A Tahiti Petrel rockets in front of the boat, one of nearly 40 species of tubenose seen on the cruise. Photo: Steve Howell
This cruise with Heritage Expeditions offers a rare opportunity to view seabirds, marine mammals, and island birds on a route from New Zealand to southern Japan — from rare seabirds like the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel and the iconic Short-tailed Albatross (around its breeding grounds), to little-known island endemics on islands including New Caledonia (home of the Kagu) and the Caroline Islands.
ITINERARY
Day 1: We’ll embark the Spirit of Enderby in late afternoon in Auckland, New Zealand, and head out to sea in the evening.
Day 2: Today we’ll sail through the Hauraki Gulf, in New Zealand’s North Island, home to a remarkable selection of breeding seabirds that includes Parkinson’s, Cook’s, and Pycroft’s petrels, Buller’s and Flesh-footed shearwaters, Gray Ternlets, and, of course, the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel.
Days 3-4: At sea en route to Norfolk Island. Expected species include White-necked, Black-winged, and Great-winged Petrels, and with luck a Wandering Albatross or two.
Day 5: Norfolk Island (Australia). We’ll have a day on this idyllic island, home to the Norfolk Island Pine plus breeding Black Noddies, White Terns, and Red-tailed Tropicbirds. We’ll look for the three island endemics, Norfolk Island Parakeet, Norfolk Gerygone and Slender-billed White-eye at the lush Botanical Gardens.
Days 6-7: At sea towards New Caledonia. Seabirds in this little-known stretch of ocean will likely include Kermadec, Gould’s, Collared, and Tahiti petrels, plus numerous Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Sooty Terns.
Day 8: Noumea (New Caledonia). We’ll have a day to explore the rainforest at Riviere Bleue National Park, home to the unique Kagu and other endemics such New Caledonian (N. C.) Imperial Pigeon, Cloven-feathered Dove, Horned Parakeet, N.C. Myzomela, N.C. Friarbird, Barred and Crow honeyeaters, N.C. Whistler, the tool-using N.C. Crow, Yellow-bellied Robin, Green-backed White-eye, Red-throated Parrotfinch and Striated Starling.
Days 9-11: At sea towards the Solomon Islands. Tubenoses on this sector should include Collared, Gould’s, Solander’s (Providence), and Tahiti Petrels, and with luck one or two Polynesian Storm-Petrels.
Day 12: Rennell (Solomon Islands). We shall seek a number of Solomon endmics including the five species restricted to the tropical island paradise of Rennell: the Rennell Shrikebill, Fantail, White-eye, and Starling, plus the bizarre-looking Bare-eyed White-eye.
Day 13: San Cristobal, (Solomon Islands) A new landing looking for more endemics (details to be determined).
Day 14: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Today we plan a full-day birding excursion to Mount Austin, where island group endemics include Ducorp’s Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Blyth’s Hornbill, Midget Flowerpecker, Ultramarine Kingfisher, Buff-headed Coucal, and many others.
Day 15: At sea in the Solomons today, we’ll start to watch out for the little-known Heinroth’s Shearwater.
Day 16: Kolombangara (Solomon Islands). Here we hope to find the recently described (in 1991!) Roviana Rail, as well as Solomon Sea-Eagle, White-capped Monarch, and other Solomon endemics.
Days 17-22: At sea across the Equator. This area of tropical ocean is poorly known, and we plan to spend some time exploring the waters off Bougainville, which can be rich in cetaceans and, with luck, may produce the enigmatic Beck’s Petrel as well as more Heinroth’s Shearwaters. Tropical terns, boobies, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and some amazing flying fish also occur in these waters.
Day 23: Chuuk (‘Truk’, Federated States of Micronesia). Ashore in this diver’s paradise we’ll look for Caroline Islands (C.I.) White-eye, C.I. Swiftlet, C.I. Ground Dove, Oceanic Flycatcher, C.I. Reed Warbler, and search for the rare Truk Monarch.
Days 24-28: At sea. New seabirds should include Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrel, Bannerman’s Shearwater, and Bonin Petrel, as well as perhaps an impressive northward migration of Short-tailed Shearwaters plus a variety of other seabirds, mammals, and flying fish.
Day 29: Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, Japan. Ashore on these little-known islands we’ll look for the endemic honeyeater, while the surrounding waters are rich in seabirds and cetaceans.
Day 30: At sea, where new seabirds should include Black-footed Albatross, Streaked Shearwater, and Tristram’s Storm-Petrel.
Day 31: Torishima (Japan, landing not allowed). We’ll cruise by the island and with luck encounter one of the trip’s seabird highlights, the iconic Steller’s (Short-tailed) Albatross.
Day 32: At sea.
Day 33: Disembark Yokohama, Japan, after breakfast. Transfer to Tokyo Narita airport.
SUMMARY OF THE BIRDS SEEN ON THE 2007 WESTERN PACIFIC ODYSSEY CRUISE
TUBENOSES:
Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans ssp. Two individuals between Hauraki Gulf and Norfolk Island, 28 March (possibly Gibson’s or Antipodean).
Campbell [Black-browed] Albatross T. [melanophris] impavida One adult in Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
Steller’s (Short-tailed) Albatross Phoebastria albatrus One adult and one immature 12 nm off Torishima, 23 April.
Black-footed Albatross P. nigripes Two near the Bonin Islands, 22 April, 35+ between Bonins and Torishima, 23 April.
Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata Fairly common between Norfolk Island and New Caledonia, 31 March-4 April, with a rapid drop-off to north (3 on 5 April, 1 on 6 April); a second “peak” in Bougainville Channel, with 6 on 11 April.
Beck’s Petrel P. becki One seen quite well in Bougainville Channel, 11 April.
Fiji Petrel P. macgillivrayi One bird presumably this species seen at dusk on 12 April, 1o42’S 153o56’E.
Gray-faced [Great-winged] Petrel Pterodroma macroptera gouldi Fairly common between Hauraki Gulf and Norfolk Island, 27-29 March.
Solander’s (Providence) Petrel P. solandri Five individuals, 29 March to 5 April.
Kermadec Petrel P. neglecta Fairly common between Hauraki Gulf and north of Norfolk Island, 27-31 March (18 light morph, 2 intermediate); also four individuals northward (2 intermediate, 2 dark), 5-23 April.
White-necked Petrel P. cervicalis Fairly common between Hauraki Gulf and Norfolk Island, 27-29 March, small numbers north to New Caledonia, 31 March-4 April.
Cook’s Petrel P. cooki Small numbers in Hauraki Gulf, 28 March.
Pycroft’s Petrel P. pycrofti Small numbers in Hauraki Gulf, 28 March.
Gould’s Petrel P. leucoptera Fairly common from Norfolk Island to south end of New Caledonia (where hundreds), thence uncommon north along west side of N.C., 31 March-4 April. Mainly New Caledonia Petrels (P. [l.] caledonica) but some on 31 March apparently nominate gouldi.
Collared Petrel P. brevipes Small numbers (11 dark, 2 light) from south of Norfolk Island to New Caledonia, 29 March-5 April.
Bonin Petrel P. hypoleuca Fairly common to common from south of Bonins to near Torishima, 20-23 April.
Black-winged Petrel P. nigripennis Fairly common from north of Hauraki Gulf to north of Norfolk Island, small numbers north to New Caledonia, 28 March-3 April.
Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur Small numbers in Hauraki Gulf, 28 March.
Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii Small numbers from equatorial waters to south of Bonins, 13-20 April.
Parkinson’s (Black) Petrel Procellaria parkinsoni Fairly common from Hauraki Gulf north towards Norfolk Island, 27-28 March, with 2 on 29 March following the ship all day.
Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas Singles in Bougainville Channel, 10 April, and south of Bonins, 21-22 April, 3-4 between Bonins and Torishima, 23 April; fairly common in western Philippine Sea, 25-26 April.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus Fairly common (100% dark morph) from south of Norfolk Island to Solomons and Bougainville, 29 March-11 April; thence fairly common to common to Torishima, 12-23 April (100% light morph north from Truk), with a dark to light switch in the vicinity of the equator; commonest near New Caledonia (dark) and Bonins (light).
Buller’s Shearwater P. bulleri Common from Hauraki Gulf a short distance to north, 27-28 April.
Flesh-footed Shearwater P. carneipes Fairly common from Hauraki Gulf a short distance to north, 27-28 April, and also 3 birds on 23-25 April.
Sooty Shearwater P. griseus Only two singles identified as this species, Hauraki Gulf on 27 March and leaving New Caledonia, 3 April.
Short-tailed Shearwater P. tenuirostris Northbound migrants noted regularly from south of New Caledonia to vicinity of Torishima, 1-24 April, with by far the heaviest movement on 21 April south of the Bonin Islands when 4500+ noted.
Heinroth’s Shearwater P. heinrothi Nine singles of this enigmatic small shearwater were seen in the vicinity of Bougainville Island, 10-11 April.
Bannerman’s Shearwater P. bannermani Eight birds all more than 200 nm south of the Bonin Islands, 20-21 April. Small “black-and-white” shearwater sp. Puffinus sp. In the Solomons, 1 south of Rennell on 6 April, and 5 off Guadalcanal, 8 April, perhaps an undescribed taxon in the dichrous complex. South of the Bonin Islands, 1 on 22 April looked similar to a Newell’s Shearwater…
Atoll [Tropical] Shearwater P. dichrous Five on the approach to Truk, 15 April.
Hutton’s Shearwater P. huttoni One bird apparently this species in the Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
Little Shearwater P. assimilis haurakiensis One in the Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
Little Shearwater P. a. assimilis Three singles around Norfolk Island, 29-30 March.
New Zealand Storm-Petrel Oceanites maorianas Four or five in the Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel O. oceanicus Occasional birds from Hauraki Gulf north to vicinity of Torishima, daily max of 4-5 off New Caledonia on 1 April; 27 March-23 April.
Polynesian (White-throated) Storm-Petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa A total of 10 (light and intermediate) from south of to north of New Caledonia, 1-5 April.
White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina Six in the Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
Leach’s Storm-Petrel O. leucorhoa One south of Truk, 14 April, 5 south of the Bonins, 21-22 April.
Tristram’s Storm-Petrel O. tristrami The only birds seen were 50+ about 30-40 nm south of the Bonins on 22 April.
Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrel O. matsudairae Three noted in p.m. of 17 April, thence fairly common to common north to vicinity of Torishima, with a few in eastern Philippine Sea, daily maximum 200+ on 22 April; 17-25 April.
Common Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix At least 8 singles in the Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
TOTIPALMATES:
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda Small numbers at sea and 30+ at Norfolk Island, 28-31 March; also a juvenile on 6 April, and one bird south of the Bonins on 22 April, 26oN.
White-tailed Tropicbird P. lepturus ssp. Small numbers at sea, 31 March-17 April, most numerous at and near Truk (daily max 14 on 4 April).
Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 80+ adults in the Hauraki Gulf, 27 March.
Masked Booby Sula dactylatra Small numbers on several days, 29 March-8 April, with most (or all) adults dark-eyed; also 6 pale-eyed adults on 20 April, presumably from N Marianas.
Red-footed Booby S. sula Small numbers at sea, adults mainly (white-tailed) white morphs but also a few white-tailed brown morphs in south; 1-12 April, and 18-20 April.
Brown Booby S. leucogaster Small numbers (almost all adults) at sea, 1-11 April and 17-22 April,; last adult on 24 April in Philippine Sea.
Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos One on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Great Frigatebird Fregata major Five individuals identified, 7-19 April.
Lesser Frigatebird F. ariel Small numbers (max. 25+ on 10 April) from New Caledonia north to Bougainville, 4-11 April.
Frigatebird sp. Small numbers (except for 180+ on 10 April) at sea, 31 March-15 April.
WADING BIRDS:
Australian Ibis Threskiornis molucca 8+ on Rennell, 7 April.
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis One on Truk, 16 April.
Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus One adult on Truk, 16 April.
Great Egret Egretta alba One at sea heading north, 25 April, Philippine Sea.
Intermediate Egret E. intermedia One at sea heading north, 25 April, Philippine Sea.
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae 20+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March; 3 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Pacific Reef-Heron E. sacra One on Rennell, 7 April.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Four at sea, 25 April, Philippine Sea.
Striated Heron Butorides striatus One at sea, 25 April, Philippine Sea.
RAPTORS:
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Pair nesting on Rennell, 7 April.
Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 2 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Solomon Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus sanfordi 2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Swamp Harrier Circus approximans 2 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Pied Goshawk Accipiter albogularis 3 adults including a displaying pair, Guadalcanal, 9 April.
New Caledonian (White-bellied) Goshawk Accipiter haplochrous 1 juvenile at New Caledonia, 2 April.
Australian (Nankeen) Kestrel Falco cenchroides 5+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Oriental Hobby Falco severus 2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
RAILS:
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 1 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
KAGU:
Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus Incredible views of at least 4 birds on New Caledonia, 2 April.
SHOREBIRDS:
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 50+ on Norfolk Island 30 March, 10 on Truk 16 April; at sea, 3 on 20 April, singles on 21 and 25 April, 6 on 24 April.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 at sea heading north, 24 April, Philippine Sea.
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 1 at sea heading north, 25 April, Philippine Sea.
Wandering Tattler Heteroscelus incanus 1 at Truk, 16 April.
Gray-tailed Tattler H. brevipes 4 at sea heading north, 26 April, Philippine Sea.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 4 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 10 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Little Curlew N. minutus 1 at sea, 20 April.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 10 on Norfolk Island 30 March, 1 on Truk 16 April.
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 4 at sea, 14 April, 3oN.
JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS:
South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormicki Singles on 17 and 21 April, 2 on 22 April.
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Small numbers at sea, increasing northwards, 29 March-25 April.
Parasitic Jaeger S. parasiticus A few at sea, increasing northwards, 10-23 April; the least common jaeger.
Long-tailed Jaeger S. longicaudus Small numbers at sea, increasing northwards, 28 March-25 April; the commonest jaeger.
Silver Gull Chroicocephalus (Larus) novaehollandiae forsteri 10 at Noumea harbor, N.C., 2-3 April.
Crested Tern Thalassarche bergii Small numbers at sea, usually not far offshore, New Caledonia to Truk, 3-15 April.
Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Small numbers on Rennell and Truk.
Common Tern S. hirundo longipennis 2 non-breeding off Guadalcanal, 8 April.
Arctic Tern S. paradisaea 5 heading north, 25 April.
Grey-backed Tern Onychoprion lunata Five birds 10-12 April, and 1 adult on 20 April.
Bridled Tern O. anaethetus 25+ inshore off Guadalcanal, 8 April, 2 on 10 April, 1 on 11 April.
Sooty Tern O. fuscata Generally small numbers at sea (max. 400+ on 6 April, 350+ on 10 and 12 April), 29 March-23 April.
Grey Ternlet Procelsterna albivitta Small numbers from Hauraki Gulf to Norfolk Island, 27-30 March.
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Generally small numbers at sea (max 210 on 12 April), 31 March-20 April, with 1 on 23 April.
Black Noddy A. minutus Generally small numbers at sea, 5-19 April, but also 1000s at Norfolk Island (nesting), 6000+ on 12 April, and 500+ approaching Truk (15 April).
White Tern Gygis alba Small numbers at sea, 29 March-20 April; also 100s at Norfolk Island (nesting), 120+ approaching Truk (15 April).
PIGEONS AND DOVES: Columbidae
Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia mackinlayi 1 on Rennell, 7 April.
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica 2-3 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Caroline Islands Ground Dove Gallicolumba kubaryi Pair on Truk, 16 April.
Silver-capped Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus richardsii 10+ on Rennell, 7 April.
Purple-capped (Crimson-crowned) Fruit-Dove P. porphyraceus 6+ on Truk, 16 April.
Claret-breasted Fruit-Dove P. viridis 1 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Cloven-feathered Dove Drepanoptila holosericea 1 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Pacific Imperial-Pigeon Ducula pacifica 5+ on Rennell, 7 April.
** Red-knobbed Imperial-Pigeon** D. rubricera 1 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Island Imperial-Pigeon D. pistrinaria 3+ on Rennell, 7 April.
New Caledonian Imperial-Pigeon D. goliath 3-4 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
COCKATOOS: Cacatuidae
Ducorps’ Cockatoo Cacatua ducorpsii 2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus 30+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Yellow-bibbed Lory Lorius chlorocercus 6 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Finsch’s Pygmy-Parrot Micropsitta finschii Small numbers on Rennell, Guadalcanal.
New Caledonian Parakeet Cyanoramphus saissetti 6 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Norfolk Island Parakeet C. cookii 2 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Singing Parrot Geoffroyus heteroclitus 4+ on Rennell, 7 April.
Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus 1 female on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
CUCKOOS: Cuculidae
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus 1 heard on Rennell, 7 April.
COUCALS: Centropodidae
SWIFTS: Apodidae
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta 20+ on New Caledonia, 2 April; perhaps on Rennell, 7 April.
Uniform Swiftlet Aerodramus (C.) vanikorensis 10+ on Rennell, 7 April; 10+ on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Caroline Swiftlet A. (C.) inquietus 20+ on Truk, 16 April.
Swiftlet sp. 20+ on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus 1 at sea, 25April.
TREESWIFTS: Hemiprocnidae
Moustached Treeswift Hemiprocne mystacea 1 on Rennell, 7 April; 4 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
KINGFISHERS: Alcedinidae
Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris 5 on Rennell, 7 April.
Sacred Kingfisher T. sanctus 5+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
HORNBILLS: Bucerotidae
Blyth’s Hornbill Aceros plicatus 2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
GERYGONES, PARDALOTES, AND ALLIES: Pardalotidae (Acanthizidae)
Norfolk Gerygone Gerygone modesta 10+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Fan-tailed Gerygone G. flavolateralis 15+ on New Caledonia, 2 April, and a very different “subspecies” (= an unrecognized species) on Rennell, where 20+ seen on 7 April.
HONEYEATERS: Meliphagidae
Dark-brown Honeyeater Lichmera incana Singles on New Caledonia, 2-3 April.
New Caledonian Myzomela Myzomela caledonica 12+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Micronesian Myzomela M. rubrata 15+ on Truk, 16 April.
Cardinal Myzomela M. cardinalis 10+ on Rennell, 7 April.
New Caledonian Friarbird Philemon diemenensis 12+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Crow Honeyeater Gymnomyza aubryana 2 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Barred Honeyeater Philodonyris undulata 20 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
AUSTRALIAN ROBINS: Petroicidae (Eopsaltriidae)
Yellow-bellied Robin Eopslatria flaviventris 10+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
WHISTLERS AND ALLIES: Pacycephalidae
Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis 1 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
New Caledonian Whistler P. caledonica 20+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Rufous Whistler P. rufiventris 4 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
MONARCHS, FANTAILS, AND ALLIES: Dicruridae
Rennell Shrikebill C. hamlini 3-4 on Rennell, 7 April.
** Chestnut-bellied Monarch** Monarcha castaneiventris 1 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Oceanic Flycatcher Myiagra oceanica 8+ on Truk, 16 April.
Steel-blue Flycatcher M. ferrocyanea 1 female on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Willie Wagtail Rhiphidura leucophrys 1-2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Gray Fantail R. fuliginosa 10+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March; 2 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Streaked Fantail R. spilodera 10 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Rennell Fantail R. rennelliana 4 on Rennell, 7 April.
Melanesian Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caledonica 3 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike C. lineata 1 male on Rennell, 7 April; 2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike C. papuensis 2 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Solomon Cuckoo-shrike C. holopolia 1 male on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Long-tailed Triller Lalage leucopyga 5+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
WOODSWALLOWS AND ALLIES: Artamidae
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorhynchus 6+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
CROWS: Corvidae
New Caledonian Crow Corvus moneduloides 6 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
WEAVER-FINCHES AND ALLIES: Passeridae
Blue-faced Parrotfinch *Erythrura trichroa 2-3 on Truk, 16 April.
Red-throated Parrotfinch *E. psittacea 3-4 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
SUNBIRDS: Nectariniidae
Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis 1 male on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
FLOWERPECKERS: Dicaeidae
Midget Flowerpecker Dicaeum aeneum 4-5 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
SWALLOWS: Hirundinidae
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica 15+ on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Welcome Swallow H. neoxena 20+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Barn Swallow H. rustica Several at sea, 20-26 April, heading north.
OLD WORLD WARBLERS: Sylviidae
Caroline Reed Warbler Acrocephalus syrinx 5+ on Truk, 16 April.
WHITE-EYES: Zosteropidae
Silver-eye Zosterops lateralis 15+ on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Caroline White-eye Z. semperi 8 on Truk, 16 April.
Rennell White-eye Z. rennellianus 6+ on Rennell, 7 April.
Green-backed White-eye Z. xanthochrous 30+ on New Caledonia, 2 April.
Slender-billed White-eye Z. tenuirostris 2 on Norfolk Island, 30 March.
Bare-eyed White-eye Woodfordia superciliosa 20+ on Rennell, 7 April.
THRUSHES AND ALLIES: Muscicapidae (Turdidae)
Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope 1 male at sea, 25April.
Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus 1 on Rennell, 7 April.
STARLINGS AND ALLIES: Sturnidae
Rennell Starling Aplonis insularis 2-3 on Rennell, 7 April.
Singing Starling A. cantoroides 5 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Brown-winged Starling A. grandis 4 on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
Micronesian Starling A. opaca 10+ on Truk, 16 April.
Yellow-faced Myna Mino dumontii 8+ on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
NON-NATIVE SPECIES (NI: Norfolk Island, NC: New Caledonia, SO: Solomon Islands, TR: Truk)
California Quail Callipepla californicus NI
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus NI
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis NC
Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans NI
House Sparrow Passer domesticus NI, NC
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus TR
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula NI
Song Thrush T. philomelas NI
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis NC, SO
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris NI
Updated: 29 April 2008
Prices
- 2008 prices begin at $9,400