27 Mar 2025

A birding adventure in Kavieng

It was an early rise as Heritage Adventurer wove through the reef to arrive at Kavieng in the first glimmer of dawn, greeted by raucous Bismarck Crows. We drove to Limbin Road, which heads south off the Boluminski Highway, east of Kavieng. After being welcomed in traditional style by the village elders, the birders headed away to start their adventure. We strolled north along the road, observing a host of birds, including many of the species endemic to New Ireland or the broader Bismarck Archipelago. Highlights included Amboyna Cuckoo-dove, White-bibbed Fruit Dove, Golden Whistler, Black Sunbird, Red Myzomela, Red-banded Flowerpecker and Mottled Mannikin. Other striking species included the Eclectus Parrot and Red-flanked Lorikeet, while Bismarck Hanging Parrots soared overhead.

After searching for Forbes's Mannikin near the airport, we said farewell to the departing expeditioners at the wharf. We added Osprey, Common Kingfisher and Little Tern to our species list. 

Those on the GPO enjoyed great bird sightings on the wharf, before proceeding to admire an abundance of fresh produce at the local market. We visited a local resort and enjoyed great views of two local hornbills. Then, we returned to the wharf, where three separate villages entertained us with local dancing, singing, and music-making.

Everyone returned to the Heritage Adventurer for lunch, as we sailed north for Chuuk Lagoon. Birding picked up as we passed east of the low atoll of Tench Island. Once again, we were treated to hundreds of leaping tunas, with their attendant terns, noddies, boobies and frigatebirds. All three colour morphs of Red-footed Boobies visited our trusty expedition vessel to hunt flying fish, and the birders were kept on their toes by a steady trickle of Leach’s and Band-rumped Storm Petrels. Following dinner, Neptune and his strangely garbed followers appeared, searching for polliwogs to initiate as we crossed the Equator.

Images © C. Finch & O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions