SICKLEBILL

SAFARIS Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sicklebillsafaris.com

www.s2travel.com.au

www.birder.travel

Phone: 04 13 66 12 13

(Int. +61 413 661 213)

Gentle

4th – 17th September 2019

Guides: Phil Gregory & Scott Baker (Trainee)

This was a Gentle New Guinea outing, designed to hopefully not be too strenuous, and to maximize photo opportunities in what is a challenging place for photographers. We were blessed with pretty good weather, but got impacted by fog on two afternoons, at both Murmur Pass and then at Rondon. Flight logistics were good except Air Niugini lived up to their reputation Air Agony nametag and cancelled our afternoon flight to Hoskins just as we were expecting to board, costing us a morning on New Britain, but at least they departed only slightly late on the day we all had international connections! Kiunga, Kumul, Rondon Ridge and Walindi were great destinations with some terrific as always, and our hotel in Port Moresby is a very pleasant haven. Sadly this year tribal unrest meant Ambua was not open, but should be restored for 2020 and we included Walindi in the main tour instead. We had a morning up at Varirata and a rewarding afternoon at the PAU. Varirata was great for kingfishers with Yellow-billed, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blue-winged Kookaburra and Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, and several sightings of Raggianas though the lek was quiet today. All of us saw both Glossy-mantled (our first of the of paradise family) and Crinkle-collared , and some got brief looks at Growling Riflebird, which was calling close by. The old faithful Barred Owlet-nightjar showed well at the roost site, and fruiting trees by the car park picnic site gave us Orange-bellied, Pink- spotted, and Beautiful Fruit Doves, Red-cheeked Parrot, Hooded Pitohui, Boyer’s and a lovely Dwarf Koel. The PAU gave us Plumed and Wandering Whistling- Duck, Papuan Frogmouth, Black-backed and Fawn-breasted Bowerbird with a nice bower, plus very viewable Grey-headed Mannikin, and is always a nice easy intro. Next day saw us over to Kiunga, and an excellent late afternoon trip up to Km 17 for the Greater Bird of Paradise lek, which had just a couple of males calling but not displaying, plus a lovely bonus of a terrific male King Bird of Paradise en route. The river trip was very nice, and we had some great looks at Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Palm Cockatoo, and Sclater’s (Southern) Crowned Pigeon, Common Paradise-Kingfisher and Yellow-legged Brushturkey. The next morning watch at the mound at Km 14 gave us a total of 50 , with some 4 Flame Bowerbirds (though the male was a brief flyby), Greater Bird of Paradise, Palm Cockatoo and Little Bronze-Cuckoo. Over then to Mt Hagen and Kumul Lodge, which gave us some fine sightings, with up to 6 (each differently plumaged!) Ribbon-tailed coming at various times to the feeder, including 3 striking adult males with varying length tails; there were also several female- plumaged Brown Sicklebills, some lovely Brehm’s Tiger-Parrots, a few Belford’s Melidectes and great looks at Rufous-naped Bellbird, Island Thrush, White-winged Robin and Regent Whistler along with a fabulous male Crested Satinbird seen by some of us by the feeder and by all near the chalets. The trip to the lek at Kama paid off with a single adult male Lesser Bird of Paradise and Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, whilst Torrent Flyrobin and Marbled showed nicely at the Sepik headwaters. That afternoon we visited Murmur Pass, hearing male King of Saxony in the fog and getting terrific views of Black-capped (Ashy) Robin there, plus the rarely seen Bronze Ground- Dove, as well as a misty view of Loria’s Satinbird and Garnet Robin there on a brief visit. We returned next day en route to Rondon, seeing the male King of Saxony briefly, ditto a Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia. We also earlier made an extra trip down to Tonga (Tomba) where a wonderful male Blue Bird of Paradise was sitting up beautifully in the early morning light, though with very little calling. Next came the much more luxurious Rondon Ridge near Mt Hagen, with lovely big rooms, and the 40 plus 30 steps to climb up to the dining area keeping us fit! Thankfully they now have a good system of trails in the forest here and we found it a rewarding place, albeit still hard to see things well. One afternoon was very foggy but we still saw Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia, Superb and a female Blue Bird of Paradise. Everyone made the pre-dawn trek next morning up to the ridge top, a great effort by Cynthia that paid off nicely for her with star birds being King of Saxony BoP, Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia, hearing the amazing rattling call of , and then for most a sighting of a male , plus the extraordinary MacGregor’s Bowerbird bowers, Red-collared Myzomela and heard a Wattled Ploughbill calling persistently but only showing for one person.

Thanks to Sue and Rowan at Sicklebill Safaris for good logistics, and to our esteemed local guides Leonard at Port Moresby, Samuel, Glen and Roy at Kiunga, Max Mal (orchid Max) at Kumul, and Joseph Ando at Rondon. My particular thanks to the group for good company and the chance to do the trip and get some great sightings, various recordings and a few nice photos. I do hope you were able to get some good photos, New Guinea is not an easy place for bird photography but some things do come good. We saw some 16 species of Bird of Paradise and heard 2 more, with many of them photographed too and some nice displays seen. The very multicultural group comprised John with his amazingly heavy Eifel Tower-like tripod, Barbara with her excellent spotting (despite denial of being a birder), Sharon and Barry (Shazza and Bazza in local parlance) ever optimistic and up for everything, Anu in at the deep end on her first bird tour, and with an interest extending beyond birds into culture (I hope the Goroka show was enjoyable?) and 85 year old Cynthia who kept up remarkably well and eagerly participated in almost everything (one great thing about PNG is the respect for elders and the awe which they occasion). Thanks to my trainee leader Scott for his assistance and his infectious enthusiasm, extraordinary fast eating habits and bright yellow gumboots, also for not snoring! The episode with the electric kettle on the hot plate at Rondon is also worth noting, that’s what happens with too many 0500 mornings. The Land of the Unexpected treated us well overall with pretty good weather, albeit with one flight glitch in Port Moresby causing a certain amount of angst. Tenk yu tru.

Itinerary • Sept 4 Port Moresby arrival. Overnight Raintree Lodge. • Sept 5 Varirata NP morning, then PAU trip afternoon. Fine conditions. Overnight Raintree Lodge. • Sept 6 POM-Kiunga via Tabubil, then Km17 lek pm. Overcast. Overnight Kiunga GH. • Sept 7 Fly River and Elevala, visiting Watame Lodge. Mainly overcast. Overnight Kiunga GH • Sept 8 Boystown Road Km 14 am, then new trail at Drimgas pm. Nicely overcast. Overnight Kiunga GH. • Sept 9 Kiunga to Mt Hagen on PNG Air, then Kumul Lodge 2600 m. Max’s Orchid garden area pm. • Sept 10 Kumul Lodge /Kama lek/Lai-Mambis, overcast later. Pm to Murmur Pass with fog encroaching later. Overnight Kumul Lodge • Sept 11 Kumul to Rondon Ridge via Murmur Pass 0800-0900. Fine conditions am but foggy pm around Rondon. Overnight Rondon Ridge • Sept 12 Rondon Ridge track to 2300 m. Rondon grounds pm and for owling later. Overnight Rondon Ridge • Sept 13 Depart Rondon 0730, then Mt Hagen and Air Niugini to Port Moresby and flight to Hoskins cancelled. Overnight at Lamana Hotel, Port Moresby. • Sept 14 0330 departure for airport and 0600 departure for Hoskins, arriving at Walindi 0830. Brief foray to Garu in hot sunny conditions, pm to Kulu River. • Sept 15 Boat trip out to Restorf and Big Malo Malo islands with snorkelling. Depart 050 and return 1130; pm to Numundo in light rain, then an outing to the oil palm plantations after dark 2000-2230 for Golden Masked Owl which proved unsuccessful. • Sept 16 0530 depart for Garu, return 1130. pm Lodge grounds then short Golden Masked Owl foray which proved successful • Sept 17 Depart Walindi 0430 for Hoskins airport 0530 and 0700 departure for Port Moresby and onward connections via .

BIRD LIST * Heard only I Introduced Bold type denotes endemic to New Guinea [Denotes seen or heard by leader(s) only] Alternate names given in brackets XC posted on Xenocanto IBC posted on Internet Bird Collection The family sequence follows the chronological order of the Tree of Life (2015) project

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) WANDERING WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna arcuata) Nice looks at 6 at the PAU. PLUMED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna eytoni) 9 at the PAU, formerly a vagrant to PNG but the status seems to have changed recently. RADJAH SHELDUCK (Tadorna radjah) One seen at the PAU and c.15 on rice fields nearby, a good find as it is uncommon here. GREY TEAL (Anas gibberifrons) A couple seen at the PAU. PACIFIC BLACK DUCK (Anas superciliosa) 40 at the PAU.

Megapodiidae (Megapodes) ORANGE-FOOTED SCRUBFOWL (Megapodius reinwardt) One presumably this species flushed along the trail at Km 17 was a surprise; I rarely see this bird around Kiunga. YELLOW-LEGGED (BLACK-BILLED) BRUSHTURKEY (Talegalla fuscirostris) Heard at Varirata and 2 seen at Watame where they flushed up and one perched. They honk away like a goose, with huge active nest mounds still at Varirata NP and Watame. This species is always very hard to see and quite unlike the Australian Brush-turkeys.

Phasianidae (Gamebirds) * BROWN QUAIL (Coturnix ypsilophora) Heard along the approach to Varirata.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) AMBOYNA (SLENDER-BILLED) CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia amboinensis) One seen at Varirata, then at Km 17, Watame, Kama and Rondon. Now split as Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove and an eastern NG and Bismarcks endemic. BAR-TAILED CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia nigrirostris) Seen briefly in the valley below Kumul, a smaller and much more reddish bird than Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove, and with a barred tail. GREAT CUCKOO-DOVE (Reinwardtoena reinwardtii) A flyby over the Fly River with another seen later. PEACEFUL DOVE (Geopelia striata) Seen at the PAU. BAR-SHOULDERED DOVE (Geopelia humeralis) Seen at the PAU, this is a bird of the Trans-Fly savannas and around the Port Moresby area. WESTERN BRONZE GROUND DOVE (Alopecoenas beccarii) Amazing views of a couple of this shy and seldom seen species at Murmur Pass, feeding out amongst the mounds. SCLATER’S (SOUTHERN) CROWNED PIGEON (Goura sclateri) We left it very late (1720!), way past the time I like to start back, but got fine views of one of this terrific species from the boat along the Elevala. The late afternoon lighting was subdued but beautiful and this species is always a trip highlight. The former Southern Crowned Pigeon is now split into two species, the one here being Sclater’s. WOMPOO FRUIT DOVE (Megaloprepia magnificus) 2 briefly at Varirata, it is now moved out of Ptilinopus and gets its own . PINK-SPOTTED FRUIT DOVE (Ptilinopus perlatus) 6 seen well at Varirata, then singles at Km 17 and Kiunga. SUPERB FRUIT Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) A female at Drimgas in the afternoon. BEAUTIFUL FRUIT DOVE (Ptilinopus pulchellus) Seen very well at Varirata and heard at Kiunga. ORANGE-BELLIED FRUIT DOVE (Ptilinopus iozonus) Seen perched in treetops at Varirata and then along the Elevala DWARF FRUIT DOVE (Ptilinopus nainus) A male at Watame was calling well and gave nice views. This can be an elusive species. PURPLE-TAILED IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula rufigaster) One was perched in the forest at Watame. PINON’S IMPERIAL PIGEON Ducula pinon A few of this large and striking pigeon were seen along the Elevala.

COLLARED IMPERIAL PIGEON Ducula mullerii About 7 seen on the upriver journey at Kiunga, again scarce, where do they go? I fear this species is being hunted as it now seems very shy; it roosts in treetops along large rivers and is very tied to riparian forest. ZOE’S IMPERIAL PIGEON Ducula zoeae Seen in flight along the Elevala River. TORRESIAN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula spilorrhoa) One at the PAU, and one at 5-mile near Port Moresby. PAPUAN MOUNTAIN PIGEON (Gymnophaps albertisii) One at Km 14 and about 30 flying over at Drimgas, then 4 at Rondon.

Centropodidae (Coucals) * GREATER BLACK COUCAL (Centropus menbeki) Heard from Kiunga, but as ever shy and very elusive. PHEASANT COUCAL (Centropus phasianinus) One seen briefly by some whilst en route from Varirata. * LESSER BLACK COUCAL (Centropus bernsteini) Heard at Km 17 but stayed out of sight.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos) * WHITE-CROWNED CUCKOO (Caliecthrus leucolophus) Heard at Varirata, always a hard bird to see. DWARF KOEL (Microdynamis parva) One male at Varirata showed well, then another at Watame. This is a species where the (presumed) host is unknown. PACIFIC KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus) Seen at Kiunga at the lek and Km 14. * LONG-BILLED CUCKOO (Rhamphomantis megarhynchus) Heard at Watame but all too briefly, a scarce bird whose host species also remains unknown. LITTLE BRONZE-CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx minutillus) One watched singing at Km 14 at Kiunga. BRUSH CUCKOO (Cacomantis variolosus) Seen at Kama. * CHESTNUT-BREASTED CUCKOO (Cacomantis castaneiventris) Heard at Kama lek but stubbornly refused to respond to playback. FAN-TAILED CUCKOO (Cacomantis flabelliformis excitus) One seen well at Murmur Pass, and heard at Rondon, this montane form is a potential split.

Podargidae (Frogmouths) PAPUAN FROGMOUTH (Podargus papuensis) A fine bird sat on a nest at the PAU, a nice addition to the tour, lucky we checked an old site for it as there were none at the usual areas.

Aegothelidae (Owlet-nightjars) BARRED OWLET-NIGHTJAR (Aegotheles bennetti) My old faithful was still present this year at Varirata in the roost hole with the stick poking out of it.

Hemiprocnidae (Tree-swifts) MOUSTACHED TREE-SWIFT (Hemiprocne mystacea) Singles up the Fly R., Km 17 and then at Km 14 mound, unusually few this time around.

Apodidae (Swifts) GLOSSY SWIFTLET (Collocalia esculenta) Quite common at all localities we visited except Kiunga where it is absent. UNIFORM SWIFTLET (Collocalia vanikorensis) Seen around Varirata and Kiunga. MOUNTAIN SWIFTLET (Aerodramus hirundinaceus) Just a few were seen at Kumul and Rondon. PAPUAN SPINE-TAILED SWIFT (Mearnsia novaeguineae) 5 over the Fly and Elevala rivers and 1 at Km 14, with 2 at Drimgas later.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) PACIFIC (AUSTRALASIAN) SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio (porphyrio) melanotus) 12 seen at the PAU, and now at long last split from Purple Swamphen by most. DUSKY MOORHEN (Gallinula tenebrosa) Four were seen at the PAU.

Jacanidae (Jacanas) COMB-CRESTED JACANA (Irediparra gallinacea) Some folks saw one at the PAU.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) MASKED LAPWING (Vanellus miles miles) 6 seen at the PAU.

Scolopacidae (Shorebirds) * NEW GUINEA WOODCOCK (Scolopax rosenbergii) Our dusk foray at Kumul let us hear this species twice, giving the strange grunting roding call, but sadly it did not come into view and we got fogged out next night. COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) Two along the Elevala River.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants) LITTLE PIED CORMORANT (Microcarbo melanoleucos) Just a single seen at the PAU. LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) 7 seen at the PAU.

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) AUSTRALIAN WHITE IBIS (Threskiornis molucca) 4 at the PAU, this is an uncommon winter migrant here.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) BLACK BITTERN (Dupetor flavicollis) One seen briefly along the Elevala as it flew across a creek. EASTERN CATTLE EGRET (Asian) (Bubulcus (ibis) coromandus) Just one near the PAU and 4 at Jackson’s Airport later. Split by the IOC from Western Cattle Egret, the breeding dress is very distinct. NANKEEN (RUFOUS) NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax caledonicus) A smartly plumaged adult was roosting at the PAU. GREAT EGRET (AUSTRALASIAN) (Ardea alba modesta) Just a single from the Fly River. STRIATED HERON (Butorides striatus) One adult along the Elevala, this is the appropriately named race flyensis. One fine adult along the Elevala River. INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Egretta intermedia plumifera) 3 seen at the PAU, this taxon is now split by HBW/BirdLife as Plumed Egret. PIED HERON (Egretta picata) 3 seen at the PAU.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) PACIFIC BAZA (Aviceda subcristata) Several sightings along the Fly and Elevala. LONG-TAILED HONEY BUZZARD (Henicopernis longicauda) One briefly near Km 17 and one flew over us at the 12-wired display area BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans affinis) Quite common around Mt. Hagen and Kumul. WHISTLING KITE (Haliastur sphenurus) A single at the PAU. BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus) 3 seen along the Fly River, and one bird by Rondon. WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) An adult seen well up the Elevala River. [PAPUAN HARRIER (Circus (spilonotus) spilothorax)] Phil and Scott saw a male flying by from their room at Rondon, a good pick up of a scarce species, which is often split as Papuan Harrier. VARIABLE GOSHAWK (Accipiter hiogaster leucosomus) There was a probable at Varirata, and one was perched along the Elevala. BROWN GOSHAWK (Accipiter fasciatus) One flew over at Anjiwalya below Kumul, the rounded tail seen clearly.

Strigidae (Owls) * PAPUAN BOOBOOK (Ninox theomacha) Heard at Rondon both pre-dawn and that evening, but unresponsive, though one did fly right over us that night but then stayed silent.

Bucerotidae (Hornbills) BLYTH’S HORNBILL (Aceros plicatus) A male near Varirata was unusual there, then about 10 above Kiunga, always a treat to see and hear this showy large species.

Meropidae (Bee-eaters) RAINBOW BEE-EATER (Merops ornatus) 6 at Varirata and heard at Kama lek.

Coraciidae (Rollers) ORIENTAL DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomus orientalis) 4 along the Varirata approach road, and common upriver from Kiunga with 20+ seen.

Halcyonidae (Tree Kingfishers) COMMON PARADISE-KINGFISHER (Tanysiptera galatea) 2 seen well along Ketu Creek after a foray over the mud, worth a few chigger bites! BROWN-HEADED PARADISE-KINGFISHER (Tanysiptera danae) Leonard got us a fine bird at Varirata, and we heard 2 more later. It's endemic to SE PNG and Varirata is the only place I have ever seen them; they sit quietly and can often be picked up by the bright red breast. * HOOK-BILLED KINGFISHER (Melidora macrorrhina) Heard at Watame and along the Fly, always very tricky to find as it is a crepuscular species. BLUE-WINGED KOOKABURRA (Dacelo leachii) One was seen en route to Varirata. RUFOUS-BELLIED KOOKABURRA (Dacelo gaudichaud) A very nice view of 4 at Varirata, and also heard upriver from Kiunga. [FOREST KINGFISHER (Halcyon macleayii)] Phil saw one flying away along Varirata approach road SACRED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus sanctus) An Australian migrant here, it was seen at the PAU and at Kiunga. YELLOW-BILLED KINGFISHER (Syma torotoro) Quite vocal at Varirata where we saw one, heard at Km 17 and upriver at Kiunga, with another calling at the Km 14 Boystown Road mound.

Alcedinidae (River Kingfishers) * PAPUAN DWARF KINGFISHER (Ceyx solitarius) Heard briefly along the Lookout Trail at Varirata, another very hard bird to get to see. AZURE KINGFISHER (Ceyx azurea) One seen along the Elevala, always surprisingly scarce along these big rivers.

Falconidae (Falcons) AUSTRALIAN HOBBY (Falco longipennis) A few folks saw one near the airport at Port Moresby as we came back from the PAU.

Cacatuidae (Cockatoos) SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO (Cacatua galerita triton) Heard at Varirata, and a few on the river trip above Kiunga. PALM COCKATOO (Probosciger aterrima) A good view of a single along the Elevala, and a brief flyby at Km 14, this is another of the Cape York specials in Australia.

Psittaculidae (Australasian Parrots) * PAPUAN HANGING PARROT (Loriculus aurantiifrons) One was calling as it shot over us at Km 14, too fast for any of us to get it! COCONUT (RAINBOW) LORIKEET (Trichoglossus haematodus) New Guinea birds are often now split as Coconut Lorikeet; the plumage is pretty distinct from the Australian birds. We saw them very well along the approach road to Varirata and at Km 17. YELLOW-STREAKED LORY (Chalcopsitta sintillata) Several flyovers of raspy-voiced small flocks along the Fly River. GOLDIE’S LORIKEET (Psitteuteles goldiei) About a dozen at Tonga, feeding and flying out of a fruiting tree and basically only seen in flight, an uncommon and nomadic species. BLACK-CAPPED LORY (Lorius lory) Noisy, with some good looks at Varirata and Km 14 as well as on the Fly R. RED-FLANKED LORIKEET (Charmosyna placentis) Very nice views of them at Km 14, where we saw about 40 birds in total. STELLA’S (PAPUAN) LORIKEET (Charmosyna stellae) There was a brief flyby at Rondon Ridge and Kumul; it really is one of the most beautiful of all the parrots. Now split from the Papuan Lorikeet of the Vogelkop too. PLUM-FACED LORIKEET (Oreopsittacus arfaki) This tiny lorikeet with the husky voice was seen briefly at Kumul and above Rondon Ridge. YELLOW-BILLED LORIKEET (Neopsittacus musschenbroekii) A few seen at Kumul and Rondon. BREHM'S TIGER PARROT (Psittacella brehmii) Good looks at Kumul with up to 4 birds including a fine male, the group greatly enjoyed their chunky antics. Also one at Murmur Pass where it was calling loudly. RED-CHEEKED PARROT (Geoffroyus geoffroyi) Some good views both at rest and in flight from Varirata and Kiunga. ECLECTUS PARROT (Eclectus roratus) Heard along the Varirata approach road, then 4 upriver at Kiunga including a couple of females, and 1 at Km 14. PAPUAN KING PARROT (Alisterus chloropterus) Calling and seen badly at Varirata as if flew through the forest. ORANGE-BREASTED FIG-PARROT (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii fuscifrons) Good views of the usual small flocks of 4-6 upriver from Kiunga. HBW split this as Dusky- cheeked Fig-Parrot (C. melanogenia) DOUBLE-EYED FIG-PARROT (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coccineifrons) A few seen flying over along the Elevala, the red face very obvious. I suspect multiple species are involved in this complex and it struck me as odd that HBW/BirdLife split out all the other fig parrots but not this one. * LARGE FIG-PARROT (Psittaculirostris desmarestii godmani) One heard as it flew over calling up the Elevala. HBW/BirdLIfe split this into 3 species, this one being Yellow-naped Fig-Parrot P. godmani.

Pittidae (Pittas) * PAPUAN (RED-BELLIED) PITTA (Erythropitta (erythrogaster) macklotii) Heard at Watame Lodge. Now split as Papuan Pitta as a part of the break-up of the complex into 12 + species. EASTERN HOODED PITTA (Pitta (sordida) novaeguineae) Heard and seen briefly at Km 17, but unresponsive along the Elevala, and now split from the mainland Asian Birds.

Ptilonorhynchidae (Bowerbirds) * MACGREGOR’S BOWERBIRD (Amblyornis macgregoriae) Heard at Rondon where we saw a fine maypole stick bower 1.5 m tall, built around a sapling with a large mossy rim around the circular base, plus a smaller practice bower of a younger male nearby, this is a very tricky bird to actually see. FLAME BOWERBIRD (Sericulus aureus) We did well at Km 14 with two female-plumaged birds and a subadult male at a fruiting Schefflera, but sadly the adult male only flew over. YELLOW-BREASTED BOWERBIRD (Chlamydera lauterbachi) Seen at Kama lek, then a couple of birds in the garden bush area nearby, quite bright yellow beneath. The unique bower of this species is a kind of double-avenue, with the outer set of walls at right angles to the centre avenue bower, decorated with blue quandongs and small stones. FAWN-BREASTED BOWERBIRD (Chlamydera cerviniventris) 2 up along the Varirata approach and several at the PAU with a good avenue bower too, decorated with green berries

Maluridae (Fairywrens) WHITE-SHOULDERED FAIRYWREN (Malurus alboscapulatus lorentzi) Seen briefly in the gardens at Rondon, females here are black above and have white on the face and white throats, whereas other taxa have male-type plumage or are brown and white, all very bizarre.

Meliphagidae () RED-COLLARED MYZOMELA (Myzomela rosenbergii) Seen up at Rondon, the male is an eye-catching thing for sure. MOUNTAIN (ELFIN) MYZOMELA (Myzomela adolphinae) One beautiful diminutive male was foraging at Rondon, and we saw one at Kama lek. TAWNY-BREASTED HONEYEATER (Xanthotis flaviventer) Seen well at Kiunga and Varirata. MOUNTAIN MELIPHAGA (Microptilotis orientalis) This high altitude species has a small yellow ear spot and a “chup” call, we saw singles at Kama lek and then Lai-Mambis. SCRUB MELIPHAGA (Microptilotis albonotata) One seen by Kiunga airstrip, the small white ear spot and “plik” call being distinctive. WHITE-THROATED HONEYEATER (Melithreptus albogularis) 3 calling and seen briefly along the Varirata approach. * OBSCURE HONEYEATER (Caligavis obscurus) One was heard calling well at Drimgas but remained out of sight. * BLACK-THROATED HONEYEATER (Caligavis subfrenatus) They were quite vocal at Rondon and Murmur Pass with the loud musical call, but stayed out of sight. YELLOW-TINTED HONEYEATER ( flavescens) Seen well at the PAU, in PNG this species is only found in the savannas around POM. STREAK-HEADED HONEYEATER (Pycnopygius stictocephalus) Heard at Varirata and seen at Km 17. This is one of the friarbird mimics, along with Brown Oriole. NEW GUINEA (HELMETED) FRIARBIRD (Philemon (buceroides) novaeguineae Seen at Varirata and Kiunga, quite distinct from Helmeted in calls and morphology. It was split by Clements but was then oddly demoted, but happily the IOC now split it again and have it as a NG endemic (though note the new Pratt and Beehler book lumps it.) RUFOUS-BACKED HONEYEATER (Ptiloprora guisei) A couple seen at Murmur and Rondon, this is actually a PNG endemic. Tape cut posted to IBC GREY-STREAKED (BLACK-BACKED) HONEYEATER (Ptiloprora perstriata) The Grey-streaked Honeyeater was seen very well at Kumul. BELFORD'S MELIDECTES (Melidectes belfordi) Bel Mels are liked by clients, being big, noisy and obvious, we saw them very well at both highland sites. YELLOW-BROWED MELIDECTES (Melidectes rufocrissalis) Quite common at Rondon, and just as noisy as its cousin. I missed recording a very odd almost wattlebird-like call here. ORNATE MELIDECTES (Melidectes ornatus) A couple were seen well in the valley by Kama, and one at Rondon. SMOKY HONEYEATER (Melipotes fumigatus) The extraordinary blushing honeyeater was seen really well at Kumul and Rondon and was something of a favourite. RUFOUS-BANDED HONEYEATER (Conopophila albogularis) A few seen at the PAU where it was very vocal, and a couple at Kiunga.

Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies) * GOLDENFACE (Pachycare flavogrisea) Heard along the Lookout Trail, a shame it stayed out of view. * RUSTY MOUSE WARBLER (Origma (Crateroscelis) murina) Heard at Varirata. LARGE SCRUBWREN (Sericornis nouhuysi) Seen briefly at Kumul and heard at Rondon. Recording posted to IBC. * BUFF-FACED SCRUBWREN (Sericornis perspicillatus) Heard at Rondon. PAPUAN SCRUBWREN (Sericornis papuensis) Seen at Kumul, a remarkably nondescript species but vocally distinctive.

* GREEN-BACKED GERYGONE (Gerygone chloronotus) Heard at Varirata and Km 14. YELLOW-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone chrysogaster) A couple along the Lookout Trail, always members of the bird flocks here, a couple from Watame along the forest trail there, and heard at Km 14. BROWN-BREASTED GERYGONE (Gerygone ruficollis) Seen very well by the feeders at Kumul and heard at Rondon; the delightful smoky descending song is the best thing about it.

Pomatostomidae (Australasian babblers) * PAPUAN BABBLER (Garritornis isidorei) Heard at Km 14.

Cnemophilidae (Satinbirds) LORIA'S SATINBIRD ( loriae) A brief view of a female in the mist at Murmur, now reallocated out of paradisaeids and into this fairly new endemic family. CRESTED SATINBIRD (Cnemophilus macgregoriae sanguineus) Heard calling near the feeders at Kumul, then a fine male seen late pm by bunkroom 4. Some of us also saw fantastic male from the deck next day, and my video even shows the rarely visible occipital groove crest. Known as Red Satinbird by HBW/BirdLife and split from the eastern yellow taxon. Video posted to IBC.

Melanocharitidae (Berrypeckers and Longbills) BLACK BERRYPECKER (Melanocharis nigra) Several males and a female were seen well at Varirata, this one of the NG endemic families. FAN-TAILED BERRYPECKER (Melanocharis versteri) Nice views at Kumul and Murmur Pass. * YELLOW-BELLIED LONGBILL (Toxoramphus novaeguineae) Vocal around Watame and Km 14 but none showed. * SPECTACLED (DWARF) LONGBILL (Oedistoma iliolophus) Heard along the Lookout Trail, but no views.

Cinclosomatidae (Jewel-babblers and quail-thrush) * PAINTED QUAIL-THRUSH (Cinclosoma ajax) Heard at Drimgas, always a very hard species to see. * CHESTNUT-BACKED JEWEL-BABBLER (Ptilorrhoa castaneothorax) * Heard at Varirata, this is always one of the mega-skulkers! * BLUE JEWEL-BABBLER (Ptilorrhoa caerulescens) * Heard quite close by at Watame, yet another mega-skulker. * SPOTTED JEWEL-BABBLER (Ptilorrhoa leucosticta) * Heard distantly as we came back from Rondon ridgetop.

Machaerirhynchidae (Boatbills) YELLOW-BREASTED BOATBILL (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) Vocal and a few folks saw this at Drimgas, sorry Sharon!

BLACK-BREASTED BOATBILL (Machaerirhynchus nigripectus) Nice views of this striking species at Kumul.

Artamidae (Woodswallows) WHITE-BREASTED WOODSWALLOW (Artamus leucorynchus) A few seen around Port Moresby and Kiunga.

Cracticidae (Bellmagpies and Allies) BLACK-BACKED BUTCHERBIRD ( mentalis) Fine views at the PAU, where 3 birds were foraging on the grass and being stalked by a girl with a stick! It's otherwise a Cape York special. HOODED BUTCHERBIRD (Cracticus cassicus) A good singer, and seen well at Varirata. * BLACK BUTCHERBIRD (Melloria quoyi) Heard at Varirata, it is likely the thick-billed New Guinea birds will be split from the Australian ones, and they call differently too. LOWLAND PELTOPS (Peltops blainvillii) One from along the Fly R. and one along Boystown Road by the mound, always a neat trip bird and maybe a new family too once the taxonomists sort out its affinities

Campephagidae () STOUT-BILLED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina caeruleogrisea) A fine male of this huge species, one of the largest of the family, with a huge bill and great long tail, at Varirata Lookout Trail. * BARRED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina lineata axillaris) Heard at Varirata, with very different calls to the Queensland birds, only the females are barred here and I suspect this is a distinct species. BOYER’S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina boyeri) Good views from Varirata and also at Km 14. WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina papuensis) Three along the Varirata approach road. BLACK-FACED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina novaehollandiae) A small flock along the Varirata approach road. GREY-HEADED CICADABIRD (Cuckooshrike) ( schisticeps) Seen nicely at Km 17 then at Watame. BLACK-BELLIED CICADABIRD (Cuckooshrike) (Edolisoma montana) Calling well at Murmur Pass, they give a loud raspy duet call. We saw 3 on the misty afternoon. BLACK CICADABIRD (Edolisoma melas) A male was seen well at Varirata. GOLDEN CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campochaera sloetii) Seen briefly several times around Kiunga and upriver, where they were quite vocal but hard to see well. VARIED TRILLER (Lalage leucomela) Seen at Varirata, and again upriver from Kiunga and at Km 14.

Rhagologidae (Mottled Berryhunter) * MOTTLED BERRYHUNTER (WHISTLER) (Rhagologus leucostigma) This was heard both times at Murmur Pass, but annoyingly did not show. Always a bit of an oddity, it is now given family rank as part of an ancient Tertiary radiation revealed by genetic work.

Oreoicidae Australasian Bellbirds RUFOUS-NAPED BELLBIRD (WHISTLER) (Aleadryas rufinucha) This odd bird that is actually not a whistler at all showed very well at Kumul and was heard at Rondon. It is now placed with the Crested Bellbird of Australia in the family Oreoicidae.

Eulacestomidae (Ploughbill) WATTLED PLOUGHBILL (Eulacestoma nigripectus) Barry saw an immature briefly above Rondon by the KoS site, where they were calling well but were sadly unresponsive. Another that was always a bit of an oddity, it is now given family rank as part of an ancient Tertiary radiation revealed by genetic work.

Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies) GREY WHISTLER (Pachycephala simplex) Three were seen quite well in Varirata. * SCLATER'S WHISTLER (Pachycephala soror) Heard at Rondon on the way up to the ridge. REGENT WHISTLER (Pachycephala schlegelii) A couple of good looks at a pair at Kumul, and heard at Rondon ridge top, a really beautiful bird. BLACK-HEADED WHISTLER (Pachycephala monacha) A male was seen nicely in the valley by Kama lek. VARIABLE (LITTLE /RUFOUS) SHRIKE-THRUSH (Colluricincla (megarhyncha) fortis) Seen at Varirata, this Not-so-Little Shrike-thrush group of 28 taxa is now an 8-way split, just what the world needs! The one here is an NG endemic, the Variable Shrike-thrush. GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH (Colluricincla harmonica) One at the PAU and heard at Kama, which seems a high altitude for it. * WHITE-BELLIED SHRIKE-THRUSH (PITOHUI) (Pseudorectes incertus) This upper Fly endemic was heard briefly along Ketu Creek, a shame it did not respond. * RUSTY SHRIKE-THRUSH (PITOHUI) (Pseudorectes ferrugineus) Heard at Varirata, it is one of those things that you hear more than see, but the pale eye is a good field mark if you do get it.

Laniidae (Shrikes) LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius schach stresemanni) Seen well in the Wahgi Valley, a singularly beautiful shrike. This isolated highland PNG endemic race is a possible split.

Oriolidae (Orioles) BROWN ORIOLE (Oriolus szalayi) Seen at the PAU and Varirata, this is one of the friarbird mimics.

AUSTRALASIAN FIGBIRD (Sphecotheres vieilloti salvadorii) 10 at the PAU, a distinctive endemic taxon, the male has a greyish chest and yellow belly. HOODED PITOHUI (Pitohui dichrous) 3 seen at Varirata, this orange and black species is now placed with orioles and is one of the few poisonous birds. * SOUTHERN VARIABLE PITOHUI (Pitohui uropygialis) Heard at Km 17 this is the race brunneiceps.

Monarchidae (Monarchs) * FANTAIL (BLACK) MONARCH (Symposiachrus axillaris) Heard at Rondon. It is an extraordinary mimic of male Black Fantail of all things, very strange, but the white shoulder flash is a giveaway, plus the raspy call. SPOT-WINGED MONARCH (Monarcha guttulus) One seen at Drimgas, an elusive species. BLACK-FACED MONARCH (Monarcha melanopsis) Scott and one or two others saw one at Varirata. GOLDEN MONARCH (Carterornis chrysomela) Heard at Boystown Road and seen well at Drimgas. FRILLED MONARCH (Arses telescopthalmus) Great views of a singing female at Watame, calling loudly, I had expected a male. SHINING FLYCATCHER (Myiagra alecto) Males and females seen along Ketu Creek. LEADEN FLYCATCHER (Myiagra rubecula) One female along the Varirata approach in the afternoon

Ifritidae (Ifrit) BLUE-CAPPED IFRIT (Ifrita kowaldi) This is also a poisonous bird a bit like pitohuis, certainly an important species to see on a New Guinea trip being a monotypic endemic family; we saw one twice at Kumul and singles at Murmur and Rondon. This oddity creeps along branches and picks over lichens. For many years no one knew what family it belonged to, it has been placed in various groups such as rail-babblers or Incertae Sedis, but is now given family rank as part of an ancient Tertiary radiation.

Dicruridae (Drongos) PAPUAN (Dicrurus (bracteatus) carbonarius) Common at Varirata and Kiunga with distinctive calls; I split this from the Spangled Drongo in my Field Guide, the species is badly in need of revision.

Rhipiduridae (Fantails) WILLIE-WAGTAIL (Rhipidura leucophrys) Very widespread, from lowlands to highlands. FRIENDLY FANTAIL (Rhipidura albolimbata) Good looks at all montane sites, where it lives up to its name. CHESTNUT-BELLIED FANTAIL (Rhipidura hyperythra) Seen along the Lookout Trail at Varirata.

* RUFOUS-BACKED FANTAIL (Rhipidura rufidorsa) One was calling by the Km 14 mound. BLACK FANTAIL (Rhipidura atra) A male at Rondon, the sexes are strikingly different, the female being deep rufous, not black like the male. DIMORPHIC FANTAIL (Rhipidura brachyrhyncha) Seen at Murmur. * WHITE-BELLIED THICKET-FANTAIL (Rhipidura leucothorax) Heard upriver at Kiunga.

Corvidae (Crows) GREY CROW (Corvus tristis) 2 of this large forest crow flying over at Varirata, and a couple upriver at Kiunga. TORRESIAN CROW (Corvus orru) A couple were seen at the PAU, it is very patchily distributed in NG.

Melampittidae (Melampittas) * LESSER (Melampitta lugubris) Heard at Kumul and Rondon. Genetic studies indicate it is of family rank, part of an ancient Tertiary radiation.

Paradisaeidae (Birds of Paradise) GLOSSY-MANTLED (Manucodia ater) Seen at Varirata, our very first bird of paradise, then along the rivers at Kiunga, with some in the butterfly-like display flight and up to 6 in a day here. CRINKLE-COLLARED MANUCODE (Manucodia chalybatus) One was seen at Varirata, with very obvious head bumps. (Phonygammus keraudenrii) A couple seen upriver from Kiunga. This is the lowland taxon jamesii, and this species is due for splitting up into several species. RIBBON-TAILED ASTRAPIA (Astrapia mayeri) Great looks at a several resplendent but still fairly short-tailed adult males at Kumul. We saw 4 or 5 other individuals here and each was in a different plumage! A female was feeding a juvenile at one stage. This is one of the all-time great birds and a particular favourite of mine, and a PNG endemic. PRINCESS STEPHANIE'S ASTRAPIA (Astrapia stephaniae) A brief view for some at Murmur Pass, then good looks at female-plumaged birds at Rondon plus a spectacular full-plumaged male atop the ridge. Distinctive with those long waving paddle-shape tails. This is another PNG endemic too. KING-OF-SAXONY BIRD OF PARADISE (Pteridophora alberti) A male was at Murmur Pass on the second morning but rather elusive, we had heard them there the day before in the mist. Then we saw a splendid male at 2300m above Rondon where he showed really well for all including Cynthia, who arrived just in time to see it. I got a lovely video of the bird drinking, a rarely documented habit in birds of paradise and now posted on the IBC site. One of the birds of the trip.

SUPERB LOPHORINA (BIRD OF PARADISE) (Lophorina superba feminina) Nice female-plumaged birds at Rondon, with a very brief male at a fruiting tree near Bob’s house. This species is now split into 3 and renamed Lophorina as the primary designator, but I have opted to retain the link with Superb Bird of Paradise as it is so well established and the boring Greater Lophorina simply does not have the same ring to it! GROWLING (MAGNIFICENT) RIFLEBIRD ( (magnificus) intercedens) A male Growling Riflebird was calling along the Lookout Trail and several of us got looks at it, with a female-plumage bird also being seen briefly. The voice is so distinct this is clearly a good species, if the identical looking Chirruping and Chiming Wedgebills get split then so should this! * (Ptiloris magnificus) One heard calling the loud and impressive wolf-whistle notes at Drimgas, but was impossible to see although initially quite close. BROWN SICKLEBILL ( meyeri) Several female-plumaged birds at Kumul were feeding on fruits and showing the pale blue eye nicely. The beautiful adult male who had been here for some years was hit by a Western Highlander with a catapult in 2014 and has now disappeared, the Great War on Nature continues. Also heard close by at Rondon, and with a fine male at Murmur Pass. BLACK SICKLEBILL (Epimachus fastosus) A male calling loudly above Rondon around 0640, but disappeared when we got nearby, however we late saw what is presumably this male at a fruiting tree, the very long tail distinctive and the lack of a pale eye. * MAGNIFICENT BIRD OF PARADISE (Diphyllodes magnificus) Heard briefly below the Kama lek. KING BIRD OF PARADISE ( regius) A splendid male was seen en route to the lek at Km 17, sat high in vine tangle for scope views, with an earlier nearby male being strangely very flighty and hard to see. TWELVE-WIRED BIRD OF PARADISE (Seleucidis melanoleucus) A fine calling male was sat atop his song post along the Elevala early one morning, with a female plumage bird seen later too. GREATER BIRD OF PARADISE ( apoda) Good looks and sounds from a couple of pure bred yellowy-plumed males at Km 17 late one afternoon, and a female seen at Km 14, strange the lek was not active the day we went. RAGGIANA BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisaea raggiana) The main lek at Varirata was not active, though we saw a subadult male and female- plumaged birds later in the park. LESSER BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisaea minor) The lek at Kama was back in business for visitors and it was great to see this BoP so nicely, though only one adult male was present, eventually tracked down and seen well. I hope it will still be feasible to see them here in future. BLUE BIRD OF PARADISE (Paradisornis rudolphi) A wonderful view of a male at Tonga, which was sitting quietly in a tall tree and just bugling occasionally. This is a quite rare and restricted range species classified as VU (Vulnerable), endemic to a narrow and heavily settled height band and only in PNG. One of the birds of the trip.

Petroicidae (Australasian Robins) * WHITE-FACED ROBIN ( leucops) One was heard along the Tree House Trail at Varirata but stayed well back. Another of the Cape York specials in Australia. WHITE-WINGED ROBIN ( sigillata) Seen very well at Kumul with several adults and some immatures. * BLUE-GRAY ROBIN (Peneothello cyanus) Heard at Rondon. * BLACK-SIDED ROBIN ( hypoleuca) Heard close by the in the forest at Ketu Creek but very elusive as always. BLACK-CAPPED (ASHY) ROBIN ( armiti) Two seen remarkably well out in the gardens area at Murmur Pass, my best and most prolonged views ever. This is a split from what was formerly Ashy Robin, which is now a Vogelkop endemic. * PAPUAN SCRUB ROBIN ( beccarii) Heard quite close at Varirata but in a very dense spot, so no views were possible. TORRENT FLYROBIN (Monachella muelleriana) Nice views of 3 at the Lai River Sepik headwaters. LEMON-BELLIED FLYROBIN ( flavigaster) A couple from along the Varirata approach road in the late afternoon. OLIVE FLYROBIN (FLYCATCHER) (Microeca flavovirescens) One quite high in the canopy along the Lookout Trail, a species we seldom see. GARNET ROBIN (Eugerygone rubra) One began calling and we got it quite well in co-operation with Rockjumper at Murmur Pass despite the misty conditions.

Hirundinidae (Swallows) PACIFIC SWALLOW (Hirundo tahitica) A few were seen at Port Moresby and Mt. Hagen.

Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers) ISLAND LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus poliocephalus) Seen very well singing at Rondon and heard at Kama.

Zosteropidae (White-eyes) BLACK-FRONTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops atrifrons) Vocal at Varirata and most saw them in the big fig near the picnic area. GREEN-FRONTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops minor) Seen very well at Rondon, with white eye-rings, yellow throat and undertail and greyish- white underparts, but what are they? Both new field guides (but not yet the IOC) now split them as Green-fronted White-eye, but was formerly thought to be New Guinea (Papuan) White-eye and still listed as that by many companies. The whole taxonomy of these two species is a bit of a mess; I suspect New Guinea White-eye is more a state of mind than a reality, and that several different cryptic species are involved.

Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies) * PAPUAN GRASSBIRD (Megalurus macrurus) Now split as Papuan Grassbird, much larger than Tawny, with montane habitat and different song. It was heard at Tonga.

Sturnidae (Starlings) METALLIC STARLING (Aplonis metallica) A few were seen at the PAU and Km 14, and a nesting colony up the Fly River. YELLOW-EYED STARLING (Aplonis mystacea) 5 flew overhead calling at Km 14, told by the distinctive flight call and the less pointed tail than Metallic Starling, but the view was too quick to be of much use! A rather rare species of this region. SINGING STARLING (Aplonis cantoroides) A pair of this short-tailed species were seen at the PAU and a couple at Mt Hagen airport. YELLOW-FACED MYNA (Mino dumontii) 10 at Varirata, a couple at the PAU, and widespread upriver from Kiunga. GOLDEN MYNA (Mino anais) A couple of nice looking birds along the Elevala River, a good find by Scott after a brief flyby earlier.

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) ISLAND THRUSH (Turdus poliocephalus) Seen nicely at Kumul, very reminiscent of Eurasian Blackbird, though the immatures are quite different striking creatures with spotted chests and small white throat.

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers) PIED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola caprata wahgiensis) Seen below Kumul and at Rondon, a wide-ranging species in NG, this is one of the highland races.

Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers) RED-CAPPED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum geelvinkianum) We saw this tiny bird very well at Rondon after poor looks at Kiunga.

Nectariniidae (Sunbirds) BLACK SUNBIRD (Leptocoma sericea) Singles around Kiunga on two days, best at the Km 14 mound.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) I One at Mt Hagen, it has colonized since 1992 and is one of just a couple of introduced species in PNG. I also think it may be being displaced by the now almost ubiquitous Tree Sparrow. EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) I A few in Port Moresby and at the PAU this is a colonist since 2007 and now exploding throughout all the urban areas in New Guinea, where we saw them at Port Moresby, Kiunga and Mt. Hagen. I anticipate it will reach northern Australia ere long.

Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies) [* MOUNTAIN FIRETAIL (Oreostruthus fuliginosus)] Phil heard this from Bunkroom 8 at Kumul, but no sign of it otherwise. WHITE-SPOTTED MANNIKIN ( leucosticta) Two on a fence by Kiunga airstrip, but flew just after I got onto them, this is a restricted range Trans-Fly endemic. GREY-HEADED MANNIKIN (Lonchura caniceps) Great views of a small flock of 15 at the PAU, this species is endemic to SE PNG. HOODED MANNIKIN (MUNIA) (Lonchura spectabilis) Nice views at Rondon and also seen near Murmur. Adults have a striking black head.

Motacillidae (Pipits and wagtails) AUSTRALASIAN PIPIT (Anthus australis exiguus) Two at Mt. Hagen Kagamuga airport on the grass there, an uncommon bird and maybe specifically distinct from the Australian ones, or allied to the northern taxon there as another species.

MAMMALS Pteropodidae (Fruit bats) Greater Flying-fox (Pteropus neohibernicus) A few seen flying over the Fly River, a huge great fruit bat.

Dasyuridae (Dasyures, quolls etc) Speckled Dasyure (Neophascogale lorentzi) A nice one on the ground close by at Murmur Pass, the pale tipped ears and white outer tail showing well. Related to quolls, it is a diurnal species and quite common here. Confusingly also often called Long-clawed marsupial-mouse even though it is not any kind of mouse! Short-furred Dasyure (Murexia longicaudata) The smallish orangey-brown furred mammal with the quite long furry tail that we saw at Murmur is I think this species, actually a lifer for me!

Some of the photos and videos are on the Internet Bird Collection (IBC), a free access site via Lynx Edicions (publishers of the classic Handbook of Birds of World, now HBW Alive and a great database of all the world's birds). IBC is a superb collection of videos, photos and sound cuts and I usually post pictures and sound cuts from the tours here. It is now being allied with the Cornell University ornithology database and we await the results in due course. I recommend the xeno-canto website (XC) which has recordings of almost all the world's bird species, I contribute cuts from most tours and have uploaded some from this tour, just look under my name profile to see what is there. I also recommend the IOC World Checklist of Birds, a free access downloadable Excel file that gets updated every 6 months and is a great way to manage your overall list sightings; version 9.2 has just been published. Go to www.worldbirdnames.org or google IOC and ignore the Olympics stuff! Phil Gregory [email protected] www.birder.travel