29 Apr 2016

White Chinned Myzomela at Peaceful Panapompom

The longest Zodiac ride thus far brought us to a peaceful spit on Panapompom Island this morning. Outrigger canoes peppered the horizon for their afternoon fishing. Local word was that a Japanese ‘Zero’ could be found a short distance from shore. As the staff worked out the wreck location, walkers and birders investigated the island’s flora and fauna. Biologist Martin Cohen’s group came across pandanus, matchbox bean seed pod, hibiscus, and casuarina (beach she-oak). And, birder Chris Collin’s group’s, they encountered something to write home about—times three! Chris spotted three NEW species for his bird list: the Louisade White-eye, the White-chinned Myzomela, and the Islet Kingfisher. While all three birds are endemic to the Louisiade Archipelago (and found no where else), the White-chinned Myzomela was especially a rare find, as it lives only on a very select few of the archipelago’s islands.

A four-minute swim from the beach in relatively shallow waters, the Japanese ‘Zero’ offered a fascinating snorkelling spot. The bent propellor, warped cockpit, and rusting out fuselage juxtaposed colourful coral, anemones, a multitude of fish. Once we’d had a sufficient look around, some of us loaded into the Zodiacs for more snorkelling at the other end of the island. Though the visibility wasn’t stellar due to the clouds, we found a sting ray, stunning coral in all shapes and sizes, and an interesting selection of fish.