MICRONESIA TOUR REPORT

Transcription

1 MICRONESIA 9 29 DECEMBER 2005 TOUR REPORT LEADER: MARK BEAMAN Let s not beat about the bush. This first Birdquest to the islands of Micronesia was a total success, with every single one of the 49 endemic bird species still surviving being seen during the trip! With 107 bird species in total, Micronesia is certainly a small birdlist trip, so it is all the more extraordinary that almost half the birds one sees are endemics! Amongst the many highlights during our islandhopping journey through paradise (of a sort) were undoubtedly the fabulous Red-tailed and Whitetailed Tropicbirds, the huge Red-footed Booby colony on Rota, getting both megapodes and all those attractive ground-doves, the rare Nicobar Pigeon, the bold and noisy Guam Rails (even seen copulating), those pretty Pohnpei Lorikeets, finally tracking down Palau Owl, a mouth-watering array of kingfishers, the extraordinarily different cicadabirds on the different islands, the joy when the first Mariana Crow sailed out of the forest (we were ready for a long wait), the Nightingale Reed Warblers that lived up to their name and last but not least the fantastic collection of 11 species of white-eyes (I never thought I would say this about white-eyes, but if you haven t seen Micronesia s weird and wonderful versions, you haven t lived!). And as well as offering unusual and rewarding birding, far off the beaten track, travelling through Micronesia was a great lesson in the clash of cultures, whether traditional island life versus modernity or Japanese imperialists versus American armies and administrators, and on top of everything the green islands, fringed by some of the finest coral reefs on our planet and the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, were so very beautiful. Welcome to the United States is not really a greeting one expects when arriving on a Pacific island (pace you Hawaiians), but that was what the immigration officer at Guam told me. After a short layover in this snake-ravaged, now largely birdless island (presumably the Pacific Golden Plovers, feral pigeons, Philippine Turtle-Doves and a lone Yellow Bittern that we saw here were too big for the dreaded Brown Tree Snakes to swallow, and perhaps the Eurasian Tree Sparrows had just been lucky?!), it was onwards to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, a kind of semi-detached part of the USA. Saipan was a bizarre mixture of tropical paradise, gamblers heaven (the casinos cater to hordes of visitors from Japan, Korea and Taiwan) and US sweatshop (the clothing factories, staffed almost entirely by Filipinos and Filipinas, can put made in the USA on all their garments!), but the birding here was great. We had barely commenced our explorations before seeing our first Guam Swiftlets and the ludicrously obliging White-throated Ground-Doves that, unlike any other Gallicolumba I have seen, swept high over the woodland and roads as if they were fruit-doves! Other new birds 1 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

2 included the graceful White-tailed Tropicbird, the equally lovely Common Fairy Tern (or Common White Tern), the pretty Mariana Fruit-Dove, the striking White-headed Kingfisher (now split from Collared), Rufous Fantail, Micronesian Starling and Saipan Bridled White-eye (the bridled white-eyes are now treated as three species, although sadly the Guam species is thought to be extinct). A nice patch of native forest turned up our first Micronesian Myzomelas and plenty of beautiful Golden White-eyes. Later we checked out the rugged coastline, coming across a small island bedecked with Brown Boobies, a dark morph Pacific Reef Egret, a fine Feral Chicken (introduced here from the Asian mainland by the earliest humans to settle the islands), lots of Brown Noddies and even a Green Turtle just offshore. It was pretty moving to visit the cliffs where many Japanese civilians and soldiers had jumped to their deaths as the victorious Americans closed in on their last stronghold. Next morning we again visited the cliff-girt coastline, finding five beautiful Red-tailed Tropicbirds as well as more White-tailed. A nice patch of forest eventually turned up trumps in the form of a single Mariana Spurfowl that seemed very unafraid, walking around close to us and scratching away at the ground with its big feet as it looked for food. One of the tough ones in the bag already! After that it was time to enjoy the beautiful song and long, long bill of the Nightingale Reed Warbler and then visit a lake where rare visitors included a Grey Heron, a Eurasian Wigeon and a Black-headed Gull. Not long after arriving at Saipan s modern airport we were lifting off in a tiny plane for the nearby island of Tinian. As we flew in across the northern end of the island one could see the overgrown runways of North Field, now steadily being consumed by the jungle. After renting a vehicle, we explored part of the island. Tinian Monarch proved quite easy to find in the scrubby forest, as were some of the birds already familiar from Saipan. Eventually we reached the long-abandoned North Field, where we looked in silence at the atomic bomb pits, complete with photographs of that terrible time and poignant wreaths from the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As one stood on that long, silent, empty runway, it was hard to comprehend that awful day in August 1945 when the Enola Gay thundered down that self-same concrete on its way to Japan and its place in history. Hard to know what to think now, with the benefit of hindsight, but as we were to see close up later in the tour, with so many thousands of American dead on almost every Pacific island up to that point, it is clear to see why Truman and his commanders so greatly feared the prospect of an invasion of Japan. From Saipan we travelled south to the island of Rota, also part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Here, after adding Northern Pintail and Rota Kingfisher (probably a distinct species) to the list, we checked into our pleasant hotel, run by a Japanese couple (a slightly ironic twist, given the history of the islands). Our afternoon was spent with a local ornithologist who took us to an area favoured by the endangered and rare Mariana Crow, and we were really delighted to see one, and hear its mate calling, relatively quickly! This can be a really tough bird to find. The introduced Black Drongo appears to be the bane of the crows, pursuing them everywhere. After that we continued to an area where the equally endangered Guam Rail is being introduced on Rota. It has been rendered effectively extinct on Guam through predation by the introduced Brown Tree Snake, so its successful colonization of Rota is key to the species survival. Given its rarity, we were thrilled to be able to watch two individuals and hear three others in the space of a few hours! We also came across the first of a series of flying foxes that we were to encounter during the tour. In the morning we returned to the Guam Rail area and this time managed fantastic views, with five different birds seen, including two copulating (a good sign!) ands three others heard. After that we headed up onto Mount Sabana, where contrary to some people s experiences we found Rota Bridled White-eye easy to find (we must have seen 25 or so). In the afternoon we visited some of the local ponds, which turned up winter visitors such as Intermediate and Little Egrets, and Eurasian Whimbrel, and also a rarity in the form of a Whiskered Tern, as well as another tract of native forest where another Mariana Crow obliged. At the end of the afternoon we paid a visit to the spectacular seabird colony at the cliffs at Saguagahga Point. Here at least 400 Red-footed Boobies were breeding in the trees at the foot of the cliffs and some 40 Brown Boobies were settled on the cliffs themselves. 2 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

3 After some final birding on Rota, which included an adult Great Frigatebird at Saguagahga Point, we took the plane to Guam and enjoyed a splendid dinner at one of the island s best restaurants. It was a long flight from Guam to the isolated island of Pohnpei, made even longer by our stop en route at Truk lagoon, but eventually we made it to our pleasant if rather rustic hotel. In the late afternoon a short excursion produced the first of many colourful Pohnpei Lorikeets, Caroline Island Swiftlet, tyhe superb Pohnpei Kingfisher, Pohnpei Flycatcher, Pohnpei Fantail and the rather uninspiring Grey White-eye. The thing about Birdquest Expeditions is that they are exploratory, so it did not come as a great surprise when our local guides decided they had lost the trail into the mountainous interior of Pohnpei next morning! After much dithering and backtracking, we were finally on our way, but it proved a tough climb, and when we finally reached the flat summit of the ridge they confessed that actually there was a much easier route, but it was longer! We failed to find any Pohnpei Cicadabirds, which was a blow after such effort, but Caroline Reed Warblers, Caroline Islands White-eyes and good numbers of interestingly-shaped Long-billed White-eyes provided good compensation. After a long and slow descent we treated ourselves to some leisurely exploration of the coastline, turning up our first Grey-tailed Tattlers and Black Noddies, and, best of all, a fine male Caroline Islands Ground- Dove. Next morning we were back into the uplands, but this time up a mostly easy but longer trail that gradually gained ground (yes, we ll use this one in future!). Most of the birds were the same as the previous day, but this time we got really great views of a female Pohnpei Cicadabird. In the afternoon we went by boat to the ancient ruins of Nan Madol in the south of Pohnpei. The boat trip produced our first Greater Crested and Black-naped Terns, while the ruins themselves were well worth seeing, consisting of platforms of large stones and the remains of many buildings, both ceremonial and administrative, from the period when Pohnpei s royal family controlled a great swathe of Micronesia. Waders were numerous and included many Pacific Golden Plovers, Grey-tailed Tattlers and Ruddy Turnstones, and by paddling our kayaks slowly we could get quite close to them. Ole and I even had the chance to snorkel with two huge Manta Rays on the way back. What a finale to a great day! After a chance to rest up a bit after a flight in the early hours, our exploration of Weno, the main island in Truk (or Chuuk) lagoon began. A visit to the old Japanese gun emplacement, one of the many such relics in the islands, produced Caroline Islands Fruit-Dove (split from Purple-capped), Oceanic Flycatcher and some rather elusive Blue-faced Parrotfinches, while the local marsh held Rufous Night-Heron, Pacific Black Duck, Common Moorhen and more Whiskered Terns. Next day dawned still and dry, so there was nothing for it but to board our boat for distant Tol island in the west of the lagoon and our second and last montane ascent. On arrival on Tol we found plenty of willing helpers keen to take us to the summit ridge, for a consideration of course, and we were soon on our way. It turned out to be just as tough a hike as I had been led to believe, with steep and very slippery muddy trails, and sometimes no trail at all. A slip on a wet rocky ledge was not a good move, leaving me with a pair of cracked glasses, but otherwise the ascent was merely hard work. But once up there we enjoyed the fabulous panorama over Truk lagoon, complete with Chuuk Flying Foxes sailing past, and once inside the forest the Great Truk White-eyes were easy to find and lived up to their name by being both big and noisy. We even managed to see the endangered Truk form of the Micronesian Imperial Pigeon and some juvenile Truk Monarchs. We had to make a repeat visit to Tol to see adult Truk Monarchs (a pair with a nest in a tall tree was a nice find), but after that we had really cleaned up, although a Northern Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Mongolian Plover on Weno were a bonus. 3 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

4 After another transit of Guam, we found ourselves on the island of Yap, the second to last port of call on our itinerary. Yap proved to be a very pleasant island, where traditional Micronesian culture seems to co-exist with modernity more easily than it does on Truk, for instance. We were soon out looking for the endemics, and had a successful first morning, finding a very obliging male Whiteheaded Ground-Dove (best split from White-throated) that perched in a tree right above our heads, Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, the striking Yap Monarch and Plain White-eye, and also an Eastern Yellow (or Alaska) Wagtail. Ole even had three Yap Cicadabirds, but they refused to re-emerge from the forest, and another that was seen by Mark and Ole later in the day was equally uncooperative. An afternoon visit to the island s ponds failed to turn up anything new, but there were yet more Whiskered Terns. Clearly not such a rarity as was thought! Next morning we all caught up with a nice pair of Yap Cicadabirds and we also came across the attractive Olive White-eye. This seemed at first to be a rather rare endemic, but later in the day I found a nice valley with at least 17 birds in it, so obviously they have rather specific habitat requirements. Having cleaned up, we had time to take in the local culture and visited the beautiful remote hamlet of Bechyal, where the traditional thatched men s house, the faluw, has been wellpreserved, as has, to a lesser degree, the even larger village meeting house. Stone money is another thing not to miss on Yap. The huge stone discs, with a central hole, up to 2 metres in diameter were once used as actual currency and even today have important symbolic value. Mined from the Rock Islands of Palau, a long and difficult voyage to the south, many discs and men were lost during the even more difficult return journey, when the Yapese canoes had to tow rafts supporting the money! Almost every village or country house has its collection, propped up to form a kind of hedge or positioned around the buildings themselves. Sadly the old Yap tradition of going bare-breasted seems to be rapidly dying out. We did see one bunch of local ladies in traditional mode, but they were clearly at a special celebration of some kind. And so finally we reached the archipelago of Palau, where Hilary and Rachel joined us for the final days. Our first day in Palau, Christmas Day at that, was spent exploring the environs of Koror and the main island of Babeldaob. We had not gone far before a Nicobar Pigeon flew past, and this was followed by Palau Fruit-Doves, a Horsfield s Cuckoo (for Mark and Sally) and Palau Swiftlets. Collared Kingfishers were much the commoner species, but after checking a lot of kingfishers we finally found a very nice pair of Rusty-capped (or Palau) Kingfishers. Eventually we reached a large area of reef flats where we came across the first Little Pied Cormorants of the tour. After that we explored a beautiful patch of forest where four Palau Cicadabirds were most welcome and where we also flushed two more Nicobar Pigeons. Mangrove (or Palau) Flycatcher, Palau Fantail and Dusky White-eye were all easy to find. Having seen pretty much all there was to see on Babeldaob, we had time to visit the huge, and presumably wildly wasteful capitol complex, before heading back to Koror. Here we had a first search for Palau Owl, but without success. On Boxing Day we took to the water and explored Palau s famous and stunningly beautiful Rock Islands, a series of weirdly eroded limestone islets that are scattered across the coral reefs to the south and west of Koror. Our very first island stop turned up trumps in the form of four Palau Megapodes (now once again split from Saipan, or Micronesian, Megapode) creeping about under the trees, and we found more on other islands later. One of the introduced Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoos flew overhead, squawking noisily. A breakfast stop on another islet produced our first Morningbirds (what singers they are!) and our first seen (as opposed to heard) Palau Bush Warblers, a couple of Palau Cicadabirds and even a stray first-winter Black-headed Gull, while yet another island stop produced our first Giant White-eyes. Our visit to Jellyfish Lake was memorable indeed, for here we could snorkel amongst thousands of (fortunately) stingless jellyfish in a jungle pool. On the way back to Koror we encountered a number of Bridled Terns, as well as more Giant White-eyes (birds that live up to their name they could eat those weedy little ones for breakfast) and even an Eclectus Parrot during our final shore excursion. Once back in Koror, we headed back to Babeldaob and this time, 4 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

5 after some searching, I finally managed to get a Palau Owl in the spotlight (and we heard a couple of others for good measure). A great end to a splendid day. After all this good fortune there was just one Micronesian endemic left to find, Palau Ground-Dove, an uncommon and shy species. Imagine our delight then to come across an obliging female not long after we started our early morning walk on one of the Rock Islands, and later we found another individual. We now had time to visit the island of Peleliu, towards the southern extremity of the Palau archipelago, and this proved to be a fascinating experience. We added a few new birds, including White-browed Crake, Buff-barred Rail (for those who had missed it on Christmas Day) and even a vagrant Eyebrowed Thrush, but the most memorable thing about Peleliu was the battlefields, memorials and landing beaches of the Second World War. Tens of thousands of soldiers perished, on both sides, during the epic battle for control of Peleliu and its neighbours, and the eloquent and even magnanimous memorials put up by both sides spoke volumes about the awfulness of war. When we stood at Orange Beach, where so many men died getting ashore, I was stunned by how small it all was. I had imagined huge bays, fleets of ships and whole armies locked in battle, but here it was just a strip of sand a few metres deep, a few palms swaying in the wind and the surf breaking gently over the reef wall just a couple of hundred metres out. Yet thousands died in battle on this little beach. It must have been gut-churningly frightening, face to face combat for every man there, yet extraordinary things were achieved by very ordinary men. We all felt humbled. And so our Micronesian journey came to an end, and we could celebrate our success. No missing birds to bemoan on this trip, and so many beautiful islands explored to boot. 5 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

6 SYSTEMATIC LIST Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). PROCELLARIIDAE Tropical Shearwater Puffinus bailloni: Four flying parallel with our boat amongst Palau s Rock Islands were a pleasant bonus. Pratt et al. lump this form in Audubon s Shearwater P. lherminieri, but a recent genetics-based review treats the Indian Ocean and Pacific populations as distinct and restricts lherminieri to the tropical Atlantic. PHAETHONTIDAE White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus: Widespread, mostly in small numbers. Seen on every major island or group except Yap. Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda: Five on Saipan and 15 along the Bird Sanctuary cliffs Rota. Very beautiful birds indeed. SULIDAE Brown Booby Sula leucogaster: 109 at Bird Island, Saipan, up to 40 at the Bird Sanctuary on Rota and two during the boat trip to Nan Madol on Pohnpei. Red-footed Booby Sula sula: Up to 400 putting on a great show at the Bird sanctuary on Rota. PHALACROCORACIDAE Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos: Several records of up to 10 in Palau. FREGATIDAE Great Frigatebird Fregata minor: An adult male over the Bird Sanctuary on rota, a juvenile over Yap and three females at Peleliu. ARDEIDAE Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis: Widespread and sometimes fairly common, occurring in a variety of habitats. Recorded on all major islands or groups with the exception of Pohnpei. Also one on Guam. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: One at a large lake on Saipan. A rare wanderer to Micronesia. Intermediate Egret* Egretta intermedia: One on Rota and a few at Truk and on Yap. Little Egret* Egretta garzetta: Singles on Rota, Yap and Peleliu and a few at Truk. Pacific Reef Heron (or Pacific Reef Egret) Egretta sacra: Widespread, mostly in small numbers, but fairly common in Palau. recorded from every major island or group except Saipan. Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus: Widespread but patchily distributed, and locally fairly common. Recorded from every major island or group except Tinian and Rota. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form in Western Cattle Egret B. ibis, using the name Cattle Egret for the enlarged species. Rufous Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus: Small numbers at Truk and in Palau. ANATIDAE Grey (or Pacific Black) Duck Anas superciliosa: Small numbers at Truk. Northern Pintail Anas acuta: Three on Rota, up to 11 at Truk and one on Yap. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope: A female on Saipan. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata: A female or young male at Truk. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula: Four at truk, a total; of 10 on Yap and nine in Palau. 6 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

7 MEGAPODIIDAE Mariana Megapode (or Marianna Scrubfowl) Megapodius laperouse: Just the one on Saipan. We had to be patient and persistent with this one. A Micronesian endemic. The first edition of Pratt et al. lumps Palau Megapode (or Palau Scrubfowl) M. senex in this species, using the name Micronesian Megapode for the enlarged species (alternatively, it is called Micronesian Scrubfowl). It has now been proposed that the two forms be treated as separate species. Palau Megapode (or Palau Scrubfowl) Megapodius senex: A total of six seen and two heard during our first boat trip in Palau. A Micronesian endemic. See also the entry for Mariana Megapode. PHASIANIDAE Red Junglefowl (or Feral Chicken) Gallus gallus: This species was introduced by the original colonizers of Micronesia, perhaps thousands of years ago, Recorded in small numbers on Saipan, Rota, Pohnpei (heard only), Yap (heard only) and Palau. RALLIDAE Banded (or Buff-banded) Rail Rallus philippensis: Mark and Ole saw one on Babeldaob and later we all saw two on Peleliu. Guam Rail Rallus owstoni: Fantastic and rather unexpected close views of this near-extinct bird on Rota, where an introduction programme is underway in an attempt to preserve the species (now extinct on its native Guam due to predation of eggs and young by the introduced Brown Tree Snake). As regards sightings, we had a total of nine bird days, including two copulating, and a number of other individuals were heard. Let s wish them every success in their new snake-free home. A Micronesian endemic. White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea: A total of eight on Peleliu, including a pair with four chicks. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: Small numbers at Truk, on Yap and in Palau. CHARADRIIDAE Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva: Widespread and often common, being recorded from all major islands and groups. The maximum count was of 50 at Nan Madol, Pohnpei. Also 8 on Guam. Mongolian (Sand) Plover Charadrius mongolus: One at Weno Airport, Truk. C. mongolus was previously often referred to by the name Lesser Sand Plover, but that name is now used for C. atrifrons (which includes the form pamirensis), which has been split off. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii: Six at Carp Island, Palau. SCOLOPACIDAE Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia: One in Palau. Siberian (or Grey-tailed) Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes: Recorded from Pohnpei, Truk, Yap and Palau, generally in small numbers, but 40 at Nan Madol, Pohnpei. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: Small numbers on Yap and in Palau. Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus: Small numbers recorded from Rota, Pohnpei, Truk, Yap and Palau. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres: Locally common on Pohnpei, at Truk and in Palau. Maximum count of 50 at Nan Madol. Swinhoe s Snipe Gallinago megala: One in a roadside ditch on Yap. 7 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

8 LARIDAE Common Black-headed Gull (or Black-headed Gull) Larus ridibundus: One at a lake on Saipan and another at one of Palau s Rock Islands. Great (or Greater) Crested Tern Sterna bergii: Locally common at Pohnpei and Palau, and small numbers at Truk and Yap. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana: Locally common in Palau, and small numbers at Pohnpei and Truk. Little Tern Sterna albifrons: (NL): Ole recorded one at Pohnpei. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus: Up to 15 during our boat trips in Palau. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida: This is clearly an under-recorded visitor in Micronesia! We thought we were doping well when we found an adult on Rota, but then we had up to four at Truk, up to five on Yap and a total of six in Palau! Brown Noddy Anous stolidus: Widespread and often common, being recorded from all major islands and groups, but less numerous on Saipan and Rota. Black Noddy Anous minutus: Common in Palau and fairly common at Pohnpei, with small numbers at Truk and Yap. We recorded 200 during our first boat trip in Palau. Common Fairy Tern (or Common White Tern) Gygis alba: Widespread and often common, occurring on all major islands and groups. Our maximum count was 220 in a day on Yap. COLUMBIDAE Rock Dove Columba livia: Only feral populations occur in the islands. In addition to Guam, where we saw 10, Ole had 10 on Saipan. Philippine Turtle-Dove (or Island Collared-Dove) Streptopelia bitorquata: Very common on Saipan and Rota, where it has been introduced. Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica: One over the mangroves of Babeldaob and later two flushed from a forest on the island. Finally, one flying over Ngerukwid, the spectacular Seventy Islands. White-throated Ground-Dove Gallicolumba erythroptera: Quite commonly seen on Saipan, where it was ludicrously easy to see for a Gallicolumba, fluttering over the woodlands and roads. Just two on Rota. A Micronesian endemic. White-headed Ground-Dove Gallicolumba yapensis: Great views of a young male in a tree above our heads on Yap, and another male heard. The first edition of Pratt et al. lumps the distinctive ground-doves on Yap in White-throated Ground-Dove G. erythroptera, but they probably represent a distinct species. As yet they have not been studied in detail. Indeed many works do not even recognize the form yapensis as being distinct from nominate erythroptera! A Micronesian endemic. Caroline Islands Ground-Dove Gallicolumba kubaryi: A male at Pohnpei and a total of five at Truk. A Micronesian endemic. Palau Ground-Dove Gallicolumba canifrons: We finally caught up with two of these shy birds on Palau s Rock Islands, getting great views of a female walking along in front of us. A Micronesian endemic. Caroline Islands Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus ponapensis: Common at Pohnpei, less so at Truk. The first edition of Pratt et al. lumps the very distinctive Caroline forms in Purple-capped (or Crimson-crowned) Fruit-Dove P. porphyraceus of Tonga to Samoa and Fiji, but this is most likely an incorrect treatment. We saw the nominate form. The form hernsheimi occurs in Kosrae. A Micronesian endemic. Palau Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus pelewensis: Fairly common in Palau. A Micronesian endemic. Mariana Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus roseicapilla: Fairly common on Saipan and Rota. A Micronesian endemic. 8 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

9 Micronesian (Imperial) Pigeon Ducula oceanica: Fairly common on Yap but decidedly less numerous at Tol in the Truk group (where we recorded just three) and in Palau. A Micronesian endemic. PSITTACIDAE Pohnpei Lory (or Pohnpei Lorikeet) Trichoglossus rubiginosus: Very common on Pohnpei, and a very colourful species. A Micronesian endemic. Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (or Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) Cacatua galerita: Small numbers of these introduced birds amongst Palau s Rock islands. Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus: Two singles of this introduced species over Palau s Rock Islands. CUCULIDAE Horsfield s Cuckoo Cuculus horsfieldi: One for Mark and Sally on Babeldaob. the first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form (which breeds across northern Eurasia) in Oriental Cuckoo C. saturatus. STRIGIDAE Palau Owl Pyrrhoglaux podargina: After a fruitless search on the first attempt and some passage of time during round two, it was great to finally get one of these unusual owls in the spotlight in Palau (two others were heard). A Micronesian endemic. APODIDAE Palau Swiftlet Aerodramus pelewensis: Very common and widespread in Palau. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form in Island (or Uniform) Swiftlet A. vanikorensis, but it will be treated as specifically distinct in the forthcoming second edition. A Micronesian endemic. Guam Swiftlet Aerodramus bartschi: Fairly common on Saipan, where we recorded up to 25 in a day. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form in Island (or Uniform) Swiftlet A. vanikorensis, but it will be treated as specifically distinct in the forthcoming second edition. A Micronesian endemic. Caroline Islands Swiftlet Aerodramus inquietus: Very common on Pohnpei and at Truk. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form in Island (or Uniform) Swiftlet A. vanikorensis, but it will be treated as specifically distinct in the forthcoming second edition. A Micronesian endemic. ALCEDINIDAE Collared Kingfisher Halcyon chloris: Common and widespread in Palau. White-headed Kingfisher Halcyon albicilla: Very common on Saipan. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form in Collared Kingfisher H. chloris, but it will treated as specifically distinct in the forthcoming second edition. A Micronesian endemic. Rota Kingfisher Halcyon orii: Common on Rota. See the entry for White-headed Kingfisher. Although the white-headed albicilla of Saipan and Tinian is very distinctive, the form orii on Rota has some dark on the crown and so the situation as compared with Collared is less than clear-cut. Genetic comparison is clearly needed. The second edition of Pratt et al. will treat this form as a subspecies of H. albicilla, but it may just as well merit specific status. A Micronesian endemic. Rusty-capped (or Palau) Kingfisher Halcyon pelewensis: Not an easy bird to find. We eventually tracked two down on Babeldaob. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form, together with Pohnpei Kingfisher H. reichenbachii, in Guam Kingfisher H. cinnamomina, using the name Micronesian Kingfisher for the enlarged species. (Guam Kingfisher is now extinct in 9 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

10 the wild, but survives in captivity.) The forthcoming second edition will treat them as specifically distinct. A Micronesian endemic. Pohnpei Kingfisher Halcyon reichenbachii: Not uncommon on Pohnpei. See also the entry for Rustycapped (or Palau) Kingfisher. A Micronesian endemic. HIRUNDINIDAE Barn Swallow Hirundo rusticola: Common on Yap, but much more localized in Palau. DICRURIDAE Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus: Horribly common on Rota, where it has been introduced. Also five on Guam. CORVIDAE Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi: Two were seen and a third bird heard on Rota. Definitely the toughest of the island s specialities to find. A Micronesian endemic. CAMPEPHAGIDAE Palau Cicadabird Coracina monachum: A total of four in the forest on Babeldaob and four more on Palau s Rock Islands. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this distinctive form (along with other Micronesian forms) in Slender-billed Cicadabird C. tenuirostris, using the name Cicadabird for the enlarged species, but the forthcoming second edition will treat it as specifically distinct. A Micronesian endemic. Yap Cicadabird Coracina nesiotis: Not an easy one to find on Yap. First of all Ole saw three individuals, then Mark and Ole had another, and finally a pair was seen wonderfully well by everyone. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this distinctive form (along with other Micronesian forms) in Slender-billed Cicadabird C. tenuirostris, using the name Cicadabird for the enlarged species, but the forthcoming second edition will treat it as specifically distinct. A Micronesian endemic. Pohnpei Cicadabird Coracina insperatum: Another uncommon bird. A nice female for those who tried the mountain for the second time on Pohnpei. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this distinctive form (along with other Micronesian forms) in Slender-billed Cicadabird C. tenuirostris, using the name Cicadabird for the enlarged species, but the forthcoming second edition will treat it as specifically distinct. A Micronesian endemic. PACHYCEPHALIDAE Morningbird Colluricincla tenebrosa: This splendid songster was not uncommon on Palau s Rock Islands. A Micronesian endemic. Yap Monarch Monarcha godeffroyi: Common on Yap, and strikingly plumaged. A Micronesian endemic. Tinian Monarch Monarcha takatsukasae: Fairly common on Tinian. A Micronesian endemic. Truk Monarch Metabolus rugiensis: Three juveniles on our first visit to Tol and a nice pair with a nest on our second visit. A Micronesian endemic. Mangrove (or Palau) Flycatcher Myiagra erythrops: Common in Palau. A Micronesian endemic. Oceanic Flycatcher Myiagra oceanica: Common at Truk. A Micronesian endemic. Pohnpei Flycatcher Myiagra pluto: Very common on Pohnpei. A Micronesian endemic. Palau Fantail Rhipidura lepida: Fairly common in Palau. A Micronesian endemic. Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons: Common on Saipan, Rota and Yap. Pohnpei Fantail Rhipidura kubaryi: Common on Pohnpei. A Micronesian endemic. 10 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

11 MUSCICAPIDAE Palau Bush Warbler Cettia annae: Widespread and fairly common in Palau, although more often heard than seen. A Micronesian endemic. Nightingale Reed Warbler Acrocephalus luscinia: Small numbers on Saipan. A Micronesian endemic. Caroline Islands Reed Warbler Acrocephalus syrinx: Fairly common on Pohnpei and if anything more numerous at Truk. A Micronesian endemic. Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus: A first-winter male at Bloody Nose ridge on Peleliu was a good find. This is a rare winter visitor to Palau. MOTACILLIDAE Eastern Yellow (or Alaska) Wagtail Motacilla [flava] tschutschensis: One by the roadside on Yap. ARTAMIDAE White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorhynchus: Three on Babeldaob were a good find. This is a localized and uncommon species in Palau. STURNIDAE Micronesian Starling Aplonis opaca: Common and widespread, being recorded on all major islands and groups. A Micronesian endemic. MELIPHAGIDAE Micronesian Honeyeater (or Micronesian Myzomela) Myzomela rubratra: Common and widespread, being recorded on all major islands and groups. A Micronesian endemic. ZOSTEROPIDAE Saipan Bridled White-eye Zosterops saypani: Very common on Saipan and Tinian. Pratt et al lump this form (occurring on Saipan and Tinian), together with Rota Bridled White-eye Z. rotensis, in Guam Bridled White-eye Z. conspicillatus, using the name Bridled White-eye for the enlarged species. Guam Bridled White-eye, which occurs only on Guam, may now be extinct. The forthcoming second edition will treat the three forms as specifically distinct. A Micronesian endemic. Rota Bridled White-eye Zosterops rotensis: Locally common on Rota. Much more numerous and easy to see than we expected. See also the entry for Saipan Bridled White-eye. A Micronesian endemic. Plain White-eye Zosterops hypolais: Very common on Yap. A Micronesian endemic. Caroline Islands White-eye Zosterops semperi: Locally common on Pohnpei, at Truk and in Palau. A Micronesian endemic. Dusky White-eye Zosterops finschii: Not uncommon in Palau, but rather localized. A Micronesian endemic. Grey (or Grey-brown) White-eye Zosterops cinereus: Very common on Pohnpei. It is possible that the form found on Pohnpei (ponapensis) may represent a separate species (Pohnpei White-eye) as compared with the nominate form found on Kosrae, but genetic studies are lacking and morphological differences are small. A Micronesian endemic. Golden White-eye Cleptornis marchei: This pretty bird was fairly common on Saipan. A Micronesian endemic. Great Truk (or Truk) White-eye Rukia ruki: We recorded 15 high up on Tol, where it was noisy and easy to find, albeit after a hard climb. A Micronesian endemic. Olive (or Yap) White-eye Rukia oleaginea: A total of 19 on Yap was a good result, but this includes the ones in the new site that Mark found. A Micronesian endemic. Long-billed White-eye Rukia longirostra: Locally common on Pohnpei. A Micronesian endemic. 11 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005

12 Giant White-eye Megazosterops palauensis: Common on Palau s Rock Islands, and we even found a couple on an island where they were not previously recorded. What a whopper, at least for a white-eye! A Micronesian endemic. PASSERIDAE Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus: This introduced species was common on Yap and we also had small numbers on Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota. ESTRILDIDAE Blue-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa: Small numbers at truk, and mark and Ole saw one on Babeldaob as well. Nutmeg Mannikin (or Scaly-breasted Munia) Lonchura punctulata: Small numbers on Yap, where it is introduced. Chestnut Mannikin (or Chestnut Munia) Lonchura atricapilla: This introduced species was locally common in Palau. The first edition of Pratt et al lumps this form, found from northern India to Taiwan, the Greater Sundas (including Borneo) and the Philippines, in Blackheaded (or Tricoloured) Munia L. malacca of Peninsula India and Sri Lanka. MAMMALS Polynesian Rat Rattus exulans: Mark and Ole observed one on Rota. House (or Black) Rat Rattus rattus: Small numbers of this introduced pest were recorded from Tinian, Rota, Yap and Palau. Chuuk (or Truk) Flying Fox Pteropus insularis: Very common on Tol, where we recorded up to 100. Marianas Flying Fox Pteropus mariannus: Small numbers on Rota and (apparently this species, although the genetics might well reveal the local form to be specifically distinct) on Pohnpei. Palau Flying Fox Pteropus pelewensis: Widespread and fairly common in Palau. Yap Flying Fox Pteropus yapensis: Small numbers were seen on Yap. 12 Birdquest: Micronesia 2005