HAWAI'I BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR 2007

JANUARY - DECEMBER

JANUARY

Monday 1st January 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 44 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 4 Sanderling. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 12 Hawaiian Stilt, 72 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Muscovy and 2 Domestic Hybrid duck (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 2nd January 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 2 BEWICK'S SWAN - flying just south of the refuge from west to east. 52 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 4 Sanderling and 6 Northern Pintail. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 20 Northern Pintail, 7 Northern Shoveler and 2 Ring-billed Gull. (Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: Pouhala: 5 Dunlin. (Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Cackling Goose, 21 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 5 Eurasian Wigeon, 9 American Wigeon, 25 Northern Pintail and 20 Northern Shoveler. (Kurt Pohlman)

Wednesday 3rd January 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: Water level is continuing to drop - is now 7.75". 57 Hawaiian Stilt - the stilts tend to congregate in the shallow water on the east side of the big pond in an area that was the original wetland. 5 Hawaiian Coot - hanging out on the newly created loafing area between the big and small ponds. 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Long-billed Dowitcher - in the big pond, being chased relentlessly by three stilts and 3 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 17 Hawaiian Stilt, 72 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 American Wigeon, female and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 53 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Wandering Tattler, 5 Long-billed Dowitcher - hanging out with 5 well-behaved stilts just
outside the perimeter fence on the east side of the refuge. 2 BEWICK'S SWANS - When I arrived at 7 am they were sleeping on Banana Island (named by Glynnis Nakai). At 8:30 they swam over to the end of the railroad mole. They then hovered like a helicopter and dropped into a small stand of makaloa and kaluha that had been out-planted by volunteers last year. The swans stayed there all day and every now-and-then would pop their heads up and then disappear again. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Kaua'i: Waimea Pier: 1 First-winter Laughing Gull. (Eric deFonso)

O'ahu: Makai Research Pier: 1 Peregrine Falcon. 12:46 pm. I received a call from DB Dunlap (Hawaii Monk Seal Researcher), "I just saw the peregrine falcon at 12:46 just off the end of the pier (where he was observing HMS). It was close, about 50 ft. away and only 20 ft. above the water. It was flying fast and erratic as if chasing something, but I couldn't see what. It disappeared around the corner of the building (office bldg. at the end of the pier) and I couldn't find it again by the time I got around the edge of the building." With further questioning, it was flying to his right (south), but he couldn't tell if it continued towards Makapu'u Point Lookout, back up along the cliff, or over towards Manana (Rabbit) Is.? I couldn't arrived until 1:45. I checked out all likely spots in the area from different vantage points from the pier area, to the Lookout, and from Kaupo Beach Park, but with no sightings. Due to other commitments, I had to departed at 3:00. I have been visiting the area daily AM and PM as well as Nu'upia Pond with no luck, but will continue and will report any further
sightings. This falcon could pop up anywhere on O'ahu or a on neighbor island. My experience is that wintering peregrines here and in other parts of the world have a tendency to hang out in one area, often during the entire winter visit, where they have a good hunting advantage, plenty of prey opportunities and little disturbance. They are more likely to be observed early in the morning, prior to or just after sunset when they are actively hunting. But as this case illustrates, they are also opportunistic hunters, and can pop up anytime. (per Tom Coles).

Friday 5th January 2007

O'ahu: Makai Research Pier: 1 Laughing Gull, 1st winter. 7:10 – 12:00 am & 5:30-6:30 pm. At 8:20, a gull appeared out of a blind spot to my right due to a tree and about 20 ft. in front of me. I came within 10 ft. as if it was going to perch on my scope! It was slowly crabbing across a strong off shore N headwind (~20+ mph with gusts). Also 521 Red-footed Booby, 31 Brown Booby, 1 Masked Booby, 1 Brown Noddy, 1 Great Frigatebird (juv., SLPk freeloader), 12 Cattle Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron (noted to pray on ST nest sights in previous years), 5 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 7 Rock Dove, 11 Spotted Dove, 3 Zebra Dove, and >10 Common Myna. 5:30-6:30 pm: Boobies passing seaward of M. Is. Due to rough seas, low passage and low angle of view, difficult to count. Probably a fifth of above numbers (1 hr. average count). 3 Red-footed Booby, 2 Brown Booby, 1 Great Frigatebird (juv.), 1 Cattle Egret, 1 Back-crowned Night Heron, ~2,000 Sooty Tern. A NW flock and SE flock ~1,000 ea. 50-800 ft.
asl. (M. Is. 361 ft.). Other: 2 Hawaiian Monk Seals (a.m.)(Benny and M38); 3 Hawaiian Monk Seals (p.m.)(Benny, M38 & Kermit) on M. Is. beach. (Tom Coles)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: It rained .22" last night and was still drizzling when I arrived. Most of the stilts dispersed to the new temporary habitats. The swans were not present. 11 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Lesser Scaup, female, 1 Ring-necked Duck, female and 1 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 72 Hawaiian Coot, 32 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Eurasian Wigeon - male, female and 3 American Wigeon. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 17 Cattle Egret, 7 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Cackling Goose, 30 Wigeon sp., 1 Eurasian Wigeon, 27 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 8 Northern Shoveler, 28 Northern Pintail, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 18 Hawaiian Moorhen, 247 Hawaiian Coot, 26 Pacific Golden-Plover, 92 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler, 22 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 20 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 1st winter Laughing Gull, possibly same bird seen at shrimp ponds. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Punamano NWR: 6 Cattle Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Wandering Tattler and 1 Snipe sp. 3. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Amorient Aquafarm/Shrimp ponds: 3 BRANT, 10 Northern Pintail and 1 Laughing Gull. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Lokoea Pond: 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 7 Duck sp. Domestic ducks, 2 Hawaiian Coot. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Kuilima STP: 82 Hawaiian Coot, 5 Pacific Golden-Plover, 32 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler and 3 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout (east side of Island): 4 Red-tailed Tropicbirds at noon. A reliable source reported seeing four Red-tailed Tropicbirds at the Lanai Lookout, E O'ahu around noon of Jan. 6th. (per Tom Coles)

Kaua'i: Hanalei NWR: 1 BLACK BRANT. (Eric deFonso)

Sunday 7th January 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: The BEWICK'S SWANS (2) are still on-island and at the reservoir. The wigeons are continuing to hang out together at the KWWRF, Moloka'i, although the male American Wigeon tends to fly solo and leave the group periodically. The original group of 2 Eurasian Wigeon and 2 American Wigeon used to go to and from Ohiapilo, but now all five frequent the coastal wetland makai of the plant instead. The Bristle-thighed Curlews haven't been seen as a group of seven since the week before Christmas at Koheo, at which time all of the birds were each molting a few primaries and secondaries. Since then, only four have been seen together at the Koheo wetland and the KWWRF, and those are each in various stages of molt. Several pairs of coots at the KWWRF are starting to make nesting platforms. Ohiapilo: 54 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Black-crowned Night Heron and 2 Black Francolin, the first time I've seen them in the exclosure. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Lana'i Lookout (east side of Island): Two Red-tailed Tropicbirds reported mid-day by June, aka "Whale Lady" at the Lanai Lookout. (per Tom Coles)

Monday 8th January 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (all three banded --:YA for AI monitoring), 5 Ruddy Turnstone, 17 Pacific Golden Plover (one banded YA:-- fro AI monitoring) and1 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Lana'i Lookout (east side Island): 1 RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD & 4 Red-tailed Tropicbirds between 9:45 am-1:23 pm. First Red-tailed Tropicbird noted at 9:45 and entered nest hole at 9:53. Two arrived within 30 min. and appeared to land near to a nest site, but site was out of view. I did not want to approach closer so as not to disturb the birds who may just be establishing or returning to breeding sites. Four (2 pair) of R-t T seen together. Several breeding displays observed. Some foraging observed and birds resting on water. Flew close overhead on several occasions with loud, raucous "cacking" calls. Red-billed Tropicbird joined the two pair of R-t T (all 5 together)12: 38-12:50 pm. The R-b T then departed alone to the SW. The last R-t T was observed at 1:23. I departed at 1:30. (Tom Coles)

O'ahu: Makai Research Pier: 2 Hawaiian Monk Seal; 27 Humpback Whale; 2 small Green Sea Turtle, probably released from Sea Life Park since next to Makai Research Pier. (tom Coles)

Tuesday 9th January 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 9 Hawaiian Stilt (three banded --:YA), 1 Pacific Golden Plover, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Wandering Tattler and 3 Bristle-thighed Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Hawai'i: Hilo ponds, Hilo: Of interest were the following birds seen on Waikea Pond, along with the usual large number of released ducks and geese. It was raining really hard, so numbers are likely low for many of the species presented here: 3 Cackling Geese, 1 Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 GADWALL, 1 drake eclipse plumaged Eurasian Wigeon, 5 American Wigeon, 7 Northern Shoveler, 1 Northern Pintail and 1 first winter Laughing Gull. (Reginald David)

Wednesday 10th January 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 27 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Hawaiian Coot, 5 Pacific Golden Plover and 3 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (all banded --:YA), 3 Pacific Golden Plover (one banded YA:--) and 6 Ruddy Turnstone (one banded --:YA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 18 Hawaiian Stilt, 70 Hawaiian Coot, 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Muscovy and 2 Domestic Hybrid ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Thursday 11th January 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 59 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 4 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (both banded --:YA), 2 Pacific Golden Plover (banded --:YA and YA:--), 5 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 3:30-6:30pm: 1 Great Frigatebird, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Cackling Goose, ~40 Northern Pintail, 8 Northern Shoveler, 5 Eurasian Wigeon, 7 American Wigeon, 11 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 2 Wandering Tattler, and 1 Short-eared Owl (Pueo).(Tom Coles, Kurt Puhlman)

Friday 12th January 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (all banded --:YA), 16 Pacific Golden Plover, all napping, sitting on the ground, with heads tucked under wings. 1 Wandering Tattler, napping with the plovers and 3 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 16 Hawaiian Stilt, 72 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 4 Bristle-thighed Curlews, 3 American Wigeon (2 females, 1 male), 2 Eurasian Wigeon (male, female), 2 Muscovy and 2 Domestic Hybrid ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Saturday 13th January 2007

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout (east side of Island):1 RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD & 4 Red-tailed Tropicbird, 11.30am. (Doug Ewing) 3 Humpback Whale; 2 Hawaiian Monk Seal at Manana. (Rabbit) Is. (Tom Coles)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: Very windy and the ponds very full of water so the variety of species was a bit limited. 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 15 Bristle- thighed Curlew, 5 Eurasian Wigeon, 7 American Wigeon, 8 Northern Pintail, 6 Northern Shoveler, 36 Koloa/Mallard, 16 Moorhen , 150 Hawaiian Coot, 28 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Laughing Gull (1st year bird) and 14 Ruddy Turnstone. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Kuilima Treatment Plant: 23 Hawaiian Stilt, 55 Hawaiian Coot, 6 Ruddy Turnstone, 6 Pacific Golden Plover and 3 Koloa/Mallard. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout (east side of Island): 3 Red-tailed Tropicbird 10:45-10:52 pm. (Tom Coles)

Sunday 14th January 2007

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout (east side of Island):1 RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD & 4 Red-tailed Tropicbird, 11.30am. (June Kawamata)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 53 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 6 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 2 Eurasian Wigeon (male & female), 7 Hawaiian Stilt, 68 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Muscovy and 2 Domestic Hybrid Ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Monday 15th January 2007

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout (east side of Island):1 RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD & 4 Red-tailed Tropicbird, , 10:20 am -1:00 pm: Also observed by June Kawamata and Don Ewing. Several sights of 1-5 birds. After numerous site visits at sunrise and sunset over the last three weeks with no tropicbird sightings, I assume the birds are roosting at sea at night (normal non-breeding behavior), then come into the coast mid-day after foraging as part of their pre-breeding ritual since mating displays have been seen over their previous breeding sites and one site was entered (Jan. 8). June showed me photos she had taken of both species last year, but at the time thought that her photos of the Red-billed were that of a White-tailed. Other Observations of interest: 14 Humpback Whale (1 calf); 2 Hawaiian Monk Seal at Manana (Rabbit) Is. (Tom Coles)

Hawai'i: Volcanoes National Park down to Punalu'u: A Eurasian Skylark was doing a flight song at the Jaggar Museum. 2 White-tailed Tropicbirds in the cloudy and rainy conditions at Halema'uma'u. No Black Noddies were in evidence at the Holei Sea Arch. Numerous flocks of Yellow-fronted Canaries (c.45) with Nutmeg Mannikins along Mauna Loa Road from the Hwy up to Kipuka Ki. Single Yellow-billed Cardinals were seen at Punalu'u Beach Park and along the Hwy near the boundary of the Park as one drives north toward Hilo. 1 Yellow-billed Cardinal at Queen Liliuokalani Park in Hilo. Today, at QL Park, single Sanderling) with about 8 Ruddy Turnstone. They foraged in the park as well as roosted on the coastal rocks.

Moloka'i: Kualapu'u Reservoir: 2 BEWICK'S SWANS still present. Also 1 Greater White-fronted Goose, 7 Hawaiian Coot, 22 Northern Pintail, 4 Lesser Scaup - 3 male, 1 female and 1 Ring-necked Duck (female). (Michael Walther, photo, Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt - All three banded --:YA and 6 Pacific Golden Plover - one banded YA. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 Laughing Gull, 53 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Black-crowned Night Heron, 16 Pacific Golden Plover and 4 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Molokai Sea Farms - Fresh Water Ponds: 4 Hawaiian Stilt and 11 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu WWTP Oxidation Ponds: 11 Hawaiian Stilt and 10 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 2 Eurasian Wigeon (male & female), 1 American Wigeon (female), 1 Bufflehead (female), 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 23 Hawaiian Stilt, 66 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Pacific Golden Plover and 1 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 16th January 2007

O'ahu: Nu'upia Pond, Kane'ohe: 1 CASPIAN TERN still present. (TomColes)

Wednesday 17th January 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 1 juv. GLOSSY/WHITE-FACED IBIS (brown eyes), 2 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 4 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 6 Northern Shoveler, 2 female Bufflehead, 1 Hawaiian Moorhen in Pond 2 on South end of oral island, 116 Hawaiian Coot, 6 Pacific Golden-Plover, 11 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Ring-billed Gull (1st winters) and 3 Cattle Egret. (Peter Donaldson, Pauline Kawamata)

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor Area: West Loch: 153 Cattle Egret in rookery in mangroves near Waikele/Kapakahi estuary, 26 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 3 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid. Waikele/Kapakahi Estuary: 1 Black-bellied Plover along shoreline in West Loch Shoreline Park, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 11 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Wandering Tattler, 12 Ruddy Turnstone, 31 Sanderling. Waikele/Kapakahi Estuary: 3 Dunlin. Waikele/Kapakahi Estuary: 12 Dowitcher sp.. Waikele/Kapakahi Estuary: 1 Laughing Gull (1st winter) and 1 Ring-billed Gull (1st winter). (Peter Donaldson, Pauline Kawamata)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh NWR: 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 1 Hawaiian Moorhen heard in mangroves, 66 Pacific Golden-Plover, 40 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Wandering Tattler and 1 Laughing Gull. (Peter Donaldson, Pauline Kawamata)

O'ahu: Nakatani Farm: 3 Cattle Egret, 8 Pacific Golden-Plover, 10 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Wandering Tattler, 25 Ruddy Turnstone and 4 Sanderling. Also 2 Hawaiian Moorhen at the wetland across the road from here.(Peter Donaldson, Pauline Kawamata)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 3 Cattle Egret, 4 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 131 Pacific Golden-Plover, 84 Hawaiian Stilt, 6 Wandering Tattler, 33 Ruddy Turnstone, 17 Sanderling and 1 Ring-billed Gull (1st winter). (Peter Donaldson, Pauline Kawamata)

O'ahu: Waipio Soccer Complex: 14 Cattle Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 5 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid and 84 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Peter Donaldson, Pauline Kawamata)

O'ahu: Luana Hills Country Club Golf Course: 1 or 2 Peregrine Falcons 4-5pm perched in a tall tree near hole 10 near Mt. Olomana, but NOT Olomana Golf Links. This is area where seven wild macaws (“… they breed here …”) and two cockatoo (pink/salmon crested) congregate in the evening and make a lot of racket which is thought to attract the falcons. (per Tom Coles)

O'ahu: Manana (Rabbit) Is. ne side of Island: >3000 Sooty Tern viewed from near Makai Research Pier, 7:15-8:15 am: A continuous flow of >3,000 Sooty Tern coming in from the NW (generally from the direction of Mokapu Point, KMCBH, but cannot observe that far with scope) and passing to the E mostly seaside of the Is. A few passing above and in front of the Is. Pairs still performing spectacular aerial courtship displays. This passage was continuing when I departed at 8:15 am. 1 Hawaiian Monk Seal. (Tom Coles, Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: Kahuku area, n. shore of Island: 1 Sharp tailed Sandpiper and 3 BRANT - all on Amorient ponds at the far back closest to the ocean. The partially white Moorhen at Romey's was seen and the bird is almost completely white at this time with black showing only in the lower belly area between the legs. Same pond as it has been seen previously. Up to 3 Laughing Gulls were also seen - all first year birds - flying between the shrimp farms and the Kii unit. (Mike Ord)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt - the resident birds, all banded --:YA. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS - chased away by a group of about 30 stilts and headed east (last seen previously in October), 35 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 2 Laughing Gull - chased by the stilts after the ibis flew away and 4 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 2 BEWICK'S SWANS, 1 Greater White-Fronted Goose, 5 Hawaiian Coot, 22 Northern Pintail (12 drake, 10 female) and 4 Lesser Scaup (3 drake, 1 female). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu WWTP Oxidation Ponds: 8 Hawaiian Coot and 9 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Molokai Sea Farms - Salt Water Ponds: 40 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Black-crowned Night Heron, 5 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling and 2 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Molokai Sea Farms - Fresh Water Ponds: 14 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Hawaiian Stilt and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 Bufflehead (female), 63 Hawaiian Coot, 21 Hawaiian Stilt, 9 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Muscovy and 2 Domestic Hybrid Ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Manana Island viewed from the Makai Research Pier: ~2-300 Sooty Tern. A continuous flow of ~2-300 Sooty Tern coming in from the NW (generally from the direction of Mokapu Point, KMCBH as on Jan. 17 and passing to the E mostly seaside of the Is. As sea surface to 1-200 ft. asl., indicating that ST passes evening longer in the morning than reported on Jan. 17 (>3000 , 7:15-8:15 am). Some ST foraging. (Tom Coles)

Friday 19th January 2007

O'ahu: Nu'upia Pond, Kane'ohe Marine Base: 1 LITTLE/LEAST TERN. Manana Island viewed from the Makai Research Pier: 1000+ Sooty Terns. (Tom Coles)

Saturday 20th January 2007

O'ahu: Manana Island, viewed from near Makai Research Pier: 2 Peregrine Falcons; an adult (dark above) and a juvenile (brown above) falcon in the same field of visions attack Red-tailed Tropicbirds (8, first for season over Is.) over Manana Is. (a.m.). No captures. Probably Peregrines due to size of prey, stooping attack, and previous sightings. (Tom Coles) Seen again 5:07-5:13 & 5:57 pm over Manana (Rabbit) Is., NE O'ahu, Viewed from near Makai Research Pier. No Red-tailed Tropicbirds observed. Sooty Terns thermaling over crater, first time observed this season. No falcon attacks on ST or other potential prey observed. (Tom Coles, Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: Peregrine Falcon perched in the Cattle Egret roosting area north of the refuge. (Dave and Abby Watson)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 2 BEWICK'S SWANS, 1 Greater White-fronted Goose, 23 Northern Pintail and 8 Lesser Scaup. (Arleone Dibben-Young, Bob Pyle, Mike Ord)

Hawai'i: Hawai'i Volcaoes NP: Week ending 20th January 1 Falcon sp. (probably Peregrine) chasing 2 Nene. There have been several reports since November 2006 of Peregrine Falcons in the coastal area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (Kathleen Misajon)

Sunday 21st January 2007

Kaua'i: Kawaiele Sandmine: 4 Laughing Gulls. (David Kuhn)

Kaua'i: Hanapepe Saltpond: 1 KILLDEER and 1 Laughing Gull. (David Kuhn)

Monday 22nd January 2007

O'ahu: Off Makai Research Pier, NE side of Island, viewed from beach near Pier: 1 SWAN sp. seen at 8.03am. A Larger waterfowl sp. viewed at 8:03 am at ~230 yards in scope (X60) for 10-20 sec., out of sight before it could be photographed. Well illuminated by bright sunlight, 5-10 ft. above water, passing off end of pier in active, continuous flight to the NNW. All white above and below (r/o Snow and Ross's Goose, both of which I am familiar) . Pale bill, with possibly darker tip, long extended white neck, black legs and feet, with very slight extension past tip of tail (r/o Great Egret). Impression: Possible juv. Tundra or Bewick's Swan. (Tom Coles)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 5 Dunlin and 10 Dowitcher sp. (Michael Walther)

O'ahu: Kuilima STP: 1 female Northern Shoveler and 1 possible Cinnamon Teal X Blue-winged Teal hybrid. It was resting on the plastic lining with the female Northern Shoveler. They both flew and landed in the water where they stayed close together during the twenty minutes I observed them. (Michael Walther)

O'ahu: Kahuku shrimp ponds: 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 3 BRANT, 1 Semipalmated Plover and 11 Northern Pintail. (Michael Walther)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo Reservoir: 2 BEWICK'S SWANS flew back to the reservoir at 9:20 am. They were seen coming from the Palaau region and flew over to the north shoreline of the reservoir. Also 57 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 2 Laughing Gull, 5 American Wigeon, 1 Northern Shoveler, drake, 6 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Wandering Tattler, 1 Sanderling and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleon Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 2 BEWICK'S SWANS, flew in from south at 9:20 am, 22 Northern Pintail (12 male, 10 female), 7 Lesser Scaup, 1 Greater Scaup (female), 7 Ring-necked Duck, 1 Greater White-fronted Goose, very vocal, still hangin' with one coot. an odd friendship and 10 Hawaiian Coot (including the one with the goose). (Arleon Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 69 Hawaiian Coot, 19 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Bufflehead, 2 Eurasian Wigeon (Male & female), 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Muscovy and 3 Domestic Hybrid Duck. (Arleon Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 24th January 2007

O'ahu: Manana Island, viewed from near Makai Research Pier:1 Peregrine Falcon (pm). (Tom Coles, Kurt Pohlman, Mike Ord) Also 1 Hawaiian Monk Seal, 6 Humpback Whales. (Tom Coles)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 68 Hawaiian Stilt (1 stilt banded --:YA. This bird was banded at Koheo), 6 Hawaiian Coot, 15 Northern Pintail, 2 American Wigeon, male & female, 2 Laughing Gull, 5 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 5 Long-billed Dowitcher. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 69 Hawaiian Coot, 19 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Muscovy and 3 Domestic Hybrid Duck. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Friday 25th January 2007

O'ahu: Ki'i Unit, James Campbell NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 16 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 3 Eurasian Wigeon, ~40 American Wigeon, ~30 Northern Pintail, 12 Northern Shoveler, 1 Cackling Goose, 1 Cinnamon/Blue-winged Teal Hybrid* (drake), 2 Laughing Gull (both first year; 3rd seen by Mike prior to tour), 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (complete winter plumage), 5 Wilson's Snipe, Hawaiian Stilt, Wandering Tattler, Koloa/Mallard hybrids, Pacific Golden Plover, Hawaiian Coot and Moorhen were not counted. (Tom Coles, Kurt Pohlman, Mike Ord) *Note: As a postscript, Mike Ord has posted, "There was also a drake hybrid cross between a Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal. Bird has the head markings of a Green winged plus a small white crescent at base of bill but the body of a Blue winged teal for lack of a better description.

O'ahu: Kuilima STP: 10 Northern Shoveler, 4 Koloa/Mallard, 24 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Wandering Tattler, 99 Hawaiian Coot (8 coots had red frontal shield and black ring around the tip of the bill). (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Amorient (Fumi's) Shrimp Ponds: 3 Black Brant, 1 Laughing Gull, 85 Ruddy Turnstone, 55 Sanderling, 10 Wandering Tattler, 36 Hawaiian Stilt, 12 Pacific Golden Plover and 1 Semipalmated Plover. (Mike Ord)

Tuesday 29th January 2007

Hawai'i: Kaloko-Honokohu National Historical Park: 1 Brown Booby. Noticed the booby as we scanned the water. (Jim Rowoth, John Blades (Stockton), Margaret Williams (Nevada City), Carmen Oliver (American Canyon), Frances Oliver (Lodi)

Kaua'i: Ninini Run-off pools (rear of Kaua'i Lagoons): 2 TUNDRA SWANS (WHISTLING). Up to three have been seen since early December 2006. (Eric VanderWerf)

Wednesday 30th January 2007

Kaua'i: Kawaiele Sandmine Sanctuary: 4 Laughing Gulls. (Les Chibana, Dan Lindsay et al.)

Thursday 31st January 2007

Hawai'i: Whittington Beach Park: Possible Lesser Yellowlegs - Wandering around in the small creek that is N of the park. (Jim Rowoth, John Blades (Stockton), Margaret Williams (Nevada City), Carmen Oliver (American Canyon), Frances Oliver (Lodi)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 2 BEWICK'S SWANS. At 7:30 the swans were on Banana Island sleeping and continued to doze until 10:53. They swam and bathed for 30 minutes, and then returned to the same spot on the island and went back to sleep. Also 47 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Hawaiian Coot, 5 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 1 Sanderling. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 68 Hawaiian Coot, 8 American Wigeon, 3 Domestic hybrid ducks and 2 Muscovy. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

JANUARY

Eric DeFonso a visiting birder from Fort Collins reported: "Several Great Frigatebirds in Waimea, including 3 flying over the town on 1/4 tussling with each other over something. All females. Brown Boobies seen flying not far offshore on several different days, on the south and north shores. My first Laysan Albatross, flying offshore at Polihale on 1/4, and a dozen more seen at Kilauea NWR 1/6 on their nesting (?) grounds on a hill SW of the lighthouse. And of course the 800+ Red-footed Boobies on the hillside - what a fantastic sight! We don't get too many of those in Colorado. Also on 1/4 at the pier in Waimea, the biggest surprise was a Laughing Gull flying by, not far from some Brown Boobies. I'm not sure of the age yet - I did take pictures though, a few pretty close. I just haven't had a chance to look at them yet. Koloa and Hawaiian Coot seen at Hanalei NWR 1/6, as well as Stilts and Moorhens. On the distant ponds with small "island" ridges on them to the SW, I spotted a few American Wigeon and the real surprise for me, a Black Brant.

White-tailed Tropicbirds soaring in Waimea Canyon and in Nualolo Valley on the Na Pali coast on 1/10. So glorious, I couldn't stop watching. I also saw a pair on 1/11, an hour or so before we left for the airport, on Shipwreck Beach in Poipu. They flew really close and we got great looks at them - too bad I had already packed the cameraaway! Argh! Two Pueo sightings, the first being on 1/9 at 7pm perched on the road sign telling that the Spouting Horn is 2 miles ahead in Poipu. Is that common, for them to be active even after dark? I had the impression that they were especially diurnal in Hawaii".

Juvenile Bewick's Swans at Kualapu'u Reservoir, Moloka'i, January 15th 2007.

Photograph © by Michael Walther

More photographs at http://oahunaturetours.com/photogallery/birds/ indexbewicksswan .html

Juvenile Bewick's Swans at Kualapu'u Reservoir, Moloka'i, January 2007.

Photographs © by Peter Donaldson

David Kuhn commented: "HI Birders, There is promising news in Jan TenBruggencate' s Advertiser column--for Kaua'i's Mana Plain, Oahu's Pouhala Marsh, And Maui's Nu'u Makai. Mana Marsh, as many of us are aware, once extended 13 miles along the Mana plain, fed by streams now dead from destruction of the watershed. 200 years ago Hawaiians navigated the length of it by canoe. This ongoing dredging work is in the right direction, creating wet spots, but the water will be brackish without freshwater flushing, which would be enhanced by SHUTTING DOWN THE PUMPS that keep the water table low. I was out recording a few days ago, catching the evening flight of whatever would come in to roost at one of the small remnant shallow Mana ponds. Well after I could no longer see them, Koloa pairs were coming in to roost, quack-quack- quack-splash, at least a 100 ducks in all. The soundscape is quite spectacular, with 8 species vocalizing. I'll post a bite".

Mike Ord writes: "A couple of observations that I would like to pass along. After the tour to James Campbell NWR on Saturday, Jan 13th, I observed two Bristle-thighed Curlews chasing a first year Laughing Gull around the refuge. One curlew, in particular, was very aggressive trying to peck the gull in flight. This aerial display lasted for about five minutes before the gull decided to fly off and out of the refuge. On Thursday afternoon, Jan 18th, I was checking the ponds at Romey's shrimp farm before the tour of James Campbell NWR started and saw a Laysan Albatross flying east to west along the coastline over the dunes. As I watched two Bristle-thighed Curlews took chase after the albatross which caused it to change its flight path to escape. The wind was blowing quite hard and the albatross finally out distanced the curlews. The question is why would curlews behave like this. Seems a little early for curlews to be getting territorial minded".

Federal grant to support Nuu wetland refuge
By EDWIN TANJI, City Editor, WAILUKU

"A $2.4 million U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant for Hawaii includes funds to assist in the acquisition of 78 acres at Nuu for a wetland refuge, service officials said Friday. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is receiving a share of $18.8 million allocated by the U.S. Department of Interior to 14 states for restoration and protection of wetlands. But the Nuu project is being led by the Maui Coastal Land Trust, which has been negotiating with landowner Kaupo Ranch to set aside and protect the site rich in cultural and well as natural resources. “This is one chunk of what we will need, but we don’t know what the final figure is going to be, or what form protection is going to take,” said Dale Bonar, executive director of the Maui Coastal Land Trust, on Saturday. He said he hoped the federal grant will help to leverage additional funds, in the same way that grants from the state and county helped to raise money needed for the land trust to acquire the Waihee Dunes for preservation.

The important factor is that Kaupo Ranch is cooperating and is interested in protecting the site, he said. “It is a neat thing. There are a lot of others looking to get involved in protecting the land,” he said. State wildlife biologist Fern Duvall said that the state has been looking to designate the Nuu pond for protection for more than 20 years, after researchers recognized it as a significant habitat for several endangered Hawaiian water birds. “It’s far away from any other wetland, and it has its own breeding population of stilt and breeding population of coot,” he said. “And it has attracted a collection of very odd and even rare migrants to the state, so it’s part of the state’s refuge complex for migratory birds.” He said it’s also common for Hawaiian monk seals to haul out on the black pebble beach near the pond.

The grant to the state also will support two other projects, restoration of the Mana Plain Coastal Wetland on Kauai and the Pouhala Marsh on Oahu. The Mana Plain involves 141 acres of sand dune and coastal wetland on the west side of Kauai. Pouhala Marsh includes 70 acres in the Pearl Harbor basin, with the state planning restoration of 40 acres of estuarine wetland overrun by mangrove and other alien species. The pond at Nuu has been overgrown by kiawe, a tree that can deplete groundwater resources, as well as mangrove. But Duvall said there still is a freshwater spring that feeds into the wetland while the land around the pond contains burials and other archaeological sites. National Park technicians studied Nuu as a possible addition to Haleakala National Park because of its biological diversity and its cultural resources, but it did not fit under rules requiring that park expansion occur on contiguous land. Duvall said he was able to win a wildlife grant several years ago that allowed Kaupo Ranch to fence the site, remove some of the nonnative vegetation and begin replanting with native species. “It was a start of an effort to preserve the area in perpetuity,” he said. Edwin Tanji can be reached at editor@mauinews.com".

FEBRUARY

Thursday 1st February 2007

Kaua'i: Ninini Run-off pools (rear of Kaua'i Lagoons): 2 TUNDRA SWANS (WHISTLING). These two birds have been present several months. If visiting please ensure you do not flush the birds due to the close proximity to the Lihue Airfield. (Dan Lindsay, Les Chibana, et al.)

Kaua'i: Kawaiele Sandmine pond: 1 immature SNOW GOOSE still present. Also 2 Laughing Gulls there and 2 probables near Kekaha and 2 Brown Boobies (Dan Lindsay, Les Chibana, et al.)

Friday 2nd February 2007

Hawai'i: Kaloko-Honokohu Sewage Treatment ponds just south of the Harbor: Cackling Goose - standing on the levy of the first pond. (Jim Rowoth, John Blades (Stockton), Margaret Williams (Nevada City), Carmen Oliver (American Canyon), Frances Oliver (Lodi)

Hawai'i: Laupahohoe Pt Beach Park: 20 Black Noody - flying off shore. (Jim Rowoth, John Blades (Stockton), Margaret Williams (Nevada City), Carmen Oliver (American Canyon), Frances Oliver (Lodi)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 108 Hawaiian Stilt (one banded -:YA, female, hatched last year at Koheo. She was hanging out with a male, walking together and away from other birds, both preening and bill-dipping), 1 Hawaiian Coot, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 5 Long-billed Dowitcher, 4 Pacific Golden Plover and 11 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 8 American Wigeon, 3 Eurasian Wigeon (two drake, one hen), 68 Hawaiian Coot (two coots were constructing nests: one on top of the berm, and the other about 15' away but lower and out of view, between the rocks just up from the waterline.), 10 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Domestic Hybrid ducks and 2 Muscovy. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt, both banded --:YA male & female, these are the parents for the banded stilt at Ohiapilo, 6 Ruddy Turnstone and 6 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 2 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Saturday 3rd February 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Laughing Gull, 21 Bristle thighed Curlew, 38 American Wigeon, 6 Eurasian Wigeon, 15 Northern Pintail, 2 Northern Shoveler and 1 Cackling Goose. (Mike Ord, Bob Pyle)
O'ahu:Kuilima Treatment Plant: 41 Hawaiian Stilt, 88 Hawaiian Coot and 8 Ruddy Turnstone. (Mike Ord, Bob Pyle)

Monday 5th February 2007

Kaua'i: Ninini Point run-off ponds (Lihue): 2 TUNDRA SWANS. (David Kuhn)

Maui: Waikomoi Preserve: 1 or 2 'Akohekohe, 17 Alauahio, 27 'Apapane, 7 'Amakihi, 5 I'iwi, 3 Ring-necked Pheasant, 1 Pacific golden Plover, 2 Red-billed Leiothrix, 11 House Finch and 1 Japanese Bush Warbler. The Akohekohe(s) were feeding in Alani down at the "platform" presumably on invertebrates and bypassing nearby Lehua blossoms. They fed and called regularly with the "froggy" call and whistles. Could be they were feeding young as supposedly invertebrates make up majority of nestling food, and I almost always see them in Lehua blossoms. (Chuck Probst)

Tuesday 6th February 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS (2 with reddish eyes, 1 with brown eyes), 4 Cattle Egret, Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid 13 including 6 small downy ducklings, 25 Northern Shoveler, 2 Northern Pintail, 2 female Bufflehead, 3 Gray Francolin (+others calling), 1 Hawaiian Moorhen, 105 Hawaiian Coot 105 (a few juveniles and 2 birds building nests), 19 Pacific Golden-Plover, 12 Hawaiian Stilt (one chased by a coot after catching a dragonfly. One female soliciting copulation. The male started precopulatory behavior but did not follow through. 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Dowitcher sp. (probably Long-billed), 1 Ring-billed Gull (1st winter), 1 Common Tern and 5 Mourning Doves. (Peter Donaldson)

Thursday 8th February 2007

O'ahu: Kuilima Treatment Plant ponds and Amorient: KTP: 89 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Hawaiian Moorhen, 24 Hawaiian Stilt and 4 Koloa hybrids. Amorient Ponds: 105 Hawaiian Stilt, 75 Ruddy Turnstone, 55 Sanderling, 12 Wandering Tattler, 3 Black Brant and 23 Koloa hybrids. (Mike Ord)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 84 Hawaiian Stilt (female banded --:YA), 1 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover and 12 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park Ballfield: 5 Pacific Golden Plover and 6 Ruddy Turnstone (none banded). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 23 Hawaiian Stilt, 68 Hawaiian Coot (16 with red shields), 1 Eurasian Wigeon, 1 Bristle-thigh Curlew, 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Muscovy and 3 Domestic Hybrid ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 63 Hawaiian Stilt (female banded --:YA), 2 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden Plover and 8 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 25 Bristle thighed Curlew, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 1 Cackling Goose, 1 Long billed Dowitcher, 5 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Laughing Gull, 5 Hawaiian Coot (5 nests observed with one in the hatching stage - several young could be seen on the nest and the parent still incubating the remaining eggs), 15 Northern Pintail and 3 Northern Shoveler. (Mike Ord)

Sunday 11th February 2007

O'ahu: Kaena Point: 1 Black-footed Albatross at Kaena Point at 9:30am. It was flying low over the dunes on the north shore, and landed briefly near some courting Laysan Albatross. There also has been an influx of non-breeding Laysan Albatross in the past week. These are probably young birds beginning to prospect for nesting sites and mates. (Eric VanderWerf)

Monday 12th February 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 62 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 4 Hawaiian Coot (one with red shield), 2 Pacific Golden Plover and 6 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Makai Research Pier, Makapu'u: 1 Peregrine Falcon. (D.B. Dunlap)

Tuesday 13th February 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 72 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 5 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 5 Long-billed Dowitcher, 8 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 14th February 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 66 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 3 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden Plover and 10 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Hawai'i: From HVNP to Kalopa: 7 Io. One near the park entrance soaring, one over Mountain View, one perched near the junction of Kulani Rd and Stainback Highway, one in Hilo just before Waiakea, one in Onomea, and finally the resident pair at Kalopa State Park. (Rob Pacheco)

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 1 SNOW GOOSE, 1 Cackling Goose, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER and 6 Long-billed Dowitcher in the smaller ponds at the northeast corner, along with a much larger (and more wary) hybrid domestic goose. (Gil Ewing)

Maui: Kanaha Pond: 3 Laughing Gulls and 5 Northern shovelers. (Gil Ewing)

O'ahu: Kahuku Shrimp Ponds: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 3 Brant, 2 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Black-bellied Plover and 8 Northern Pintail. (Michael Walther)

Thursday 15th February 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 66 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 3 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific golden Plover and 10 black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 1 BEWICK'S SWAN (only one seen for c.10 days now). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (each:YA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 3 Bristle-thigh Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 1 BEWICK'S SWAN, 10 Hawaiian Coot, 11 Northern Pintail (9 male, 2 female), 5 Northern Shoveler (3 male, 2 female), 21 Lesser Scaup, 1 Greater Scaup (female), 8 Ring-necked Ducks, 1 Greater White Fronted Goose and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 62 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 5 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Pacific Golden Plover and 6 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 71 Hawaiian Coot (and one coot predated), 12 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 6 American Wigeon and 1 Eurasian Wigeon. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (both --:YA) and 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 71 Hawaiian Coot, 10 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 7 American Wigeon. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 61 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 2 Pacific Golden Plover and 12 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Friday 16th February 2007

O'ahu: Puahala Marsh: 5 Dunlin and 12 Long-billed Dowitcher. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Honouilili NWR: 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Laughing Gull and 1 Bufflehead. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Amorient Shrimp Ponds: 3 Black Brant. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 3 Wilson's Snipe and 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. (Mike Ord)

Monday 19th February 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 88 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Hawaiian Coot, 12 Pacific Golden Plover, 3 Sanderling and 10 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 71 Hawaiian Coot, 10 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 American Wigeon (2 male, 3 female), 2 Eurasian Wigeon (male & female), 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Muscovy and 3 Domestic hybrid ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 20th February 2007

Kaua'i: Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Course: Two TUNDRA SWANS on the golf course--passing the dry pond on the left, continue thru two 45 degree right turns, stop and park near power pole 7021 (the yellow sign at eye level that they all have), discreetly climb the berm, watching for golfers, and you'll see a water trap, lotsa Nene and the two swans were there. (David Kuhn)

Wednesday 21st February 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 73 Hawaiian Coot (12 with red shields), 17 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 6 American Wigeon (3 male, 3 female), 3 Muscovy and 3 Domestic Hybrid ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 91 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Hawaiian Coot, 17 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Sanderling and 6 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Thursday 22nd February 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 68 Hawaiian Coot (24 with red shields), 18 Hawaiian Stilt, 7 American Wigeon (3 male, 4 female), 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Muscovy and 3 Domestic Hybrid ducks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 65 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 2 Sanderling, 5 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Wandering Tattler, 17 Pacific golden Plover, 12 Black-Crowned Night Heron and 1 Great Frigatebird (female). She was fishing for about 15 minutes: the stilts, ibis, and shorebirds were flying in a tight-knit group making an incredible racket until she flew away. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Saturday 23rd February 2007

O'ahu:Kuilima Treatment Plant: 1 Northern Shoveler, 7 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 89 Hawaiian Coot, 22 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden-Plover and 1 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Amorient Aquafarm: 35 Hawaiian Stilt 35, 25 Pacific Golden Plover, 20 Black-crowned Night Heron, 20 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 30 Sanderling, 10 Wandering Tattler and 50 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR, Kii Unit: 1 GREAT BLUE HERON (actually perched on a dead branch just outside the refuge), 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Cackling Goose, 20 Wigeon sp., 2 Northern Shoveler, 12 Northern Pintail, 9 Cattle Egret, 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 22 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid 22, 1 PEREGRINE FALCON (distant view), 17 Hawaiian Moorhen (1 Part-white bird), 225 Hawaiian Coot (2 nests and several broods of juveniles), 18 Pacific Golden-Plover, 2 Semipalmated Plover, 61 Hawaiian Stilt 61 (1 pair copulating), 4 Wandering Tattler, 16 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 37 Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 3 Wilson's/Common Snipe, 1 LEAST TERN (a very small tern with gray back and rump, white tail, black head, white forehead, black bill) and 1 Short-eared Owl. (Peter Donaldson)

Monday 25th February 2007

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor wetlands: Honouliuli NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Common Tern, 6 Cattle Egret, 17 Duck sp. Flock of ducks flushed, 7 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrids, 7 Northern Shoveler, 2 Bufflehead, 2 Hawaiian Moorhen, 109 Hawaiian Coot, 28 Pacific Golden-Plover, 24 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler, 12 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Dowitcher sp. (1 Bad leg). (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 11 Pacific Golden-Plover, 75 Hawaiian Stilt,2 Wandering Tattler and 9 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 1 1st-winter Laughing Gull, 2 1st-winter Ring-billed Gulls, 2 Cattle Egret, 5 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 8 Hawaiian Coot, 127 Pacific Golden-Plover, 6 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Wandering Tattler, 17 Ruddy Turnstone and 2 Sanderling. (Peter Donaldson)

Tuesday 26th February 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 5 Long-billed Dowitchers, 6 Black-crowned Night Heron, 99 Hawaiian Stilt, 14 Pacific Golden Plover, 11 Sanderling, 2 Wandering Tattler but no Hawaiian Coots. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 5 Long-billed Dowitchers, 18 Black-crowned Night Heron, 147 Hawaiian Stilt, 14 Pacific Golden Plover, 11 Sanderling, 2 Wandering Tattler, 1 Hawaiian Coot and 1 female Great Frigatebird. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

FEBRUARY

Obituary - David Boynton

As reported in the Honolulu Advertiser (12th February 2007) by Jan TenBruggencate

Noted wildlife photographer and educator David Boynton died in a fall Saturday, while hiking along a cliff trail to a favorite remote Na Pali Coast beach. His body was found yesterday at the base of what firefighters said was a 300-foot cliff on the north face of the Miloli'i Valley wall. He had been hiking regularly down the rugged Na Pali cliffs to photograph sea turtles on Miloli'i beach, which is inaccessible during much of winter due to rough sea conditions. He died in what his wife, Sue, said may have been his favorite spot, to which he frequently hiked, often alone. "If there was a place in the world that he loved, it was Miloli'i. It was his peace, his essence," she said. Friends launched a search after Boynton failed to return as scheduled Saturday after heading down the cliffs to the Miloli'i beach that morning. His body was recovered by Kaua'i Fire Department rescue specialists using a helicopter. Boynton, 61, was born on O'ahu and had been a teacher for 36 years. He was a voice for the Hawaiian wilderness, a passionate conservationist and the window through which thousands of Hawai'i students learned about Hawaiian birds, plants, marine creatures, climate and much more. He exercised his appreciation for natural Hawai'i through both his stunning photography and a groundbreaking nature education program he launched through the state Department of Education. He was the major force behind the development of the Koke'e Discovery Center, a facility in Koke'e State Park where Hawai'i schoolchildren stay overnight and learn about the Hawaiian forest. He was the director. One of his educational tools was an audio recording of the last known 'o'o 'a'a, an extinct gray and yellow Kaua'i forest bird that would sing its complex song over and over, a call for a mate. "He was one of the last people to have seen the 'o'o bird," said Katie Cassell, Koke'e Resource Conservation Program director. Every class that came through did a forest stewardship project, such as pulling weeds around endangered plants. They heard stories. And when hiking with Boynton, they walked with a science teacher who knew the Islands' natural history exceedingly well, and loved it, Cassell said.

"His lasting tribute is that he imparted to each generation of Kaua'i's schoolchildren knowledge of our unique natural resources, and at the same time, incentive to care for them," she said.
His photography was another vehicle for education. His books included "Flowers: Images from Hawai'i's Gardens," with his wife; "Kaua'i Days"; and "Capturing Hawai'i: Kaua'i." He was primarily a photographer and sometimes co-author of others including: "Ancient Place Names and their Stories"; "Spectacular Hawai'i"; "Kilauea Point and Kaua'i's National Wildlife Refuges"; and "The Garden Island, a Pictorial History of the Commerce and Work of the People." Boynton in 2005 traveled with a group of teachers aboard the NOAA ship Hi'ialakai to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and spent several days on Nihoa.

Dan Lindsay and Les Chibana led an elderhostel trip from 31st January - 5th February 2007 and recorded the following (first time each species seen): "Hi everyone, 31 Jan, Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i: Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Nene, Koloa Maoli, Red Junglefowl, Common Moorhen, Hawaiian Coot, Pacific Golden Plover, Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, Hawaiian Stilt, Japanese Bush Warbler - unusually visible in short Albizia trees near the inner pond by the parking lot, Common Myna, Japanese White-eye, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, Red-crested Cardinal. Kilauea Pt. NWR - there was virtually no wind, so the birds were not as active as usual. Not a single Tropicbird of either species! Cackling Goose (B. h. minima) hanging out with Nene, Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, Laysan Albatross, Great Frigatebird, House Finch. Huleia NWR - extremely quiet: White-rumped Shama. Lihue roadsides: Chestnut Munia, Nutmeg Munia, Java Sparrow. 1 Feb, Hanapepe Overlook: Rock Pigeon, Rose-ringed Parakeet - lots of them, flying mostly up the canyon even at 8 A. M. Koke'e - foggy, raining, cold, miserable. Even our intrepid crew turned back only about 100 yards along the closed road between Kalalau and Pu'u 'o Kila. Even if birds had appeared, we would have been unable to see them! Apapane. Kawai'ele: Ruddy Turnstone, Northern Mockingbird, SNOW GOOSE - one juvenile bird sitting on the far side of the main pond, later flying and calling. Laughing Gull - two 1st-year birds on a sand island. On Tuesday before the trip, Les and I saw 4 Laughing Gulls in the same location. Hanapepe Salt Ponds: Sanderling, Wandering Tattler, Western Meadowlark, Common Pheasant. Kaua'i Lagoons: 2 TUNDRA SWANS. 2 Feb, Honolulu Airport: Red-vented Bulbul. Harper's Truck Rental Office, Hilo: Yellow-billed Cardinal - (later seen at Onekahakaha Beach Park and Lili'uokalani Park. Waiakea Ponds: Mallard, Tundra Goose (B. h. taverneri) - about 6 were there, members of our usual resident flock. Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 birds, the first time I've seen more than our resident one. Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon. Onekahakaha Beach Park: Saffron Finch -- a single bird, fairly unusual for Hilo. 3 Feb, Nahuku: Oma'o, Apapane (1st Hawai'i Island sighting). Halema'uma'u: Kalij Pheasant - by the road between the Devastation Trail parking lot and Halema'uma'u: White-tailed Tropicbird. 4 Feb, Keanakolu Rd.: Eurasian Skylark, Chukar, Turkey, California Quail, Erckel's Francolin, Pueo. Hakalau NWR (all birds seen): Apapane, Hawai'i Amakihi, I'iwi, Red-billed Leiothrix (heard only), Volcano 'Elepaio, Oma'o (heard only, but we didn¹t try very hard, having seen them well the day before), 'Akepa - several about 100 yards below the cabin, 'Io, Hawai'i Creeper - a pair (male singing) about 100 feet inside the gate above the cabin, Japanese White-eye, Northern Cardinal. 5 Feb, Pu'u La'au - in sharp contrast to Hakalau NWR the day before, Pu'u: La'au was almost totally silent. The birds were there, just super-quiet. Palila, Pale-headed 'Elepaio, African Silverbill. W. Saddle Road: Black Francolin. Big Island Country Club (all birds seen) - BICC was not as good as usual because the ground crew was mowing and weed-eating all around the streambed just inside the gate. Saffron Finch, African Silverbill, Red Avadavat, Yellow-fronted Canary, Nene, Wild Turkey, Nutmeg Mannikin, Java Sparrow. Waimea: Mourning Dove - one feeding with Zebra Doves in somebody's yard".

Les also posted: "Hopefully, Dan is going to post a composite list of the birds seen on our recent Elderhostel trip. I just wanted to note that on Friday, 2/2/07, there we saw one Senegal Parrot in the trees above the Wailoa River State Recreation Area parking area. In 1999, I led a group for Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris and we saw 2 Senegal Parrots in the same area. See an image here http://www.wingscc. com/aps/senegal. htm It was the yellow-bellied nominate subspecies".

Adult Whistling Swans near Lihue Airport, Kaua'i February 2007

Photograph © by Les Chibana

Peter Donaldson wrote: "I have received some interesting second-hand reports recently from Kauai. I can't vouch for the accuracy of these reports, but there may be some things birders should keep their eyes open for. The most interesting is that a sea eagle of some sort may have been seen on Kauai. Supposedly the bird was seen eating a Laysan Albatross. Second, apparently someone gave Brenda Zaun a photo of a dark-backed gull, possibly a Western or Slaty-backed taken on Kauai. Again, I can't say whether or not these reports are accurate, but birders on Kauai may want to be on the lookout".

On Feb 7, 2007, at 3:17 PM, Eric VanderWerf wrote: "I can relate some additional information about the large raptor on Kauai. It is quite an interesting tale. Apparently on two occasions in early January (I don't know the exact dates) visitors observed a large bird perched on top of a dead Laysan Albatross and eating it in a coastal area east of Kilauea Point known as Larson's Beach and reported it to staff at Kilauea Point NWR. The bird was described as very large, dark, with a white tail and a hooked yellow bill. When questioned they said the bill was hooked and not straight like in a gull or albatross. One of the carcasses was necropsied by a veterinarian at USGS to determine the cause of death. The bird had deep lacerations on the back, blood in the esophagus and lungs,and some large feathers that had been sheared off (rather than plucked or broken). All of these are consistent with the typical means that large raptors use to kill avian prey. Based on the size (large enough to kill an albatross!) and description the most likely candidate is White-tailed Sea-eagle. I was on Kauai last week when I first heard this report, and I went to the Larson's Beach area on Friday February 2 to look for the bird. I found one of the sites where an albatross had been killed. There was a large pile of feathers, some of which did indeed show signs of shearing. At 4pm I believe I also saw the bird responsible, but it was very distant, perhaps over a mile off, soaring near the coast between Larson's Beach and the Crater Hill area of the refuge. The bird was large and dark with broad wings and appeared to have a pale tail but a dark head, which would match the previous descriptions. The lighting was not good though (looking west in the afternoon) so the colors were difficult to see, but the silhouette was eagle-like. I took a photo but even when blown up the bird is just a fuzzy speck and of no use for identification. Unfortunately I could not wait to see if the bird came closer. As Pete said, birders should be on the look out in this area, or anywhere on Kauai. The area inland from the beach is private, but the shoreline is public and walkable and can be used to get into the area where the bird might be seen. Sorry for not posting this earlier, but immediately afterwards I went into the Alakai for several days where there was no phone or email". See March sightings and Reports for further details.

MARCH

Saturday 3rd March 2007

O'ahu: Kahala Avenue Area: 51 Red-masked Parakeets, 2 Blue-crowned Amazons and three hybrid young came out of Doris Duke property at 6.45am, flew around in an ever widening circle and then took off towards Wailupe direction. Several Blue crowned Parakeets were in the group which spun off from the main group and I lost sight of them heading for Kahala Avenue area. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Sea Life Park: On Rabbit Island and flying over Rabbit Island thousands of Sooty Terns and a lesser number of Brown Noddy on the western end of the island. While there were numerous Sooty Terns on the ground, there were many pairs flying high over the island in display flight. The early nesters are probably getting the best nesting sites and the late comers will be left with the less attractive nesting areas - rock or beach locations. (Mike Ord)

Monday 5th March 2007

Kaua'i: Kilauea Point NWR: 1 adult WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over the refugeat c. 1300 hours, photo. (Brenda Zaun)

Wednesday 7th March 2007

Maui: Kanaha Pond NWR: 1 Laughing Gull and three stilt chicks, all downy. (Mike Nishimoto)

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 1 Peregrine Falcon (per Mike Nishimoto)

Friday 9th March 2007

Kaua'i: Crater Hill, Kilauea Point NWR: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flying over the Red-Footed Booby colony within Crater Hill of the refuge. (Brenda Zaun)

Saturday 10th March 2007

Kaua'i: Koke'e State Park: Unconfirmed report of the WHITE-TAILED EAGLE in the afternoon it had been sitting on a 5-foot gate post.

Sunday 11th March 2007

Kaua'i: Lawa'i Kai: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE reported from the private coffee plantation land at Lawai Kai at the edge of a large canyon. It flew within 100' of the canyon walls toward the ocean. This was at approximately 1700. (per Brenda Zaun)

Kaua'i: East side of Larson's Beach: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE near the albatross colony on the coast (there are 5 nests there and quite a few non-nesting courting birds). The observer quickly drove to the area, ran through the horse pasture and as she came through the vegetation (where the first albi was killed in early Jan), she observed the eagle standing on the ground about 2 feet from an albatross. The two birds were facing each other. The eagle had its back to her and she ran toward it yelling and it flew off. She said the albatross was unharmed and flew away.

Monday 12th March 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 72 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 3 American Wigeon, 2 Domestic Hybrid ducks and 2 Muscovy. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 38 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 2 Hawaiian Coot, 11 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Kaua'i: Kilauea Point NWR: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. Seen by a volunteer flying approximately one-quarter mile offshore (north) of Kilauea Point. She said it was circling, probably on a thermal, and gaining altitude and heading in an easterly direction. A visiting Wisconsin couple that Mike Walther spoke to at Larson's 1.5 hours later said they saw an eagle flying offshore of Larsons around the same time.

Thursday 15th March 2007

Maui: Makawao: Several Sooty Terns over. They were around for about 10 minutes, then the calls stopped. The weather was wet and muggy, with light winds. (Forest & Kim Starr)

Hawai'i: 1 Red-tailed Tropicbird over Hilo Bay, North of the Wailuku River mouth and South of the old C. Brewer headquarters. (Dan Lindsay)

Saturday 17th March 2007

O'ahu: Kahuku Golf Course: 1 Black-footed Albatross and 1 adult Masked Booby. (Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Bird Tour)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 64 Hawaiian Coot (three chicks hatched from a Boogieboard nest on 3/16/07, one egg seen in nest 3/17. Parents w/ RS & WS. A trio is constructing two nests side-by-side: One of these is the bird that was living in the clarifier. 7 other nests are under construction. 15 Hawaiian Stilt and 2 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 22 Hawaiian Coot (One immature HACO about 8+ weeks of age !!!) 2 heard in makaloa in small pond, 12 Hawaiian Stilt (None banded), 2 Pacific Golden Plover and 12 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 5 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 3 Pacific Golden Plover and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Sunday 18th March 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt - male & female banded --:YA and 1 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 56 Hawaiian Coot. The three chicks that hatched 3/16 are now very active.17 Hawaiian Stilt - none banded, 5 American Wigeon (2 male, 3 female), 2 Eurasian Wigeon (male & female) and 5 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 5 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 2 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 7 Pacific Golden Plover - none banded, 8 Ruddy Turnstone - none banded, 3 Wandering Tattler - none banded and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Makiki Heights/Tantalus intersection: Had huge flocks of Rose-ringed Parakeet (maybe 100s) ca. 9AM. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 1 SNOW GOOSE and 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS and Northern Shoveler. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Tuesday 20th March 2007

Kaua'i: Kilauea Point NWR: 1 juvenile GREAT BLUE HERON. No sign of it on 22nd. (Dan Lane, Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Bird Tour)

Kaua'i: Kapahi Valley, Kapa'a: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE reported at approximately 0845 flying over the valley. (per Brenda Zaun)

Moloka'i: Palaauwai (Molokai Sea Farms - Salt Water Ponds): 68 Hawaiian Stilt - none banded, 8 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Wandering Tattler, 4 Sanderling, 12 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Bristle-thigh Curlew, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron and 1 Common Tern, 1st winter, molting into summer plumage. (Arleone Dibben-Yoong)

Moloka'i: Kauanui (Molokai Sea Farms - Fresh Water Ponds): 11 Hawaiian Coot and 2 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 5 Bristle-thigh Curlew and 2 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Maui: Waikamoi Preserve: 1 Akohekohe and heard others; no evidence of parrotbill despite searches of all previous spots. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Wednesday 21st March 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 58 Hawaiian Coot and 10 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 32 Hawaiian Coot (one about 8 weeks of age), 23 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Northern Shoveler, 8 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling and 4 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Hawai'i: Aimakapa Pond: 1 moulting drake Garganey. Also Ring-necked Duck, Laughing Gull, Lesser Scaup and Northern Pintail. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Thursday 22nd March 2007

O'ahu: Kane'ohe: 1 Peregrine Falcon at c.2.30pm then flew towards the Ko'olau Mountains. (Dennis Nakashima)

Kaua'i: Kawaiele Sandmine: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flying low over the cane fields it then gained altitude and flew in an easterly direction. Also immature SNOW GOOSE still and 1 Laughing Gull. (Jim deVries, Brad Schram, Daniel Gruneberg, et al.) Four Laughing Gulls senn later in the day there. (Michael Walther)

Hawai'i: Hilo Ponds: 1 drake Gadwall still present. (Dan Lane, Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Bird Tour)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 4 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 11 Pacific Golden-Plover and 7 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 8 Ring-necked Duck, 14 Lesser Scaup, 1 Greater Scaup (female), 1 Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 Northern Shoveler (male & female), 29 Northern Pintail (12 male & 17 female), 3 Hawaiian Coot, 9 Pacific-Golden Plover and 6 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kapenahalu: 2 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Wastewater Treatment Plant - Oxidation Ponds: 7 Hawaiian Coot, 20 Hawaiian Stilt and 1 Northern Shoveler (male). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Palaauwai (Molokai Sea Farms - Salt Water Ponds): 83 Hawaiian Stilts. 3 Bristle-thighed Curlew: the workers were feeding the curlews huge shrimp - they would then run over to the adjacent pond, wash the shrimp, slam 'em, wash the shrimp again, and swallow 'em. The workers explained that the curlews don't like dirty food and always wash before they eat. Also 5 Pacific Golden-Plover, 14 Ruddy Turnstone, 12 Sanderling, 7 Wandering Tattler, 1 Common Tern and 13 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 21 Hawaiian Coot (The young coot ca. 8 weeks old was not present), 34 Hawaiian Stilt - water too deep to see if any were banded, and 1 Pacific Golden-Plover.

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 58 Hawaiian Coot (and one more hatched from the Boogieboard, making 4 chicks), 17 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Eurasian Wigeon 2 (male & female), 6 American Wigeon (3 male & 3 female), 1 Pacific Golden-Plover and 1 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Hawai'i: Pu'u La'au: Palila easily found about half way up road to Puu Laau cabin. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Saturday 24th March 2007

Nihoa: 1 adult RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD. (Chris Swenson and Craig Rowland, USFWS and Ian Jones of Memorial University)

Hawai'i: Punalu’u Black Sands Beach: At least 20 Sooty Shearwater and 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater offshore. (Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Bird Tour)

Sunday 25th March 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 17 Hawaiian Coot (including two ca. 8 weeks of age), 38 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 6 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 68 Hawaiian Coot (The adult on the Boogieboard was observed kicking one egg out of the nest. Four chicks very active), 9 Hawaiian Stilt - none banded, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 10 Wigeon, at least two were Eurasian and some of the other 8 were American, but they flew away before confirmation could be made that there was one more Eurasian. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Hawai'i: Hilo: Waiakea Pond: 1 Gadwall still present. (Doug Pratt, et al.)

Hawai'i: Kona: Aimakapa Pond: 1 Laughing Gull and 3 Ring-necked Duck (2 males, 1 female). (Alvaro Jaramillo, Field Guides Bird Tour)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 1 adult Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 2 Gray Francolin,2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 15 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Spotted Dove, 6 Zebra Dove, 2 Red-vented Bulbul, 1 White-rumped Shama, 3 Japanese White-eye, 10 Common Myna, 5 Red-crested Cardinal, 4 Northern Cardinal and 30 Common Waxbill. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 1 Ring-billed Gull, 4 Cattle Egret, 15 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 3 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 19 Pacific Golden-Plover, 34 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler, 4 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 7 Spotted Dove, 27 Zebra Dove, 2 Red-whiskered Bulbul, 2 Red-vented Bulbul, 1 White-rumped Shama, 3 Japanese White-eye, 1 Red-crested Cardinal, 2 Northern Cardinal, 1 House Sparrow, 6 House Finch and 35 Common Waxbill. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 6 Cattle Egret, 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 8 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 1 Blue-winged Teal, 19 Northern Shoveler, 18 Northern Pintail (flock of 18 circled the refuge, 2 landed), 6 Gray Francolin (heard only), 2 Hawaiian Moorhen, 119 Hawaiian Coot (at least 2 broods of small downy chicks, 2 adults on nests), 42 Pacific Golden-Plover (most in partial breeding plumage), 63 Hawaiian Stilt (one nest with 2 eggs, one pair building a nest, 2 pairs copulating), 14 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 6 Dowitcher sp. 6 Probably most Long-billed but one possible Short-billed (short bill, rounder back, smaller), 6 Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 Ring-billed Gull (probably 2nd winter), 28 Spotted Dove, 24 Zebra Dove, 2 Mourning Dove, 1 Red-whiskered Bulbul, 3 Red-vented Bulbul, 4 Japanese White-eye, 13 Common Myna, 6 Red-crested Cardinal, 2 Northern Cardinal, 2 White-rumped Shama and 20 Common Waxbill. (Peter Donaldson)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 12 Hawaiian Coot (including two ca. 8 weeks of age), 32 Hawaiian Stilt, Pacific Golden-Plover, Wandering Tattler and 4 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Hawai'i: Waiakea Pond, Hilo: 1 drake Gadwall, Canada Goose (2; larger, ca. 4x Mallard size, pale-breasted) , Cackling Goose (1 or 2; near mallard size, dark breast, no neckring), and G. White-fronted Goose (2). (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Tuesday 27th March 2007

O'ahu: Kahuku Amorient Aquafarm: 3 Ring necked Pheasant (one male and two females), 24 Black crowned Night Heron, 5 Wandering Tattler (two in full breeding plumage), 15 Ruddy Turnstone, 12 Sanderling (one in full breeding plumage), 11 Pacific Golden Plover (various stages of plumage change), 43 Hawaiian Stilt (while paired up and a pair per pond - no breeding activity noted), 34 Common Waxbill and 2 Koloa/Mallard hybrid. The three Brant Geese and large numbers of migratory ducks were all gone. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Kuilima STP: 40 Northern Shoveler, 4 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 95 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Pacific Golden-Plover, 7 Hawaiian Stilt,2 Wandering Tattler, 4 Ruddy Turnstone, 21 Spotted Dove, 2 Red-vented Bulbul, 1 Japanese Bush-Warbler (heard) 1 White-rumped Shama (heard) and 1 Northern Cardinal (heard). (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Kii NWR: 1 GREAT BLUE HERON (perhaps that seen on 20th on Kaua'i??), 6 Cattle Egret, 13 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Cackling Goose, 49 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 3 Northern Shoveler, 20 Hawaiian Moorhen, 166 Hawaiian Coot, 10 Pacific Golden-Plover, 73 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler, 12 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 41 Ruddy Turnstone, 18 Sanderling, 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Dove, 2 Zebra Dove, 1 Short-eared Owl, 9 Red-vented Bulbul, 2 Common Myna and 18 Common Waxbill. (Peter Donaldson)

Kaua'i: Kokee State Park: A few K. Amakihi and 'Anianiau, and one 'Akeke'e along road spur to Pihea overlook, just before last hill. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 67 Hawaiian Coot plus the 4 chicks hatched last month, 11 Hawaiian Stilt 11 - none banded and 1 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Kaua'i: Kokee State Park: Disappointing birding along Pihea/Alakai Swamp trails. Only a couple of possible audios of 'Akeke'e. This bird was common when I was last here in fall 2004, and found even along the paved road. Has apparently crashed drastically in last 3 years. Looks just like the epizootics of the past. Did not find 'Akikiki or Puaiohi. Only 2 'I'iwi, but lots of 'Apapane and respectable numbers of K. 'Amakihi and 'Anianiau, but bird numbers in general way down. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Kaua'i: Huleia NWR: One Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush at Haiku Rd into Huleia Valley (leader only). Most interesting bird was a single quail that looked like some sort of Bobwhite. Not like eastern ones I'm used to, maybe one of the Mexican races. Seen on shoulder at sharp right turn toward Huleia Stream. Never heard of any bobwhites on Kauai before. (Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 11 Hawaiian Coot including one young bird of about 2+ months, 21 Hawaiian Stilt - none banded, one nest in a loafing area I cleared between the canal and small pond, no eggs, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Kaua'i: National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Lawai: 1 Possible LITTLE EGRET. (David Burney, Storrs Olson)

Kaua'i: Pelagic from Port Allen- NW to Na Pali-SW to Lehua-E to Port Allen on the Blue Dolphin: 1 BLUE-GRAY NODDY c.4 miles off Barking Sands disappearing in the reflection of clouds on the water, ~40 Laysan Albatross, 4 Black-footed Albatross (3 at sea, one near Lehua), ~100 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 1 White-tailed Tropicbird (1 at sea, several over Na Pali), 6-8 Red-tailed Tropicbird over Lehua, ~100 Red-footed Booby, ~50 Brown Booby, 2 adult Masked Booby near Lehua, 10 Great Frigatebird (8 over Lehua, 2 at sea), ~30 Sooty Tern, ~150 Black Noddy, ~40 Brown Noddy (all at sea), 1 Grey-backed Tern (~4 mi off Barking Sands), 1 Ruddy Turnstone on Lehua and 6-8 Cattle Egrets on Lehua. Also 1 Monk Seal on Ni'ihau and a few Spinner Dolphin near Lehua. (David Kuhn, Doug Pratt, NC State Museum of Natural Sciences Tour, et al.)

Saturday 31st March 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 3 WHITE-FACED IBIS (2 adults in breeding above and 1 immature-type), 1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Long-billed Dowitchers, 1 female Blue-winged Teal, 2 Dunlin and 11 Northern Shoveler. (Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 3 Dunlin (two flew in on arrival, may be the same from Honouliuli). (Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 2 Ring-billed Gull (one may have flew over from Honouliuli). (Kurt Pohlman)

MARCH

Brenda Zaun sent the following exciting news: "Finally, today we have photos documenting this "mystery" eagle on Kauai that has been reported a few times since early January by several north shore residents. It appears to be a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), a first for Hawaii. I photographed the eagle from the upper Crater Hill overlook on Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai, HI today (3/5/07) at approximately 1300. It soared from east to west below the top of the cliff, then turned on a thermal and increased altitude and soared in an easterly direction again along the coastline."

White-tailed Eagle at Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i. March 5th 2007.

Photograph © by Brenda Zaun

Brenda Zaun sent the following message (March 9th): "Maybe this eagle's presence here on Kauai isn't such a cool thing after all! This afternoon sometime between 1615 and 1730, it killed and consumed the entire pectoral cavity of an adult Laysan albatross on Kilauea Point NWR. The albatross had returned to feed its chick which was approximately 18m from where the eagle was feeding on the bird. I had passed by this area at approximately 1615 and neither the albatross or eagle were present. At 1730, as I topped the hill on my return, I saw the eagle fly from the ground and head south toward the highway (which it crossed because 2 minutes later Bob Dieli called me as he was heading home and said he just saw the eagle fly over the highway at milemarker 22). I took more photos of it flying away from me after I jumped out of the truck and fumbled with my camera case in the back seat. After the eagle was out of sight, I then inspected and photographed the still-warm carcass. I collected the carcass and will send to Dr. Thierry Work for necropsy."

APRIL

Monday 2nd April 2007

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout: 1 adult RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (bird #1) again at 2:45 pm today at the first Red-Tailed Tropicbird colony east of Lanai lookout. It is in a different spot than it has been previously reported and was sitting out in the open on a rock next to a nesting Red-Tailed Tropicbird. Bird #1 has 2 long tail streamers, Bird #2 has 1 long tail streamer and the other (on the right side) is growing in and only about one-fourth as long. The birds seem to be visiting different spots within the nesting colony. (Lindsay Young, Eric VanderWerf)