Days 1-2: Islands of Yap State

The inhabitants of Yap have long had a deep and meaningful connection to the ocean, with unspoiled tranquil beaches dotted along a coastline boasting spectacular reefs and marine life. Yap is easily the best place on the planet to see gargantuan Manta Rays year-round (sometimes possible to be seen while snorkeling). This is a land that is just about as far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern day life as imaginable; where in some of the small remote villages on the island, men wear loin cloths and women grass-skirts and where traditional and carefully coordinated dance is the median by which stories and history are passed down through the generations. It is an island steeped in tradition and culture with fascinating discoveries waiting around seemingly every corner - perhaps none more so than the presence of large stone-money discs (or ‘rai’) that once represented the only currency on the island.  

We focus our birding at a couple of sites (one very close to our accommodation), which are reliable for such key targets as Yap Monarch, Micronesian Myzomela, and Micronesian Rufous Fantail, along with a species which will likely call for considerably more patience - the Yap Cicadabird.  Also possible at these two locations is the near-threatened White-throated Ground Dove - a striking little dove with a deeply noted song.  

In season, nearby endemic Serianthes trees are home to nesting White-tailed Tropicbirds and preferred resting stops for delightful Fairy Terns. The limbs of these endemic trees can also be coveted foraging sites for both the endangered Yap White-Eye and the near-threatened Plain White-Eye. 

Days 3-4: Island of Kosrae State

Tiny Kosrae State is the smallest and easternmost island in the Caroline Islands Archipelago. Perhaps given its small size it’s not surprising that the island is home to only two single-island endemics. We’ll make for an isolated patch of forest accessible by road in which the beautiful and little known Kosrae Fruit-Dove is known to inhabit and later turn our attention to the plumbeous-plumaged Kosrae White-eye. Another target will be the Micronesian Starling - a species possible on almost every island - but the subspecies here is endemic and usually easily seen. We also pay a visit to a remarkable cave system, home to a healthy population of Caroline Islands Swiftlet. 

Days 5-7: Islands of Pohnpei State

Many of these islands are incredibly beautiful, and those in isolated Pohnpei State (also known as the Garden of Micronesia) are no exception, with lush tropical forest fueled by nutrient rich soils blanketing islands fringed by brilliant and diverse barrier reefs.  Checking into our boutique oceanfront hotel, there may be time before dusk to explore the surrounding mangroves that dominate the lagoon. This may provide the opportunity for our first Pohnpei endemic (of seven) - the striking and cinnamon-capped Pohnpei Kingfisher - and we’ll listen for its shrieky, trilled call to give away its position.    

Venturing into a variety of habitats, we’ll seek out the near-threatened Pohnpei Lorikeet whose deep maroon/burgundy plumage is somewhat unusual amongst members of the Psittaculidae family. Sharing the lush forests of the island with the lorikeet are the endangered and difficult Pohnpei Cicadabird (the female of which may perhaps be more coveted by photographers), Pohnpei Fantail, Pohnpei Flycatcher and both endemic White-eyes (Pohnpei and Long-billed). The Micronesian Imperial Pigeon has recovered remarkably well on this island, making the subspecies here far easier to see than on any other island on the tour. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the Pohnpei Starling, which hasn’t been reliably sighted since 1995; but with so few birders making their way to these islands, who knows whether it may still be out there. Perhaps we can rediscover it!  

Assuming all endemics have been sighted and no targets remain, we can take advantage of our time in Pohnpei State by visiting an idyllic and tranquil setting known locally as the ‘Venice of the Pacific’ - the mythical ruins of Nan Madol - a well-preserved archaeological site crisscrossed by a remarkable system of canals.  

Days 7, 8, 9 and 10: Republic of Palau

Arriving in Palau, renowned as the most biodiverse and endemic-rich of all the islands in the region, we will head to our accommodation, conveniently situated in a central location, allowing for relative ease of access to both birding sites and restaurants. With almost twenty single-island endemics, along with ten near-endemics and endemic subspecies to be found on this island, we have allocated multiple days on this large and relatively more developed of the islands on the tour.  

The majority of the birds are not overly difficult to find. However, we will need to concentrate our searches in a few different areas, including taking a boat trip south to the striking “Rock Islands” located off Koror Island, where we have our only chance for the seemingly steroid-infused Giant White-eye, as well as the beautifully patterned endangered (and shy) Palau Ground Dove and Caroline Islands White-eye. On the Rock Islands we will also target two likely splits: the extremely rare (possibly less than 30 individuals) White-breasted Swallow, and the far more common Micronesian Megapode. There is even the possibility while here of witnessing Tropical Shearwaters.  

Back on the main island, two of the more challenging species promise to be the Palau Scops-Owl and Palau Nightjar. However, we have identified a couple of typically reliable sites frequented by both nocturnal specialists, thereby dramatically improving our odds of close and truly memorable encounters.  

Early morning starts will be needed for the best opportunities for sightings of both the endemic subspecies of Blue-faced Parrotfinch and Palau Bush-warbler. Many other species are either more populous, cooperative, or wide-ranging and should prove significantly easier to see. These include the splendid Palau Fruit-Dove, Morningbird, Dusky White-eye, plentiful Palau Cicadabird, tiny Palau Kingfisher, Palau Fantail, softly toned Palau Flycatcher; and darting across the skies above - the Palau Swiftlet. 

The birding on Palau and the Rock Islands promises to be some of the best and most rewarding (in terms of numbers of endemics) of the entire trip, and we will try to add to the already impressive tally of targets by also seeking out the endemic subspecies of Nicobar Pigeon (another probable split), Nankeen Night Heron, Collared Kingfisher, Buff-banded Rail and Australasian Swamphen.  

We will likely swell these numbers still further with incidental sightings of others that frequent some of the prime habitats we visit. These include Pacific Golden Plover, Gray-tailed Tattler, Black Noddy, Whiskered Tern, White Tern, Great Crested Tern, Pacific Reef-Heron, and Little Pied Cormorant. 

Days 11, 12 and 13: The Northern Marianas: Saipan, Tinian and Rota

The tiny islands of the Northern Marianas represent a US Commonwealth in the heart of the Pacific and are neighbored by the far more internationally renowned Guam - a US Territory we will need to fly through to/from our time in the Marianas - and where we will set aside sufficient time to have a try for the critically endangered Guam Rail.  

Thankfully, from a birding perspective, (and perhaps paradoxically) the three islands that are most accessible due to development and popularity with tourists are the three (of the 14 Marianas) that are home to the single-island endemics we need to search for. 

Saipan Island: The largest and most populous island (although populous is a relative term when one considers the total population on the island is under 50,000) is home to the largest number of endemics in the Northern Marianas, and some like the Golden White-eye are absolutely stunning. Using our lodging as a base we’ll make our way to prime habitats (the entire island can be driven around in under an hour so time spent getting to site will be minimal) to see this and other crucial targets. Mariana Swiftlet should be straightforward to see while feeding over large expanses of both cleared and forested habitat, and the Mariana Fruit-Dove’s tendency to frequent select forested habitat means we can narrow our search to the most likely site(s). The Mariana Kingfisher is far easier here than on the other Marianas we visit, as indeed is the Micronesian Myzomela and the Bridled White-eye. Saipan Reed Warbler rounds off our targets on what promises to be a bird-rich island stay. During our time on Saipan, we will also make the short boat ride across to nearby Managaha Island in order to target the wonderfully weird Micronesian Megapode. 

Tinian Island: Widely known for species below water rather than above it (hence the relatively large number of diving enthusiasts who explore its numerous shipwrecks and reefs), and with a lone single-island endemic (the Tinian Monarch) the tiny island of Tinian calls for the least amount of time spent in the Marianas, and indeed our time here will be fleeting, as we pay only a day visit in order to see the Tinian Monarch and try for the endemic subspecies of Micronesian Starling, before moving on to the larger and more target-rich neighboring island of Rota.  

As with so many of these tiny Micronesian Islands, they existed in relative international obscurity up until the Second World War, when they were thrust into the spotlight, bearing witness to some intense battles between Japanese and American soldiers. During your birding outings on this and several of the other islands, you may see for yourselves the remnants of those fervent mid-20th Century battles, with pill boxes, cannon bunkers, and other relics of war littering portions of the otherwise largely pristine landscapes. Tinian itself played a hugely significant role in WWII - the two planes carrying the atomic bombs bound for the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki launched from the Tinian runway.  

Rota Island: We are sure to receive a warm welcome on Rota - lovingly referred to as “the world’s friendliest island”. This land of coconut crabs and sweet potatoes is quiet and peaceful, and home to the single-island endemic Rota White-eye, together with an endemic subspecies of Mariana Kingfisher and endemic subspecies of Micronesian Rufous Fantail.  

However, perhaps the key reason for our spending as much time here as we do is the opportunity to see the last surviving wild population of Mariana Crow on the planet (following this species extirpation on Guam). The crow is the subject of a frantic conservation effort involving an intense captive breeding program and the releasing of successfully hatched fledglings to join the paltry number of wild survivors. The primary cause of the decimation of this species on Guam was predation by the introduced Brown Tree Snake, while a declining population on Rota is attributed to feral cats and possibly rats. A portion of your total tour price has been set aside as a donation to the efforts of the conservationists on the front line of this gargantuan effort to save both species from oblivion.    

Days 14-15: Islands of Chuuk State

Overall, Micronesia is a friendly destination for birders, and on all of the other islands residents are warm and welcoming. There are however some regions in Chuuk State where we must ensure we are granted special permissions by our local contacts to bird at some of the key sites necessary to see the endemics found on some of the 16 islands that make up Chuuk.   

Upon arrival in Chuuk State we check into our beachside resort, offering spectacular sunset views over the reef-filled seas. During our time here (after our morning birding, and before any late afternoon birding sessions commence), there will be a bit of time to take advantage of down time by renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and setting out across one of the most naturally stunning peninsulas in all of Micronesia.   

In terms of the birding, relatively close to our hotel possibilities are the endemic subspecies of Micronesian Myzomela, as well as the striking and quite plentiful Purple-capped Fruit-Dove. Considerably more time and effort will need to be reserved for the critically endangered Caroline Islands Ground Dove. Other species we will focus on while at our primary birding site(s) include Caroline Reed Warbler, Caroline Islands White-eye, and the lovely pastel-colored Chuuk Flycatcher.   

Following our first afternoon birding on Chuuk, we make a very short boat ride across to the nearby island of Tonoas, where we will stroll along easily negotiable paths for a memorable encounter(s) with one of the most stunning species in Micronesia - the splendid Chuuk Monarch.  

Day 16: Main tour ends this morning with flights from Chuuk (from the main island of Weno - where airport is located). 

Tol Island Extension: 

Extension Day 1 (Day 16): Perhaps the roughest island in Chuuk State is Tol, where accessing land calls for some negotiation and banter with the locals. The hiking on Tol is also the most strenuous encountered on any of the islands. However, a visit here is necessary to have a chance for the critically endangered Teardrop White-eye, and the endemic subpecies of Micronesian Imperial Pigeon. We will visit Tol as a day trip, departing our lodging on Weno Island by private boat in the morning, and returning in the evening. Night on Weno.

Extension Day 2 (Day 17): Extension ends in the morning with breakfast, followed with departures from Weno.

Extension note: For those wanting to do the Tol extension: in the past it was possible to simply pay for the boat from Weno across to Tol and then upon arrival make the hike up to try to see the Teardrop White-eye. This is no longer the case, as the boat operators have entered an arrangement with the landowners on Tol where the endemic target resides. The boat will no longer take anyone to Tol without the landowner having been paid a price he determines for the number of people wanting access to his land. We currently have a lawyer negotiating with a couple of landowners on Tol to try to reduce what are currently exorbitant prices to access their land. When we have a final price for a Tol extension, we will be letting everyone in the group know what this is, and you can each then decide on whether you would like to try to do the extension or not. If you want to do the Tol extension you will make the boat crossing on the morning of 8 July and return to Weno in the evening that same day. Anyone doing the Tol extension should therefore take note that their tour will end after breakfast on 9 July. All those not doing the Tol extension will end their tour with breakfast on 8 July.