Surfbirds Birding Trip Report: Fiji, 2nd-16th November 2004

14-16 November2004

Kadavu

I arrived in Kadavu at about midday and went searching for accommodations. I went over to the airport inn, directly across from the airport, made friends with the guys running the inn, and ended up camping in their backyard. If you have a tent, are on the cheap, and want to mingle with locals, it’s a great option. Just go to the inn and ask for Savi. Say you’re friends with the American who came for birding and I’m sure he’ll let you stay in his yard. As I mentioned earlier, Fijians are incredibly welcoming and hospitable. Just be polite, friendly, and helpful; for example buy the kava if they hold a sevusevu (welcoming ceremony) in your honor. Weiss, who when I visited lived in the house with Savi, knows the birds very well and could show you all the endemics if you want a guide.

Another non-Reece’s Place (the birder’s favored choice) option for Kadavu has recently been set up by a Peace Corps volunteer in a village west of Vunisea. A network of trails has been established through the forest and guides have been trained to show visitors the birds. It is worth contacting Birdlife Fiji for more information.

I had no trouble finding any of the endemics in one morning of birding. From the village I followed the road east through Vunisea. It didn’t take long until I was in the first patch of forest ringing with the distinctive song of Kadavu Fantail. It took a bit longer to see Whistling Dove, but with perseverance I got excellent views of a singing male. Kadavu Honeyeater and Kadavu Shining-Parrot were seen along the road as well, though they were also common around the village. I also saw Black-faced Shrikebill, the local races of Island Thrush and Golden Whistler, and heard Shy Ground-Dove along the road. I flew on Sun Air directly back to Nadi, then on to Melbourne.

Read full Trip Report here: Surfbirds Birding Trip Report: Fiji, 2nd-16th November 2004