Female House Sparrow Passer domesticus on Paga Hill, Port Moresby

On 10 June 1986 at 07:00 I was bird-watching on Paga Hill before going into work when I heard a familiar call, but was unable to identify the species. The source of the call was tracked down to a rubbish collection area. The bird was feeding amongst the rubbish but when disturbed flew up onto some nearby telephone wires where it was identified as a female House Sparrow Passer domesticus. I watched it for about two minutes before it flew into some trees and could not be relocated. I saw the sparrow once more, and again only briefly, on 12 June, when it was perched on some more overhead wires in the company of two White-breasted Wood-swallows Artamus leucorhynchus. Unfortunately no other bird-watchers managed to see the sparrow. I am familiar with this species and its congener, the Tree Sparrow P. montanus in Europe. The following description is taken from the notes I made shortly after each observation.

It was two thirds the size of a White-breasted Wood-Swallow, the only species present with which to compare it, and of a similar chunky build. It had a heavy, pale seed-eaters bill. The underparts, from chin to vent, were a uniform brown-grey. The upperparts were a darker brown and heavily streaked with black on the mantle. Pale edgings to the wing coverts resulted in one obvious wing-bar and one less obvious. The most notable plumage feature was a broad pale supercilium which started behind the eye and went towards the back of the head.

The habitat on Paga Hill is mixed savanna (i.e. grassland with some trees and shrubs) with some houses and associated garden plants. This female House Sparrow first appeared after a month of continuous south-easterly winds. Assuming it was a true vagrant it would probably have originated in Australia where the nearest House Sparrows are at Cooktown, north Queensland (Pizzey 1980), some 700km SSW of Port Moresby. However the situation of Paga Hill less than 1km from Port Moresby's harbour, is probably more important than the habitat in which the sparrow was seen or the prevailing weather conditions prior to its arrival. As with the first record of this species in PNG, a party of four at Kila Kila (Ashford 1978), it is probably that this female arrived aboard ship.

Ashford, R.W. 1978. First record of House Sparrow for Papua New Guinea. Emu 78: 36
Pizzey, G. 1980. A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Collins. Sydney.

(Originally published in Muruk 1(3):91)

PNGBS Outing: 20 April 1986: Beyond The Reef

For the April Bird Club outing we were once again venturing out to sea, hoping to get about 20 km offshore, beyond the reef, to get to grip with some of the seabirds otherwise only rarely recorded. Fifteen bird club members gathered before dawn at the yacht club. Coffee and biscuits were served as we motored through the sheltered waters inside the barrier reef but few birds were seen in the pre-dawn half-light. Several Brown Boobies were gathered around the Basilisk Passage marker, but little else of note.

Once outside the reef, the heavy swell generated by the recent storms raised hopes of some interesting seabirds even if we were forced to hang on in the bumpy conditions. Brown Noddies were seen in increasing numbers and an occasional Lesser Frigatebird cruised over. About two miles beyond the reef the first Streaked Shearwaters were planning the waves and remained with us for most of the day, often flying close to the boat giving us excellent views.  Shortly after the first Streaked Shearwater appeared, Ian Burrows noticed an all dark Wedge-tailed Sheawater off the front of the boat. While I was trying to get on to this bird, the boat hit a rough patch and my binocular strap broke; I was lucky they did not disappear over the side.

A few minutes later a different shearwater or petrel put in an appearance. It passed close by the boat allowing us good views. It seemed to be smaller and slighter than the Wedge-tailed Shearwater; head, face and upper breast were dark; remainder of the upperparts were uniform dark greyish-brown; underparts were white; centre of the wings was also white contrasting strongly with the dark leading and trailing edges to the wing. We felt sure we could identify such a distinctive bird but nothing in the available guide resembled our bird.

More Brown Noddies appeared and also one or two Brown Boobies. Just before we turned to head back an all dark, small skua flew past. Its light build and streamlined shape identified it as a dark phase adult Arctic Skua. Shortly after a burly, pale phase Pomarine Skua, with twisted central tail feathers, zoomed past helping to confirm the earlier identification of the Arctic Skua.

The return trip was much more comfortable and we caught up with the unidentified petrel again, allowing us to confirm its field characters. Also seen was a school of dolphins, a shark and several flying fish. As we approached Basilisk Passage through the reef we noticed a large, mixed flock of birds on and around the reef marker. The skipper throttled back and allowed us to drift closer. The Brown Boobies were still there but now accompanied by a variety of terns: c.20 Crested Terns, a few Common Terns, c.15 Brown Noddies, 1 Black Noddy, 4 brilliant white Black-naped Terns and 4 very rosy Roseate Terns. Once inside the reef, any feelings of sea-sickness dissipated and we were treated to an on-board breakfast while anchored off Local Island.

Subsequent correspondence with John Mckean in Australia identified our mystery shearwater as a Tahiti Petrel: “‘your unidentified shearwater/petrel is clearly a Pterodroma on flight behaviour. Plumage wise it is identical to the Tahiti Petrels P.rostrata that we see off SE and NE Queensland. It has been seen before off PNG. Birds off Queensland have a well marked underwing stripe and may originate from New Caledonia. Field guides do not show or indicate this feature”.

Species List:

Streaked Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Tahiti Petrel, Lesser Frigatebird, Brown Booby, Eastern Reef Egret, Arctic Skua, Pomarine Skua, White-winged Black Tern, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Black-naped Tern, Bridled Tern, Little Tern, Crested Tern, Brown (Common) Noddy, Black (White-capped) Noddy  

PNGBS Outing: 9 March 1986: Varirata National Park

Six cars met at the NBC tree at 05:15. We were hoping for a sighting of Halley’s Comet, but were disappointed by cloud cover on the horizon. Once in the park, we walked the ciruit trail to the Raggiana Bird of Paradise display tree (it even has its own sign!). Three males treated us to a fantastic display, strutting their stuff for about 45 minutes as the sun came up. When the Raggiana’s ran out of steam, we continued round the circuit trail, but birds were few and far between. We heard Wompoo Fruit-Dove and other unidentified species. At the picnic site we split up, the drivers, including me, going to retrieve their cars from the gate while the others walked the lookout trail. We returned to the picnic site and got the barbecue going, seeing White-shouldered Fairy-Wren, White-throated Honeyeater, Leaden Flycatcher and Spangled Drongo.

Species List:

Wompoo Fruit-Dove, White-shouldered Fairy-Wren, Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-Shrike, Leadedn Flycatcher, White-thorated Honeyeater, Spangled Drongo, Raggiana Bird of Paradise  

Blue Rock Thrush on Paga Hill, Port Moresby. First record for the Australian Region east o f the Moluccas

At 18:00 on 7 January 1986 while watching a party of c.30 Red-rumped Swallows Hirundo daurica feeding over the eucalypt savanna on the eastern slopes of Paga Hill in port Moresby, RKH noticed a bird fly across an open space and perch on a building under construction below use. He thought it might be a Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius and pointed it out to BWF who confirmed the identification.

The bird was observed without binoculars for about five minutes in fading light and the following notes were made. It was considerably larger than a  Pied Chat Saxicola caprata available for direct comparison and held itself in a typical thrush-like stance. Upon landing it flicked its tail slowly downwards, a movement often repeated while perched. Plumage details were difficult to determine in the fading light, but it was thought to be uniform blue-grey with darker primaries, a dark bill na dark legs. It eventually flew into the half completed building and was lost from sight.

We returned to the area at 06:00 the following morning, armed with binoculars. BWF spotted the bird almost immediately and we watched it for nearly an hour in good light. The dull image of the previous evening had changed overnight into a resplendent adult male of the chestnut bellied race M.s.philippensis. It was seen daily up to 19 January 1986 and appeared to range widely, although it was often found around the houses in the early morning and late afternoon. It was subsequently seen by 13 other observers.

The following description is taken from notes made at the time. The bird was shaped like a thrush, with a moderately long tail, often held pointing downwards and flicked agitatedly. Head to chest and entire upperparts were blue-grey, primaries and central retrices were darker. The wing coverts had small dark centres and whitish crescent shaped tips. The feathers across the back, bordering the wings and across the upper breast similarly had whitish crescent shaped tips. The underparts from chest to vent were a uniform, deep chestnut-orange, sharply contrasting with the blue-grey of the chest. The feathering at the base of the legs was blue. The bill was slender and quite long for a thrush and uniform blackish. The legs were also uniformly dark. The iris was large, prominent and dark.

 

There are ten species of rock thrush Monticola, five of which are confined to Africa (Howard & Moore 1984) and are not considered further here. The remaining five species are distributed across Eurasia. One reaches no further east than north India. Four species can be found in south-east Asia (King et al 1984) and all are at least partially migratory. The chestnut-bellied race of Blue Rock Thrush M.s.philippensis winters further south and east than any other species, reaching the Philippines and Indonesia. The Blue Rock Thrush is the only one of these four to have a blue breast and, in non-breeding plumage, to have scaly markings across the mantle and on the breast (King et al 1984, Viney & Phillips 1983). Both these features were noted on the bird at Paga Hill. This is the first record of this species in Papua New Guinea and in the Australia region (east of the Moluccas).

Howard, R. & A.Moore. 1984. A complete checklist of the birds of the world. Papermac.

King, B., M.Woodcock, E.C.Dickinson. 1984. A field guide to the  birds of south-east Asia. Collins.

Viney, C. & K.Phillips. 1983. New Colour Guide to Hong Kong Birds. J.R.Lee.

First published in Muruk 2(2): 64-65 co-authored with B.W.Finch

A Week in West New Britain 9 – 16 January 1986

For our week in West New Britain we were based at the Hoskins Hotel, close to Hoskins airfield at the eastern end of the sealed road which round Kimbe Bay to just beyond Kimbe in the west. Along much of this road the land has been given over to plantation crops, mostly oil palm. Birds were relatively few among the palms although we did see Eastern Black-capped Lory, White-necked Coucal and Slaty-backed Goshawk. Around the villages Olive-backed and Black Sunbirds were common, Black Myzomela, New Britain Black Mannikin, Metallic Starling, New Britain Friarbird and Moustached Tree-Swift were also seen. A flock of seven Little Curlew which were feeding among the houses at Dami Reasearch Station, should have been sseing out the northern winter in Australia. A roosting flight of Blyth’s Hornbills heading west over Dami was seenmost evenings, with 79 being the most recorded. Inland and beyond the end of the sealed road the rain forest eventually gave way to rain forest and it was here we spent most of our bird-watching time. On our first day we went east along the coast road towards Lavege where we found a guide to take us to the hot springs. On the half hour walk we saw Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon, Eclectus Parrot and Spangled Drongo. Near the hot springs we saw the nest holes dug by megapodes, using the ground warmed by geothermal activity to incubate their eggs, but sadly there was no sign of the birds. On subsequent days we went inland, first along the road to Bargua where we saw Pacific Baza, White-rumped Swiftlet and the New Britain subspecies of Dwarf Kingfisher which has a red bill. Next we explored the highway that will eventually link west to east New Britain. The best bird-watching was along the shores of Lake Lalili, made accessible by logging tracks. Here we saw Common Kingfisher, Comb-crested Jacana, Pied Cuckoo-Dove, Blue-eyed Cockatoo and Black Bittern. The highlight of the week was our first experience of snorkelling on a coral reef. We were taken to Ema Reef, 10 miles out in Kimbe Bay. The underwater scenery and colours were out of this world and fish-watching could be as pleasurable as bird-watching. En route to and from the reef we saw Common, Swift (Crested) and Little Terns, Lesser Frigatebird and Brown Boobies.

Our thanks to Max Benjamin of Walindi for the snorkelling and special thanks to Bob Prior for his time and hospitality.

Species List:
Lesser Frigatebird, Little Pied Cormorant, Brown Booby, Black Bittern, Pacific Baza, Slaty-backed Goshawk, Brahminy Kite, Spotted Whistling Duck, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Comb-crested Jacana, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Swinhoe’s Snipe, Common Tern, Swift (Crested) Tern, Brown Noddy, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Pied Cuckoo-Dove, Red-knobbed Fruit-Dove, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Eastern Black-capped Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, White-necked Coucal, Moustached Tree-Swift, Uniform Swiftlet, White-rumped Swiftlet, Dwarf Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Blyth’s Hornbill, Pacific Swallow, White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike, Varied Triller, Northern Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Shining Flycatcher, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Papuan Black Myzomela, New Britain Friarbird, Metallic Starling, Spangled Drongo, New Britain Black Mannikin, Yellow-faced Myna, Torresian Crow.

First Published in PNGBS Newsletter 219: 4 – 6, co-authored with Jenny H. Bott

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.