01 Apr 2024

A day of birding in the Soloman Islands

As a new day dawned, Heritage Adventurer was positioned near the shallow reefs of the small island of Anuta. Anuta was first visited by Heritage Expeditions in 1982, so there has been a long relationship with the community here.
 
Those not birding were welcomed by the representative of Anuta village and the son of the chief, Hansel. We were then joined by two local guides for a Zodiac tour of the island.
 
The knowledge and the subjects they shared, and the answers to the questions we had, were truly special! We finished our cruise snorkelling on the reefs on the other side of the island enjoying great sightings of a variety of coral species.
 
Anuta is separated from the main island of Makira (San Cristobal) by a narrow strait, and it was to the mainland that the birders headed an hour after light, having waited for some heavy rain to pass.
 
Despite a long history of logging here, we managed to find a great selection of endemic species, such as Makira Cicadabird, Makira Flycatcher, Makira Honeyeater, Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon, and Mottled Flowerpecker, all species that weren't observed on Santa Ana. In addition, we found the Chestnut-bellied Monarch, which unlike the all-black variety seen yesterday, did have chestnut bellies. Other birds observed included the Soloman Islands Dollarbirds, Papuan Eclectus Parrots and a distant Sanford’s/Solomon’s Sea Eagle.
 
After another super lunch on board Heritage Adventurer, everyone headed ashore to the main village of Anuta where we were given a traditional, and somewhat unexpected, welcome by an enactment of an attack with traditional indigenous spears. After receiving individual garlands at the entrance to the village, we were once again enthralled by amazing bamboo pipe, drum music and some fascinating dances. During a brief interlude, everyone enjoyed refreshing milk from fresh coconuts.
 
We had time to explore the village or buy some local carvings. The birders of course scoured the skies around the village and were rewarded with astonishing views of a Sanford’s/Solomon’s Sea Eagle circling low over the village in excellent light. On route back to Heritage Adventurer, a Beach Kingfisher provided another fitting end to a highly memorable day.

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions