BIRDING IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

THE ULTIMATE TOUR

JULY - AUGUST 2006 and 2007

New Guinea is rightly regarded as an ornithological last frontier and as such we will explore many rarely visited areas. This comprehensive tour covers a wide range of habitats and altitudinal zones with the main emphasis on seeing as many Birds of Paradise, Bowerbirds and other endemic species as possible.

We arrive in Port Moresby and explore Varirata National Park where we expect to see such gems as Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove, Dwarf Whistler, Eastern Riflebird and Raggiana Bird of Paradise among many more delightful species. We will also explore the lagoons and mangroves around Hisiu and Aroa, where we hope to encounter the endemic Mangrove Fantail, White-bellied Whistler and Silver-eared Honeyeater along with several more widely distributed mangrove specialists such as Mangrove Robin, Mangrove Golden Whistler, Mangrove Gerygone and Broad-billed Flycatcher.

Our next destination is the small village of Myola high up in the Owen Stanley range. This area is practically unexplored ornithologically and here we may encounter rarities such as Forbes' Forest-Rail, Shovel-billed Kingfisher, Rufous Woodcock, Spotted Jewel-babbler, New Guinea Logrunner, Mountain Nightjar, Garnet Robin and Papuan Treecreeper among many others.

Next we visit the Kikori River region, another largely unexplored area. Here we hope to see a spectacular array of large birds including Blyth's Hornbill, Palm Cockatoo, Vulturine Parrot, Eclectus Parrot and Southern Cassowary. At this time of year huge numbers of Fruit-Doves and Imperial Pigeons visit fruit-bearing trees along the roadside. Channel-billed Cuckoos are also regular visitors to these trees along with Double-eyed, Orange-breasted and Large Fig-Parrots. This is also the best place to see the enigmatic Yellow-eyed Starling which occurs in flocks in this area and White-spotted Mannikins are regularly seen by the roadside.

The Kiunga area is next, now famous for its wonderful display tree of the Greater Bird of Paradise. Here we also expect to see the incredible Southern Crowned Pigeon, Lesser Paradise-Kingfisher, Painted Quail-thrush, Long-billed Cuckoo,

King Bird of Paradise and the fantastic Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise as well as several other very rare and little-known species.

Tabubil offers many more wonderful birds including Carola's Parotia, Magnificent Riflebird, the appropriately named Obscure Berrypecker, Red-breasted Pygmy-Parrot and the totally weird, rare and elusive Greater Melampitta. New Guinea Harpy-Eagle occurs in the mountains near Tabubil but it is always a long shot and not to be expected.

Next we visit an almost completely unexplored alpine area near Mount Hagen where the birds are incredibly tame. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia and Brown Sicklebill

are often to be seen feeding in trees by the Lodge gate and Crested Bird of Paradise feeds in the Lodge garden along with White-winged Robins, Mountain Firetails and Rufous-naped Whistlers. This place definitely needs more investigation. We will also visit the Baiyer River Sanctuary where the are are several display trees of the Lesser Bird of Paradise and there is a good chance of seeing Dwarf Cassowary and both Hooded and Blue-breasted Pitta.

Next we visit the Tari valley, the territory of the Huli 'wigmen' and also the home of many spectacular Birds of Paradise including the King of Saxony and Blue Birds of Paradise, Stephanie's and Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Lawes' Parotia and the most peculiar Short-tailed Paradigalla. The Tari Gap is a great and world famous birding area and holds many endemic species including the magnificent Papuan Lorikeet, Plum-faced Lorikeet, Chestnut Forest-Rail, the strange Lesser Melampitta, Crested and Tit Berrypeckers and many more fantastic birds.

An extension to West New Britain and Manus Island is also offered. West New Britain holds a wide range of Fruit Doves and Imperial Pigeons as well as the massive Violaceous Coucal, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Black-headed Paradise Kingfisher, White-mantled Kingfisher, Pied Cuckoo-Dove and many more endemic species. We will also visit some of the islands in Kimbe Bay where we hope to see Nicobar Pigeon, Grey Imperial Pigeon, Mackinlay's Cuckoo-Dove, Beach Kingfisher, Island Monarch and Sclater's Myzomela.

Manus Island is our final destination where our target species is the well named Superb Pitta, a very rare bird endemic to this one island. Here we also expect to see Admiralty Pied Monarch, Black-headed White-eye, the endearing Meek's Pygmy-Parrot, Manus Rufous Fantail and Manus Boobook among many other marvellous birds.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow.

Day 2 In flight.

Day 3 Arrive in Port Moresby, visit Varirata National Park.

Day 4 Varirata National Park, lower montane forest birding.

Day 5 Hiritano Highway, Vanapa village, Aroa and Hisiu mangroves.

Day 6 Charter flight to Myola, montane forest birding.

Days 7 -8 Myola.

Day 9 Myola to Port Moresby, Lea Lea beach and savanna in the afternoon.

Day 10 Fly to Kikori, lowland rainforest birding.

Days 11 - 12 Kikori area.

Day 13 Fly to Port Moresby in afternoon.

Day 14 Fly to Kiunga, lowland rainforest birding.

Day 15 Kiunga area.

Days 16 - 17 Elevala River, lowland rainforest birding.

Day 18 Drive to Tabubil, lower montane forest birding.

Day 19 Tabubil and Ok Menga.

Day 20 Drive to Kiunga, fly to Mt Hagen.

Day 21 Tomba and Murmur Passes, mountain forest and alpine grassland birding.

Day 22 Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary, mid-montane birding.

Day 23 Fly to Tari, mountain forest birding.

Days 24 - 25 Ambua - Tari Gap area.

Day 26 Fly to Port Moresby to connect with Singapore flight.

Day 27 Arrive London Heathrow.

West New Britain and Manus Extension

Day 26 Fly to Hoskins, West New Britain in the afternoon.

Day 27 Visit Kimbe and Restorf islands and Kilu Ridge.

Day 28 Visit Pokili Wildlife Management Area.

Day 29 Visit Kulu River in morning, fly to Lae in the afternoon.

Day 30 Fly to Manus, afternoon birding near Rossun.

Day 31 Rossun and Lorengau area.

Day 32 Boat trip to Tong Island, weather permitting.

Day 33 Momote area in the morning for waders and seabirds then fly to Port

Moresby to connect with the Singapore flight.

Day 34 Arrive London Heathrow.

Tour Price : To be Confirmed