Making up the eastern part of Papua New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Admiralty Islands partly enclose the Bismarck Sea. These rugged islands, arising from the interaction between the Australian and Pacific plates, are dotted with active volcanoes and hot springs. This geological hot spot holds numerous endemic species and contributes significantly to the bird diversity of the New Guinea region. Through colonization by strong-flying species from neighboring islands and stray migrants from farther afield, an impressive array of endemics has evolved over many thousands of years. A variety of kingfishers, fruit-doves, imperial pigeons, pied monarchs, honeyeaters, and friarbirds are some of the many species that occur nowhere else on earth.
Manus boasts a number of attractive endemic and nearly endemic species, but the great prize here is the stunning Superb Pitta. On previous visits at this time of year, we’ve found the bird to be quite vocal so we have an excellent chance at seeing this rare and elusive species. West New Britain has many more endemics, some very common and noisy such as Blue-eyed Cockatoo, and others, such as New Britain Buzzard and the enigmatic Golden Owl, rare and reclusive. We will see a good range of these endemics, as well as some small-island species difficult to find elsewhere. We also have a good chance at the rare and little-known Heinroth’s Shearwater on its recently discovered feeding grounds off Kimbe Point.
This tour can be taken in conjunction with our tour Papua New Guinea.
Day 1: The tour starts at breakfast this morning in Port Moresby. We’ll begin our birdwatching in Varirata National Park, where we will be doing both savanna and rainforest birding. We’ll search for Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise and hopefully have opportunities to enjoy the males displaying at a lek. We’ll listen for the amazing growling call of the Eastern Riflebird and see our first manucodes, among the most primitive of the bird-of-paradise family. Elsewhere we’ll look for the enormous nest mounds of the shy and retiring Black-billed Brush-turkey, and with luck even find the birds themselves. Kingfishers are an outstanding feature here, and the rare Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher will be a primary target bird, while the noisy Yellow-billed Kingfisher can sometimes be located in the forest canopy it haunts.
The incredible bird diversity of Papua New Guinea will be on display throughout the day as we search for other gems including Forest Kingfisher, the tiny and elusive Mountain Red-headed Myzomela, the skulking Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, the even more secretive Painted Quail-thrush, and Hooded Pitohui, the notorious “poison bird.” Night in Port Moresby.
Days 2-3: On the morning of Day 2 we’ll fly to Manus for two days of birding the main island. The prime endemic here is Superb Pitta. With care, camouflage, and patience we should get to see this rare and elusive bird as it responds to the calls of our local village guide. Other endemics we can expect are Manus Hawk-Owl, Meek’s Pygmy-Parrot, the ubiquitous and noisy Manus Friarbird or “Chauka,” and Admiralty Pied Monarch. We’ll explore forest patches in the hope of seeing Red-knobbed and Island Imperial Pigeons, Claret-breasted Fruit-Dove, Common Golden Whistler, and Black-headed White-eye. On our second afternoon we should have time to visit nearby Rara Island, which holds Beach Kingfisher, Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, and Island Monarch. Nights in Lorengau.
Day 4: After a morning’s birding near the coast at Momote, we’ll fly to West New Britain via Port Moresby. We’ll spend the late afternoon and early evening exploring the grounds of our resort hotel and the adjacent area. Night at Walindi.
Day 5: This morning we’ll visit lowland and hill forest near Hoskins and Kimbe to look for many seldom seen endemics including Melanesian Scrubfowl, Red-knobbed, Yellow-tinted, Black and Finsch’s Imperial Pigeons, Red-knobbed Fruit-Dove, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, White-mantled Kingfisher, Black-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Violaceous and White-necked Coucals, Black-tailed Monarch, Lesser Shining Flycatcher, New Britain Friarbird, Ashy and New Britain Red-headed Myzomelas, Bismarck Wood-swallow, Long-tailed Myna, and Island (Bismarck) Crow. Night at Walindi.
Day 6: This morning we’ll visit Restorf and Big Malo Malo islands by boat, searching for small-island specialists including Nicobar Pigeon, Island Imperial Pigeon, Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, and Scarlet-bibbed Myzomela. We can also expect to see Stephan’s Ground-Dove, Yellow-bibbed Fruit-Dove, and Mangrove Golden Whistler. If the sea is calm we’ll also explore the waters around Kimbe Point for the rare and endemic Heinroth’s Shearwater among the seabirds attracted to bait fish shoals brought to the surface by feeding tuna. Night at Walindi.
Day 7: We’ll spend the early morning birding Walindi looking for any species that we may still be missing. Mid-morning we’ll transfer to Hoskins airport for a mid-day flight back to Port Moresby. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at our Port Moresby hotel, or for those who wish a return visit to Varirata National Park is an option. Night in Port Moresby.
Day 8: The tour concludes this morning in Port Moresby.
Updated: 27 August 2008
Prices
- 2009 price not yet available
- (2008 price about $4,660)
Notes
This tour is limited to 12 participants with two leaders. Both leaders will accompany the tour irrespective of group size.
This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird.