Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Starry Owlet-Nightjar |
 Madarasz's Tiger-Parrot |
 Short-tailed Paradigalla |
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 Buff-tailed Sicklebill |
 White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo |
 King-of -Saxony Bird of Paradise |
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I organised and led my 13th tour to PNG, this time with seven Americans and one Brit. The tour went very well and we accumulated an impressive list The main highlight was the fine selection of birds-of-paradise, some in full display, including Brown, Black and Buff-tailed Sicklebills, King, Blue, King-of-Saxony and 12-wired BoPs, and Stephanie’s and Ribbon-tailed Astrapias. Add to that New Guinea Flightless Rail, Starry Owlet-Nightjar, 12 species of kingfisher and good selection of raptors including New Guinea Eagle, and other spectacular birds like Southern Crowned-Pigeon and Crested Satinbird, and you can see that this tour was a great success.
ITINERARY
Aug 6 PD, H & MB and JH to Varirata NP am, all to Pacific Adventist University grounds pm. Overnight Granville Motel (2 nights)
Sa Aug 7 Varirata National Park.
Su Aug 8 fly to Tari, transfer to Warili Lodge, birding below Tari Gap. 6 nights at Warili Lodge.
Mon Aug 9 - Fr 13 birding Tari Valley to Tari Gap.
Sa Aug 14 Transfer by road to Kumul Lodge, near Mt Hagen (3 nights)
Su-Mon Aug 15-16 birding around Kumul.
Tu Aug 17 birding around Kumul am, fly Mt Hagen to Tabubil pm, transfer to Cloudlands Hotel (2 nights).
Wed Aug 18 Ok Menga am, Dablin Creek pm.
Th Aug 19 Dablin Creek am, transfer by road to Kiunga, birding en route, with airport grassland search late pm. Overnight Kiunga Guest House.
Fri Aug 20 Early morning travel by boat up the Fly and Elevala Rivers to Ekame Lodge (3 nights) then local birding.
Sat-Sun Aug 21-22 Ekame and Elevala River area.
Mon Aug 23 Morning birding along Elevala River, then Fly River to Kiunga at noon. 3.00-6.15 pm Km 17. Overnight Kiunga Guest House.
Tu Aug 24 Boystown Road till 10, then airport birding. Fly Kiunga to Port Moresby 3.15-5 pm. Transfer to Granville Motel.
Wed Aug 25 Varirata NP am.
TOUR LOG
Three of the group arrived before the others and we visited Varirata National Park where the Picnic area and Circuit Trail were rewarding. Good birds included Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Black-billed Brush-Turkey, Dwarf Whistler, Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler, Yellow-breasted Boatbill and Spot-winged Monarch. A walk down the approach road gave Pheasant Coucal, Leaden and Lemon-bellied Flycatchers, Black Myzomela and White-throated Honeyeater. The next morning we did Gare’s Lookout Trail and saw Olive Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike and Rusty Pitohui. Then we returned to Port Moresby where I collected the others at the airport. We all went to Pacific Adventist’s University (PAU) in the afternoon and saw a good selection of lowland birds including Spotted Whistling-Duck, Pied Heron, Torresian Imperial-Pigeon, Figbird, Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove and Black-backed Butcherbird. Daniel Wakra, a good local guide, came to our hotel at my request and agreed to come with us in the morning.
The next day we went to Varirata National Park without Daniel as he failed to come to the hotel. We proceeded straight to the Raggiana BoP lek and who should we find but Daniel with 2 clients, claiming that he had not received the money I had sent him as advanced payment for his guiding. We watched a few magnificent Raggiana males displaying then went to a site where a roosting Barred Owlet-Nightjar poked its head out of a broken tree. Next stop was the Boundary Trail to look for the rare Doria’s Hawk that had nested in previous years. No luck but there were plenty of other birds including Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Fantail, Spot-winged and Frilled Monarchs, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Black Berrypecker, White-faced Robin hanging from tree trunks, Dwarf Whistler, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Mountain Drongo and Scrub Honeyeater. We walked to the picnic area for lunch then did the Circuit Trail - very quiet apart from Hooded Cuckoo-shrike and lekking Raggianas near the delapidated tree-house. We had to leave early to buy medicine for Ildiko who was feeling ill but fortunately had largely recovered by the next day.
The next morning saw us on the flight to Tari where we were welcomed by a goodly number of colourful Huli’s, and eventually by Steven Wari, the owner of Warili Lodge. We transferred to the Lodge in a bus on the newly surfaced wide road, then had an early lunch. A pair of Long-tailed Buzzards soared overhead. We drove upwards to the Bailey Bridge area and soon saw a calling male King-of-Saxony BoP. It started raining so we continued up to Tari Gap and then worked our way slowly back. Birding was quiet because of the rain but we did see both Ribbon-tailed and Stephanie’s Astrapias and Blue-capped Ifrita, Brown-backed Whistler and Canary Flycatcher. The evening meal of soup, chicken and banana fritters was most enjoyable.
After an early breakfast we drove back up the hill, passing 2 Archbold’s Nightjars on the roadside, up to beyond Tari Gap to look for New Guinea Eagle and Meyer’s Goshawk, but only saw Crested and Tit Berrypeckers, Black-throated Honeyeater, Red-collared Myzomela and Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. As the vehicle had gone to the airport to collect more clients, we walked most of the way down to Ambua Lodge, seeing Black-mantled Goshawk, Sanford’s Bowerbird, Hooded Cuckoo-shrike , Fan-tailed Berrypecker and Dimorphic Fantail, with a pair of Modest or Painted Tiger-Parrots in flight for Bill. After lunch and a wait for the rain to abate, we drove down to the Tari Valley and after walking through agricultural gardens, found a roosting Sooty Owl. Unfortunately, it was chased off from its perch by a Yellow-browed Melidectes. We also saw a displaying Superb BoP and a Black-headed Whistler. After a long bartering session with local traders we returned to Warili Lodge for the evening.
During the next 4 days we birded the trails and roadside from below the lodge up to Tari Gap. Highlights included Papuan Harrier, Weiskei’s Eagle, Plum-faced and Papuan Lorikeets, Black-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Garnet and White-winged Robins, Mountain Mouse-Warbler, Black Fantail, Black-breasted Boatbill, Sclater’s Whistler, Lesser Melampitta, Gray Gerygone at Warili, Papuan Frogmouth in the Tari Valley, a rare Yellow-streaked Honeyeater for Bill and Ildiko, and best of all a male Wattled Ploughbill and a hunting New Guinea Eagle on the Waterfall Trail. We visited Ambua lodge, with permission, and watched activity at the fruiting trees. There was a fine selection of BoPs including Blue, Superb, Loria’s, Stephanie’s Astrapia, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Lawes’ Parotia, Black Sicklebill and a rare Buff-tailed Sicklebill, plus a big flock of Tit Berrypeckers and smaller numbers of Yellow-billed Lorikeets and Great Wood-Swallows. We also spent a morning at the gardens and forested valley below the lodge. A pair of Papuan Treecreeper gave good views, 4 Black Sicklebills showed and called, a Madarasz’s Tiger-Parrot fed quietly for ages, while White-breasted and Ornate Fruit-Doves were seen briefly by some. An attempt to see a displaying male Blue BoP was foiled by rain.
Then came the travel day overland to Kumul Lodge near Mt Hagen in a 25-seater bus. We left Warili Lodge at 4.45 and reached Mount Hagen at 12.30. We drove to the Show Ground and visited the last day of the Mount Hagen sing-sing show for some 2 hours. This was a very colourful event with lots of teams in traditional dress from all over the western highlands and hundreds of spectators. After taking many photos and buying lots of momentos, we departed for Kumul, arriving at 4.10 pm. Our bags were quickly off-loaded and the Tari bus left. It was only then that we discovered 3 pairs of boots were still on the bus, undoubtedly stolen by the 2 man bus crew, even though they had been given generous tips. When I was eventually able to contact Steven Wari and he then saw the 2 guys - the junior was called Michael - they denied having seen the boots on board. This loss was a nuisance to say the least but we were able to buy rubber boots later. We checked in at the lodge and were soon eagerly scanning the giant feeder-table. Brehm’s Tiger-Parrot, Brown Sicklebill, Island Thrush, Belford’s Melidectes and Sanford’s Bowerbird gave a good showing.
After a 4 am breakfast, we headed for the much lower village of Kama. The road was so bad in places that it took till after 6 to reach the Lesser BoP lek site. Here we had good views of a splendid male Lesser BoP displaying and 2 more males and females feeding. The colourful Ornate Melidectes was also present along with Brush Cuckoo and Mountain Myzomela. On the journey back to Kumul Lodge we stopped for Marbled and Mountain Honeyeaters, Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, New Guinea White-eye, Torrent Flycatcher and Hooded Munia. We also saw 2 rare Streaked Berrypeckers and had two sightings of a vagrant Great Cormorant. In the afternoon a walk on the trails gave a gaudy male Crested Satinbird feeding in a fruiting tree, but its nest, which had been occupied, was empty. Bill had stayed at the lodge to look for raptors and had good views of both sexes of Chestnut Forest-Rail at the feeder-table. Once again we were unable to try for Mountain Owlet-Nightjar at night because of rain.
The next morning we visited Pigites, a little way below Kumul, with guide Max. The trails were rather frustrating as we heard plenty but saw little. A spotty female King of Saxony BoP caused some discussion but we only heard Forbes’ Rail, Northern Scrub-Robin, Mottled Whistler and only Ildiko saw the calling Lesser Ground-Robin. Back at the lodge, Crested Satinbird was again admired at the fruiting tree, with Papuan Lorikeets, while Lesser Melampitta and Sooty Melidectes were seen by some. Mountain Firetails and Rusty-naped Whistlers were feeding on the ground, White-winged Robins and Ribbon-tailed Astrapias were at the feeding-table, and a flock of Goldie’s Lorikeets flew over. As the lodge was full, a special moumou dinner was served, with a wide variety of meat and vegetables cooked by steam and hot rocks in an underground oven.
At 5am the next morning Mountain Owlet-Nightjar and Papuan Boobook called nearby but did not show. Both sexes of Chestnut Forest-Rail attended the feeder-table after a long wait. After an early lunch we left Kumul for Mount Hagen where we variously bought rubber boots or emailed before going to the airport. Mike discovered his expensive flash-light had been stolen while his bag was in the Kumul car park. We took off on time and reached a rainy Tabubil, via Kiunga, at 4.30. Here we were met by Kwiwan who was to be our guide for the next week, and transferred to Cloudlands Hotel. The next morning we left early to be at the Ok Menga tunnel at dawn to look for Shovel-billed Kingfisher. One called and flew in but remained invisible. After flying off it returned lower down but could not be located other than as a brief movement. Continuing to the dam, we did not see Salvadori's Teal at first but then a male was spotted in the river, close to a large rock, and shortly afterwards we completed the double by seeing a pair of Torrent-lark. Working our way slowly back to the main road, we saw Variable Goshawk, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Pesquet’s Parrot, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo and Greater BoP, with Little Ringed Plover and White-bellied Thicket-fantail at Km 120. After chips with meat pie or fish in town, we rested at Cloudlands untill 3 when we drove to Dablin Creek for the rest of the day. Birding was slow but Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot, Weiskie’s Eagle and Mountain Peltops were seen, along with a Flowerpecker swallowing a large berry with difficulty, a male Magnificent BoP for Halle and Phil, and a White-rumped Robin for Ildiko.
The following morning we drove back to Dablin Creek on another sunny day, a pleasant surprise, and after a quiet start, had a good morning. We all saw a fine pair of Magnificent BoP, a pair of Long-tailed Buzzard, Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot, high-flying Blue-collared Parrots, White-eared Cuckoo feeding a juv, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Stout-billed, Golden and Black-shouldered Cuckoo-shrikes, Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, White-rumped Robin, Spot-breasted, Scrub and Long-billed Honeyeaters, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Obscure Berrypecker, Black Monarch and Wallace’s Fairy-Wren. Carola’s Parotia was only heard calling, regrettably. After checking out of Cloudlands we drove to Kiunga, with a few short stops. We checked in at Kiunga Guest House then went to the airport to check the grassland for Red-backed Button-quail, two of which were seen in flight. The evening was spent preparing for our 4 day adventure up the Fly and Elevala Rivers.
We set off at 7.30, delayed by the late arrival of some essentials, in light rain that soon cleared. Birding was good when we turned off the Fly onto the Elevala River. White-crowned Koel and Long-billed Cuckoo, both rarely seen, were in the same tree, Greater Black Coucal, Black-capped Lory, Dwarf Fruit-Dove, Pinon, Collared and Zoe Imperial-Pigeons, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot were among the birds seen. We were to stay at the old Ekame Lodge as there had been a lot of groups through the new Kwatu Lodge so some of the birds were likely to be “taped out”. As we didn’t have the key to Ekame, we stopped at Kwatu and had our sandwich lunch there. A walk in the forest gave Hooded, Frilled and Golden Monarchs. Then we boated along a shallow tributary to a sago swamp where a blind had been erected to enable observation of New Guinea Flightless Rail. It was not long before we saw one of these huge rails actively feeding, an experience available to birders this year for the first time. We spent the last 2 hours of daylight floating down the Kegu and Elevala rivers – a pleasant way to view a few good birds such as Lowland Peltops, Black Cuckoo-shrike and Cicadabird. After a basic meal at Ekame, we went night-birding, hearing lots but only seeing one Marbled Frogmouth. I was woken at 2.30 am by the loud calls of both Starry Owlet-Nightjar and Papuan Boobook. I gave my flash-light to Kwiwan who soon found the Starry perched at the forest edge close to the lodge! It stayed there for at least 10 mins, giving most of the group excellent views of a bird that few have ever seen. We heard Wallace’s Owlet-Nightjar and Papuan Hawk-Owl calling too but they did not appear. After breakfast we spent the morning on nearby trails. It was slow but we saw Beautiful Fruit-Dove, Little Kingfisher, Red-bellied Pitta, Blue Jewel-Babbler, New Guinea Babbler, Rufous-backed Fantail and Yellow-bellied Longbill, with Black-sided Robin for some. After lunch we went to the flooded forest to look for Paradise-Kingfishers and saw Common but not Little. The final hour was spent on the river where we saw the two giants of their type: Palm Cockatoo and the magnificent Southern Crowned-Pigeon, along with the rare Yellow-eyed Starling. We just made it back to the lodge when a thunder storm broke, the start of heavy rain for most of the night.
In the next two days we birded along the Elevala River and its tributaries, some of the time from the boat, other times inside the forest. We accumulated a good list of fine birds, starting with Twelve-wired BoP perched on display poles, Large Fig-Parrot, Papuan Needletail, Little Paradise-Kingfisher, Blyth’s Hornbill, White-bellied Pitohui, Golden Myna, Glossy-mantled Manucode, the jewel-like King BoP, and eventually Hook-billed Kingfisher and Black-sided Robin. Night birding was foiled by the rain. We also saw two snakes, the first being a well-camouflaged, deadly Death Adder! On our last day we departed early for Kwiwan’s village, a good site for Flame Bowerbird. As we were not allowed to birdwatch in the village because of a dispute about land rights, we had to stay in the boat and observe whatever flew by. No luck with the Bowerbird, but we did see Trumpet Manucode at last. We continued towards Kiunga, seeing Great-billed Heron, Channel-billed Cuckoos in flight, along with a few pigeons and doves, and a stop on land gave prolonged views of a male King BoP. We reached Kiunga in time for lunch, very satisfied with the wide variety of birds seen up river. In the afternoon we drove back on the road to Km 17. Here we watched displaying Greater and Raggiana BoPs and saw a few birds such as Streak-headed Honeyeater, Lowland Peltops and a rarely seen Cinnamon Ground-Dove for Mike. Returning to the hotel, cold beer and a good dinner were very welcome! The “new” practice of washing with alcohol parts of the body susceptible to ticks at the end of a day in the field had worked remarkably well, with everyone almost tick-free, for a change.
The final morning saw us on the Boystown Road. There was plenty of activity at Manucode mound until 9 am, especially at a fruiting tree where we saw Yellow-streaked Lory, Black Myzomela and Plain Honeyeater. A Gray-headed Goshawk perched up, a White-eared Catbird flew closely by, and a male Flame Bowerbird flew across in the distance but was only seen by PK. A pair of Emperor Fairy-Wrens were a little more obliging and a small party of White-spotted Munia fed on grass seeds. A local hunter with dogs came by with a captive Echidna destined for the pot. We returned to town via the airport where we looked for raptors without success. Lunch was taken at a local “restaurant” for a change and after relaxing at the guest-house, we took the afternoon flight to Port Moresby, arriving on time at 5 pm.
As Daniel Wakra was too ill to guide the group, the next morning was the last group birding of the tour and saw returning to Varirata NP. We had the unusual sight of 4 Forest Kingfishers on wires at the power plant pool on the way. Still no luck with Doria’s Hawk or Gurney’s Eagle but Northern Scrub-Robin was seen at last, although only by Linda and me. A calling Pheasant Pigeon was elusive but we did have good views of Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike and Rusty Mouse-Warbler on the Circuit Trail, and Barred Owlet-Nightjar, Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove and Boyer’s Cuckoo-shrike near the picnic area. Pheasant Coucal, White-throated Gerygone and Chestnut-breasted Munia were found on the approach road as we left the park. After returning to the Granville Motel, group members staying another day decided to shop rather than return to Varirata with a local guide, while some of us departed for other countries. So ended a remarkable tour with a host of great birds and many sights to remember. The only glitches were the problems with local guide Daniel Wakra and the theft of our boots by the Tari bus crew and Mike’s quality flashlight by someone at Kumul Lodge.
Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) and Dwarf Cassowary (Casuarius bennetti): single young habituated birds were present at Kwatu Lodge.
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae): a few at Pacific Adventist’s University (PAU).
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo): one flew over the Yellow-breasted Bowerbird site below Kumul and 1 was on the river some 10km away a little later, possibly the same bird. A vagrant according to Beehler et al.
Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris): common at PAU and 1 flew over Kiunga airport runway.
Little Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos): small numbers at PAU and 20 on the Elevala River .
(Australasian) Darter (Anhinga melanogaster novaehollandiae): one on the Elevala River
Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana): one on the Elevala River on two dates.
Great Egret (Ardea alba): singles along the Elevala River.
Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia): a few at PAU and on the Fly and Elevala Rivers.
Pied Heron (Egretta picata): a few at PAU.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis): several around Port Moresby and Kiunga.
Striated Heron (Butorides striata): 2 near to Ekame Lodge.
Australian Ibis (Threskiornis molucca): 2 at PAU.
Spotted Whistling-Duck: 10 at PAU.
Salvadori's Teal (Salvadorina waigiuensis): a male loafing near the dam at Ok Menga.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa): common at PAU.
Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata): one or 2 most days in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Long-tailed Honey-Buzzard (Henicopernis longicauda): 2 at Tari on 8th, 1 en route to Kumul, 1 at Kumul for Bill, and 1 or 2 most days in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus): 2 singles in the Kiunga area.
Black Kite (Milvus migrans): fairly common in the Mount Hagen/ Kumul Lodge area and 1 at PAU.
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus): up to 6 from PAU to Varirata and singles near Mt Hagen and Kiunga.
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur Indus): singles throughout the tour.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster): one on the Fly River.
Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax): singles in the Tari Valley, including 1 flying over Warili Lodge and another at Mount Hagen airport for Bill. A split from Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus).
Variable Goshawk (Accipiter hiogaster): only 2 singles, en route to Mt Hagen and at Tabubil.
Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus): one in the Tari Valley.
Black-mantled Goshawk (Accipiter melanochlamys): singles below Tari Gap, and at Kumul for Bill.
Gray-headed Goshawk (Accipiter poliocephalus): one on Boystown Road, and at Tabubil for Bill.
New Guinea Eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae): one on the Waterfall Trail opposite Ambua for all except Bill on 10th so Bill went there the next morning and had good views of it hunting.
Weiskei’s Eagle (Aquila weiskei): singles at Warili Lodge, Kumul for Bill and twice at Dablin Creek. A split from Little Eagle (Aquila morphnoides), making it a New Guinea endemic.
Oriental Hobby (Falco severus): one at Kumul for Bill.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus): one at Varirata.
Black-billed Brush-Turkey (Talegalla fuscirostris): one seen briefly at Varirata, often heard in the Elevala River area.
Chestnut Forest-Rail (Rallina rubra): a male and a female were at the feeder at Kumul Lodge.
Forbes' Rail (Rallina forbesi): 3 heard at Pigites below Kumul.
Red-necked Crake (Rallina tricolor): heard near Ok Menga, Tabubil.
Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis): one seen briefly at Tari.
Red-backed Buttonquail (Turnix maculosa): 2 flushed from the grassland at Kiunga airport.
New Guinea Flightless Rail (Megacrex inepta): one feeding in a sago swamp near the Kegu River, one of the trip highlights.
Black-backed (Purple) Swamphen (Porphyrio (porphyrio) melanotus): common at PAU.
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa): a few at PAU.
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea): 2 at PAU.
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles): several at PAU and 1 at Moresby airport.
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius): a pair at Km120 near Tabubil.
New Guinea (Dusky) Woodcock (Scolopax (saturatus) rosenbergii): one flushed at Kumul Lodge.
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos): 2 singles on the Elevala River.
Slender-billed/Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia amboinensis): small numbers throughout.
Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia nigrirostris): only 2 identified for sure in fruiting trees below Warili Lodge.
Great Cuckoo-Dove (Reinwardtoena reinwardtii): singles along the Elevala River, at Km 17 and at Boystown Road.
Stephan’s Dove (Chalcophaps stephani): one in flight near Ekame Lodge.
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida): a few at PAU.
Cinnamon Ground-Dove (Gallicolumba rufigula): one flushed at Km 17 but was only seen by Mike.
Pheasant Pigeon (Otidiphaps nobilis): heard at Varirata.
Southern Crowned-Pigeon (Goura scheepmakeri): 3 perched by the Elevala River on 3 occasions.
Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus): one at Varirata and 2 by the Elevala River.
Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus perlatus): fairly common at Varirata, 1 by the Elevala River and 2 at Boystown Road.
Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus aurantiifrons): one at PAU in a fruiting tree.
Ornate Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus ornatus): 2 singles at Dablin Creek and 1 at Varirata.
Beautiful Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus pulchellus): one at Dablin Creek and 2 near Ekame Lodge.
White-breasted Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus rivoli): singles below Warili Lodge, and at Kumul for Linda.
Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus iozonus): one at Varirata and a few in the Kiunga area.
Dwarf Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus nanus): a few seen along the Elevala River with 6 on 22nd.
Pinon Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula pinon): a few in the Kiunga area.
Collared Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula mullerii): common along the Fly and Elevala Rivers.
Zoe Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula zoeae): one along the Elevala River and a few at Boystown Road.
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa): 6 at PAU on 6th.
Papuan Mountain-Pigeon (Gymnophaps albertisii): fairly common at Tari and along the Elevala River, with a small flock over PAU.
Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus): a few daily along the Elevala River.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita): a few daily along the Elevala River and 1 heard at Varirata.
Yellow-/Greater Streaked Lory (Chalcopsitta sintillata): a few on the way to and from Ekame Lodge and 10+ at Boystown Road.
Dusky Lory (Pseudeos fuscata): a few at Dablin Creek and along the Elevala River.
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus): fairly common at PAU and Varirata with a few at Tabubil and Boystown Road.
Goldie's Lorikeet (Psitteuteles goldiei): a single flock at Kumul lodge on Aug 17.
Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory): 2 at PAU on 15th and singles in the Kiunga area.
Red-flanked Lorikeet (Charmosyna placentis): at least 10 at Ok Menga on 18th and 2 at Boystown Road.
Papuan Lorikeet (Charmosyna papou): fairly common at Tari and Kumul.
Plum-faced Lorikeet (Oreopsittacus arfaki): a few around Tari Gap on 3 days.
Orange-billed Lorikeet (Neopsittacus pullicauda): a few at Tari Gap.
Yellow-billed Lorikeet (Neopsittacus musschenbroekii): a few at Tari.
Pesquet's Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus): one at Ok Menga on 18th and heard in the Ekame Lodge area.
Yellow-capped Pygmy-Parrot (Micropsitta keiensis): a few shot quickly over Boystown Road.
Buff-faced Pygmy-Parrot (Micropsitta pusio): heard at Varirata.
Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii): at least 3 at Dablin Creek and 10 at Boystown Road.
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma): fairly common over the Elevala River and a few at Boystown Road.
Large Fig-Parrot (Psittaculirostris desmarestii): a few along the Elevala River on 4 days
Modest or Painted Tiger-Parrot (Psittacella modesta or picta): 2 at Tari Gap for Bill on 9th.
Brehm's Tiger-Parrot (Psittacella brehmii): 4-6 almost permanently around the feeder-table at Kumul Lodge.
Madarasz’s Tiger-Parrot (Psittacella madaraszi): one in the Tari Valley on 12th.
Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyus geoffroyi): several at Varirata and in the Kiunga area.
Blue-collared Parrot (Geoffroyus simplex): a few high over Dablin Creek
Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus): common in the Kiunga area and 2 singles at Varirata.
Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus): often heard at Tabubil and in the Kiunga area but only seen at Dablin Creek.
Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis castaneiventris): singles at Varirata for Phil and PK, and at Dablin Creek; often heard unseen at Tari.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis): one at Dablin Creek.
Rufous-throated Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx ruficollis): one at Tari on 10th.
White-eared Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx meyeri): an adult feeding a juv at Dablin Creek.
Long-billed Cuckoo (Rhamphomantis megarhynchus): one seen along the Elevala River on 20th.
Australian Koel (Eudynamys cyanocephalus): 2 seen along the Elevala River on 20th and 22nd.
White-crowned Koel (Caliechthrus leucolophus): singles seen along the Elevala River, and at Tari by Ildiko, and heard at Varirata, Tari and Dablin Creek.
Dwarf Koel (Microdynamis parva): heard at Ekame Lodge.
Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae): 6 along the Elevala River on 20th and 2 on 25th.
Greater Black Coucal (Centropus menbeki): one seen seen by the Elevala River on 20th.
Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus): 3 on the Varirata approach road on 25th.
Lesser Black Coucal (Centropus bernsteini): heard at Dablin Creek and Km 17.
Greater Sooty-Owl (Tyto tenebricosa): one roosting in a protected tree in a Tari Valley garden.
Papuan Hawk-Owl (Uroglaux dimorpha): heard in the forest on the opposite bank to Ekame Lodge – still to be seen by any birders in these parts.
Papuan Boobook (Ninox theomacha): heard at Warili, Kumul and Ekame Lodges at night.
Starry Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles tatei): one seen well in the grounds of Ekame Lodge on 21st , our only dry night.
Mountain Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles albertisi): heard at Kumul Lodge.
Barred Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles bennettii): 2 at day-roosts at Varirata.
Wallace’s Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles wallacii): heard at Ekame Lodge.
Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus): one spot-lit at Ekame Lodge.
Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis): one roosting in the Tari Valley.
Archbold's/ Mountain Nightjar (Eurostopodus archboldi): 2 on the road near the Bailey Bridge, Tari and 2 at the upper quarry.
Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta): common at Tari and Kumul, with a few at Varirata and Dablin Creek.
Mountain Swiftlet (Aerodramus hirundinaceus): several at Tari Gap and Kumul.
Uniform Swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis): common in the Kiunga/Tabubil area with a few at Varirata.
Papuan Needletail (Mearnsia novaeguineae): up to 20 daily in the Kiunga area.
Moustached Treeswift (Hemiprocne mystacea): a few singles in the Tabubil and Kiunga areas.
Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea): singles at Varirata and on the Elevala River.
Little Kingfisher (Alcedo pusilla): one on the Elevala River.
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis): one at PAU.
Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii): singles at PAU and on the Varirata approach road.
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud): heard at Varirata and 1 or 2 daily in the Ekame Lodge area.
Shovel-billed Kookaburra (Clytoceyx rex): up to 5 calling at dawn near the quarries at Tari and 2 heard at the Ok Menga tunnel with an untickable view of one flushed.
Forest Kingfisher (Todirhamphus macleayii): 4 at the power plant reservoir below Varirata.
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus): 2 at PAU and daily along the Elevala River.
Hook-billed Kingfisher (Melidora macrorrhina): commonly heard around Kiunga but only one seen near Ekame Lodge after considerable effort by Kwiwan.
Yellow-billed Kingfisher (Syma torotoro): one or 2 singles at Varirata with a few heard in the Kiunga area.
Mountain Kingfisher (Syma megarhyncha): sadly, only heard at 2 sites below Warili Lodge.
Little Paradise-Kingfisher (Tanysiptera hydrocharis): one seen near Ekame Lodge after some effort.
Common Paradise-Kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea): one near Ekame Lodge and a few heard along the Elevala River.
Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher (Tanysiptera danae): singles seen twice at Varirata with others heard.
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus): a few at PAU, Varirata, Kama below Kumul and along the Elevala River, with at least 20 at Kiunga airport.
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis): a few at Varirata and fairly common along the Elevala River.
Blyth's Hornbill (Aceros plicatus): fairly common around Kiunga.
Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida): several heard near Ekame Lodge.
Red-bellied Pitta (Pitta erythrogaster): 2 singles near Ekame Lodge and others heard.
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica): common in the lowlands up to 1600m.
Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina caeruleogrisea): singles near Ok Menga, at Dablin Creek and at Varirata on 25th.
Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina lineata): 6 at Varirata on 6th.
Boyer's Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina boyeri): a few at Varirata daily and in the Kiunga area.
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina papuensis): 1 or 2 below Varirata and at PAU.
Hooded Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina longicauda): up to 5 on 4 days at Tari.
Cicadabird (Coracina tenuirostris): 2 along the Elevala River.
Gray-headed Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina schisticeps): 2 at Km 17 and 4 at Boystown Road.
New Guinea (Black) Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina melas): one along the Elevala River.
Black-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina montana): 5 at the Bailey Bridge and heard elsewhere at Tari; at least 1 near Kumul.
Black-shouldered (Papuan) Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina morio): one at Dablin Creek.
Golden Cuckoo-shrike (Campochaera sloetii): 3 at Dablin Creek and heard a few times near Ekame Lodge.
Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela): 2 at Varirata on 2 days and 1 near Ekame Lodge.
Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus): up to 5 at Tari Gap and several at Kumul Lodge.
Island Leaf-Warbler (Phylloscopus poliocephalus): a few at Tari and heard below Kumul.
Papuan (Tawny) Grassbird (Megalurus (timoriensis) macrurus: a few daily at Tari Gap.
Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata): one or 2 daily at Tari and near Kumul and Tabubil.
Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris): singles at Dablin Creek on both days.
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys): common throughout.
Friendly Fantail (Rhipidura albolimbata): common at Tari and Kumul with a few at Tabubil.
Chestnut-bellied Fantail (Rhipidura hyperythra): a few at Varirata.
White-bellied Thicket-Fantail (Rhipidura leucothorax): this skulker was seen at Km 120 near Tabubil, heard at Dablin Creek and 2 were seen near Ekame Lodge.
Black Fantail (Rhipidura atra): up to 4 on 3 days at Tari and 2 singles at Dablin Creek.
Dimorphic Fantail (Rhipidura brachyrhyncha): up to 3 at Tari.
Rufous-backed Fantail (Rhipidura rufidorsa): 2 singles near Ekame Lodge.
Black Monarch (Monarcha axillaries): only 1 at Dablin Creek.
Spot-winged Monarch (Monarcha guttulus): 2 singles at Varirata with others at Dablin Creek for Ildiko and near Ekame Lodge.
Hooded Monarch (Monarcha manadensis): one near Ekame Lodge on 20th.
Golden Monarch (Monarcha chrysomela): only 1 near Ekame Lodge on 20th.
Frilled Monarch (Arses telescophthalmus): 2 daily at Varirata but only 1 seen in the Kiunga area.
Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula): 2 below Varirata on 5th.
Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto): a common river edge bird on the Elevala.
Black-breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus nigripectus): singles most days at Tari and Kumul.
Yellow-breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer): one or 2 daily at Varirata.
Lesser Ground-Robin (Amalocichla incerta): heard at Pigites below Kumul but only seen by Ildiko and JH.
Torrent Flycatcher (Monachella muelleriana): a few below Kumul and at Ok Menga.
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster): 2 at Varirata on 5th and Dablin Creek.
Olive Flycatcher (Microeca flavovirescens): 2 at Varirata on 6th.
Canary Flycatcher (Microeca papuana): singles on 2 days at Tari and Kumul.
Garnet Robin (Eugerygone rubra): a pair at Tari Gap on 10th.
White-faced Robin (Tregellasia leucops): a pair at Varirata.
Black-sided Robin (Poecilodryas hypoleuca): surprisingly difficult for all to see this year but eventually 1 was observed near Ekame Lodge on 22nd, after 1 on 21st was seen by only a few.
White-winged Robin (Peneothello sigillata): one at Tari Gap and fairly common at Kumul Lodge.
White-rumped Robin (Peneothello bimaculata): one at Dablin Creek for Ildiko on 18th with 2 there on 19th.
Blue-gray Robin (Peneothello cyanus): one or 2 most days at Tari and heard at Pigites, below Kumul.
Ashy Robin (Heteromyias albispecularis): several heard at Tari and at Pigites.
Northern Scrub-Robin (Drymodes superciliaris): heard several times at Varirata but only seen by Linda and JH on 25th.
Dwarf Whistler (Pachycare flavogriseum): only 1 seen at Varirata.
Mottled Whistler (Rhagologus leucostigma): heard at Pigites.
Rufous-naped Whistler (Aleadryas rufinucha): one or 2 daily at Kumul Lodge and singles seen at Mount Hagen and Tari with others heard.
Brown-backed Whistler (Pachycephala modesta): 2 most days at Tari and 1 at Kumul.
Gray-headed Whistler (Pachycephala griseiceps): only 1 at Varirata.
Sclater's Whistler (Pachycephala soror): 3 at Tari on 12th.
Regent Whistler (Pachycephala schlegelii): an adult and an imm. at Kumul on 15th and 3 on 16th.
Black-headed Whistler (Pachycephala monacha): 2 in the Tari Valley, and singles below Kumul, at Mount Hagen airport and at Dablin Creek.
Rufous/Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha): the only one identified was at Varirata with others heard.
Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous): a few at Varirata daily.
White-bellied Pitohui (Pitohui incertus): commonly heard along the Elevala River with 2 or 3 parties seen.
Rusty Pitohui (Pitohui ferrugineus): 2 singles at Varirata and heard near Ekame Lodge.
Crested Pitohui (Pitohui cristatus): an arch-skulker heard at Varirata.
Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus): heard Ekame Lodge.
Wattled Ploughbill (Eulacestoma nigropectus): a fine male observed feeding at Tari and a pair at Kumul Lodge.
New Guinea Babbler (Pomatostomus isidorei): 4 along the Elevala River.
Painted Quail-Thrush (Cinclosoma ajax): only heard at Varirata. The nest at Km 17, Kiunga had been deserted or predated, unfortunately.
Blue Jewel-Babbler (Ptilorrhoa caerulescens): one seen well near Ekame Lodge and others heard.
Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler (Ptilorrhoa castanonota): 2 singles seen briefly at Varirata and 2 at Dablin Creek.
Spotted Jewel-babbler (Ptilorrhoa leucosticta): heard at Pigites only.
Blue-capped Ifrita (Ifrita kowaldi): a few at Tari and Kumul.
Orange-crowned Fairywren (Clytomyias insignis): only 1 seen, at Kumul Lodge.
Wallace’s Fairywren (Sipodotus wallacii): at least 3 at Dablin Creek for some.
White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus): surprisingly, only 1 seen, near Kumul.
Emperor Fairywren (Malurus cyanocephalus): 2 seen at Boystown Road and heard near Tabubil and along the Elevala River.
Rusty Mouse-Warbler (Crateroscelis murina): commonly heard singing but only seen at Varirata with 1 on 5th, 3 on 7th and 2 on 25th.
Mountain Mouse-Warbler (Crateroscelis robusta): a few at Tari and Kumul Lodge.
Buff-faced Scrubwren (Sericornis perspicillatus): a few at Tari and Kumul.
Papuan Scrubwren (Sericornis papuensis): only 2 identified at Tari on 2 days, where commonly heard, and at Kumul on 16th.
Large Scrubwren (Sericornis nouhuysi): common at Kumul Lodge and a few at Tari.
Pale-billed Scrubwren (Sericornis spilodera): 3 at Varirata on 5th and 7th.
Green-backed Gerygone (Gerygone chloronota): 2 singles seen, at Varirata, and heard near Ok Menga and Ekame.
Gray Gerygone (Gerygone cinerea): a small party at Warili Lodge on 12th.
Fairy Gerygone (Gerygone palpebrosa): heard only, at Varirata.
White-throated Gerygone (Gerygone olivacea): one on the Varirata approach road.
Yellow-bellied Gerygone (Gerygone chrysogaster): singles at Varirata and near Ekame, with others heard.
Large-billed Gerygone (Gerygone magnirostris): 2 at Ekame Lodge.
Brown-breasted Gerygone (Gerygone): fairly common at Tari and Kumul.
Papuan Treecreeper (Cormobates placens): a pair of this elusive species were seen well, below Warili Lodge, Tari.
Black Sunbird (Leptocoma sericea): one at Ekame and 2 at Boystown Road.
Obscure Berrypecker (Melanocharis arfakiana): 2 at Dablin Creek.
Black Berrypecker (Melanocharis nigra): 2 singles at Varirata and 1 near Ekame.
Fan-tailed Berrypecker (Melanocharis versteri): 2 at Tari on 9th and 1 at Kumul Lodge.
Streaked Berrypecker (Melanocharis striativentris): 2 of this rarely seen bird in a fruiting tree below Kumul.
Slaty-chinned Longbill (Toxorhamphus poliopterus): 2 at Tari on 12th.
Yellow-bellied Longbill (Toxorhamphus novaeguineae): 2 singles near Ekame.
Tit Berrypecker (Oreocharis arfaki): 2 at Tari Gap on 9th, numerous at Ambua Lodge and a few at Kumul.
Crested Berrypecker (Paramythia montium): up to 5 or 6 at Tari Gap and Kumul Lodge.
Red-capped (Olive-crowned) Flowerpecker (Dicaeum (pectorale) geelvinkianum): a few throughout.
Black-fronted White-eye (Zosterops minor): 6 at Varirata and a few in the Tari Valley, and Dablin Creek for Halle.
Capped (Western Mountain) White-eye (Zosterops fuscicapillus): a flock at Warili Lodge on 12th.
New Guinea White-eye (Zosterops novaeguineae): common below Kumul.
Long-billed Honeyeater (Melilestes megarhynchus): singles at Dablin Creek, Boystown Road and Varirata on 25th.
Black Myzomela (Myzomela nigrita): singles at Varirata on 5th and at Boystown Road.
Mountain Myzomela (Myzomela adolphinae): a few below Kumul.
Red-collared Myzomela (Myzomela rosenbergii): 12 at Tari on 9th and 2 on 10th, with 2 at Dablin Creek.
Scrub Honeyeater (Meliphaga albonotata): singles at Varirata, Ok Menga and Dablin Creek.
Mountain Meliphaga (Meliphaga orientalis): a few below Kumul.
Spot-breasted Honeyeater (Meliphaga mimikae): one at Dablin Creek.
Mimic Honeyeater (Meliphaga analoga): a few at Varirata.
Elegant (Graceful) Honeyeater (Meliphaga (gracilis) cinereifrons): 2 singles near Ekame.
Black-throated Honeyeater (Lichenostomus subfrenatus): commonly heard at Tari Gap but only 1 seen well.
Tawny-breasted Honeyeater (Xanthotis flaviventer): one or 2 at Varirata, Dablin Creek and Kiunga area.
Spotted Honeyeater (Xanthotis polygrammu): one at Varirata.
White-throated Honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis): one on the Varirata approach road on 5th.
Plain Honeyeater (Pycnopygius ixoides): 2 at Boystown Road.
Marbled Honeyeater (Pycnopygius cinereus): one below Kumul.
Streak-headed Honeyeater (Pycnopygius sticocephalus): singles at Varirata and along the Elevala River.
New Guinea (Helmeted) Friarbird (Philemon (buceroides) novaeguineae): fairly common in the lowlands, especially at PAU and Varirata.
Gray-sided Honeyeater (Ptilorora perstriata): common around Tari and Kumul.
Rufous-backed Honeyeater (Ptiloprora guisei): only 2 noted below Ambua but probably overlooked.
Yellowish-/Olive-streaked Honeyeater (Ptiloprora meekiana): one of these scarce birds was seen at the lower quarry at Tari by Ildiko and Bill with another heard there.
Sooty Melidectes (Melidectes fuscus): one was seen at Kumul Lodge.
Belford's Melidectes (Melidectes belfordi): abundant at Tari and Kumul.
Yellow-browed Melidectes (Melidectes rufocrissalis): a few at and below Ambua, Tari.
Ornate Melidectes (Melidectes torquatus): 4 at Kama below Kumul.
Smoky Honeyeater (Melipotes fumigatus): common at Tari and Kumul.
Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Conopophila albogularis): common at PAU and in the Granville Motel grounds, with 3 at Kiunga.
Brown Oriole (Oriolus szalayi): fairly common in the lowlands including Varirata.
Green Figbird (Sphecotheres viridis): common at PAU. The identity of this species is under review, some calling it Papuan Figbird, Sphecotheres salvadorii, a split off Australasian Figbird S. vieilloti.
Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach): a few singles at Tari and near Kumul Lodge.
Papuan/ Mountain Drongo (Chaetorhynchus papuensis): 2 at Varirata on 7th.
(Papuan) Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus carbonarius): fairly common in the lowlands including Varirata – a possible future split.
Torrent-lark (Grallina bruijni): 2 at Ok Menga and 1 at Dablin Creek on 18th
Great Woodswallow (Artamus maximus): small numbers at Tari and Tabubil.
White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorhynchus): several at Port Moresby, PAU and Kiunga.
Mountain Peltops (Peltops montanus): 2 at Dablin Creek.
Lowland Peltops (Peltops blainvillii): singles along the Elevala River and at Km 17.
Black-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus mentalis): 4 at PAU.
Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus): a few at Varirata and the Kiunga/Tabubil area; 1 heard in the Tari Valley..
Black Butcherbird (Cracticus quoyi): singles at Varirata, Tari and Ok Menga; heard along the Elevala River.
Loria's Satinbird/Bird-of-Paradise (Cnemophilus loriae): at least 2 at Ambua.
Crested Satinbird/Bird-of-paradise (Cnemophilus macgregorii): a superb male feeding in a fruiting tree at Kumul. A nest was being monitored and contained a large juv until the day we arrived when it disappeared, probably taken for food by visiting Huli men.
Glossy-mantled Manucode (Manucodia ater): a few near Ekame Lodge and along the Elevala River.
Trumpet Manucode (Manucodia keraudrenii): heard daily near Ekame Lodge but only 1 seen, with 2 at Boystown Road.
Crinkle-collared Manucode (Manucodia chalybatus): one at Varirata was the only 1 identified.
Short-tailed Paradigalla (Paradigalla brevicauda): several at the fruiting trees at Ambua.
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri): daily in the Tari Gap area including stunning males, and a few females with a sub-adult male on the bird table at Kumul Lodge.
Princess Stephanie's Astrapia (Astrapia stephaniae): a few on 3 days, mainly around Ambua.
Carola's Parotia (Parotia carolae): heard calling at Dablin Creek but no birds were seen.
Lawes' Parotia (Parotia lawesii): common at the fruiting trees at Ambua and 2 below Warili Lodge.
King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise (Pteridophora alberti): 2 male seen at Tari, with 1 or 2 females, and a male and 2 female-types at Pigites below Kumul.
Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus): a few heard at Tabubil, near Ekame Lodge and Boystown Road but none showed.
Eastern/ Growling Riflebird (Ptiloris [magnificus] intercedens): a few heard at Varirata.
Superb Bird-of-Paradise (Lophorina superba): 2 or 3 at the fruiting trees at Ambua, 2 males in the Tari Valley and 1 below Kumul.
Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastuosus): 4 imm. males seen in the valley below Warili and 1 at the fruiting trees at Ambua, and a displaying male visible from Warili Lodge, with others heard calling.
Brown Sicklebill (Epimachus meyeri): only 2 singles at Tari with others heard, and 3+ at the bird table at Kumul Lodge.
Buff-tailed/Black-billed Sicklebill (Epimachus albertisi): one of this rarely seen bird at the fruiting trees at Ambua; after feeding it called from a perch in the canopy for 10 mins or so.
Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise (Cicinnurus magnificus): an adult male and a female-type at Dablin Creek; also heard at Varirata.
King Bird-of-Paradise (Cicinnurus regius): single males near the Elevala River on 22nd and 23rd – what a beauty!.
Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus): single adult male seen perched on poles at different sites on 2 days along the rivers.
Lesser Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea minor): 3 males and 2 females seen well at Kama below Kumul Lodge.
Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda): a few displaying at Kiunga, Km 17 and a couple of fly-bys along the Elevala and at Boystown Road, plus at least 1 at Ok Menga.
Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea raggiana): several displaying males with females at Varirata and Km 17, and a few sightings around Kiunga.
Blue Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea rudolphi): at least 1 feeding in a fruiting tree at Ambua, with others calling below Warili Lodge.
Lesser Melampitta (Melampitta lugubris): one at Tari Gap was seen by some, and others were heard; and 1 or 2 at Kumul Lodge did eventually show.
White-eared Catbird (Ailuroedus buccoides): one flew across Boystown Road.
Sanford's Bowerbird (Archboldia sanfordi): one or 2 were seen on 3 days at Tari Gap and 1 visited the feeder at Kumul Lodge.
Macgregor's Bowerbird (Amblyornis macgregoriae): heard only near the bower below Warili.
Flame Bowerbird (Sericulus aureus): a male in flight at Boystown Road but only for PK.
Yellow-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera lauterbachi): 5 perched up below Kumul.
Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris): common at PAU and a few around Varirata.
Grey Crow (Corvus tristis): this vocal forest crow was seen daily in the Kiunga area, with 1 at Varirata.
Torresian Crow (Corvus orru): several at Port Moresby, PAU and Varirata.
Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica): numerous in the Kiunga area.
Yellow-eyed Starling (Aplonis mystacea): a few identified in starling flocks along the Elevala River.
Singing Starling (Aplonis cantoroides): 6 at Port Morseby airport just before some of the group left the country, having failed to see them here or at Hagen airport before.
Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii): common in the lowlands including Varirata and Tabubil.
Golden Myna (Mino anais): only 4 along the Elevala River on Aug 20.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus): only seen in Port Morseby and Mount Hagen.
Mountain Firetail (Oreostruthus fuliginosus): up to 6 daily at Kumul Lodge.
Blue-faced Parrotfinch (Erythrura trichroa): heard at Ambua Lodge.
Streak-headed (White-spotted) Munia (Lonchura (leucosticta) tristissima): 6 at Boystown Road. This leucosticta form was classed as a full species but is now lumped with tristissima in Clements.
Hooded Munia (Lonchura spectabilis): only 2 at Tari on 9th and 2 below Kumul.
Chestnut-breasted Munia (Lonchura castaneothorax): 20 on the Varirata approach road on 25th was an exceptionally large flock for this species.
MAMMALS
Rothchild's Woolly Rat (Mallomys rothschildi): a rat in the forest at Kumul may have been this species.
Black-tailed Giant Rat (Uromys anak): we watched a couple of these giant rats eating leftover fruit on the bird-feeder at Kumul Lodge after dark.
Great Flying-fox (Pteropus neohibernicus) or Big-eared Flying-fox (Pteropus macrotis): the many large fruit-bats along the Fly and Elevala Rivers are one of these two species.
REPTILES
New Guinea Crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae): 2 singles of this endemic freshwater crocodile on the Elevala River.
Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis): one near Ekame.
Death Adder (Acanthophis laevis): one near Ekame Lodge. This species is rather smooth-scaled compared to the rough-scaled A. rugosus. Unlike most snakes, death adders do not actively hunt, but rather lie in ambush and draw their prey to them. The only part of themselves they expose are their head and their tail, both generally very well camouflaged. The end of the tail is used for caudal luring and when wiggled is easily mistaken for a grub or worm. An unsuspecting bird or mammal will eventually notice the 'easy lunch' and attempt to seize it. Only then will the death adder move, lashing out with the quickest strike of any snake in the world.
Death adders inject on average 40–100 mg of extremely neurotoxic venom. This makes an untreated death adder bite one of the most dangerous in the world (rated in top 10 in the CSL list). A bite from a death adder causes paralysis, minor at first but it can cause death from a complete respiratory shutdown in as little as six hours. Deaths from these snakes are still common