South West Pacific Islands , , and 28th July to 13th August 2019 (17 days) Trip Report

Golden Fruit Dove by Jenny Bowman

Trip report compiled by Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

Trip Report – RBL South West Pacific Islands – 2019 2

Tour Summary Our group met up at Dave Parker’s Eco Lodge in a tropical a few kilometres inland of the capital Apia, in Samoa. We started birding that afternoon and soon racked up a healthy list of including stunning White-tailed Tropicbirds, dainty White Terns, Brown Noddy, all of which flew overhead on numerous occasions. Jungle Myna and Buff-banded Rails were numerous and often ignored. We also located the scarce Mao, (an endemic ) and were treated to great looks. Scope views were had of Polynesian , Polynesian and Samoan , heaps of Cardinal , but we had to settle for good fly-bye looks at Pacific Imperial Pigeons, Many-coloured Fruit Dove, Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove, and Blue-capped Lorikeets. This was a good start to our adventure in the Pacific Islands.

The following morning, we headed off early to the Malo Lei Lei Recreation Reserve. A quick scan from the balcony gave us White-tailed Tropicbird, White Tern, and Brown Noddy. Unfortunately, the rain and wind during the night continued and we arrived at the reserve in dense mist and rain. We took some of the shorter trails to avoid the mud and slippery rocks on the longer trails to the waterfall. Despite the constant rain, we were successful here with very good looks at Samoan Maroon Shining by Jenny Bowman Flycatcher, Samoan Whistler and Romney picked up a stunning Red-headed Parrotfinch for all to see. We also had short but good looks at a Mao, many Polynesian Wattled , Samoan Starlings and Cardinal Myzomelas. We also found the tricky Samoan , a pair found foraging high up in a . After a short while they came closer and we could see the orange bill of these birds. Due to the continual rain, we headed off the mountain early and visited the Robert Louise Stevenson Museum. After a guided tour of the museum, we took a nearby trail, which was very quiet. Returning to the vehicle, Buff-banded Rails and Polynesian were found feeding on the lawns and were added to our growing list. We also visited the Apia beachfront where we saw White Tern and a dark- morph Pacific Reef Heron. The afternoon was rained out and only the usual suspects were noted.

Our second full day on Samoa saw us heading to the O Le Pupu-Pu’e National Park for a coastal walk, first stopping at a sports grounds in Apia to scope Pacific Golden Plovers. Up to 40 birds were present including one in almost full-breeding attire. We also had several Buff-banded Rail and groups of Jungle Myna as well as Polynesian Trillers in the same fields. After arriving in the carpark at O Le Pupu-Pu’e, we had good Buff-banded Rail by Jenny Bowman views of a Samoan Whistler. A few hundred meters

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down the trail, we came to a viewpoint and scanned the ocean. A few fishing boats were not too far offshore and here we picked up a flock of feeding Black Noddy and four Bridled Terns. After this success, we continued along the coastal walk but after 15 or so minutes found the trail to be too slippery and the track too rough. We turned around and headed back to the vehicle and continue on our explorations of the island. We then drove down to the south-east corner of the island, where we tried some sea watching, looking out towards the Alepaita Islands. As we were driving, Jenny spotted a shorebird at a small lagoon. We jumped out and scoped the wader which turned out to be a Grey- tailed Tattler…a scarce bird in this part of the world. A Pacific Golden Plover and Pacific Reef Heron were also noted. At another small wetland further along the coast, we found a White-faced Heron, a vagrant to this island, as well as a Wandering Tattler. Scanning out to Nu‘utele Island, although the birds were a fair way out, by Jenny Bowman we picked up, Lesser Frigatebird, Brown and Red-footed Booby, Brown and Black Noddy and the striking White Tern. Our drive back to our lodge in the afternoon was fairly uneventful but we ended the day with 121 Buff-banded Rail seen… must be the highest density on the planet for this !

Early on our last morning in Samoa, with much- improved weather, blue skies, and no wind, we revisited Malo Lei Lei Reserve. Here, we had excellent looks at a pair of Samoan Flycatcher, Samoan Whistler, and a pair of Samoan Triller feeding a juvenile bird allowing better looks than before. As we left the , we had good looks at a Metallic Pigeon in flight. In the late afternoon, we said our farewells to our lodge staff and flew from Apia to Nadi on the Island of , Fiji.

We woke up early today in Nadi and caught our early morning flight to the island of , in Fiji. We arrived late morning and en route to the hotel we stopped for Fiji Woodswallow, our first endemic seen on the powerlines. It was a fortuitous stop because soon we were watching stunning Maroon Shining , Vanikoro Flycatchers, and Pacific Kingfishers. Our stunning resort on the beachfront had spectacular views and we enjoyed the large flock of roosting Pacific Flying Foxes in alongside the pool. In the Metallic Pigeon by Jenny Bowman afternoon, we headed up Devo Peak in our 4x4s. Unfortunately, the weather that gave us a hard time on

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Samoa had followed us and we battled for the first two hours seeing only , Barking and Maroon Shining Parrots. Later when the sun came out, we had better success with fabulous looks at two Azure-crested Flycatchers, Streaked , Fiji , Fiji Wattled Honeyeater, Fiji White-eye, and Polynesian Trillers. All in all, a successful day!

A very early start today to get us up Devo Peak for first light. However, the weather higher up was against us again with a steady drizzle and was very windy, which did not make for easy birding! Apart from Fiji Goshawk and Barking Imperial Pigeon, not a lot was showing. We persevered hearing at least two Orange Fruit Dove but no sightings due to the wild weather conditions. Further down the track, we headed on a muddy trail into the forest and after a bit of a wait the bird gods gave us a break for our hard work. Soon we were watching a splendid pair of Taveuni Silktails flitting around in the forest, their white rump and tails glowing in the gloomy forest. What a relief! Also noted were stunning Azure-crested Flycatcher, Fiji Whistler, and . and were also observed for some. Later, we headed down the track to lunch and picked up Australian Magpie, more Maroon and a couple of fly-bye Collared Lory. The afternoon was a washout with constant rain, although we had Sulphur-breasted around our hotel.

Cardinal Myzomela by Jenny Bowman Our last morning in Taveuni was a relaxed affair with a sit-down breakfast and enjoying the views. A pair of Sulphur-breasted Myzomelas were noted as were Great Crested Terns, Pacific Swallows, Vanikoro Flycatchers, and a lone Lesser Frigatebird. It was time to leave and soon we were flying to the on the main island of Viti Levu.

No sooner had we arrived and started birding around our lodge at Coli-Suva-Rainforest when, we quickly picked up endemic Masked Shining Parrots, with their raucous calls, while and Giant Honeyeaters put on a great show flying close to us and perching on several occasions. The afternoon was slow due to rain but a male Golden Fruit Dove certainly livened the birding up and we were treated to fabulously close looks at this stunner, allowing everybody wonderful pictures of this brightly coloured bird!

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Early this morning, we headed to the interior of Suva where we were greeted with light showers but no wind. We persevered and ended up with a good tally at the end of the day. First off, we stopped at an agricultural area where several Fiji Parrotfinches gave us the runaround but eventually, we had really good looks at several birds feeding on the ground. It was here that we also had great looks at several Metallic Pigeons perched on the telephone lines and flying around. Fiji Bush Warblers were also very showy, but you had to be quick to get them in the bins. Fiji Wood Swallows, Spotted Doves, Red Avadavats and Kikau were always in view, while White-rumped Swifts were even in the steady drizzle. From here, we moved on to a muddy, forested stream. Access was tricky as the path was a mud bath with the last two weeks of constant rain. We made our way down slowly and carefully and placed ourselves along the stream. We were trying for the scarce and localised Long-legged Thicketbird. It wasn’t long before we heard the bird singing but despite our strategic location, we saw the bird only briefly flying over the stream. It moved around us several times, giving calls but undetected. A last-ditch effort with the use of a different playback call gave us a result as the bird flew directly at us, briefly tried to perch and then nearly Pacific Kingfisher by Jenny Bowman flew into Jenny. Success of some sort as we had seen the rufous bird with the shaggy tail! Next up was the Black-throated Shrikebill, which also played hard to see but eventually was located and spotted up in the canopy of a nearby tree. Island Thrush were also noted but were always in a rush somewhere. As per usual the rain started in earnest and we headed for lunch. The afternoon was slow and eventually rain stopped play.

After some final birding in Suva the next morning, including excellent close looks at several Collared Lory feeding on flowers at eye- level, just opposite our lodge, we took a flight to Kandavu. Despite an Internet weather forecast of clear but overcast weather, we didn’t hold our breaths. Sure enough, the inclement weather was visible from the plane. Onwards we soldiered to Nameri Road and despite the rain (which we were now accustomed to) we connected with a flock of gaudy Crimson Shining Parrots, Kandavu Honeyeater, Kandavu Fantail, Fiji Whistler and a group of confiding . We had beaten the weather and our only target missing, Whistling Fruit Dove, would have to be found tomorrow. Our short boat ride Vanuatu Kingfisher by Jenny Bowman to our lodge was eventful, with us having to wade

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up to our knees through the sea to board the boat, due to very low tide, although we did pick up Greater Crested Tern and some close Brown Booby sitting on buoys! The following morning, the weather persisted with drizzle and strong winds and although we heard the Whistling Fruit Dove and saw it briefly fly, we couldn’t get better views. From Kandavu, we flew back to Nadi, the capital, where an afternoon stroll in the hotel gardens produced great looks at Fiji Parrotfinch, Fiji Goshawk, and Vanikoro Flycatchers.

Early the following morning, we took a flight to the remote islands of Vanuatu, arriving in Port Vila where we made our first excursion to a village on the West Coast. We had a productive morning finding Blue-faced Parrotfinch, Satin and Uniform Swiftlets, Grey-eared Honeyeater and stunning Lorikeets. For the rest of the day, we lazed around eating and drinking at an idyllic beach resort before catching our flight to Luganville on Santos, arriving at our lodge in the evening.

The beautiful Cloven-feathered Dove by Jenny Bowman Very early the following morning, before the sparrows were up, we drove to the Loru Conservation area (seeing up to four Barn Owls en route) arriving at first light. Our time here was well spent and after a few hours of hard work, we all had great views of Vanuatu Kingfisher, Red-bellied Fruit Dove, MacKinlay’s Cuckoo Dove, , Metallic Pigeons (were regular sightings), Vanuatu White-eyes, Grey and Streaked , , (commonly heard but difficult to see) and, best of all, several sightings of the beautiful Buff-bellied Monarch. Other species included Pacific Kingfisher, Buff-banded Rail, and Cardinal Myzomela, while Vanuatu Megapode was heard calling in the forest.

Our final destination was the island of New Caledonia where we kicked off this leg with a visit to Park Des Grand Fougères. En route, we recorded , Whistling Kite, Brown Goshawk, while Swamp Harriers were seen patrolling the fields. Just outside the park, we came across a fruiting tree and it was here that we found the highly sought-after Cloven-feathered Dove which gorged itself on the abundant fruits in the tree. We enjoyed fabulous scope looks and were pleasantly surprised when another five or so birds joined in. The views we enjoyed of this stunning fruit dove led it to being voted Bird of The Tour! A fortuitous stop further along the road gave us good scope looks at a perched White-

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bellied Goshawk and here, we found our first of several New Caledonian Crows picked out by Isabelle when she heard their bizarre cat-like mewing calls. After reaching the entrance and carpark, we took a trail through the forest where we found several new birds such as South Melanesian , Long- tailed Triller, Yellow-bellied Flyrobin, Grey and Streaked Fantail, Rufous and , and best of all, attractive Red-throated Parrotfinches, that were seen close by. After hearing several calling Goliath Imperial Pigeons, Isabelle was determined and tracked one of these huge birds down for good scope views. After lunch, we stopped at a dam where we added Grey Teal and Australasian Grebe to the list. A very good day overall and at last we enjoyed a relatively hot, rainless day.

An early morning flight the next day found us on the sleepy island of Lifou. Driving along the roads, we soon encountered Brown Goshawk, Swamp Harrier, White- breasted Woodswallow, Sacred Kingfisher, South Melanesian Cuckooshrike, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, and Common Myna. Our main target for Lifou were the Small Lifou and Large Lifou White-eyes and the best place to see them is at small agricultural gardens. We spent most of the day scouring these gardens and enjoyed numerous views of Small Lifou White-eye and an attractive form of Silver-eye, with a blackish hood. Although we heard Large Lifou White-eye singing at several locations, only Bill, Isabelle and Erik saw a bird feeding on a papaya fruit in a garden. With permission from the owners, we waited Kagu by Jenny Bowman here for an hour and more but, unfortunately, the bird did not return.

Our final destination was the famous Riviere Bleu Reserve, home to the famous if not mysterious Kagu, a terrestrial forest bird, all white with red bill and legs. We started well with a New Caledonian Parakeet sitting upon a fir tree allowing long scope looks. In a scrubby area on the other side of the bridge we located a pair of Barred Honeyeaters, another endemic which showed well. Reaching the forest proper, we soon found Melanesian Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flyrobin, Streaked and Grey Fantail, a pair of the tricky New Caledonia Cuckooshrike were a welcome find. New Caledonia Whistler was also recorded. A short walk along a forested trail brought us to where Isabelle had found our biggest target, our first Kagu, quietly feeding a few meters away in the forest. We enjoyed excellent looks as the bird ignored us and concentrated on finding grubs below the surface. A strange and endearing species. A further walk produced another two birds and we enjoyed fabulous views of the “Ghost of the forest”. A search in earnest for the rare Crow Honeyeater failed to find the bird. Sadly, it may disappear for good in the next few years, as this is the stronghold for this species. We finished the day on a high note with close looks at the smart Horned Parakeet, a small flock of four feeding close by.

On the way back to our hotel, we added Great Egret and took a few pics of the very attractive Silver Gulls. And so ended our tour of these fabulous islands with their high number of endemics. Despite the weather, we had no delays or cancellations and enjoyed many good birding moments!

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Annotated List of species recorded Note: Number in brackets ( ) indicate number of days on the tour the species was recorded. List powered through the report generator of our partner iGoTerra.

Visited locations Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue, Lifou Is., Luganville (E.S.), Loru Conservation Area, Port-Vila, Devo peak, Taveuni, Taveuni Island, Viti Levu--Nadi, Kadavu I--Namara Road, Viti Levu--Colo-I- Suva Forest Park, Namosi Road, Nadakuri village, Dave Parker Eco Lodge, Maloleilei, Nu'utele.

Birds (130 in total: 126 seen, 4 heard) Nomenclature and follows Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v 8.1). Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Ducks, Geese & Swans Anatidae Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa pelewensis (2) 4 Suva, Namosi Road 4.8 and 2 Kandavu Island 6.8. Grey Teal (1) 20 La Foa 10.8.

Megapodes Megapodiidae Vanuatu Megapode (VU) Megapodius layardi (1) Heard Loru Conservation Area 8.8. Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus leucosternos (1) 3. La Foa 10.8

Pheasants, Grouse and Allies Phasianida Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo (1) 20+ Noumea 10.8 Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (2) Samoa 29.7, New Caledonia 10.8

Tropicbirds Phaethontidae White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus dorotheae (4) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28-31.7, Samoa

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae

Great Egret Ardea Alba (1) Noumea 12.8 White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae (2) 1 Nu’utelele, Samoa 30.7, Kandavu 6.8 and Noumea 10-12.8. Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra sacra (4) Apia 29/30.7, Taveuni 1.8 and Kandavu 5.8.

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Frigatebirds Fregatidae Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel ariel (3) Apia 30.7, Taveuni Island 1-2.8., Kandavu 6.8.

Gannets, Boobies Sulidae Red-footed Booby Sula sula rubripes (1) Nu’utelele Island, 30.7. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster plotus (2) Nu’utelele Island, 30.7., Kandavu 5.8.

Cormorants and Shags Phalacrocoracidae Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos (1) 2 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (2) 1 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8, Noumea 12.8.

Kites, Hawks & Eagles Accipitridae Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus vigilax (2) Noumea 10.8, 3 Lifou Is. 11.8. White-bellied Goshawk (NT) Accipiter haplochrous (2) 2 Grand Fougerre NP 10.8, 1 Noumea 12.8. Fiji Goshawk Accipiter rufitorques (2) Taveuni 1-2.8, 1 Nadi 6.8. Swamp Harrier Circus approximans (6) Taveuni 2.8, Suva 5.8, Vanuatu 7.8, New Caledonia 10-12.8. Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus (3) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Lifou Island 11.8, 2 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8.

Kagu Rhynochetidae Kagu (EN) Rhynochetos jubatus (1) 3 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8.

Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis sethsmithi (1) Loru Conservation Area 8.8 goodsoni: (4) 15 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 14.8, 20 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 15.8, 30 en route to Maloleilei 16.8 and 120 on the drive from Dave Parker’s Lodge to Nu’utelele and back 30.8. Australasian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus samoensis (2) 4 Samoa 30.7. caledonicus; (1) 4 New Caledonia 10.8.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles (2) Kandavu Airstrip 5.8, heard Kandavu Airstrip 6.8. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (2) 40 Apia 30.7, 20 Lifou Island 11.8.

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Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brivipes (1) 1 Nu’utele 30.7. Wandering Tattler Tringa incana (2) 1 Nu'utele 30.7.

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Brown Noddy Anous stolidus pileatus (3) Dave Parker’slodge and Nu'utele 28-30.8. Black Noddy Anous minutus minutus (2) 75 Nu’utele 30.7. White Tern Gygis alba candida (3) 28-31.7. Dave Parker’s Eco Lodge, Samoa. Silver Gull Chroicocephaulus novaehollandiidae (3) Noumea 10-12.8 Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii cristatus (7) Taveuni, Kandavu, Barrier Beach,Vanuatu Bridled Tern Onychopprion anaethetus (1) 10 Ole U Pupu Pue NP, 30.7

Pigeons and Doves Rock Dove livia var. domestica (9) Observed 9 days in total. Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis leopoldi (2) 10 Loru Conservation Area 8.8 hypoenochroa: (1) 6 Grand Fougerre 10.8, 3 Lifou Is. 11.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. vitiensis: (1) 8 Namosi Road 4.8. castaneiceps: (1) 1 Maloleilei 30.7. Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis tigrina (7) Recorded on 7 dates. MacKinlay's Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia mackinlayi mackinlayi (1) 1 Loru Conservation Area 8.8 Pacific Emerald Dove longirostris sandwichensis (3) Port Villa 7.8, Loru Conservation 8.8, Grand Fougerre 10.8, 1 Lifou Is. 11.8. Many-colored Fruit Dove Ptilinopus perousii perousii (3) 30 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28-31.7, 5 Maloleilei 29.7 and 4 Maloleilei 31.7. mariae: (1) 1 Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8. Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus porphyraceus fasciatus (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 29.7, 4 Maloleilei 29.7 and 4 Maloleilei 31.7. Red-bellied Fruit Dove Ptilinopus greyi (3) 10 Loru Conservation Area 8.8, 5 Barrier Beach 9.8, 2 Lifou Is. 11.8. Orange Dove Ptilinopus victor (1) Heard Taveuni 2.8.

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Golden Fruit Dove Ptilinopus luteovirens (1) 1 Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 3.8. Heard several Nakaduri Village. (1) Heard and seen briefly seen in flight, Namara Road 6.8. Cloven-feathered Dove (NT) Drepanoptila holosericea (1) Up to ten Grand Fougerre NP 10.8. Pacific Imperial Pigeon Ducula pacifica pacifica (7) Dave Parker’s Lodge Barking Imperial Pigeon Ducula latrans (7) Devo peak, Taveuni 1-3.8, Namara Road 3.8, Namara Road 4.8, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 1.8, Namosi Road 6.8, Nadakuri village 6.8 and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 6.8. Goliath Imperial Pigeon (NT) Ducula goliath (2) 2 Grand Fougerre NP 10.8, 6 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8.

Cuckoos Cuculidae Shining Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus layardi (1) 1 Lifou Is. 1.8.

Barn-Owls Tytonidae Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica delicatula (2) 1 Namosi Road 4.8, 4 Loru Conservation area 8.8.

Swifts Apodidae Satin Swiftlet Collocalia uropygialis uropygialis (3) Port Villa 7.8, Barrier Beach 8.8, Loru Conservation Area 8.8. albidior: (3) Grand Fougerre 10.8, and Lifou Is. 11.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8 White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius assimilis (8) Devo peak, Taveuni 6-8.8, Nadi 9.8, Namara Road 10.8, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 11.8, Namosi Road 12.8 and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 13.8. spodiopygius: (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and Maloleilei 31.7. Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis vanikorensis (2) 20 Mangaliliii Village, Port-Vila 29.7.

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Vanuatu Kingfisher (NT) Todiramphus farquhari (1) 2 Loru Conservation Area 8.8 Pacific Kingfisher Todiramphus sacer santoensis (2) 4 Loru Conservation Area 8.8. juliae: (1) 2 Port-Vila 7.8. vitiensis: (3) Taveuni Island 1-3.8, Nadi 1.8 and Suva 3-5.8. eximius: (1) Namara Road 5-6.8. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus canacorum (1) Grand Fougerre 10.8. macmillani: (1) 30 Lifou Is. 11.8.

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Flat-billed Kingfisher Todiramphus recurvirostris (3) 6 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28-31.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and 2 Maloleilei 31.7.

Old World Parrots Crimson Shining Parrot (VU) Prosopeia splendens (2) Namara Road 5.8 and Namara Road 6.8. Masked Shining Parrot (NT) Prosopeia personata (2) Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 5.8 and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 6.8. Maroon Shining Parrot Prosopeia tabuensis taviunensis (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1-2.8. Horned Parakeet (VU) Eunymphicus cornutus (3) Grand Fougerre 10.8, 4 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. New Caledonian Parakeet (VU) Cyanoramphus saisseti (2) Heard Grand Fougerre 10.8, 4 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Blue-crowned Lorikeet australis (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and Maloleilei 31.7. Collared Lory Phigys solitarius (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1-2.8, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 4-5.8. Coconut Lorikeet haematodus massena (4) Port-Vila 7.8, Loru Conservation Area 8.8. deplanchii: (1) Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8.

Honeyeaters Meliphagidae New Caledonian Myzomela Myzomela caledonica (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, 6 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Cardinal Myzomela Myzomela cardinalis tenuis (2) Loru Conservation Area 8.8, Barrier Beach 9.8. lifuensis: (1) 10 Lifou Is. 11.8. nigriventris: (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and Maloleilei 31.7. Sulphur-breasted Myzomela Myzomela jugularis (7) 2 Devo peak, Taveuni 6.8, 5 Devo peak, Taveuni 7.8, 2 Nadi 9.8, 5 Namara Road 10.8, 2 Namara Road 11.8, 2 Namosi Road 12.8 and 1 Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 13.8. Grey-eared Honeyeater Lichmera incana incana (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, 1 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. poliotis: (1) Lifou Is. 11.8. griseoviridis: (1) Port-Vila 7.8. Kadavu Honeyeater Xanthotis provocator (2) 2 Namara Road 5.8 and 2 Namara Road 6.8. New Caledonian Friarbird Philemon diemenensis (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Polynesian Wattled Honeyeater Foulehaio carunculatus (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 29.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and Maloleilei 31.7.

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Fiji Wattled Honeyeater Foulehaio taviunensis (3) Up to ten Devo peak, Taveuni 6-8.8. Kikau Foulehaio procerior (4) Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 3.8, Namosi Road 4.8, Nadakuri village 4.8 and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 5.8 and Nadi 6.8. Giant Honeyeater Gymnomyza brunneirostris (2) 2 Colo-I-Suva Lodge 3.8, and 2 Colo-I-Suva Lodge 4.8. Mao (EN) Gymnomyza samoensis (3) 2 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28-31, 1 Maloleilei 29.7, heard Maloleilei 31.7. Barred Honeyeater Glycifohia undulata (2) Heard Grand Fougerre 10.8, 4 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.7.

Australasian Warblers Acanthizidae Fan-tailed Gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis flavolateralis (1) 2 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. lifuensis: (1) 2 Lifou Is. 11.8. correiae: (1) 2 Barrier Beach 2.8.

Woodswallows, Butcherbirds and allies Artamidae White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus melaleucus (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Lifou Is. 11.8 and Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8 tenuis: (4) Port-Vila 7.8, Luganville 8.8. Fiji Woodswallow Artamus mentalis (5) Taveuni 1.8, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 3.8, Nadakuri village 4.8 and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 4.8. Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen (1) Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8.

Cuckoo- Campephagidae South Melanesian Cuckooshrike caledonica thilenii lifuensis: (1) 2 Lifou Is. 11.8. caledonica: (1) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Lifou Island 11.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. New Caledonian Cuckooshrike (NT) Coracina analis (1) 4 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. maculosa soror (2) 2 Namara Road 5.8 and 2 Namara Road 6.8. pumila: (4) 3 Nadi 9.8, 2 Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 11.8, Namosi Road 12.8 andColo-I-Suva Forest Park 13.8. woodi: (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1-2.8. maculosa: (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and 10 Maloleilei 31.7. Samoan Triller (NT) Lalage sharpei sharpei (2) 2 Maloleilei 29.7 and 3 Maloleilei 31.7.

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Long-tailed Triller Lalage leucopyga albiloris simillima: (1) Lifou Is. 11.8. montrosieri: (1) Grand Fougerre 10.8.

Whistlers and allies Melanesian Whistler chlorura intacta (2) 10 Loru Conservation Area 8.8 New Caledonian Whistler Pachycephala caledonica (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Fiji Whistler Pachycephala vitiensis kandavensis (2) Namara Road 5.8 and Namara Road 6.8. torquata: (1) Devo peak, Taveuni 1-2.8. optata: (2) 1 Namosi Road 12.8 and 1 Colo-I-Suva Lodge 13.8. Samoan Whistler Pachycephala flavifrons (3) Dave Parker’s Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and 1 Maloleilei 31.7. Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris xanthetraea (1) Grand Fougerre 10.8.

Fantails Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa brenchleyi (4) Barrier Beach 8.8, 4 Loru Conservation Area 8.8 and Barrier Beach 9.8. bulgeri: (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8 and Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Streaked Fantail Rhipidura verreauxi spilodera (2) 6 Loru Conservation Area 2.8 and 2 Butmas 3.8. verreauxi: (2) 10 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 30.7 and 6 Lifou Is. 31.7. rufilateralis: (3) Up to 10 Devo peak, Taveuni 6-8.8. layardi: (2) 4 Namosi Road 12.8, 2 Nadakuri village 12.8 and 2 Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 13.8. (NT) Rhipidura personata (2) 12 Namara Road 10.8 and 4 Namara Road 11.8. Rhipidura nebulosa nebulosa (3) 2 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 15.8, 2 Vaisigano Watershed 15.8, 2 Maloleilei 16.8 and 2 Maloleilei 17.8. Taveuni Silktail (NT) Lamprolia victoriae (1) 2 Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8.

Monarchs Monarchidae Slaty Monarch lessoni lessoni (2) Namara Road 5.8 and Namara Road 6.8. Buff-bellied Monarch Neolalage banksiana (1) 3 Loru Conservation Area 2.8.

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Southern Shrikebill Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides pachycephaloides (1) 2 Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. grisescens: (1) Loru Conservation area 8.8. Fiji Shrikebill Clytorhynchus vitiensis layardi (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1.8, 1 Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8 brunneus: (2) 2 Kadavu I--Namara Road 4.8. Black-throated Shrikebill (VU) Clytorhynchus nigrogularis (2) 2 Nadakuri village 4.8. and Namara Road 5.8. Melanesian Flycatcher caledonica caledonica (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. marinae: (2) Loru Conservation Area 8.8, Barrier Beach 8.8. Vanikoro Flycatcher Myiagra vanikorensis rufiventris (7) Devo peak, Taveuni 1.8, Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8, 1 Taveuni Island 1.8, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 4.8, Nadi 6.8. kandavensis: (2) 2 Namara Road 10.8 and 2 Namara Road 11.8. Samoan Flycatcher (NT) Myiagra albiventris (2) Maloleilei 29.7 and Maloleilei 31.7. Azure-crested Flycatcher Myiagra azureocapilla (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1.8 and Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies Corvidae New Caledonian Crow Corvus moneduloides (1) Grand Fougerre 10.8.

Australasian Robins Petroicidae Yellow-bellied Flyrobin Microeca flaviventris (1) Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Observed 10 day(s) in total.

Swallows Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica subfusca (10) Taveuni Island 1-2.8, Suva 4-6.8, Kandavu 6-7.8, Barrier Beach 7.8, NewCaledonia 10-12.8.

Cettia Bush Warblers and allies Fiji Bush Warbler ruficapilla ruficapilla (2) heard Namara Road 10.8 and Namara Road 11.8. badiceps: (2), Nadakuri village 4.8. funebris: (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1.8 and 1 Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8.

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Grassbirds and allies Locustellidae Long-legged Thicketbird Megalurulus rufus rufus (1) 1 Nadakuri village 4.8.

White-eyes Zosteropidae Fiji White-eye Zosterops explorator (8) Devo peak, Taveuni 1-2.8, Colo-I-Suva Forest Park 3.8, Namara Road 4.8, Namosi Road 5.8. Vanuatu White-eye Zosterops flavifrons perplexus (2) 20 Loru Conservation Area 2.8., Barrier Beach 9.8. efatensis: (2) 5 Port-Vila 29.7 and 10 Port-Vila 4.8. Small Lifou White-eye Zosterops minutus (1) 40 Lifou Is. 11.8. Green-backed White-eye Zosterops xanthochroa (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Zosterops lateralis melanops (1) Lifou Is. 11.8. vatensis: (2) 1 Port-Vila 9.8. tropicus (1) Loru Conservation Area 8.8. flaviceps: (2) Devo peak, Taveuni 1.8, Suva 4.8. Large Lifou White-eye Zosterops inornatus (1) Lifou Is. 11.8.

Starlings Sturnidae Striated striata striata (2) Grand Fougerre 10.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Polynesian Starling Aplonis tabuensis vitiensis (3) Devo peak, Taveuni 6., Namara Road 10.8, 2 Namara Road 11.8. brevirostris: (3) Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7 and Maloleilei 31.7. Samoan Starling Aplonis atrifusca (3) 50 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28.7, Maloleilei 29.7, Maloleilei 31.7. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus fuscus Observed 10 day(s) in total. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis tristis (15) Observed 15 days in total.

Thrushes and Allies Turdidae Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus layardi (1) 1 Nadakuri village 12.8. tempesti: (1) Devo peak, Taveuni 2.8.

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Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus domesticus (3) Observed 3 days in total.

Waxbills, Munias and allies Estrildidae Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild astrild (1) La Foa 10.8. Blue-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa cyanofrons (2) Port-Vila 4.8. 2 Lifou Is. 11.8. Red-throated Parrotfinch Erythrura psittacea (1) Grand Fougerrre 10.8, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue 12.8. Red-headed Parrotfinch Erythrura cyaneovirens cyaneovirens (1) Maloleilei 29.7. Fiji Parrotfinch Erythrura pealii (8) 10 Namosi Road 12.8, 5 Nadakuri village 12.8 and Nadi Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla (1) Loru Conservation area 3.8.

Mammals (8 in total: 8 seen) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Dugongs Dugongidae Dugong Dugong dugon Fantastic looks at a mother and calf feeding in the shallows in front of our lodge on Santos, Vanuatu.

Mongooses Herpestidae Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus (1) 1 Namosi Road 8.8.

Old World Fruit Bats Pteropodidae Vanuatu Flying Fox Pteropus anetianus (2) 20 Loru Conservation Area 2.8. Ornate Flying Fox Pteropus ornatus (1) Lifou Is. 31.7. Pacific Flying Fox Pteropus tonganus (8) 200 Dave Parker Eco Lodge 28-31.8. Up to 1000 Taveuni Island 1-3.8, 100 Namosi Road 12.8.

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Reptiles (1 in total: 1 seen) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Blue-tailed Skink Cryptoblepharus egeriae Commonly seen on islands throughout.

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