Papua New Guinea and New Britain extension August 12 – September 2, 2011

Leader/naturalist Chris Leahy and seven very hale and hearty travelers just returned from what Chris describes as “the most different place on earth – sort of like visiting another planet with some similarities to one’s own”- Papua New Guinea and extension to New Britain.  

Home to one of the world’s most extraordinary avifaunas – notable especially for its spectacular birds-of- paradise – it is also possibly the most challenging birding on any continent!  The trip was arduous yet every day seemed eventually to yield spectacular rewards:

• that first Raggiana Bird-of-paradise lek at Varirata;
• the dramatic entrance of a Blyth’s Hornbill or a Southern Crowned Pigeon or a Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise
• the arrival of a male Ribbon-tailed Astrapia at the bird table at Kumul;
• a Short-tailed Paradigalla, a Black Sicklebill, a Blue Bird-of-paradise and a pair of Papuan King Parrots at Tari - seemingly all arriving at once

Papua New Guinea requires time, patience, flexibility and a sense of humor.  This trip allowed enough time to fully explore this strange place, and the sometimes unforgiving forest habitat, with some thoroughness. 

The group came home with a total list of 375, including 31 species of pigeons and doves, 28 species of parrots, 14 kingfishers, 28 honeyeaters, and (drum roll!) 21 species of birds-of-paradise, thanks in no small part to the extraordinary talents and experience of our local guides and the talents and patience of the group.

View the species checklist from the trip