LESSER SUNDAS 2016 - Birdquest -LESSER SUNDAS- REP... · In the afternoon we introduced ourselves...

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1 BirdQuest Tour Report: The Lesser Sundas 2016 www.birdquest-tours.com

‘Roti’ Boobook (Craig Robson)

THE LESSER SUNDAS

10-28 AUGUST 2016

Bali & East Java Extension until 2 September LEADER: CRAIG ROBSON With our first visit to Rote (or Roti) Island off west Timor, and the additional of an optional extension to Bali and east Java, our eleventh tour to this region must go down as the most successful to date. Highlights amongst our huge total of 356 species included: Grey-breasted Partridge, Green Peafowl, Flores and Javan Hawk-Eagles, Sumba Buttonquail, Ruddy, Timor and Black Cuckoo-Doves, Red-naped and Pink-headed Fruit Doves, Flores Green Pigeon, Timor and Pink-headed Imperial Pigeons, ‘Roti’ Boobook, Flores and Wallace's Scops Owls, Javan Owlet, Yellow-eared Barbet, ‘Red-crested’ Woodpecker, Javan Flameback, Yellow- and ‘Citron’-crested Cockatoos, Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Jonquil (or Olive-shouldered) Parrot, Iris Lorikeet, Javan Banded and Elegant Pittas, Flores Monarch, Bare-throated Whistler, Javan Bush Warbler, White-bibbed Babbler, Large Wren-Babbler, Black-winged Starling, Bali Myna, Chestnut-capped, Chestnut-backed, and Orange-sided Thrushes, Black-banded Flycatcher, Tricolored Parrotfinch, and Timor Sparrow. A Leopard Cat, right in front of our vehicle at Baluran National Park, was probably the star mammal.

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We all assembled at the Airport in Denpasar, Bali and checked-in for our relatively short flight to Waingapu, the main town on the island of Sumba. On arrival we were whisked away to our newly built hotel, and arrived just in time for lunch. By the early afternoon we were already beginning our explorations with a visit to the coastline north-west of town in the Londa Liru Beach area. The main purpose of going to this site was two-fold. Most important was the small population of tailorbirds that Birdquest discovered here in 2013, inhabiting coastal trees and scrub. They are similar to Olive-backed but the voice, at least, appears slightly different. Olive-backed is the only Orthotomus tailorbird occurring east of Wallace’s Line, reaching distant Lombok only. Could this be an undescribed form, or is this population derived from released Olive-backed’s of captive origin? Before finally tracking down some tailorbirds, we enjoyed a rather tame pair of Malaysian Plovers along the shoreline.

!Malaysian Plover near Waingapu (Craig Robson)

From here we continued to Yumbu grasslands. Forming a well-organized line, it wasn’t too long before a Sumba Buttonquail was flushed, and we had multiple good flight views. Several of us were also lucky enough to see it on the ground too. There was not much else to hold our attention here, apart from Horsfield’s Bush Lark, so we headed back to base for an early night. Early the following morning we visited a number of wetlands in the Menggitimbe area. A nice range of species as usual, included Wandering Whistling and Pacific Black Ducks, Australian Swamphen, Buff-banded Rail (including a pair with a chick), White-headed Stilt, Lots of Javan Plovers, Sacred Kingfisher, Indonesia Honeyeater, White-shouldered Triller, Australian Reed Warbler, Ashy-bellied White-eye, Apricot-breasted Sunbird, and large numbers of Zebra Finches and Pale-headed Munias. We returned to the hotel relatively early, packed-up, and drove the fairly short distance to our homestay in Lewa. After a great lunch and welcome break (the first of many here!) we went west to Langgaliru National Park and got into our first endemic-filled session! A rapid succession of goodies included Sumba Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit Dove, three perched Sumba Hornbills, great looks at Sumba Myzomela, Rusty-breasted Whistler (a split from the former Golden), Arafura Fantail, Spectacled Monarch, Yellow-ringed (or -spectacled) White-eye, Sumba Jungle Flycatcher (split from Russet-backed), a couple of very sneaky Sumba Flycatchers, and Sumba Flowerpecker (split from Blood-breasted).

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At dusk the Sumba form of Eastern Barn Owl and Elegant Pittas called loudly, before Sumba Boobook was tempted into full view at the top of a dead tree. Moving to another spot, Little Sumba Hawk-Owl (or Boobook) proved more elusive, but gave us a number of good views overhead. A great start! Over the next two days we successfully tracked-down all of the islands endemic bird species. At an excellent vantage point with beautiful early morning views at Langgaliru, we found two Citron-crested Cockatoos (a split from Yellow-crested), as well as our first lovely Red-naped Fruit Doves, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher (always a crowd-pleaser), more Sumba Hornbills, a nice female Eclectus Parrot, and Broad-billed Flycatcher.

!Sumba Myzomela (Craig Robson)

Further birding at Langgaliru yielded Brown Goshawk, good looks at a perched group of Marigold Lorikeets, the Sumba race of Elegant Pittas, Lesser Wallacean Drongo (split from Wallacean). A forest patch to the east of town was also quite birdy, and here we had very good views of several excellent Spotted Harriers, Sunda Nightjar, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, and both Sumba and Sumba Brown Flycatchers. We returned for another comfortable night in Waingapu, before our morning flight to Kupang in west Timor. Arriving at Kupang relatively early, we decided to visit a coastal area not far from town before lunch. This was a good call by our local guide Martinus, as this proved to be an excellent location. Mixed flocks of terns included both species of Gull-billed (the commoner Australian Gull-billed now split by a number of authorities), as well as Whiskered, White-winged and Little (the latter also breeding at the site). A mix of roosting shorebirds also held a few gems, with Far Eastern Curlew, Great Knot and Terek Sandpiper. In the afternoon we introduced ourselves to the endemic Timor avifauna with a visit to the Pan Muti-Bipolo area on the other side of Kupang Bay. Three Brown Quail showed ridiculously well and we also found Black-faced Woodshrike, Fawn-breasted Whistler, Northern and Arafura Fantails, Tree Martin, Red Avadavat, Five-

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coloured Munia and, best of all, around 20 Timor Sparrows. As night fell, we had some nice looks at Streaked Boobook (a long acknowledged split from Southern) calling from some dead trees.

‘Roti’ Leaf Warbler (Craig Robson)

The following morning we embarked on our side-trip to the neighbouring island of Rote (or Roti), just a short ferry ride away but a new location for Birdquest. With one night at a small hotel, we had the rest of the day and a morning to explore the north-eastern part of the island. Our main targets on the island were four potential splits: Roti Boobook (from Southern), Roti Myzomela (from an undescribed form resembling Sumba), Roti Fantail (from Northern), and Roti Leaf Warbler (from another undescribed form resembling Timor). With the help of a knowledgeable local guide we succeeded in getting great views of all of them. Additionally, the forest patches and wetlands yielded Sunda Teal, Oriental Darter, Royal Spoonbill, Australian Pelican, Red-backed Buttonquail, Red-capped Plover, Black Cuckoo-Dove (or Timor Black Pigeon), Jonquil Parrot, Olive-brown (or Timor) Oriole, Greater Wallacean Drongo (split from Wallacean), Orange-sided Thrush, White-bellied Bush Chat, and Black-faced Munia. Back on Timor, we spent our first early morning slot at Camplong, where we had several important target birds to track down. Fortunately things went very well. A flowering tree attracted Black-breasted Myzomela, Flame- (or Yellow-) eared and Streak-breasted Honeyeaters and Blue-cheeked (or Red-chested) Flowerpecker, while skulkers like Timor Stubtail, Buff-banded Thicketbird, Black-banded Flycatcher, and Spot-breasted Heleia (or Dark-eye) all put in an appearance. We also enjoyed Plain Gerygone and Sunda Bush Warbler. Moving to the well-known lowland forest patch at Bipolo for the rest of the morning, we added Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Timor Friarbird, Wallacean Cuckooshrike, and another Orange-sided Thrush. We spent the afternoon and following morning at a nice site that we know just north of here. We had good scope views of the scarce Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, several Pacific Emerald Doves (or Green-winged

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Pigeons), the lovely Banded (or Black-backed) Fruit Dove, more Jonquil Parrots, Green (or Timor) Figbird, Timor Stubtails, Buff-banded Thicketbirds, a pair of Timor Blue Flycatchers, and lots of quite showy Tricolored Parrotfinches. We moved on inland and uphill to Soe and in the afternoon, paid our first visit to Oelnasi, an area of monsoon forest 15km back towards Kupang. Things were a bit quieter than expected, apart from our first Timor Leaf Warblers, but before and after nightfall we had more success, with superb views of Timor Nightjar (to be split from Large-tailed) and a cracking Eastern Barn Owl.

Timor Imperial Pigeon at Gunung Mutis (Craig Robson)

For our visit to West Timor’s highest mountain, Gunung Mutis, we had to leave very early in our four-wheel drive vehicles, in order to negotiate the very bad road. Soon after arrival at the trail-head, around some rocky outcrops, we lured-in a very entertaining little Timor Wren-babbler (or Cupwing) - a likely future split from Pygmy. Some authorities still insist on calling these birds wren-babblers, even though it has been clearly demonstrated that they are totally unrelated. Weather conditions were clear, sunny and hot for the third year running, so we made rapid progress along the summit trail through impressive Eucalyptus forests. Numerous Island Thrushes, and regular groups of Mountain White-eyes were encountered along the way and a number of hyper-active Iris Lorikeets zapped through the tree-tops and gave us the run-around. We listened and scanned for any sign of the elusive Timor Imperial Pigeon, but not a sniff! Then suddenly, after the slightest experimental trawl, we heard the unique quivering, rumbling call of this elusive columbid, and lo-and-behold a pair flew up into a tree-top in full view right before us. What a treat! As usual, there were also many encounters with Metallic Pigeon, and we also found the interesting local form of Little Cuckoo-Dove, Yellow-throated Whistler (split from the former Golden), our first Chestnut-backed Thrush, Snowy-browed

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Flycatcher, and plenty of Timor Leaf Warblers. Moving to another site, we had some great views of Olive-headed Lorikeets, Brush Cuckoo, and more showy Jonquil Parrots. Our last day on Timor started with a return visit to Oelnasi. We still needed to find Timor Cuckoo-Dove (split from Barred-necked), and we had to walk some way before we actually heard our first, giving its distinctive wolf-whistle coo. Tricky in the beginning, it finally sat right out for us. Several other nice highlights during the morning included yet another pair of Jonquil Parrots, both Timor and Helmeted Friarbirds, and an obliging pair of Spot-breasted Heleias. A Timor Stubtail showed incredibly well for all of us.

!Thick-billed Heleia (Craig Robson)

A very early morning flight transported us across to Ruteng in the mountains of Flores, from where we drove across to our accommodation at the Catholic Seminary in Kisol. Stopping for some introductory highland birding along the way, we scanned the placid crater-lake of Danau Rana Mese. Just Tricolored Grebes (split from Little) and Pacific Black Ducks on the water, but in the surrounding forest we enjoyed our first endemics: Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Little (or Flores) Minivet, a tail-waggling Brown-capped Fantail, an incredibly obliging Russet-capped Tesia, Crested White-eye (or Dark-eye), Flores Yellow White-eye (a sure split from Oriental), Thick-billed Heleia (or Dark-eye), Flores Jungle Flycatcher (split from Russet-backed), and Golden-rumped Flowerpecker. A pair of circling Rensch’s Eagles (a potential split from Bonelli’s) caused a further brief stop along the way. From our base at Kisol, we made a series of excursions to the forest below Gunung Pacandeki. Our main target here is the threatened Flores Hawk-Eagle and this year, we were lucky enough to have one circling at relatively close range, almost overhead. Another much-wanted bird, the elusive Flores Green Pigeon, was unfortunately only heard at this stage; we had better luck with a pair of Glittering (or White-rumped) Kingfishers, our second race of Elegant Pitta, the weird Flores Crow, and Black-fronted Flowerpecker.

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Owling produced brief but full-on views of a typically awkward Wallace’s Scops Owl, and superb close-ups of a much more obliging Moluccan Scops Owl. Leaving Kisol behind, we headed back up into the hills and our accommodation in Ruteng. Birding along the roadside at Rana Mese en route was a little quiet, but we did get our first looks at Pygmy Cupwing (or Wren-babbler). After checking into our new hotel accommodation, we headed for the forested slopes surrounding the town, where we were to spend most of our time in the Ruteng area. One of the most memorable experiences was the incredible dawn chorus of Bare-throated Whistlers at Golo Lusang. They were singing everywhere at day-break and it didn't take long to get one in the scope for a good long look, showing off its bulging red throat-skin as it belted-out its amazingly powerful and unbelievably constant song. It is truly amazing just how skulking this bird is during the rest of the day, when it falls silent. Also of great interest for

!Yellow-breasted Warbler (Craig Robson)

us were Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Sunda Cuckoo, Leaf (or Flores) Lorikeet, a single Wallace’s Hanging Parrot high in a huge fig tree, Mountain Tailorbird, Flores Leaf Warbler (a long-time well-acknowledged split from Timor), Yellow-breasted Warbler, Cream-browed White-eye (or Yellow-browed Dark-eye), several smart Chestnut-backed Thrushes, and Flores Shortwing (a likely future split from White-browed). Our night-time forays, once again, resulted in excellent views of the diminutive endemic Flores Scops Owl as well as further, though again fleeting views of Wallace’s Scops Owl. Along a minor road north of Ruteng, that skirts the forested slopes from near Pagal down to Gapong, we succeeded in getting good looks at two Flores Green Pigeons and better flight views of Leaf Lorikeet, as well as a nice range of already familiar species, including Glittering Kingfisher.

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Having pretty well cleaned-up in the highlands, we continued westwards in the wee hours, bound for Puarlolo, a well-known site for the restricted-range endemic Flores Monarch. As one of our vehicles had to stop to deal with a flat tyre, we did a bit of trawling for Wallace’s Scops Owl along the roadside. To our utter amazement, as the first sign of dawn began to approach, one of these well-built scops owls began to call back to us at very close range, and then bam!, there it was in full view, illuminated by our flashlights. Thankfully the other vehicle soon caught up and was just in time to get a good look before dawn broke and the bird stopped calling.

!Glittering (or White-rumped) Kingfisher (Craig Robson)

After some considerable effort, as usual, the monarch performed well and we all had satisfying views. Chestnut-capped Thrushes were also very vocal and active, with numerous views as we tried to all get satisfactory looks at this stunning bird. A young Orange-footed Scrubfowl exploded up from the side of the trail, but there was little else to add to our tally. We headed off for a bit of luxury in the Bintang Flores Hotel in Labuan Bajo. In the afternoon we birded the Potawangka Road which branches-off at the outskirts of Labuan Bajo. It was pretty quiet, as is often the case in the afternoon, but a dazzling Rufous-backed Kingfisher (often split from Oriental Dwarf) showed nicely, Flores Crow was seen very well, and we had really good views of two more Flores Monarchs. Komodo Island and its remarkable dragons provided the setting for the final full day of the main tour. Boarding our charter boat well before dawn, we cruised across the ocean to this strange island, enjoying a typically beautiful sunrise. There were plenty of birds during the outbound journey too, with A Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Great-billed Herons, and plenty of terns, including Black-naped. Once ashore, we took a walk into the dry forests to admire the lovely Yellow-crested Cockatoo, safe here, at least for the time being, in perhaps its best remaining refuge on earth. Our first Komodo Dragon, perhaps the star-attraction for many people here,

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came plodding down the trail straight towards us. This year we saw a small youngster too. We had some fantastic looks at Green Junglefowl, scoped a rather tame Variable Goshawk and a singing Island Collared Dove and, just before getting back on our boat, were lucky enough to spot a pair of fantastic Beach Stone-curlews as the tide was receding. The boat journey back produced rather little, and there was a stiff breeze. A river mouth south of Labuan Bajo supported a few shorebirds, including Pacific Golden and Javan Plovers, and Red-necked Stint.

Male Green Junglefowl (Craig Robson)

On our last morning we still had time for more birding, and decided on a return visit to Puarlolo. This proved to be a great decision. As we ate breakfast, we noticed that a fruiting fig tree was providing a temporary home for at least four Wallace’s Hanging Parrots, while along the forest trail we all got satisfactory views of Chestnut-capped Thrush and a nice male Rufous-chested Flycatcher. A great finish. Flying back to Denpasar, we bid farewell to Terry, and then enjoyed a big comfortable bed as we looked ahead to the Bali & East Java Extension. Events kicked-off early the next morning with a visit to the Uluwatu Temple area at the southern tip of the island. Large-tailed Nightjar ‘chonked’-away and, as the sunny steadily rose, we began to scan for Black-winged Starling (or Myna), which has been roosting in this area in recent years. It was very pleasing to find a flock of 17 birds still using the area, and they were kind enough to fly in and land right I front of us. We had further good luck on the cliff-top, when a White-tailed Tropicbird gave a couple of good views before disappearing somewhere below us. Out at sea, three Streaked Shearwaters drifted by. A range of commoner landbirds included Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Small Minivet, Olive-backed Tailorbird, and Javan Myna.

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Before our lengthy drive to north-west Bali, we had time for a visit to Nusa Dua Wastewater Treatment Plant - a great place for a wide range of water- and other birds. Amongst the good birds that we found here were Sunda Teal, Barred Buttonquail, Cerulean (or Small Blue) Kingfisher, Bar-winged Prinia, and Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker.

!Wild-born Bali Myna skulking in thorny vegetation (Craig Robson)

From Nusa Dua we drove north, up and over the mountainous interior of Bali to the north coast, and then west towards Bali Barat National Park. In the late afternoon we hooked-up with a local guide and birded some areas near Menjangan Resort and Labuhan Lalang. One of the locations forms part of the Bali Myna re-population effort, and here we had our first views of this beautiful bird. Considering that this population derives from released birds, it is amazing how difficult they can be to get a clear view of. Soaring Changeable Hawk- and Black Eagles aroused our attention over coffee and we also enjoyed our first views of Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot, Javan Cuckooshrike, and Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher. We continued birding in this area the following morning, visiting a range of sites. The scarce Ruby-throated Bulbul popped up briefly, and unfortunately only for the leader, but we had much better success with a superb pair of Javan Banded Pittas. There were great views of Fulvous-chested Flycatcher and Horsfield’s Babbler, while Crescent-chested Babbler was somewhat more secretive, and a Javan Owlet shut up before we could track it down. The morning session also produced Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Black-thighed Falconet, and Hair-crested Drongo. Before heading off for east Java, we had time to visit another Bali Myna release area. This was a great spot and we had some fine views of at least eight birds including several un-ringed individuals, representing wild-born offspring.

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We drove to Gilimanuk and boarded one of the many large car ferries that ply the Bali Strait. Wilson’s Storm Petrel and many Black-naped Terns highlighted the crossing and, once ashore at Banyuwangi, and after an excellent lunch in a top local restaurant, we continued our journey north-eastwards to Baluran National park. Based in some spotless and comfortable accommodation near the park entrance, we had an afternoon and a morning to explore this large park. At Bekol, the large open areas with waterholes proved to be the best area to see the magnificent Green Peafowl, and we saw over 30 in all. We were also very surprised to see a large flock of at least 37 Black-winged Mynas - great news for this severely threatened species, which is often referred to as the “poor-man’s Bali Myna”. Along the coastal trail at Bama, we had multiple sightings of a pair of Javan Flamebacks, as well as the somewhat more subdued (but equally endemic!) Grey-cheeked Tit-Babbler. Other good birds in Baluran were Green Junglefowl, Great-billed Heron, numerous Island Collared Doves, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, our first cracking Javan Kingfisher, White-bellied Woodpecker, and Slender-billed Crow. At night, along the park entrance road, a superb Leopard Cat was a bonus.

Green Peafowl (Craig Robson)

Leaving Baluran in the mid-morning, we drove via Banyuwangi to our accommodation below the Ijen Plateau. After lunch we headed up to the forest to bag some new birds. There was a surprising amount of activity considering the time of day, and we enjoyed our first views of Black-banded and Flame-fronted Barbets, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Sunda Minivet, Pied Shrike-Babbler (for David only!), White-bellied Fantail, Sunda Bulbul, Mountain Leaf and Sunda Warblers, Mees’s (or Javan Grey-throated) White-eye, Blue Nuthatch, Indigo Flycatcher, and White-flanked Sunbird. The next day was our last full birding day of the tour, with much still to see at Ijen. Fortunately the weather gods were very kind to us once again (how lucky we had been throughout this tour) and, working the various elevations along the steep windy road, we gradually bagged the vast majority of our targets. We had a handful of encounters with Grey-breasted (or White-faced) Partridge, which was somewhat more elusive than normal this time, Javan Hawk-Eagle, Pink-

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headed Fruit Dove and Javan Bush Warbler showed very well, and we also found Ruddy, Little and Barred Cuckoo-Doves, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Sunda Cuckooshrike, Trilling Shrike-Babbler (split from Chestnut-fronted), Mountain Tailorbird, Sunda Bush Warbler, White-bibbed and Crescent-chested Babblers, a superb pair of Large Wren-Babblers, Mountain White-eye, Lesser Shortwing, Javan Whistling Thrush, Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, and Javan Munia. Two endemics that are recently proposed splits, also put in appearances: Yellow-eared Barbet (split from Blue-eared) and Red-crested Woodpecker (split from Grey-and-buff). Our nocturnal activities were also fruitful, as we succeeded in getting some excellent views of the often rather tricky Javan Owlet. Another good mammal, Small Indian Civet, was seen as we dropped down from the forest after dark.

Javan Kingfisher (Craig Robson)

Heading back down to the lowlands, and crossing the Bali Strait once more, we made the return drive to Denpasar. Over lunch at a resort along the south coast of Bali, serenaded by the rolling surf, we reflected back on a very successful trip.

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SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL). Wandering Whistling Duck Dendrocygna arcuata 100 at Menggitimbe, Sumba. Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Sunda Teal Anas gibberifrons Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt Seen on Sumba, Flores. Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora Three or four at Pan Muti-Bipolo, Timor (raaltenii).

Brown Quails on Timor (Craig Robson)

Grey-breasted Partridge (White-faced P) Arborophila orientalis Five seen and many heard at Ijen, east Java. Green Junglefowl Gallus varius Green Peafowl Pavo muticus At least 30 at Baluran, east Java. Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus 1 en route to Rote (for David), 1 en route to Komodo, and 5 Bali Strait. Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas Three off Uluwatu, Bali. Tricolored Grebe Tachybaptus tricolor Split from Little T. ruficollis. 1 Menggitimbe (Frank); 10 Danau Rana Mese. White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus One at Uluwatu, where they breed. Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia One on Rote. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis (NL) One was seen on Rote. Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax Striated Heron (Little H) Butorides striata Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Two during the Komodo boat trip, and one at Baluran NP.

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Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret (Eastern G E) Ardea [alba] modesta Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Pied Heron Egretta picata (NL) David saw two at Pan Muti-Bipolo, Timor. White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae One at Pan Muti-Bipolo, and one on Rote. Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A juvenile nigripes Little Egret at Nusa Dua WTP (Craig Robson)

Pacific Reef Heron (P R Egret) Egretta sacra Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus 22 at a lake on Rote. Great Frigatebird Fregata minor One Noelbaki, Kupang Bay. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Two off Uluwatu. Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster One at a lake on Rote. Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus One on the way to Komodo. Crested Honey-buzzard (Oriental H B) Pernis ptilorhynchus Black-winged Kite (B-shouldered K) Elanus caeruleus Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata Two on Sumba (timorlaoensis). Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela A few in west Bali and east Java (bido). Short-toed Snake Eagle (S-t Eagle) Circaetus gallicus Just one on Flores (nominate). Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Singles on west Bali and east Java (limnaeetus). Flores Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus floris 1 at Gunung Pacandeki, Kisol, Flores. Javan Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi Nice views of one soaring at Ijen. Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle (R-b Eagle) Lophotriorchis kienerii Two singles on Flores (formosus). Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis

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Bonelli’s Eagle (Rensch’s E) Aquila [fasciata] renschi Four on Flores. Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster Just one sylvestris on Komodo. Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Three on Sumba (tjendanae) and one on Timor (hellmayri). Besra Accipiter virgatus (NL) One was seen at Ijen. Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Three or four on Sumba, including fairly recently fledged juveniles.

Spotted Harrier (Craig Robson)

Black Kite Milvus migrans A few affinis on Sumba. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis 4 at Menggitimbe, including a well-grown chick, and 2-3 on Timor. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Australian Swamphen Porphyrio melanotus 10+ at Menggitimbe, Sumba. Red-backed Buttonquail Turnix maculosus At least six on Rote (maculosus). Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator Three on Flores (powelli); singles west Bali and east Java (nominate) Sumba Buttonquail Turnix everetti Two seen quite well at Yumbu, Sumba. Beach Stone-curlew (B Thick-knee) Esacus magnirostris A superb pair on the beach at Komodo. White-headed Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover (Black-bellied P) Pluvialis squatarola Three at Noelbaki, Kupang Bay. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus 15 at Menggitimbe, and three near Labuan Bajo, Flores.

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Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus Two at Noelbaki, 20 Pan Muti, two on Rote. Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii A pair seen very nicely at Londa Liru Beach, near Waingapu. Lesser Sand Plover (Mongolian P) Charadrius mongolicus 60 at Noelbaki. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 10 at Noelbaki. Black-tailed Godwit (Eastern B-t G) Limosa [limosa] melanuroides Seven at Noelbaki. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Five at Noelbaki. Whimbrel (Eurasian W) Numenius [phaeopus] variegatus Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Ten at Noelbaki. Common Redshank Tringa totanus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes One outside the Kristal Hotel, Kupang, and another near Labuan Bajo. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Six at Noelbaki. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (NL) David saw two at Pan Muti-Bipolo. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris One at Noelbaki. Red-necked Stint (Rufous-n Stint) Calidris ruficollis David had c.500 Pan Muti; a single near Labuan Bajo. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta (NL) David had ten at Pan Muti. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (NL) One at Pan Muti.

‘Australian’ Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns (Craig Robson)

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Two at Noelbaki. Gull-billed Tern (Australian G-b T) Gelochelidon [nilotica] macrotarsa 70+ in Kupang Bay. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Little Tern Sternula albifrons Noted Actively breeding on a sandbar at Noelbaki, Kupang Bay. Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus Quite common off Rote and during the ferry ride to Kupang. Also 2 Kupang. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana 25 off Rote, 2 Kupang, 20 en route to Komodo, 200+ Bali Strait. Common Tern Sterna hirundo Three at Kupang. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

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White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus One was photographed at Noelbaki. Rock Pigeon Columba livia Metallic Pigeon Columba metallica Widespread sightings, but commonest at Gunung Mutis, Timor. Island Collared Dove Streptopelia bitorquata Two on Komodo; 100+ at Baluran NP. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis tigrina Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall One on Flores and two or three at Ijen (nominate). Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia emiliana One at Ijen. Timor Cuckoo-Dove (Barred- or Bar-necked CD, Dusky C D) Macropygia magna A pair at Oelnasi. Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps 1 Sumba, 2 Timor; 3 Flores (orientalis); 5 Ijen (nominate). Black Cuckoo-Dove (Timor Black Pigeon, Slaty C-D) Turacoena modesta Three on Rote.

!Red-naped Fruit Dove (Craig Robson)

Common Emerald Dove (Emerald D) Chalcophaps indica Pacific Emerald Dove (Green-winged Pigeon) Chalcophaps longirostris Frequent on Timor. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Barred Dove Geopelia maugeus Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Five at Uluwatu. Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicinctus A nice male at Baluran NP (javanus). Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon Treron griseicauda Sumba Green Pigeon Treron teysmannii 22 in total. Flores Green Pigeon Treron floris Two at Pagal. Phew! Heard at Kisol. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenurus Two at Ijen (korthalsi).

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Banded Fruit Dove (Black-backed F D) Ptilinopus cinctus Ten Timor (cinctus), and seven Flores (albocinctus). Red-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus dohertyi At least seven of these lovely birds on Sumba. Pink-headed Fruit Dove Ptilinopus porphyreus About eight at Ijen, with one seen very well. Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus regina Common on Timor, and two on Rote (flavicollis). Black-naped Fruit Dove Ptilinopus melanauchen Common on Sumba and Flores (nominate).

The multi-coloured Black-naped Fruit Dove (Craig Robson)

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon Ducula rosacea 5-8 birds at our excellent site on Timor; some good scope views. Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon Ducula lacernulata Not uncommon on Flores (sasakensis), and at Ijen (williami). Timor Imperial Pigeon D. cineracea A superb territorial pair G. Mutis; another in flight Oelnasi (David & Martinus). Pied Imperial Pigeon Ducula bicolor A flock of five over Komodo were unexpected. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (H) Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris Two at Baluran NP (deningeri). Pacific Koel Eudynamys orientalis Several on Sumba. Little Bronze Cuckoo (Gould’s B C) Chrysococcyx [minutillus] russatus A couple on Timor; 1 heard on Flores. Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii (H) Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus (H) Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus One seen and another heard on Timor (whitei). Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis

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Sunda Cuckoo Cuculus lepidus Two seen and many heard on Flores; a handful heard at Ijen.

Timor Imperial Pigeon (Craig Robson)

Western Barn Owl (Eurasian B O) Tyto alba (H) Heard a couple of times on Flores (javanica) Eastern Barn Owl (Australasian B O) Tyto delicatula Great views of one spotlighted at Oelnasi, Timor. Eastern Barn Owl (Sumba B O) Tyto [delicatula] sumbaensis (H) Heard once near Lewa. Flores Scops Owl Otus alfredi One seen very well and another heard near Ruteng. Wallace’s Scops Owl Otus silvicola Three different sightings: Kisol, near Ruteng, and en route to Puarlolo. Moluccan Scops Owl Otus magicus Brilliant views of one at Kisol, and a handful also heard (albiventris). Javan Owlet Glaucidium castanopterum Great views, on multiple occasions, of one at Ijen. Heard at Bali Barat NP. Sumba Boobook Ninox rudolfi Performed very well as usual. One seen, one heard. Little Sumba Hawk-Owl (L S Boobook, Least B) Ninox sumbaensis Good views of one. Many heard. Southern Boobook (Roti B) Ninox [boobook] rotiensis A pair performed incredibly well for us. Two others heard. Southern Boobook (Streaked B, Timor B) Ninox [boobook] fusca Four seen in total and several others heard. Javan Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis (H) A couple of weakly calling individuals at Ijen. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus A pair at Uluwatu. Heard in east Java (nominate). Timor Nightjar Caprimulgus sp. nova A right pair of performers at Oelnasi. Mees’s Nightjar (Sunda N) Caprimulgus meesi Two seen very well on Sumba and others heard on Flores. Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Seen on Rote and at Baluran NP. Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta Glossy Swiftlet (Timor S) Collocalia [esculenta] neglecta

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Linchi Swiftlet (Cave S) Collocalia linchi Only on Bali. Edible-nest Swiftlet (White-nest S) Aerodramus fuciphagus House Swift Apus nipalensis Glittering Kingfisher (White-rumped K) Caridonax fulgidus Easily seen on Flores, at Kisol and Pagal-Gapong. Javan Kingfisher Halcyon cyanoventris Some beauties in east Java. Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sancta Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher Todiramphus australasia One on Sumba; heard on Timor (nominate).

!Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher (Craig Robson)

Cerulean Kingfisher (Small Blue K) Alcedo coerulescens Three on Bali. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Rufous-backed K) Ceyx [erithaca] rufidorsa 1 Potawangka Rd; 1 Labuhan Lalang, Bali. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Quite common on Bali (quinticolor). Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris 25+ at Baluran NP. Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulates Eight at Ijen. Sumba Hornbill Rhyticeros everetti Seven seen well on Sumba. Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineatus One seen and several heard on Bali (nominate). Black-banded Barbet (Javan B) Psilopogon javensis Common at Ijen. Flame-fronted Barbet (Orange-f B, Blue-crowned B) Psilopogon armillaris Common at Ijen (nominate). Yellow-eared Barbet Psilopogon australis One scoped and two heard at Ijen. Endemic. Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus Six seen on Bali (roseus). Grey-and-buff Woodpecker (Red-crested W) Hemicircus [concretus] concretus One seen and one heard at Ijen. Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis A couple seen on Flores (grandis).

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Freckle-breasted Woodpecker (Spot-breasted W) Dendrocopos analis Seven analis Bali & east Java. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis One at Baluran NP (nominate). Checker-throated Woodpecker Chrysophlegma mentale Two at Ijen (nominate). Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus (H) Heard twice on Bali. Common Flameback Dinopium javense (H) Heard near Bali Barat NP (exsul). Javan Flameback Chrysocolaptes strictus An excellent, though slightly elusive pair at Baluran NP. Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius A pair in flight near Bali Barat NP. Spotted Kestrel (Moluccan K) Falco moluccensis Australian Hobby Falco longipennis One on Sumba (hanieli). Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti One ernesti at Menggitimbe, Sumba. Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea At least five parvula on Komodo. Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Citron-crested C, Sumba C) Cacatua [sulphurea] citrinocristata Just two on Sumba.

Yellow-crested Cockatoo on Komodo (Craig Robson)

Jonquil Parrot (Olive-shouldered P) Aprosmictus jonquillaceus Total of 9-10 across 3 sites on Timor; 8 on Rote. Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus A female cornelia on Sumba. Red-cheeked Parrot Geoffroyus geoffroyi Many sightings of floresianus on Sumba and Flores. Great-billed Parrot Tanygnathus megalorhynchos Just one sumbensis on Sumba. Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri Six at Baluran (nominate). Iris Lorikeet Psitteuteles iris About eight or so at Gunung Mutis. Noisy but incredibly elusive! Leaf Lorikeet (Flores L) Trichoglossus weberi A total of about eight on Flores, but always in flight. Marigold Lorikeet Trichoglossus capistratus Three perched fortis on Sumba. Good views.

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Olive-headed Lorikeet Trichoglossus euteles About 25 at Gunung Mutis. Seen very well perched. Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot Loriculus pusillus Six seen in west Bali and east Java; some perched. Wallace’s Hanging Parrot Loriculus flosculus Our best year ever on Flores, with a total of five across two sites.

Jonquil (or Olive-shouldered) Parrot (Craig Robson)

Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus (H) Javan Banded Pitta Hydrornis guajanus Great views of a pair at Bali Barat NP. Many heard (also east Java). Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans Seen by us all on Sumba (two maria), and on Flores (two concinna). Sumba Myzomela (S Red-headed Honeyeater) Myzomela dammermani 11 seen this year, with some great views. Myzomela (Roti Myzomela) Myzomela [cf dammermani] sp. nova Five logged. See notes. Black- breasted Myzomela (B-chested Honeyeater) Myzomela vulnerata Small numbers on Timor. Scaly-crowned Honeyeater (Sunda H) Lichmera lombokia Locally common on Flores. Indonesian Honeyeater Lichmera limbata Widespread on Sumba, Timor & Rote. Flame-eared Honeyeater (Yellow-e H) Lichmera flavicans Fairly common on Timor. Timor Friarbird Philemon inornatus Many seen this year. Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides Common Sumba, Flores, Komodo (neglecta) & Timor, Rote (buceroides). Streak-breasted Honeyeater Meliphaga reticulata Common on Timor. Golden-bellied Gerygone (Flyeater) Gerygone sulphurea Seen on Flores and Bali (nominate). Plain Gerygone (P Fairy Warbler) Gerygone inornata Common on Timor and Rote. Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus

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Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus Two perspicillatus scoped at Bipolo. White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Javan Cuckooshrike Coracina javensis Three in west Bali. Wallacean Cuckooshrike Coracina personata Three on Timor (personata); two on Komodo (floris). Sunda Cuckooshrike Coracina larvata Four at Ijen (nominate). Pale-shouldered Cicadabird Coracina dohertyi Small numbers on Sumba and Flores. White-shouldered Triller Lalage sueurii Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Common Bali and east Java (saturatus). Little Minivet (Flores M) Pericrocotus lansbergei Common on Flores. Sunda Minivet Pericrocotus miniatus Common at Ijen. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus Just one in west Bali (siebersi).

!Javan Banded Pitta at Bali Barat NP & Elegant Pitta on Sumba (Craig Robson)

Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala cinerea (H) Two singing in west Bali. Fawn-breasted Whistler Pachycephala orpheus Common on Timor and Rote. Rusty-breasted Whistler P. fulvotincta Common Sumba (fulviventris) & Flores (fulvotincta); heard Ijen (javana). Yellow-throated Whistler Pachycephala macrorhyncha calliope A nice male at Gunung Mutis, Timor. Bare-throated Whistler Pachycephala nudigula Great scope views of several at Golo Lusang. Great dawn chorus. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Pied Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis (NL) David saw a male at Ijen. Trilling Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius aenobarbus Four seen at Ijen. Green Figbird (Timor F) Sphecotheres viridis Just four this year on Timor. Olive-brown Oriole (Timor O) Oriolus melanotis Quite frequent on Timor, with some nice views (melanotis). Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis broderipii Frequent on Sumba and Flores (broderipii). Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus A few in west Bali and east Java (nominate). Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Two near Bali Barat NP (jentincki). Wallacean Drongo (Greater W D) Dicrurus [densus] densus Two on Rote and one at Gunung Mutis (densus). Wallacean Drongo (Lesser W D) Dicrurus [densus] bimaensis Common on Sumba (sumbae) & Flores (bimaensis). Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus (NL) David had one at Baluran NP (formosus). White-bellied Fantail Rhipidura euryura Seven at Ijen; a subtle but attractive endemic. Malaysian Pied Fantail (Pied F) Rhipidura javanica Nominate javanica was common on Bali and east Java. Brown-capped Fantail Rhipidura diluta Nine waggletails on Flores. Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris Common on Timor (rufiventris). Northern Fantail (Roti F) Rhipidura [rufiventris] tenkatei Several on Rote. Proposed as a distinct endemic species. Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas Common on Sumba (sumbensis); common Timor, one on Flores (semicollaris).

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Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Common Flores (prophata), four in west Bali (javana). Oriental Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis Frequent on Sumba (sumbaensis) and Flores (floris). See notes. Flores Monarch Symposiachrus sacerdotum Ten at Puarlolo (2-3 juveniles, with 1 dependant). 2 Potawangka Rd. Spectacled Monarch Symposiachrus trivirgatus Four on Sumba (nominate). Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis Frequent on Sumba and Timor (ruficollis). Racket-tailed Treepie Crypsirina temia (H) Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca Three at Baluran NP (nominate). Flores Crow Corvus florensis Small numbers of this gap-billed weirdo on Flores. Large-billed Crow (Southern Jungle C) Corvus [macrorhynchos] macrorhynchos Widespread throughout.

Green (or Timor) Figbird (Craig Robson)

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher (G-h F) Culicicapa ceylonensis 4 Sumba (connectens); 2 heard Ijen (antioxantha). Cinereous Tit (Grey T) Parus cinereus Widespread (nominate). Horsfield’s Bush Lark (Australasian Bushlark) Mirafra javanica Common in grasslands on Sumba (parva). Ruby-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus dispar A leader-only bird on Bali. Split from Black-crested Bulbul P. flaviventris. Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster Subspecies aurigaster was common Timor (introduced), Bali & Java. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Common on Bali (analis). Sunda Bulbul Ixos virescens Common at Ijen (nominate). Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata One on Timor and many (breeding) on Komodo (nominate). Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans Frequently seen on Timor (timoriensis). Pygmy Wren-babbler (P Cupwing) Pnoepyga pusilla Many heard, 1 seen Flores (everetti); 4 heard Ijen (rufa).

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Pygmy Wren-babbler (Timor Cupwing or Wren-b) Pnoepyga [pusilla] timorensis Two seen, five heard on Timor. Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus Three Flores (everetti); four Ijen (nominate). Seen at both. See notes. Sunda Bush Warbler Horornis vulcanius Easily seen on Timor (everetti), and at Ijen (nominate). Russet-capped Tesia (R-c Stubtail) Tesia everetti Some excellent views for all, in the Flores highlands. Common. Timor Stubtail Urosphena subulata Seen by us all eventually; about 5 birds in all. Many others heard.

!Timor Cupwing (or Wren-babbler is a likely future split (Craig Robson)

Mountain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus Common at Ijen (nominate). Timor Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus presbytes Mainly in the Timor uplands. Timor Leaf Warbler (Flores L W) Phylloscopus [presbytes] floris Common montane endemic. Split from the latter. Leaf warbler (Roti L W) Phylloscopus [cf presbytes] sp. nova Three showed well on Rote. Yellow-breasted Warbler Seicercus montis Two seen and several heard in the Flores highlands (floris). Sunda Warbler Seicercus grammiceps Common at Ijen (nominate). Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis Small numbers on Sumba and Timor (lentecaptus). Javan Bush Warbler Locustella montis Fantastic views of one at Ijen. Two more heard. The nominate race. Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris A few in Bali and east Java (nominate). Buff-banded Thicketbird (B-b Thicket-warbler, B-b Bushbird) Buettikoferella bivittata 9+ were seen on Timor. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis On Sumba and Timor (fuscicapillus). Golden-headed Cisticola (Bright-capped C) Cisticola exilis Good numbers on Timor (lineocapilla). Bar-winged Prinia Prinia familiaris Just a couple on Bali. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata Two at Baluran NP (blythi). Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Six at Baluran NP (edeli). Olive-backed Tailorbird Orthotomus sepium Common on Bali and Java. Tailorbird Orthotomus sp. Three near Waingapu, Sumba. See notes.

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White-bibbed Babbler (W-collared B) Stachyris thoracica Four at Ijen (orientalis). Crescent-chested Babbler (Pearly-cheeked B) Stachyris melanothorax 2 west Bali (baliensis), 3 Ijen (intermedia). Grey-cheeked Tit-Babbler Macronus flavicollis Six at Baluran NP (nominate). Large Wren-Babbler Napothera macrodactyla An obliging pair at Ijen (lepidopleura). Horsfield’s Babbler Malacocincla sepiaria Fairly common Bali and Java (nominate). Temminck’s Babbler Pellorneum pyrrogenys An unexpected pair at Ijen (nominate). Mees’s White-eye (Javan Grey-throated W-e) Lophozosterops javanicus Ten at Ijen. Cream-browed White-eye (Yellow-b Dark-e, White-b W-e) Lophozosterops superciliaris 12 on Flores. Crested White-eye (C Dark-eye, Dark-crowned W-e) Lophozosterops dohertyi subcristatus Common on Flores. Spot-breasted Heleia (S-b Dark-eye, Timor White-e) Heleia muelleri Three sightings on Timor, totalling seven birds. Thick-billed Heleia (T-b Dark-eye, Flores White-e) Heleia crassirostris Regular on Flores.

!Javan Bush Warbler performed well (Craig Robson)

Oriental White-eye (Flores Yellow W-e) Zosterops [palpebrosus] unicus Common in Flores uplands. See notes. Mountain White-eye Zosterops montanus In the highlands of Timor, Flores, and E Java (montanus). Yellow-ringed White-eye (Y- spectacled W-e) Zosterops wallacei Common on Sumba and Flores. Lemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris Six on Komodo (intermedius). Ashy-bellied White-eye Zosterops citrinella Common Sumba, Timor, Rote, and Flores (nominate). Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis (H) At Baluran NP (velata). Blue Nuthatch Sitta azurea Common at Ijen (nominate). Short-tailed Starling Aplonis minor Widespread (minor). Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus Small numbers on Timor (introduced?), Bali, and Java. Black-winged Starling (B-w Myna) Acridotheres melanopterus 17 Uluwatu (tertius); amazing 37 Baluran (tricolor).

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Bali Myna Leucopsar rothschildi A total of at least nine seen near Bali Barat NP, west Bali. Chestnut-capped Thrush Geokichla interpres Probably 6-8 at Puarlolo. Chestnut-backed Thrush Geokichla dohertyi Two on Timor, and nine on Flores. Frequent sightings. Orange-sided Thrush (O-banded T) Geokichla peronii Two on Rote and eight on Timor. Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus schegelii Common on Gunung Mutis, Timor (schlegelii).

Grey-cheeked Tit-Babbler at Baluran NP (Craig Robson)

Sumba Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa segregata Two seen well. Timor Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hyacinthinus Frequent. Not a Cyornis! Song sounds like distant bee-eater flock. Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas (NL) David saw a female at Ijen (nominate). Russet-backed Jungle Flycatcher (Flores J F) Cyornis [oscillans] oscillans At least nine in the Flores highlands. Russet-backed Jungle Flycatcher (Sumba J F) Cyornis [oscillans] stresemanni Two on Sumba. Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher Cyornis olivaceus Six on Sumba (nominate). Indigo Flycatcher Eumyias indigo Common at Ijen (nominate). Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophris One seen and many heard at Ijen (nominate). White-browed Shortwing (Flores S) Brachypteryx [montana] floris Three seen, three heard in Flores highlands. Javan Whistling Thrush Myophonus glaucinus One seen and one heard at Ijen. Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria Two at Puarlolo (nominate). Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra Five seen at Gunung Mutis (clarae), Sumba Flycatcher Ficedula harterti Four seen and one heard near Lewa. Clearly not a Ficedula! Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Frequent on Timor (mayri), one Flores and three Ijen (hasselti). Black-banded Flycatcher Ficedula timorensis At least three seen on Timor, with good views again. Pied Bush Chat (P Bushchat) Saxicola caprata Sumba (francki), Timor (pyrrhonota), Flores & Komodo (fruticola). White-bellied Bush Chat (Timor Bushchat) Saxicola gutturalis Common on Rote and Timor, with 23 logged. Golden-rumped Flowerpecker Dicaeum annae Frequent on Flores. Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile 16 on Sumba (tinctum) and one on Timor (obsoletum). Potential splits. Black-fronted Flowerpecker Dicaeum igniferum Common on Flores. Blue-cheeked Flowerpecker (Red-chested F) Dicaeum maugei Four on Timor. Doesn’t have blue cheeks!!

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Blood-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum sanguinolentum Four at Ijen. Probably monotypic. Sumba Flowerpecker Dicaeum [sanguinolentum] wilhelminae A likely split from Blood-breasted. Common. Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker Dicaeum trochileum Nine on Bali.

Sumba Brown Flycatcher (Craig Robson)

Brown-throated Sunbird (Plain-t S) Anthreptes malacensis A few. Sumba (rubrigena) & Flores (convergens). Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis Frequent on Flores, Bali and Java (ornatus). Apricot-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris buettikoferi Common Sumba endemic. Flame-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris solaris Timor and Flores (nominate). Also common. White-flanked Sunbird Aethopyga eximia Four at Ijen. Java endemic. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Tree S) Passer montanus Red Avadavat Amandava amandava Small numbers on Sumba and Timor (flavidiventris) Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata Widespread on Sumba and Timor. Tricoloured Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor Six or seven near Bipolo. Good looks.. Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides Small numbers on Bali and Java. Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca A few on Sumba, Rote and Flores. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata On Sumba (sumbae), Timor (blasii), and Bali & Java (nisoria), Five-coloured Munia Lonchura quinticolor Just ten at Pan Muti-Bipolo, Timor. Pale-headed Munia Lonchura pallida Good numbers on Sumba, and a couple on Timor. Timor Sparrow Lonchura fuscata 20 at Pan Muti-Bipolo.

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Timor Sparrow (Craig Robson)

Paddyfield Pipit (Oriental P) Anthus rufulus

!Daybreak at Langgaliru, Sumba (Craig Robson)

MAMMALS Black-striped Squirrel (Belly-banded S) Callosciurus nigrovittatus A handful at Ijen. Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus Common on Bali.

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Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica One crossed the road at night, as we left the forest at Ijen. Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis Great views of one on the road in front of our vehicle at Baluran NP. Javan Langur (Ebony Leaf Monkey) Trachypithecus auratus Common on Bali and Java. Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M) Macaca fascicularis Eurasian Wild Boar (Wild B, Indian W B) Sus scrofa One on Sumba and three on Komodo, where introduced. Timor Deer (Rusa D) Cervus timorensis floresiensis 20 or so on Komodo, and then 100s at Baluran NP.

!Komodo Dragon (Craig Robson)

NOTES TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST Grey-breasted (or White-faced) Partridge Arborophila orientalis

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Many authors lump several recently split species into this species using the name Oriental Hill Partridge or Sumatran Hill Partridge or Grey-breasted Hill Partridge for the enlarged species. Tricolored Grebe Tachybaptus tricolor Many authors lump this species in Little Grebe T. ruficollis. (Eastern) Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Most authors, including the IOC, still include this form (found in much of Asia and Australasia) in Western Great Egret A. alba, using the name Great Egret for the enlarged species. It is likely to be split in the future. Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus According to a 2004 study, genetic distances between subspecies of Osprey (1.9-3.8%) are equivalent to, or greater than, those between members of several closely related species in Aquila and Hieraeetus. Combined with small but consistent plumage differences, this led to the suggestion that three species of Osprey could be recognised. Gill and Donsker (2012) recognise two species, including the monotypic cristatus. They lump the other forms in Western Osprey P. haliaetus. Bonelli’s (or Rensch’s) Eagle Hieraaetus [fasciatus] renschi The IOC include this distinctive regional form in Bonelli’s Eagle H. fasciatus. It may be split as a separate species in future. Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus limnaeetus Some authors still lump this form in Crested Hawk-Eagle N. cirrhatus, using the name Changeable Hawk-Eagle for the enlarged species. (Australian) Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon [nilotica] macrotarsa Most authorities still include this distinctive form in Gull-billed Tern G. nilotica. Little (or Gould’s) Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx [minutillus] russatus Several authors have treated Gould’s Bronze Cuckoo as a separate species in the past. Western (or Eurasian) Barn Owl Tyto alba Eastern (or Australasian) Barn Owl Tyto delicatula Eastern (or Sumba) Barn Owl Tyto [delicatula] sumbaensis Some authors still lump Eastern Barn Owl in Western Barn Owl using the name Barn Owl for the enlarged species. Additionally, the results of recent DNA work suggest that sumbaensis may warrant full species status. Southern (or Roti) Boobook Ninox [boobook] rotiensis Southern (or Streaked) Boobook Ninox [boobook] fusca The IOC, still include these forms in Southern Boobook, but they are both likely to be split by most authorities in the future. Timor Nightjar Caprimulgus sp. nova This yet-to-be described species is endemic to Timor. It is in the Large-tailed Nightjar C. macrurus complex. Javan Frogmouth Batrachostomus javensis Now a Javan endemic as the other forms have been split off as a separate species: Blyth’s Frogmouth B. affinis. Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi This species was formerly lumped in White-bellied (or Glossy) Swiftlet C. esculenta. Glossy (or Timor) Swiftlet Collocalia [esculenta] neglecta On-going DNA research shows that this form should be treated as a distinct species, rather than a race of Glossy. The IOC have not yet adopted this approach.

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Oriental Dwarf (or Rufous-backed) Kingfisher Ceyx [erithaca] rufidorsa Many authorities treat rufidorsa as a valid species, rather than a morph or race of erithaca. Yellow-eared Barbet Psilopogon australis This Java & Bali endemic was formerly lumped in Blue-eared Barbet P. duvaucelii, with the name Blue-eared Barbet P. australis applied to the enlarged species. Grey-and-buff (or Red-crested) Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus This form is split off as a Javan endemic by some authorities. It was formerly lumped in Grey-and-buff Woodpecker P. sordidus, with the name Grey-and-buff Woodpecker H. concretus applied to the enlarged species. Freckle-breasted Woodpecker (Spot-b W) Dendrocopus analis This species was formerly lumped in Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker D. macei. Javan Flameback Chrysocolaptes strictus Formerly, this species (along with several other recently split species) was lumped in Buff-spotted Flameback C. lucidus with the name Greater Flameback being used for the enlarged species. Yellow-crested (or Citron-crested) Cockatoo Cacatua [sulphurea] citrinocristata Most authors, including the IOC, still include this form in Yellow-crested Cockatoo. It is likely to be split in the future. Javan Banded Pitta Hydrornis guajanus Along with Bornean Banded Pitta H. schwaneri, this species was formerly lumped in Malayan Banded Pitta H. irena, with the name Banded Pitta applied to the enlarged species. Myzomela (Roti Myzomela) Myzomela [cf dammermani] sp. nova An undescribed taxon of Myzomela that has been likened to Sumba Myzomela. Likely to be a full species in future. Javan (or Malaysian) Cuckooshrike Coracina javensis This species is sometimes lumped in Large Cuckoo-Shrike C. macei of southern Asia (which was in turn formerly lumped in Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike C. novaehollandiae of Australia). Rusty-breasted Whistler Pachycephala fulvotincta Yellow-throated Whistler Pachycephala macrorhyncha The former Golden (or Common Golden) Whistler P. pectoralis has now been split up into several distinct species, including Yellow-throated Whistler which is found in the Banggai and Sula Islands southern Moluccas and eastern Lesser Sundas. The residual pectoralis, the other species seen on this tour (which is found from Java to the west Lesser Sundas and north to islands off south Sulawesi) is renamed Rusty-breasted Whistler. Pied Shrike-babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis Several closely related allospecies were formerly lumped into this species, under the name White-browed Shrike-Babbler. Trilling Shrike-babbler Pteruthius aenobarbus Many authors lump Clicking Shrike-babbler P. intermedius in this species, using the name Chestnut-fronted Shrike-babbler for the enlarged species. (Greater) Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus [densus] densus (Lesser) Wallacean Drongo Dicrurus [densus] bimaensis The IOC treat these two forms as part of Wallacean Drongo, but it is widely acknowledged that they are better treated as two separate species.

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Northern (or Roti) Fantail Rhipidura [dryas] tenkatei Most authors, including the IOC, include this form in Northern Fantail. It is likely to be split by most authorities in the future. Oriental Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone affinis Many authors still lump this species in Indian Paradise Flycatcher T. paradisi, using the name Asian Paradise Flycatcher for the enlarged species. Large-billed (or Southern Jungle) Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] macrorhynchos The Corvus macrorhynchos complex is in the process of being split into several allospecies, though further work is required before the situation becomes clear. The IOC World List currently recognizes three species, but does not yet split nominate macrorhynchos (Southern Jungle Crow) from the northern and eastern continental Asian forms (proposed by some authorities as Large-billed Crow C. japonensis). Sunda Bulbul Ixos virescens This species was formerly sometimes lumped in Streaked Bulbul I. malaccensis, which is found in the lowlands of Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. Pygmy Wren-babbler (or Cupwing) Pnoepyga pusilla Timor Wren-babbler (or Cupwing) Pnoepyga [pusilla] timorensis Recent DNA-based studies have shown that Pnoepygas are not related babblers, and are best placed in their own family; Pnoepygidae (Cupwings). The endemic form on Timor is a likely future split, based on voice, morphometrics, and range. Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cuculatus DNA research has shown that this is an Abroscopus-like warbler, not a tailorbird. Timor Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus [presbytes] presbytes Timor (or Flores) Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus [presbytes] floris The IOC lump both forms in Timor Leaf Warbler, but they are widely acknowledged as two separate species. Leaf warbler (Roti Leaf Warbler) Phylloscopus [cf presbytes] sp. nova An undescribed taxon that has been likened to Timor Leaf Warbler, but is set to be given full species rank in future. Tailorbird Orthotomus sp. Olive-backed Tailorbird is officially the only tailorbird east of Wallace’s Line, reaching Lombok. A coastal population of birds on Sumba appear similar morphologically but seem to show at least minor vocal differences. Time will tell whether they represent an undescribed form, or relate to a population of Olive-backed Tailorbirds derived from captive origin. Oriental (or Flores Yellow) White-eye Zosterops [palpebrosus] unicus This very distinctive form bears scant resemblance, morphologically or vocally, to Oriental White-eye, and should be split.. Russet-backed (or Flores) Jungle Flycatcher Cyornis [oscillans] oscillans Russet-backed (or Sumba) Jungle Flycatcher Cyornis [oscillans] stresemanni The IOC treat these two forms as a single species under the name Russet-backed Jungle Flycatcher, but it is widely acknowledged that they are better treated as two separate species. White-browed (or Flores) Shortwing Brachypteryx [montana] floris This highly distinctive form is treated by the IOC as a race of White-browed Shortwing. It is surely better treated as a separate species. However, it is evident that the widespread White-browed Shortwing actually comprises of many species, and a full review is underway.

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Javan Whistling Thrush Myophonus glaucinus Some authors lump Sumatran (or Chestnut-winged) M. castaneus and Bornean Whistling Thrush M. borneensis in this species using the name Sunda Whistling Thrush for the enlarged species. Blood-breasted (or Sumba) Flowerpecker Dicaeum [sanguinolentum] wilhelminae Blood-breasted (or Timor) Flowerpecker Dicaeum [sanguinolentum] hanieli These highly distinctive forms of Blood-breasted Flowerpecker will be split by most authorities in future.

APPENDIX 1 – Top five birds of the tour 1st Timor Imperial Pigeon 2nd Flores Scops Owl 3rd Bali Myna 4th Elegant Pitta 5th Pink-headed Fruit Dove APPENDIX 2 - Other fauna & flora recorded REPTILES Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas At least four during our visit to Komodo. Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis At least seven of these famous giant monitor lizards on Komodo. Tockay Gecko Gekko gecko AMPHIBIANS Asian Common Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common throughout, but probably non-native.

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Crossing the Bali Strait to East Java (Craig Robson) BUTTERFLIES Haliphron Birdwing Troides haliphrone naias Sumba. Peranthus Peacock Papilio peranthus Beautiful green swallowtail on Flores; particularly Kisol.

‘Sumba’ Peacock near Lewa (Craig Robson)

‘Sumba' Peacock Papilio neumoegeni A Sumba endemic. Red-spot Jezebel Delia descombesi lydia Flores.

Red-spot Jezebel (Craig Robson)

Great Orange Tip Hebomoia glaucippe flavomarginata Flores. Common Wanderer Pareronia valeria tryphenam Flores. Psyche Leptosia nina Timor and Flores. Related to the European Wood White. Blue Pansy Junonia orithiya Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita Yellow Costa Acraea issoria Rustic Cupha erymanthis Cruiser Vindula dejone

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DRAGONFLIES Pale-spotted Emperor Anax guttatus Slender Skimmer Orthertrum sabina Blue Percher Diplacodes trivialis

!Montane forest near Fatumnasi, Timor (Craig Robson)

LESSER SUNDAS 2016 - Birdquest -LESSER SUNDAS- REP... · In the afternoon we introduced ourselves...

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