Micronesia Palau, Northern Mariana and Caroline Islands 26th June to 11th July 2019 (16 days)
Pohnpei Lorikeet by Erik Forsyth
Out in the north western Pacific Ocean are a smattering of tiny islands, barely specs in the vast blue expanse somewhat between the Philippines, Japan and Hawaii. Known as Micronesia, these otherwise insignificant islands briefly became household names during the Second World War as the United States and Japan wrestled for their control. Administered by the United States for many years afterwards, most are now independent territories reliant on the tourism trade for survival. As the understanding of genetics has improved, so has the species count, with a staggering 50+ endemics to be found in the region. This number can certainly be expected to rise, as can the number of birders visiting the region. Our comprehensive tour takes in the islands of Palau, Yap, Saipan, Rota, Chuuk (or Truk) and Pohnpei. Kingfisher aficionados can expect to add a host of island specific species such as Rusty-capped, White- headed, Rota and Pohnpei (unfortunately Guam Kingfisher survives in captivity only). Amongst the more interesting endemics we shall be search for are Micronesian and Mariana Megapodes, Palau Owl, Palau Fantail, White-breasted and Caroline Islands Ground Doves, Palau and Mariana Fruit Doves, RBL Micronesia Itinerary 2
Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, Giant and Teardrop White-eyes, Morningbird, Palau Nightjar, Nightingale Reed Warbler, Mariana Crow, Guam Rail, Truk Monarch, Pohnpei Lorikeet and Hunstein’s Mannakin.
THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…
THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Palau Days 2 & 3 Palau and surrounds Day 4 Palau to Yap Days 5 & 6 Yap Day 7 Yap to Saipan Day 8 Saipan Day 9 Rota & Tinian Islands Day 10 Saipan to Chuuk (Truk) via Guam Day 11 Chuuk Day 12 Boat trip to Tol South Day 13 Chuuk to Pohnpei Days 14 & 15 Pohnpei Day 16 Final departure
TOUR ROUTE MAP…
RBL Micronesia Itinerary 3
THE TOUR IN DETAIL…
Day 1: Arrival in Palau. After arriving in the capital, Koror, you will be met by a Rockjumper representative and transfer to our hotel a short distance away. Our activities for this day will depend on arrival times, but as we expect most guests to have arrived early, do be prepared for a full days birding.
Days 2 & 3: Palau and surrounds. Palau is an archipelago consisting of over 500 islands. Palau lies to the far west of the Micronesian Islands and is famous amongst visitors for some of the best Scuba – diving in the world. The beautiful Rock Islands with the surrounding crystal-clear sea are the main attraction of international visitors to Palau Flycatcher by Erik Forsyth Palau. The small island of Koror, where the main town and hotels are situated, is connected by bridge to the main island, Babeldaob.
Palau has a significant list of endemics which we will be looking for during our time here, visiting several key birdwatching sites. First off, we will take a ferry to the stunningly beautiful Rock Islands. En route Brown and Black Noddies, Black-naped, Swift and Bridled Terns are commonly seen and if we are lucky, Tropical Shearwaters may be seen leaving their nesting islands heading out to sea for a day’s feeding, only to return after dark to their nest sites. Here we will take several trails through pristine forest in search of several endemics to these islands. These islands are protected as a sanctuary and Marine reserve and several bird species thrive here such as the Micronesian Megapode, a large terrestrial species, which lay eggs in a large nesting mound right in the campsite! They are used to people, and can be readily seen foraging in the surrounding area. Walking the trails, we will search for delightful Palau Fantail, Palau Flycatcher and noisy flocks of Caroline Islands (Citrine) and Dusky White-eye flash through the trees. Scarcer inhabitants of the forests are the stunning White-breasted Ground Dove, the aptly named Giant White-eye - found in small family groups and Palau Cicadabird and we will search hard for these species at several sites. The strange Morningbird, a drably coloured oddity related to pitohui’s with a powerful song are often encountered and confiding. Overhead, White-tailed Tropicbirds and White Terns fly over the forest calling and occasionally, alighting branches, where they are nesting.
On one of the days, we will drive in to the interior of Palau, where a visit to a new reserve should produce the scarce Micronesian Imperial Pigeon. These huge Micronesian Megapode by Erik Forsyth
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pigeons are often heard and we will hope to see several flying over the forest. White-tailed Tropicbirds and Palau Flying Foxes are common here and often flying low over the forest. The numerous Collared Kingfishers are often seen on the power lines and we will need to check them carefully for the endemic Palau Kingfisher with its rusty-coloured cap. Buff- banded Rail and Red Junglefowl are often seen feeding alongside the roads throughout the island.
We will also visit several wetlands as well as the local Water Treatment Works where possibilities include Yellow Bittern, White-browed Crake, Common Moorhen, Great, Little and Intermediate Egrets, Chestnut Munia as well as several passage waders such as Common Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, Wandering Tattler and Nankeen Night Heron are
Morningbird by Erik Forsyth resident.
Nocturnal birding will take us to the nearby Long Island Park to search for the Palau Owl, a vocal, inhabitant of dense forest but tricky to see. We may have to visit several times before connecting with this endemic. A morning visit to this park should produce Blue-faced Parrotfinches feeding in the numerous Causarina trees and here we have our best chances of seeing the beautiful Palau Fruit Dove which can often be found feeding on fruiting figs alongside Palau Fruit Bats. Palau Swiftlets, Micronesian Starlings and Micronesian Myzomelas are pleasingly common and we have other chances for Palau Flycatcher here. On one of the evenings we will visit an area where Palau Nightjar may be found.
Rock Islands of Palau by Erik Forsyth
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Day 4: Palau to Yap. Today we fly to the island of Yap, lying midway between Palau and Guam. Depending on our time of arrival there may be time for some initial exploration of the area. Yap is famous for its “Stone money” or Rai. Huge stone disks were carved on the Rock Islands of Palau and transported by boat to Yap. These stones held immense value and were used in trading through the region. Traditional dress
is still worn by men and woman on Yap.
Days 5 & 6: Yap. We will head to the forested hills around Fanif, to look for several of the endemic birds this island has to offer. Highlights here may include the striking plumaged black and white Yap Oceanic Flycatcher by Adam Riley Monarch a pleasantly common endemic, the scarcer Yap Cicadabird, Plain and Olive White-eyes and then several more widespread species such as Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, the beautiful White-throated Ground Doves and both Micronesian Starlings and Micronesian Myzomela are commonly seen.
Day 7: Yap to Saipan. Early this morning we will fly to the Island of Saipan, in the Mariana Islands group of islands, for a three-night stay. We will check into our hotel and depending on our time of arrival there may be time for some initial exploration of the island. Saipan saw some of the fiercest fighting towards the end of World War II. The Japanese had occupied the island in large numbers and in 1944 the American troops landed. Some 30,000 Japanese troops were lost as well as nearly 4,000 American troops. An area of cliffs lying to the North of the island ‘the Suicide Cliffs’ is where many Japanese committed suicide rather than be taken hostage!
Day 8: Saipan. Saipan has several striking endemics and we will visit several sites to look for them. The shy and elusive Mariana Megapode, a large terrestrial species. The best method is to listen for calling birds and try track them down. Other more widespread species are the stunning Golden White-eye, a glowing bird that is fairly common, smart White-throated Ground Doves, Mariana Fruit Doves, flocks of Bridled White-eyes race through the trees and Guam Swiftlets glide overhead. A powerful burst of beautiful song usually gives away the presence of the Nightingale Reed Warbler, a large drab warbler with an extraordinary long bill. Micronesian Myzomela by Adam Riley
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We will also visit several War Memorial sites including the Last Command Post, where several intact Japanese guns are viewable.
Day 9: Rota & Tinian Islands. Today we will catch a short flight to the small island of Rota, which lies half way between Saipan and Guam and are seldom visited by foreigners. The Islands faunal attraction has three endemics. The rare Mariana Crow, found in a few forested areas where there is a captive-breeding programme to supplement the wild birds. This is also the case for the critically endangered Guam Rail, which are near impossible to find on Guam, but introduced here on Rota, and we will visit several grassland areas to look for this species. Lastly, we will search for the Rota Bridled White-eye a slightly more
widespread species of forest. Af After a successful morning, we take the short flight Purple-capped Fruit Dove by Adam Riley back to Saipan to enjoy lunch.
After lunch we take another very short flight to the tiny Island of Tinian, where we will search for the Islands only endemic, the Tinian Monarch. Other species possible on our short stay here are White- throated Ground Dove, Mariana Fruit Dove, White-headed Kingfisher (sometimes regarded as a full species by some authorities) and Bridled White-eye. We will head back to Saipan this evening for dinner.
Day 10: Saipan to Chuuk (Truk) via Guam. Early this morning we will catch a flight from Saipan to Guam en route ultimately to Chuuk, part of the Caroline Islands group of islands. Most of the day is dedicated to travel, but we will have time on the island of Guam for further birding and relaxation. After arriving on the main island Weno, we will transfer to our hotel on the beach. Truk Lagoon is a world-famous scuba-diving area where 60+ Japanese ships and several planes were sunk by American bombers at the end of WWII in 1944.
Day 11: Chuuk. We have an entire day to bird the nearby forested slopes searching for endemics such as Oceanic Flycatcher, Caroline Islands Ground Dove, Caroline Islands Fruit Dove, Caroline Islands Reed Warbler and Caroline Islands Swiftlet.
Day 12: Boat trip to South Tol. Early this Caroline Islands Ground Dove by Adam Riley morning we will take a boat across the
RBL Micronesia Itinerary 7 lagoon to the small island of Tol South. After arranging permission from the local chief and organising several local guides to assist us with climbing Mt Winipot, we will head up the steep and slippery slope to an elevation of 400m to look for two very special birds only found here on Mt Winipot and seen by very few birders. The endemic Truk Monarch with its strange call flashes through the dense forest and we will be amazed by this ghostly, but beautiful bird in the dark of the forest. Our next target is the Truk or Teardrop White-eye often moving around in small family groups and can be located by their contact calls. Other possibilities here on the mountain include Caroline Islands Ground Dove, Purple-capped Pohnpei Kingfisher by Erik Forsyth and Mariana Fruit Doves, Micronesian
Imperial Pigeon and Oceanic Flycatcher.
Day 13: Chuuk to Pohnpei. Early this morning we may have time for some final birding before catching a morning flight that will take us to Pohnpei, the most eastern of the Caroline Islands group. After arriving in Kolonia, we will transfer to our hotel just a short drive from the airport. If time permits, we shall go for a walk near the hotel. Micronesian Starling and Micronesian Myzomela are often seen around the hotel while Common Noddy and White-tailed Tropicbird fly overhead. Pohnpei Flying Fox are often seen in the late afternoon flying overhead and visiting fruiting trees.
Days 14 & 15: Pohnpei. We have two full days on Pohnpei, where we will visit several forest patches to look for the Islands endemics. Noisy Pohnpei Lorikeets, the National bird, are pleasingly common and readily seen at every forest patch. They travel in small vocal groups and can often be found at fruiting trees. Flocks of Grey White-eye’s are constantly in view and careful scanning may produce the scarce Long-billed White-eye which are often single or in pairs. Mariana Fruit Doves are commonly heard then seen in display flight over the forest while the scarce Micronesian Imperial Pigeon are shy and can only be found occasionally due to hunting. Other inhabitants of the forests such as the Pohnpei Fantail, the attractive Pohnpei Kingfisher and Pohnpei Flycatcher often put in an appearance, while the scarce Pohnpei Cicadabird will take a bit of time to locate due to their unobtrusive nature. In rank scrub vegetation, Caroline Islands Reed Warbler skulk but often climb up into surrounding trees while feeding.
The forest edges are also good for Hunstein’s Hunstein´s Mannikin by Erik Forsyth Mannakin, an attractive species feeding on grassy
RBL Micronesia Itinerary 8 seeds. We will also be able to visit coastal lagoons near the airport where waders and terns are possible including Swift, Black-naped and Bridled Terns, Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering and Grey-tailed Tattlers and Greater Sandplover. Ruddy Turnstone. On one of the afternoons we will drive to the south- east corner of the island to visit the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, a man-made city with ocean-filled channels was built in the 12th century by the Sadeleur Dynasty of Pohnpei and used as their administrative and religious centre. The huge basalt pillars formed the residences of the kings and a thriving, royal civilization. The ruins are spread out over two kilometres on the coral flats.
Day 16: Final departure. After some final birding this morning, we will head to the airport to catch our international flights home.
The order of the itinerary will almost certainly be adjusted due to flight time and routing changes. We will attempt to maintain the same itinerary as far as possible.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.
This includes: All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16; All lodgings; All ground transportation; All national park entrance fees; and All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services.)
The tour fee does not include: ANY flights (see above); Visa fees; Any drinks; Special gratuities; and Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature. Optional Royal Albatross hide visit
Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBL cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.
IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged.
RBL Micronesia Itinerary 9 c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible.
Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip him.
Please note: It is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20kg (44lb) for check in luggage and 8kg (+-18lb) for hand luggage. Accommodation throughout the trip is of a good standard and the hotels and resorts that we make use of range from comfortable to very good. There is no camping on this trip. The tour pace is mostly relaxed, with mostly easy to occasionally moderate walking. There will be one optional strenuous hike on Mount Winipot (South Tol).
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include ANY airfares. The tour will begin with a welcome breakfast at our hotel in Palau on day 1. Our activities for this day will depend on arrival times, but as we expect most flights to land in the early morning, do be prepared for a full days birding. The tour will conclude after breakfast on day 16 at Pohnpei International Airport.
The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.
FLIGHTS: Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (IATA: ROR) is the main port of entry for international flights into Palau, and is serviced mostly by east Asian airlines such as China Airlines, Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The tour ends at Pohnpei International Airport (IATA: PNI), which is primarily served by Air Niugini and United Airlines. Please DO NOT book any flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.
Rockjumper Birding Ltd Vanilla Village, Royal Road Black River Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Email: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected] Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com