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.