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.
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.
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