The Vatthe Conservation Area is the ultimate destination for avid bird watchers. Bush walking and bird watching are popular visitor activities in Big Bay, which is home to the county’s only National Park. It is also UNESCO listed and provides an important habit for many rare species.
Vatthe harbours bird species of a richness and diversity unlikely to be exceeded elsewhere in Vanuatu. A total of 48 species of land and freshwater birds, out of the total 74 species of land and freshwater birds recorded for Vanuatu by Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (1993) survey, are found in the region.
This is 75% of the land and freshwater birds found in Vanuatu. Six out of Vanuatu’s nine endemic species (Ducula bakeri, Megapodius freycinet laryardi, Zosterops flavifrons, Ptilinopus tannensis, Phylidonyris notabilis) are known to use this forest. Vanuatu’s only endemic genus, the Vanuatu Flycatcher (Neolalage banksiana), is observed to be common. The endangered Royal Parrot Finch (Erythrura cyaneovirens) and Incubator (Megapodius freycinet laryardi) are also found in Vatthe. The Incubator Bird (Namalaus) is classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and over exploitation and is listed as a priority species in what is known as the IUCN Megapode Action Plan. Five species of bats have been recorded, two fruit bats (Pteropus tonganus and Paneitianus) and three insectivorous bats (Aslliscus tricuspidatus, Hipposideos cervinus and Miniopterus australis). A herptofauna study conducted by Whitaker in 1993 found 10 of the 12 species of reptiles found in Santo are located in Vatthe. There is a total of 26 terrestrial species recorded for Vanuatu. Three endemic species (Cryptoblepharus novohebridicus, Emoia nigromarginata and E. sanfordi) occur at Vatthe out of a total of 6 known throughout Vanuatu.
A freshwater survey conducted by Keith Philippe at Matantas river in 2003, recorded 21 species of freshwater fish out of the 62 species known for Vanuatu. Of these, 3 are endemics. The area contains 13 species of crustaceans. The endemic fish species include Schismatogobius vanuatuensis, Microphis sp and Stenogobius sp. The two latter species are still undergoing description. Keith expects that the entire catchment of the Jordan River is very important for freshwater biodiversity
You can stop and have lunch at the village of Matantas, where Chief Solomon and his wife Purity will be your hosts. Please ensure you arrange this tour ahead of time to ensure an English-speaking guide is available.
Duration of the tour: About 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty level: Easy. Appropriate for all ages. However, the 1.5 hour drive by 4WDto Big Bay is weather dependant and rather bumpy.
Things to bring: Walking shoes, swimmers, towel, sun block, hat, insect repellent, food and bottled water.
Wrecks to Rainforest 