Trying to reach remote atolls of the Tuamotu (starting from any airport of FP)

[Mariehelene]

I am seeking a way to get to very remote uninhabited atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago (French Polynesia) to conduct research on an endangered bird species there. These atolls are Tenararo (Acteon Group) and Morane, in the south east of the archipelago and Reitoru, in its centre. I can easily get to any place in French Polynesia that has an airport and get onboard there (i.e. Tahiti, Gambiers, Fakarava, Makemo, etc.). I am not a sailer, but would be extremely happy to help onboard (I am a hard worker used to tough field conditions). Ideal dates for me would be anytime from April 2010 to August 2010, but I can be flexible. I need at least 2 days on any of these atolls (longer stays would be better). If you are going this way and are interested in having one or two biologists helping onbroad and showing you the birds, please contact me for more information.

Thank you so much!!

[mdbee]

Trying to reform, will not post my first impulse.

So tell us the name of the endangered bird.

[Mariehelene]

Hi! Thanks for your interest!

It is called the Tuamotu Sandpiper Prosobonia cancellata (Titi in Paumotu). I spent 5 months last year on the atoll of Tahanea gathering the first info on the species, but getting to the 3 atolls I mentioned that hold the other 3 populations of Titi would enable me to get very interesting new data.

[mdbee]

Let me get this straight. You are suggesting that one or two biologists, would be willing to show the captain your bird of interest (Titi's)?

I apologize for being myself. (and a male) I assume you are also familiar with the Titi Monkey (Callicebus) ?

All in all, it does sound like a fair trade.

Originally Posted by Mariehelene

Hi! Thanks for your interest!

It is called the Tuamotu Sandpiper Prosobonia cancellata (Titi in Paumotu). I spent 5 months last year on the atoll of Tahanea gathering the first info on the species, but getting to the 3 atolls I mentioned that hold the other 3 populations of Titi would enable me to get very interesting new data.

[Mariehelene]

If people don't mind spending a few days on atolls that they were not planning to visit or if they are willing to help biologists by giving them a ride, or if they are interested to see what ornithologists do in the field or if they are interested to learn more about the birds of the Tuamotu, I thought they may be interested in contacting me to talk about this.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by Mariehelene

If people don't mind spending a few days on atolls that they were not planning to visit or if they are willing to help biologists by giving them a ride, or if they are interested to see what ornithologists do in the field or if they are interested to learn more about the birds of the Tuamotu, I thought they may be interested in contacting me to talk about this.

No problem with that here. Sounds like an interesting proposition. I hope you get some nibbles.

If you do, be sure to check out the boat condition and captain's experience before embarking -- in other words don't automatically assume that any boat/sailor is properly equipped/experienced for this voyage. If you need second opinions, post here and we'll help as we can.

P.S. Have any photos of the sandpiper? One of my kids is an aspiring ornithologist so we're always interested in unusual birds.

[Omatako]

To be honest, I wouldn't hold my breath for a positive response from any yachties.

The two atolls you want to visit are firstly, way out in the boonies (21 and 23 degrees south) and waayyy out of the cruising area, I reckon there are very few people that will bother going all that way south just for a two day stay. It's a heck of a long way from paradise.

Secondly, neither one of them provides any safe anchorage, both have closed lagoons and neither one is inhabited (which is probably why the birds you seek have survived).

So to sail a few hundred miles to stand off an unihabited, land-locked atoll? Not too many takers, me thinks.

Sorry to be negative but I know I wouldn't go down that far south when paradise is all north of me.

[tdw]

Yeah, unfortunately Andre seems to have nailed it. Not going to be much fun for the crew, particularly if they can't get the boat into the lagoon.

Anyway, best of luck nonetheless.

JRP - google it. Lots of pics. or try http://www.arkive.org/media/2F/2F971...arge/photo.jpg

Personable looking little thing it is too. Supposedly the last surviving of six related species. Rats and feral cats having done for the others.

[MorganPaul]

Here is another pic. Mariehelene holding one of the little guys ?

Tuamotu Sandpiper "Titi" Chevalier des Tuamotu

Good luck Mariehelene

Paul

[Aupiipii]

Je devrais etre sur Bora-Bora fin 2010. Si ce n'est pas trop tard pour vous, on pourrait se rencontrer et voir si ce que vous voulez faire est faisable.