02 Apr 2024

The bustling capital of the Soloman Islands – exploring Honiara

We arrived overnight off the north coast of Guadalcanal. The birders were away early, boarding the Zodiacs before dawn for our transfer to Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, and headed inland to the Mount Austen birding area. We enjoyed a wonderful sunrise from the summit before exploring the area. In the lush jungle and traditional farmland habitat, we found Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Buff-headed Coucal, Moustached Treeswift, Solomons Cockatoo, Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot, Blyth’s Hornbill, Midget Flowerpecker, and the coveted Ultramarine Kingfisher, to name just a few of the many species seen. Some of us even spotted the elusive Woodford’s Rail!
 
After a full morning of birding, we returned to Heritage Adventurer for lunch. We spent the afternoon at sea, where we had ample opportunities for seabird viewing. It was also a great chance for cetacean spotting in the calm tropical seas, with good views of Sperm Whales and False Killer Whales, among others.
 
Those not birding woke up to the stunning sunrise view of Honiara. Boarding Zodiacs we headed into Honiara for a guided bus tour. We started with the Central Market where people trade their foods every day, and had a chance to meet the friendly locals.
 
After the market, we made our way to three memorials. The American, the Japanese and the local Scout Memorial. To be able to visit all three parties that were involved in WWII was very special, and that’s without mentioning how beautifully designed the memorials were.
 
After the memorials, we drove past the Parliament Building and made our way to the National Museum. There we had a local museum guide who was able to share all her knowledge and mix it with stories to keep us engaged and inspired about the great history of the Solomon Islands.

Images © C. Finch & S. McInnis, Heritage Expeditions