Papua Birding in Paradise V 13th to 30th August 2019 (18 days)

Trip Report

Blue -of-paradise by Dušan Brinkhuizen

Trip report compiled by Dušan Brinkhuizen & Stephan Lorenz

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Top ten as voted for by participants:

1. Sclater's Crowned Pigeon 6. Flame 2. Black Sicklebill 7. Crested Satinbird 3. Blue Bird-of-paradise 8. Raggiana Bird-of-paradise 4. King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise 9. Emperor Fairywren 5. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia 10. New Guinea Flightless Rail ______Tour Summary The majority of the group had arrived the previous day and we started day one of the tour with a leisurely and relatively late breakfast. After breakfast and while waiting for two more members to arrive from the Huon Peninsula, we took a stroll around the neighbourhood of the Raintree Lodge, tallying our first birds for . The gardens and larger trees offered a surprising variety of and one of the morning's favourites were the Fawn-breasted , members of a typical Australasian bird family and these were quite abundant with more than a dozen noted. Other species we encountered included the common Peaceful Dove, many beautiful Torresian Imperial Pigeons, a Brown Goshawk that spooked some of the birds, and boisterous Rufous-banded . In some of the taller trees, New Guinea called loudly. With some Greater Lophorina by Chris Lester patience, we also lured Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters into view and two Grey Shrikethrushes sang in the open. Overhead, we noted fast flying Coconut Lorikeets, a few Pacific Swallows, and the distinctive White-breasted . By mid-morning, it was warming up and we retreated to the comfortable hotel where we met the remainder of the group and had lunch. Leader Dušan never made it to Port Moresby as he got stuck during transit in Hong Kong for several days because of the massive protests and closure of the international airport! We had to start the tour without him but leader Stephan had it all under control. The group transferred to the Port Moresby airport for the mid-afternoon flight to Mt. Hagen, which departed with only a slight delay. In Mt. Hagen, our transfer was waiting for us and in no time at all we settled into the plush Rondon Ridge Lodge with spectacular views across the valley and of Mt. Hagen town far below. Along the route, we tallied Black Kites and a Pied Bushchat.

Our birding in the New Guinean Highlands the next morning started immediately in the vicinity of the Rondon Ridge Lodge and we walked only a short distance to an area where planted fruiting trees proved attractive for many birds, including our first bird's-of-paradise and, we would finish the day with tallying five species of these incredible birds. First, we successfully chased a stunning male Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia and several Greater Lophorinas moved around, occasionally offering great views of the fruiting Schefflera. One of the undoubted highlights of the first morning though were repeated views of a female Blue Bird-of-paradise that offered progressively better and better views. The bounty of berries and fruits also offered other seldom seen species, including Madrasah’s Tiger Parrot, MacGregor's Bowerbird, and

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Yellowish-streaked , while Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove, Yellow-browed Melidectes, Smoky Honeyeater, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Island Warbler, Papuan White-eye, and Red-capped Flowerpeckers were more expected. We then commenced the hike up the somewhat steep trail towards the primary and a clearing near the top. Along the way, we notched up some quality birds with the highlights being a male Garnet Robin that dropped down to near eye level, a brief group of Grey Thornbills, glimpsed Slaty Robin, and male Regent Whistler. We stayed in the clearing for several hours and enjoyed a steady stream of new birds, highlighted by a male Brown Sicklebill that offered scope views and after some patient waiting, a male King of Saxony Bird-of- paradise, truly one of the more bizarre birds in the world and we had lengthy scope studies of the elongated head plumes. Other highlights here included a skulky group of Yellowish-streaked Honeyeater by Chris Lester Orange-crowned Fairywrens that eventually showed well, Papuan, Yellow-billed and Orange-billed Lorikeets, high flying Papuan Mountain Pigeons, a surprise Peregrine Falcon of the distinctive resident subspecies with a very dark hood, Black-throated and Rufous-backed Honeyeaters, Regent and Brown- backed Whistlers, Dimorphic and Friendly , and the monotypic Blue-capped Ifrit that clambered like a nuthatch through the canopy. We took a slightly longer route back down to the lodge and while the trail was muddy, our efforts were rewarded with the monotypic Wattled Ploughbill. A family group, two adults and a juvenile, snuck through the dense bamboo and we all managed to see at least the male or female, what a finish to the day!

For the second full day in the Rondon Ridge area, some decided to complete a very early morning hike back to the clearing to look for Black Sicklebill, while others started a bit later to bird the lower trails and fruiting trees. The hikers were rewarded with good views of Black Sicklebill near the top and a perched Rufescent Imperial Pigeon, plus views of many of the species from the previous day. The forest edge further down and plantation held Mountain Kingfisher, Amboyna Cuckoo Dove, Black Pitohui, and Black-breasted Boatbill. For the afternoon, we birded the open areas in front of the lodge, including some porch birding! Here, we found several swifts and raptors gracing the skies, including Glossy and Mountain Swiftlets, Long-tailed Honey-buzzard, Papuan Yellow-breasted Bowerbird by Chris Lester Harrier, Black-winged, Black, and Brahminy Kites. The grassy areas and scattered trees held Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, an inquisitive group of White-shouldered Fairywrens, and Mountain among the larger Red-collared Myzomelas that visited the flowering shrubs, Brown-breasted Gerygones, and Hooded Mannikins. A short excursion into

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 4 the forest offered excellent views of a skulking Mountain Mouse-warbler. As a group, we also recorded an incredible six species of birds-of-paradise again, never tiring of views of these magnificent birds. An outing after dinner yielded flight views of a pair of Papuan Boobooks, but Feline Owlet-nightjars remained heard only.

We planned to transfer to Kumul Lodge after an early lunch and thus enjoyed another full morning in the productive forest around Rondon Ridge. The fruiting trees again yielded the rare Yellowish-streaked Honeyeater, a seldom seen species that is best found here. Walking along one of the lower and flatter trails, we added several difficult species to the tally, including White-bibbed Fruit Dove, a seen Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo, a calling Forbes’s Forest Rail seen by some, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, Slaty-headed Longbill, and a very cooperative Black- throated Robin that sat still in the scope for minutes on end. We also discovered an area of fruiting tree inside the forest that was busy with MacGregor's Bowerbirds and everyone ended up with great views of this secretive species. We returned to the lodge, packed up, and had another delicious lunch before our transfer to Kumul. It was about a two-hour drive before we reached the next lodge where we checked in and then quickly continued to the bird feeding table. This Ribbon-tailed Astrapia by Chris Lester is one of the few feeding setups in Papua New Guinea and is rightly famous as we could closely study the aggressive Belford’s Melidectes, Common Smoky Honeyeater, impressive Brown Sicklebill, incomparable Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, a Kumul specialty, Brehm's Tiger Parrot, and Island Thrushes all coming in for papaya, while Grey-streaked Honeyeater, Rufous-naped Bellbird, Canary Flyrobins, and White-winged Robins all graced the edge of the lodge clearing. We walked a short trail and along the entrance road, before returning to the lodge grounds in the late afternoon. Along the paths, we had great views of Large and Papuan Scrubwrens. The fruiting trees immediately next to the cabins were visited by the unique Crested Berrypecker, a member of the endemic painted berrypecker family, and best of all a male Crested Satinbird arrived, a spectacular species whose colors of vivid orange and inky black are difficult to comprehend. As luck would have it, we also had a pair of Mountain Firetails hop in the grass right at our feet, another grand finish to highland birding in New Guinea.

During our first full day in the Kumul area, Brown Sicklebill by Chris Lester we planned to descend in elevation in hopes of seeing Lesser Bird-of-paradise, here at the southern limit of its range. We started with a predawn drive towards Kama where a short walk brought us to an area where we could already hear the birds calling in the distance. After some waiting and careful

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 5 scanning of the surrounding trees, a male suddenly flew into a tall casuarina and remained long enough for scope studies, its long plumes waving. This is one of the members of the Paradisaea, a quintessential bird-of-paradise. We staked out the fruiting tree a bit longer and were rewarded with a female Lesser Bird-of- paradise and, even better, a female Magnificent Bird-of-paradise. We returned towards Kumul after our success with several stops along the way. We added great views of Black-headed Whistler and at the Lai River easily found the specific Torrent Flyrobin. A Brown Falcon flew along a distant ridge. We stopped in a section of valley that still held forest on the steep slopes and the best finds here included a soaring Gurney's studied at length and a flyby of the rare Short-tailed Paradigalla. For the afternoon, we went to Murmur Pass and enjoyed one of the most productive White-winged Robin by Chris Lester afternoon’s outings of the entire tour. It all started with a Lesser that hopped into the trail several times and then continued with near nonstop action from the overlook. While observing the tall primary forest around a small clearing, we scoped Plum-faced Lorikeets, Mountain Meliphaga, Black- throated Honeyeater, a male Loria’s Satinbird, and the secretive Ashy Robin. A Bronze Ground Dove walked into an open patch and remained there for several minutes for saturation scope views. One of the best finds of the day was a pair of Mottled Berryhunters that made repeated visits to a fruiting tree. Dušan finally made it to Kumul in the late afternoon and some of us opted to go out after dinner and were rewarded with unparalleled views of a Feline Owlet-nightjar with a Mountain Owlet-nightjar heard only. It was another full day of birding with numerous highlights.

The following morning, we drove north to a site known as Tonga. Here, a male Blue Bird-of-paradise was our principal target. We had already seen this species well at Rondon Ridge but only females. After a hike up a fairly steep slope, we reached the viewpoint where we waited a while. Now and then the male was calling but suddenly at c. 7:45 it came out and posed on a snag: what an absolute stunner and surely one of the very best birds in the world! Everybody enjoyed wonderful scope views, while the cameras were repeatedly clicking their shutters. Some got lucky with brief views of a Lawes’s Parotid that flew by. Marbled Honeyeater was another target that we got to see but otherwise few other birds were seen at this site. Along the main road, we Belford’s Melidectes by Chris Lester successfully targeted the sought-after Tit Berrypecker, but it took some patience and persistence to get these gems in view! Other birds that we got here included Papuan White-eyes and Island Leaf Warblers. At another spot, we waited in the hope for Short-tailed

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Paradigalla but eventually a bird in flight was only seen by one person. At Kumul Lodge the usual suspects were seen at the fruit table during lunch. Some also got lucky with more views of a male Crested Satinbird near the cabins. In the afternoon, we made another visit to Murmur Pass. At arrival there was good activity with a splendid male King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise perched in a tall tree. A male Brown Sicklebill was calling loudly and a Black-throated Honeyeater showed itself nicely. A female Mottled Berryhunter showed up at the same berries and again we got excellent views of this usually elusive species. Granger spotted a Yellow-billed Lory feeding low above the ground that showed really well in the scope. Ashy Robin was again briefly seen in the clearing. A dark Fan-tailed Cuckoo got us confused for a moment and was first identified as Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo. Just before heading back, we added a nice pair of Black-bellied to the list. Forbes’s Forest Rail responded very close to the trail’s edge but unfortunately it never came out. A late afternoon stroll through the forest at Kumul did not produce much and sadly not a sniff of the hoped-for New Guinea .

Today was a travel day and we departed early for our flight from Mount Hagen. From the departure hall in the airport, we did get to do some birding and added Australian Pipit to the list. After arriving in the town of Kiunga, we continued our journey to Tabubil with Ribbon-tailed Astrapia very few stops en route, including a stop for a soaring Long-tailed By Chris Lester Honey Buzzard. The next morning, we birded the Dablin Creek road. A distant Greater Melampitta was calling and our local guides were positive of the identification, although it was very distant. General bird activity was a little slow but over time we did get a number of nice sightings including Mountain Peltops, , Capped White-eye, Long- tailed Honey Buzzard and an obliging Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo. A steep climb up the pipeline got us to some nice forest edge where a Queen Carola's Parotia was one of the first birds that we saw. Other highlights here included Black-winged Monarch, Tawny- breasted Honeyeater and White-eared Bronze Cuckoo. A neat flock of Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot foraging along a tree trunk gave us prolonged scope views. On our way back down, we watched a perched Collared Sparrowhawk and a pair of Black-shouldered . Some of us that had stayed down had gotten great views of Stout-billed Cuckooshrike. Uniform Swiftlets were flying Crested Satinbird by Chris Lester low and provided us with good views and photo opportunities. After lunch, we scoped a male Orange-fronted Hanging Parrot at the hotel, but it was surprisingly challenging to see. Our afternoon search for the rare Salvadori's Teal was a major success with fantastic views of a pair along the OK Menga river. Other goodies that we got to see in the afternoon included Blyth's , Grey Crow, Hooded Butcherbird, Coconut Lorikeet, Sulphur-

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 7 crested Cockatoo and Moustached Treeswift. At dusk, we tried for the crepuscular Shovel-billed Kookaburra and heard several distance birds responding to our call. A Papuan Boobook was also calling but never came close. A Large-tailed Nightjar flew overhead in the spotlight showing well its white tail corners.

We had an early start and did some exciting exploring today. We drove up the dirt road to Telefomin, a new track that recently was opened for public. The drive itself was fantastic with amazing scenery and extensive primary forest in all directions, especially in the higher parts where we started our birding. When we got out of the car, we immediately ran into some activity and got a Salvadori’s Teal by Dušan Brinkhuizen Friendly and a couple of Grey Thornbills. Goldenface was heard singing but it was very difficult to get in view as the mixed-species flock had moved back into the forest. The loud and striking call of the Black Sicklebill sounded from various directions and some seemed not that far away. Shortly after, we were watching a male Black Sicklebill in the scopes, what a large and stunning creature! The birding here was super exciting as we were hearing rare birds all around us including New Guinea Bronzewing, Queen Carola's Parotia and Ochre-breasted Catbird, while Black Sicklebill and Goldenface also continued vocalizing. A Metallic Pigeon suddenly showed up out of nowhere, a distinct and rather scarce species. Possibly even rarer was a stunning New Guinea Bronzewing that we also got to see in the scope. Queen Carola's Parotias kept calling from the canopy and a splendid male Greater Lophorina was watched unfolding its iridescent green breast shield. The striking Papuan King Parrot was seen and our first Pesquet's Parrot flying overhead was another highlight. Further up the road, we ran into an immature Black-mantled Goshawk, another rarity. A Papuan Eagle was briefly heard calling from the tall forest above us. We decided to have an early lunch (pizza!) on site in the hope the eagle would come down but it never did. A nice consolation was an obliging Short-tailed Paradigalla that was spotted by Chris. On our way back, we birded Greater Bird-of-paradise by Chris Lester at an overview with fruiting trees where we got a dozen of Queen Carola's Parotias, including a nice adult male! At a vast flowing river, we searched for Torrent Lark but were pleasantly surprised to find another pair of Salvadori's Teal. The rest of the afternoon was spent along a dirt track lower down, locally known as Henry’s road. The birding here was kicking off with many new species including Large and Orange-breasted Fig Parrots, Varied Triller, Piping Bellbird, Greater Bird-of-paradise and Magnificent Riflebird. A fruiting tree attracted Plain and Green-backed Honeyeaters, both fairly nondescript species, but the tiny Orange-fronted Hanging Parrot made up for the dull colours. A couple of noisy Pesquet's Parrots that landed right above our heads was a spectacular

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 8 sighting. The skulky Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler came close to the forest edge but never came out in view. We ended the day with the mega Shovel-billed Kookaburra, an adult perched in the spotlight after dusk – what an amazing day!

The following morning, we went back to Henry’s road for some more action. This time it was drizzling but nevertheless we managed to see some great birds. At the dam, we scanned for Torrent Lark but without success. A Hook-billed Kingfisher sang from nearby and we worked hard on finding this crepuscular species. Eventually, we were able to locate the perched bird and it was briefly seen in the scope by some before it flew off again. In a mixed flock up the road, we pulled out several goodies including Wallace's Fairywren, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Yellow- bellied Gerygone and a stunning Golden Monarch, among others. A Grey-headed Goshawk calling from the canopy showed itself briefly in the scope before it Emperor Fairywren by Chris Lester took off. At another spot some bird activity produced Rusty Whistler, Papuan Black , Rufous-backed Fantail, Hooded Pitohui, Varied Triller and Spotted Honeyeater. Boyer's Cuckooshrike was one of the last new additions to our list before we went back to the OK Menga river to continue our search for Torrent Lark. Scanning along the river got us Salvadori's Teal for the third day in a row but unfortunately no sign of the Torrent Lark. After lunch, we travelled to Kiunga with a birding stop at a site known as KM 17. It rained on us as soon as we got inside the forest so the birding wasn’t that productive. A female Superb Fruit Dove that we scoped while she was sitting on her was an incredible find by our local guide Kwiwan.

A site known as Boystown road was on the program for the morning. A roadside hill served as a great viewpoint from where we did a so-called “big sit”. It was productive and we stacked up exciting species like Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Zoe's Imperial Pigeon, Papuan Spine-tailed Swift, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Grey- headed Goshawk, Blyth's Hornbill, Rufous-bellied Kookaburras and Yellow-billed Kingfisher, to name a few. Flyby parrots were regular with a variety of different species including Red-cheeked Parrot, Black-capped and Yellowish- streaked Lory, Large and Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, and Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot. A fantastic flock of Red-flanked Lorikeets perched right in front of us and we enjoyed prolonged scope views of these gems. A female Flame Bowerbird caused some excitement and was seen well. Other highlights included Flame Bowerbird by Chris Lester Meyer's , Long-billed Honeyeater, Glossy-mantled and Trumpet Manucode, Golden Monarch and a rather shy White-bellied Thicket Fantail. A brief walk produced awesome views of a male Emperor Fairywren and Papuan was heard-only. Along the

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 9 airport strip of Kiunga, we did not find the mannikins we hoped for but flushing several Swinhoe’s Snipe was certainly worth the effort. In the afternoon we visited KM 17 where we got some quality birds. King Bird-of-paradise was our main target and pretty soon Stephan got us on a brilliant male that we scoped for a prolonged time! Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon perched in the subcanopy was another great catch. We continued to the Greater Bird-of- paradise display site and witnessed some of the best bird spectacles in the world: up to about eight males were going crazy in the canopy, especially when the females were nearby – amazing scenes! Another highlight was a Hooded Pitta that we got out on a trunk. Ochre-breasted Catbird was calling on end and circled around us but never came in view.

Our Kwatu camp adventure commenced with an exciting boat ride along the Fly River and the Elevala River. Raptors were well-represented with Brahminy and Whistling Kites, Pacific Baza and close-up views of White-bellied Sea Eagle. However, the star bird of the boat trip was the Sclater's Crowned Pigeon, a superb bird! The first views that we got were brief but eventually, we all got extended views of this beauty while it posed quietly in the canopy. Other novelties that we enjoyed along the river included the impressive Palm Cockatoo, Shining Flycatcher, Golden Myna and the fancy Wallace’s Owlet-Nightjar by Chris Lester Golden Cuckooshrike. In the late morning, we visited a hide that was constructed to view an active bower of a Flame Bowerbird. We had to be very quiet and it took a lot of patience but eventually, we were rewarded with this prize bird: the male suddenly popped up at the bower like a flaming bowl of fire – a truly stunning bird! Afternoon forest birding was a little slow but did produce some nice sightings including Southern Variable Pitohui and Black-sided Robin. Little Paradise Kingfisher was heard-only. In the late afternoon some of us went for an owling session further up the Elevala River while others went back to the camp. At dusk, we enjoyed scope views of a singing Dwarf Koel and when it got dark enough, we entered the forest. The rare and poorly known Starry Owlet-nightjar called almost immediately in response to our playback but it remained silent for several minutes and although the bird sounded close, we were unable to locate it. A nearby Wallace's Owlet-nightjar was also vocal but it kept calling which made it easier to locate. The Wallace's was beautifully seen in the spotlight. We New Guinea Flightless Rail by Dušan Brinkhuizen continued our search for the Starry but the bird only responded with a single call and with long intervals. Once the bird got very close to us but seemingly a large fruit bat had chased it off before we got it in the spotlights, talking about bad timing! Watching a Marbled Frogmouth calling from the canopy was a nice consolation though.

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First thing the following morning, we went to a known display site for Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise. We heard the male calling at arrival and fairly soon we located the bird atop a dense tree. Very unfortunate, the male stayed mostly hidden among the and exposed views of the bird were very brief. A welcome surprise was a Doria’s Goshawk that flew right besides our boat, a rare and unpredictable species! Regular birds that we saw along the river included Oriental Dollarbird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Grey Crow and Blyth's Hornbill. Lowland Peltops was also briefly seen. Inside the forest the birding was challenging but we added several new species to our list including Papuan Babbler, Hooded and Frilled Monarch, and the localized White- bellied Pitohui. Common Paradise Kingfisher was beautifully seen but unfortunately the Little Paradise Kingfisher remained heard- only for most of us. Without a doubt, the absolute highlight of the morning was seeing Raggiana Bird-of-paradise by Chris Lester New Guinea Flightless Rail! From a recently constructed hide, we watched up to three of these massive rails foraging at (and inside) a dead palm trunk – what a thrill! In the forest behind the camp we successfully targeted the shy Blue Jewel-babbler that was seen well by some of us. On our way back towards Kiunga, we went to a backup site for Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise. In the afternoon, display activity of this species was expected to be minimal, but we all got lucky with tick-able views of a male. Little Paradise Kingfisher again remained highly elusive. The following morning, we made another brief visit to Boystown road before we took our delayed flight back to Port Moresby. Varirata National Park was on our program for the next three days. This exciting reserve in the foothills above the capital held a ton of bird species and not a single day of birding at this site was the same! On the first day, we started with the spot for the amazing Raggiana Bird-of-paradise. A couple of males were present in the early morning but display activity was rather low. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed watching a superb male for a prolonged time. A Black-billed Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove by Chris Lester Brushturkey standing in the middle of the trail and out in the open was a great sighting, especially since this species is typically very shy. It was birdy at the picnic site and the fruiting trees attracted a great number of exciting species: Pink-spotted, Orange-bellied, Dwarf and Ornate Fruit Doves were all seen at close range with the latter being the rarest. A pair of the tiny Dwarf Fruit Doves allowed us to approach as they trusted their cryptic . Together with Wompoo, Coroneted and Superb Fruit Dove in the forest at total of seven species of fruit doves was seen today – a pretty epic feat! A mixed-species flock produced good views of several species including , Black Berrypecker and Rusty Pitohui. Green-backed, Plain, Tawny-breasted

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 11 and Streak-headed Honeyeater were also present. Growling Riflebird showed well and its loud and distinct call was commonly heard during the day. Another highlight at the picnic site included a Dwarf Koel that posed in a tree for an extended period of time. In the forest, we ran into more flocks with gems like Black-faced and Spot-winged Monarch, Fairy Gerygone and Chestnut-bellied Fantail. A Barred Owlet-Nightjar at its day roost was another treat. The rare and secretive Papuan Scrub Robin was heard and eventually seen crossing the trail. A Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher was an absolute stunner and this Varirata speciality was scoped for a prolonged time. In the late afternoon, we birded the lower Eucalyptus in search of the local White-bellied Whistler. We saw a good number of new birds including Forest Kingfisher, Leaden Flycatcher and Lemon- bellied Flyrobin. After some persistence Chris found the White-bellied Whistler and this target showed really well – quite a day!

A different forest trail was done the following morning and even though it was quieter in the forest, we ran into some fantastic birds. Forest Bittern by Chris Lester Another Black-billed Brushturkey was flushed from the trail and this time we were able to watch it in the scope as it perched up in a tall tree. Painted Quail-thrush was heard but it remained elusive. A skulky Rusty Mouse-warbler did show itself. Goldenface was heard singing in a mixed-species flock and after some effort, we finally got to see this attractive little cracker! Fantail was a bonus here, a species not often seen at Varirata according to our local guide. Two Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeons showed well in the forest canopy. The ground-dwelling Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler played hide-and-seek with us but eventually we got views of this handsome but notorious skulker. A true surprise was a Papuan Boobook that we flushed from under the little bridge at the picnic site!

In the afternoon, we paid a visit to the Pacific Adventist University (PAU), a university complex at the edge of the capital Port Moresby. In contrast to Varirata, the campus was easier and pleasant birding with open woodland avifauna and various ponds attracting water birds. Black-backed Butcherbird, one of our main targets here, was found fairly quickly and we scoped a bird on the other side of the big pond. Fawn-breasted Bowerbirds were present in good numbers in the surrounding trees. The freshwater lily ponds were packed with birdlife: Comb-crested Jacana, Pacific Black Duck, Wandering Whistling-duck, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorant, Australasian Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen and Intermediate Egret were among the aquatic Dwarf Fruit-Dove by Chris Lester species. A Nankeen Night-heron was hiding in the tree right

Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Papua New Guinea Trip Report – RBL Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise V 2019 12 above us. Other species that we got included Bar-shouldered Dove, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Singing Starling and Australasian Figbird. Orange-fronted Fruit Dove was probably the best bird of the afternoon and we watched several adults foraging in a fruiting tree at close range. A brief stop at a roadside rice paddy got us plenty of neat species including Raja Shelduck and Pied Heron.

Our final day at Varirata was again a major one. On our way in we enjoyed watching a Blue-winged Kookaburra, a fantastic species we hadn’t stopped for earlier! Activity at the Raggiana Bird-of-paradise site was again rather slow so, we decided to continue to the picnic site. Here, we scoped a Crinkle-collared Manucode, the final of the birds-of-paradise that we still needed for the trip! Other species that we got here included Barred and Boyer's Cuckooshrike, , Black Berrypecker and Great Cuckoo-Dove. Another promising forest trail gave a slow start but we did hear both Painted Quail-thrush and Papuan Scrub Robin. A bird party got us Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Fairy Gerygone and Stout-billed Cuckooshrike, among others. Suddenly, the rare Pheasant Pigeon started calling from a gully and eventually this mega bird was seen by a few lucky observers. We worked hard on getting the Pheasant Pigeon in view and some others were rewarded with bonus views of Papuan Pitta, another very hard-to-get species. After lunch some of us took a break while others went to look for the ever-elusive quail-thrush. The adult male Painted Quail-thrush was eventually seen and was put in the scope but the views were still challenging to say the least! We all continued birding along the river trail where we Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher By Chris Lester hit the jackpot for the day: a cracking adult Forest Bittern – a lifer for all of us! The prolonged views that we got of this rarity were simply excellent. Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher that we scoped was a welcome bonus along the river trail. In the late afternoon, we went back to the Raggiana Birds-of-paradise and this time the males were fully displaying – another spectacle hard to beat!

On our departure day, we managed to organize some extra bonus birding in the early morning. We first targeted the endemic Silver-eared Honeyeater in town and an obliging individual was quickly found in a mango tree. We then continued to the rice paddies where we were hoping to find the endemic Grey- headed Mannikins. Bingo – the mannikins were one of the first birds we got to see when we arrived and several showed well perched in the reeds! A skulky Acrocephalus warbler caused some confusion in the start but we were eventually able to confirm its identification as Australian Reed Warbler. Golden-headed Cisticola, Grey Teal and Royal Spoonbill were also new additions to the list. Views of both White- browed Crake and Pale-vented Bush-hen were an excellent ending of a truly epic Papua New Guinea tour!

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Chris Lester for sharing many of his excellent images taken on tour. ______

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Annotated List of species recorded Note: Number in brackets ( ) indicate number of days on the tour the species was recorded.

Birds (347 in total: 330 seen, 17 heard)

Nomenclature and follows Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2019. IOC World Bird List (v 9.1).

IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Ducks, Geese & Swans Anatidae Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata australis (1) Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Raja Shelduck Radjah radjah radjah (2) 18 Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Salvadori's Teal (VU) Salvadorina waigiuensis (3) Up to 2 Ok Menga Area 20-22.8. Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa pelewensis (4) en route 26.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8, en route 29.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Grey Teal Anas gracilis gracilis (1) Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Megapodes Megapodiidae Black-billed Brushturkey Talegalla fuscirostris (7) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8.

Ibises, Spoonbills Threskiornithidae Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca molucca (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia (1) 28 Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae Forest Bittern (NT) Zonerodius heliosylus (1) Varirata NP 29.8. Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis australis (1) Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus australasiae (2) Ok Menga Area 20.8 and 2 Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus (5) 2 en route 13.8, Port Moresby--Jacksons International Airport 19.8, en route 26.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Great Egret Ardea alba modesta (3) Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8.

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Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia plumifera (1) Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Pied Heron Egretta picata (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Little Egret Egretta garzetta nigripes (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Cormorants and Shags Phalacrocoracidae Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos melanoleucos (2) Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris (3) en route 17.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo novaehollandiae (1) Ok Menga Area 20.8.

Kites, Hawks & Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus hypoleucus (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8. Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata stenozona (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Long-tailed Honey Buzzard Henicopernis longicauda (7) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 20.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Varirata NP 27.8. Papuan Eagle (VU) Harpyopsis novaeguineae (1) 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8. Gurney's Eagle (NT) Aquila gurneyi (1) 1 Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 17.8. Doria's Goshawk (NT) Megatriorchis doriae (1) Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster leucosomus (3) Tabubil 20.8, en route 22.8 and Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus polycryptus (1) 1 Port Moresby 13.8. Black-mantled Goshawk Accipiter melanochlamys (1) Telefomin Road 21.8. Grey-headed Goshawk Accipiter poliocephalus (4) Ok Menga Area 22.8, Ok Menga Area 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 2 en route 26.8. Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus papuanus (2) Dablin Creek 20.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Papuan Harrier Circus spilothorax (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8. Black Kite Milvus migrans affinis (8) 5 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 4 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, 5 en route 17.8, Tonga 18.8, observed 19.8, Kiunga Airstrip 23.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Varirata NP 27.8.

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Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus girrenera (11) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Kumul Lodge 17.8, Murmura pass 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, Kiunga Airstrip 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Varirata NP 27.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster (4) Kiunga Airstrip 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8.

Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Forbes's Forest Rail Rallicula forbesi forbesi (2) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8 and 1 heard Murmura pass 18.8. Pale-vented Bush-hen Amaurornis moluccana ruficrissa (3) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea (1) Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. New Guinea Flightless Rail (NT) Megacrex inepta inepta (1) 3 Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Australasian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus melanopterus (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa frontata (1) Pacific Adventist University 28.8.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles miles (5) 1 Port Moresby 13.8, Port Moresby--Jacksons International Airport 19.8, en route 26.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius dubius (1) Ok Menga Area 22.8.

Jacanas Jacanidae Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea (1) Pacific Adventist University 28.8.

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae New Guinea Woodcock Scolopax rosenbergii (1) 1 heard Kumul Lodge 17.8. Swinhoe's Snipe megala (1) Kiunga Airstrip 23.8. Common hypoleucos (5) Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Wood Sandpiper glareola (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Pigeons and Doves Rock Dove Columba livia var. domestica (2) observed 19.8 and en route 28.8.

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Metallic Pigeon Columba vitiensis halmaheira (1) Telefomin Road 21.8. Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia amboinensis cinereiceps (11) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 3 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, 1 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, Tonga 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia nigrirostris (9) Up to 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Great Cuckoo-Dove Reinwardtoena reinwardti griseotincta (3) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 2 Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. New Guinea Bronzewing albifrons albifrons (1) Telefomin Road 21.8. Thick-billed Ground Pigeon Trugon terrestris leucopareia (1) 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8. Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida placida (2) 14 Port Moresby 13.8, Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis gregalis (1) Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Cinnamon Ground Dove Gallicolumba rufigula alaris (1) Varirata NP 29.8. Bronze Ground Dove Alopecoenas beccarii beccarii (1) 1 Murmura pass 17.8. Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis cervicalis (1) Varirata NP 29.8. Sclater's Crowned Pigeon (NT) Goura sclaterii (1) 4 Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Wompoo Fruit Dove Ptilinopus magnificus poliurus (7) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Pink-spotted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus perlatus zonurus (7) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Ornate Fruit Dove Ptilinopus ornatus gestroi (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Orange-fronted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus aurantiifrons (1) 5 Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Superb Fruit Dove Ptilinopus superbus superbus (3) Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Varirata NP 27.8. Coroneted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus coronulatus coronulatus (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Beautiful Fruit Dove Ptilinopus pulchellus (2) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. White-bibbed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus rivoli bellus (2) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8.

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Orange-bellied Fruit Dove Ptilinopus iozonus finschi (8) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 21.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Dwarf Fruit Dove Ptilinopus nainus (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rufigaster rufigaster (2) Kiunga - Km 17 23.8 and 2 Varirata NP 28.8. Rufescent Imperial Pigeon Ducula chalconota smaragdina (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8. Pinon's Imperial Pigeon Ducula pinon pinon (3) Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8 and Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Collared Imperial Pigeon Ducula mullerii (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Zoe's Imperial Pigeon Ducula zoeae (7) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Torresian Imperial Pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa (2) 8 Port Moresby 13.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Papuan Mountain Pigeon Gymnophaps albertisii albertisii (9) 8 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 5 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, Ok Menga Area 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Cuckoos Cuculidae Ivory-billed Coucal Centropus menbeki menbeki (2) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Black-billed Coucal Centropus bernsteini (4) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus nigricans (3) Varirata NP 27.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Dwarf Koel Microdynamis parva parva (4) 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Pacific Koel Eudynamys orientalis rufiventer (5) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 27.8. Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae novaehollandiae (1) Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx ruficollis (3) Up to 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8. White-eared Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx meyerii (3) Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8 and Ok Menga Area 22.8. Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus poecilurus (1) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. White-crowned Cuckoo Cacomantis leucolophus (3) Ok Menga Area 21.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8.

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Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis castaneiventris (6) 1 heard Tonga 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 21.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis excitus (3) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 2 Murmura pass 18.8 and 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8. Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus oreophilus (10) 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 2 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, 1 heard Tonga 18.8, 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 27.8.

Barn- Tytonidae Greater Sooty Tyto tenebricosa arfaki (1) 1 heard Kumul Lodge 18.8.

Owls Strigidae Papuan Boobook Ninox theomacha theomacha (7) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and Varirata NP 28.8.

Frogmouths Podargidae Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus ocellatus (1) Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Podargus papuensis (1) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8.

Nightjars and Allies Caprimulgidae White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis (2) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus schlegelii (1) Ok Menga Area 20.8.

Owlet-Nightjars Aegothelidae Feline Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles insignis (2) 2 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8 and Kumul Lodge 17.8. Starry Owlet-nightjar (DD) Aegotheles tatei (1) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Wallace's Owlet-nightjar (DD) Aegotheles wallacii (1) Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Mountain Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles albertisi (1) 1 heard Kumul Lodge 17.8. Barred Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles bennettii bennettii (1) Varirata NP 27.8.

Treeswifts Hemiprocnidae Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea mystacea (2) 2 Tabubil 20.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8.

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Swifts Apodidae Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta nitens (11) Up to 4 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, Murmura pass 18.8, Tonga 18.8, Kumul Lodge 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Mountain Swiftlet Aerodramus hirundinaceus hirundinaceus (5) 10 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 5 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, Tonga 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus vanikorensis yorki (8) Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Papuan Spine-tailed Swift Mearnsia novaeguineae novaeguineae (4) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8.

Rollers Coraciidae Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis waigiouensis (5) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Hook-billed Kingfisher Melidora macrorrhina macrorrhina (5) Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Common Paradise Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea minor (2) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Little Paradise Kingfisher (DD) Tanysiptera hydrocharis (2) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher Tanysiptera danae (3) Up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Shovel-billed Kookaburra Clytoceyx rex (2) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8 and 2 Ok Menga Area 21.8. Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii intermedia (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Rufous-bellied Kookaburra Dacelo gaudichaud (7) 1 heard Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8, 2 Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii incinctus (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus sanctus (4) Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Yellow-billed Kingfisher Syma torotoro torotoro (6) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Mountain Kingfisher Syma megarhyncha megarhyncha (3) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8.

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Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis hispidoides (2) Sogeri Rd paddies 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx solitarius (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus lessonii (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8.

Bee-eaters Meropidae Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus (5) 2 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 10 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8 and Varirata NP 27.8.

Hornbills Bucerotidae Blyth's Hornbill Rhyticeros plicatus (6) 2 Ok Menga Area 20.8, Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8.

Falcons and Caracaras Falconidae Brown Falcon Falco berigora novaeguineae (2) 1 en route 17.8 and Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8.

Cockatoos Cacatuidae Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi (3) Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita triton (7) 1 en route 17.8, 4 Ok Menga Area 20.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8.

Old World Parrots Psittaculidae Pesquet's Parrot (VU) Psittrichas fulgidus (2) Telefomin Road 21.8, 12 Ok Menga Area 21.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8. Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta keiensis keiensis (2) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta bruijnii bruijnii (2) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8 and Dablin Creek 20.8. Papuan King Parrot Alisterus chloropterus callopterus (2) 2 Telefomin Road 21.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 27.8. Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus polychloros (9) Ok Menga Area 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi aruensis (7) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

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Blue-collared Parrot Geoffroyus simplex buergersi (2) 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8 and Ok Menga Area 22.8. Brehm's Tiger Parrot Psittacella brehmii intermixta (3) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, up to 5 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8, 1 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Madarasz's Tiger Parrot Psittacella madaraszi madaraszi (3) Up to 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8. Plum-faced Lorikeet Oreopsittacus arfaki grandis (2) 30 Murmura pass 17.8, Murmura pass 18.8 and 1 heard Kumul Lodge 18.8. Striated Lorikeet (NT) Charmosyna multistriata (1) Ok Menga Area 21.8. Red-flanked Lorikeet Charmosyna placentis placentis (3) Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Papuan Lorikeet Charmosyna papou goliathina (6) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Kumul Lodge 16.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8, Murmura pass 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Yellow-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus musschenbroekii (3) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Orange-billed Lorikeet Neopsittacus pullicauda (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8 and 20 Murmura pass 17.8. Black-capped Lory Lorius lory erythrothorax (7) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and Varirata NP 27.8. Yellowish-streaked Lory Chalcopsitta scintillata scintillata (3) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Dusky Lory Pseudeos fuscata (4) Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8 and observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8. Goldie's Lorikeet Psitteuteles goldiei (1) 2 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8. Coconut Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus nigrogularis (9) 30 Port Moresby 13.8, 5 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8, Varirata NP 27.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8, Varirata NP 29.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Large Fig Parrot Psittaculirostris desmarestii godmani (4) Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Orange-breasted Fig Parrot Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii fuscifrons (7) Observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Double-eyed Fig Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma diophthalma (3) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Orange-fronted Hanging Parrot Loriculus aurantiifrons meeki (2) Tabubil 20.8 and Ok Menga Area 21.8.

Pittas Pittidae Papuan Pitta macklotii macklotii (2) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

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Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida novaeguineae (4) 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8.

Bowerbirds Ptilonorhynchidae Black-eared Catbird melanotis melanotis (3) 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8 and 2 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. MacGregor's Bowerbird macgregoriae macgregoriae (3) Up to 4 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8. Flame Bowerbird ardens (3) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 4 Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Yellow-breasted Bowerbird lauterbachi uniformis (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8. Fawn-breasted Bowerbird Chlamydera cerviniventris (3) 15 Port Moresby 13.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Fairywrens Maluridae Wallace's Fairywren Sipodotus wallacii (2) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 21.8 and Ok Menga Area 22.8. Emperor Fairywren cyanocephalus bonapartii (3) 2 Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. White-shouldered Fairywren Malurus alboscapulatus naimii (6) Up to 5 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 4 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, 1 heard Tonga 18.8 and Ok Menga Area 20.8. Orange-crowned Fairywren Clytomyias insignis oorti (1) 4 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8.

Honeyeaters Meliphagidae Ruby-throated Myzomela Myzomela eques nymani (1) Varirata NP 28.8. Papuan Black Myzomela Myzomela nigrita nigrita (2) Ok Menga Area 22.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Mountain Myzomela Myzomela adolphinae (3) 10 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8 and Tonga 18.8. Red-collared Myzomela Myzomela rosenbergii rosenbergii (5) Up to 12 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Green-backed Honeyeater Glycichaera fallax fallax (4) Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Yellowish-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora meekiana occidentalis (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8 and 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8. Rufous-backed Honeyeater Ptiloprora guisei (5) Up to 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 1 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Grey-streaked Honeyeater Ptiloprora perstriata (3) Up to 2 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8. Plain Honeyeater ixoides finschi (4) 2 Ok Menga Area 21.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

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Marbled Honeyeater Pycnopygius cinereus marmoratus (1) Tonga 18.8. Streak-headed Honeyeater Pycnopygius stictocephalus (4) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and Varirata NP 27.8. Silver-eared Honeyeater Lichmera alboauricularis alboauricularis (1) 2 Port Moresby 30.8. Spotted Honeyeater Xanthotis polygrammus lophotis (1) Ok Menga Area 22.8. Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer visi (9) Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Meyer's Friarbird Philemon meyeri (2) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8. New Guinea Friarbird Philemon novaeguineae novaeguineae (12) 2 Port Moresby 13.8, observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8, Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis albogularis (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Long-billed Honeyeater Melilestes megarhynchus megarhynchus (6) 1 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Common Smoky Honeyeater fumigatus goliathi (8) Up to 10 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, up to 6 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8, Murmura pass 18.8, Tonga 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8 and Ok Menga Area 22.8. Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis (2) 8 Port Moresby 13.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Black-throated Honeyeater Caligavis subfrenata (5) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Kumul Lodge 16.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Sooty Melidectes Melidectes fuscus (1) 1 heard en route 17.8. Yellow-browed Melidectes Melidectes rufocrissalis rufocrissalis (5) Up to 6 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, Tonga 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Belford's Melidectes Melidectes belfordi belfordi (3) Up to 8 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Ornate Melidectes Melidectes torquatus polyphonus (7) Up to 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 1 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, 1 heard Tonga 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Ptilotula flavescens flavescens (1) 6 Port Moresby 13.8. Mottle-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga mimikae (1) Ok Menga Area 22.8. Mountain Honeyeater Meliphaga orientalis becki (3) 4 en route 17.8, Tonga 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8.

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Scrub Honeyeater Meliphaga albonotata (2) Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8 and Tabubil 22.8. Mimic Honeyeater Meliphaga analoga (5) Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Elegant Honeyeater Meliphaga cinereifrons (1) Varirata NP 27.8.

Australasian Warblers Goldenface Pachycare flavogriseum subaurantium (3) Telefomin Road 21.8, Varirata NP 28.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Rusty Mouse-warbler Origma murina murina (6) 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Mountain Mouse-warbler Origma robusta sanfordi (6) 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Kumul Lodge 16.8, 2 heard Murmura pass 17.8, 1 heard Tonga 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Pale-billed Scrubwren Aethomyias spilodera guttatus (2) Ok Menga Area 22.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Buff-faced Scrubwren Aethomyias perspicillatus (4) Up to 8 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8 and Tonga 18.8. Papuan Scrubwren Aethomyias papuensis buergersi (2) 2 Kumul Lodge 16.8 and 1 heard Kumul Lodge 18.8. Large Scrubwren nouhuysi stresemanni (4) Up to 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8 and Tonga 18.8. Brown-breasted Gerygone Gerygone ruficollis (3) 4 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8 and Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8. Large-billed Gerygone Gerygone magnirostris brunneipectus (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Yellow-bellied Gerygone Gerygone chrysogaster chrysogaster (8) Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronota chloronota (7) 2 Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 20.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Fairy Gerygone Gerygone palpebrosa palpebrosa (3) Observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Grey Thornbill Acanthiza cinerea (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8.

Pseudo-Babblers Pomatostomidae Papuan Babbler Garritornis isidorei (3) Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8.

Satinbirds Cnemophilidae Loria's Satinbird loriae (2) 1 Murmura pass 17.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8.

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Crested Satinbird Cnemophilus macgregorii sanguineus (2) 2 Kumul Lodge 16.8 and Kumul Lodge 18.8.

Berrypeckers and Longbills Black Berrypecker nigra unicolor (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Fan-tailed Berrypecker Melanocharis versteri meeki (5) Up to 4 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 1 Murmura pass 17.8 and 1 heard Murmura pass 18.8. Streaked Berrypecker Melanocharis striativentris striativentris (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8 and 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8. Dwarf Longbill iliolophus iliolophus (4) Ok Menga Area 21.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Oedistoma pygmaeum pygmaeum (1) Ok Menga Area 21.8. Yellow-bellied Longbill Toxorhamphus novaeguineae flaviventris (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Slaty-headed Longbill Toxorhamphus poliopterus (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8.

Tit Berrypecker and Crested Berrypecker Paramythiidae Tit Berrypecker Oreocharis arfaki (1) 7 Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8. Crested Berrypecker Paramythia montium montium (1) 2 Kumul Lodge 16.8.

Whipbirds, Jewel-babblers and Quail-thrushes Psophodidae Blue Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa caerulescens nigricrissus (2) 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa castanonota pulchra (3) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 21.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8 and Varirata NP 28.8. Painted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma ajax goldiei (2) 1 heard Varirata NP 28.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Boatbills Machaerirhynchidae Yellow-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus flaviventer xanthogenys (3) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Varirata NP 28.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Black-breasted Boatbill Machaerirhynchus nigripectus saturatus (4) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, 1 heard Murmura pass 17.8 and Kumul Lodge 18.8.

Woodswallows, Butcherbirds and allies Artamidae White-breasted Artamus leucorynchus leucopygialis (5) 10 Port Moresby 13.8, en route 26.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8, Varirata NP 28.8, Varirata NP 29.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Great Woodswallow Artamus maximus (2) Tabubil 20.8 and Tabubil 22.8.

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Lowland Peltops Peltops blainvillii (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Mountain Peltops Peltops montanus (2) Dablin Creek 20.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Black Butcherbird Melloria quoyi quoyi (5) Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, 1 heard Varirata NP 27.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Black-backed Butcherbird Cracticus mentalis mentalis (2) Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and 2 Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Hooded Butcherbird Cracticus cassicus cassicus (7) Ok Menga Area 20.8, Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Mottled Whistler Rhagologidae Mottled Berryhunter Rhagologus leucostigma obscurus (2) 2 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8.

Cuckoo-shrikes Campephagidae Stout-billed Cuckooshrike caeruleogrisea (2) Dablin Creek 20.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Barred Cuckooshrike Coracina lineata axillaris (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Black-faced Cuckooshrike Coracina novaehollandiae melanops (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Boyer's Cuckooshrike Coracina boyeri subalaris (5) Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. White-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina papuensis angustifrons (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Golden Cuckooshrike Campochaera sloetii flaviceps (3) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Black-bellied Cuckooshrike Edolisoma montanum montanum (2) 2 Murmura pass 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Grey-headed Cuckooshrike Edolisoma schisticeps poliopsa (5) Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, 2 Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Black-shouldered Cicadabird Edolisoma incertum (1) Dablin Creek 20.8. Edolisoma tenuirostre tenuirostre (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Black Cicadabird Edolisoma melas melas (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Varied Triller Lalage leucomela polygrammica (5) Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Varirata NP 27.8.

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Sittellas Neosittidae Papuan Daphoenositta papuensis toxopeusi (1) Murmura pass 18.8.

Ploughbill Eulacestomatidae Wattled Ploughbill Eulacestoma nigropectus (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8 and 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8.

Australo-Papuan Bellbirds Rufous-naped Bellbird Aleadryas rufinucha niveifrons (4) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, up to 2 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8 and 1 heard Tonga 18.8. Piping Bellbird Ornorectes cristatus (5) Ok Menga Area 21.8, 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8.

Whistlers and allies Black Pitohui Melanorectes nigrescens meeki (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8 and 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8. Rusty Whistler hyperythra hyperythra (1) Ok Menga Area 22.8. Brown-backed Whistler Pachycephala modesta telefolminensis (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8 and 1 Kumul Lodge 16.8. Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex brunnescens (4) Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Sclater's Whistler Pachycephala soror klossi (4) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, Dablin Creek 20.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Regent Whistler Pachycephala schlegelii obscurior (5) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Kumul Lodge 16.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8, Murmura pass 18.8 and Kumul Lodge 18.8. Black-headed Whistler Pachycephala monacha lugubris (4) 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 2 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, 1 heard Tonga 18.8 and Ok Menga Area 21.8. White-bellied Whistler Pachycephala leucogastra leucogastra (1) 2 Varirata NP 27.8. White-bellied Pitohui Pseudorectes incertus (2) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Rusty Pitohui Pseudorectes ferrugineus clarus (4) Telefomin Road 21.8, Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Little Shrikethrush Colluricincla megarhyncha (13) Up to 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Grey Shrikethrush Colluricincla harmonica superciliosa (1) 3 Port Moresby 13.8.

Shrikes Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach stresemanni (3) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, en route 17.8 and 2 Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8.

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Old World Orioles Oriolidae Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti salvadorii (2) Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Port Moresby 30.8. Southern Variable Pitohui Pitohui uropygialis brunneiceps (1) Kwatu Lodge 24.8. Hooded Pitohui Pitohui dichrous (4) Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Brown Oriole Oriolus szalayi (7) 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, 2 Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Varirata NP 27.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Drongos Dicruridae Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus carbonarius (6) Ok Menga Area 21.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Fantails Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys melaleuca (15) 4 Port Moresby 13.8, up to 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 1 en route 17.8, Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8, observed 19.8, Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8, observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8, Tabubil 20.8, Tabubil 22.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, en route 26.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris gularis (1) 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8. Sooty Thicket Fantail Rhipidura threnothorax threnothorax (1) 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8. White-bellied Thicket Fantail Rhipidura leucothorax leucothorax (5) 1 heard Tabubil 20.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Black Fantail Rhipidura atra atra (5) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, Tonga 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Chestnut-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hyperythra castaneothorax (3) Observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Friendly Fantail Rhipidura albolimbata (6) Up to 3 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, Kumul Lodge 17.8, Kumul Lodge 18.8, Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Dimorphic Fantail Rhipidura brachyrhyncha (5) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8, 1 heard Murmura pass 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Rufous-backed Fantail Rhipidura rufidorsa rufidorsa (3) Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Drongo Fantail Chaetorhynchus papuensis (2) Varirata NP 28.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

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Monarchs Monarchidae Black Monarch axillaris fallax (3) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8, Tonga 18.8 and 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8. Spot-winged Monarch Symposiachrus guttula (3) Observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Hooded Monarch Symposiachrus manadensis (3) 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Black-faced Monarch melanopsis (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Black-winged Monarch Monarcha frater periophthalmicus (1) Dablin Creek 20.8. Golden Monarch chrysomela nitidus (3) Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8 and Varirata NP 27.8. Frilled Monarch telescopthalmus harterti (4) Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. henkei: (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Leaden Flycatcher rubecula papuana (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto wardelli (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies Corvidae Grey Crow Corvus tristis (4) Ok Menga Area 20.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Torresian Crow Corvus orru orru (5) 2 Port Moresby 13.8, observed Varirata NP 27-29.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Melampittas Melampittidae Melampitta lugubris (2) 2 Murmura pass 17.8 and 1 heard Kumul Lodge 18.8. Greater Melampitta Megalampitta gigantea (1) 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8.

Ifrita Ifritidae Blue-capped Ifrit Ifrita kowaldi (4) 3 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 2 Kumul Lodge 16.8 and 2 heard Murmura pass 17.8.

Birds-of-paradise Paradisaeidae Glossy-mantled Manucode Manucodia ater ater (7) 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, 1 heard Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

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Crinkle-collared Manucode Manucodia chalybatus (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8. Trumpet Manucode Phonygammus keraudrenii jamesii (5) Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Short-tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda (3) 1 en route 17.8, Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (NT) Astrapia mayeri (3) Up to 8 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8. Princess Stephanie's Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae stephaniae (4) Up to 6 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Queen Carola's Parotia Parotia carolae chrysenia (2) Dablin Creek 20.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Lawes's Parotia Parotia lawesii (1) Tonga 18.8. King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise Pteridophora alberti (4) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, 1 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Greater Lophorina Lophorina superba addenda (6) Up to 8 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 1 en route 17.8, Tonga 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus magnificus (3) 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, Ok Menga Area 21.8 and 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8. Growling Riflebird Ptiloris intercedens (3) Up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastosus (2) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8. Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri (5) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8, 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, up to 1 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8 and 1 heard Murmura pass 18.8. Magnificent Bird-of-paradise Diphyllodes magnificus chrysopterus (4) 1 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8, 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8 and 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8. King Bird-of-paradise Cicinnurus regius regius (4) 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and 1 heard Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleucus (2) 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Greater Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea apoda (4) Ok Menga Area 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, 10 Kiunga - Km 17 23.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8. Raggiana Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea raggiana raggiana (3) Observed Varirata NP 27-29.8. Lesser Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea minor minor (1) 2 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8. Blue Bird-of-paradise (VU) Paradisaea rudolphi margaritae (4) Up to 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8 and Tonga 18.8.

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Australasian Robins Petroicidae Ashy Robin albispecularis armiti (2) 1 Murmura pass 17.8 and Murmura pass 18.8. Black-sided Robin hypoleuca hypoleuca (2) Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 25.8. Black-throated Robin Poecilodryas albonotata correcta (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 16.8. White-winged Robin sigillata quadrimaculata (3) Up to 5 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8. Slaty Robin Peneothello cyanus subcyanea (3) Up to 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8. White-rumped Robin Peneothello bimaculata vicaria (2) 1 heard Telefomin Road 21.8 and 1 heard Ok Menga Area 22.8. White-faced Robin leucops albifacies (1) Varirata NP 28.8. Torrent Flyrobin Monachella muelleriana muelleriana (4) 4 en route 17.8 and observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8. Canary Flyrobin papuana (3) Up to 1 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8. Lemon-bellied Flyrobin Microeca flavigaster flavissima (1) Varirata NP 27.8. Garnet Robin Eugerygone rubra (1) 1 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8. Papuan Scrub Robin beccarii beccarii (2) Varirata NP 27.8 and 1 heard Varirata NP 29.8. Lesser Ground Robin incerta brevicauda (1) 1 heard Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14.8.

Swallows Hirundinidae Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica albescens (10) 1 Port Moresby 13.8, 1 en route 17.8, observed 19.8, Tabubil - Kiunga Road 19.8, Ok Menga Area 20.8, Tabubil 20.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, en route 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, en route 26.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Leaf warblers and allies Phylloscopidae Island Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus maforensis giulianettii (6) Up to 5 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, Kumul Lodge 17.8, Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8, Tonga 18.8 and Telefomin Road 21.8.

Reed warblers and allies Acrocephalidae Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis sumbae (1) Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Grassbirds and allies Locustellidae Papuan Grassbird Cincloramphus macrurus alpinus (2) 1 Kumul Lodge 17.8, 2 heard en route 17.8 and 1 heard Tonga 18.8.

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Cisticolas and allies Cisticolidae Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis diminutus (1) Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

White-eyes Zosteropidae Black-fronted White-eye Zosterops minor tenuifrons (2) Ok Menga Area 21.8 and Ok Menga Area 22.8. delicatulus: (3) Up to 1 Varirata NP 27-29.8. Capped White-eye Zosterops fuscicapilla fuscicapilla (1) Dablin Creek 20.8. Papuan White-eye Zosterops novaeguineae wahgiensis (5) Up to 20 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, en route 17.8, Wanzya, Tinail Fuel Station 18.8 and Tonga 18.8.

Starlings Sturnidae Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica metallica (8) Ok Menga Area 20.8, Ok Menga Area 21.8, Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Singing Starling Aplonis cantoroides (3) 14 Port Moresby 13.8, observed 19.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Yellow-faced Myna Mino dumontii (8) Observed Ok Menga Area 20-22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, 1 heard Varirata NP 27.8 and Pacific Adventist University 28.8. Golden Myna Mino anais robertsonii (2) 2 Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and Kwatu Lodge 25.8.

Thrushes and Allies Turdidae Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus papuensis (3) Up to 3 Kumul Lodge 16-18.8.

Chats, Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata belensis (3) 2 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 15.8, en route 17.8 and observed 19.8.

Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Red-capped Flowerpecker Dicaeum geelvinkianum diversum (14) Up to 5 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8, 2 Murmura pass 17.8, Murmura pass 18.8, Dablin Creek 20.8, Telefomin Road 21.8, Ok Menga Area 22.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8, Varirata NP 27.8 and Varirata NP 29.8.

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Black Sunbird Leptocoma aspasia aspasia (6) 1 heard Dablin Creek 20.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 22.8, 1 heard Kiunga - Km 17 23.8, Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 23.8, Kwatu Lodge 24.8, Kwatu Lodge 25.8 and Kiunga - Boys Town Rd 26.8.

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Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus domesticus (4) 4 Port Moresby 13.8, 1 heard Tabubil 20.8, 1 heard Kwatu Lodge 24.8 and en route 26.8. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus (7) 30 Port Moresby 13.8, Tabubil 20.8, Tabubil 22.8, Kiunga Airstrip 23.8, en route 26.8, Pacific Adventist University 28.8 and Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8.

Waxbills, Munias and allies Estrildidae Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus (2) 2 Kumul Lodge 16.8 and 2 Kumul Lodge 17.8. Grey-headed Mannikin Lonchura caniceps caniceps (1) Sogeri Rd paddies 30.8. Hooded Mannikin Lonchura spectabilis wahgiensis (4) Up to 30 Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen 14-16.8 and 4 Kama (Lesser BOP site) 17.8.

Wagtails, Pipits Motacillidae Australian Pipit Anthus australis exiguus (1) observed 19.8.

Mammals (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

Kangaroos, Wallabies Macropodidae Agile Wallaby Macropus agilis (1) Varirata NP 29.8.

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Rockjumper Birding Ltd Suite 1D, 5 Clarens Fields Tel: (USA & Canada) toll-free: 1-888-990-5552 Unicity Office Park Email: [email protected] Black River Road, Bambous Alternative email: [email protected] Mauritius Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com

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