FRENCH POLYNESIA AND THE PITCAIRN ISLANDS

3rd November – 22nd November 2018

Graham Talbot

Introduction Why Polynesia … fifteen years ago, I spent quite a bit of time birding the Pacific Islands and at that time Polynesia was high on the list of places to go but somehow it fell off the radar and my focus shifted elsewhere. Then one very hot day in August I was randomly surfing the web and I saw that there was still a place available on the Wildwings Wake of the Bounty Tour departing in November and thought why not its not every year they run, and time is not on my side.

Logistics These were relatively easy as it was a tour organised by Wildwings http://www.wildwings.co.uk/ starting and ending in . The tour was led by Chris Collins and there were ten other participants. It was a mixed bunch of people from seabird enthusiasts to adventure seekers and everything in between. Wildwings did an extension for the Tahiti land endemic’s, but I opted to do these myself to better fit in with my international flights. For these I rented a small four-wheel drive car as I had heard the road along the Papenoo Valley was potholed and hard to navigate in a saloon car. For the boat part of the trip we used the old Pitcairn supply vessel the Braveheart. It had a crew of six and twelve berths and although it wasn’t very big it was idea for our trip and the crew made every effort to look after us which lead to a very relaxing time. No effort was spared in getting us ashore and we managed to land on all the planned islands although a couple of the landings were a little on the adventurous side. We spent many days chumming with varying success. Most of the time the few that did come in kept their distance. Our best success was chumming at random open sea sites rather on the sea mounts and reefs. During the voyage we saw no other vessel for the entire duration of the trip and only saw people once when we landed on Pitcairn. There was no phone signal no internet it truly was the arse end of nowhere.

Braveheart

Accommodation, Food Weather On Tahiti I stayed at the Airport Motel just across the road from the main terminal which very convenient for arriving and departing and for picking up the rental car. It was not cheap for what you got but nothing is cheap in Tahiti. On the Braveheart I shared a berth and had the top bunk. It was a little small but totally adequate. Junk food was the order of the day whilst on land which was easy to find at the many petrol stations and during the cruise all food was provided by Charlie the very capable chef. I had some rain in Tahiti on the first day, but it didn’t affect seeing the birds. During the boat trip we had excellent weather with light winds and occasional rain at night.

Sites I visited two sites on Tahiti, Papenoo Valley and Papahue Valley

Tahiti - Sites Visited

Papahue Valley is on the west coast and is 18km from Papeete. It is the only place that Tahiti Monarch occurs. Numbers were as low as 20 birds but after a eradication programme numbers have crept up to 80 but it’s still very vulnerable. To access the valley, you need to contact the local conservation group MANU (http://manu.pf/contactez-nous/?lang=en) who will organise a guide. It takes about 15mins walking along a small trail and crossing a stream on slippery rocks to get to the best areas for the Monarch. Apart from the Monarch it’s the best place to see Polynesian Swiftlet as they nest in a rocky cave half way up the valley. Tahiti Fruit Dove and Kingfisher also occur in the valley.

Papenoo Valley is located on the north east coast of the Island about a 30min drive from Papeete and is the best place to see Tahiti Reed Warbler. It is a major tourist attraction and jeep loads of tourist make their way up along the gravel pot holed road that runs through the valley stopping and swimming in the river. From the main road to the first river crossing is about 3.5 miles and there is another river crossing about 5 miles further along the track which is the furthest I went. Between the crossing there are several clumps of bamboo and it was in these I found the Tahiti Reed Warbler. A few Tahiti Kingfishers were seen along this stretch but only two Fruit Doves.

Papahue Valley Papenoo Valley

Boat Trip - We flew from Papeete to Mangareva on the Gambier Archipelago where we picked up the Braveheart. From there we set sail to Pitcairn which took a day and a half. We spent a day on Pitcairn birding along the various tracks. The Reed Warbler was common and easy to see. From Pitcairn we headed to the much larger Henderson Island a major seabird breeding place as well as holding four endemic land birds. There was a rat eradication programme a few years ago but unfortunately it failed. Hopefully they will try again. It’s a big Island with a central plateau which I managed to climb up to but on top it was very overgrown though I think the trees are much lower on the other side of the island but there was no obvious path heading there. Birding was mainly done in the small band of trees between the beach and the cliffs. We found all the endemics easy to see with multiple sightings of them all. It would had been good to have been able to find a trail across the plateau to the more open areas and watch the Petrels arrive in the late afternoon. Heading westwards we the called in at Oeno a low small Atoll which one can walk round it in a couple of hours. It was one of our favourite islands as there were Petrels everywhere.

Oeno Atoll

From here we headed west to the Island of Tenarara where we spent one and a half days. It was a typical atoll with a central lagoon which could be accessed by walking through the thick trees and bushes. Although it was only about 200m to the lagoon it was very easy to get disorientated and a number of times I had to use my compass to find my way out. We had planned to go snorkelling in the central lagoon, but we thought better of it when we arrived as it was full of Black-tipped Reef Sharks. Tuamotu were easy to see as they came and met us as we landed. They are numerous. The Atoll Fruit Dove was also easy to see as it was quite often found feeding on the ground. The Ground Dove was a little trickier but, in the end, we managed to get good views of them. From here we headed south to Morane which was our least favourite Island probably because it was very hot and by then we were a bit seabirded out. As we still had not seen Polynesian Storm Petrel, we decided to head south of and spend the final day chumming. This proved successful.

References Books Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World – Derek Onley and Paul Scofield The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific H Douglas Pratt et all

Trip Reports from cloudbirders https://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport

Itinerary

Saturday 3rd November I set off from Hong Kong on the evening flight to Auckland arriving around lunch time the following day only to find the connecting flight to Tahiti had been delayed by four hours. Eventually the flight left, and I arrived in Papeete at just before midnight however as we had crossed the date line it was still only 3rd November. I was quickly through immigration and customs and the bags came off quickly and it was a short walk to the Tahiti Airport Motel and I was soon in bed though due to the delay it was much later than planned.

Sunday 4th November As I couldn’t pick the car up until 8am I had a leisurely breakfast before walking down to the airport where my rental car was waiting for me. It was only a short drive to the Papuhe Beach where I had arranged to meet the MANU representative. As I was early, I spent a while birding the beach where I had Wandering Tattler, White Tern and Brown Noddy. Thomas from MANU arrived at 9.30 but we had to wait for some researches from New Zealand to arrive They were late and didn’t arrive until gone 10am and by now it had clouded over, and rain look imminent. We drove the short distance to the start of the valley and started to walk up along a small trail. A Tahiti Swallow flew up and down and three Grey-green Fruit Doves were seen briefly flying over and a Tahiti Kingfisher was heard calling. We continued up along the trail crossing a small stream and then we heard a Tahiti Monarch call and very soon one was seen flying around high in the trees.

Tahiti Monarch Grey-crown Fruit Dove

It started to rain as we made our way further up the trail and headed towards a ravine where Polynesian Swiftlets flew in and out. We were all quite wet and so we slowly made our way back to the cars getting wet feet as we crossed the now swollen stream. I said my goodbyes and headed back to Papeete then on towards Papenoo Valley calling in at a petrol station for some junk food. I turned off the main road and drove up to the valley to the first river crossing where I had a quick look for the Tahiti Reed Warbler but no sign. I drove across the ford and carried on for about 5km when I came across a patch of bamboo, so I stopped and very quickly I had a Reed Warbler though views were brief. I decided to park the car and continue foot. Two Grey-green Fruit Doves landed in a tree close to the road giving good views and a bit further along a Tahiti Kingfisher perched out in the open. I came across another patch of bamboo and managed to tape out a dark morph Tahiti Reed Warbler.

Tahiti Kingfisher Tahiti Reed Warbler

The light was now going so I retraced my steps and headed back to the car and returned to the hotel. I freshened up then walked down to the airport for something to eat and meet up with Billy Simpson who was also on the trip and who had just flown in from one of the other islands. I had not seen him for 30 plus years, so we had a quick catch up before I dropped him off at his lodgings. It was an early night as I had a lot of sleep to catch up on.

Monday 5th November I had agreed with Thomas that I could return to Papahue Valley to try and get better views of the Monarch. I arrived just after 5.30am and walked up the trail this time taking my shoes and socks off before crossing the stream. I arrived at the same area as the previous day and very soon found two Monarchs building a nest. Polynesia Swiftlets were flying overhead as were a few Grey-green Fruit Dove’s. At about 9am I headed back down to car and returned to the hotel where I picked up my bag and checked out. I drove through Papeete which was very busy towards Popenoo Valley. I basically did the same as the previous day, but this time walked much further. It was a lot quieter maybe because it was hotter, but I eventually came across a pair of obliging Reed Warblers. At the second river crossing a family party of Tahiti Kingfisher showed high in trees. As I was seeing very few birds I turned around and headed back to the car seeing basically the same birds as on the walk up. A small lake held Reef Egret, Pacific Black Duck and a Wandering Tattler.

Tahiti Reed Warbler - Dark Phase Wandering Tattler

I drove slowly back towards the airport where I dropped off the car and caught a taxi to the Royal Tahiti Hotel where the other participants of the trip were staying. It was another early night.

Tuesday 6th November We left the hotel at 6am and headed to the airport where we caught the 7.30 am flight to Mangareva dropping in at Hoe on route for a 30-minute layover where the only bird of note was a Pacific Golden Plover. The plane continued to the Gambier Archipelago where we transferred to a small ferry which took across to Mangareva the main island where the Braveheart our home for the next two weeks was waiting for us.

Atolls Mangareva Airport We had to clear immigration as were technically leaving and whilst this was happening, we had a safety briefing and a boat familiarisation. Once completed and cleared to leave we caste off and headed to Motu Teiku a small rock in the lagoon where we stationed ourselves. Very soon our first Christmas Island Shearwater came in and as the light started to fade, they became more numerous with up to sixty eventually being seen. About twenty Tropical Shearwaters came in as well. Christmas Island Shearwater Tropical Shearwater

Other birds seen where Great Frigatebird, Brown and Red-footed Booby plus many Noddy’s and White Terns. We had dinner and as the boat headed towards Pitcairn Island we retired.

Wednesday 7th November Today was a day at sea. It was a bit rough and I and a number of the others were feeling a bit queasy. I spent most of the morning sleeping but I didn’t miss much as there were very few birds seen just a few Murphy’s Petrels and Juan Fernandez Petrels.

Murphy's Petrel Juan Fernandez Petrel

At about 3pm the boat stopped and we put some chump out. At first it was quite however birds started to come in as the smell of the chum drifted further afield. At first it was just a few Murphy’s Petrels which kept their distance but gradually they became braver and drifted closer to the boat. As time progressed the bird numbers increased, and they were joined by a pale and dark phased Kermadac Petrel and a single Sooty Shearwater. Then a Buller’s Albatross drifted in and sat on the sea next to the boat hoping for a snack or two.

Buller's Albatross Kermadac Petrel- dark phase

As the light faded, we continued our journey towards Pitcairn

Thursday 8th November I was woken by Billy at 6am with a shout of Phoenix Petrel. I rushed up but by the time I got there it was just a distant spec. In the morning light we could now see the Island of Pitcairn in the distant as we slowly approached it.

Pitcairn Island

As we got closer to the island we could see Brown and Black Noddy’s and a couple of Great Frigatebird’s flying around the bay. The Braveheart moored just off Bounty Bay and we had breakfast whilst the islanders prepared for our landing. At 8.30 the locals arrived in a long boat which took us across the bay to the dock where we were met by the local immigration officer. As we walked up the hill to Adams Town we saw our first Pitcairn Reed Warblers by the side of the road. We filled in our immigration forms and duly received a Pitcairn Island stamp in our passports ………… there can’t be many people who have one of those.

Pitcairn Reed Warbler White Tern

We split up and I decided to explore the eco trail where I had better views of the Warbler. I then spent the what was left of the morning exploring the area around the Adams Town seeing Black and Brown Noddy, White Tern and a couple of Grey Ternlets as well as the local historical sights.

Red-tailed Tropicbird Grey Ternlet

I returned to the village for a very good lunch and then made my way to the highest point of the island before walking along Gannet ridge where Red-tailed Tropicbird and Grey Ternlet drifted by.

Adams Town Highest Point

I returned to the town and the harbour seeing more Reed Warblers bringing my total for the day to thirty- three. We returned to the boat and spent the last couple of hours cruising around the island finding our first Masked Booby’s of the trip and a single Humpback Whale. As darkness fell, we started to drift towards forty Mile Reef.

Friday 9th November Arrived at forty Mile Reef at dawn and started chumming and although we put out a big slick very little came in and what did stayed somewhat distance. The only bird that did come close to the boat was a Black Petrel which hung around for a while. We continued to chum in the area for most of the day eventually seeing a few Henderson, Murphy’s Petrels and a selection of other Booby’s and Noddy’s

Henderson Petrel Black Petrel

A distance Petrel was identified from photos as a Goulds Petrel but it didn’t hang around for long or come very close.

Goulds Petrel

At dusk we commenced the journey towards Henderson Island

Saturday 10th November We arrived at Henderson Island just before first light and had breakfast before being transferred by rib to the island. It was very calm, so the landing was relatively easy. We landed very close to a stand of coconut trees and it was not long before we heard and then saw some Stephen’s Lorikeets flying around the trees. This was quickly followed by a fly by Henderson Island Fruit Dove.

Stephen's Lorikeet Henderson Island Fruit Dove

Billy played the tape and immediately a Henderson Island Crake came out, but I missed it. We walked into the coconut trees and found the last endemic a party of four Henderson Island Reed Warblers hanging around a nest. That just left the Crake for me and it was not long before we found a bird with a blue ring running around under the trees. That was it job done now we could relax and spend the rest of the day birding and taking some photos. We spent a few hours exploring the trees seeing a few more Reed Warblers and good views of the Fruit Dove. I climb part way up the coral cliff and managed to get eye level views of at least four Lorikeets. We then started to explore the bushes further afield walking past many Masked Booby’s as we did and briefly seeing a Crake. I sat down hoping it would come back. It did and walked up a low tree and disappeared and a different bird came out. Likely there was a nest there. I checked and there was with a small chick in. I continued to watch as the two birds came to feed the young chick at times almost running over our feet. I left to tell the others and when I came back the chick had left the nest and was with the adult being feed. It was a great spectacle and enjoyed by all. We stayed on the Island until 17.30 when the rib came and picked us up. It had been a good day.

Henderson Island Crake Henderson Island Reed Warbler

Sunday 11th November We were transferred by rib to the island at 6am and spent the morning exploring the same areas as the previous day except today I made a determined effort to get to the plateau. It was not too hard a bit of a scramble through the bushes and up a steep coral cliff.

Rib Approaching Henderson Island

Although there was a good view the vegetation was at least three meters high and so it was hard to see anything. I didn’t venture very far in as the trail was very overgrown. Whilst at the top a party of Stephen’s Lorikeets flew in and landed very close giving great views. At 10 am the rib came and picked us up and we set off for Twenty Mile Reef.

Red-footed Booby Masked Booby

I had a snooze whilst we made our way there. We started chumming, but it was a poor session and the few birds that came in kept their distance. The best birds being Murphy’s, Kermadac and Herald Petrel.

Kermadec Petrel Light Phase Herald Petrel

As darkness fell, we headed towards Oeno a good twelve hours away.

Monday 12th November As dawn broke, we could see Oeno in the distance and soon we were anchored outside the reef. It was then a long bumpy transfer in the rib to beach at the north end of the island. A look at the brackish pool did not produce the hope for Spotless Crake though there was a Wandering Tattler and Bristle-thighed on it. The morning was spent doing a circuit of the Island with the occasional forages into the bushes. Murphy’s Petrels were everywhere on the ground and in the air. There were also large numbers of Brown Noddy’s and White Terns.

Murphy's Petrel Sooty Tern At the north end there was a large colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds and a small colony of Sooty Terns as well as Masked and Red-footed Booby’s. The beach became more coral at the southern end of the Island and held a Reef Egret and three Pacific Golden Plovers as well as a couple of Bristle-thighed .

Bristled-thighed Curlew Brown Noddy

By lunch time I had completed a circuit so sat by the small pool hoping for the Crake but again no sign. It was now very hot and so an early afternoon rest a cold beer and a swim to cool down was in order. As the afternoon progressed the number of Petrels increased and so we made our way towards the centre of the island and stationed ourselves in an open area and sifted through the Petrels as they flew overhead. As the afternoon progressed more came in and we spent a long time debating the merits of some of the Phoenix Petrel candidates. It was not easy as depending on the light Herald Petrel could look very dark at times. In the end after much debate and many photos we were sure that at least one had been a Phoenix.

Pheonix Petrel

Herald Petrel

We stayed until about 6pm, a final look at the pool produced nothing and the rib returned to take us off the island back to the boat for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Tuesday 13th November It was a very early start and we were on the Island just as it was getting light. The small pool again didn’t produce the hope for Crake maybe it has gone. We had four hours on the Island, so I spent the time slowly walking around interior looking at the nesting seabirds. There were adult and well grown Murphy’s Petrel chicks everywhere and after a while I managed to find at least three adult and one Herald Petrel chick. Nesting Booby’s Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Great Frigatebirds were present in good numbers. We left the Island and had lunch then hauled anchor and headed west. We had a long way to go. Red-tailed Tropicbird Herald Petrel

Wednesday 14th November Arrived at Minerva Reef at first light and started to chump. Again it was very slow going and very little came in except the occasional Murphy’s Petrel and at least one Juan Fernandez Petrel. We spent over six hours over the reef and ended up chasing a flock mixed flock of Brown and Black Noddy’s which also contain two Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and a Tropical Shearwater and a few Bobby’s.

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Red-footed Booby

By lunch time we gave up and set course for Tenarara. Although a vigil was kept very little was seen the rest of the day.

Thursday 15th November Arrived at Tenarara just after first light. It was a tricky landing as there is no gap in the coral, so we had to land on the coral reef and walk in. It took a while for us all to get ashore and as we made our way across the beach to the coconut grove, we were met by our first Tuamotu running around our feet.

Tuamotu Sandpiper

I headed into the coconut grove towards the inner lagoon. It was hard going as the ground was littered with old and dead plan fongs so creeping around trying to keep quite was near on impossible. Tuamotu Sandpipers were everywhere, and I eventually came across a female which showed briefly. This only left Atoll Fruit Dove. It was very easy to get disorientated in the thick vegetation and I spent quite some time stumbling around trying to find my way out. Just before I emerged on the lagoon side, I flushed an Atoll Fruit Dove from the ground which then showed extremely well low in the tress.

Atoll Fruit Dove Polynesian Ground Dove

The lagoon side of the island held a number of Bristle-thighed Curlew and in the lagoon, there were some Black-tipped Reef Sharks, so I decided a swim was not a good idea. I walked along the edge of the lagoon seeing more Fruit Doves before heading back to the shore side during which time I found a male Polynesian Ground Dove which showed very well. I returned to the landing spot to see what everybody else had seen. Billy had found a pair of Ground Doves nearby and so we proceeded to a concrete water tank and found one male and two females drinking inside the tank. They flew out and gave ridiculously close views.

Polynesian Ground Dove Female and Male . By now it was mid-afternoon and so I spent the last few hours exploring the groves, beach and lagoon.

Bristle-thighed Curlew Masked Booby

Getting back onto the Rib was difficult as we had to wait on a rock and as it approached fall into it quickly before it moved away. A welcomed shower and cold beer were a great way to end the day.

Friday 16th November We moored overnight by the island and then just before first light we sailed to an underwater feature and chummed in the morning. It was very quiet very little came in and what did maintained its distance. It appears chumping on features or reefs were not being productive. Due to the lack of success we decided to move on and do a random chum in open sea. This proved more productive and it was not long before the shout of Tahiti Petrel came from the front of the boat. Those at the back headed to the front and we all managed to see it.

Tahiti Petrel Happy Birders

In the end at few Tahiti Petrels came in giving good views. We continued to sail southwards overnight.

Saturday 17th November Arrive Morane Island at first light and moored outside the reef. It was a tricky landing as there is no opening in the coral. Although it was early it was very hot and apart from the very obliging Tuamotu

White Tern Egg

Great Frigatebird

Sandpipers we saw very few other land birds and just the usual seabirds. We had planned to spend the day there but by lunch time we had all had our fill so we returned to the Braveheart and had an hours snorkelling from the back of the boat. A party of humpbacked whales came quite close and we gave chase, but they moved off quickly. We hauled anchor and set off to a sea mount and at 3pm started chumming. It was slow at first but eventually a few Tahiti Petrels came in and provided good photo opportunities. It had been a hot day and we were having a beer whilst watching the Tahiti Petrels when

White-bellied Storm Petrel a shout of Storm Petrel went up from the front of the boat. We hurried to the front and there was a White –bellied Storm Petrel pattering over the slick. The subsequent photos confirmed it was the Titan race sometimes considered a full species. There was a very happy bunch of birders at dinner that night.

Sunday 18th November Sailed slowly overnight and arrived at a sea mount at first light and started chumming. Tahiti Petrels came in very quickly and after about an hour the shout Storm Petrel went up and a White bellied Storm Petrel was on the slick. We gave chase and it made a pass by the boat. The rest of the morning was spent chumming but apart from Tahiti Petrels very little else came. During lunch time the boat moved about 20km to a different sea mount and again we started chumming with a little bit more success as Tahiti Petrels, Murphy’s Petrel and a Christmas Island Shearwater and a total of about ten Tropical Shearwater all came in but the hope for Polynesian Storm Petrel didn’t show. We had one target left and one day left so it was going to be a tense last day. Overnight we steam past the Gambier Archipelago and stationed ourselves about 20km’s south at first light.

Monday 19th November There was a nervous bunch of birders on deck at first light scanning the seas as the first chum went in. As had become the norm Tahiti Petrels came in very quickly and there was a constant flow of Tropical Shearwaters flying by and a single Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Suddenly on the slick there was a Storm Petrel which was very quickly identified as a Polynesian. Everybody got onto it, but it didn’t come very close and after about five minutes it moved on. About fifteen minutes later it appeared again well we thought it was, but it turned out to be a different individual This bird hung around for a while making a few close passes of the boat before it eventually left. Stunning.

Polynesian Storm Petrel

As people started to drift down to breakfast a Petrel passed the boat which was initially thought just to be a Juan Fernandez Petrel but on closer examination it was obviously not and photos revealed it was an Hawaiian Petrel. A great bonus for some and a dip for others. We spent a long-time chumming hoping it would come in again, but it failed to show.

Hawaiian Petrel

We moved on closer to the Islands and had another chumming session and again a Polynesian Storm Petrel came in, but it stayed distance and didn’t hang around for long. It was now late afternoon we had been chumming for over eight hours so decided to call it a day and head into the Gambier Lagoon and watch the Shearwaters and Petrel come in for the night to Motu Teiko a repeat of what we did on our first night. As darkness fell, we docked at Mangareva fired up the BBQ, the beer and wine flowed, and we celebrated a successful trip. It was a good last night party.

Tuesday 20th November It had been a late night and there were a few of us nursing sore heads. As our flight didn’t leave until lunch time Billy and I decided to explore the island. We walked along the road and up to a radio station and although the island was a very lush it has no land birds at all which was very odd. Eventually it was time to head to the airport. We said our goodbyes to the crew who looked after us so well. They were very busy preparing the ship for a group of tourists who were arriving that day wanted to go to Pitcairn.

Braveheart Crew

It was a four-hour flight back to Tahiti where we went our separate ways. I stayed overnight in the Airport Hotel before catching my early morning flight to Auckland which arrived late and hence was very lucky to catch my connecting flight to Hong Kong.

Systematic List

The list is of birds I personally saw.

Bullers Albatross Thalassarche bulleri One at sea 7th November

Tahiti Petrel Pterodroma rostrate A total of seven between Tenarara and Morane 16th November. Eight at sea mount 17th November A total of fifteen at sea 18th November Ten at sea 19th November

Phoenix Petrel Pterodroma alba At least one Oeno 12th November

Murphy's Petrel Pterodroma ultima A total of thirty at sea 7th November One at sea 8th November Twenty Forty Mile Reef 9th November At least hundred seen daily on Henderson Island 10/11th November Thirty twenty Mile Reef 11th November Thousands Oeno 12th and 13thNovember Twenty at sea 14th November Two at sea 17th November One at sea 18th November

Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta Two one pale and one dark at sea 7th November Three forty Mile Reef 9th November Two Henderson Island 10th November Three twenty Mile Reef 11th November Two Oeno 12th November

Herald Petrel Pterodroma heraldica One twenty Mile Reef 11th November Five Oeno 12th November and three 13th November

Henderson Petrel Pterodroma atrata At least one Forty mile Reef 9th November At least two daily Henderson Island 10/11th November One twenty Mile Reef 11th November

Juan Fernandez Petrel Pterodroma externa Ten at sea 7th November Two sea mount 14th November One at sea 17th November Two at sea 18th November One at sea 19th November

Goulds Petrel Pterodroma lecucoptera One forty Mile Reef 9th November

Hawaiin Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis One at sea 19th November

Black Petrel Procellaria parkinsoni One Forty Mile Reef 9th November

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacificus Two sea mount 14th November Two at sea 19th November

Sooty Shearwater Ardenna griseus One at sea 7th November One at sea 16 November

Christmas Shearwater Puffinus nativitatis About 60 were seen coming into to Motu Teiku rock in the evening 6th November Two off Pitcairn Island 8th November Two Oeno12th November and one 15th November Two at sea 18th November Thirty at sea 19th November with a few coming into Motu Teiku in the evening

Tropical Shearwater Puffinus bailloni About 20 were seen coming into to Motu Teiku rock in the evening 6th November 2018 Two sea mount 14th November Ten at sea 18th November Twenty at sea 19th November

White-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta grallaria One at sea 17th November One at sea 18th November

Polynesian Storm Petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa Three at sea 18th November

Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda One at sea 7th November Fifty Pitcairn 8th November Five Forty Mile Reef 9th November Twenty daily Henderson Island 10/11th November One Hundred Oeno 12th and 13th November Three at sea 14th November Twenty Tenarara 15th November Twenty Moreno 17 November

White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Small number seen in Paphue Valley 4th and 5th November

Masked Booby Sula dactylatra Three off Pitcairn 8th November. One forty Mile Reef 9th November Fifty daily Henderson Island 10/11th November Fifty Oeno 12th November and 13th November Thirty Tenarara 15th November Twenty Moreno and five at sea 17th November

Red-footed Booby Sula sula Three Motu Teiku rock 6th November Ten off Pitcairn 8th November Twenty Henderson Island 10th November Fifteen Twenty Mile Reef 11th November Twenty Oeno 12th November and 13th November Ten at sea 14th November Fifty Tenarara 15th November Fifty 17th November Ten at sea 18th November One at sea 19th November

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Twenty Motu Teiku rock 6th November Two off Pitcarn 8th November Thirty approaching Motu Teiku 19th November

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Eight Motu Teiku rock 6th November Twenty off Pitcarn 8th November Two Forty Mile Reef 9th November Small numbers seen daily Henderson Island 10/11th November Two Hundred Oeno12th November and 13th November One at sea 14th November One hundred Tenarara 15th November Seen 17th November Twenty approaching Motu Teiku 19th November

Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra Three Papenoo Valley 5th November One Oeno 12th November One pale phase Teno 15th November Two Moreno 17th November

Pacific black Duck Anas superciliosa Two Papenoo Valley 5th November

Henderson Island Crake Porzana atra Seven including at young chick 10th November Henderson Island

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva One Hoe on during the plane refuelling 6th November Three Oeno 12th November

Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis Ten Henderson Island 10th November and two 11th November Five Oeno 12th November and two 13th November Twenty Tenarara 15th November Two Moreno 17th November

Wandering Tattler incana One Papahue Beach 4th November. One Papenoo Valley 5th November One on Hoe and two Motu Teiku rock 7th November Two daily Henderson Island 10/11th November Ten Oeno 12th November and two 13th November Two Tenarara 15th November Two Moreno 17th November One Motu Teiku 19th November

Tuamotu Sandpiper Prosobonia parvirostris (E) A total of sixty Tenarara 15th and 16th November Forty Moreno 17th November

Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Three Papahue Beach 5th November Twenty Motu Teiku rock area 7th November One Tenarara 15th November One Moreno 17th November One Mangreva 20th November

Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus Fifteen Oeno 12th November Three Oeno 13th November Two at sea 18th November

Black Noddy Anous minutus Twenty Pitcairn 8th November Two Oeno 12th November Five at sea 14t November One Tenarara 15th November Two 17th November Thirty Motu Teiku 19th November

Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Twenty Papahue beach 5th November Twenty Motu Teiku rock 6th November Fifty Pitcairn 8th November Twenty Forty Mile Reef 9th November Seen daily Henderson Island One Hundred plus Oeno 12th November Fifty at sea 14th November One hundred Tenarara 15th November Seen 17th November One at Sea 18th November Twenty 19th November

Blue Noddy (Grey Ternlet) Anous cerulean Ten Pitcairn 8th November Ten Henderson Island 10th and two 11th November One at sea 14th November Two Motu Teiku 19th November

White Tern Gygis alba Ten Papahue Valley 4th November Ten Motu Teiku rock 6th November One at sea 7th November Fifty Pitcain 8th November Twenty Forty Mile Reef 9th November Small numbers seen daily on Henderson a nd Oeno Islands and occasional ones at sea Small numbers Tenarara 15th and 16th November Small number Moreno 17th November Two at sea 18th November Small numbers 19th November

Long Tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus One at sea 7th November One at sea 18th November

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus One forty Mile Reef 9th November

Zebra Dove Geopelia striata (I) Small numbers seen daily on Tahiti

Polynesian Ground Dove Gallicolumba erythroptera (E) Two males and three females Tenarara 15th November

Grey-green Fruit Dove Ptilinopus purpuratus (E) Three 4th and ten the 5th November Papahue Valley Two Papenoo Valley 5th November

Henderson Island Fruit Dove Ptilinopus insularis Ten 10th November and fifteen 11th November Henderson Island

Atoll Fruit Dove Ptilinopus coralensis (E) A total of twenty Tenarara 15th November

Stephen’s Lorikeet Vini stepheni Four 10th and seven 11th November Henderson Island

Polynesian Swiftlet Aerodramus leucophaeus (E) Thirty on the 5th and 6th November Papahue Valley

Tahiti Kingfisher Todirhamphus veneratus (E) Two seen and three heard 4th and three heard the 5th November Papahue Valley Two seen and four heard 4th and a total of 7 seen the 7th November Papenoo Valley

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica A single bird seen of the very dark Tahiti sub species on the 4th and 5th November Papahue Valley

Red-vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer (I) Small numbers seen daily on Tahiti

Tahiti Reed Warbler Acrocephalus caffer (E) Two dark morphs and two pale morphs 4th November and two pale and one dark morph 5th November Papenoo Valley

Pitcairn Reed Warbler Acrocephalus vaughani A total of 33 on Pitcairn 8th November

Henderson Island Reed Warbler Acrocephalus tailti Eleven 10th November and five 11th November Henderson Island

Tahiti Monarch Pomarea nigra (E) Three seen 4th and two seen the 5th November Papahue Valley

Silver-eye Zosterops lateralis Up to thirty seen daily on Tahiti

Red-browed Firetail Neochmia temporalis (I) Ten seen daily Papenoo Valley

Chestnut-breasted Munia Lonchura castaneothorax (I) Two Papahue beach 4th November