15 Oct 2015

Rare Manus Species Sighted

Our visit to Manus Island proved to be a momentous day for our keen birders.  The group headed ashore at dawn to investigate the forests around Rossun village and were delighted to find the rare Manus Monarch. Just as they prepared to leave the forest the call of the stunningly beautiful, rare and much-wanted Superb Pitta was heard in the distance.  After some stealthy manoeuvring everyone managed to get fantastic, lengthy looks at this bird which is usually very difficult to find.

Superb Pitta

Once they had torn themselves away from this wonderful sight, the group continued to tick their way through the island’s endemics and capped off the morning with some great views of Nicobar Pigeons.  The day was not yet done however and there was one more exciting highlight in store in the afternoon. The poorly known Manus Fantail, a species only known on six small islands made an appearance, and this was not one of the six! What a way to end a wonderful day!