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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
