HAWAI'I BIRD
SIGHTINGS FOR 2003
JANUARY - JUNE
Sightings reported during 2003 are shown here in the tables, and after each month
there is a review for that month highlighting the rarest species, most unusual sightings, photographs of birds
seen or items of special interest. The year is split into two halves to enable faster downloading, for sightings
and reviews from July to December CLICK HERE. Many
thanks to all those birders who found and observed birds during the year and shared their sightings with the birding
community. The last Column contains observers initials,
their full names are listed at the foot of this page.
Pick a month to view that month's sightings
Pick a month to view that month's Review
| Birds highlighted in RED denote official rarities. Species in BLUE are endemic species. Species in GREEN are introduced species. Plain BLACK text are regular migrant species or regular indigenous breeding species in Hawai'i. Species in light BLUE are non-avian species seen at sea. Italics in the species column denotes escaped species not currently established, elsewhere refers to scientific name. M = Male, F = Female. STP = Sewage Treatment Plant. NWR = National Wildlife Refuge. |
| 1st | GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL | 1 | Banzai Pipeline Beach, O'ahu. | One juvenile/first basic. Flying over beach a couple of times. | AJ |
| 1st | O'AHU 'ELEPAIO | 1 | Aiea Loop Trail, O'ahu. | Seen where there is a bench that overlooks the valley to the northwest at the first major overlook encountered. The bird looked to have pox or a lesion on the foot. | AJ |
| 3rd | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Second-year drake still present on the DU Pond off Ohiki Road. 1st for Hawai'i if accepted as wild. | BZ |
| 3rd | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Note that the scapulars are not fully grown, and it retains some brown and pale fringed feathers on the upper flanks indicating it is not a full adult, but presumably a second-year bird. | AJ |
| 3rd | GREEN-WINGED TEAL | 3 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | One of them had wider white markings on the face and a very poorly demarcated vertical chest bar, no horizontal white bar though and although it was potentially an American X Eurasian Green- winged Teal, it was probably just a poorly marked (American) Green-winged Teal. | AJ |
| 3rd | BUFFLEHEAD | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | One female, also 7 Shoveler and 1 female Greater Scaup. | AJ |
| 3rd | BUFFLEHEAD | Up to 3 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Also Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler. | BZ |
| 3rd | LAYSAN ALBATROSS | 10 | Pelagic from Kaua'i to Lehua. | Also 1 unidentified dark Pterodroma sp. and "regular" Hawaiian seabirds (see report below). | DK |
| 7th | CASPIAN TERN | 2 | Nu'upia Ponds, Kane'ohe, O'ahu. | One also seen on 2nd and 6th. | TC |
| 7th | GLAUCOUS GULL | 1 | Halona Blow Hole, (SE) O'ahu. | First winter bird seen in afternoon. | TC |
| 7th | 'AKOHEKOHE | 1-2 | Wakamoi Preserve, Maui. | 1-2 were heard and observed during a pre-arranged tour of the preserve with the TNC. | BP |
| 8th | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 4 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Also 3 Bufflehead, 4 Shoveler, 3 Pintail, 2 Green-winged Teal and about 60 Koloa. No sign of Baikal Teal on 8th or 9th. | RP, MO |
| 8th | LAUGHING GULL | 1 | Punalu'u Black Sands Beach, Hawai'i. | One first basic bird flew by a couple of times. | AJ |
| 9th | SEMIPALMATED PLOVER | 2 | Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i. | On lava shore. Also 10 Lesser Scaup. | AJ |
| 9th | MOURNING DOVE | 1 | Kaho'olawe. | Seen flying south across K-1 road into Waikahalulu. Fern Duvall has mentioned seeing mourning doves on the island
in the past. This was my first observation of this species since I've been working out here since October 1998. No Access to this site. |
LT |
| 10th | BUFFLEHEAD | 1 | Pi'ikea Street Ponds, Kihei, Maui. | Female bird. Also 39 Hawaiian Stilt and 2 Hawaiian Coot. | LT |
| 10th | SANDERLING | 30 - 40 | Lipoa Street Beach, Kihei, Maui. | Feeding on beach amongst washed-up seaweed. No sign of last month's Brant. |
LT |
| 10th | HAWAIIAN COOT | ? | Kealia Pond NWR, Maui. | Large Hawaiian Coot chicks present in fishponds next to office. | LT |
| 10th | LAUGHING GULL | 3 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | Also 33 Northern Shovelers and 14 Green-winged Teal. | LT |
| 10th | COOT Sp. | 1 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | Possibly American Coot. Adult bird reported. Also seen on 11th and 12th. Also 4 Laughing Gulls. | BP |
| 10th | CALIFORNIA GULL | 1 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | First winter bird, also seen on 11th with 4 Laughing Gulls, but not seen on 12th. | BP |
| 11th | PEREGRINE | 1 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | Half-heartedly chasing shorebirds. It perched in a tree for a while, but then disappeared. | BP |
| 11th | CASPIAN TERN | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 1 Glaucous winged Gull, 1 Ring billed Gull; 9 Long- billed Dowitchers,6 Bristle thighed Curlews; 1 Whimbrel; 10 Shoveler; 2 Pintail | MO |
| 11th | SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Probable, although Western Sandpiper not eliminated. | MO |
| 11th | CANVASBACK | 1 | Kona STP, Hawai'i. | Drake. Also 1 ist winter Laughing Gull and 1 1st winter Ring-billed Gull still present. | AJ |
| 11th | TUFTED DUCK | 1 | Kona STP, Hawai'i. | Drake. Also 2 male Ring-necked Duck, 10 Lesser Scaup (1 male), 3 Bufflehead (one young male, two females), 4 Green-winged Teal (2 males, 2 females), 7 Blue-winged Teal, c.120 Northern Shoveler and 15 or so Northern Pintail. |
AJ |
| 11th | LESSER YELLOWLEGS | 1 | Kona STP, Hawai'i. | Also 3 Dowitchers, probably Long-billed. | AJ |
| 12th | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 1 | Honouliuli unit of Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | Female bird. Also Mallard X Koloa 27 10 Northern Shoveler, 95 Northern Pintail, 3 Green-winged Teal (inc.1 male),1 female Bufflehead, at least 1 Gray Francolin heard calling, 153 Hawaiian Coot, 42 Pacific Golden-Plover, 7 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Sanderling, 10 Dowitcher sp. probably Long-billed and at least 4 singing White-rumped Shama. |
PD |
| 13th | CASPIAN TERN | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also North American Whimbrel, 7 Dowitcher sp., 15 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 sub-adult Laughing Gull, 1 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gull, 1 probable Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 2 Green-winged Teal, 39 Shoveler and 1 Pueo. | PD |
| 13th | BUFFLEHEAD | 3 | Kuilima STP, North Shore O'hau. | Also 22 Northern Shoveler. | PD |
| 13th | LAUGHING GULL | 1 | Whalewatch boat, several miles north of Kona Airport, Hawai'i, and at least two miles out on ocean. | First winter bird bird circled the boat twice and then went off to visit another boat that was nearby. Odd to see one offshore like this, although we were relatively close to the coast. Also Brown Boobies and Black Noddies. | AJ |
| 14th | GREATER SCAUP | 2 | Kawaiele Sanctuary, Kaua'i. | Female birds. | JD |
| 15th | GREATER SCAUP | 3 | Kawaiele Sanctuary, Kaua'i. | 1 male and 2 female. | DK |
| 14th | LAUGHING GULL | 1 | Mana Shrimp ponds, Kaua'i. | Nearby at Mana reservoir - one male Northern Pintail and two male Mallard (which may be Koloa hybirds). Both of the Mallards had partially green heads. The bills were yellow on the periphery but darker in the middle. The rest of the plumage was classic mallard including the tail curl, but no white neck ring. |
JD |
| 15th | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Drake Baikal teal back on the DU Pond, accessed via Ohiki Road. | BZ |
| 16th | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Drake still on DU Pond. | DK |
| 16th | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 1 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor area, O'ahu. | State waterbird count. Also 10 Dowitchers,1 Bufflehead, 12 Northern Shovelers and 115 Northern Pintails. No access to this site. |
PD, TC, KP. |
| 16th | CASPIAN TERN | 2 | Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, Oa'hu. | Statewide waterbird count. Also1 Common Tern, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Northern Shoveler and 1 American Wigeon. Restricted access to this site. | EV |
| 16th | LEAST SANDPIPER | 1 | Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, Oa'hu. | Restricted access to this site. | EV |
| 17th | COOT Sp. | 1 | Kanaha Pond, Maui. | Coot thought to be perhaps an American Coot is possibly only an odd Hawaiian Coot. Also a Gull sp. possibly the previously reported California Gull. | FS, KS |
| 17th | BUFFLEHEAD | 1 | Pi'ikea Pond in Kihei, Maui. | Also 2+ Hawaiian Coots and many Hawaiian Stilts. | DA |
| 18th | AMERICAN COOT ? | 1 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | "We found the possible American Coot to the left of the kiosk. It was an odd looking and behaving bird. It
remained by itself, poking around the vegetation pulling and eating shoots." See below |
PD, LT, MO, TD |
| 18th | LAUGHING GULL | 3 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | No sign of California Gull seen on 10th and 11th. Also 1-2 Northern Shovelers, 2 Green-winged Teal and several Black-crowned Night Herons seen hovering over the pond and dropping down into the water catching fish. | PD, LT, MO, TD |
| 20th | CALIFORNIA GULL | 1 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | Also 3 Laughing Gulls. Also The American/Hawaiian Coot was again present in same location. | LT |
| 20th | CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE | 12+ | Upolo Airport in North Kohala, Hawai'i. | One flock of twelve birds and another 6-10 may have joined them later foraging around the grassy edges and just resting on the runway at around 11:15 - 11.45 am. | JR, PM |
| 24th | LAUGHING GULL | 3 | Kanaha Pond Sanctuary, Maui. | Also the California Gull was possibly seen. The Hawaiian/ American/hybrid Coot was seen walking for a brief moment. | LT |
| 24th | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Drake still present on the DU Pond. | BZ |
| 25th | CASPIAN TERN | 2 | Nu'upia Ponds, Kane'ohe, O'ahu. | Also one Common Tern still. | TC |
| 26th | LAUGHING GULL | 3 | Kanaha Pond, Maui. | Still present. | LT |
| 26th | COOT Sp. | 1 | Kanaha Pond, Maui. | Still present. Further investigation suggests that this particular individual may have been at the site for up to ten years, and on checking literature and comparing photographs and descriptions the consensus of opinion is that this is probably just a strange Hawaiian Coot (Ed). | LT |
|
The drake Baikal Teal present since last year was again observed at Hanalei
NWR, Kaua'i on 3rd, and on and off until 24th January (and again in February and lastly on March 1st), and was
photographed (picture below) by Brenda Zaun, refuge biologist on 3rd January. This represents the first Hawaiian
Island record if it is accepted as a genui Genuine vagrant or escaped exotic?
David Kuhn, of Terran Tours, sent the following report from his latest pelagic on 3rd: "At the suggestion of Bob Pyle, I have initiated a pelagic CBC using the normal route followed by the Blue Dolphin II: Port Allen up the coast to off Kalalau Valley, to Lehua Islet, thence back to Port Allen, about 90 miles in seven hours. This is a linear count, not a circle, as a circle would overlap the Waimea CBC. The owners of Blue Dolphin Charters are delighted to host this count. As expected in this season, species count was low. On Friday Jan 3 weather was mostly cloudy, winds SW 10-15 knots, NW swell 10-18' with an occasional 25 footer, according to the captain. I was the only birder on board." David observed: Seabirds seen: 10 Laysan Albatross (7 at sea, 3 over Lehua), 2 White-tailed Tropicbird, 20 Great Frigatebird (all near Lehua), 84 Brown Booby (about 45 at sea and the rest on Lehua), 50 Red-footed Booby (20 at sea and the rest on Lehua), 35 Black Noddy (numbers observed were greatly reduced because the roost areas on the Pali and on Lehua were under big waves), 1 large dark Pterodroma (All dark upperparts, didn't see face or underparts, not much hope of specifying this one; seen just north of Lehua). Other birds: 1 Ruddy Turnstone (on Lehua), 2 Cattle Egret (on Lehua). Other creatures: 75 Humpback Whales, 100 Spinner dolphins, ~ 20 Deep-water dolphins, probably Rough-toothed Dolphins, 1 Hawaiian Monk seal, 6 Manta Ray with a large school of Mahi mahi (David Kuhn).
Two Caspian Terns were seen at Nu'upia Ponds, O'ahu on 7th (Tom Coles). Single birds were seen in the mornings (0650-0800) on 30th December 2002, 2nd January 2003 and 6th January 2003. Tom commented ..." today (7th) there was a single feeding on the back at 0715 when a second one flew in from the east and chased the first one off to the west. At least for me, this is the first time ever (31 years) that I have ever seen two Caspian Terns at the same time on O'ahu or any other Hawaiian Island." It is likely that up to three birds are currently around the Islands, as birds are being seen at Kane'ohe and Pearl Harbor, O'ahu and on Maui at Kanaha Pond regularly (Ed.).
Bruce Peterjohn, a visiting birder from the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, MD found a possible
American Coot (see below)and a California
Gull at Kanaha Pond State Sanctuary on Maui over the period of 10th - 12th and reported: "American
Coot: Recognizing the rarity of this report, I carefully studied this bird at close range. This is a very confiding
bird California Gull: "This first-winter bird was present at the pond during the late afternoon (4-6PM)
on January 10-11, but was not present in the late morning (11AM) on January 12. This bird was somewhat larger than
the 4 Laughing Gulls that were also present on the pond. The wings were longer and broader in flight. The overall
plumage was a medium brown, becoming somewhat paler on the breast/belly and around the head possibly due to wear.
The rump was uniformly brown, not contrasting with the back. The tail was uniformly blackish. The flight feathers
were also uniformly blackish, lacking the Both American Coot and California Gull are very infrequent - rare visitors to the Hawaiian Islands. Much debate followed after the initial report of the Coot at Kanaha, between Hawaiian birders and mainland birders and the resulting information suggests that this particular individual may have been at the site for up to ten years, and on checking literature and comparing photographs and descriptions the consensus of opinion is that this is probably just a strange Hawaiian Coot (Ed.).
Glaucous-winged Gull at the Kii Unit of James Campbell NWR, O'ahu, January 2003. Photo © Peter Donaldson.
Semipalmated or Western Sandpiper at the Kii Unit of James Campbell NWR, O'ahu, January 2003. Photo © Peter Donaldson.
Semipalmated or Western Sandpiper at the Kii Unit of James Campbell NWR, O'ahu, January 2003. Photo © Peter Donaldson.
Female Greater Scaup at Kawaiele Sanctuary, Kaua'i, January 2003. Photo © Jim Denny. Female Greater Scaup at Kawaiele Sanctuary, Kaua'i, January 2003. Photo © Jim Denny. Drake Greater Scaup at Kawaiele Sand Mine Sanctuary, Kaua'i, January 2003. Photograph © by Jim Denny.
Presumed Hawaiian Coot (but possibly American Coot), Kanaha Pond State Sanctuary, Maui, January 2003. Photo © Peter Donaldson.
Presumed Hawaiian Coot (but possibly American Coot), Kanaha Pond State Sanctuary, Maui, January 2003. Photo © Peter Donaldson.
Laughing Gull, Kanaha Pond State Sanctuary, Maui, January 2003. Photo © Peter Donaldson.
|
| 6th | MARSH SANDPIPER | 1 | Waiawa NWR, O'ahu. | Still present. Also 5 Cattle Egret, 107 Pacific Golden Plover, 32 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler, 18 Ruddy Turnstone and 23 Sanderling. | PD |
| 6th | LAUGHING GULL | 3 | Kanaha Pond, Maui. | Also 41 Shovelers, 7 Turnstones and 7 Sanderlings. Also a possible Pectoral Sandpiper there mixed with Pacific Golden Plovers on the extensive mudflats by the east pond. |
DF |
| 9th | MARSH SANDPIPER | 1 | Waiawa NWR, O'ahu. | Also 1 Cattle Egret, 128 Pacific Golden Plover, 41 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler, 185 Ruddy Turnstone, 28 Sanderling. |
PD |
| 9th | RUFF | 1 | Waiawa NWR, O'ahu. | Ruff was in a big flock of Turnstones. "Last week, the water at Waiawa was low and dropping rapidly. It may have filled back up over the past few days." | PD |
| 13th | WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD | 1 | Halona Blow Hole area, O'ahu. | SL | |
| 15th | GLAUCOUS GULL | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Probable 1st winter seen distantly. Also 1 1st winter Laughing Gull, 1 1st winter Ring-billed Gull and 1 probable 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gull. |
PD |
| 15th | CASPIAN TERN | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Note that the Refuge is now CLOSED for the nesting season. | PD |
| 15th | BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW | 20 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 2 Blue-winged Teal (1 M, 1 F), 6 Northern Shoveler, 14 Northern Pintail | PD |
| 15th | WHIMBREL | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 1 Pectoral Sandpiper and 9 Dowitcher sp. and Hawaiian Stilts observed copulating. | PD |
| 15th | GULL sp. | 1 | About 2 miles south of Laie, O'ahu. | As yet unidentified, possibly Slaty-backed or Herring. First winter bird. | NK |
| 16th | ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK | 1 | Haleakala Hwy, Maui. | Near the Mile 7 marker. | TB |
| 18th | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 3 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Still present. Baikal Teal last seen on January 24th. | per DK |
| 19th | LAUGHING GULL | 1 | Shrimp farm in Palaau, Moloka'i. | First winter bird. | ADY |
| 19th | BUFFLEHEAD | 3 | Kaunakakai Wastewater Treatment plant, Moloka'i | One male, 2 females. Also one male, two female Lesser Scaup, and a Short-billed Dowitcher reported. | ADY |
| 19th | BUFFLEHEAD | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Also Blue-winged Teal and Shoveler there. | DL |
| 19th | CANADA GOOSE | 1 | Enchanted Lake, Kailua, O'ahu. | Bird still present for at least its 3rd year.Probably Aleutian race, Branta canadensis leucopareia. | NK |
| 20th | RING-BILLED GULL | 1 | Kawaiele Sand Mine Sanctuary, Kaua'i. | First winter bird. Also see Dan's full trip report below in the February highlights. | DL |
| 23rd | GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL | 1 | Poipu Beach, Kaua'i. | Probable seen flying west along beach. | JK |
| 25th | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Again present, and also on 26th, on the DU Pond. Visible from the overlook adjacent to the parking area. | BZ |
| 25th | BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS | 4 | Kaua'i pelagic. | For full trip list click here. | DK |
| 28th | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Still present. | BZ |
|
Forest & Kim Starr reported that "we saw our first Mourning Dove on Maui today. We had been with Fern (Duvall) before and heard many in Waikapu and kind of saw some in flight, but had never gotten any really good looks at them. Today we were coming back from the Auwahi dryforest restoration project in Ulupalakua Ranch about 3:30 when a friend in the car noticed a funny looking dove. We got out and got some really good looks at it. Smaller than rock dove, but bigger than blue face, rosy tint to head and body, thin tail, little black dots on side of back, no neck rings. We mentioned the sighting to Fern who added that he had been in the area earlier this year and thinks it is the largest concentration of mourning doves on Maui, with multiple flocks of 50 or so birds. Lastly, we saw a large wild turkey take flight off a steep hill today and glide for a long distance, quite a sight." The Mourning Dove has recently undergone quite a major distribution increase from its once-stronghold of the Kona coast of the Big Island. Once found only on the Big Island the species population there seemed to crash with fewer and fewer sightings reported, however in the last few years the species has spread to Maui and even as far as Kaua'i. It will be interesting to note what happens to the population over the next few years. It should at least make the species more easily observable in the State! Ed.
Visiting birder Nick Komar from Fort Collins, Colorado observed a first-winter Gull on February 15th, about 1:45 pm on the Windward side of O'ahu. Nick stated at the time: "I don't think it was Larus argentatus smithsonianus because it had a notable tail band rather than an all dark tail. Dark secondaries and outer primaries rules out Glaucous or Glaucous-winged Gull. The location was about 2 miles south of Laie. I returned to the spot several times during the following week but did not refind this bird." Subsequent debate and assessment by other birders in the State and on the Mainland (as well as internationally) have resulted in divided opinion with some saying it is a Herring Gull, some saying it is a Vega Gull or hybrid and others believing it to be a Slaty-backed Gull. Slaty-backed Gull is very rare in Hawai'i, with most records being from the Northwest Chain where the last bird was recorded in January 2001 on Midway. In addition to the photographs below a further selection of shots, and an article on this bird's occurrence and identification, can be found by clicking here. Gull sp. near Laie Point, O'ahu, February 15th 2003. Photographs © Nick Komar.
Gull sp. near Laie Point, O'ahu, February 15th 2003. Photographs © Nick Komar.
Gull sp. near Laie Point, O'ahu, February 15th 2003. Photographs © Nick Komar.
The following report was received from Arleone Dibben-Young on Moloka'i: "Last April I completed creating a small wetland for captive nene at my private residence, a property of one acre beachfront on an ancient Hawaiian fishpond on Molokai. Since then we have had some interesting visitors. Besides wild stilts taking up residency and a Wandering tattler, a Great Frigate has landed on the tiny island, as has a Laughing Gull. At dawn on 2/19/03 I was standing on my mauka lanai having a cup of coffee watching the wild stilts when a barn owl swooped down and attacked our largest nene gander. The nene turned around and the two birds fought face-to-face for about 20 seconds as I ran to break up the fight (the owl was loosing). The owl then flew to the other side of our wetland and tried to pick up a shoveler, dropped it, and flew off. The Laughing Gull is 1st winter, the Great Frigate was adult female. The Laughing Gull spends most of its time at the shrimp farm in Palaau, but about every ten days or so it makes a day trip to our house and the rocky point a mile up the beach, then returns to Palaau." Arleone also reported that at Kaunakakai Wastewater Treatment plant on Moloka'i the following have been present for several months: One male, two female Lesser Scaup, One male, two female Bufflehead and a Short-billed Dowitcher, this bird apparently comes and goes from the site. She also states that Molokai has a year-round population of Bristle-Thigh Curlew, which must mean that a few individuals over-summer on this less-visited and less-disturbed island.
Aleutian Canada Goose, Enchanted Lake, Kailua, O'ahu. February 19th 2003. Photograph © by Nick Komar.
This bird has been present for several years now, and although is resident at this site is of unknown origin and perhaps a genuine migrant which became injured or ill and has picked this as a permanent home.
Dan Lindsay led an Elderhostel birding trip to Kaua'i and the Big Island during February
and reported the following. "The high points were a singing Hawai'i Creeper in very plain view and a gorgeous male 'Akepa
at Hakalau NWR, a Japanese Bush Warbler posing
on the end of a dead branch at Hulei NWR, and the wonderful aerial displays of seabirds at Kilauea Point, especially
a Frigatebird chasing a White-Tailed
Tropicbird for what seemed like 10 minutes and was probably about 30 seconds.
An immature Ring-Billed Gull at Sand Mine Reserve
was more interesting to me than to my mainland guests! Full results: 19 Feb 03, Kapa'a: Ruddy
Turnstone - half a dozen on the field south of the Coconut Beach Hotel.
Steve Zimmerman and his wife took a trip to the Oahu Cemetery to look for Rose-ringed Parakeets on Sunday 23rd and found a single bird sitting
right out in the open and a small flock of six birds flying overhead when they arrived at about 3:30 in the afternoon.
On Tuesday 27th they hiked Kuliouou trail (O'ahu) looking for O'ahu 'Elepaio. "We found one at the end of the trail (which peters out in the river bed by a large white
tree). My wife got good looks at the bird, but I did not, so we went back again today (Thursday). There was an
'Elepaio in the same area, best viewed by walking out into the boulder-
Kaua'i pelagic-regular, David Kuhn, embarked on another trip on February 25th,
from Port Allen up Na Pali to Kalalau, out to Lehua and back. The sea had a 5-8' swell and moderate trade winds,
increasing Easterly mid-day; mostly cloudy. |
| 1st | HERRING GULL | 1 | Lanikai Beach, Oa'hu. | 1st winter. Lanikai beach about 6:00 pm. | HK |
| 1st | BAIKAL TEAL | 1 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Drake again present at 12.30pm, but not seen on 2nd. | DL |
| 2nd | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 4 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | 3 males, 1 female. Also 2 female Bufflehead and several Koloa. | DL |
| 2nd | TUFTED DUCK | 1 | Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i. | Also mixed-species flock of 16 other diving ducks including Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks. Also 10 Northern Shovelers were also present. The Tufted Duck is presumably the bird recorded at the nearby Kona STP earlier in the year. | KLR |
| 2nd | ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK | 1 | Hanawi, Maui. | TB | |
| 3rd | ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK | 1 | Haleakala Highway, Maui. | Near the mile 9 marker on Haleakala Hwy. | TB |
| 3rd | BUFFLEHEAD | 1+ | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | Also Northern Pintail, but no sign of Baikal Teal. | BZ |
| 3rd | HERRING GULL | 1 | Lanikai Area, O'ahu. | Probable 1st winter. Over water, flew towards the marine base at Kane'ohe at 6.15pm. | CC |
| 4th | MARSH SANDPIPER | 1 | Honouliuli NWR, Pearl Harbor, O'ahu. | Also 9 Long-billed Dowitchers, 83 Northern Pintails, 4 Northern Shovelers, 1 Bufflehead, and 3 American Wigeon. Perhaps the Marsh Sandpiper has relocated again due to the well-drilling at Waiawa. | PD |
| 4th | SOOTY TERN | 100's | Manana Island, O'ahu. | Also at least 4 Red-tailed Tropicbirds flying around the islands, about 20 Red-footed Boobies, 3
Brown Boobies and one Laysan Albatross way off in the distance. |
PD |
| 4th | SOOTY SHEARWATER | 1 | Diamond Head Lighthouse Lookout area, O'ahu. | Probable. Also1 Red-Tailed Tropicbird in the Halona Blow Hole area | SL |
| 5th | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 3 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | No sign of Baikal Teal. | SZ |
| 6th | PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER | 200 | Kealia Pond, Maui. | Large gathering. | MN |
| 7th | HOODED MERGANSER | 1 | Salt Lake, O'ahu. | Drake. | RD |
| 21st | GREATER YELLOWLEGS | 1 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR. | No Public Access to this site. Also 2 Black-bellied Plover, 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (with injured leg still), 7 Long-billed Dowitcher but No Sign of the Marsh Sandpiper. Also Hawaiian Stilts copulating and making nest scrapes. Two broods of Hawaiian Coot chicks - one brood of 4 downy chicks. Nearby at Salt Lake No Sign of the Hooded Merganser |
PD, SZ |
| 21st | BUFFLEHEAD | 1 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR. | No Public Access to this site. Also 2 American Wigeon, 1 Northern Shoveler, 40 Northern Pintail, 4 Green-winged Teal. |
PD, SZ |
| 22nd | GREEN-WINGED TEAL | 9 | Punamano Unit of James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 35 Northern Shoveler, 9 Northern Pintail, 2 female Ring-necked Ducks, 3 Lesser Scaup (2 Male 1 Female) and 2 female Bufflehead. Refuge currently closed to visitors. |
PD |
| 22nd | WHIMBREL | 1 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | North American race bird still present also 10 Bristle-thighed Curlews, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Semipalmated Plovers and 8 Long-billed Dowitchers. Refuge currently closed to visitors. | PD |
| 22nd | CASPIAN TERN | 1 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Sub-adult bird. Also 2 1st-winter Laughing Gulls, 1 1st-winter Ring-billed Gull. Also as usual, lots of Hawaiian Stilts, Hawaiian Coots and 10 Hawaiian Moorhens. Several probable stilt nests. Refuge currently closed to visitors. | PD |
| 22nd | HAWAIIAN STILT | 117 | Kuilima STP, O'ahu. | No unusual migrants seen. | PD |
| 22nd | POMARINE JAEGER | 4+ | Pelagic off O'ahu. | Hawaii Audubon Society trip. | SL, DS |
| 23rd | MARSH SANDPIPER | 1 | Waiawa Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | Bird at the Watercress farm going into the refuge. | PD, RM |
| 23rd | GREATER YELLOWLEGS | 1 | Waiawa Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | No Public Access to this site. Still present. Also 1 Black-bellied Plover, 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (injured leg) and 10 Long-billed Dowitcher. Hawaiian Stilts copulating and making nest scrapes, 3 Stilts possibly incubating. Three broods of Hawaiian Coot chicks - one brood of 4 downy chicks. | PD, RM |
| 23rd | BUFFLEHEAD | 1 | Waiawa Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | No Public Access to this site. Very low water level. Also 175 Pacific Golden Plovers roosing on dry mud otherwise very few birds,37 Northern Pintail and 5 Green-winged Teal. |
PD, RM |
| 25th | RED-MASKED CONURES | 32 | Southern Oahu. | MO | |
| 26th | O'AHU 'ELEPAIO | 1 | Aiea Loop Trail, O'ahu. | No Guam Swiftlets seen. | SZ |
| 29th | (LONG-BILLED) DOWITCHER | 6 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | Presumed Long-billed. Also 40 Northern Pintail. | MO |
| 29th | BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER | 1 | West Loch Estates, O'ahu. | No sign of summer plumage yet. No sign of the Marsh Sandpiper in the area. | MO |
| 29th | GOLDEN PHEASANT | 1 | Waikamoi Preserve, Maui. | Male seen in the same area as last year. | JF |
|
Dan Lindsay from Hilo led an Elderhostel trip to Kaua'i and the Big Island at the start of the month and sent
the following report. In total the group managed to observe 69 species during the course of the trip between March
2nd and 7th.
A drake Hooded Merganser was found by Reggie David at Salt Lake on O'ahu on 7th. David writes: "this is the first alternate plumaged male Hooded Merganser recorded in the Hawaiian Islands. Prior to this record there had been 9 records representing 17 birds reported from the state. The last record was of a female plumaged bird seen on Wailua Resevoir, Kauai between November 30 and December 30th 1993. No specimens collected in the Islands exist for this species, though photographs exist of several of the previous records."
Steve Zimmerman writes: "I spent several days last week on Kauai. On Tuesday (3/11) and Thursday I checked
the DU Pond (Hanalei NWR) for the Baikal Teal but I did not see the bird on either day. On Tuesday there were 4
Blue-winged Teal on the pond which were not there on Thursday. On Tuesday (about 3:30 PM) we saw a Pueo flying over a field along the road that eventually leads into Kilauea Point NWR. On
Thursday (just after sunset) we saw one sitting on telephone wires along the main road near Princeville. Friday,
I took a Blue Dolphin charter boat trip out of Eleele. We were out for several hours and did not see any bird piles.
Overall, the birding was pretty slow. There was an occasional Wedge-tailed
A Hawaii Audubon Society whale-watching pelagic off O'ahu on 26th didn't reveal any surprises but several Pomarine Jaegers were encountered and a great set of photographs obtained (see below). Pomarine Jeagers, known as Skuas outside of North America, are regular winter visitors to the Hawaiian Islands, but are usually encountered mainly off the southern coasts of O'ahu where small flocks can occur. Although most of the individuals present remain some distance offshore a few can usually be seen from land with the aid of binoculars or a telescope. Rarer in Hawaiian waters but occasionally recorded are Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), Long-tailed Jaeger and South Polar Skua - these species tend to be far more ocean-going around Hawai'i when they visit and require a pelagic boat trip to catch up with them. Skua/Jaeger identification can be difficult and it is best to consult works such as Skuas & Jaegers (Olsen and Larsson), Seabirds (Harrison) or Collins Bird Guide (Svensson et al.) As a basic guide Summer pale phase adult Pomarine Jaegers are brown above with white belly and breast. Dark brown breast band. Head has dark brown cap and area around eye and yellow throat/cheeks. In flight long, twisted spoon-shaped feathers on tail distinctive. White flash shows in flight on primaries. Short dark legs. Bill is pale with a dark tip. Summer dark phase Pomarines are like pale phase but all dark below and on face but still exhibit white wing flash. Juvenile Pomarines are brown and heavily barred and show smaller, but still obvious wing flashes. The "spoons" are moulted twice a year (November - December and March - April) when adults lose the large spoons and often only show a slight tail extension and their colours tend to be duller during the winter months. Pomarine Jaegers off O'ahu, 22nd March 2003. Photographs © by Satoko Lincoln.
Photographs © by Dorcie Sakuma.
Satoko Lincoln sent this photograph of a young Kolea’s (Pacific Golden Plover) feather which he picked up on March 25th, not too far from Diamond Head Lighthouse. "The Kolea was preening, and this feather fell out. I saved it when the Kolea walked away." Pacific Golden Plover feather, O'ahu, March 2003. Photo © Satoko Lincoln
Tim Barksdale, a filmmaker with Cornell, was working in the islands for most of February and March. He saw a Rough-legged Hawk in 2 spots on Maui, Haleakala Hwy and in Hanawi. He lives in Montana so is very familiar with this species. he saw the bird on February 16th at the Mile 7 mark on Haleakala Hwy; on March 2nd at Hanawi, filmed at 10:46 am; and on March 3rd (Unidentified buteo) at the mile 9 marker on Haleakala Hwy. This species is a rare vagrant to the Hawaiian Islands.
Jeff Foster reported the following from Maui: "I don't typically work near the boardwalk but on March 29 I recorded a Golden Pheasant in native forest. The bird was not more than 20 meters from the spot where I first heard him last year." |
| 2nd | BLUE-WINGED TEAL | 3 | Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i. | On the DU Pond: Two drakes and 1 female. Also a lone Eurasian Wigeon. No sign of the Baikal Teal. | RD |
| 8th | SALVIN'S ALBATROSS | 1 | Midway Atoll. | First Hawaiian Islands record. | JKl, RMa |
| 13th | BAND-RUMPED STORM PETREL | 1 | Pelagic from Nawiliwili Harbor, Kaua'i. | Also 1 Bulwer's Petrel. | CCa, GT |
| 13th | RED PHALAROPE | 1 | Off Makahuena Point, Kaua'i. | GT, CCa | |
| 18th | BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS | 2 | Pelagic from Kaua'i to Lehua. | See full species list below. | DK |
| 18th | RING-BILLED GULL | 1 | James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 2 Northern Shoveler. | GT, CCa |
| 23rd | TERN sp. | 1 | Pouhala Marsh, O'ahu. | See description below. Also 23 Hawaiian Stilt (1 known nest with 3 eggs, and possibly 6 others), 29 Pacific Golden Plover (down from 150 the day before - observed by HI Nat. Center Staff), 2 Wandering Tattler and 5 Night Herons. | SR |
| 24th | BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER | 1 | Honouliuli NWR, O'ahu. | Also 200 Pacific Golden Plover, 80 Hawaiian Stilt with 6 broods of chicks, 2 Wandering Tattler and 32 Turnstone. No public access to this refuge. | PD |
| 24th | LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER | 4 | Honouliuli NWR, O'ahu. | All in near-full breeding plumage. Also 2 male Northern Shoveler, 1 Gray Francolin 1 heard calling and 90 Hawaiian Coot inc.1 juv. No public access to this refuge. | PD |
| 24th | PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER | 26 | Pouhala Marsh, O'ahu. | Also 32 Hawaiian Stilt with possibly 7 incubating and 1 Wandering Tattler. No sign of Tern reported on 23rd. | PD |
| 26th | LAUGHING GULL | 1 | Kaneohe Fishing Pier, O'ahu. | Second winter circling around fishing boat called 'Nisei'. Also 6 Black Noddy circling around and landing on the same boat and 1 Brown Booby. | PD |
| 26th | BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW | 14 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | 11 Curlew seen flying North over dunes, probably departing on migration (still 3 on refuge, after that). Also 37 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Short-eared Owl chased by Stilts. |
PD |
| 26th | WHIMBREL | 1 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | North American race bird still present. Also 4 Northern Shoveler, 26 Hawaiian Moorhen
with at least 2 broods of downy chicks, 159 Hawaiian Coot with at least
2 downy chicks and 165 Pacific Golden Plover including a flock of 26 seen heading north, probably departing on migration. |
PD |
| 26th | RING-BILLED GULL | 1 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Second winter bird in very faded plumage. Also 69 Hawaiian Stilt, 8 Sandering
and 4 Wandering Tattler. |
PD |
| 26th | RED-FOOTED BOOBY | 2 | Laie Point, O'ahu. | Also 2 Brown Boobies. | PD |
| 26th | SANDERLING | 8 | Waiaw NWR, O'ahu. | Mostly in partial breeding plumage. Also 52 Pacific Golden Plover including 1 flock of 16 seen heading north,
31 Hawaiian Stilt with possibly 4 on nests, 2 Wandering Tattler and 40 Ruddy Turnstone. |
PD |
| 2nd | LEAST/LITTLE TERN | 1 | Pouhala Marsh, O'ahu. | Adult in breeding plumage. Believed to be a Least Tern, since no contrast noted between the gray back and the rump. At one point the Tern and a Wandering Tattler flew around chasing each other. Nearby at Waiawa 8 Sanderling. | PD |
| 2nd | SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER | 1 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was in winter plumage with a bad leg & thus probably the same bird that has been around Pearl Harbor since last fall. Also 2 male Northern Shoveler. No Public Access to this site. |
PD |
| 2nd | BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW | 2 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | At least 2 (possibly one other curlew or whimbrel seen at a distance) also 1 female Rosy- billed Pochard still. Refuge closed for the nesting season. |
PD |
| 2nd | MASKED BOOBY | 3 | Makapuu Beach Park, O'ahu. | Also lots of Sooty Terns, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Red-footed Boobies and 1 small humpback whale - possibly an orphaned calf. |
PD |
| 2nd | GREY-BACKED TERN | 1 | Pelagic to Lehua from Kaua'i. | This species is seldom recorded in the Kaua'i - Lehua area. Full trip list in the May summary. | DK |
| 9th | LAUGHING GULL | 2-3 | Kanaha Ponds, Maui. | One appeared to be approaching first summer plumage, another in second winter plumage and the third was too far off to id./age. | LT |
| 10th | FRANKLIN'S GULL | 1 | Kanaha Ponds, Maui. | 2nd-winter/adult non-breeding Franklin's gull. Also 2 Laughing Gulls still present and 10 Northern Shoveler. | LT |
| 10th | RED-MASKED PARAKEETS | ? | Waialae Beach Park, O'ahu. | Small flock probably of this species observed flying east at 0610 hrs. | PD |
| 15th | LAUGHING GULL | 2 | Kanaha Ponds, Maui. | One 1st-winter/1st-summer plumage and one 2nd-winter/ adult non-breeding plumage. Also 3 Ruddy Turnstone. | LT |
| 15th | LAUGHING GULL | 2 | Kealia Pond NWR, Maui. | Also a few Pacific Golden Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones still present. Also small flocks of Wandering Tattlers observed. | MN |
| 24th | BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER | 1 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | Bird in basic plumage.Also 106 Hawaiian Coot, 83 Hawaiian
Stilt (47 chicks - 4 broods already fledged, 3 broods around 3 weeks old, 9 broods around a week old,
4 possible nests); 11 Cattle Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Mallard and 15 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck hybrid. No Public Access. |
PD |
| 24th | SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER | 1 | Honouliuli Unit, Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu. | Basic plumage with deformed leg. Also 9 Ruddy Turnstone. No Public Access. | PD |
| 24th | BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW | 9+ | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 15 Hawaiian Moorhen (with at least 2 broods of chicks), 162 Hawaiian
Coot, 51 Hawaiian Stilt (with at least 2 broods of chicks), 9 Cattle Egret, 6 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 19 Mallard
X Hawaiian Duck hybrid 19, 1 Wandering Tattler and 9 Ruddy Turnstone. Refuge closed for nesting season. |
PD |
| 25th | LEAST TERN | 1 | Waiawa NWR, O'ahu. | Adult breeding plumage (Yellow legs, yellow bill with black tip, gray rump. Called repeatedly. It appears to be a very lonely male. Twice, he flew in from Pearl Harbor with a small fish and tried to present it to a golden plover. The plovers just ran away. | PD |
| 25th | HAWAIIAN STILT | 12 | Waiawa NWR, O'ahu. | Present with 2 chicks. Also 50 Cattle Egret, 3 Pacific Golden Plover (basic plumage) and 4 Ruddy Turnstone. | PD |
| 25th | HAWAIIAN STILT | 40 | Pouhala Marsh, O'ahu. | Also 9 Black-crowned Night-Heron. | PD |
| 29th | LAUGHING GULL | 2 | Kealia Pond NWR, Maui. | Near the outlet to Kealia Pond. Both had dark heads. One clearly had a black head. Due to nesting stilts the old
Kealia Fish Farm ponds are closed to the public. Birds can be viewed only from the side of the road. Maalaea flats are virtually dry. |
MN |
| 31st | PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER | 1 | Kanaha Pond, Maui. | No other migrants present. Also many Hawaiian Coots, Hawaiian Stilts (mating) and Night Herons. | PD, LT |
| 31st | MAUI ALAUAHIO | Many | Waikamoi Preserve, Maui. | Also 'Apapane were abundant, and there were loads of
juvenile birds. Also plenty of I'iwi and 'Amakihi
and 1-2 Pueo near Hosmer Grove and one over the boardwalk in Waikamoi. No sign of any Maui Parrotbills or 'Akohekohe. |
PD, LT, et al. |
| 2nd | MOURNING DOVE | 4 | Near the Big Island Country Club, near Kona, Hawai'i. | Off the road edge about 300 meters north of the entrance to the Country Club. | RD |
| 4th | BULWER'S PETREL | 25 | Kaua'i Pelagic, Kaua'i. | Good selection of seabirds and 4 Dwarf Sperm Whales. For full trip report Click Here. | DK |
| 8th | CHRISTMAS SHEARWATER | 3 | Pelagic off O'ahu. | Also good numbers of Hawaiian Petrels and Bulwer's Petrels. | HS |
| 9th | BULLER'S SHEARWATER | 1 | Pelagic about 17 miles off O'ahu. | Also 5 Christmas and one Newell's Shearwaters feeding among at lest 1000 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters; also small number of Hawaiian and Bulwer's Petrels, and one Sooty Shearwater - all among many other seabirds, mainly Sooty Terns, Brown and Black Noddy and the three species of Booby. | HS |
| 10th | BULLER'S SHEARWATER | 1 | Pelagic off Kaua'i. | Also good selection of other seabirds, full report below. | DK |
| 14th | LEAST TERN | 1 | Waipio Soccer Complex, O'ahu. | Breeding-plumaged bird. | PD |
| 16th | SOOTY TERN | 1 | Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i. | Seen flying over Point. | per BZ |
| 17th | BULLER'S SHEARWATER | 1 | Pelagic off Ni'ihau. | HS | |
| 17th | SOUTH POLAR SKUA | 1 | Pelagic off Ni'ihau. | Also probable Bonin Petrel reported. | HS |
| 19th | BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS | 1 | Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i. | Seen flying over point. | per BZ |
| 20th | BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS | 1 | Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i. | Seen flying over point. | per BZ |
| 24th | SOUTH POLAR SKUA | 1 | Pelagic from Kaua'i. | One probable bird seen. For full trip list, click here. | DK |
| 25th | BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER | 2 | Pouhala Marsh, O'ahu. | Both in non-breeding plumage. Also 5 Pacific Golden Plover, 52 Hawaiian Stilts and 3 Wandering Tatttler. | PD |
| 25th | AFRICAN SILVERBILL | 14 | Honouliuli NWR, O'ahu. | Also 8 Saffron Finches, 15 Gray Francolin and 12 Cattle Egrets. No Public Access. | PD |
| 25th | HAWAIIAN STILT | 59 | Honouliuli NWR, O'ahu. | Included 25 adults, 26 birds of the year and 10 not-yet-fledged chicks. Also 87 Hawaiian Coots, 4 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Wandering Tattler. No Public Access. | PD |
| 25th | HAWAIIAN STILT | 20 | Waiawa NWR, O'ahu. | 10 birds of the year and 10 adults. | PD |
| 27th | BULWER'S PETREL | 92 nests |
Flat Island (Popoia), off Kailua Beach, O'ahu. | A survey found 92 nests, an all time high for the island. Nearby at Hamakua Marsh Hawaiian Moorhen nesting season has produced 42 chicks in the area. | JP |
| 28th | GRAY-BACKED TERN | 1 | Laie Point, O'ahu. | Probable seen in poor weather. Also 300 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 6 Red-footed Boobies, 1 female Great Frigatebird and 85 Sooty Terns. | PD |
| 28th | BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW | 4 | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Also 10 Hawaiian Moorhen (at least 2 subadults), 102 Hawaiian Coot, 38 Hawaiian Stilt (12 fledglings), 2 Wandering Tattler and 12 Ruddy Turnstone. Refuge closed for nesting season. | PD |
| 28th | ROSY-BILLED POCHARD | Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR, O'ahu. | Escaped female still present. Also 1 male Great Frigatebird, 5 Cattle Egret, 7 Black-crowned Night-Heron and 8 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid. Refuge closed for nesting season. |
PD |
|
David Kuhn sent the following pelagic report from Kaua'i, from a trip on 4th June. David must currently be the most regular pelagic birder in the State, and his sightings are an important addition to the knowledge of Hawai'i's seabirds around the island. "I went out on the 21' Boston Whaler accompanying Robin Baird's Cetacean Research vessel AlaKazam (60') on Wed June 4, 0745 to 1600 hrs. This was one of a string of Beaufort zero days we've been having, allowing us to motor on at 26 KPH while keeping close watch for cetaceans and birds. Our route took us from Nawiliwili North to Kilauea, staying about three miles offshore over deep water, then North of Hanalei about 10 miles in deeper water. No big flocks encountered, in fact most birds were sitting on the water waiting for wind. The one sparse bird pile we found well north drew us to a big pod of Rough-toothed Dolphins, then while we were out that far we came across a solitary Dwarf Sperm Whale, a lifer for me, then enroute back a group of three of the same. This was a very exciting day for me being with Dr. Baird's team, in a small fast boat that is there to get close to birds and cetaceans. This next week I hope to go out well south of Kaua'i on the AlaKazam, which sports a 30' observation tower. SEABIRDS SEEN: 1 Laysan Albatross, 5 Newell's Shearwater, ~100 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 1 Christmas Shearwater, 6 Hawaiian Petrel, 25 Bulwer's Petrel, 1 Band-rumped Storm-petrel, 1 White-tailed Tropicbird, 1 Red-tailed Tropicbird, ~30 Red-footed Booby, 3 Brown Booby, ~10 Great Frigatebird, 6 Sooty Tern, ~15 Black Noddy. Other creatures: ~30 Rough-toothed Dolphin, though difficult to count, 4 Dwarf Sperm Whale (one solitary and 3 in a group). Aloha, David."
From May 30 to June 1 Eric Vanderwerf, Ken Wood and others visited Lehua Islet just north of Niihau on the Holoholo, to record nesting seabirds. "The weather was hot with little wind on all 3 days, with some convectional heating and clouds building up, then some showers at night. Below is a list of the species we saw on the island and their numbers. Black-footed Albatross- 2 adults, 11 large chicks; Laysan Albatross- 10 adults, 27 large chicks; Wedge-tailed Shearwater- about 100, no eggs yet; Christmas Shearwater- 1 at dusk off the northwest point on 31 May; Newell's Shearwater- 1 heard at night on 30 May; Bulwer's Petrel- about 60 circling off the northwest point at dusk on 31 May, 9 nests; Band-rumped Storm-petrel- 6 circling off the northwest point at dusk on 31 May, 1 heard at night, No nests found (argh!). Red-tailed Tropicbird- about 30 nests, but there are many more than this. Insufficient time to do a complete count. Brown Booby- 521 active nests counted. I think this might be the largest colony in the Hawaiian Islands. Red-footed Booby- nests not counted this time, last July we counted 1293 active nests, seemed to be about the same this year. Great Frigatebird- 75 birds roosting, more in the air. Cattle Egret- 87 adults, 21 nests. This species seems to be increasing rapidly. Last July there were 9 adults and 2 nests. Birds regularly commuted to and from Niihau. Sooty Tern- 2 flying and calling all around the island, but not landing. Black Noddy- about 230 adults in the 2 sea caves, 21 nests. Rock Dove- 2; Nutmeg Mannikin- 15 in 3 groups."
Lehua Rock, off NE Ni'ihau. Nesting site for many of Hawai'i's seabirds. Photograph © by Christian Melgar
Visiting birder and researcher Hadoram Shirihai recorded the following from a pelagic off O'ahu on 8th: "We
are chartering afishing boat for the photographic work here on the tubenoses, and already on the first day at sea
(yesterday) I found a Buller's Shearwater, from pelagic off O'ahu, 9th June 2003. An uncommon sight in Hawaiian waters. Photograph © by Hadoram Shirihai
Buller's Shearwater, from pelagic off Ni'ihau, 17th June 2003. Photograph © by Hadoram Shirihai
Regular visitor Jennifer Rycenga from California and local birder Peggy Macres had another super birding trip and reported the following: "Peggy and I had another exciting, bird-filled weekend, this time on the Big Island. On Friday afternoon, we drove across Saddle Road, and stopped at Pu'u La'au. It was late in the day, and the fog was rolling in. By the time we got to the cabin area, it was drizzling slightly. But persistence paid off. In addition to the expected Apapane, I'iwi, Elepaio and Amakihi, we finally found one Palila. It was quite bedraggled by the rain, but called sufficiently for us to locate it, as it was busily working at a stubborn Mamane blossom. The bigger surprise happened on the way out of Pu'u La'au. We've gotten in the habit of examining every quail along Saddle. As a mainlander, and, more specifically, a Californian, I've some experience with the California/Gambel's distinction. It came in handy here. We were fairly close to the check-in station entrance (well past the cement culverts, probably less than a mile from Saddle Road). We were driving slowly enough that when we saw a flock of Quail on the road in front of us we were able to stop before we had spooked them. Of the 16 birds in front of us, at least 7 were male Gambel's! This seems somewhat further west than other reported locations for Gambel's, but there could be no doubt what we had in front of us. Big black chest patches, a more steely gray on the upper breast, with no scaling. Saturday we went on the Hawai'i Forest and Trail trip to Hakalau NWR. Since they will file a full report, let me just quickly say that we had a gorgeous female Aki'apola'au - a lifer for me, and quite riveting to watch - in addition to all the other forest birds: Hawai'i Creeper, 'Akepa, 'Apapane, I'iwi, 'Amakihi, 'Elepaio, I'o and Pueo. Sunday we made a long progress back to Hilo, stopping for some more missing species from our island lists. We had the Common Peafowl at Makalai Golf Course, but the real highlights were at the Big Island Country Club. We had two Black-rumped Waxbills drinking, more Red Avadavats, a Wandering Tattler drinking, two Skylarks on the lawn, and at least twelve Nene (got to see them honk and fly). But - joy to behold - "our" Mourning Dove flew overhead just as we decided to search for it again. We saw it head toward the watering place, so we decided wait for it there. We found it sitting on the ledge drinking, enabling us to really see all its field marks clearly. Its always nice to have one's earlier sightings corroborated - both by Reginald, and by ourselves! In total, for our weekend, we had 43 species, with no attempt at water birds (no pond or more pelagic species), which seems respectable to me for late spring/summer here. It had us wondering, though - what are the Big Day records for the Big Island? We speculated that on a good day in fall or winter, with shorebirds and/or gulls around, that a determined team could reach over 55 in a day, maybe even 60 or more. Are we underestimating? We had a 43 species day once under those circumstances, and that was while we were still learning the locations. We'll continue the search for the birds we are still missing: Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (it evaded us at all the spots given us by readers and the books), Barn Owl, Japanese Quail (we gave this a good try, but we didn't get to the locations until 3 pm, which we presume was too late). As one birding friend of mine says, completion of any project seems like a goal, but, really, its dull compared to having a nemesis you can cherish...Whatever the numbers, birding bliss was had, as the Big Island provided every climate, every form of weather, and spectacular views throughout." Long-time island birder Reginald David suggests that a day's birding on the Big Island, with a little luck and lots of planning, could culminate in a day total of 56-60 species, although a higher total depends of course on time of year and on the number of migrant species observed, Ed.
Yet another pelagic by David Kuhn from Kaua'i! Highlight of the trip was a Buller's Shearwater, echoing the report of this species on 9th off O'ahu by visiting expert birder Hadoram Shirihai. David reports as follows: "Tuesday June 10, on the Blue Dolphin II from Port Allen up Na Pali to Kalalau, out to Lehua and back; no swell and moderate southerlies, turning by afternoon to light to moderate trades partly cloudy; in the company of birder David Heath of Portland Or. No big flocks seen, mostly scattered small flocks. I finally got time last night to research enough to conclude that we had seen a Buller's Shearwater, feeling sure that we had had either a Buller's or Juan Fernandez Petrel. According to Harrison both could be in these waters in post-breeding dispersal. I first sighted the bird 100m off, noticing a light and brownish-grey upperwing pattern I had not seen before. We watched it recede in a flight pattern that reminded me of Wedgie, and observed strikingly clean white underparts. Though I would be happy to claim either ID, I eliminate Juan Fernandez in that I think I would have been able to see the dark wing-tips and small wrist patches, I saw no white extending over this bird's bill and into its face, and upperparts were not dark grey but brownish. I have been expecting Juan Fernandez for years, looking closely at every supposed Hawaiian Petrel's undersides. Later last night I got a call from Hadoram Shirahai, the Israeli birder/author visiting here, who saw and photographed a Buller's off Oahu on the 9th." SEABIRDS SEEN: 1 Black-footed Albatross over Lehua, ~100 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 1 Buller's Shearwater mid-channel, 4 Bulwer's Petrel, 2 Band-rumped Storm-petrel, 10 White-tailed Tropicbird over Na Pali, ~10 Red-tailed Tropicbird, all near Lehua, ~20 Red-footed Booby at sea, many on Lehua, 10 Brown Booby at sea, ~40 on/near Lehua, 15 Great Frigatebird near Lehua, 6 Sooty Tern, ~50 Black Noddy in Lehua sea cave,~ 10 at sea. Other creatures: A large pod of Spinner Dolphin off Na Pali and a long thin dorsal fin, probably a large shark.
Mariana Swiftlet news from Eric Vanderwerf: "Yesterday (Friday June 13) Pete Donaldson,
Dave Smith, John Polhemus,
Jeff Foster, a biologist working in the Waikamoi Preserve, Maui reports: " 'Akohekohe have been particularly absent this year. I have yet to record
one this season despite working in Waikamoi twice a week. The area in which I work is not a high
Maui 'Alauahio. This is one of the most easily observed of all of Hawai'i's endemic forest species. Photograph © by Jack Jeffrey
O'ahu resident birder Peter Donaldson reported the following mid-month: "In late May and early June there were rather large flocks of Pacific Golden Plovers -- 45 to 60 birds -- on the grass at the Waipio Soccer Park. On Saturday, June 14, I noticed a smaller pale bird in the flock. As I walked closer, the bird took off and circled around me, calling a few times before landing again in the midst of the plovers. It was a Least Tern in breeding plumage. I haven't been to the soccer park recently. There is a big soccer tournament there, so I've been avoiding the area."
Lance Tanino highlighted this report from the Honolulu Advertiser on June 21st: "Marine
base investigates slaughter of sea birds, by Jan TenBruggencate, Advertiser Science Writer. About 30 sea birds
apparently were shot to death within the Ulupa'u Wildlife Management Area at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i at Kane'ohe.
Thirty Red-footed Boobies were killed within a wildlife
preserve on Mokapu Peninsula at the Marine base. Courtesy U.S. Geological Survey. The dead birds were discovered
Wednesday. The case is being treated as a criminal investigation, handled jointly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The birds, all red-footed boobies, were part of a colony
of about 2,500 birds that nest and roost at the eastern end of Ulupa'u Crater, at the northeastern end of the Mokapu
Peninsula. Boobies are protected under the federal government's 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The 23-acre wildlife
sanctuary lies at the east end of the crater and shares the crater with a Marine firing range. Marine spokesman
Maj. Chris Hughes said it is unlikely that the birds were killed as a result of normal use of the range complex.
He said this is the first time in the range's history that this kind of mass bird kill has been reported. "This
facility has functioned so well for the last 50 years," Hughes
A resting juvenile Red-footed Booby, Hawaiian Islands. Photograph © by Christian Melgar
Brenda Zaun, refuge biologist for the Kaua'i NWR Complex reported the following: "Again this year, two pair of Newell's Shearwaters are nesting in two of the artificial nest boxes at Kilauea Point NWR. One egg hatched on July 17, the other on July 30. Both chicks are doing well. I am collecting information on chick growth weights and parental visits, etc. Laysan Albatross - 44 chicks fledged from Kilauea Point NWR this year. Of the 44 refuge chicks, the first LAAL chick fledged on about June 19 and the last chick fledged on July 27. I also banded 12 chicks in Princeville and 9 near Kakiu Point. At least 3 - 6 Pacific Golden Plovers summered at Hanalei NWR. During the second week of August, we noted a high number of returns (50+). There were 23 known Hawaiian Stilt nests at Hanalei this year, 21 were located in our wetlands on the west side of the refuge, 1 was on a dike next to a taro loi, and 1 was in a shallow, harvested taro loi. They nested later than the Oahu birds - they started nesting in early May and continued through mid-July. Some "fledged" successfully, as I saw some in near adult plumage. Although I tried to track success, it was difficult. A Red-tailed Tropicbird nesting on Mokolea Point this year had been banded as a chick "L" from Midway in 1999. I've banded about 20 RTTR chicks on the refuge thus far. Found 130 nests".
David Kuhn writes: "Tuesday June 24, on the Blue Dolphin II
from Port Allen up Na Pali to Kalalau, out to Lehua and back; no swell, moderate trades , partly cloudy. Birds
were sparse and scattered, no big flocks. Bird o' the day was a Stercorarius sp. which lifted off the water very near the boat, showing brownish
upperparts, prominent wing flashes, broad deep wings not very pointed, no apparent tail projections. Considering
these features and the season, I'll call it a South Polar Skua. According to Harrison this should be the only Stercorariid found in these waters in summer. South Polar Skua is a rare visitor to Hawaiian waters, although the true distribution and occurrence of the species in Hawai'i is clouded by the often poor views and confusion with some young heavy-looking Pomarine Jaegers, a regular species in the State's waters, however with good or prolonged views an identification should be relatively straightforward. Perhaps this is the same bird seen by Hadoram Shirihai earlier in the month in the same general area, Ed. The following website has many photographs and useful text on identification and moult patterns on Catharacta Skuas: http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=347&show_thumbnails=False Hadarom Shirihai commented: "South Polar Skua Juv Pomarine Skua can be confusingly similar, esp. distant birds. Once seen well, maccormicki easily identified in flight by noticeably heavier/chunkier and hunched appearance (lacking elongated posture and narrower based, more pointed wings of Pomarine), underwing pattern, with contrasting black coverts (paler and barred in Pomarine) and, usually, bolder and broader white primary flashes (narrower and diffuse, esp. on inner feathers in Pomarine, which also has pale primary-covert bases, forming pale double 'comma'), and white flashes on upperwing far more conspicuous than in Pomarine. Furthermore, maccormicki never has pale uppertail-coverts/rump of Pomarine, but often has broader and bolder pale hindneck patch." Alvaro Jaramillo also commented on South Polar Skua identification: "Great to get your reports on the pelagics, mouth watering stuff. One thing to look for in Skuas and jaegers that helps in identification is wing moult. Right now South Polar Skuas should be moulting the inner to mid primaries, moult is highly visible and farther out in the primaries by July. Since these are long distance migrants which breed in the southern hemisphere summer, they delay moult until reaching their 'winter' quarters in the northern hemisphere summer. The moult is intense and quick, which means that they drop and grow more than one primary at a time, usually two or more. In July you can't mistake that wing moult is going on in these birds, and this is obvious into August. No northern hemisphere jaeger/skua should be in heavy wing moult right now. Pomarines moult earlier than Parasitic/Long-tailed, particularly immatures but this should not be obvious until August or so. Chilean Skuas are extremely unlikely in the northern hemisphere, their main wing moult would be earlier in the season, probably starting in March and should be ongoing now but not as highly visible as on South Polar Skua. Similarly Antarctic/Brown (Stercorarius antarctica/lonnbergi) will moult a bit earlier than South Polar and show fewer missing feathers as they have a slower moult. This is the next most likely Skua species in the Northern hemisphere and it should be looked for, my guess is that most northern hemisphere records will end up occurring in the Atlantic and not the Pacific however. Its kind of like the Wilson's Storm Petrel situation, most just seem to go up the Atlantic in the non-breeding season. Finally, I think that adult South Polar Skuas do not commonly winter in the northern hemisphere, and it is the youngsters that visit us. The birds I have seen off California and photos from the Pacific never seem to include the superb looking adults one can see in the Antarctic. There is also evidence that many South Polar Skuas remain near the pack ice in winter, these are likely the more experienced adult birds. Still, there is more data needed to figure it all out. Staying on the moult theme in jaegers, Parasitic and Long-tailed delay wing moult until they are in the winter quarters. So in fall (Aug-Oct) if you see a jaeger in active wing moult, it is almost certainly a Pomarine Jaeger. If it is not in moult, it could be any of the three species though. These are guidelines however, and should be used in conjunction with other field marks of course. Some of this info is off the top of my head, I didn't double check it with notes or published materials, and moult timing is still not entirely known in this group." South Polar Skua, Senegal, left, and dark-morph Pomarine Jaeger, USA, right. Note the similarities in plumage tones and pattern. Both birds are in wing moult, but the South Polar Skua can be seen to be moulting more feathers at once than the Pomarine Jaeger. Also note the deeper-bellied appearance of the South Polar Skua compared with the Pomarine Jaeger; the pale nape, steeper forehead and broader wing-base of the South Polar Skua and the two-toned bill of the Pomarine Jaeger (all dark in South Polar Skua). Note also that this Pomarine Jaeger exhibits an all-dark rump, without the usual pale barring that is typically shown by the species, but not shown by South Polar Skua.
Pomarine Jaeger photograph © by Michael Donahue Check out their websites by clicking on the photos. |
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References
Hawaii Birding Chatlist. 2003. Messages posted on the Hawaii Birding chatlist by various birders throughout the course of the year. Kaua'i, Hawai'i / Worthing, U.K.
Melgar, C.W. 2003. Sightings reports published on the Birding Hawaii website. Worthing, West Sussex, U.K.
Pyle, R. and P. Donaldson. 2003. Quarterly reports in North American Birds, Volumes 57:1, 57:2, 57:3, 57:4 and 58:1. ABA.