In Search of Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise 21 – 23 December 1985

This was meant to be Brian Finch’s farewell fling, a weekend trip to find Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise, the only Bird of Paradise to occur in PNG that had managed to elude his binoculars. Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise is a high altitude species found from 9000 – 13000 feet in Podocarpus (high altitude pine) forests. The closest point to Port Moresby where this habitat and this species’ range coincide is on the Mount Victoria Massif. A few miles north of Mount Victoria lies Mount Scratchley and here PTC have built a microwave repeater station, including a hut for service engineers and a helipad. We had permission to use this hut, and so it was to Mount Scratchley, with the help of Pacific Helicopters that we headed in search of Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise.

Brian, John Ismay, Paulene Kibble and myself departed from Jacksons Airport at 06:25 on 21/12/1985, piloted by Mike Stockton. The view was superb with the top of Mount Victoria completely clear. The helicopter with five aboard, (plus gear) would not be able to make it up to the rarified heights of the PTC station (11600 ft). Brian and I were off-loaded at Onange mission airstrip (c.6000 ft) where, during a twenty minute wait I had distant views of a Great Wood-Swallow. We were landed on top at about 07:30 to find Paulene and John had already moved the gear into the hut so it was on with the birding.

At that altitude birds are few and far between. In the pine forests below the PTC station we saw Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Belford’s Melidectes and Papuan Scrub-Wren. On the grass and scrub covered hillsides there were Crimson Firetails and at least one pair of Alpine Pipits. These have a display flight like the Eurasian Tree Pipit and also sing from tree tops. The most colourful bird was Crested Berrypecker, found both in the scrub and forest and usually in small parties. There was no sign of Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise, probably because none of the pines were in fruit.

We climbed back to the hut noticing the effect of the altitude for the first time,a fast pumping of the heart as it tried to grab the necessary oxygen from the thin air. In the afternoon the weather deteriorated rapidly and we sheltered in the hut while strong north-west winds sent clouds of rain scudding past the window. Birding was almost impossible but an enjoyable time was spent collecting some of the numerous varieties of lichen.

Monday dawned cold, clear and calm. The helicopter duly arrived and departed with all of us aboard in a stomach wrenching dive to lose altitude and gain speed. We were back in the tropical humidty of Port Moresby within half-an-hour. We had only recorded 13 species and failed to see Macgregor’s Bird of Paradise. Still there is always next time.

Our thanks to Mike Stockton for landing us safely on Scratchley and for coming to take us off again when it looked like we could have been there for Christmas. Also thanks to PTC for the use of their hut without which our stay would have been a lot less enjoyable.

Species List:
Little Eagle, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Glossy Swiftlet, Alpine Pipit, Island Thrush, Papuan Scrub-Wren, Crested Berrypecker, Regent Whistler, Friendly Fantail, Belford’s Melidectes, Sooty Melidectes, Crimson Firetail.
First published in PNGBS Newsletter 219: 2 - 3

PNGBS Outing 14th December 1985: Pelagic Birding

On the 14th December 1985, fourteen PNGBS members and friends left Port Moresby aboard the motor launch ‘Tarangau’ skippered by her owner Paul Jenkins, with the hope of seeing some of the seabirds that are to be found beyond the reef. The seabirds are most active early in the day when the fish on which they feed are closer to the surface having followed the plankton as it rises during the night and sinks during the day.

We were underway by 06:00 and a few birds were recorded on the way out to the reef: Common Tern, Crested Tern and Brown Booby. The largest concentration was seen around the light tower at the landward side of the Basilisk Passage. Over 100 birds of several species were noted there, including Brown Boobies, Black-naped Terns, much whiter than Common Terns, at least one Roseate Tern with noticeably lobg tail streamers and a few White-capped Noddies. In the passage itself, a sandy coloured juvenile Bridled Tern were seen perched on some floating vegetation. Other species recorded making use of similar perches at sea were Brown Boobies, Common Terns and Common Noddies. Near the mouth of the passage both Common and White-capped Noddies were seen together when the smaller size of the latter was quite apparent.

Beyond the reef the number of birds was noticeably fewer. Small parties of Brown Boobies were noted moving west and a few terns and noddies were encountered. A solitary Streaked Shearwater was seen followed about quarter of an hour later by a raft of about 30 and a single Wedge-tailed Shearwater. The Wedge-tail was easily separated on its smaller size and uniform brown plumage, including the unde wing. I did not notice a wedge-shaped tail though. Three single Pomarine Skuas, on dark juvenile, one pale sub-adult and one pale adult were also seen on the trip to a point about 15 miles south of the reef.

We started back at about 10:00. Large numbers of butterflies were observed moving over the sea. Only one species, the Canopus Swallowtail was seen moving south. The following were recorded moving north: Blue Tiger, Caper White Beak and Australian Gull. Just off the reef we came across a raft of 20 Common Terns sitting on the sea, something they are not supposed to do.

Lunch was taken aboard ‘Tarangau’ while anchored off the beach at the western end of Fisherman’s Island. Afterwards a few went ashore while others swam around the boat. In the few palms at the end of the island a Varied Honeyeater was heard calling and then seen. Later another two were heard calling. Although common on the north coast of PNG, this species is only found on this island on the south coast. Large numbers of waders were roosting on the island’s airstrip: Pacific Golden Plover (c.100), Lesser Sand Plover (c.300), Greater sand Plover (c.300), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (c.20), Red-necked Stint (c.20), Little Curlew (2) and Ruddy Turnstone (c.20). Also recorded on the island were Golden-headed Cisticola, Horsfield’s Bushlark and Pied Bushchat, one of which was observed riding a wind sock.

And that was the Bird Society’s day at sea. Although only a few species were recorded, it was an enjoyable day and many of the party had their first good views of pelagic species such as Shearwaters and Skuas. Our thanks to Paul for following the birds and rowing us ashore.

SPECIES LIST:
Streaked Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Brown Booby, Lesser Frigatebird, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Little Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Pomarine Skua, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Black-naped Tern, Bridled Tern, Little Tern, Crested Tern, Common Noddy, White-capped Noddy, Pacific Swallow, Horsfield’s Bushlark, Pied Bushchat, Varied Honeyeater, Singing Starling, Golden-headed Cisticola.