25/04/2023
We are promoting the endemics of Milnebay and for this time we successfully completed the tour to Rossel Island with Wong.Lee and Wong Chin from Singapore. Read their story about the trip.
Louisiade Pitta @ Rossell Island, Papua New Guinea (April 2023)
For the uninitiated, this Pitta is listed as Data Deficient as there have been no definite records since the type specimen was collected in 1898 (Birdlife International). When I had this discussion with Yong Ding Li, he felt that it should not be too difficult to find as the habitat is still well preserved. That sets in motion my quest for this Pitta. It was a short time later that I saw a post on eBird from Michael smith who took a record shot of a pair of them at Russell Island in Aug2022. Yes, it is there and it can be done.
This remains the most challenging Pitta quest I have ever embarked on, not because of Pitta behavior, but the journey to the far end of Papua New Guinea, the last Island, Rossell Island. Wang Bin and I started the journey with a red-eye flight into Port Moresby on 19th April, followed by a domestic flight into Alotau. Noon of 20th marked the start of sea crossing. What was supposed to be a 2 day crossing became a 3 day affair with us finally arriving into the Island just as the sun set on 22nd April. In between, we camped once on a desolate beach, the next, we ventured into a friendly village and claimed their corner hut for the night. The reason for the delays were myriad, refuel barge at Misima Island coming in late, minor technical hiccups, the need to pick up 2 sets of pilots to navigate the shallow reefs at Sudest and the safe passage in Rossell Island. The last approach into the island was tempestuous and we had to seek safe harbor till the sea calmed which it did a few hours later.
This sea route undertaking should only be done when the seas is calm in certain months of the year (eg April). I understand the other good period is sep-nov but do confirm with our able guide Waiyaki Nemani.
