abirdingguy
Well-known member
I’m planning a trip to French Polynesia in March. We will be visiting many different islands in search of endangered island endemics and seabirds. It’s likely a friend will join me, and there is additional room for one or two more people. I realize this isn’t much advanced notice, but covid uncertainties have compressed preparations more than I prefer.
The birding goal of this trip is to focus on land-based endemic species and subspecies as well as seabirds while enjoying a tropical paradise. Seabirds will come both naturally while traveling by boat between islands and by visiting some nesting colonies ashore. The plan involves visiting the Society, Tuamotus, and Marquesas Island groupings within French Polynesia. In the Marquesas and eastern (windward) Society Islands, we have a reasonable chance to see all of the endemic species and subspecies. There is an option to go for all of the endemics in the western (leeward) Society Islands, but there it is still up in the air whether we will spend time here or additional time in the Tuamotus. In the Tuamotus, we will focus on the endemics found in the northwestern portion of the archipelago. The number of endemics and islands visited in the Tuamotus will depend on whether or not we want to spend a couple of days in the leeward Society Islands.
The tone of the trip will be focused on birds and other nature and not stereotypical day-at-the-beach lounging-around tourism. Accommodations will primarily be simpler, less expensive bed-and-breakfast locations rather than luxury hotels. A few nights will be aboard a catamaran as is necessary to reach some uninhabited islands that are the sole territory of some endemic birds. We will have a guide for most of the Marquesas and if/when required to visit other locales (such as the Tahiti Monarch reserve on Tahiti).
Please send me a DM for more details if you are interested.
The birding goal of this trip is to focus on land-based endemic species and subspecies as well as seabirds while enjoying a tropical paradise. Seabirds will come both naturally while traveling by boat between islands and by visiting some nesting colonies ashore. The plan involves visiting the Society, Tuamotus, and Marquesas Island groupings within French Polynesia. In the Marquesas and eastern (windward) Society Islands, we have a reasonable chance to see all of the endemic species and subspecies. There is an option to go for all of the endemics in the western (leeward) Society Islands, but there it is still up in the air whether we will spend time here or additional time in the Tuamotus. In the Tuamotus, we will focus on the endemics found in the northwestern portion of the archipelago. The number of endemics and islands visited in the Tuamotus will depend on whether or not we want to spend a couple of days in the leeward Society Islands.
The tone of the trip will be focused on birds and other nature and not stereotypical day-at-the-beach lounging-around tourism. Accommodations will primarily be simpler, less expensive bed-and-breakfast locations rather than luxury hotels. A few nights will be aboard a catamaran as is necessary to reach some uninhabited islands that are the sole territory of some endemic birds. We will have a guide for most of the Marquesas and if/when required to visit other locales (such as the Tahiti Monarch reserve on Tahiti).
Please send me a DM for more details if you are interested.
