Blog Archive

Wednesday 31 October 2012

A Mouthful of Swallows

Today my usual Wednesday walking friends and I were off to St Mary's.   We missed our local group trip on Sunday as we were busy at our local garden centre.

On the way down the A2 it didn't seem like a very good idea as the rain poured down and the spray from lorries made driving rather hazardous.   Luckily Sally's prediction that we would pass through the storm was correct and by the time we arrived the rain had stopped.   It was still extremely windy though with a strong south-westerly blowing.

The view from the Clifftop
Once parked, we moved off to investigate the land above the memorial.    Blackbird was the first sighting, and as we watched the bushes and hedges we found that there were many Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch and Robin flitting about in the bushes.   As we watched a large flock of Redwing appeared and started to feed up on the succulent berries in the hawthorn bushes.   Goldfinch flew overhead with their usual chattering filling the air, Jackdaw and Crow strutted about in the fields nearby and Great Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls were gathered in nearby fields enjoying the autumn sunshine.   As we continued on our circuit Blue Tit were calling to each other as they fed in nearby trees.

As we returned to the car three swallows flew overhead.    After a warming cup of tea in the cafe we decided to move on to Sandwich Observatory for lunch and another wander.

Blue Roundhead (I think)
On arrival we had large numbers of Swallow and Chaffinch flying over, they were amazingly agile and swift as they flew into the wind and over our heads at great speed.   Crow, Rook and Jackdaw were feeding in a newly ploughed field nearby.   Pied Wagtail shot past identifiable only by their call.

We wandered into the Visitor Centre and were told that there were Crossbill and Ring Ouzel near The Elms.  Off we went on our minor twitch.   Needless to say we had delightful views of Goldcrest and Blue Tit, and saw at least 20 Blackbirds, but neither of the specialities appeared.   Kestrel hovered over the dunes between the wood and the sea.   Eventually we admitted defeat and moved off to the scrape hide.

Here we had another great view of a Kestrel hovering, this time over the field behind the pool.   On the water we noted Teal, Moorhen, Little Grebe and at least 14 Snipe.   We spent some time watching the birds going about their daily routines, feeding, preening, and in the case of the Snipe just sitting stoically in the reeds catching the last of the sunshine.  
Snipe

Soon it was time to return to the car - losing the hour at the weekend means our days are somewhat curtailed in the winter months.   We scanned the fields along the road on the way back and found more Goldfinch, Wood Pigeon, Rook, at least 14 Collared Dove and over 70 Fieldfare.   Robin and Chaffinch completed the Sandwich list.   A possible Merlin shot through at one stage but it was too quick to get a good look at.

So, why today's heading?    Well, as the first three swallows flew over our head this morning Sally asked if  "three swallows make a mouthful?"   [Collective nouns I have found on the internet so far are a flight or gulp - so Sally wasn't far off!

Sunday 28 October 2012

Leopard Slug

I spent a very cold weekend at the local garden centre, helping to show birds to members of the public in their wildlife garden.   We also had an activity for children involving a very messy mix that should set into bird food.

Unfortunately we couldn't really do the bird food on Saturday as the rain kept diluting the mix!   We did get through six packets on Sunday though.

The highlight however was this charming beast ................
Leopard Slug Limas Maximus
a Leopard (or Tiger) Slug - they only eat rotting vegetation so the garden centre can relax.


p.s. I think I may have chilblains!

Friday 26 October 2012

Rain, rain and more rain . . .

Shaggy Inkcap
Today was my turn to 'host' a bird-watching day with my mate Ken from Essex.   The weather forecast was poor and we decided to abandon the plans of Stodmarsh or Dungeness and head for more local tracks.

The local country park was the first stop with protection from the continual drizzle provided by the mature woodland.   The usual suspects of Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Blackbird and Robin were our first sightings.   We finally added Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, and lots of grey squirrels feeding on the many sweet chestnuts lying around.   There were few others mad enough to be out in the rain, and this allowed us to hear lots of birds - even if we didn't see that many!

Magpie Inkcap
There were many fungi to be found, most of them unidentified, but they made an interesting diversion given the lack of avian life.

The highlight was a large flock of cormorants flying East - I have read that they are generally a sedentary species, but there is some short- to medium-haul migration moving between Britain and Scandinavia in the north, Portugal in the south.

Now just how many Cormorants are there
in this flock?
Our next stop was Ashendown Bank, more productive on the bird front, but far heavier rain.   Taking shelter under a large Oak tree we managed to catch up with Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, more Robin Blackbird and Great Spotted Woodpecker.   We also saw the largest flock of Parakeets I have seen locally - a dozen or so of the noisy birds were squabbling in the treetops.

As the rain worsened there was nothing left to do but head for the pub for lunch.   It's a hard life!

Wednesday 24 October 2012

"Birding in the mist"

Somehow not quite so romantic a title as "Gorillas in the Mist" but hey ho, you have to pick your moments, and ours this week was the Isle of Grain in the autumnal mist of Kent.

Before we had even got out of the car Sally had spotted a bird on a nearby roof - it was a Black Redstart showing off it's bright red tail brilliantly as it flicked and turned.   We watched it for a few minutes, and just as I got the camera out of the boot of the car it flew off not to be seen again.

Snow Bunting
Just having a stretch!
We decided to wander off towards the fort and took a route behind the nearby houses.   There were many Robins, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons, Starlings and House Sparrows.   As we neared the more wooded area we could see thrushes but not which species.   As we got nearer Blue Tit and Great Tit were spotted and then a Redwing appeared.   A group of Fieldfare flew over, stopped off in a nearby tree for a few minutes and then continued on their way.   A Cormorant headed off seaward into the mist.    More Blackbirds, some with their dark bills indicating that they are migrants coming through, were feeding in the berry-laden bushes.   One was seen taking rosehips which seemed far too big to swallow, but it managed them with ease.   A group of at least ten Goldcrests was a particular highlight, again migrants coming through - probably from countries around the North Sea and Baltic.    The first indication they were there was their high-pitched contact call keeping the group together, after a few minutes we were able to track them down and watch as they fed eagerly before moving off again on their travels.

Jay, Magpie and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen and a Green Woodpecker called in the distance.   Several groups of Brent Geese flew overhead, all heading north-west.   As we continued east along the sea wall we moved into Meadow Pipit country with large groups of the birds moving ahead of us along the short grass edging the promenade.   The sea had now moved so far out that the shoreline was impossible to see, but there were waders dotted around on the mud including Oystercatchers, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Egret, these were joined by Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gull.   Kestrel hovered over the rough grass hunting for a tasty morsel.

After our picnic lunch we moved to Allhallows, parking in the usual spot near the caravan park.   There were heavy lorries and machinery on the sea wall and we almost changed our minds, but the sun was showing through the cloud and the odd bit of blue sky appeared so we decided to press on.   Jackdaws, Crows and Starling had been seen on the way into the village, and there were plenty in evidence on the fields as well.  In the first set of bushes we found Chaffinch, Greenfinch, and House Sparrows.  A Grey Heron flew across the track towards a far ditch and Skylarks sang from above us, soaring high up before they plummeted to the ground to hide amongst the short dying plants.   We negotiated the muddy track which had been churned up rather by the aforementioned heavy vehicles - the seawall is being reinforced with a concrete layer - and walked east away from the disturbance.
Samphire at Allhallows

Sally and I were wandering along, admiring the scenery, looking at plants and generally putting the world to rights, when Malcolm suddenly stopped ahead of us and put out an arm to warn us to stop.   He pointed down the bank of the sea wall and there was a delightful male Snow Bunting.   The bird moved along the stony slope pecking at seeds along the way.   We watched for some time, thrilled to see such a beautiful bird so close and confiding, it was a privilege to be able to get such brilliant views.

Eventually we moved off continuing along the seawall with Malcolm checking on Sea Aster and Sea Plantain for galls - unsurprisingly!

Wall Brown
A distant Marsh Harrier circled in the distance.   We had counted at least six Little Egret along the coast and a further six flew out from nearby ditches as we continued on our journey.   More Brent Geese were flying over, whilst Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Curlew were all feeding up before the tide turned again.   Our final addition was a family of three Pied Wagtails feeding around the piles of sand and soil alongside the path.

With migration building there is no knowing what will turn up at this time of year.

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Viz Mig - the in phrase

Blackbird enjoying berries

It seems as if everything you read about birds at this time of year is concentrating about "Viz Mig" a rather lazy way of saying visible migration of birds.   We decided that this Wednesday we would try for some migration sightings of our own and headed for the Isle of Thanet.

Autumn berries
We started out at Bishopstone and the minute we got out of the car we had flocks of small birds flying overhead.   A kestrel hovered over the field behind.   In the bushes near the car park we had robin, chaffinch, wood pigeon, collared dove and starling.   As we followed the flying flocks we realised they were all going east to west along the coast, and only around the cliffs and cliff top.   Mostly swallow, with some house martin mixed in.   We then realised that there were some finches too, these all appeared to be chaffinch - although it would have been possible for the odd brambling to pass us by - the groups were up to 30-40 in number and passing through constantly.   Within minutes we had seen probably 2-300 of each species.

Golden plover
Robin were "ticking" from the brambles, occasionally showing themselves but generally staying out of sight.   Two stonechat perched up on a dying stalk keeping watch before dashing off into cover.   A pair of wren moved ahead of us.   Blackbird, great tit, crow, and pied wagtail were also seen well.   As we moved into the more wooded area we were firmly into wood pigeon country with over 20 birds perched in the trees on sunny branches enjoying the autumn sunshine.

On the sea there were herring gull, great black-backed gull, great crested grebe, and Irene spotted four turnstone on the beach.   A group of 13 Jay flew over - probably part of the huge influx from the continent - the BTO are currently seeing the highest number reported in the last eight years.

We spent some time simply watching and marvelling at the vast numbers of birds flying overhead.    We realised that goldfinch flocks were also on the move - the more we watched the more we saw, amazing to think of all these birds on the move at the same time.   Thank goodness for John Buckingham's talk on migration last week, it helped to have a bit more idea of what is actually happening around us.   House sparrow, magpie and cormorant were also seen.
Ladybird with lichen

Back at the car park we realised that what we had been watching on the coast was also being duplicated slightly inland, we then wondered along how much of coastline - as the birds were following the coast it was hard to see if they were coming in from the north or from the east.   So off we went to Reculver.

Brent Geese flying west
Here we found similar numbers of birds passing through taking a short cut inland of the towers, but still speeding east to west.   Mainly swallow with some house martin again and chaffinch.   Large flocks of goldfinch were also moving along.   Three kestrels were hunting over the fields behind the seawall, struggling to hold their hover in the strong wind.   We found 23 turnstone on the beach here, and six little egret sheltering against some bushes.  A peregrine shot past, circled below the sea defences and then almost took Irene's head off as it came back towards us.   A small group of ringed plover flew along the shoreline feeding on the receding tide.

Our final stop was at Seasalter where we hoped the tide would be going out revealing some feeding areas.   Immediately we saw huge flocks of brent geese - I love these almost-elegant winter visitors, and in their large flocks they make a great sight.   The sounds as they communicate within the flock is lovely also.    Huge numbers of them were moving west towards Oare.  Something upset a large group of golden plover that had been settled on the marshes behind the sea wall, these delightful birds made beautiful patterns in the sky as their colours caught the light, twisting and turning for many minutes as we watched and enjoyed.
One very long worm

Unfortunately, they were far quicker than us, and with the sky darkening and time moving inexorably on we decided to call it a day, missing out on the opportunity of a red-breasted goose which was apparently in the group.

Sunday 14 October 2012

Happy Birthday Jeff


Alright, it wasn't his birthday on Sunday, but we were still keen to try to see as many species as Jeff's years during our trip to Cliffe this weekend.   We were about 15 species short in the end, but it was fun trying.

Cliffe Creek
A dozen of us met at Cliffe car park in Salt Lane on Sunday for a walk with Ian and Sue.   We did the usual circuit (with a short extension to the viewpoint below the radar).   We started off well in the car park with wood pigeon, coot, kestrel, pochard, magpie, jackdaw, little grebe (at least 110) and starling.   As we moved off along the track towards the viewpoint, great tit, chaffinch, greenfinch and robin were all found in the brambles and elders.   Several jay flew over - in line with the large influx of jays currently in the country from the continent, on migration.

A green woodpecker was heard "yaffling" and seen a couple of times throughout the day.   An indeterminate thrush flew over - no red was discernible, so probably not a redwing, but we couldn't decide what it actually was.

As we continued along the side of Radar pool and Flamingo we added crow, cormorant, greenshank, redshank, great crested grebe, little egret, pied wagtail, black-tailed godwit in their 1,000 - 2369 have been counted by one local, teal, lapwing, ringed plover, mute swan, and oystercatcher.

Half way along the path a kingfisher was spotted flying across in front of us and promptly disappearing.   After a while another sighting this time on top of a stick in the water - giving a great perch for some fishing!   Most of us managed to get good telescoped views before it flew off once again.
Autumn Berries

Black-headed gull, herring gull, lesser and greater black-backed gulls were out in force.   A group of around six females and one male wigeon fed and preened.   Along the edges and islands of the pools we found dunlin, grey plover, golden plover and moorhen,    A group of avocet flew in from the river, giving us great views as they swooped around before finally settling on the far side of the pool.    As we continued a group of three stonechat moved ahead of us perching on the seawall and on tall plants.

We stopped for elevenses at the seawall beyond Flamingo pool and watched a huge flock of avocet on the river.   There must have been over 500 of these delightful birds, taking it in turns to fly around then gathering on the surface, before taking off again.   Interesting behaviour for such fragile looking birds, seeing them being tossed about on the tide in the middle of the Thames, and running the gauntlet of the huge container vessels plying up and down.

As we retraced our steps, the kingfisher was spotted again, this time near the new sluice hovering over the water as it hunted for fish - after a few moments it darted off again, giving us a brilliant view of its blue and red irridescence.    Blackbird, long-tailed tit were additions to our list on the way back to the car park.   We also saw migrant hawker, comma butterfly, red admiral and small white.   There was a "red" darter, but that remained unidentified.
Just waiting for the winter thrushes

At one point we also found a huge number of bumble bees and hoverflies around a sheltered area full of ivy flowers.   They were making a great buzzing noise and totally focussed on feeding - ignoring our large group as we wandered past.

Sorry we couldn't meet the challenge Jeff - maybe next year.   We did have a great kingfisher day though.

Wednesday 10 October 2012


In view of the news from the RSPB regarding the future of Elmley, it was a striking  coincidence that we decided to go there this Wednesday for our casual wander.

It was bright sunny day and as we approached the reserve the fields were home to many lapwing, curlew and huge flocks of starlings.   A sparrowhawk swooped across in front of the car and gave us a great view as it hunted over the fields.
Lapwing

From the small viewing area near the car park (beside the toilet block in fact!) we could see little grebe, teal, mallard and coot.   No sign of the little owl though.   Overhead goldfinch were flying, with their chattering call attracting our attention.   As we moved towards the orchard area opposite the RSPB office we were hopeful of finding the long-eared owl which had been roosting their recently.   Unfortunately, after much patient scanning we (along with several others) left unrewarded.   There were robin, wren, chiffchaff, blackbird, house sparrow and a delightful goldcrest to make up for it though.

Marsh Harrier hunting
Moving down the track we could see several marsh harriers, kestrels and skylarks were also seen.   Meadow pipits flew away from the side of the track as we wandered along, and several common buzzard were also hunting.   During the course of the day we saw many harriers and buzzard, all enjoying the good weather, riding the thermals and hunting over the fields and ditches.

Near South Fleet Hide we found a lovely male stonechat perched on a fence post and keeping a wary eye out for the hunters overhead.   Flocks of linnet flew from bush to bush, their chirpy call giving advertising their presence.   Several little egret were feeding in the ditches and along the edge of the pools.

Elmley in the sunshine
Tucked just below the seawall we were able to watch the birds on the mud bank.   Dunlin, redshank, great-crested grebe, grey plover, oystercatcher, turnstone, shelduck and black-tailed godwit were feeding on the receding tide.   Herring gull, lesser black-backed gull and greater black-backed gull were further out.

As we retraced our steps grey heron flew over.

Back at the car park I saw two pied wagtails on the barn roof, to complete my day list.

A hare scampered away as we drove back down the track.

We did mull over the possible future of the reserve, not realising that the answer was sitting in our "inbox" at home [see http://www.rspbgravesend.org.uk/2012/10/rspbs-future-at-elmley-marshes/]

Friday 5 October 2012

Papua New Guinea . . . impressions

So after a trip to Papua New Guinea, what impressions do you come back with?

Apart from the fact that it is a jolly long way to go for a bit of birdwatching, there are lots of prevailing thoughts from this rather exotic location to bring back with you.

A Betelnut seller at the side of the road
Firstly the locals fascination with Betelnut.   Everywhere you go there are people selling these green nuts at the side of the road.  They sell for around 2 Kina (for a good quality specimen), and are provided with a piece of ginger stalk and some ground lime.   After peeling and chewing on the nut for a while, they add the ginger stem dipped in the lime.   After a few minutes the juice from the nut reacts with the lime and a bright red liquid is produced.   This is then spat out wherever the chewer happens to be at the time.   Watch out if you are walking around town!

There also appears to be no control of refuse and huge piles of rubbish are found along the side of the road, just waiting to be cleared or buried in impromptu dumps.   Vehicles similarly are just abandoned where they stop - many have plants growing out of them, showing they have been abandoned for many months.

Traffic through the forest
The next that springs to mind is the collision of old and new.   People in traditional dress with mobile phones seemed rather incongruous.   Also the people still live their lives in a traditional way, with the boys and men living in one building and the women and girls in another.   This is to help protect the traditional cultures of the genders.   Men still have to find up to 30 pigs as a dowry for their wife, and wives are chosen for their work ethic and strength rather than their looks - how much longer will this continue I wonder.

One night we watched the documentary about the Leahy brothers' expedition into the land of the Huli people, and it showed the natives' fascination with visitors.   We found that fascination still continues today.  The children were delighted to be able to help us through their land, building stepping stones, holding hands, helping us up and down steep slopes and marvelling at our pale skin.   They were polite, helpful and joyous - a delight to have on hand when the going got a bit tough.   The only thing they would have been pleased to receive (apart from a "thank you" and smile) was an umbrella - shade from the sun and protection from the rain.

In the towns of Port Moresby and Mount Hagen it was noticeable that the majority of people were in town to trade.   They were at the market with vegetables either grown for sale or foraged in wild areas; or live chickens which were seen emerging from the boot of cars, carried in huge sacks and flapping around in minibuses.   On one occasion there were several lined up in the boot of a bus, looking for all they were worth like a row of ornaments.   The other, more low-key trading was carried out at the side of the road.   Ladies and gentlemen sat on the roadside with upturned boxes on which were displayed their wares.   Some, selling clothes, had taken up a stretch of wire fencing and had their goods displayed on clothes hangers along the fence - just like racks of clothes in M&S at home.
Wreck at the roadside

Out of the towns it was down to the road-side gatherings, mainly at junctions, to provide a trading opportunities.   Even in Karawari there were set places for markets which the local villagers attended by catching a river bus.

The one rather startling impression is the speed with which the interior of the Country is being explored.   The richness of the environment in terms of the forest is being plundered at a rapid rate.    Forest trails which were used by a birding group four years ago have been totally destroyed, with the trees removed to provide timber for housing or commercial building.   One such walk was near the regular displaying perch of the King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, how much longer will he have his perch I wonder?  

Forest clearance along the road
Papua New Guinea has a huge mineral and gas wealth which is being exploited by conglomerates employing many people.   When we were at Ambua, convoys of up to eight fuel tankers were thundering along the road with security escorts at front and back, the ground shook with their weight and due to their impact the road was constantly being upgraded, re-surfaced and widened to cope with the traffic.   Whilst no-one can blame the local people for wanting to take advantage of this great opportunity, the improved road seems to have encouraged more folk to cut down the forest, given the ease of access.   Sadly, the area will be completely devoid of birds in a few years if this development continues.

I feel very lucky to have experienced Papua New Guinea and its people - a special experience indeed, and one which will stay with me for a long time to come.

Thursday 4 October 2012

The final day


A lie in was called for today, and a full breakfast at 7.30 am.

After a rather too English style of cooked breakfast it was off for some culture - much to Phil's annoyance.   Still there was a possibility of a few feathers to keep him happy.    First we went to the Capitol Bulding, which was been built in lovely grounds, the grass could have been longer, but then with all these places
The capitol building
they think they need to manicure the landscape to within a inch of it's life - Malcolm would not be happy - nowhere for his insects and galls!

Next the National Museum where the history of PNG and its people was shown in various forms.   There were apparently some caged birds and animals outside, but I declined.   Soon we were back in the gardens, not much time to birdwatch but here was had Helmeted Friarbird, Singing Starling, and a Munia of sorts, but unidentified after a far too fleeting a glimpse.

Next came a visit to the National Park, a sort of wildlife theme park, again more caged animals and birds, sadly the only things with any form of hint at education were the cassowaries, but then at least they were in a reasonably large compound.   Kept singly and scrapping about on mud under the shade of some trees - not ideal but potentially better than the pot!

Here were Yellow-Faced Mynahs, House Sparrows, more Friarbirds and a unidentified Honeyeater.
Electus Parrot in captivity

A long laborious trip across town, straight into a traffic jam, but it took us for a five minute "twitch" at the coast for Lesser Frigatebirds, Crested Terns and more House Sparrow.

Lunch on Nigel . . . 
We were now late for our check-out at the hotel.   We had an extension until 11.30 am.   Unfortunately the hotel did not take any notice and had taken our bath towels, leaving two of us with one small hand towel to dry ourselves with after a shower! They had also allowed our keys to lapse so we had to get a maid to let us back in.

After a very hasty shower and packing session we were off to the airport for our flight to Singapore.   Although three-quarters of an hour late leaving, we have five hours to pass in Transit so hopefully all will be well.



Wednesday 3 October 2012

Varirata National Park

We woke at 4.30 am, and left the hotel about half an hour late at 5.30 am (our driver obviously overslept!).   The rain from yesterday had not cleared and as we waited for the bus it got heavier.   Still we left with much optimism - unfortunately misplaced on this occasion as the weather closed in as we climbed higher up into the hills of the National Park.   We arrived at the Lek site, and I did in fact hear one male call, but that was all.   After a while the only thing left to do was tuck into our picnic breakfast - comprising two hard boiled
Birding in the mist
eggs, two rashers of bacon, a sausage, hashbrown, two slices of toast, butter and jam!

As the rain continued to fall several of us took advantage of a short night's sleep and had a power nap.

Around 8.30 am the rain started to ease and we ventured out with our brollies and ponchos to see what, if anything, was around.   We were surprised to find that there were several female Raggiana Birds of Paradise hanging around, they flew off as we moved up the track.   Grey-headed Cuckoo-shrike was seen as a
Jewel-babbler called in the distance, Spangled Drongo snag their fluty tunes from the tree tops.   A Frilled Monarch shows itself briefly to a couple of us.  A Yellow-billed Kingfisher was found sitting quietly on a cross branch and showed well in the telescope.

We continued  along the wet and muddy trail, enjoying finally being able to get out and do some proper birding.   Our guide suddenly grabbed the telescope and trained it on a crevice in a tree.   There was a small face with amazingly large eyes looking back at us - a Barred Owlet-Nightjar at home.   It stayed looking
Barred owlet-nightjar
at us whilst we tried to take photos or digiscope.

Mimic Melaphaga, Lemon Bellied Warbler, Hooded Butcherbird and Yellow-bellied Gerygone were also found here, once again the guide called for the 'scope, another distant spot by Lennie this time of a Marbled Frogmouth.   This time looking rather smaller and browner than the Papuan specimen of a couple of days
ago.

Next came both Frilled Monarch (a catch up for some) and Spot-winged Monarch, quickly followed by Stout-billed Cuckoo-Shrike.   Soon it was time to break for our picnic lunch, once again a pleasant surprise with a sandwich of cheese, tomato, chicken and lettuce, a piece of lemon cheesecake, apple or orange, and a muffin.   Soft drinks had also been provided and it went down well after our early start.   As we started to settle down to eat a Pacific (crested) Baza circled overhead.

Lunch over and we set off again, with Hooded Pithoui, Green-Backed Gerygone, Brown Headed Paradise Kingfisher - a delightful little Kingfisher - Black Berrypecker completed our bird list for the top of the hill.

Marbled Frogmouth
We started our descent back towards the town of Port Moresby, but after about five minutes Lennie called for us to stop again, as there was a fruiting tree nearby worth checking out.   We disembarked and wandered down the track.

Rainbow Bee-eaters delighted us perched high on nearby trees, Leaden Flycatcher and Papuan Flowerpecker were also seen well.   White-throated Honeyeater, Brown Oriole and Great Cuckoo-dove flew past giving us a great view.

Eventually it was time to return to the hotel for our final night in Papua New Guinea, time for a swim, relax and an early beer before dinner and plans for tomorrow.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Kumul to Port Moresby

Up at 6 am to watch the sun come up over hills outside our room, and then down to the bird table once more.   Mainly Common Smokies, but the odd Astrapia had been present before we got there, and Brehm's Tiger-Parrot put in an appearance too.   Nigel and I wandered down the drive of the lodge with John
Sunrise at Kumul
and found Rufous-naped Whistler (something we forgot to add to the checklist last night), White-winged Robin, Island Thrush, Belford's Melidictes, but we could not relocate the Archbold's Bowerbird from yesterday.

Breakfast was an interesting concoction of Spanish Omelette with a square of  'plastic' cheese melted in top.   It really did look like "omlette and custard".   Lettuce and orange provided the start of our 'five a day'!

At 8 am we left for the flight to Port Moresby.   The check-in procedure is interesting with a simple handing over of tickets and bags, then out of one door and into the one departure room - no facilities, including water.   Phil,wanting the loo, had to go back outside and negotiate with several people to find the person with a key to the executive wash room, which still had no water!

Soon we were on our way back to the Capital, and our last PNG birding.

After checking in to the hotel we had lunch in the restaurant.   As we prepared to go out for an afternoon of Birdwatching  in the university of the Seventh Day Adventists the rain started to fall. And yet again the tropical afternoon precipitation caught us.
Pacific Black Duck

We managed to catch up on several new species of water birds however, including: Little Black Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Egret, Pied Heron, Intermediate Heron, Cattle Egret, Rufous Night-Heron, Black Bittern, Australian (Sacred) Ibis, Little Egret, Spotted Whistling Duck, Plumed Whistling Duck,
Wandering Whistling-Duck and Rajah Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Comb-crested Jacana, Masked Lapwing, Pacific (Lesser) Golden-Plover and Common Sandpiper.

To these species we added, Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove, three Pied Imperial Pigeon, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Grey Shrike-Thrush, a pair of Figbirds sat high up in a bare tree, taking the full force of the wet weather.   White-Breasted Woodswallow, Black-backed Butcherbird, and we also had the delight of seeing the Bower of a Fawn-Breasted Bowerbird.

Pied Imperial Pigeon
After a very long wet afternoon, we were keen to get back into the warmth and dry of the bus and then the hotel.   We were surprised how many birds had actually shown themselves given the conditions.

After a late dinner at the hotel, we were all off to bed with an early start tomorrow, hoping to see Raggiana Birds of Paradise at their lek.

Monday 1 October 2012

Karawari to Kumul


A Karawari Sunrise
Before our usual start of tea/coffee and cake at 5.30 am, Nigel played a tape of Hook-billed Kingfisher,  which responded immediately and then was found by our guide before it flew away.   At least we both had a quick view before it disappeared, nothing left to do but go back smugly to the rest of the group.

Snack-time over we went for walk down the drive of the lodge.   First we found Mimic Melaphaga, Black Kite, beautiful Rainbow Lorikeet, Plain Honeyeater, Red-throated Myzomela, Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Lowland Peltops, Double-eyed Fig-parrot, White-bellied Thicket Fantail and Black
Sunbird.

Pinon Imperial Pigeon
After breakfast we took our leave of Karawari and made for the airstrip - seeing three Common Sandpiper and Grey Crow on the way - and our flight to Mt Hagen.   The plane was ready for us and within minutes we were off - there was just time for Keith to show video of the Sing-sing to the local children.

Female Ribbon-tailed Astrapia
At Mt Hagen we transferred to a minibus and started the bumpy ride up to Kumul (2716 m).  An hour and a half later and we were at our destination for tonight, a small lodge set high up in the hills and with a rather more rustic feel than our previous lodgings.   A great bird 'table' has been set up - raised off the floor and with viewing both at eye-level and from above, making some excellent photographic opportunities for those with the correct equipment.

Brehm's Tiger-parrot
Amongst the birds seen were, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Blue-caped Irita, Archbold's Bowerbird, Glossy Swiftlet, White-winged Robin, Stephanies Bird of Paradise, Brown Sicklebill, Island Thrush, Brehm's Tiger-parrot, Large Scrubwren, Belford's Melidictes, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Grey-streated Honeyeater and Rufous-naped Whistler.

After the tropical 36 degrees of Karawari we were all feeling the cold of Kumul, which got as low as 6 degrees at night, so the electric blankets on the bed were most welcome.