Trip Report Inala’s Papua New Guinea - Prepared by Bron Scott, July 2019
( BIRD LIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REPORT )
DAILY REPORT:
Day 1. Tue 11 June 2019. Cairns – Port Moresby – Mount Hagen – Kum Mountain Lodge. We left Cairns at 11.45 am on our flight to Port Moresby. For those seated on the left of the plane, the flight provided excellent views of the north-east coast of Queensland and the string of ribbon reefs marking the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, before we crossed the northern Coral Sea to Papua New Guinea. We spotted the first bird of the trip as the plane taxied to the gate at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby – a cattle egret!
At the airport, customer service officer Lorraine looked after us, showing us the friendliness and kindness that we were to encounter throughout our stay in PNG. She waited with us until we met Mark from our tour company, who shepherded us through the transfer process between international and domestic terminals. We didn’t have long to wait before we boarded our flight to Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province. At Kagamuga Airport, Mount Hagen, our driver Joseph, with guides Felix and James, took us through the city past the main market where local farmers meet every day to sell fresh fruit and vegetables. We also passed specialist coffee markets where producers trade with wholesalers. Everywhere, small roadside stalls were set up to sell betel nuts, the fruit of areca palm.
Mount Hagen city is constructed on government land. The land, we were told, was sold to the government in the 1950s for a pittance. (The colonial history of PNG is complex. It was governed by Australia until 1975.). The boundary between government and local land here is the river at the base of the lodge road.
Local land supports a patchwork of farms growing a huge variety of crops, including sweet potatoes, ‘English’ potatoes, corn, and strawberries. The combination of rich volcanic soil, rain and warm summer temperatures makes the area highly productive. Locals also keep pigs and chickens. Many of the Highland farms have two houses: an airy summer house and a low-roofed thatched house with fires inside for cold winter nights.
We arrived at our lodge, situated 2,160m (7,100feet) above sea level on Kum Mountain on the outer fringes of the Kubor Range where we were given a quick orientation by our hosts before being shown to our accommodation, spacious split-level apartments with sensational views across the Wahgi valley and of the country’s highest volcanic mountains, Mount Giluwe (4,370 m, 14,330 ft) and Mount Hagen (3,780 m, 12,400 ft). In the evenings, the lights of Mount Hagen city illuminated the valley. In the mornings, cloud rolled down the mountains to settle over the city, leaving the lodge in sunlight.
Day 2. Wed 12 June 2019. Kum Mountain Lodge. Before breakfast, guide Joseph led us along the montane rainforest trail to see birds of paradise. The first species was the Superb Bird-of-paradise (Lophorina superba) with its iridescent blue collar and lapels. This was the most frequently encountered bird-of-paradise on the trip. We heard its harsh call daily in the Highlands, but, unfortunately, did not observe its ‘smiley face’ dance. We also saw a family of white-shouldered Fairywrens (Malurus alboscapulatus) preening in the sun. Other frequently encountered species in the lodge grounds included Papuan White-eyes (Zosterops novaeguineae), Common Smoky Honeyeaters (Melipotes fumigatus), characterised by the feather-less yellow mask that changes colour depending on mood, Yellow-browed Melidectes (Melidectes rufocrissalis), a type of honeyeater, Island Leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus poliocephalus) and Bar-tailed (Black-billed) Cuckoo-doves (Macropygia nigrirostis).
Joseph showed us the orchid garden, which was resplendent with local rhododendrons and dozens of species of orchids collected from around the lodge. Many were in flower. We were treated to a display of varied colour and shape.
The Lodge also has orphaned and rescued animals. A Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria) – the world’s largest pigeon species – marched around as if owned the place. One of the pens held two ursine Doria’s Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus dorianus) and a Common Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus). Other pens held Rusa Deer (introduced to New Guinea from Indonesia) and several species of wallabies.
After lunch, we returned to the lodge grounds to look for MacGregor’s Bowerbird (Amblyornis macgregoriae). We saw the small yellow-crested bowerbird high in a tree on the track. We then split into two groups, with one heading up the muddy trail to the mountain ridge to look for high-altitude birds of paradise, and the other returning by the (sometimes vertiginous!) loop track, which ran along a creek valley. The Ridge group returned just before dinner with reports of Black Sicklebill (Epimarchus fastuosus), Stephanie’s Astrapia (Astrapia stephaniae) and King of Saxony bird-of-paradise (Pteridophora alberti).
Day 3. Thu 13 June 2019. Kum Mountain Lodge. We left the lodge at 5 a.m. to drive through the mist to a nearby community-run Lodge, just across the border in Enga Province which Is famous for its Bird of Paradise sightings. When we arrived mid-morning, lodge staff put fresh pawpaw and pineapple on the bird-feeding tables. Immediately, the tables were swarmed by belligerent and excitable Belford’s Melidectes (Melidectes belfordi), Ribbon-tailed Astrapias (Astrapia mayeri), a female Brown Sicklebill (Epimarchus meyeri), and Brehm’s Tiger Parrots (Psitacella brehmii). Regent Whistlers (Pachycephala schlegelii), Eastern Crested Berrypeckers (Paramythia montium), and Rufous-naped Bellbirds (Aleadryas rufinucha) turned up to feed in the trees, while the Melidectes bossed around their frugivorous competitors. Aloof from the frantic activity on the tables, an adult White-winged Robin (Peneothello sigillatus) persistently attempted to feed a worm to a juvenile, who feigned incompetence (very convincingly). The balcony at the Lodge offered an excellent view of the avian proceedings.
After lunch (ours and the birds’), we returned to our lodge and finished the day by birding around the lodge grounds.
Day 4. Fri 14 June 2019. Kum Mountain Lodge. Today we concentrated on bird watching in the immediate vicinity of the lodge, with a group also returning to the rainforest on the ridge on the track of mountain top birds-of-paradise and giant Nothofagus grandis. In the flower beds around the accommodation blocks, we saw tiny Mountain (Elfin) Myzomelas (Myzomela adolphinae), Red-collared Myzomelas (M. rosenbergii) and Hooded Mannikins (Lonchura spectabilis). Just below our rooms, Pied Bush Chats (Saxicola caprata) and Long-tailed Shrikes (Lanius schach) perched on the wooden posts marking the edges of market gardens. These bush chats provided a mellifluous morning chorus. Further down the slope, a tall tree housed a Yellow-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera lauterbachi) and the well-named Ornate Melidectes (Melidectes torquatus), brightly marked in yellow, black and white.
Day 5. Sat 15 June 2019. Kum Mountain Lodge. We left the lodge at 5.30 am this morning to travel to a local village in the Jiwaka Province, to look for Raggiana Birds-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana). The Raggiana Bird-of-paradise is the national bird of Papua New Guinea and is the species featured on the country’s flag. Floods had washed out the road close to the village, so locals had constructed a bridge from timber. Although the bridge was sturdy enough to support a Landcruiser, both driver Joseph and guide Joseph decided that the bus was too heavy. No one argued with their assessment! We crossed the bridge on foot and walked up the road. Children joined us on our (short) trek and adults greeted us with ‘Good Morning’ and friendly handshakes. By the time we got to the site of the Raggiana tree, we had accumulated quite a following.
The birds’ favourite tree was at the edge of a cultural area. Augustine was keen to show us the birds. He was soon joined by Deni and Christopher. We waited in the shade, while flocks of Brown Orioles (Oriolus szalayi) and Metallic Starlings (Aplonis metallica) fed on fruit in the high branches of the Raggiana tree. After several hours, during which we saw a few other birds passing by, including a distant Papuan Eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae) (a.k.a. New Guinea Harpy Eagle) and a closer Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus). We were eventually rewarded with a brief glimpse of a male and slightly longer views of a female Raggiana Bird-of-paradise. Surmising there’d be no more chances of seeing the bird again that day, we headed back to the bus. After saying goodbye to out new friends Augustine, Christopher, and especially Deni, we had lunch in the bus and travelled back to the lodge.
Day 6. Sun 16 June 2019. Kum Mountain to Mount Hagen to Karawari in the East Sepik region. Today we shifted our birdwatching base to the lowlands, flying from Kagamuga Airport, Mount Hagen, to Karawari in East Sepik Province. This was quite an adventure! We travelled in a 9-seater turboprop flown by pilot George. Because of the relatively low flight ceiling, we had magnificent views as we crossed the mountains that form the spine of New Guinea. These mountains mark the junction of the northward-moving Australian tectonic plate and two microplates (Maoke and Woodlark). The complex geological history of New Guinea has given rise to the high levels of biodiversity and endemism in the island.
We landed on a grass airstrip at Karawari and met our bird guide Chris. From there, a boat took us upriver to the lodge. Among the first species we saw was a Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana) perched on fallen timber at the edge of the river. Our boat captain Julian moored at the makeshift jetty and a Toyota Hilux truck, with its tray replaced by three rows of seats, carried us up the hill to Karawari Lodge, where we were greeted by a female Blyth’s (Papuan) Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus) strolling across the track.
The main building of the Lodge is constructed in the traditional style of Sepik longhouses, with a steeply raked roof and walls made of sago thatch clipped into wave patterns. Our rooms had thatched roofs and woven walls with fly-screened windows. The beds were draped in heavy cotton mosquito nets, which did an excellent job of keeping out the insects. Later in the trip, we compared notes about the smaller vertebrate visitors to our rooms: apart from the insect-eating white-lined geckos (Gekko vittatus), we also had visits from a rat or melomys, which sampled everything from lip balm to coffee lollies to backpacks.
From the lodge balcony, we saw Uniform Swiftlets (Aerodramus vanikorensis), spectacular iridescent Black Sunbirds (Leptocoma sericea), and Brahminy Kites. We also saw the Lowland Peltops (Peltops blainvilii), a dapper black, white and scarlet relative of woodswallows and butcherbirds. That afternoon, we birded by boat downstream towards the Sepik River. The trip netted a Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis), as well as flyovers by several species of pigeons and parrots. Birds were everywhere, although they were not always easy to see among the dense riparian vegetation.
We returned to the lodge just as a tropical storm rolled down from the mountains. We were treated to a spectacular light show, the lightning illuminating the Karawari River and the rainforest beyond.
Day 7. Mon 17 June 2019. Karawari area. We spent the day birding by boat. Our two main targets today were Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus) and King Bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius). Chris spotted the male Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise perched at the top of a naked tree, so Julian moored the boat and we scrambled up the muddy bank (with help!) to watch the bird perform. He moved up and down the tree, flicking his jet-black wings and shimmying his yellow feathers and twelve ‘wires’. We had closer views of the male King bird-of-paradise, but he was more difficult to see among the leafy canopy. Locating him required a short walk through the lowland rainforest. While we waited for a glimpse of the remarkable orange and white bird with its tail feathers like angry bees, we picked up one or two freeloading arthropods. [A bird sitting on a branch Description automatically generated]
Having seen these two marvellous species, we returned to more leisurely birding in the boat. Species such as Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) and Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyus geoffroyi), which are rare in Australia and confined to northern rainforests of Cape York Peninsula, were common and easy to see here. We also recorded Golden Myna (Mino anais) and Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii) and witnessed frequent flyovers by Dusky Lories (Pseudeos fuscata), Collared Imperial Pigeon (Ducula mullerii), Glossy Manucodes (Manucodia ater), and Hooded Butcherbirds (Cracticus cassicus). Perhaps the (non-bird-of-paradise) sighting of the day was a pair of Victoria Crowned Pigeons silhouetted in a tree. [A picture containing tree, sky, outdoor, animal Description automatically generated]
Day 8. Tue 18 June 2019. Karawari area. This was the first of two cram-packed days. We started by birding around the lodge, concentrating on the track to the river and around the helipad. Eucalypts and palms planted near the lodge proved very popular with parrots and in a short time we had racked up excellent views of Double-eyed Fig-parrots (Cyclopsitta diopthalma), Edward’s Fig-parrots (Psittaculirostris edwardsi), with their hot rod-style orange flames on their cheeks, and tiny, almost mouse-like Buff-headed Pygmy-parrots (Micropsitta pusio), the smallest species of parrot. At the helipad, a noisy group of juvenile Grey Crows (Corvus tristis) flew in and entertained us briefly with their antics.
We travelled by boat to a nearby village, where we visited their spirit house. Inside the spirit house, Chris told us about its role in male initiation and community. Whereas we were allowed into the ground floor, the building’s upper floor was prohibited to anyone except initiated men.
Chris showed us the stunning Sepik blue orchid (Dendrobium lasianthera), a species first described scientifically in 1932 and then lost to western cultivation during World War II. It was reintroduced by Neptune Beresford Blood, an Australian who first served with the New Guinea Police Force and then became a temporary captain in the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit, rescuing Allied pilots downed behind enemy lines. (Captain Blood also discovered a species of bird-of-paradise.)
After dinner at the Lodge, we boarded the boat again for a night trip to the wetlands. We headed upriver in the moonlight. Spotlighting revealed two young New Guinea freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus novaeguineae), a species closely related to the Freshwater Crocodile (C. johnstoni) of northern Australia and the Philippine crocodile (C. mindorensis). We also saw nankeen night-herons, which were startled by the sudden appearance by a boatload of birders and Great Flying fox (Pteropus neohibernicus).
Day 9. Wed 19 June 2019. Karawari area. We returned to the Lake in the morning. The boat cut between floating islands of cordylines and dense stands of Phragmites. Mountains provided a backdrop to the still water. We saw Pied Herons (Egretta picata), egrets, Whiskered Terns (Chelidonias hybrida) and birds of prey, including Brahminy Kites (Haliastur indus) and White-belled Sea-eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster).
After lunch, the boat took us back upstream to the two nearby villages for cultural visits. At the first we learnt how villagers process Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu) for food. Most of this would normally take place in the freshwater sago swamps some kilometres from the village, but the demonstration took place on the riverbank. We sampled sago pancakes, although they were not to everyone’s taste! At the second village, we were welcomed with a fishing dance accompanied by singing and a rhythm beaten out on wooden drums with heads made from two layers of goanna (Varanus) skin. The women wore headdresses made from crowned pigeon and egret feathers, and cuscus fur. Cassowary feathers were also used in adornment and artefacts. More than one of our group could have spent the bulk of their life savings on bilums and carvings. Reluctantly, we had to leave. There was still more to see on Karawari River.
After compiling our last bird list of the trip, we were entertained by a local Band, who had walked up from the riverside village to perform a selection of their songs. Among the instruments they played was a bamboo thongophone, a percussion instrument made from lengths of bamboo that were struck with the sole of a thong (flip flop). The band members were joined by a lot of villagers – possibly all of them – who crammed into the bar and dining area. One of the lodge staff donned a massive woven costume and danced along. The band told us that they didn’t have much chance to perform, which was a great shame. After their performance, they and their entourage walked back down to the village in darkness. It was our last night at the Lodge and we were feeling sad to leave, but happy and energised by our experience of the Sepik region.
Day 10. Thu 20 June 2019. Karawari to Kum Mountain Lodge. After breakfast, we said goodbye to our friends at the Lodge and clambered aboard the Toyota for the last time to rock our way down to the mooring. The trip downriver to the airstrip seemed to pass quickly. We made the most of it by looking out for birds and waving energetically to everyone on the banks and in canoes. During our time in the Sepik region, staff had made a new landing, cutting spiffy new steps into the bank. We waited in the ‘international terminal’ with some local children. It wasn’t long before the plane arrived. Pilot George flew us safely over the Highlands back to Mount Hagen. On arrival, we had smiles and hugs for and from Joseph and James, and the same from everyone when we returned to our highland lodge. It was like being home.
Day 11. Fri 21 June 2019. Depart Port Moresby. In the morning, we said our goodbyes and flew from Mount Hagen to Port Moresby. Because our flight back to Cairns did not leave until the afternoon, so we spent the intervening time at a local airport hotel in Port Moresby. We enjoyed a lovely lunch – the last of the trip – in the restaurant on the top floor. We arrived in Cairns in the evening, the end of an amazing tour of Papua New Guinea.
Inala Nature Tours - Papua New Guinea Tour - 11 – 21 June 2019
Tour Leader: Tonia Cochran
TOUR BIRD LIST
- Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa): Karawari River
- Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora): heard in the vicinity of lodge near on Kum Mountain
- Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis): Karawari River
- Nankeen Night-heron (Nycticorax caledonicus): Karawari River and associated wetlands
- Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana): frequent, Karawari River and associated wetlands
- Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis): Jacksons Airport, Port Moresby
- Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta): Karawari River and associated wetlands
- Pied Heron (Egretta picata): wetlands, Karawari River
- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta): Karawari River
- Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos): Karawari River
- Little Back Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris): Karawari River
- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo): Karawari River
- Papuan Eagle or New Guinea Harpy-eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae): uncommon, Kum Mountain and Jiwaka Province
- Variable Goshawk (Accipiter hiogaster): Karawari River
- Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus): highlands, Jiwaka Province
- Black Kite (Milvus migrans): common, widespread
- Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus): common on Karawari River, also seen in Jiwaka Province
- Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indicus): common on Karawari River, also seen in Jiwaka Province
- White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster): common on Karawari River
- Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida): wetlands, Karawari River
- Bar-tailed or Black-billed Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia nigrirostis): frequent in rainforest edges around Kum Mountain lodge
- New Guinea Bronzewing (Henicophaps albifrons): Karawari River
- Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria): Karawari River
- Wompoo Fruit-dove (Ptilopus magnificus): Karawari River
- Orange-fronted Fruit-dove (Ptilopus aurantifrons): common, Karawari River
- White-bibbed Fruit-dove (Ptilopus rivoli): rainforest on Kum Mountain
- Orange-bellied Fruit-dove (Ptilopus iozonus): common, Karawari River
- Pinon’s Imperial-pigeon (Ducula pinon): common, Karawari River
- Collared Imperial-pigeon (Ducula mullerii): common, Karawari River
- Zoe’s Imperial-pigeon (Ducula zoeae): common, Karawari River
- Papuan Mountain Pigeon (Gymnophaps albertisii): Karawari River
- Ivory-billed (Greater Black) Coucal (Centropus menbecki): Karawari River
- Black-billed (Lesser Black) Coucal (Centropus bernsteini): rainforest along Karawari River
- Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus): Kum Mountain lodge
- Dwarf Koel (Microdynamis parva): lodge on Karawari River
- Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae): Karawari River
- Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites ruficollis): village outskirts, Jiwaka Province, also heard in Karawari River area
- Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus): Karawari River
- Papuan Boobook (Ninox theomacha): Kum Mountain lodge
- Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis): Karawari River
- Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta): widespread, seen around Kum Mountain and Karawari River
- Mountain Swiftlet (Aerodramus hirundinaceus): Kum Mountain area
- Uniform Swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis): Karawari River
- Papuan Spine-tailed Swift (Mearnsia novaeguineae): Karawari River
- Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis): common in lowlands
- Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichard): Karawari River
- Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayi): Kum Mountain, also along Karawari River
- Mountain Kingfisher (Syma megarhyncha): heard on Kum Mountain
- Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azurea): Karawari River
- Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus): Karawari River
- Blyth’s Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus): Karawari River
- Brown Falcon (Falco berigora): farmland near Jiwaka Province
- Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus): Karawari River
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita): Karawari River
- Buff-faced Pygmy-parrot (Micropsitta bruijinii): in lodge grounds near Karawari River
- Papuan King-parrot (Alisterus chloropterus): heard in lodge grounds near Karawari River
- Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus): common in lowlands
- Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyus geoffroyi): common on Karawari River
- Brehm’s Tiger Parrot (Psittacella brehmii): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Painted Tiger Parrot (Psittacella picta): rare, community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Red-flanked Lorikeet (Charmosyna placentis): Karawari River
- Papuan Lorikeet (Charmosyna papou): Kum Mountain
- Yellow-billed Lorikeet (Neopsittacus musschenbroekii): Kum Mountain
- Orange-billed Lorikeet (Neopsittacus pullicauda): Kum Mountain
- Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory): Karawari River
- Dusky Lory (Pseudeos fuscata): common, Karawari River
- Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus): Karawari River
- Edward’s Fig-parrot (Psittaculirostris edwardsii): in lodge grounds near Karawari River
- Double-eyed Fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma): common in lodge grounds and along Karawari River
- MacGregor’s Bowerbird (Amblyornis macgregoriae): in rainforest on Kum Mountain
- Yellow-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera lauterbachi): Kum Mountain and Jiwaka Province
- White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus): common in lodge grounds and rainforest edge on Kum Mountain
- Papuan Black Myzomela (Myzomela nigrita): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Mountain or Elfin Myzomela (Myzomela adolphinae): common around Kum Mountain lodge
- Red-collared Myzomela (Myzomela rosenbergii): common around Kum Mountain lodge
- Grey-streaked Honeyeater (Ptiloprora perstriata): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Plain Honeyeater (Pycnopygius ixoides): Karawari River
- Streak-headed Honeyeater (Pycnopygius stictocephalus): in lodge grounds near Karawari River
- Meyer’s Friarbird (Philemon meyeri): common in lowlands
- Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides): Jiwaka Province, also along Karawari River
- Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis): in lodge grounds near Karawari River
- Common Smoky Honeyeater (Melipotes fumigatus): common in rainforest in Highlands
- Yellow-browed Melidectes (Melidectes rufocrissalis): rainforest on Kum Mountain
- Belford’s Melidectes (Melidectes belfordi): common at community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Ornate Melidectes (Melidectes torquatus): rainforest and farmland on Kum Mountain
- Mimic Honeyeater (Meliphaga analoga): in lodge grounds near Karawari River
- Mountain Mouse-warbler (Crateroscelis robusta): heard on Kum Mountain
- Buff-faced Scrubwren (Sericornis perspicillatus): widespread in Highlands
- Papuan Scrubwren (Sericornis papuensis): higher elevations in Highlands
- Large Scrubwren (Sericornis nouhuysi): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Brown-breasted Gerygone (Gerygone ruficollis): Kum Mountain
- Grey Thornbill (Acanthiza cinerea): frequent, higher slopes of Kum Mountain
- Mid-mountain Berrypecker (Melanocharis longicauda): Kum Mountain
- Fan-tailed Berrypecker (Melanocharis versteri): Kum Mountain
- (Eastern) Crested Berrypecker (Paramythia montium): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Black-breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus nigripectus): Kum Mountain
- Great Woodswallow (Artamus maximus): slopes of Kum Mountain
- Lowland Peltops (Peltops blainvillii): Karawari River
- Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus): Karawari River
- Hooded Cuckooshrike (Coracina longicauda): Kum Mountain
- White-bellied Cuckooshrike (Coracina papuensis): common, Karawari River
- Black-bellied Cuckooshrike (Edolisoma montanum): Kum Mountain
- Black-browed Triller (Lalage atrovirens): Karawari River
- Varied Sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera): Kum Mountain
- Wattled Ploughbill (Eulacestoma nigropectus): Kum Mountain
- Rufous-naped Bellbird (Aleadryas rufinucha): Kum Mountain and community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Black Pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens): Kum Mountain, also Karawari River
- Brown-backed Whistler (Pachycephala modesta): Kum Mountain
- Sclater’s Whistler (Pachycephala soror): Kum Mountain
- Regent Whistler (Pachycephala schlegelii): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Black-headed Whistler (Pachycephala monacha): outskirts of village in Jiwaka Province
- Little Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha): around Kum Mountain lodge
- Grey Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica): outskirts of village in Jiwaka Province
- Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach): common near Kum Mountain lodge
- Northern Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus): Karawari River
- Brown Oriole (Oriolus szalayi): widespread
- Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus): Karawari River
- Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys): widespread
- Northern fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris): Karawari River
- White-bellied Thicket Fantail (Rhipidura leucothorax): Karawari River
- Black Fantail (Rhipidura atra): Kum Mountain
- Friendly Fantail (Rhipidura albolimbata): Kum Mountain
- Dimorphic Fantail (Rhipidura brachyrhyncha): Kum Mountain
- Black (Fantailed) Monarch (Symposiachrus axillaris): outskirts of village in Jiwaka Province
- Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto): Karawari River
- Grey Crow (Corvus tristis): infrequent around lodge on Karawari River
- Torresian Crow (Corvus orru): Karawari River
- Blue-capped Ifrit (Ifrita kowaldi): Kum Mountain and community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Glossy-mantled Manucode (Manucodia ater): frequent, Karawari River
- Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia (Astrapia stephaniae): upper slopes of Kum Mountain
- King of Saxony Bird of Paradise (Pteridophora alberti): upper slopes of Kum Mountain
- Greater Lophorina (Lophorina superba): common on Kum Mountain
- Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastuosus): upper slopes of Kum Mountain
- Brown Sicklebill (Epimachus meyeri): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius): Karawari River
- Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus): Karawari River
- Raggiana Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea raggiana): outskirts of village in Jiwaka Province
- Blue Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rudolphi): Kum Mountain
- Black-throated Robin (Plesiodryas albonotata): Kum Mountain
- White-winged Robin (Peneothello sigillatus): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Lemon-bellied Flyrobin (Microeca flavigaster): Kum Mountain
- Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica): Kum Mountain and Karawari River
- Island Leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus poliocephalus): rainforest edge on Kum Mountain
- Papuan (New Guinea) White-eye (Zosterops novaeguineae): common, Kum Mountain lodge
- Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica): widespread
- Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii): Karawari River
- Golden Myna (Mino anais): Karawari River
- Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata): common around Kum Mountain lodge
- Red Capped Flowerpecker (Dicaeum geelvinkianum): widespread
- Black Sunbird (Leptocoma apasia): frequent around lodge on Karawari RIver
- Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis): Kum Mountain
- Mountain Firetail (Oreostruthus fuliginosus): community-run lodge in Enga Province
- Papuan Parrot-finch (Erythrura papuana): Kum Mountain
- Streak-headed Mannikin (Lonchura tristissima): Karawari River
- Hooded Mannikin (Lonchura castaneothorax): common at Kum Mountain lodge
- Australian Pipit (Anthus australis): Karawari River
MAMMALS
- Great Fruit Bat (Pteropus neohibernicus): Karawari River
REPTILES
- New Guinea Crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae): wetlands, Karawari River
- Asian House gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus): Karawari River
- Lined Gecko (Gekko vittatus): Karawari River
