HAWAI'I BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR 2003

JANUARY - JUNE

JANUARY

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

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JANUARY 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 genuine wild bird. Brenda Zaun commented "He was first seen on December 9, 2002. He was there several days then was not seen again for several days. The pond was not surveyed daily, so presence/absence was not recorded daily. The next record of it was December 20, 2002, then again today, January 3, 2003. All sightings have been in the DU Pond at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, Kaua'i. Because of the wildlife value of the DU Pond, it is not open to public access but can be viewed from the public viewing area located off of Ohiki Road. The Baikal Teal is an adult male in breeding plumage. The head has the intricate pattern of green, black, and buff stripes. Rather than attempting an inadequate description, it looks exactly like the Baikal Teal picture (adult male, 76a) on page 73 of "Waterfowl - An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World" by Steve Madge and Hilary Burn. The Baikal Teal is a small dabbling duck slightly larger than the more common Green-winged or Blue-winged Teal. All of my observations of this adult male have been while it was resting, sleeping, or preening on one of the islands within the DU Pond. I have not seen it feeding, swimming, or in flight. It is usually in the company of other ducks (Koloa, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal) or Coots. It is not banded and appears as skittish as the other birds. Other species in the DU pond include Black-necked Stilts, Moorhens (Hawaiian Gallinule), Nene, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, and Bufflehead". Photograph above left: Baikal Teal at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i, January 2003 by © Brenda Zaun. Genuine vagrant or escaped exotic? Baikal Teal is an extremely attractive species and is commonly kept in collections throughout the World and is a relatively inexpensive species to purchase, with birds being offered for sale for as little as $200 a pair in the United States (several sites stating they had birds for sale for as little as $8 could not be contacted for clarification or confirmation). In recent years there seems to have been an increase in the number of waterfowl collections appearing in the State, including several private ones on Kaua'i. Other collections on Kaua'i include Smith's Tropical Paradise near Wailua, which does not keep this species, and the now mostly-defunct collection at the Kaua'i Marriott/Kaua'i Lagoons Colf Course near Lihue, and at which a few exotics remain (including Wood Ducks and White-faced Tree (Whistling) Ducks, but not Baikal Teal). In the wild the species is found in Asia, and as the name suggests is found in the vicinity of Lake Baikal in Russia. Above right: Baikal Teal at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i, January 2003 by Alvaro Jaramillo. For a full article about this species' status, distribution and identification Click Here. 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 birdthat is present close to the path that leads to the observation building at Kanaha; it is hanging out on the left hand side of the path as you walk towards the building, usually within 100 feet of the path. It can disappear when feeding among the emergent vegetation, but only slowly swims away from people as they walk along the path. It was present all three days (Jan. 10-12) that I visited the pond. The bird is clearly a coot showing no visible traces of juvenile plumage. As far as I can tell, it is an adult. The frontal shield on top of the white bill is relatively small, ending at about eye level on the fore-crown. This shield is uniformly blood red in color. In comparison with the frontal shields of the Hawaiian Coots that are also present on the pond, this shield is much smaller and does not extend nearly as far back on the crown. The shield of Hawaiian Coots are clearly visible from behind when they are swimming away from the observer, while the shield on this bird cannot be observed from behind. The shields of the Hawaiian Coots are also more "swollen", extending much farther from the crown than is the case with the American Coot. I must admit that I have seen Hawaiian Coots on only a few previous occasions, so I am not nearly as familiar with that species as I am with American Coots. I recognize that Hawaiian Coots can have red frontal shields, so that the color is not diagnostic. I really don't know how quickly the frontal shields develop on Hawaiian Coots once they have fledged. But all of the other coots that I observed on Maui during my visit had typical frontal shields for that species, and this bird was clearly in adult plumage without any traces of juvenile plumage so I presume that its frontal shield should have been fairly well developed. For completeness, the plumage was generally grayish-black, becoming slightly darker on the head and neck, with white undertail coverts. The bird is clearly wintering so it should be easily re-located (if others had not already discovered it)." Photo above right: Presumed Hawaiian Coot, Kanaha Pond, Maui, January 2003 © by Peter Donaldson. 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 pale "windows" on the inner primaries that are typical of first-winter Herring Gulls. There was also a dark bar across the greater wing coverts, creating a second dark bar on the trailing edge of the wings at the secondaries. The bill was relatively long, thin and straight; there was no curvature to the culmen except at the tip and at the gonys on the lower mandible. The bill was mostly orangish-pink for three-quarters of its length, with a sharply demarcated black tip. The iris was dark. Leg color was not determined, as the bird was observed closely only in flight. When observed at a distance, my first impression was that the bird was going to be a Ring-billed Gull. The wings were relatively slender and the body was not nearly as heavy as I would expect on a Herring Gull. When the bird flew by at close range (100 feet distance or so), it was clearly not a Ring-billed based on plumage characteristics. Both Ring-billed and Mew Gulls would have obviously gray mantles and mostly white underparts at this time of the year. The black remiges and tail eliminates Thayer's Gull and other "white-winged" species. The wing pattern in flight, both the double black bar across the secondaries and lack of a pale "window" across the inner primaries would eliminate Herring Gull. A Lesser Black-backed Gull would have a white rump. This bird also seems to be wintering so it could likely be re-located. It seems to be most reliable in the late afternoon." 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. Drake Tufted Duck at Kona STP, Kona, Hawai'i, January 2003. Photo © by Alvaro Jaramillo. 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.

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FEBRUARY

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

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FEBRUARY 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. Western Meadowlark - many singing at the Coconut Beach, Pacific Golden Plover, Rock Dove, Zebra Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Myna, Cattle Egret. Hanalei NWR: Chestnut Mannikin, Nene, Common Moorhen, Hawaiian Stilt, Red-Crested Cardinal, Hawaiian Coot, Koloa, Shoveler, Blue-Winged Teal, Japanese White-Eye, Japanese Bush Warbler, Bufflehead, Black-Crowned Night Heron, White-Rumped Shama - singing from a thicket where he finally let everyone have a look, Common Pheasant, Melodious Laughing Thrush - heard only. Kilauea Pt. NWR: Laysan Albatross, Red-Tailed Tropicbird, Red-Footed Booby, Great Frigatebird, House Finch, Brown Booby, White-Tailed Tropicbird - only a few, returning after nearly a month's absence, according to a ranger. Kalihiwai Beach: House Sparrow, Java Sparrow. 20 Feb 03, Hanapepe Overlook: Rose-Ringed Parakeet - feeding in trees (don't know what kind) on the north wall of the canyon, and a pair flew close to the overlook. Koke'e St. Pk.: Erckel's Francolin, Red Junglefowl, 'Apapane, Kaua'i 'Elepaio, Anianiau, Kaua'i 'Amakihi. Sand Mine Reserve: Ring-Billed Gull, Wandering Tattler, Northern Mockingbird. Kapa'a: Northern Cardinal, Nutmeg Mannikin. 21 Feb 03, Wailoa St. Pk.: Canada Goose (Lesser, Richardson¹s - the Cackling was not around), Greater White-Fronted Goose, Mallard. 22 Feb 03, Volcano Park: Kalij Pheasant, Hawai'i 'Amakihi, 'Apapane, Oma'o - heard only, near Nahuku Lava Tube, 'Io, Black Noddy, White-Tailed Tropicbird. 23 Feb 03, Keanakolu Rd.: Chukar - surprisingly large numbers, well over 2 dozen, Eurasian Skylark, California Quail, Turkey. Hakalau NWR: 'Apapane, Hawai'i 'Amakihi, I'iwi, Volcano 'Elepaio, 'Akepa, Oma'o, Hawai'i Creeper, Red-Billed Leiothrix - (heard only, singing well off the road), 'Io, Pueo. 24 Feb 03, Pu¹u La¹au: Pueo, 'I'iwi, Palila - scattered up and down the road from almost the lowest naio trees to the area above the cabin. Most were in naio, Hawai'i Amakihi, Pale-Headed Elepaio, Northern Mockiingbird, California Quail, Eurasian Skylark, Northern Cardinal. Big Island Country Club: African Silverbill, Saffron Finch, Yellow-Fronted Canary, Red Avadavat. Group total 67. 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- strewn stream bed and looking upstream. On Tuesday there were two Melodious Laughing-thrushes singing on either side of the road to the pumping station just below where the Kuliouou Trail takes off into the woods. There were probably at least four White-rumped Shamas along the trail, a couple of Red-billed Leiothrix working in the trees below where the ridge part of the Kuliouou trail takes off uphill, and the occasional Northern Cardinal, Japanese White-eye and Common Waxbill along the trail." 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. Species recorded by David were as follows: (please note: the indicated numbers for birds at Lehua are only those birds in flight.) Laysan Albatross: 8, all near Lehua, 4 Black-footed Albatross, all near Lehua, 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 1 White-tailed Tropicbird, 1 Red-tailed Tropicbird over Lehua, ~100 Red-footed Booby, on Lehua and at sea, 50 Brown Booby: 20 at sea, ~30 on/near Lehua, ~10 Great Frigatebird, mostly near Lehua and ~60 Black Noddy, ~50 in Lehua sea cave,~ 10 at sea. Other creatures: 1 Monk Seal near Lehua, ~100 Spinner Dolphin off Barking Sands and the Pali, ~10 Bottlenose Dolphin, 50 -60 Humpbacks Whales, 8 Manta Ray and 1 Grey Shark.

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MARCH

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

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MARCH 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. 2nd March: Hanalei NWR: Blue-Winged Teal - 3 males, 1 female; Koloa - several; Bufflehead - 2 females; Nene - several; Hawaiian Stilt; Cattle Egret; Black-Crowned Night Heron; Hawaiian Coot; Common Moorhen; Pacific Golden Plover; Chestnut Mannikin; Common Myna; White-Rumped Shama; Red-Crested Cardinal; Nutmeg Mannikin; Japanese White-Eye; Japanese Bush Warbler; Melodious Laughing Thrush - heard only. Kilauea Pt. NWR: Red-Tailed Tropicbird; Red-Footed Booby; Laysan Albatross; Great Frigatebird; Common Pheasant - on the hillside near the Albatross nests; White-Tailed Tropicbird; House Finch; Pueo - one just off the west side of the parking lot, hunting. Kipu Road bridge over Huleia Stream: Melodious Laughing Thrush. 3rd March, Hanapepe Overlook: Rose-Ringed Parakeet - a few in the trees on the north wall of the canyon at about 8:30am. Koke'e St. Pk.: Erckel's Francolin; Red Junglefowl - on Kalaupuhi Trail; 'Apapane - on Kalaupuhi Trail; Kaua'i Elepaio - on Kalaupuhi Trail; Anianiau - on Kalaupuhi Trail; Kaua'i 'Amakihi - on Kalaupuhi Trail. Sand Mine Reserve: Wandering Tattler; Ruddy Turnstone; Stilts, Black-Crowned Night Herons, and a couple of Coots and Koloa. S. Kaua'i Beach: Brown Booby - two fishing quite close to shore, just beyond the surf. Honolulu Airport: Red-Vented Bulbul. 4th March: Wailoa St. Pk.: Canada Goose (Lesser, Richardson¹s, Cackling); Greater White-Fronted Goose; Mallard; Lesser Scaup. 5th March: Volcano Park: Oma'o, 'Apapane, and 'Amakihi all at Nahuku Lava Tube; Black Noddy - off the seacliffs near the lava flow; Kalij Pheasant - on Devastation Trail; Hawai'i Amakihi - on Devastation Trail; White-Tailed Tropicbird - at Halema'uma'u. 6th March: Keanakolu Rd.: Erckel's Francolin, Chukar, Eurasian Skylark. Hakalau NWR: 'Apapane; 'I'iwi; Hawai¹i Amakihi; 'Akepa; Volcano Elepaio; 'Io - adult light-phase on a tree branch at 60', giving us a good looking over; Barn Owl; Red-Billed Leiothrix. 7th March: Pohakuloa: Gambel's Quail - a dozen or so birds on the verge. Pu'u La'au: Eurasian Skylark; I'iwi; California Quail - large flocks at several places all up and down the hill; Palila - concentrated in the lower levels, especially between the concrete stream crossings. Hawai'i Amakihi; Pale-Headed Elepaio; Northern Cardinal. West end of Saddle Road: Turkey; Pueo - we counted over a dozen. Big Island Country Club: African Silverbill; Saffron Finch; Yellow-Fronted Canary; Nutmeg Mannikin. Hapuna Beach: Yellow-Billed Cardinal. Waikoloa: Gray Francolin. Adding in the doves, sparrows, etc., which are not noted here, the group found 69 species. 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 Shearwater along with a few Laysan Albatross, Black Noddies, Brown and Red-Footed Boobies, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Great Frigatebirds and at least one Brown Noddy. On Saturday I hiked into the Alakai area with David Kuhn and Terry O'Halloran. We saw several Kauai Elepaio, Kauai Amakihi, Akekee, Anianiau, Iiwi and Apapane. The best birds were a Puaiohi which sang for several minutes quite close to us, and a pair of Akikiki that were building a nest. We watched the Akikiki pair for a couple of hours. At one point they sat together and touched bills. On multiple occasions we watched the individual birds stripping the outer growth layer (just below the bark) from the terminal ends of branchlets. That resulted in each bird carrying several long (perhaps 3 - 4"), very thin, yellowish strips to the nest which David felt were being used to line the nest. The nest itself, was very hard to see and appeared to be partly covered with living moss. David deserves full credit for finding the birds and the nest." 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. Pomarine Jaegers off O'ahu, 22nd March 2003. 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."

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APRIL

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

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APRIL Bird of the month, and possibly the year was a Salvin's Albatross, the first Hawaiian record, found by John Klavitter, the refuge biologist on Midway on April 8th and photographed by Rich McCarthy. The bird was unfortunately not seen again. Salvin's Albatross with Laysan Albatross on Midway, April 8th 2003. The first record for the Hawaiian Archipelago. Photograph © Rich McCarthy Peter Pyle commented as follows on the photographs when they were first sent: "My first thought was that it was the Salvin's subspecies of Shy Albatross but I can't (with the refs at hand) eliminate Gray-headed or Buller's. The key will be the exact bill color (considering ranges of variation by age etc. in the above three species) as the underwings are not apparent. Steve Howell (who has seen all albatross) and I will look at it this afternoon with more refs at hand and report back. We've had several Shy Albatross show up in California in the past 3-4 years including at least two thought to be Salvin's Albatross. So this might be the "expected" species of the three since the others have yet to be recorded in the N. Pacific (if not the N. Hemisphere). Thanks to John and the photographer for taking the photos and getting them to the group." Correspondence between Peter Donaldson and several seabird experts included: "I have looked at some of the California Shy Albatross photos. I have heard back from Alvaro Jaramillo and CJR Robertson of New Zealand. Alvaro said some features of the bird suggested Buller's (which I proposed) but others seemed more like Salvin's. Dr.Robertson is confident the bird is a sub-adult Salvin's. He says the standard references do not adequately describe most mollyhawks between the juvenile and adult stages and that the bill color is good for a subadult Salvin's." Peter Pyle followed up his earlier message with the following: "Steve Howell instantly recognized it as a Salvin's Albatross and we looked at pictures of all three species and feel there is little doubt, in alignment with Dr. Robertson's opinion. The taxonomy of this form is currently debated but the AOU (1998) still considers White-capped (nominate cauta), Salvin's (salvini), Chatham Island (eremita), and one other from New Zealand (steadi) as belonging to one species, the Shy Albatross. I tend to agree with this for now. Although genetic distances in some of these (particularly salvini/eremita vs. cauta/steadi) have been found to be greater than some songbirds that are considered species, these four forms clearly have a common ancestor and I think it premature to split them until more is known about correlations between genetic and biological relatedness. For a good discussion of the taxonomy and some of the California records of this group see the article by Luke Cole in North American Birds 54:124-135, 2000." Jim Denny found the carcass of a Red Phalarope on the shoreline rocks at Burns Field, Kauai. "The bird is pretty decomposed and is not much more than a skin with feathers. The head was missing when I found it. It's about the size of a Band-rumped Storm Petrel, but the white rump band is not evident and the underneath is an immaculate white. The dark spot on the breast is the result of a clump of feathers that fell out when I handled the bird. It's not obvious from the photos, but the legs are black. The toes are webbed, but the webbing does not extend between them." Red Phalarope carcass, showing upperside, found at Burn's Field, Kaua'i, April 2003. Photograph © by Jim Denny. Red Phalarope carcass, showing underside, found at Burn's Field, Kaua'i, April 2003. Photograph © by Jim Denny. David Kuhn embarked on a pelagic on April 18th on the Blue Dolphin II from Port Allen up Na Pali to Kalalau, out to Lehua and back; low swell and moderate to strong trades, mostly cloudy. Not much for flocks encountered. SEABIRDS SEEN: 4 Laysan Albatross (2 at sea, 2 over Lehua), 2 Black-footed Albatross (near Lehua), 1 Newell's Shearwater, 200 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 4 Bulwer's Petrel, 1 Storm-petrel species (got a glimpse of white on rump, no pattering), 2 White-tailed Tropicbird, 20 Red-tailed Tropicbird (all near Lehua), 100 Red-footed Booby (on Lehua and at sea), 70 Brown Booby ( 20 at sea, 50 on/near Lehua), 15 Great Frigatebird (mostly near Lehua), 60 Black Noddy (50 in Lehua sea cave,10 at sea) and 2 Brown Noddy (near Lehua). Other creatures seen were 1 Monk Seal (near Lehua), 200 Spinner Dolphin (off Barking Sands and the Pali), 30 Humpbacks Whales (a rare occurence of two whales coming close to inspect snorkelers behind Lehua) and 25 Black-tipped Shark (a school of ~25 at the dive site). An interesting report from Rob Pacheco on Frigatebirds (22nd April): "There have been three frigatebirds at Honokohau boat harbor now for three days. Two days ago, one came swooping over our parking lot off of Queen Kaahumanu. We are about 1/3 mile from the harbor. The birds have been working very low over the moored boats. One fisherman claimed a bird took a fish from him as he was bringing it up from the seawall. Have seen them along the Kona Kohala coast many times, especially after storms, but this visit seems unusually long and more shore active." Sharon Reilly observed a small tern at Pouhala Marsh, O'ahu on 23rd: "Description: cap black and appeared to cover the entire crown. Bill appeared dark. Tail deeply forked. Upper primaries gray, upper body paler gray/blue, underparts pale (white). Size slightly larger than least. Observed hovering then diving into shallow area, and successfully flew off with small fish (unknown type). The deeply forked tail, and dark cap made me think it was a roseate tern but not sure how common they are to Hawaii. Unfortunately we cannot say for sure what it was." Small terns can be hard to identify in winter and immature plumages, and as all terns are scarce in Hawai'i (excluding Sooty, Grey-backed and White) and Roseate Tern yet to be recorded from the state, a fuller description and more details are needed to confirm the identity of this bird, Ed.

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MAY

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.

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MAY David Kuhn from Kaua'i undertook one of his regular pelagics on 2nd and reported the following: "Friday May 2, on the Blue Dolphin II from Port Allen up Na Pali to Kalalau, out to Lehua and back; low swell and moderate southerlies, partly cloudy. Birds were sparse and scattered. Bird o' the day was Grey-backed Tern, first report in these waters that I know of. Anybody know otherwise? (Bob Pyle of the Bishop Museum and State List Recorder comments: "Hi David and all: SIGHTINGS has one report of Gray-backed Tern in Kaula Kahi Channel: 15 April 1989 - 2 birds on a pelagic trip out of Port Allen -- probably did not go to Lehua. Elsewhere around Kaua'i: Kilauea Point 6 July 1947 and 29 May 1999; Kapa'a 1 Jun 1986; east end of Kaua'i Channel 11 Aug 1985. HICEAS found all their Gray-backeds in the NWHI Aug-Oct 2002."). Seabirds seen on David's pelagic: 2 Laysan Albatross: 1 at sea, 1 near Lehua; 1 Black-footed Albatross: near Lehua; 1 Newell's Shearwater; ~100 Wedge-tailed Shearwater: ~several near Lehua; 3 Hawaiian Petrel together, good looks mid-channel; 1 Bulwer's Petrel, 1 Band-rumped Storm-petrel: great to see this little guy close up; 1 White-tailed Tropicbird, ~30 Red-tailed Tropicbird: all near Lehua; ~10 Red-footed Booby: at sea, many on Lehua; 50 Brown Booby: 10at sea, ~40 on/near Lehua; ~15 Great Frigatebird near Lehua; 2 Sooty Tern: a pair near Lehua; 1 Grey-backed Tern: mid-channel; ~60 Black Noddy: ~50 in Lehua sea cave,~ 10 at sea. Other creatures: Spinner Dolphin (large pod off Na Pali); Melon-head Whale, a few, with a larger pod of Bottlenose Dolphin, in surprisingly shallow water only a mile off Barking Sands. Humpback Whale: none - pod of eight reported seen the day before. Satoko Lincoln kindly sent the following birding account from a trip to Maui: "The Kolea counting in Honolulu was over, and my husband and I spent the last weekend (9-12 May 2003) in Keokea (“upcountry”) on east Maui, not far from the Haleakala National Park. All along Rt. 377, we were welcomed by the cool, bluish purple Jacarandas trees in full bloom, splendid in a soft, airy sort of way. Even in this “essentially birdless” ranch land, there were a few birds interesting enough for visitors from Honolulu. In Keokea we had close looks at Gray Francolins, including a chick about one-quarter the body length of an adult, and Northern Mockingbirds, which came within a few feet of us. Northern Mockingbird is the state bird for five states in the U.S. All of the five states are in the South where, apparently, the bird is called just “Mockingbird.” (There is no Southern Mockingbird.) My source is “State Birds” by Mel White, an article in the Winter 2003 issue of Living Bird, published by Cornell Ornithology Lab. I thought I came to understand some of its charm on Maui, but I wished they stopped imitating the Mynah, as the numerous Mynah made more than enough noise by themselves. On Haleakala at about 6000 feet we had a good look at a Pueo working close to the slopes beside the road, and at the “Nene Crossing” sign just after the Park entrance a Ring-necked Pheasant flew across the road. Where was the Nene? Their nesting season was just over, and they would be out in a couple of months, according to the Park ranger we spoke with. Jacaranda on Maui © by Satoko Lincoln, May 2003. We went to Hosmer Grove two mornings but saw only the usual suspects. We were somewhat surprised to see more I'iwi than 'Apapane. I was rewarded by my first sightings of a juvenile I'iwi (exactly the shape of an adult but with variegated markings) and a juvenile 'Apapane (dark brown with cocked-up tail, looking a bit like an Elepaio), each in the company of an adult. One of my photos shows a banded I'iwi in Mamane tree. (Would this be of interest to anyone?) A richly green-and-yellow male 'Amakihi was busy pecking at a decaying tree stump in the Eucalyptus grove, splashing dirt and making rustling noises, finally pulling out a long earthworm. A less colorful and smaller female 'Amakihi was at work in the beautiful Haleakala Sandalwood(?) tree near the lookout. A bright yellow Maui Alauahio hopped along the fence at the bottom of the picnic area. At Kula Botanical Garden (3300 feet), at least one 'Apapane was there, piercing the bottoms of pink hibiscus flowers from the outside to collect nectar. We saw or heard no Red-billed Leiothrix. Driving back towards the Kahului airport on the last day, we dropped by Kealia Pond. The shorebirds had all left, and the Hawaiian Stilts had begun nesting, but we were allowed to walk along the ponds which were not off-limits. The cheerful ranger at the Refuge headquarters said that if we were lucky we might see the three Hawaiian Coot chicks, now three weeks old, that sometimes hopped over the border from their nest to the pond closer to the headquarters building.We were lucky and met the family of two adults and two chicks, rather than three, that made cute chick noises. Hawaiian Stilts made not so cute noises as they chased each other around flying all over the area. The flying dark-headed duck with white on its wings may have been a Mallard. A banded I'iwi in a Mamane Tree at Hosmer Grove, Maui, May 2003. The Bird Banding Laboratory website has data which shows that during 1955-2002, of the 7,493 Iiwi banded, only 1 was encountered! Photograph © by Satoko Lincoln From our lunch table in Kaanapali, we were excited to see a pod (two adults and a cub) of very active Humpback Whales near Molokai, as we believed that they had all left Hawaii. Douglas Pratt’s new book was again indispensable, and I would like to thank him for writing it and you for mentioning it on your website. For reasons we do not understand, finding it in Honolulu took some effort. We finally found it at Waldens Bookstore just before leaving for Maui." Norma reported the following from O'ahu mid-month: "I overheard a patient in a treatment room saying that she hit an Owl with her car by Hakimo road in Waianae (Oahu) last week. She said this white owl came straight for her car in broad daylight and crashed into her windshield, shattering it, flying over the the roof of her car, hitting the ground behind her. She said she didn't stop and kept driving. I asked her how she knew it was an owl and she said she saw its face. She said her friend hit one a week ago. Apparently there is a large (Barn) owl population in Waianae. Her son saw 6 white owls on Lualualei Magazine road at night. This woman apparently went back some 20 minutes later to look for the owl's body but could not find it. White owl feathers were still stuck in her windshiled. Tragic." Peggy Macres reported: "I finally saw my second 'Akiapola'au last Sunday. I hiked out to what I call the second kipuka along Pu'u O'o Trail (Big Island) and sat to eat lunch by the downed tree with the piece sawed out. Not very much later she appeared. What a thrill! This was very close to the spot where I saw my first 'Aki (on my first try! about a year ago.) Sunday was one of those days that started off drizzling and could have gone either way but it chose sun. All the birds were out except Hawai'i Creeper. That's my new nemesis. I listened to the tape a good while the night before and never heard the Creeper call/song that day either. Another surprise was the scarcity of 'Apapane sightings, though I'm pretty sure I heard plenty. The two that I did see were juvies. I also witnessed an adult I'iwi feeding a fledgling and those two bills working together are a sight to behold. On a different note I heard a Black Francolin behind my school twice last week. That's the first time I've ever heard one there. The school is Ha'aheo in Hilo, off Wainaku on the way out of town towards Hamakua. Are they expected to be found in Hilo?" 'Akiapola'au, a Big Island endemic much sought after by visiting (and resident) birders. Photograph © by Jack Jeffrey A Big Island trip by Island birder Peggy Macres and regular visitor Jennifer Rycenga reported the following at the end of the month: "Aloha, Hawai'i Birders - No sooner did I arrive in Hawai'i, then Peggy and I went birding. I flew into Kona, so we just had to take the Saddle Road back to Hilo. We went to the Big Island Country Club, where we ran into a small tour group from Hawai'i Forest and Trail. We saw Nene, lots of Warbling Silverbills, Nutmeg Mannikins, my deeply desired Red Avadavats (thanks, Dan, for the hints), Yellow-fronted Canaries, Saffron Finches, House Finches, a Black-crowned Night-heron, lots of Wild Turkey with chicks, Erckel's Francolin with young-uns, and California Quail. But the biggest surprise came along the dirt road that splits off when the main road turns left towards the clubhouse. Because I was fresh off the plane, and thus refreshing my memory on the common birds, I was intrigued enough to watch the behavior of a dove about 25 yards ahead of us on the path (this was at about 3 pm). What I saw startled me, because it looked like a Mourning Dove. Peggy and I both got to watch it fly, and, while we could not see the bird's chest, got good brief looks at the side and the tail in flight. Here are the details: A medium-sized dove, considerably larger than a Zebra Dove. Fairly light mantle, sharply pointed tail, which had a great deal of white, and much less black, in its tail edgings when it flew. Had black spots on the sides of the wings, though not as distinctly as I am used to from Mourning Doves on the continent. When it flew, the tail looked like a mourning dove's tail - pointed, white edgings being prominent, flying diagonally up and away from us. Its behavior on the ground seemed nervous, with that paranoia that typifies wild mourning doves - it was pecking at things in the gravel, keeping its body very close to the ground. I did not hear a wing-whistle when it took off. We looked carefully for the Spots on the neck, but there were none. We assumed that the Golf Course would be likely habitat for the few remaining Mourning Doves on the Big Island; is that correct? About ten minutes after our observation, when we got a good look at a Spotted Dove, the size and body/tail shape differences seemed profound. But I remember from previous discussions on this list that juvenile Spotted Doves could be mistaken for Mourning Doves, so I thought I'd keep this in the probable column.