Warbler Crateroscelis murina : Heard far more often than seen but 5 were seen on 27th at Varirata National Park and 1 or 2 at Keki and Dablin creek,Tabubil.
Mountain Mouse-Warbler Crateroscelis robusta : up to 6 on 3 days below Tari Gap
Pale-billed Scrub-wren Sericornis spilodera : singles at Varirata National Park, near Madang and Dablin Creek.
Large Scrub-wren Sericornis nouhuysi : up to 4 daily below Tari Gap.
Buff-faced Scrub-wren Sericornis perspicillatus : fairly common below Tari Gap.
Papuan Scrub-wren Sericornis papuensis : common below Tari Gap.
Grey Gerygone Gerygone cinerea : one to 3 on 3 days below Tari Gap.
Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronotus : one or 2 daily at Varirata National Park and up to 4 in the Kiunga area.
Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa : 2 daily at Varirata National Park and 3 daily at Keki.
Yellow-bellied Gerygone Gerygone chrysogaster : one or 2 at Varirata National Park and Keki, and 1 or 2 in the Kiunga area.
Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris : one at Keki.
Brown-breasted Gerygone Gerygone ruficollis : 7 in the Tari Valley.
Black Sitella Neositta Miranda : 6 below Tari Gap on 29th.
Papuan/Varied Sitella Neositta /chrysoptera : 2 below Warili Lodge on 28th.
Papuan Treecreeper Cormobates placens : disappointingly, this bird was only heard, not seen, near Warili Lodge.
Obscure Berrypecker Melanocharis arfakiana : one or 2 daily at Keki and 1 at Ok Ma Road, Tabubil.
Lemon-breasted (Mid-mountain) Berrypecker Melanocharis longicauda : only 1, at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Black Berrypecker Melanocharis nigra : 3 at Varirata National Park, 6 at Keki and 2 at Tabubil.
Fan-tailed Berrypecker Melanocharis versteri : up to 6 on 4 days below Tari Gap.
Tit Berrypecker Oreocharis arfaki : numerous this year below Tari Gap.
Crested Berrypecker Paramythia montium : only 2 or 3 on 2 days at Tari Gap.
Olive-crowned (Papuan) Flowerpecker Dicaeum pectorale : singles at Varirata National Park, daily below Tari Gap and a few at Keki.
Black-fronted White-eye Zosterops atrifrons : up to 20 were seen daily along the Casuarina-lined trails in Varirata National Park, at Keki and Dablin creek.
Capped (Western Mountain) White-eye Zosterops fuscicapillus : common in the Tari Valley.
New Guinea White-eye Zosterops novaeguineae : a flock near Ambua Lodge on 28th.
Yellow-bellied Longbill Toxorhamphus novaeguineae : 2 at Dablin creek and singles along Boystown road, Kiunga, and near Ekame Lodge.
Slaty-chinned Longbill Toxorhamphus poliopterus : singles daily at Keki and 2 at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Dwarf Honeyeater Oedistoma iliolophus : a few at Varirata National Park and 2 at Keki.
Pygmy Honeyeater Oedistoma pygmaeum : 2 at Dablin creek and Ok Ma Road, Tabubil.
Red Myzomela Myzomela cruentata : 2 at Keki.
Dusky Myzomela Myzomela obscura : 2 on the way to Keki.
Papuan Black Myzomela Myzomela nigrita : 2 singles at Varirata National Park.
Red-headed Myzomela Myzomela erythrocephala : 2 at Tari airport.
Mountain Myzomela Myzomela adolphinae : just one at Varirata National Park.
Red-collared Myzomela Myzomela rosenbergii : one or 2 daily below Tari Gap.
Long-billed Honeyeater Melilestes megarhynchus : up to 3 daily at Keki, 2 at Dablin creek, Tabubil and singles at Boystown Road and near Ekame Lodge.
Spot-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga mimikae : one at Varirata.
Forest White-eared Honeyeater Meliphaga montana : up to 3 at Keki.
Mountain Honeyeater Meliphaga orientalis : 2 at Keki, and fairly common at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Scrub (White-eared) Honeyeater Meliphaga albonotata : a few at Dablin creek, Tabubil and 2 along the Elevala River.
Puff-backed Honeyeater Meliphaga aruensis : one along the Elevala River.
Mimic Honeyeater Meliphaga analoga : a few in Varirata National Park and at Keki.
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavescens : one at the Granville Hotel, Port Moresby.
Black-throated Honeyeater Lichenostomus subfrenatus : singles below on 3 days at Tari Gap.
Varied Honeyeater Lichenostomus versicolor : 3 at Keki.
Spotted Honeyeater Xanthotis polygramma : 2 at Dablin creek and Ok Ma Road, Tabubil.
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer : 1 or 2 daily at Keki and a few daily in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Green-backed Honeyeater Glycichaera fallax : one at Dablin creek.
White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis : 2 in the eucalyptus savanna on the approach road to Varirata National Park.
Plain Honeyeater Pycnopygius ixoides : 3 or 4 at Keki.
Marbled Honeyeater Pycnopygius cinereus : 2 at Alukambe village, Tari valley.
Streak-headed Honeyeater Pycnopygius stictocephalus : singles at Varirata National Park and along the Boystown Road, Kiunga.
Yellowish-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora meekiana : one found near the entrance gate at Ambua Lodge, a rarely seen and elusive species.
Rufous-backed Honeyeater Ptiloprora guisei : a few above Tari.
Black-backed (Grey-streaked) Honeyeater Ptiloprora perstriata : common below Tari Gap.
Belford's Melidectes Melidectes belfordi : common above Ambua Lodge with c.20 seen daily.
Yellow-browed Melidectes Melidectes rufocrissalis : 2 below Ambua Lodge on 3 days and 1 at Dablin Creek.
Smoky Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus : common below Tari Gap and a few at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis : At least 6 were seen at the Pacific Adventist University and up to 10 were seen around the Hideaway Hotel, Port Moresby.
Brown Oriole Oriolus szalayi : one or 2 daily at Varirata National Park, Keki and around the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Green Figbird Sphecotheres viridis : 20 at the Pacific Adventist University.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach : singles below Warili Lodge and 2 on the way to Keki on 3rd Aug.
Mountain Drongo Chaetorhynchus papuensis : one on 26th and 2 on 27th at Varirata.
Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus : a few daily at Varirata National Park, only 1 at Keki and up to 6 daily in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Great Woodswallow Artamus maximus : Up to 4 were seen daily above Tari, up to 7 at Keki and up to 10 daily at Tabubil.
Mountain Peltops Peltops montanus : one at Varirata National Park, 2 below Tari Gap and at Dablin Creek.
Lowland Peltops Peltops blainvillii : 2 at Km17, Kiunga and 1 along the Elevala River.
Black-backed Butcherbird Cracticus mentalis : 4 at the Pacific Adventist University and 1 along the road to Varirata National Park.
Hooded Butcherbird Cracticus cassicus : one or 2 daily at Varirata and fairly common in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi : one in the Tari valley and 1 or 2 at Dablin Creek, Tabubil.
Lesser Melampitta Melampitta lugubris : one or 2 on 3 days below Tari Gap, with one watched attacking a giant (15”) worm for 10 minutes (RF, NP).
Greater Melampitta Melampitta gigantean : one seen on 2 days at Ok Ma Road.
Loria's Bird of Paradise Cnemophilus loriae : 4 feeding on berries on Benson’s Trail on 30th.
Crested Bird of Paradise Cnemophilus macgregorii : one on Benson’s Trail on 30th and 2 on 31st.
Glossy-mantled Manucode Manucodia atra : one at Varirata and up to 6 along the Elevala River.
Crinkle-collared Manucode Manucodia chalybata : singles at Keki on 2 days and at Ok Ma Road, and 2 at Dablin Creek.
Trumpet Manucode Manucodia keraudrenii : 2 at Km17, along Boystown road, Kiunga and others along the Elevala River.
Short-tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda : one or 2 in a garden near the entrance to Ambua Lodge.
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia Astrapia mayeri : up to 8 birds were seen on 4 days, including several adult males, between the bailey bridge and Tari Gap.
Princess Stephanie's Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae : 5 on 29th and 2 on 30th in the Ambua/Warili Lodge area.
Carola's Parotia Parotia carolae : 2 feeding in a fruiting tree at Dablin creek, Tabubil on 8th and 1 on 10th.
Lawes' Parotia Parotia lawesii : 5 males and 5 female-types below Warili Lodge on 28th and 1 on 2nd Aug.
King of Saxony Bird of Paradise Pteridophora alberti : up to 4 males were seen displaying in the treetops below Tari Gap, with up to 3 females also seen; one male on 29th was displaying inside the forest barely above head height.
Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus : up to 3 daily at Ok Ma Road and heard in the Kiunga area.
Eastern Riflebird Ptiloris intercedens : Heard much more often than seen at Varirata National Park but a male was seen displaying below Gare's Lookout Trail, perched in a low dead tree, and another seen in the same valley.
Superb Bird of Paradise Lophorina superba : up to 3 in the Tari valley and up to 4 at Dablin creek, Tabubil.
Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastuosus : 3 on 28th and 1 on 2nd in gardens below Warili lodge.
Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri : 2 or 3 below Tari Gap on 3 days.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus : one or 2 female types were seen in fruiting trees at Keki daily and Dablin creek, Tabubil on 8th.
King Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus regius : a male and female near Ekame Lodge along the Elevala River.
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise Seleucidis melanoleuca: views of a displaying male were obtained along the Elevala River on 13th and 3 birds seen on 12th.
Greater Bird of Paradise Paradisaea apoda : 12 at the lek site at Km17 near Kiunga, where the combination of displaying Greater, Raggiana and hybrids produced a great spectacle both early morning and evening; a few singles were also seen around Tabubil and along the Boystown road, Kiunga.
Raggiana Bird of Paradise Paradisaea raggiana : 8 at the lek site near Varirata Lookout and a few others in Varirata National Park; 4 males at the display site at Km17 with 1 or 2 around Tabubil and Kiunga, and one in the Tari valley.
Lesser Bird of Paradise Paradisaea : up to 20 daily at Keki Lodge – noisy but difficult to see lekking.
Blue Bird of Paradise Paradisaea rudolphi : 4 incl 2 males gave excellent views below Warili Lodge on 28th, while a male gave a stunning fly-past on 2 Aug, the perfect end to a near perfect time at Tari.
White-eared Catbird Ailurodeus buccoides : 1 or 2 at Keki on 2 days, 1 seen unusually well feeding on fruit at Ok Ma Road, and 1 or 2 at Boystown Road – an unprecedented showing for this elusive species.
Spotted Catbird Ailurodeus melanotis : at least 2 heard calling near Ekame Lodge and seen very briefly.
Sanford's Bowerbird Archboldia sanfordi : 3 at Tari Gap on 31st.
Macgregor's Bowerbird Amblyornis macgregoriae : one on Benson’s Trail on 30th and 3 on 1st Aug; 1 at Dablin Creek on 7th.
Flame Bowerbird Sericulus aureus : 5 at Boystown Road and 1 along the Elevala River.
Fire-maned Bowerbird Sericulus bakeri : 2 – 4 daily at Keki Lodge including at least 1 full adult male.
Fawn-breasted Bowerbird Chlamydera cerviniventris : a few on the way to Varirata and at the PAU.
Grey Crow Corvus tristis : a few daily at Varirata National Park and fairly common at Keki and in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Singing Starling Aplonis cantoroides : 2 at the Pacific Adventist University.
Yellow-eyed Starling Aplonis mystacea : 2 in a flock of Metallic Starlings A. metallica along the Elevala River on 11th.
Yellow-faced Myna Mino dumonti : fairly common in all the lowland and hill locations visited.
Golden Myna Mino anais : 10 at Keki, 2 at Ok Ma Road and Boystown Road, and 6 along the Elevala River.
Blue-faced Parrot-Finch Erythrura trichroa : at least 6 near Ambua lodge on 29th.
Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus : one or 2 on 4 days below Tari Gap.
White-spotted Munia Lonchura leucosticta : 2 at Kiunga airport on 14th.
Grand Munia Lonchura grandis : 2 near Kokoda Monument with Grey-headed Munias.
Hooded Munia (Mannikin) Lonchura spectabilis : after 1 near Warili Lodge, a large flock was seen in the Tari Valley.
Grey-headed Munia (Mannikin) Lonchura caniceps : at least 50 in the grasslands near Kokoda Monument.
Chestnut-breasted Munia (Mannikin) Lonchura castaneothorax : 20 near Madang on 3rd and 6 on 6th.