2007 Cruise Narrative
Steve Howell’s Daily Log is followed below by a summary of the birds seen on a recent cruise following this itinerary.
This amazing trip starts in New Zealand and ends in Japan, crossing over 4000 miles of ocean in the western Pacific. The islands visited en route in 2007, the inaugural voyage, included Norfolk Island (home of the Norfolk Island Pine, as well as great birds), New Caledonia (with the unique Kagu, plus Crow Honeyeater and Cloven-feathered Dove), the Solomon Islands (lots of great birds, including Solomon Sea-Eagle, Moustached Treeswift, Rennell Shrikebill, Finsch’s Pygmy-Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Buff-headed Coucal, Blyth’s Hornbill, and Midget Flowerpecker), and Truk, in the Federated States of Micronesia (with Caroline Islands Fruit-Dove, Swiftlet, Reed-Warbler, and White-eye among others).
And then there were the seabirds, including nearly 40 species of tubenoses, starting with New Zealand Storm-Petrel, ending with Steller’s (Short-tailed) Albatross, and in-between including Parkinson’s, Beck’s, Tahiti, White-necked, Collared, and Bonin Petrels, Heinroth’s and Bannerman’s shearwaters, and Polynesian, Tristram’s, and Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels! And there were some great whales and dolphins as well as spectacular flying fish in many colors.
The itinerary for 2008 will be a little different (including more islands, I suspect) based on what we learned in 2007 and it’s sure to be an exciting and bird-filled adventure.
Daily Log (Steve Howell)
Day 1. We all boarded the Spirit of Enderby in Auckland in time for introductions, a great dinner, and sleep before the trip of a lifetime began.
Day 2. The Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand’s North Island is a center of seabird endemism, with the breeding ranges of at least five species limited or mostly limited to islands in the Gulf. We spent the day here, amid good numbers of Parkinson’s Petrels, Buller’s and Flesh-footed shearwaters, and Australasian Gannets, seeking some of the smaller and more elusive species. With some work (and luck) we found Pycroft’s and Cook’s Petrels, White-faced Storm-Petrel, Little Shearwater (of the endemic race haurakiensis), and the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel, an icon of the Gulf. Other seabirds included Common Diving-Petrel, Campbell Albatross, and Gray Ternlet, making for an amazing first day. Sunny to mostly cloudy, 15 knot increasing to 20-25 knot NE wind and a little bumpy.
Day 3. At sea heading NNW towards Norfolk Island in rolling seas with 20-30 knot NE winds courtesy of a storm system nearby. Birds were unconcerned though, and included a couple of Wandering Albatross, our first tropicbird (Red-tailed), and good views of Black-winged, White-necked, and Kermadec petrels. Variably cloudy; warm and humid. 33o42’ S 172o54’ E to 32o49’ S 172o08’ E.
Day 4. At sea heading NNW towards Norfolk Island in gently rolling seas with 10-15 knot SW winds and a good diversity of seabirds. Highlights included a light-morph Collared Petrel (apparently new for Australian waters), Solander’s and Great-winged Petrels, and our first Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (totaling 70 by the day’s end) and White Terns. Variably cloudy; hot and humid. 31o30’ S 170o40’ E to 30o12’ S 169o16’ E.
Day 5. Arrived overnight off Norfolk Island and awoke to the sight of redstone cliffs capped with eponymous Norfolk Pines and turquoise waters dotted with noddies and tropicbirds. Most of the day was spent ashore in idyllic island settings with sunny skies and refreshing breezes: the morning at the botanical garden (where the endemic parakeet, gerygone, and white-eye were all seen), then a great lunch at Margaret Christian’s home (with Masked Boobies and Pacific Golden Plovers), and afternoon options for more landbirds or a seabird walk. The latter featured stunning views of Red-tailed Tropicbirds, plus pines full of wheezing and chattering Black Noddies. Late afternoon seabirds as we pulled away included the nominate assimilis subspecies of Little Shearwater.
Day 6. At sea heading NW towards New Caledonia in very pleasant, gently rolling seas with 10-15 knot SE winds and another good selection of seabirds. Highlights included eight species of gadfly petrels, including Gould’s Petrel, stunning dark-morph Collared Petrels, and our first Tahiti Petrels, plus both White-tailed and Red-tailed tropicbirds. Variably cloudy; hot and humid. 26o56’ S 167o26’ E to 25o16’ S 167o00’ E.
Day 7. At sea heading NW to New Caledonia, where arrived in late p.m. at the wharf in Noumea under gray and rainy skies. Our sea transit was through gently rolling seas with 10-15 knot SE winds and mostly cloudy skies. Birds included Masked, Red-footed, and Brown boobies, a stunning Solander’s Petrel, hundreds of Gould’s Petrels and dark Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on our approach, and small groups of migrating Short-tailed Shearwaters. Variably cloudy; hot and humid. 23o27’ S 166o30’ E to Noumea.
Day 8. A full day on shore to visit Riviere Bleue provincial park in the hills to the east. Overcast skies and intermittent drizzle could not dampen an incredible day in the rainforest and tropical scrub of this spectacular site; the highlight today was undoubtedly the unique Kagu, of which we saw several - some feeding unconcerned within a few feet of us! Other highlights (half of the 30 species seen being endemic to New Caledonia) included the handsome Cloven-feathered Dove, bizarre Crow Honeyeaters, confiding Yellow-bellied Robins, and flashy little New Caledonian Myzomelas.
Day 9. An optional morning up to Mount Koghi was rather rainy but some good birds were seen nonetheless, including Metallic Pigeon, White-bellied Goshawk, and Striated Starling. Other folks chose to sleep in and spent time in town, shopping and sending postcards. At lunch we pulled away (with Silver Gulls and Crested Terns in the harbor) and headed NW off the “inside” coast, with a following sea and 20-25 knot SE winds. Hundreds of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Gould’s Petrels marked the sea time, plus single Sooty and Short-tailed shearwaters. Ended at 22o05’ S 165o42’ E, under overcast and humid skies.
Day 10. At sea heading NW off the inside coast, finally turning NNW late in the day as we cleared the last area of reefs off the NW corner of New Caledonia. Numbers of Gould’s Petrels were way down but instead there were good numbers of Tahiti Petrels, and small numbers of Solander’s, White-necked, and Collared petrels, plus Lesser Frigatebirds and boobies. The afternoon highlight, though, after a live Sperm Whale, was a decomposing dead whale attended by large numbers of Tahiti Petrels, 20 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, a few Polynesian Storm-Petrels, and one or two large sharks. Variably cloudy to overcast with 20-25 know SE winds and following seas; hot and humid. 22o04’ S 164o02’ E to 19o30’ S 163o07’ E.
Day 11. At sea heading NNW towards Rennell Island in the Solomons. The following seas and 20-25 knot SE winds continued; birds were slow but steady and interesting through the day, including dark Kermadec and Collared petrels, Wedge-tailed and Short-tailed shearwaters, Polynesian Storm-Petrels, White-tailed Tropicbirds, and both Brown and Black noddies. Variably cloudy to mostly cloudy; hot and humid. 17o50’ S 162o12’ E to 16o05’ S 161o31’ E.
Day 12. At sea heading NNW towards Rennell Island in the Solomons. Overnight the weather switched and we awoke to near-calm, low rolling seas and a light NW breeze. Both dawn and sunset were spectacular, and birds through the day included large feeding flocks dominated by dark Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Sooty Terns, plus frigatebirds, tropicbirds, and boobies. The near lack of wind correlated strikingly with an absence of Pterodroma petrels, but a small group of beaked whales in the morning added some excitement and controversy. Variably cloudy; hot and humid with refreshing head-on breeze. 14o25’ S 160o50’ E to 12o41’ S 160o10’ E.
Day 13. Awoke off Rennell, the first tourist ship to visit the island in 21 years. Our morning in the evergreen forest and village edge were bird-filled, and the locals put on a great lunch in the village. After lunch there were options for more birding, swimming, or resting in the shade. The six Rennell endemics were found easily, and other notables included Mackinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, Silver-capped Fruit-Dove, Finsch’s Pygmy-Parrot, variable Collared Kingfishers, a superb Moustached Treeswift, and spectacular Rennell Flying Foxes. In late afternoon we headed off into a stunning cloudscape and calm tropical seas. Hot and humid, light breeze at times.
Day 14. In transit off the coast of Guadalcanal, arriving at Honiara in mid afternoon with time for an optional short birding trip up to Mount Austin and a good selection of new and spectacular species, including Eclectus Parrot, Buff-headed Coucal, and Midget Flowerpecker. Sealife on the transit included our first Bridled Terns, an undescribed taxon of small black-and-white shearwater, and a logging Kogia sp. (Pygmy/Dwarf Sperm-Whale).
Day 15. An early morning start found us back on Mount Austin for dawn and a superb morning’s birding in tropical forest. Highlights included a displaying pair of Pied Goshawks, perched Ducorps’ Cockatoo, brilliant red Yellow-bibbed Lories, incredible Blyth’s Hornbills, four species of cuckoo-shrikes, and a grand finale of Solomon Sea-Eagle circling over the road as we headed back to the ship! After lunch we headed out to sea and west through the Solomons, where life included migrating groups of Short-tailed Shearwaters, a group of pilot whales, and a small group of Pygmy Killer Whales.
Day 16. In transit heading west and then WNW through the Solomons in hot and humid conditions with low rolling seas and a gentle breeze. Unidentified beaked whales and dolphins never came close enough for positive identification but birds included numerous frigatebirds (both Lesser and Great), our first Streaked Shearwater and Gray-backed Tern, four Long-tailed Jaegers, and, in late afternoon, an obliging Heinroth’s Shearwater that everyone was able to watch and appreciate - this enigma has been seen by very few birders and its breeding grounds remain unknown. 9o16’ S 159o10’ E to 7o59’ S 155o59’ E.
Day 17. At sea heading N off the W side of Bougainville Island, ending late in the day at the channel between Buka and New Ireland, where a Beck’s Petrel (an enigmatic taxon seen by very few people) and several Tahiti Petrels were seen. At least eight Heinroth’s Shearwaters were seen through the day, and good numbers of marine mammals featured hundreds of dolphins (including Rough-toothed), Pilot Whales, False Killer Whales, 2 Minke Whales, and the “usual” unidentified beaked whale. Calm or with variable light winds. 6o35’ S 154o44’ E to 5o08’ S 154o20’ E.
Day 18. At sea heading N in low rolling seas with calm to light winds, hot and tropical with a barbeque dinner on the front deck and a refreshing rain squall. A steady variety of birds and mammals included thousands of Black Noddies, hundreds of Brown Noddies and Sooty Terns, numerous Red-footed Boobies, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, our first Leach’s Storm-Petrel, a bird late in the day that appeared to be a Fiji Petrel (a species never for certain seen at sea and only rediscovered in 1983), plus Bryde’s Whale and another Kogia. 3o30’ S 154o18’ E to 1o42’ S 153o56’ E.
Day 19. At sea heading N in gentle equatorial seas. Equatorial ocean birding is typically quiet, and today was typical, with highlights being excellent views of single Tahiti and Bulwer’s petrels and a small group of Striped Dolphins. We crossed the equator after lunch and celebrated with a champagne toast on the bow. Hot and sunny, variably cloudy. 1o10’ S 153o54’ E to 0o36’ N 153o31’ E.
Day 20. At sea heading N towards Truk, through mostly glassy seas with light breezes and some spectacular cloudscapes. Birds and mammals throughout the day included a close Kermadec Petrel, lots of White-tailed Tropicbirds, four Red-necked Phalaropes in the middle of nowhere, a scattering of miscellaneous terns, a close group of Pilot Whales, hundreds of dolphins, and four Kogia. As in the past two days, light-morph Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were seen, indicating a different origin from the 100% dark morphs of earlier in the trip. 2o26’ N 153o07’ E to 4o18’ N 152o43’ E.
Day 21. At sea heading N to Truk, where we dropped anchor off the main island at 4.30 p.m., having entered through the reef and past numerous “textbook” tropical palm-clad islands and islets set in pale turquoise waters. Birds included hundreds of noddies and White Terns, good views of Black-naped Terns, and also the local small black-and-white shearwaters, (traditionally “Audubon’s Shearwater,” more recently “Tropical Shearwater,” but more realistically a species endemic to the tropical Pacific, Puffinus dichrous, which could be called Atoll Shearwater). After anchoring we were treated to remarkable red-tape paperwork but all was finally filled in so we would be able to go birding tomorrow. 6o08’ N 152o10’ E to 7o27’ N 151o50’ E (Truk).
Day 22. Our last day on land for a while included birding options to the secondary (and later primary) forest and other habitats near town. All of the island’s specialties were fairly easy to find with the exception of the Truk Monarch, and we enjoyed good views of the ground dove, fruit dove, swiftlet, reed warbler, and white-eye, as well as of Micronesian Myzomela, Blue-faced Parrotfinch, Oceanic Flycatcher, an adult Rufous Night-Heron, and numerous Pacific Golden Plovers. Afternoon options after lunch at the Truk Stop Hotel included snorkeling, more birding in search of the monarch, or simply rest and relaxation before we headed back out to sea.
Day 23. At sea heading NNW in a light NE breeze and gentle seas. A pleasant and fairly quiet day, enlivened in the afternoon by our first Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels; other wildlife included a South Polar Skua and Spinner Dolphins. Sunny, hot. 8o49’ N 150o51’ E to 10o37’ N 150o06’ E.
Day 24. At sea heading NNW on the long transit to Torishima. Numbers of Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels increased, we started to get into the edge of the northward migration of Short-tailed Shearwaters, and also had a scatter of tropical seabirds such as Bulwer’s Petrel and Sooty Tern, as well as a spectacular white-morph Red-footed Booby catching flying fish. Sunny, hot, and humid with 15 knot ENE winds. 12o21’ N 149o21’ E to 14o15’ N 148o32’ E.
Day 25. At sea heading NNW across a desert of water where Bulwer’s Petrels were at home but Short-tailed Shearwaters were transiting quickly en route to the cold, food-rich waters of the Bering Sea. Other odds and ends included jaegers, boobies, and noddies. Sunny, hot, and humid. 16o08’ N 147o43’ E to 17o59’ N 146o54’ E.
Day 26. At sea heading NNW, about 50-60 nautical miles east of the Northern Marianas and coming out of the desert with birds throughout the day including three species of boobies, lots of Sooty and White Terns, a superb adult Gray-backed Tern, our first Bannerman’s Shearwaters and Bonin Petrels, a Kermadec Petrel, hundreds of Wedge-tailed and Short-tailed shearwaters, and a surprise Little Curlew that flew around the ship for some time. Cetaceans included good views of Bryde’s Whale and False Killer Whales. Sunny and hot but with refreshing rain squalls, light NE breeze in a.m., changing to 25-30 knots in the late afternoon. 19o35’ N 146o12’ E to 21o17’ N 145o30’ E.
Day 27. At sea heading NNW towards the Bonin Islands, starting about 250 nautical miles to the south of this seabird-rich archipelago. The day was dominated by a northward passage of thousands of Short-tailed Shearwaters, with other highlights being lots of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Bonin Petrels, and Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels, plus a Streaked Shearwater, Leach’s and Wilson’s storm-petrels, and a fly-by Pacific Golden-Plover. Overcast to variably cloudy, a.m. squalls, 25 knot ENE winds. 22o48’ N 144o49’ E to 24o13’ N 144o04’ E.
Day 28. At sea passing to the south and then west (“inside”) of the Bonin Islands. The spectacular if overcast and rainy morning was filled with birds, including hundreds of Bonin Petrels, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, and Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels streaming past, plus smaller numbers of Tristram’s Storm-Petrels, our first Black-footed Albatrosses, a Red-tailed Tropicbird, South Polar Skua, and all three jaeger species. Undercast and wet becoming partly cloudy, warm to mild. 25o24’ N 142o45’ E to 26o59’ N 141o38’ E.
Day 29. At sea heading NNW towards Torishima, where we arrived 12 nautical miles to the south by mid p.m., with winds increasing to 30 knots and whipping up the sea - a fitting precursor to seeing the iconic Steller’s (Short-tailed) Albatross. Black-footed Albatross, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, and Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels followed the ship all day, but it wasn’t till late p.m. that a Steller’s was spotted, a stunning adult that gave great views as it towered in the wind. Other birds included Bonin and Kermadec petrels, our last Sooty Terns and Brown Noddy, and groups of spotted dolphins. Mostly cloudy to overcast with p.m. rain squalls, 15 knot SW winds in a.m. increasing to 20-30 knots by p.m., mild. 28o53’ N 141o03’ E to 30o42’ N 140o18’ E.
Day 30. At sea heading W towards Japan across the northern Philippine Sea, and a quiet day after yesterday’s high point. Highlights were northbound migrants including Wood Sandpiper, Siberian Rubythroat, and an unidentified bunting; seabirds were few in contrast to the preceding few days, but with an increase in numbers of northbound Pomarine and Long-tailed jaegers. Low rolling seas with light NE winds, mostly cloudy and excellent light, becoming rainy at night as a front hit. 30o45’ N 138o36’ E to 30o57’ N 136o33’ E.
Day 31. At sea heading W towards Japan. Northbound migration continued, with many birds grounded on the ship overnight (including egrets, Chestnut-cheeked Starlings, and swallows) or passing by during the day (including Terek Sandpiper, Intermediate Egret, and Pacific Swift). Seabirds included some flocks of Streaked Shearwaters in late p.m., a few Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels, and northbound jaegers. Overcast to partly cloudy, rain in a.m. clearing, mild. 31o16’ N 134o31’ E to 31o33’ N 133o09’ E.
Day 32. At sea heading W towards Japan with scattered Streaked Shearwaters and a varied northward migration of shorebirds and landbirds on and off through the day, including Gray-tailed Tattlers and Blue-and-white Flycatchers. 31o28’ N 132o51’ E to 31o03’ N 131o14’ E.
Day 33. Arrival in Kagoshima under gray, hazy skies with Black-eared Kites circling the dock. Transport to airport and flights home.
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SUMMARY OF THE BIRDS SEEN ON THE OUR MOST RECENT 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.
**PARROTS: Psittacidae
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
**Buff-headed Coucal Centropus milo 1 seen (several heard) on Guadalcanal, 9 April.
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
**Southern Shrikebill Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides 2 on New Caledonia, 2 April.
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.
**CUCKOO-SHRIKES AND ALLIES: Campephagidae* *
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
- Steve Howell
Updated: November 2009