DOCSLIB.ORG

Integrated Forest Management in the Solomon Islands PROJECT SYMBOL: GCP/SOI/001/GFF Recipient Country: Solomon Islands

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Integrated Forest Management in the Solomon Islands PROJECT SYMBOL: GCP/SOI/001/GFF Recipient Country: Solomon Islands FAO/GGLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY PROJE PROJECT DOCUMENT PROJECT TITLE: Integrated Forest Management in the Solomon Islands PROJECT SYMBOL: GCP/SOI/001/GFF Recipient Country: Solomon Islands Resource Partner: Global Environment Facility (GEF) FAO project ID: 618735 GEF Project ID: 5122 Executing Partner(s): Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology; Ministry of Forests and Research; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Expected EOD (starting date): January 2016 Expected NTE (End date): December 2020 Contribution to FAO’s a. Strategic objective/Organizational Result: SO2 Make agriculture, forestry Strategic Framework1 and fisheries more productive and sustainable. b. Regional Result/Priority Area: Enhancing equitable, productive and sustainable natural resource management and utilization c. Country Programming Framework Outcome: Outcome 1, (priority B): Successful implementation of integrated management of protected and productive forest landscapes for sustainable community development and multiple environmental benefits. GEF Focal Area: Biodiversity, Land Degradation, Climate Change, SFM/REDD GEF Strategic Objectives: BD-1; LD-3; CCM-5; SFM/REDD-1 Environmental Impact Assessment Category (insert √): √C Financing Plan: GEF allocation: USD 5676454 Co-financing: FAO USD 1500000 Government of Solomon Islands USD 23500000 Kolombangara Forest Products Limited USD 500000 American Museum of Natural History USD 350000 Natural Resources Development Foundation USD 750000 SPC USD 500000 ACIAR USD 2030000 Tina River Hydro Power Development Project USD 1325000 Live and Learn Environment Education USD 200000 Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership USD 15500 Total project budget: USD 36,346,954 1 For projects operated by country offices, it is necessary to link projects in FPMIS at OR level. For all other projects, linkage at product/service level is necessary 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Solomon Islands’ natural forests are of recognized global significance1 given their unique vegetation, tropical oceanic forests and extremely rich biodiversity. With over 4,500 plant species, 223 bird species and an estimated 14,500 insect species, the Solomon Islands have remarkably high vertebrate endemism, including single island endemism. The Islands are host to restricted range mammals and an outstanding 69 bird species found nowhere else on this planet. Most rural Solomon Islanders2 depend on traditional agro-forests and fishing for subsistence food and livelihood needs. The forests in the Solomon Islands provide multiple benefits to its populations, including but not limited to, protection of critical water resources, prevention of soil erosion, timber and non-timber forest products as well as important contributions to local food security and family health. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on its timber industry, which brings in about 15- 17% of government revenue and 67% of foreign exchange earnings. Despite its importance, the country’s 2014 timber harvest (of 2.1 million m3) was approximately seven times3 greater than the recommended sustainable harvest levels. Poorly conducted logging operations currently have major negative impacts both socially (e.g. landslides destroy farms and cause conflict between communities) and environmentally (e.g. increased GHG emissions, siltation of coral reefs, degradation of forest ecosystem services and biodiversity, fragmentation of critical habitat). Due to shortcomings in policy, legal and regulatory frameworks—compounded by weak institutional and community level SLM, SFM, CCM and BD conservation capacities--the Solomon Islands face significant challenges to ensuring sustainable forest management. Achieving sustainability requires integrated and landscape scale approaches, and importantly, careful recognition of the complexity of existing (traditional) natural resource management arrangements and land ownership. In recognition of these issues, FAO, in partnership with national government agencies, NGOs, international agencies and other partners, has prepared this project -funded by the Global Environment Facility to implement an integrated landscape approach to strengthen sustainable forest and protected area management in the Solomon Islands. The proposed investment has been developed to strengthen and complement ongoing efforts by the government of the Solomon Islands and its partners in order to promote new approaches to sustainable forest management that is socially viable, economically feasible, and environmentally sound. In total, the GEF-5 allocation to the project is US$ 5.67 million, with an additional amount of at least USD 30.67 million confirmed as co-financing. The projects’ objective is to assist the Government of the Solomon Islands to implement integrated management of protected and productive forest landscapes for sustainable community development and multiple environmental benefits. Its global environmental objective is to support biodiversity conservation through expansion, enhanced management and financial sustainability of the country’s developing protected area network; sustainable and integrated landscape management targeting productive mixed-use corridor and buffer zone landscape; improved forest and natural resource management by local communities (e.g. including gender dimensions of non-timber forest product harvesting), and; the restoration and enhancement of carbon stocks in forest and non-forest lands. The expected outcomes of the project include: Improved and effective management of new and existing terrestrial protected areas with improved forest connectivity and expanded ecosystem coverage; improved sustainability of protected area (PA) management through local income generating activities and sustainable PA financing mechanisms; improved decision making, planning and investment in the management of production landscapes with poor land-use practices reduced and/or reversed in and around protected areas; degraded forest ecosystems restored through capacitated communities and better resourced Ministry of Forestry and Research staff; effective policies with decision-makers and the general public better informed and participating in biodiversity conservation, climate change, Sustainable Forest Management and Sustainable Land Management; 1E.g. A Global 200 Eco-region; a Centre of Plant Diversity; a Birdlife Endemic Bird Area, with the “highest number of restricted range species in any Endemic Bird Areas” of the World, etc. 2 Over 80% of the 561,231 person population. 3 SKM (2012) Solomon Islands National Forest Resources Assessment: 2011 update. Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) Economic Governance Pillar 2 community based forest management strengthened with increased local capacities to monitor, evaluate and manage forests, biodiversity, carbon potentials and land use change. An overview of primary linkages between the five technical project components and GEF focal areas is summarized in the following table. Table: Relationship between GEF Focal Areas and project components GEF-5 Expected Focal Area Outcome Relationship to Project Component. Focal Area Priority BD-1 1.1 Improved management effectiveness of Component 1: Development of the terrestrial existing and new protected areas. protected areas network. 1.2 Increased revenue for protected area systems to meet total expenditures required for management LD-3 3.1 Enhanced cross-sector enabling environment Component 2. Integrated land management. for integrated landscape management 3.2 Integrated landscape management practices adopted by local communities. CCM-5 5.1 Good management practices in LULUCF Component 3. Capacity building for the adopted both within the forest land and in the management of forest carbon; wider landscape. Component 4. Restoration and enhancement 5.2 Restoration and enhancement of carbon of carbon stocks in forests. (facilitated stocks in forest and non-forest lands through project co-financing activities) 5.3 GHG emissions avoided and carbon sequestered. SFM/REDD- 1.2 Good management practices applied in Component 5: Knowledge sharing for 1 existing forests biodiversity conservation. (cross-cutting) The key global benefits that will be generated by the project include: Establishment of protected areas covering of 143,000 ha. (or ca. 5.04 percent of total land area) and comprising habitat critical to at least 48 species of globally important, restricted range and highly endemic biodiversity. E.g. Montane monkey faced bat (Pteralopex pulchra CR); Emperor Rat (Uromys imperator EN); Makira moorhen (Gallinula silvestris, CR); thick- billed ground dove (Gallicolumba salamonis, CR), Rie/tubi (Xanthostemon spp. Choiseul which is endemic and rare), etc. Avoided deforestation/degradation (which currently stands at 10 % annually) in 143,000 ha of land through better management of protected areas and avoided emissions of 15,205,265 tCO2 eq over the five year project duration. Sustainable and integrated landscape management targeting 103,300 ha. of productive mixed- use corridor and buffer zone landscape; An additional 80,000 ha of forest area restored through small scale and locally appropriate tree planting, agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration sequestrating 11,684,700 tCO2 (3,183,842 tC) over project period. Improved forest and natural resource management by local communities (e.g. ca. 1600 households, including address of the gender dimensions of non-timber forest product harvesting), and; The sustainable restoration and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Solomon Islands
    THE SOLOMON ISLANDS 14 SEPTEMBER – 7 OCTOBER 2007 TOUR REPORT LEADER: MARK VAN BEIRS Rain, mud, sweat, steep mountains, shy, skulky birds, shaky logistics and an airline with a dubious reputation, that is what the Solomon Islands tour is all about, but these forgotten islands in the southwest Pacific also hold some very rarely observed birds that very few birders will ever have the privilege to add to their lifelist. Birdquest’s fourth tour to the Solomons went without a hiccup. Solomon Airlines did a great job and never let us down, it rained regularly and we cursed quite a bit on the steep mountain trails, but the birds were out of this world. We birded the islands of Guadalcanal, Rennell, Gizo and Malaita by road, cruised into Ranongga and Vella Lavella by boat, and trekked up into the mountains of Kolombangara, Makira and Santa Isabel. The bird of the tour was the incredible and truly bizarre Solomon Islands Frogmouth that posed so very, very well for us. The fantastic series of endemics ranged from Solomon Sea Eagles, through the many pigeons and doves - including scope views of the very rare Yellow-legged Pigeon and the bizarre Crested Cuckoo- Dove - and parrots, from cockatoos to pygmy parrots, to a biogeographer’s dream array of myzomelas, monarchs and white-eyes. A total of 146 species were seen (and another 5 heard) and included most of the available endemics, but we also enjoyed a close insight into the lifestyle and culture of this traditional Pacific country, and into the complex geography of the beautiful forests and islet-studded reefs.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on Solomon Island Birds by D.Gibbs
    D. GiMs 18 Bull. 8.O.C.1996,116(1) Notes on Solomon Island birds by D.Gibbs Receizsed 19 Apil 1995 Between January and April 1994 I spent nearly three months in the Solomon Islands (this does not include Bougainville, which is politically part of Papua New Guinea; see Fig. 1). During this time I visited every island in the country with endemic species of birds. As these islands are rarely visited by bird-watchers many of the species seen are little known. Here I record some of my more interesting observations. In the systematic list that follows, taxonomy at species level follows Sibley & Monroe (1990). Species endemic to the Solomon Islands are indicated bv (E); species endemic to the Solomon Islands as geographically and formerly politically recognised (i.e. including Bougainville) are followed by (B). HEINRoTH'S SHEARWAIIR Puffinus heinrothi Two or three birds feeding in the evening with Noddy Anous flocks off Kolombangara. Nearly all recent visitors have seen the species there, which strongly suggests breeding in the area. GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo The locals informed me that it now breeds in large numbers on the lake on Rennell island. SANFORD'S EACLE Haliaeetus sanfordi (B) Still widespread; seen on Malaita, Makira and Choiseul. Remains fairly common on latter. ORIENTAL HOBBY Falco severus One seen on Choiseul is the second record for the island. Probably more frequent than old records suggest. BUFF-BANDED RAIL Gallirallus philippensis Common on Nendo, Santa Cruz, where not previously recorded, relatively bright individuals with a poorly developed orange-buff breast band; probably closest to G.
    [Show full text]
  • Solomon Islands
    The rare Black-faced Pitta posed so well on Santa Isabel, right at the edge of the pitta world range! All photos by Joshua Bergmark. SOLOMON ISLANDS 8 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 LEADER: JOSHUA BERGMARK 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Solomon Islands 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com Magnificent, but often skulking birds. Mud, sweat, extended slippery treks, steep mountains, shaky logistics, and constant battles with land access. This is what a Solomon Islands tour is all about, but these sleepy forgotten islands in the southwest Pacific hold some glorious, very rarely observed birds that very few birders will ever have the privilege to add to their lifelist. The Solomon Islands comprise Endemic Bird Areas 198 and 199, and although the total area of this archipelago is smaller than Belgium (less than 50,000 km2), these rich islands have more restricted range species than any other Endemic Bird Area in the world! Of the Solomons EBA endemics, we amazingly recorded all 70 of the likely species on this route, plus an additional clean sweep of the 13 available Melanesian endemics - hitting 100% of our key targets in this demanding country is certainly a miracle, and surely rates this as our most successful tour yet! Of these specials, just two were heard only, so we were all very pleased indeed. We had fantastic looks at four genera that are endemic to the Solomon Islands: Rigidipenna (Solomons Frogmouth), Nesoclopeus (Woodford’s Rail), Meliarchus (Makira Honeyeater) and Woodfordia (Bare-eyed White-eye), plus enjoyed the easternmost members of two highly desirable families (the cute Solomons Cockatoo and the glorious Black-faced Pitta).
    [Show full text]
  • Schnaitman, Rachel.Pdf
    A REVIEW OF THREATS TO ISLAND ENDEMIC RAILS by Rachel Schnaitman A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation with Distinction. Spring 2010 Copyright 2010 Rachel Schnaitman All Rights Reserved A REVIEW OF THREATS TO ISLAND ENDEMIC RAILS by Rachel Schnaitman Approved:______________________________________________________________ W.Gregory Shriver, Ph.D. Professor in charge of the thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved:______________________________________________________________ Jacob L. Bowman, Ph.D. Committee member from the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Approved: _____________________________________________________________ K. Kniel, Ph.D. Committee member from the Board of Senior Thesis Readers Approved:_____________________________________________________________ Ismat Shah, Ph.D. Chair of the University Committee on Student and Faculty Honors ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank the Undergraduate Research Program for allowing me to be involved with the research program. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Greg Shriver for supporting me and guiding me through this process. Furthermore I would like to thank my committee, Dr. J. Bowman and Dr. K. Kniel. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Solomon Islands
    The wonderfully bizarre Solomons Frogmouth was the ‘Bird of the Trip’ (Josh Bergmark) THE SOLOMON ISLANDS 6 JULY – 1 AUGUST 2017 LEADER: MARK VAN BEIRS and JOSH BERGMARK 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Solomon Islands www.birdquest-tours.com Magnificent, but often skulking birds. Mud, sweat, slippery trails, steep mountains, shaky logistics, and an airline with a dubious reputation. This is what the Solomon Islands tour is all about, but these forgotten islands in the southwest Pacific hold some glorious, very rarely observed birds that very few birders will ever have the privilege to add to their lifelist. Our tour total this year included a great selection and a large percentage of the endemic birds and specialities. The Solomon Islands comprise Endemic Bird Areas 198 and 199, and although the total area of this archipelago is smaller than Belgium (less than 50,000 km2), these rich islands have more restricted range species than any other Endemic Bird Area in the world! Of the Solomons EBA endemics, we recorded 64 of the 68 possible species on this route, plus an additional clean sweep of the 13 available Melanesian endemics. We had good looks at three genera that are endemic to the Solomon Islands: Rigidipenna (Solomons Frogmouth), Meliarchus (Makira Honeyeater) and Woodfordia (Bare-eyed White-eye). This tour is definitely one of our toughest trips through a combination of intense physical effort, unpredictable weather and capricious logistics. The treacherous paths of the Makira hills, the tough hike and overnight high on Kolombangara volcano and the sometimes brutally steep, slippery trails of Santa Isabel will long be remembered by all participants.
    [Show full text]
  • Restricted-Range Bird Species Listed by Family
    APPENDIX 1: Restricted-range bird species listed by family NCLUDED here are all the landbird species treated Threat codes Ias having restricted ranges, listed with the coun- 0 Unknown tries in which they breed (but omitting countries in 1 Loss or alteration of habitat 2 Hunting, persecution, egg-collecting (subsistence) which all populations originate from introductions), 3 Disturbance (by humans, stock) the Endemic Bird Areas (and Secondary Areas) in 4 Pollution, pesticides, poisoning which they occur, the broad habitat-types which they 5 Introduced species (predators, competitors, herbivores, prefer, their status and (for those which are classified diseases) 6 Trade, egg-collecting (commercial) as threatened) the major threats which affect them. 7 Natural causes (exacerbated by other influences) Some species are of unknown provenance, and these 8 Small range or population are listed on p. 724. Notes Habitat codes * Taxonomy deviates from Sibley and Monroe (1990, F All forest and D Desert 1993); see EBA (or Secondary Area) account for further woodland types R Rocky areas details and references. The relationship of the new genus S Scrub A Agricultural areas Cryptosylvicola (p. 708) within Sylviinae is unconfirmed, V Savanna X Introduced vegetation and so it has been placed at the end of that subfamily. G Grassland Z Unknown X Extinct in that country or in that EBA/SA. W Wetland 1 Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Guadeloupe (to France), Martinique (to France), Montserrat (to UK), Netherlands Status Antilles (to Netherlands), Puerto Rico (to USA), St Lucia, IUCN Red List Categories have been used as applied by Virgin Islands (to UK), Virgin Islands (to USA).
    [Show full text]
  • Scientific Names Alternative Scientific Names Casuarius Casuarius
    Name Used In This Resource Alternate Names Scientific Names Alternative Scientific names CASUARIIFORMES Casuariidae Southern Cassowary Double-wattled Cassowary Casuarius casuarius Dwarf Cassowary Casuarius bennetti Northern Cassowary Casuarius unappendiculatus PODICIPEDIFORMES Podicipedidae Australasian Grebe Australian Grebe, Australian Little Grebe, Australian Dabchick Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Podiceps gularis, Pociceps novaehollandiae Little Grebe Red-throated Little Grebe, European Dabchick, Red-throated Dabchick Tachybaptus ruficollis Colymbus ruficollis, Podiceps ruficolis, PROCELLARIFORMES Procellariidae Tahiti Petrel Beck's Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata, Pterodroma rostrata, Oestrelata rostrata, Procellaria rostrata Beck's Petrel Pseudobulweria becki Southern Giant Petrel Giant Petrel, Macronectes giganteus Grey Petrel Procellaria cinerea Adamastor cinereus, Gould's Petrel White-winged Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera Procellaria leucoptera, Procellaria cooki, Oestrelata leucoptera, Pterodroma cooki Collared Petrel White winged Petrel, Gould’s Petrel, Pterodroma brevipes Procellaria brevipes, P. torquata, Oeastrelata leucoptera, O. torquata, Aestrelata brevipes, P. leucoptera brevipes, Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma hypoleucanigripennis wrongly = Oestrelata mollis Mottled Petrel Scaled P., Peale's Petrel Pterodroma inexpectata Procellaria inexpectata Providence Petrel Brown-headed P., Solander's P., Bird of Providence Pterodroma solandri Procellaria solandri Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta Procellaria neglecta Herald
    [Show full text]
  • Lehnerter2019.Pdf (1.860Mb)
    THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA Edmond, Oklahoma Jackson College of Graduate Studies Conservation Status and Threats of Rallidae: a Global Assessment A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY by Erin R. Lehnert Edmond, Oklahoma 29 April 2019 pg. Conservation Status and Threats of Rallidae: a Global Assessment A THESIS APPROVED FOR THE JACKSON COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES 29 April 2019 By ___________________________________________________ Dr. Christopher Butler Major Advisor ___________________________________________________ Dr. Victoria Jackson Committee Member ___________________________________________________ Dr. Auriel Fournier Committee Member pg. Acknowledgements: I could not have completed this thesis without the help of my academic advisor, Dr. Christopher Butler, who guided me on this journey and gave me the chance to achieve. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Auriel Fournier and Dr. Victoria Jackson, whose help, support, and input pointed me in the right direction. Thanks also to Dr. Robert Brennan and Dr. Michelle Haynie of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies, and professors Dr. Chad King and Dr. Christopher Butler, who were willing to work with me to complete my degree remotely. I would like to take the time to thank the innumerable people who have helped me with not only the writing of this thesis, but with their encouragement and support over the years. First and foremost is my family: my parents, Dr. Stella Hansen and Peter Lehnert, my sisters Dr. Adrienne Lehnert and Dr. Eleanor Schuchardt, my brothers Matthew Hemsath and Michael Schuchardt, and my nieces Hazel and River: I couldn’t have done any of this without you behind me.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Conservation Priorities and a Draft Avifauna Conservation Strategy for the Pacific Islands Region SPREP IRC Cataloguing-In-Publication Data
    SPREP South Pacific Regional Environment Programme Bird Conservation Priorities and a Draft Avifauna Conservation Strategy for the Pacific Islands Region SPREP IRC Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Sherley, Greg Bird Conservation Priorities and a Draft Conservation Strategy for the Pacific Islands region / compiled by Greg Sherley – Apia, Samoa : SPREP, 2001. Contents: I – Polynesia workshop, Rarotonga, 26–30 April 1999 : report. II – Melanesia and Nauru workshop, Nadi, 5–10 March 2000 : report. III – Micronesia work- shop, Guam 5–10 November 2000 : report. viii, 68 p. ; 29 cm. ISBN: 982-04-0221-2 1. Birds – Oceania. 2. Birds, Protection of – Oceania. 3. Conservation of natural resources – Oceania. 4. Birds – Conservation. I. Sherley, Greg. II. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). 639.978 Published in May 2001 by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme PO Box 240 Samoa website: www.sprep.org.ws Produced by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme with funding assistance from BirdLife International Prepared for publishing by SPREP’s Publications Unit Editing and layout by Geoff Gregory, Word Therapy, Paraparaumu, New Zealand Typeset in 11/13.2 Times Roman Printed on 115 gsm Satin Matt Art by Graphic Press & Packaging Ltd, Levin, New Zealand Copies of this publication can be obtained by contacting: The Information Resource Centre Manager South Pacific Regional Environment Programme Ph: (685) 21 929 Fax: (685) 20 231 Email: [email protected] Cover: Kakerori Pomarea dimidiata about one year old, Takitumu Conservation Area, Rarotonga Photo by Greg Sherley © South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2001. The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme authorises the reproduction of this material, whole or in part, in any form provided appropriate acknowledgement is given.
    [Show full text]
  • (Nesoclopeus Woodfordi) on Bougainville Island
    Notornis, 2002, Vol. 49: 115-121, Plates 6-8 0029-4470 O The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. 2002 SHORT NOTE Woodford's rail (Nesoclopeus woodford/)on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea DON HADDEN P.O. Box 6054, Christchurch 8030, New Zealand [email protected] The Woodford's rail (Nesoclopeus woodfordi) popu- ' '""1:Ireland lation increased greatly on Bougainville Island, I6OlE Papua New Guinea (Fig. I), during the secessionist uprising of 1989-1997 when the island was isolated from the rest of the world. On my return in 1999, I found Woodford's rails to be common throughout the entire eastern lowlands from Buka Passage to Solomon Sea Buin (Fig. 1). Woodford's rail is a little-known species re- corded only with certainty from Bougainville Is- Guadalknal land, and Santa Isabel and Guadalcanal islands in -- San Cri tobaB the Solomon Islands. The Guadalcanal record is of 1 specimen taken by M. Woodford (Ogilvie-Grant 1889). The first specimens from Bougainville were 1 male and 1 female collected by Meek in 1904 (Rothschild & Hartert 1905).A further 4 males, 1 of which was immature, were taken in January 1908. A male was collected on Bougainville by the Whitney South Seas expedition (Mayr 1949). Two specimens collected by Father Poncelet, a mission- ary in the Buin area (Danis 1937a, b), were the last taken on Bougainville. Therefore it is more than 60 years since Woodford's rails have been seen on Bougainville, despite a %month collecting trip by Schodde (1977) and visits by experienced ornitholo- gists such as Diamond (1975).
    [Show full text]
  • Western Pacific Odyssey Trip Report
    Western Pacific Odyssey Trip Report 30 th March – 29 th April 2010 Trip log March 30, 2010 Tauranga and out to sea By mid afternoon, the intrepid passengers of the 2010000WPO had gathered on our vessel, the Spirit of Enderby. Excitement was high as we prepared for departure of this epic voyage. First there were some practical considerations and we had to clear customs before heading out on deck as we let loose the lines and sailed out under Mount Manganui. Variable and South Island Pied Oystercatchers were both seen, two species that were new for the WPO! We also saw numerous other coastal species – Caspian and White-fronted Tern, Kelp and Red-bill Gull and Pied and Little Pied Shag. Once the pilot jumped off we headed out into the open ocean in a light swell and recorded our first seabirds of the trip – Trip Report – WPO 2010 2 Fluttering Shearwater. There were good numbers of these small shearwaters, along with several Buller’s Shearwater and a few Australasian Gannet. With sunset approaching, it was time to head indoors for an introductory briefing to the ship and staff, along with the safety briefing. Then it was time for the checklist session and our first excellent dinner served up by Brad and Nicki. We set a course for the Hauraki Gulf and headed there in a light swell. March 31, 2010 Hauraki Gulf First light did not appear until 0730 at which time almost all of us had assembled in the bridge or on the monkey deck. We were just off the Mokohinau Rocks and as light appeared we began to see our first seabirds – Black Petrels and Buller’s Shearwaters.
    [Show full text]
  • The Solomon Islands
    It took several days to get this heart-warming view of the splendid Black-faced Pitta (Lars Petersson) THE SOLOMON ISLANDS 3 – 29 JULY 2015 LEADER: MARK VAN BEIRS The undisputable Birds of the Trip of the 2015 Solomon Islands tour were Black-faced Pitta, Fearful Owl and Solomons Frogmouth. The pitta because it took several days of hard work to finally see it and the reward was the most amazing eye-ball to eye-ball encounter I have ever had with this very difficult pitta. The magnificent Fearful Owl had not been seen on a Birdquest tour since 2004 and the views of this amazing owl 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Solomon Islands www.birdquest-tours.com in its large fig tree, after a sweaty and steep scramble up a sheer limestone ridge were out of this world. The glorious Solomons Frogmouth looks so comically bizarre and unique and behaved so very well. These three most appreciated birds of the tour were all seen on the island of Santa Isabel! Praise also went to the majestic Sanford’s Sea Eagle and to the fine-looking Duchess Lorikeet. Our tour total includes a great selection and a large percentage of the endemic birds and specialities. We had good looks at four genera that are endemic to the Solomon Islands (of which two were amongst the highlights of the trip): Nesasio (Fearful Owl), Rigidipenna (Solomons Frogmouth), Meliarchus (Makira Honeyeater) and Woodfordia (Bare- eyed White-eye). The Solomon Islands comprise Endemic Bird Areas 198 and 199 and the total area of this archipelago is smaller than Belgium.
    [Show full text]