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Mircronesia Birdwatching Tour |
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Micronesia Birdwatching Tour
When: Wed 7 Mar - Wed 21 Mar 2012
Leaders: Chris Doughty and Jon Hornbuckle |
Micronesia Birdwatching Tour
Cairns/Cairns (15 Days) $8,400
Single Room Supplement $550
Ground Content upon application |
| Midway between Australia and Japan, in the huge expanse of the Pacific Ocean, lie the 2,000 dots of land that make up the Federated States of Micronesia. A collection of little-known island nations, made up of four unique and otherwise unrelated island states, of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. Each region has cultures and traditions as colourful, distinct and diverse, as the many endemic birds that have evolved over millennia, throughout the island groups. Thrust from the ocean bed more than 20 million years ago, ancient living reefs now form limestone islands, pockmarked with myriad fresh and saltwater lakes, filled to overflowing with countless species of colourful tropical fish. From February to September of 1944 thousands of American troops liberated the islands from Japanese occupation. Once the war had passed them by, the islands of Micronesia slipped back into obscurity. Seven of the main islands hold no less than 42 endemic birds and during this fascinating journey through these little-visited islands, we have a very good chance of seeing all but one, of the archipelagos exciting endemic birds; the exception being the Pohnpei Mountain Starling, which sadly, may already be extinct. The tour will be conducted at a fairly relaxed pace, so there will be time to explore mancient ruins, swim, snorkel or just lay back and soak up the atmosphere of this Pacific island paradise. travels start in Guam, but we will pause only briefly here as the island is almost birdless, following the introduction of the Brown Tree Snake. We will head north into the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, visiting first Saipan, which is home to the majority of Marianas endemic birds; ranging from Mariana Megapode to Nightingale Reed-Warbler and Golden White-eye, and then to Tinian, for the Tinian Monarch and Rota, for Guam Rail, Rota Kingfisher, Mariana Crow and Rota Bridled White-eye. From the Northern Marianas we head southwest to explore Pohnpei where we will search for such exciting endemics as Pohnpei Lory, Pohnpei Kingfisher, Pohnpei Cicadabird and Long-billed White-eye. Next we visit the islands of Truk or Chuuk Lagoon, where the specialities include Truk Monarch, Oceanic Flycatcher and Truk Great White-eye. Then we head west to the interesting island of Yap, with its strange tradition of 'stone money' and it's special birds including the impressive Micronesian Imperial-Pigeon and the Yap Monarch. Finally, we visit the nearby archipelago of Palau, which contains the largest variety of birds in Micronesia. Highlights here will include Palau Megapode, Palau Ground-Dove, Palau Owl, Rusty-capped Kingfisher, the strange Morningbird, Palau Fantail and Giant White-eye. We will also have time to marvel at the extraordinary scenery of Palau's 'Rock Islands'. |
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