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)

Tuesday 3rd April 2007

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout: 1 adult RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (bird #1) aat the Red-Tailed Tropicbird colony east of Lanai lookout. (Eric VanderWerf)

Moloka'i: Maunaloa Wastewater Treatment Plant: Lower Ponds (dry, except following heavy rain) 3 Cattle Egrets. Upper Pond: 19 Hawaiian Stilt, 29 Pacific Golden-Plover, 34 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling and 1 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (both banded --:YA), 1 Pacific Golden-Plover (banded YA:--), 2 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 6 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 1 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout: 1 adult RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (bird #2) at the Red-Tailed Tropicbird colony east of Lanai lookout. (Eric VanderWerf)

Thursday 5th April 2007

O'ahu: Lanai Lookout: 1 adult RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (bird #1) again at the Red-Tailed Tropicbird colony east of Lanai lookout. (Eric VanderWerf)

Friday 6th April 2007

Kaua'i: National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Lawai: 1 Possible LITTLE EGRET still present (David Kuhn)

O'ahu: Kahuku Golf Course: 8 Bristle-thighed Curlews. (Eric VanderWerf)

Saturday 7th April 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 female Blue-winged Teal, 19 Northern Shoveler and 1 Northern Pintial. (Kurt Pohlman)

Sunday 8th April 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (male & female, not banded), 6 Pacific Golden-Plover (one limping, one banded YA:-- ), 2 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Wandering Tattler and 1 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (male & female, not banded), 7 Pacific Golden-Plover (one banded YA:-- ), 1 Sanderling, 4 Ruddy Turnstone, 6 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 2 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (male & female, not banded), 10 Pacific Golden-Plover (one banded YA:-- ), 5 Ruddy turnstone, 1 Wandering Tattler and 5 Bristle-thighed Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 33 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Pacific Golden-Plover, 2 Wandering Tattler, 1 Sanderling and 8 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 15 Hawaiian Stilt and 66 Hawaiian Coot (plus the three chicks hatched 3/16 and the fourth hatched on 3/23). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Maunaloa Wastewater Treatment Plant: Stilt nests were only found on the berm separating the two ponds nearest the entry gate. One nest had four eggs, the next nest was on the opposite side of the roadway 26' away with 3 eggs (one broken), and the third nest was 60' farther with four eggs. 15 Hawaiian Stilt, none banded, 6 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Wandering Tattler and 3 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 47 Hawaiian Stilt, 8 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover and 10 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 69 Hawaiian Coot (plus 4 chicks), 14 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Pacific Golden-Plover, 3 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Domestic Hybrid Duck and 2 Muscovy Duck. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover 1 (banded YA:-- ) and 2 Hawaiian Stilt (no bands). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Monday 16th April 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (male & female, no bands), 4 Pacific Golden-Plover (one banded --:YA), 1 Wandering Tattler, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Bristle-Thighed Curlew and 1 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 4 Bristle-Thighed Curlew and 5 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 11 Hawaiian Stilt, 71 Hawaiian Coot (one young bird, about 3 months of age, plus 4 chicks), 2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Black-Crowned Night Heron, 2 Muscovy, 2 Domestic Hybrid Duck (plus one dead) and 1 Domestic Mallard Hybrid (this is a new arrival). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 78 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 4 Hawaiian Coot, 6 Pacific Golden-Plover, 5 Long-Billed Dowitcher, 1 Sanderling, 2 Black-Crowned Night Heron. Two stilts were building a nest on the smallest island. The first nest seen at the wetland is now abandoned. Lot's of copulating going on. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 7 Long-billed Dowitcher (one with damaged leg still present) and 19 Northern Shoveler. (Kurt Pohlman)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 3 Dunlin. (Kurt Pohlman)

Tuesday 17th April 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (male & female, no bands), 18 Pacific Golden-Plover 18 (none banded), 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Wandering Tattler, 1 Bristle-Thighed Curlew and 2 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 7 Hawaiian Stilt, 71 Hawaiian Coot 71 (plus 4 chicks, the young bird that was present yesterday is absent today. Three chicks hatched on BoogieBoard Nest #2, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Muscovy, 2 Domestic Hybrid Duck and 1 Domestic Mallard Hybrid. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 117 Hawaiian Stilt 117 (none banded), 4 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific golden-Plover, 1 Sanderling, 5 Long-billed Dowitcher. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 18th April 2007

Kaua'i: Kilauea Point NWR: 1 Peregrine Falcon. (Eric VanderWerf, Brenda Zaun)

Hawai'i: Waiakea Ponds, Hilo: Drake Gadwall still present in Wailoa Street Park at about 9:30 A. M., near the boat ramp as usual. Two Greater White-fronted Geese were also around, and over on the other side in the mudflats area was a male Shoveller consorting with feral Mallards. (Dan Lindsay)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 2 Hawaiian Stilt (male & female, not banded), 2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Bristle-Thighed Curlew and 1 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Thursday 19th April 2007

Kaua'i: Kawaiele Sandmine Sanctuary: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE at 1:15pm. It was quite far away, flying over the agricultural fields north of the highway. Also 1 immature SNOW GOOSE still and 1 Laughing Gull. (Eric VanderWerf)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 14 Pacific Golden-Plover and 1Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

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

Moloka'i: KWWRF: The makai pond is fully drawn down to the sludge in preparation for switching to the new effluent line next week. All the birds were in the mauka pond, causing major territorial squabbles as the three dominant pairs of coots (two pairs with chicks and a third pair with eggs) are in the mauka pond. 71 Hawaiian Coot (plus four chicks and three chicks), 7 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Domestic Hybrid Duck, 1 Muscovy and 3 Domestic Mallard Hybrid. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 103 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 8 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler and 14 Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Friday 20th April 2007

Hawai'i: Waiakea Ponds, Hilo: No sign of the male Gadwall, but there was a female duck who resembled a female Gadwall more than anything else. She had an unmarked grayish head and a brown body with broad buff edges to the feathers of back and wings. The bill was dark, with a slightly greenish tip (which could have been vegetation, I suppose) and no sign of the orange sides which are supposed to be typical of the female Gadwall. Also present: 6 male and 2 female Shoveler, one minima Cackling Goose and 2 of the larger resident "White-chinned" Geese, and 2 Greater White-fronted Geese. Interestingly, the White-fronts hang out with the domestic released birds rather than the "White-chinned. " Lots of Night Herons, and one Tattler, still in winter plumage. (Dan Lindsay)

Thursday 26th April 2007

Hawai'i: Waiakea Ponds, Hilo: 3 Northern Shovelers (2 males, 1 female), 2 of the resident "white-chinned" geese, and 1 minima Cackling Goose. No White-fronts, no Gadwalls. (Dan Lindsay)

Kaua'i: Ele'ele Coffee Plantation: 1 Christmas Shearwater flying over the highway just north of the Kauai Coffee plantation in Elelele. The bird was flying down slope, apparently
from inland of that point. We saw one Bulwer's Petrel apparently leaving the cliff below the lighthouse at Kilauea the same day. Newell's Shearwater are back on Island in numbers as are Wedge-tailed Shearwater. The SNOW GOOSE is still on the sand mine ponds - and once again I missed the eagle. (Reginald David)

APRIL

There has been an interesting new study on air routes that pose a high risk for introduction of invasive species. It should be no surprise that the study suggests the risks for Hawaii are especially high. A summary of the study can be seen at the link below. http://environment. newscientist. com/channel/ earth/dn11574- highrisk- air-routes-for- invasive- species-revealed .html

David Kuhn sent the following pelagic report: "The Blue Dolphin Lehua trip (Port Allen- NW to Na Pali-SW to Lehua-E to Port Allen) on Tuesday April 17 encountered light easterly wind outbound around the coast, then stiff easterlies on the return leg, making for a rough ride. Highlights: High numbers of Sooty Terns, about 400, whereas the highest previous count was 75 in April 2000. A steady sparse flow of birds heading E all day. Probable Black-winged Petrels, 5, on the outward crossing. I have not id'd this species on this trip before. Small petrel, pale grey nape and head (ruling out Collared), collar extending around neck, dark upperwing, distinct dark diagonal on white wing linings, arcing flight. Large (2-300) pod of Melon-head whales. We did not attempt to estimate numbers of birds on Lehua. SEABIRDS SEEN: Laysan Albatross 1, Wedge-tailed Shearwater-- ~400, prob Hawaiian Petrel 1, right off Port Allen outbound, prob Black-winged Petrel 5, White-tailed Tropicbird--5, Red-tailed Tropicbird--5, Red-footed Booby-- ~100, Brown Booby-- ~50, Great Frigatebird 13, Sooty Tern-- ~400, Black Noddy ~150, Brown Noddy ~50, all at sea, a high count, with one flock of 15, Grey-back Tern 1. Other birds: Ruddy Turnstone 2 on Lehua and Cattle Egret 20 on/near Lehua. Other creatures: Humpbacks 35, Spinner Dolphin, a few near Lehua, many off Barking Sands, Melonhead whales 2-300 and Rough-toothed Dolphin 1 with Melonheads".

Odd booby at Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - An Abbot's Booby - The First record for the Pacific Ocean.

On 17 and 18 April 2007, friends and I were visiting a seabird nesting colony on Rota, in the US-administered Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Red-footed Boobies were abundant and joined by smaller numbers of Brown Boobies, Brown Noddies, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, White-tailed Tropicbirds, and White Terns. Great Frigatebirds and a single Long-tailed Jaeger were also seen flying by the cliff. On the 17th, a cry of "subadult Masked Booby" went up. Having seen many in the Gulf of Mexico, I didn't even bother to look at it. I was more interested in photographing the Red-tailed Tropicbirds, a lifer for me at the time. My friends had nice views of the bird for a few minutes. Eventually the bird flew mere meters in front of me. I snapped a photo, and viewed the bird in my binoculars for 30 seconds or so. I was very confused by what I saw.

The first impression was of an oddly-proportioned bird. Floppy-looking, ungainly, not well-put-together, prehistoric-looking, large-headed: these all describe it. The wings were completely dark blackish above, contrasting with a restricted white mantle. A friend of mine called it a "white runway". The rump was white with some dark mottling, contributing to the call of subadult Masked Booby.

From below, the bird was almost completely white. There was no dark trailing edge to speak of.on the secondaries, and even the black on the primaries was restricted to the ends of the very outermost. Each side of the bird had an odd black patch between the base of the all-dark tail and the wing. The head was white with a small black face patch around the eye. The bill was an odd pinkish color, boldly and contrastingly tipped black. (Michael L. P. Retter)

MAY

Tuesday 2nd May 2007

Kaua'i: Kilauea Point NWR: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. At 1430 today the white-tailed eagle was soaring at approx. 2000' above Kilauea Point/Crater Hill on Kilauea Point NWR. Observed for about 2 minutes facing into the wind and appearing to stay in one place, then it slowly headed south and was out of sight behind ironwood trees. (Brenda Zaun, Mike Hawkes, National Land Trust members)

Thursday 4th May 2007

O'ahu: Palehua Road in the Waianae Mountains: A pair of Yellow-faced Grassquits. This species is fairly widely distributed in grassy area in the Koolau Mountains, but this is the first
time I have seen it in the Waianae Range. The male sang several times.Both birds were foraging in tall grass along a dirt road and perching in nearby trees. On the drive up I saw and heard at least five male Black Francolins in the open pasture areas above Makakilo. Black Francolins seems to be increasing in abundance and distribution in the Waianaes. I was in this area to monitor a population of O'ahu Elepaio that I discovered last fall, which consists of at least 21 elepaio territories with 15 breeding pairs. Six of these pairs have fledged offspring so far this year, with several more nests still active, so this is shaping up to be a fairly good year. Elepaio populations have declined seriously in many parts of the Waianae, and this is one of the larger remaining populations. (Eric VanderWerf)

Friday 5th May 2007

O'ahu: Iroquois Point, Pearl Harbor: A third party report of a possible sighting of an eagle by a fisherman on Oahu - "taking a cattle egret on Iroquois Point". No other details are known at this time. (Brenda Zaun)

Sunday 6th May 2007

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor: I went to Pearl Harbor to look for the reported eagle seen Friday May 4 near Iroquois Point. I went to West Shoreline Park at 12:00pm and after 15 minutes observed a large "eagle" above the western shoreline of West Loch. The bird was at least 1,200 meters away. I saw it flying several hundred feet above the Kiawe trees near the shoreline.I also observed it flying several feet over the water at one point possibly in pursuit of an egret. I was able to see the bird flying for 4-5 minutes over a 1.5 hour period. At 1:30 it flew across the Loch and then flew north about 100 meters over buildings on Waipio Peninsula. I then went to Leeward Community College and at 3:15 observed it soaring over the Waipio Peninsula. At 4pm I observed the bird on the other side of Pearl Harbor near Iroquois Point flying above the entrance to the harbor. The white tail was not apparent which might be because of the great distance but also maybe the lighting conditions. (Michael Walther)

Monday 7th May 2007

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor: At 12:45pm an Osprey flew along the shoreline and over the ocean off the entrance to Pearl Harbor. The bird succeeded in catching a fish and then flew back into the Harbor next to the Iroquois Point area. This was most likely the same bird observed at 4pm Sunday from a distance of 5 miles from Leeward Community College. Both observations were near Iroquois Point. (Michael Walther)

Tuesday 8th May 2007

O'ahu: Waipio Soccer Fields: There were several very large flocks of Common Waxbills - in excess of 600 birds - all adults.Also a flock of Chestnut Mannikins that had in excess of 250 birds with many young in various color stages. Saffron Finches were also quite easily seen down there also. (Mike Ord)

Tuesday 15th May 2007

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor: This afternoon I noticed a half dozen or so each of stilts, turnstones, and mallard-koloa along the bike path where the Navy has cleared Pearl Harbor mangrove. This was at the middle loch near the Pearl City peninsula refuge. (David Bremer)

O'ahu: Palehua Road, Waianae Mountains: At approximately 8:15am I observed four Yellow-faced Grassquits feeding in very short grass next to the road approximately 100 meters before the entrance to Camp Timberline. During the next hour, I was able to observe and photograph Grassquits several more times as they foraged along the road. During the last six months I have walked the Manana Trail four times looking for Grassquits but did not see any. (Michael Walther)

Friday 18th May 2007

Maui: Kahului Harbour: 1 Gull sp. gliding around Harbor at 11:30 am. (Forest & Kim Starr)

Monday 28th May 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 68 Hawaiian Coot, 10 Hawaiian Stilt (included 4 that fledged at plant), 6 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 78 Hawaiian Stilt (Male banded Y-:AK, Male banded A-"--), 6 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 71 Hawaiian Coot, 8 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 68 Hawaiian Stilt (Male banded A-:--, --:A- and female banded --:YA), 4 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 43 Hawaiian Stilt (one chick about ten days old) and 12 Black-crowned Night Herons. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

MAY

Kona Village Resort - The annual lauhala weaving conference 5/11 - 5/20. At our hale (room) were two Bristle-thighed Curlews that roosted every night about 75 feet away on a high point in the lava flow. They spent their day flying between the rocky point where they foraged for snails (droppings contained kupee and pipipi) and a noni tree next to our room where they ate the seeds of the overripe fruit that fell onto the ground. One of the birds was larger than the other and much more vibrant in color. The smaller bird would push the larger one off of the highest rock onto a flat slab of lava, and then the more colorful bird would lower its bill to the upper bird, fan its tail out and point it upward, and partially open its wings. Several times one of the birds would stand on top of a stone wall about 15 feet from our lanai and sing melodiously. Elsewhere in the Village, one Wandering Tattler daily along the shoreline in front of the Talk Story Bar. The feeding station (stocked with triple duty) at the largest pond was charged every morning by one Wandering Tattler, one Hawaiian Coot, and the resident Radjah Shelducks and Black Swans. Currently there are two Radjahs that are unbanded and not pinioned. These two birds roost every night by the employee lunchroom and staff assured me that traps would be set to capture them. On a walk up the coast to the rocky outcroppings of Ka lae O Ka Mano (soon to be developed into residential lots and condominiums) there was one Pacific Golden-Plover and three Wandering Tattlers. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

JUNE

Friday 1st June 2007

O'ahu: Kahuku Shrimp Ponds: 1 breeding plumaged adult Franklin's Gull with pinkish underparts. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Kawailoa: 20 Brown Booby and 20 Red-footed Booby in feeding flock close to shore. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: KII NWR: 10 Cattle Egret, 13 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck, 22 Hawaiian Moorhen, 216 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 74 Hawaiian Stilt several broods of chicks, some already fledged, some very young, other stilts still on nests, 4 Wandering Tattler, 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 8 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling and 3 Red Avadavat. (Peter Donaldson)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: Small pond is about 85% of small pond is dry. 26 Hawaiian Stilt and 8 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 10 Hawaiian Stilt, 72 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Saturday June 2nd 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: This afternoon, Saturday, June 2, 2007, I censused the Honouliuli andWaiawa units of Pearl Harbor NWR and also Pouhala Marsh. I didn't find any unusual species. Pouhala Marsh is mostly dry while water from the new well at Waiawa is finally running into the ponds there. There were a number of broods of Hawaiian Stilt chicks and Hawaiian Coot chicks at Honouliuli. It was also a bit of a surprise to find 112 Pacific Golden-plovers at Honouliuli. Around 14 were in full breeding plumage and the rest were in partial breeding plumage, ranging from some with a few black speckles on the underparts to others in nearly full breeding plumage. (Peter Donaldson)

June 25th 2007

Moloka'i: Papohaku Beach: 2 Lesser Yellowlegs reported sitting on a boulder side by side at north end of beach. (Steve Burkson)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

JUNE

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

JULY

Tuesday 3rd July 2007

Kaua'i: Kilihiwai area: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE just west of Kilauea Point NWR.

Saturday 7th July 2007

Kaua'i: Kekaha: 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE reported "flying just offshore of Kekaha Neighborhood Center, then coming inland, crossing over the road, continuing heading NW toward Polihale or mauka.

Kaua'i: Kawai'ele Sandmine: 2 Franklin's Gulls.

Monday 9th July 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA, Wandering Tattler 1, Black-crowned Night Heron 1. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo Pond: 54 Hawaiian Stilt, no banded birds detected, Hawaiian Coot, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron and 4 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Naiwa Landfill: Cattle Egret with "clubbed" feet the size of a golf ball. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA, Wandering Tattler 1, Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA, Wandering Tattler 1, Black-crowned Night Heron 1. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo Pond: Hawaiian Stilt 20, Black-crowned Night Heron 6 (two adult, four juvs), Cattle Egret 6, Barn Owl 1. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: Hawaiian Coot 80. A few weeks ago I reported two of the juvs that had hatched in March were building a platform at the edge of the pond. Since then they have used this site for loafing. The "folks" are now adding material and have chased the kids away. Hawaiian Stilt 26, none banded, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, Black-crowned Night Heron 8 (two adult, six juvs), Cattle Egrets 5. The domestic duck population is now 2 Muscovy, 2 Mallard hybrids, and one domestic hybrid. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Saturday July 14th 2007

Hawai'i: Volcano Village: An 'Io quickly drop down talons first (not a stoop) from above into the forest across the road from our place in Volcano Village. Doves burst from the area where it was headed. About a minute later, the 'Io flew off without anything in its talons. First time I've seen one actively going for prey. (Les Chibana)

Wednesday July 18th 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: The canal and mangrove swamp overflowed into the big pond with the high tides of the new moon. Hawaiian Stilt 60, no bands detected, Hawaiian Coot 2, Wandering Tattler 4, Black-crowned Night Heron 6 and Cattle Egret 1. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: Hawaiian Coot 81, Hawaiian Stilt 30, none banded, WHITE-FACED IBIS 1, Black-crowned Night Heron 6 and Cattle Egret 5. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Friday July 20th 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: Hawaiian Stilt 52, no bands detected, Hawaiian Coot 2, Black-crowned Night Heron 4 and Cattle Egret 3. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Monday July 23rd 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: Early morning low tides all week long. shorebirds will be out on the coastal mudflats. Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA, Black-crowned Night Heron 1 and Great Frigatebird 2, overhead. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: Hawaiian Coot 81, One pair on platform built by off-spring, sitting on unknown number of eggs, Hawaiian Stilt 28, WHITE-FACED IBIS 1, Wandering Tattler 1, Black-crowned Night Heron 15 (5 adult, 10 immature) and Cattle Egret 3. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: The canal and mangrove swamp overflowed into the big pond. There's a crunchy salt crust over all open mudflats. The spring at the west end of the mole overflowed. The ground water in the small pond surfaced, leaving very little open mudflats. Hawaiian Stilt 52 One female banded --:YA, Hawaiian Coot 2, Black-crowned Night Heron 2, Cattle Egret 2 and Mallard hybrid 2, male and female. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA. (Arleon Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: Hawaiian Stilt 58, no banded birds detected, Hawaiian Coot 2, WHITE-FACED IBIS 1, Ruddy Turnstone 1, alternate plumage and Black-crowned Night Heron 6. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: Hawaiian Coot 69 One pair copulating on ground at edge of pond, Hawaiian Stilt 28, none banded, Black-crowned Night Heron 9 (3 adult, 6 immature), Cattle Egret 4, Mallard hybrid 2, male and female, Usual other domestic ducks, Barn Owl 1 (dead), WHITE-FACED IBIS 1, flew in from Ohiapilo, preened for about 5 minutes, then spread its wings upward and slowly turned around in circles. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Puuhala (my house): Hawaiian Stilt 10, the same part-time resident birds and White-tailed Tropicbird 1, landed on island. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: Hawaiian Stilt 2, male and female, both banded --:YA and Black-crowned Night Heron 1. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Palaauwai - Molokai Sea Farms salt water ponds: Hawaiian Stilt 53 plus one chick. No banded birds detected. Black-crowned Night Heron 9 (6 adult, 3 immature). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kauanui - Molokai Sea Farms fresh water ponds: Two of the ponds had thousands of solid-aqua-colored damselflies. One pond was covered in duckweed, and another pond had ruppia. Two of the ponds have had golden tilapia introduced, which have grazed out the ruppia. I expect that this will change the habitat significantly. Hawaiian Coot 16, Hawaiian Stilt 3, Wandering Tattler 2 and Black-crowned Night Heron 3 (all immature). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: Hawaiian Stilt 43, one female banded --:YA, Hawaiian Coot 2 and Black-crowned Night Heron 4 (1 adult, 3 immature). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: Hawaiian Coot 9, Black-crowned Night Heron 6 (2 adult, 4 immature) and Cattle Egret 3. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Maunaloa Wastewater Treatment Plant: Hawaiian Coot 6, Hawaiian Stilt 41, no banded birds detected and Cattle Egret 3. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: Hawaiian Stilt 29, Hawaiian Coot 79. One coot with a very bright yellow shield with a bright red round dot at the bottom. I've been counting shield colors since last winter and I've never seen this bird before. WHITE-FACED IBIS 1, Wandering Tattler, Black-crowned Night Heron 6 (all immature), Cattle Egret 9, Mallard Hybrid 2, male and femaleand the usual other domestics. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS. At 2:30 the ibis took off with 24 stilts and the four tattlers and headed east. At 3:00 I drove to KWWRF and the ibis was there. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

JULY

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: On Wednesday morning I was awakened by the stilts just before dawn. I flew out of the house and pointed my spotlight at a Black-crowned Night Heron, which was not happy at my light in its face but didn't fly off as they normally do when I come running and flapping my arms frantically. Then I realized I wasn't the problem . there was a Barn Owl sitting on a fence post. I tried to chase it away, but it hopped down, casually strolled over to the edge of the pond and three times with its left leg stretched to touch the water, then it switched sides, and tried twice with its right leg. Not meeting its goal, the owl jumped into the water, which is about 6" deep, and drank water over and over again, and then proceeded to take a bath, all the while being screamed at by eleven angry stilts. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

May/June/July 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo Pond, Molokai Update: Hawaiian Stilt: A total of 17 Hawaiian Stilt nests were found in April, May and June, and there are no new nests. Seventeen nests contained four eggs and one nest contained three eggs, making a total of 67 eggs. All eggs hatched, with the exception of, a) one stilt chick was inverted in the shell and died at pipping, b) four eggs failed to hatch due to nest abandonment as a result of human disturbance two days prior to the expected hatch date, c) six eggs were found to be infertile. Seven dead stilt chicks were found, a) two in the canal (siblings) - one with a distended cloaca, and a week later, the other with both eyes swollen shut, b) one fledged immature was found floating in the canal, c) four chicks were found in the big pond, which was dry, d) one chick was found on the edge of the small pond. As of today, ten of the 11 stilt chicks that fledged have survived. June 22, 2007, the remains of one male adult stilt was found, presumably killed by a cat. Hawaiian Coot: April 4, 2007, an adult female Hawaiian Coot was injured, presumably by a cat, and is non-releasable. One pair of Hawaiian Coot constructed a platform and laid three eggs: Two eggs hatched and one egg was infertile. Both chicks disappeared within a few days of hatching and the adults immediately vacated Ohiapilo. This pair was absent from 6/24/07 and returned 7/9/07 and have reclaimed their platform. Accounting for all Hawaiian Coot eggs, chicks found dead, and those that fledged and have survived, 48 Hawaiian Stilt chicks are unaccounted for. Black-crowned Night Herons are suspected to be eating the chicks, however no bird feathers or bird bones have ever been observed in regurgitations of the Black-crowned Night Heron, or those of Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

AUGUST

Saturday 4th August 2007

O'ahu: James Campebll NWR: 1 non-breeding plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher. (Peter Donaldson)

Monday 6th August 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WILSON'S PHALAROPE. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Kahuku shrimp ponds: 1 Laughing Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Sanderling. (Michael Walther)

Wednesday 8th August 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 White-tailed Tropicbird. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Kii unit, James Campbell NWR: Great Frigatebird 2, adult male and adult female, Cattle Egret 10, Black-crowned Night-Heron 8, Cackling Goose 1, Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid 22, Hawaiian Moorhen 21, Hawaiian Coot 109, Pacific Golden-Plover 58, Hawaiian Stilt 44, Wandering Tattler 9, Bristle-thighed Curlew 2, one on fence post, one flying over, Ruddy Turnstone 29, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher - 1st summer record for Hawai'i! (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Amorient Aquafarm, Kahuku: 1 breeding plumaged Semipalmated Plover and 1 Sanderling. (Peter Donaldson)

Tuesday 13th August

Pelagic: We're back on island for ~ 20 days, today being our fourth day on the water. Our bird sightings over the last few days have been great, with ~ 275 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, ~ 57, Bulwer's petrels, 9 White-tailed Tropicbirds, 1 masked booby, 1 Red-footed Booby, 2 Brown Booby, 2 SOUTH POLAR SKUA, 1 probable Pomarine Jaeger, 8 great frigatebirds, and 3 Hawaiian Petrel. For cetaceans, we've encountered Bottlenose Dolphins, Spotted Dolphins, Striped Dolphins, Rough-toothed Dolphins, and Pilot Whales. Also, if anyone is interested in browsing over what's happening this project and seeing some photos of our work, please visit: http://www.cascadia research.org/robin/August2007.htm (Daniel Webster and Robin Baird)

Tuesday 14th August 2007

O'ahu: Maile Beach Park: 1 WHIMBREL.(Betty Joao)

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS and 1 RUFF. (Aaron Boone)

Wednesday 15th August 2007

O'ahu: Maile Beach Park: 1 WHIMBREL still present. (Michael Walther)

O'ahu: Road into Honouliuli NWR: Spotted Dove 3, Zebra Dove 10, Red-whiskered Bulbul 2, Red-vented Bulbul 2, Japanese White-eye 2, House Finch 1, Common Waxbill 20
and Red Avadavat 5. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: Cattle Egret 21, Black-crowned Night-Heron 1, WHITE-FACED IBIS 1, Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid 1, Gray Francolin 2, Hawaiian Moorhen 1, Hawaiian Coot 90, Pacific Golden-Plover 157, Hawaiian Stilt 36, Wandering Tattler 2, Ruddy Turnstone 29, Spotted Dove 40, Zebra Dove 29, Red-vented Bulbul 6, White-rumped Shama 1, Red-crested Cardinal 12, Northern Cardinal 2, House Finch 2 and Common Waxbill 3. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: Cattle Egret 12, Black-crowned Night-Heron 4, Hawaiian Coot 1, Pacific Golden-Plover 29 most or all in partial breeding plumage, Hawaiian Stilt 100, Wandering Tattler 7, Ruddy Turnstone 202, Sanderling 10 some with partial breeding plumage, Saffron Finch 16, Red-crested Cardinal 4, House Finch 6 and Red Avadavat 7. (Peter Donaldson)

Friday 17th August 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs. (Arleone Dibben-Young, Michael Walther)

Saturday 18th August 2007

O'ahu: Kahuku Shrimp Farm: 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Laughing Gull, 6 Sanderling and many Turnstones. (Eric VanderWerf)

Wednesday 22nd August 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS. (Peter Donaldson, Jodie Wanger)

O'ahu: West Lock Shoreline Park:1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER in partial breeding plumage. (Peter Donaldson, Jodie Wagaer)

O'ahu: Waiawa Unit, Pearl harbor NWR: 1 Hawaiian Stilt incubating 4 eggs - rather late in the season for nesting. (Peter Donaldson, Jodie Wanger)

Friday 24th August 2007

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 1 LEAST or LITTLE TERN, 1 SNOW GOOSE, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs. Also 1 or 2 Franklin's Gulls seen during previous week. (Mike Nishimoto)

Friday 31st August 2007

Hawai'i: Kona Coast: 1 Osprey flying over the intersection of Henry Street and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, Kona. (Reginald David)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

AUGUST

Tired of the same old images? Check out this widget that displays the latest images posted to Flickr with the tags "Bird Hawaii". http://www.hear.org/starr/ (Forest & Kim)

New "Super Ferry" Service receives mixed response

"The Hawaii Superferry starts service between Oahu, Maui and Kauai on the 28th of this month. Looking at their website it appears as if the legs from Oahu to Maui and return as well as the Oahu to Kauai run are all done during daylight hours, the run from Kauai back to Oahu is after dark. I have not be on the ship, and it is unclear from their website whether this will be a good platform from which to watch seabirds - anyway for folks interested in finding out more their website is http://www.hawaiisuperferry. com/ " Aloha, Reginald David.

"Lets hope they do inspections to prevent invasives of any type going from Island to Island". Aloha from Illinois, Ken and Darlene Fiske.

"The Superferry is unlike any other inter-island vessel. It will be loading and unloading hundreds of vehicles with a one-hour inspection for hitchhiking invasive species. They couldn't possibly find every potential threat, nor are they trained to. Once they transport mongoose here to Kaua'i, our precious ground-nesting birds such as Laysan Albatross and nene geese could be wiped out. With one person on deck at night using night vision binoculars and traveling at 25 knots as their slowest speed, Humpback whale strikes are inevitable. Learn more at superferryimpact.com. "Cindy Granholm, North Shore Kaua'i.

Article about Oahu sinkholes in Aug. 7, 2007 Honolulu Advertiser.
http://www.honolulu advertiser. com/apps/ pbcs.dll/ article?AID= /20070807/ NEWS01/708070352 /1001
By Jan TenBruggencate <mailto:jant@honoluluadvert iser.com>
Advertiser Science Writer

The baking sun and thorny kiawe trees of Kapolei hide dense caches of history, relics from a time when the 'Ewa Plain was a dense forest alive with strange birds now long extinct. In those years, before the arrival of humans, the amazing moa nalo lumbered through the trees. It was a 3-foot-tall, flightless gooselike duck -- the largest of the Native Hawaiian birds. Flightless rails and geese waddled around with it. Overhead flew a sea eagle, owls, crows, a hawk and bats. Finches and other perching birds flitted among the trees. Most of these birds have been extinct for hundreds of years. But proof of their existence lies in the bottom of limestone "sinkholes" where they sometimes were trapped and died, leaving their bones and beaks behind. The shells of now-extinct tree snails, and the pollen from the plants that once forested this area are found in sediments with the bones. The sinkholes are vertical caves in an ancient reef that grew during a period 120,000 years ago when sea levels were much higher. There once were thousands of sinkholes across the 'Ewa Plain -- time traps that preserved evidence from Hawai'i's prehistory. Most have already been filled or covered by development. Kapolei Property Development, which is proposing a 350-acre light industrial park at Kapolei, plans to preserve a six-acre parcel of undisturbed land that contains several of the sinkholes. A chain-link fence, stained pale brown with the coral dust of the region, protects the acreage. "This area hasn't been touched," said Steve Kelly, manager of development for Kapolei Property Development. "It was fenced in the early 1990s by the Estate of James Campbell, and we plan to put a new fence around it. We will be looking to pass on the property to some appropriate entity."Scientists and community leaders cheer the firm's decision.

"This is a community resource, a place where people can come and learn about the past," said Ati Jeffers-Fabro, an environmental educator who has brought kids to the sinkholes to learn natural history. "This is all we have left of a unique geological and biological setting in these Islands," said Helen James, a fossil bird expert at the Smithsonian Institution, who with her former husband, Storrs Olson, has taken the lead in identifying the ancient bones and beaks. "For future understanding and research of the Islands' natural history, we should preserve this." The Conservation Council for Hawai'i is spearheading the effort to ensure protection for the sinkholes. Council executive director Marjorie Ziegler said the organization would like the six-acre plot to be transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, perhaps designated as a state Natural Area Reserve. But if not that organization, some other caretaker should be established, she said. Key goals are protection, scientific research, public education and the possible reforestation of the area with some of the native plants that the pollen record proves once lived here, Ziegler said. The first person to find bird bones in sinkholes here was Jennie Peterson, now the environmental education program manager with the Hawai'i Nature Center. During the 1970s, she was an archaeologist with Bishop Museum, studying the area for an environmental impact statement on the then-proposed Deep Draft Harbor. "I was digging in a large sinkhole when I found bones. They were so big that I thought they were mammal bones, but I knew they couldn't be because they were too light," she said.

"Vanished Fowl" - No animal known to have lived in Hawai'i could have produced those bones, so she took them to Bishop Museum zoologist Alan Ziegler, Marjorie Ziegler's dad. He recognized they were the same class as extinct birds whose bones had been found in sand dune deposits on Moloka'i, and consulted with Olson, the Smithsonian Institution fossil bird expert, who happened to be conducting research on Maui. It was a huge bird like nothing alive in the world today. They called the group "vanished fowl," or moa nalo in Hawaiian. There
are examples in the fossil record on all the major islands. The O'ahu moa nalo was given the scientific name of Thambetochen xanion. A grazing animal, it looked most like a huge goose, but appeared to be most closely related to the dabbling ducks, said James, with the Smithsonian. The moa nalo had lost the ability to fly, and its flight muscles - robust in ducks and geese - were just thin straps across its chest, she said. Further digging in sinkholes - some of them dry, and some with pools so deep that scuba gear was needed - yielded the bones of dozens of species of flightless birds, land birds, sea birds and raptors. The most common bones came from the ua'u, or Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel. This seabird has never been reported from O'ahu in historic times, but the fossil evidence shows there was an immense number of the birds here at one time. "There must have been a major colony here. The whole 'Ewa Plain was just covered in them," James said. When a team of visiting scientists, students and community members explored the six-acre Kapolei site last month, in a few minutes, one collected a handful of bones lying in plain view on the floor of a sinkhole. The collection included wing bones from ua'u and an extinct crow, skulls of ua'u and the beak of a very large, raven-sized extinct crow. The extinct crow has been named Corvus impluviatus. Today, people think of the arid Kapolei area as former desert, but in pre-human times, it was forested. Researchers have found shells from extinct tree snails, and the pollen from the kinds of vegetation that probably once populated 'Ewa, including pritchardia palms, an acacia that was probably koai'a, and a critically endangered legume called kanaloa.

"Survival Precarious" - Once common, the kanaloa was found growing on Kaho'olawe, but its survival is exceedingly precarious, with just one plant in the wild and one in captivity. There has been no success in getting it to reproduce. Preliminary dating of the sinkhole material suggests that most of the bird species were in the region for thousands of years, and most
disappeared from the area in the years after human contact with the Islands. It is not yet clear what the direct cause was -- perhaps humans directly feeding on birds, fire or other kinds of habitat disturbance, human-brought rats that could have both eaten vegetation and bird eggs, or something else. Michigan State University zoology professor Peggy Ostrom is conducting studies to help answer some of the questions. She said she and her students will attempt to extract proteins from fossils for radio-carbon dating, and to analyze material in the bones to gain information about what the birds ate. She and James also hope to find clues about the fate of the sinkhole birds. "I'd be careful about making assumptions. It could have been a number of things," Ostrom said. There is very little left of the prehistoric life of this region. Almost all the vegetation is modern weeds and hardy introduced trees like kiawe and banyan. But deep in at least one of the wet sinkholes, in a tiny pool of brackish water, by the illumination from a flashlight, you can see tiny flickers of movement. They are the native anchialine shrimp -- living in darkness and among the last survivors of the time when this region was alive with forms of life no living human has ever seen.

Extinct species of birds from sinkholes on the 'Ewa Plain:
Pterodroma jugabilis, a medium-sized petrel
Thambetochen xanion, a large flightless species of waterfowl (moa nalo)
Branta (uncertain species), a weak-flying goose, closely related to the nene
Porzana ziegleri, a small flightless rail
Porzana ralphorum, a large flightless rail
Circus dossenus, a small harrier, apparently adapted to feed on forest birds
Grallistrix geleches, a long-legged, bird-eating owl
Corvus impluviatus, a raven-sized crow with a deep, arched bill

Corvus viriosus, a raven-sized crow with a long, straight bill
Myadestes oahuensis, the O'ahu thrush
Moho apicalis, the O'ahu 'o'o (a honeyeater)
Chaetoptila (related to) angustipluma, a large honeyeater
Telespiza persecutrix, a small finch similar to the Laysan and Nihoa finches
Chloridops wahi, a grosbeak finch similar to the extinct Kona finch of the Big Island.
Chloridops regiskongi, a grosbeak finch with a really large bill, nicknamed King Kong finch.
Rhodacanthis litotes, similar to the extinct koa-finches of the Big Island.
Xestospiza fastigialis, a finch with a conical bill that was once common on O'ahu, Moloka'i and Maui.
Hemignathus upupirostris, an 'akialoa (Hawaiian honeycreeper with a long, thin, decurved bill)
Aidemedia chascax, a Hawaiian honeycreeper with a long, straight bill
Aidemedia zanclops, a Hawaiian honeycreeper with a sickle-shaped bill
Ciridops (uncertain species), a short-billed, strong-legged Hawaiian honeycreeper of a type previously known only from the Big Island.

Sinkhole species still surviving:
Pterodroma sandwichensis, the Hawaiian petrel; not previously known from O'ahu but bones are abundant in the sinkholes, showing that the region once had a major colony.
Haliaeetus (related to) albicilla, the white-tailed sea eagle. These eagles were either resident in the Islands or were regular visitors in the past. (A sea eagle was spotted on Kaua'i and possibly on O'ahu late last year and earlier this year.)
Telespiza cantans, the Laysan finch, known historically only from Laysan Island.
Loxioides bailleui, the Palila, known historically only from high-elevation Big Island mamane-naio forest.
[Source: Helen James, Smithsonian Institution]

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 4th September 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 juvenile Ruff still present. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Kaua'i: Hanalei NWR: 1 Semipalmated Plover. (Brenda Zaun)

Thurdsay 6th September 2007

Kaua'i: Hanalei NWR: 1 Semipalmated Plover. (Jim Denny)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 juvenile Ruff Still. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Friday 7th September 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 2 juvenile Ruff Still. Also 1 Lesser Yellowlegs. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Monday 10th September 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 RUFF (1 Ruff, 1 Reeve), 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Laughing Gull, 21 Sanderling, 5 Ruddy Turnstone, 10 Pacific Golden Plover, 63 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Hawaiian Coot and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 12th September 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (male and two females, all banded --:YA), 1 Pacific Golden-Plover 1 Banded YA), 4 Ruddy Turnstone, 7 Bristlle-thighed Curlew and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Thursday 13th September 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 HUDSONIAN GODWIT. (Mike Silbernagle)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (male and two females, all banded --:YA), 4 Pacific Golden-Plover, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 6 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleon Dibben-Young)

Friday 14th September 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 RUFF (female), 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 70 Hawaiian Stilt (female banded --:YA, male banded WL:GL), 21 Pacific Golden-Plover, 21 Sanderling, 7 Ruddy Turnstone and 3 Wandering Tattler. Also an Owl pellet found with stilt chick feathers & bones. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Sunday 16th September 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 HUDSONIAN GODWIT.In the same pond were a Pectoral Sandpiper, a Semipalmated Plover and a Lesser Yellowlegs a long with many Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones and Pacific Golden Plovers.One Northern Shoveler in Pond B. (Mike Ord, Kurt Pohlman)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 RUFF (male, female), 80 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected), 2 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Ruddy Turnstone, 25 Sanderling, 5 Wandering Tattler, 14 Pacific Golden-Plover, 3 Black-crowned Night Heron and 3 Cattler Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, 3 Hawaiian Stilt, one male and two females (all banded --:YA), 1 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Ruddy Turnstone and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 18th September 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 67 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected), 4 Hawaiian Coot, 12 Pacific Golden-Plover, 30 Sanderling, 3 Wandering Tattler, 6 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Short-eared Owl 1 at west end of old railroad mole, hovering over bait station and 5 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 73 Hawaiian Coot plus 3 chicks, 13 Hawaiian Stilt (none banded), 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Sanderling,1 Wandering Tattler,1 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 Short-eared Owl. When I arrived it was flying bait station to bait station in the big pond and interior trails. Then it flew to the south fenceline and flew/hovered along those stations. Also 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 2 Hawaiian Coot, 67 Hawaiian Stilt, 16 Pacific Golden-Plover, 8 Wandering Tattler, 13 Ruddy Turnstone, 33 Sanderling. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Maunaloa Wastewater Treatment Plant: 41 Hawaiian Stilt, 11 Hawaiian Coot, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 5 Ruddy Turnstone and 13 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Palaauwai: 1 Laughing Gull, 34 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected), 7 Wandering Tattler, 2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 15
Black-crowned Night Heron and 2 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kauanui: 17 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 male American Wigeon and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 67 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected), 2 Hawaiian Coot heard. The native sedge thicket is now very thick and although there are 4 resident coots, they are rarely seen outside the vegetation cover. Also 20 Pacific Golden-Plover, 24 Sanderling, 15 Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Wandering Tattler, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron and 2 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Reservoir: 7 Hawaiian Coot, 50 Pacific Golden-Plover (44 were in one flock on the south side cement), 4 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 male Northern Shoveler and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kualapuu Wastewater Treatment Plant: 14 Hawaiian Coot (There's a nesting platform in a corner of the south pond with two coots), 18 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover and 28 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 73 Hawaiian Coot plus 3 chicks, 16 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Sanderling,1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Saturday 22nd September 2007

O'ahu: Kuilima STP: 115 Hawaiian Coot, 41 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler, 10 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Sanderling. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Kii NWR: 1 Godwit sp., 3 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 4 Bristle-thighed Curlews, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, 31 Pacific Golden-Plover, 86 Hawaiian Stilt, 6 Wandering Tattler, 41 Ruddy Turnstone, 15 Sanderling, 55 Cattle Egret, 67 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 American Wigeon, 70 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 1 Northern Shoveler, 15 Hawaiian Moorhen and 192 Hawaiian Coot (at least 2 broods of chicks). (Peter Donaldson)

Sunday 23rd September 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER, 1 juvenile LEAST TERN, 1 Osprey, 1 juvenile Black-bellied Plover, 1 Dowitcher sp., 8 Cattle Egret, 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 11 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 1 Hawaiian Moorhen, 80 Hawaiian Coot, 71 Pacific Golden-Plover, 14 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler and 43 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 70 Pacific Golden-Plover and 7 Hawaiian Stilt. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 94 Pacific Golden-Plover, 84 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Wandering Tattler, 10 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Sanderling. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 1 juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Osprey, 2 Northern Shoveler, 27 Cattle Egret, 3 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 18 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 82 Hawaiian Coot (broods of chicks, 2 coots on nests), 14 Pacific Golden-Plover, 8 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Wandering Tattler and 3 Ruddy Turnstone 33. (Peter Donaldson, Dick May)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 3 Northern Shoveler, 6 Pacific Golden-Plover, 128 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Wandering Tattler and 10 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson, Dick May)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 Ruff (1 reeve), 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 110 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected), 4 Hawaiian Coot, 17 Pacific Golden-Plover, 5 Wandering Tattler, 16 Sanderling, 14 Ruddy Turnstone, 4 Mallard and 3 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Maui: Kealia Pond: 1 SNOW GOOSE, 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper. (Chuck Probst)

Saturday 29th September 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 Ruff (1 reeve), 1 Semipalmated Plover, 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 1 female Northern Shoveler, 88 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected), 6 Hawaiian Coot, 13 Pacific Golden-Plover, 28 Sanderling, 13 Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Wandering Tattler, 3 Mallard and 2 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

SEPTEMBER

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

OCTOBER

Monday 1st October 2007

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor NWR: 1 Osprey seen and photographed. (Michael Walther)

Tuesday 2nd October 2007

Moloka'i: Kauanui: 1 male American Wigeon and 1 Northern Pintail. Also pair of Hawaiian Coots with two chicks. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 Ruff (1 female), 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 57 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 15 Pacific Golden-Plover, 29 Sanderling, 12 Ruddy Turnstone, 4 Wandering Tattler, 1 Grey-tailed Tattler and 3 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 3rd October 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 2 Ruff (1 female), 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 54 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 20 Pacific Golden-Plover, 26 Sanderling, 16 Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Wandering Tattler, 1 Grey-tailed Tattler and 4 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 2 Mallard, 9 Hawaiian Stilt, 73 Hawaiian Coot, 1 female American Wigeon, 2 Pacific Golden Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Park: 7 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 9 Ruddy Turnstone and 2 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 9th October 2007

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Ruff, 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 77 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 21 Pacific Golden-Plover, 30
Sanderling, 15 Ruddy Turnstone, 6 Wandering Tattler, 1 Grey-tailed Tattler and 3 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 4 Mallard and 1 female American Wigeon. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 10th October 2007

O'ahu: Maile Beach Park: 1 WHIMBREL of the North American race still present. (Betty Jaoa)

O'ahu: La'ie: 1 Osprey between the inner reef and outer reef, then flew south over the the water, circling back on the shoreline. (Stefanie Loo Jefts)

Thursday 11th October 2007

O'ahu: Wheeler Army Airfield, Wahiawa: 1 juvenuile White-fronted Goose (Kapua Kawelo, per Eric VanderWerf)

Saturday 13th October 2007

O'ahu: Kuilima STP: Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid 2, Northern Shoveler 2, Hawaiian Coot 105, Pacific Golden-Plover 5, Hawaiian Stilt 33 and Ruddy Turnstone 14. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Punamano Unit, James Campbell NWR: Black-crowned Night-Heron 3, Mallard 1, Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid 6, Northern Pintail 2, Ring-necked Duck 3 2 M, 1 F, Hawaiian Coot 4, Pacific Golden-Plover 4, Hawaiian Stilt 6 and Ruddy Turnstone 2. (Peter Donaldson, Ron Walker, Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR: Cackling Goose 1, American Wigeon 1, Teal sp 1, Northern Pintail 43, Semipalmated Plover 1, Bristle-thighed Curlew 28, Pectoral Sandpiper 1, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 2 Juv., Pacific Golden Plover 65 and Red Avadavat Several -- including some males in breeding plumage. No sign of Hudsonian Godwit today. (Peter Donaldson, Ron Walker, Mike Ord)

Monday 15th October 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuili NWR: 1 BAR-TAILED GODWIT. Also seen briefly at West Loch Regional Park. Also 1 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Honouliuli NWR. (Michael Walther)

O'ahu: Sea Life Park: 1 oiled Black-winged Petrel in care. (per Eric VanderWerf).

O'ahu: Honouliuili NWR: 1 BAR-TAILED GODWIT. Also 1 probable WHITE-FACED IBIS, 1 Black-bellied Plover, 3 Dowitcher sp., 3 Northern Pintail, 1 Mourning Dove and 2 Gray Francolin (heard). (Eric VanderWerf)

O'ahu: West Loch Shoreline Park: 1 Black-bellied Plover. (Eric VanderWerf)

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 1 WHITE-FACED IBIS, Cattle Egret 13, Black-crowned Night-Heron 1, Mallard X Hawaiian Duck 26, Northern Shoveler 12, Northern Pintail 4, Green-winged Teal 1 female/eclipse, Hawaiian Coot 59, Pacific Golden-Plover 31, Hawaiian Stilt 15, Ruddy Turnstone 12, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 3 juv, Long-billed Dowitcher 2 juv with fringed coverts, tertials but no internal feather markings. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: West Loch Shoreline Park: 1 Black-bellied Plover, 5 Cattle Egret, 9 Pacific Golden-Plover, 4 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler and 3 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson)

Saturday 20th October 2007

O'ahu: Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR: 53 Bristle-thighed Curlew (50 in Pond A), 22 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (20 in Pond A), 4 American Wigeon, 25 Northern Shoveler and 4 Northern Pintail. (Peter Donaldson, Dick May)

O'ahu: Punamano Unit, James Campbell NWR: 4 Ring-necked Duck (3 Male, 1 Female), 4 Cattle Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 5 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 1 Hawaiian Coot, 20 Pacific Golden-Plover, 6 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler and 7 Ruddy Turnstone. (Peter Donaldson, Dick May)

Hawai'i: Kaloko Honokohau NHP, Kona: 1 Dowitcher sp. and 1 huge Pacific Green Sea Turtle. (Dan Lindsey, Les Chibana, Reginald David)

Hawai'i: Kona Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kona: 2 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Cackling Goose (minima), 25+ Northern Shovelers and 8+ Northern Pintail. (Dan Lindsey, Les Chibana, Reginald David)

Hawai'i: OTEC: 1 Laysan Albatross (only the second I have sen from land on Hawaii) and Wedge-tailed Shearwater. (Dan Lindsey, Les Chibana, Reginald David)

Hawai'i: Big Island Country Club: Large numbers of Red Avadavats, 1 female Northern Pintail, 2 Hawaiian Coot and 1 very tame male Erkell's Francolin (begged for food from the group). (Dan Lindsey, Les Chibana, Reginald David)

Tuesday 24th October 2007

O'ahu: Aiea Trail: 1 Pacific Golden-Plover, 5 Spotted Dove, 1 Zebra Dove, 2 O'ahu Elepaio (1 Adult 1 Subadult), 2 Red-whiskered Bulbul, 6 Red-vented Bulbul, 3 White-rumped Shama, 7 Red-billed Leiothrix, 16 Japanese White-eye, 4 House Finch, 7 O'ahu 'Amakihi (1 Ad male with 1 Ad female, 2 subadult, 3 heard), 5 'Apapane (one very vocal singer), 28 Common Waxbill, 2 Nutmeg Mannikin and 6 Chestnut Munia. (Peter Donaldson)

Thursday 26th October 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 2 BAR-TAILED GODWITS seen on tour. (Mike Ord)

Friday 27th October 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 25 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 3 Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 30 Northern Shoveler, 24 Northern Pintail, 3 American Wigeon, 1 Green-winged Teal, 47 Hawaiian Stilt, 6 Hawaiian Moorhen, 12 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Ring-billed Gull 1 (second winter plumage), 2 Red Avadavat 2, several Ruddy Turnstone and several Sanderling. (Mike Ord)

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 1 Osprey over harbor, 5 female/eclipse male Green-winged Teal, 3 Northern Pintail, 5 Cattle Egret, 5 Black-crowned Night Heron, 1 hybrid Mallard x Hawaiian Duck, 1 Hawaiian Coot, 107 Pacific Golden-Plover, 76 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Wandering Tattler, 44 Ruddy Turnstone and 12 Sanderling. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 7 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 2 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 13 Pacific Golden-Plover, 12 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler, 19 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Sanderling and 1 Hawaiian Moorhen (heard). (Peter Donaldson)

Tuesday 30th October 2007

O'ahu: Honouliuli NWR: 1 BAR-TAILED GODWIT (one-legged). (Mike Silbernagle)

Wednesday 31st October 2007

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: An Osprey over the pond but water is still very low so not much fish for it to remain here. Also a LEAST/LITTLE TERN there. (Mike Nishimoto)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

OCTOBER

Rob Pacheco wrote: 21st/22nd October 2007: "Took a hike this weekend as a part of the Society of Hawaiian Archeologists Conference. We hiked from within Hokulia, just to the south of Kainuliu Beach to the historic sites (including the Captain Cook Monument) of Kaawaloa. Birds of note included: A small flock of Burrowing Parakeets (10-12 birds) Heard some Aratinga sp. but didn't see. Large mixed flock of Red Avadavats, Silverbills, and Lavender Waxbills, 1 White-tailed Tropicbird at Kealakekua Bay and 1 Bird along shore near Puu Ohau. Also, we've noticed a lack of Plovers on the Keanakolu Rd where there used to be many. Realized that the land is no longer grazed and the grass is high. Wondering if that, indeed, is why the Plovers have declined up there and if so, how much Plover "habitat" has been restricted since there's several hundred thousands of acres of grass no longer being grazed on this island?"

Rob Pacheco also wrote: 23rd October 2007: "I've driven Hilo to Kona over a thousand times but today was probably the best bird run ever. This is driving straight over for a meeting, no stopping, but going as fast as the traffic allows. I started off seeing 3 peafowl below the Makalei golf entrance. At Puu WaaWaa I saw 4 Nene flying towards Puu Anahulu and then a male Black Francolin flew across the highway. Shortly after the Big Island Country Club entrance a small flock of African Silverbills flew up from the fountain grass. Crossing just before the Waikoloa junction were 2 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. On the Saddle Rd. between the junction and Waikii I saw several Erckel's Francolin, a few Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Ring-necked Pheasent, 6 Wild Turkey, 1 Pueo, 3 Kalij Pheasant, and several Skylarks. No new birds between Waikii and the Mauna Kea State Park, but after that I had a couple Amakihi cross over the new section in the Mamane; on the way down through the forest, slowing down for the new construction an Iiwi flew from one tree to another just before the Puu Oo Trail entrance. Farther down I saw an Apapane and finally, just above Hilo, there was an Io soaring. Not bad for a mornings drive. Birds seen: 3 peafowl, 4 Nene, 1 Black Francolin, African Silverbills, 2 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Erckel's Francolin, Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Ring-necked Pheasent, 6 Wild Turkey, 1 Pueo, 3 Kalij Pheasant, Skylarks, 1 'Amakihi, 1 I'iwi, 1 'Apapane and 1 'Io.

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

NOVEMBER

Thursday 1st November 2007

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: Lots of Pectoral Sandpipers and a few Sharp-tailed Sandpipers seen during refuge count. (Mike Nishimoto)

Friday 2nd November

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 2 Dunlin, 26 Pacific Golden Plover, 4 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler and 4 Ruddy Turnstone. (Michael Walther)

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 3 juvenile WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 1 SNOW GOOSE near the fish ponds. (Mike Nishimoto)

Saturday 3rd November 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER, 18 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 6 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 2 Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 Dunlin, 32 Northern Pintail, 24 Northern Shoveler, 4 American Wigeon, 2 Teal sp., 14 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 2 Wandering Tattler, 142 Hawaiian Coot, 6 Hawaiian Moorhen, 34 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Mallard 2 and 36 Hawaiian Duck/Mallard. (Mike Ord)

Thursday 8th November 2007

O'ahu: Kaena Point: There was a beautiful dark, adult plumage Peregrine Falcon on the dirt road leading up to Kaena Point- about a mile from the reserve on the North Shore side. It flew right past us about ten feet off the ground, perched for about 30 seconds on some boulders and then headed off towards the point chasing some doves. We didn't see it on the way out unfortunately. For those of you interested in the seabirds at Kaena, we had a record year with Wedge-tailed Shearwaters- 1556 chicks and about 2800 active burrows- over twice the number of chicks from last years count. There were 20 Laysan Albatross chicks fledged this past July, down from 24 the year before, but that was a result of dogs eating 5 of the chicks. Overall the birds out there are doing well and increasing despite the predation. (Lindsay Young)

Saturday 10th November 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER, 2 Canvasback, 3 American Wigeon, 1 Eurasian Wigeon, 14 Northern Pintail, 24 Northern Shoveler, 4 Sharp- tailed Sandpiper, 2 Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 Dunlin, 53 Hawaiian Stilt, (Romey's 47; Fumi's 27), 24 Ruddy Turnstone, 5 Sanderling 15, 3 Wandering Tattler, 18 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 8 Hawaiian Moorhen and 60+ Hawaiian Coots. (Mike Ord) Also 2 Bar-tailed Godwits reported on Thursday afternoon not seen today (second week in a row), suspect the godwits are feeding away from the refuge and return at nighttime to rest as many of the curlews do.

Sunday 11th November 2007

Hawai'i: Pu'u O'o Trail: It was a perfect birding day, with a lovely sunny start and a little light cloud cover developing in the early afternoon to keep the heat down. I have never seen or heard so many I'iwi on the trail; they were everywhere! 'Apapane were easy to spot, as usual, and Oma'o were easily heard and seldom seen. Very few 'Amakihi were visible, but they were calling and singing quite frequently. We saw juvenile and female Elepaio in several spots; a couple of males sang, but were not visible. The most interesting bird was a light-phase 'Io which flew over the first big open meadow after crossing the second ridge on the way in. It flew west to east, then circled and called for a few minutes before disappearing to the east. We spent a lot of time in the big Koa kipuka near where the trail turns east, seeking Akiapola'au, but without success. We saw Oma'o, Elepaio, Apapane, a couple of Amakihi, choke I'iwi, and a small flock of Red-billed Leiothrix in there, but no Aki. All in all, a pleasant though unspectacular day. Total list: Apapane, I'iwi, Amakihi, Oma'o, Elepaio, Japanese White-eye, Red-billed Leiothrix and 'Io. (Dan Lindsay)

Hawai'i: Pu'u O'o Trail: 1 'Akiapola'au heard there today. I've been finding them more often in the forests immediately East and West of where the trail enters the very first meadow, where I've seen/heard about 7-8 over the past couple of long weekends, including the pair with the begging juvenile. (Also saw/heard a creeper on 3 days in the same area.) Today there was at least one akiapola'au in the first kipuka the trail passes through out on the 1855 lava field near Powerline Road, and on Friday we saw/heard one or two in their usual kipuka 3 miles out on Powerline Road. (Brooks Rownd)

Friday 16th November 2007

O'ahu: Pouhala Marsh: 1 Osprey, 2 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 18 Pacific Golden Plover, 3 Wandering Tattler, 41 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Sanderling and 2 Ruddy Turnstone. (Michael Walther)

O'ahu: Salt Lake: 1 Ring-necked Duck. (Michael Walther)

Saturday 17th November 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER still present, 2 BAR-TAILED GODWIT, 2 Canvasback, 2 Lesser Scaup, 12 Northern Pintail, 10 Northern Shoveler, 17 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 2 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher, 3 Wandering Tattler, 24 Hawaiian Stilt, 50+ Hawaiian Coot, 6 Hawaiian Moorhen, 1 Cackling Goose and 14 Ruddy Turnstone. (Mike Ord)

Wednesday 21st November 2007

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: 3 juvenile GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. (Jon and Anne King)

Hawai'i: Loko Waka Pond, Hilo: 1 female HOODED MERGANSER seen between 0720-0930, often associating with a flock of up to eight Ring-necked Ducks. Also 1 immature WHITE-FACED IBIS. (Jon and Anne King)

Sunday 26th November 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 RED KNOT, 1 Black-bellied Plover, 6 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 38 Hawaiian Coot, 3
Green-winged Teal, 4 Northern Pintail, 3 Northern Shoveler, 4 Lesser Scaup, 3 Gadwall and 2 Mallard. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream: 3 RUFF (1 Reeve and 2 ruff (1 pale)), 2 Hawaiian Coot and 1 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 27th November 2007

O'ahu: Waiawa NWR: 1 Osprey perched in dead tree, 6 Green-winged Teal, 7 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 4 Hawaiian Coot, 7 Pacific Golden-Plover, 65 Hawaiian Stilt and 1 Wandering Tattler. (Peter Donaldson)

O'ahu: Pearl Harbor NWR: 2 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 2 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid and 3 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Peter Donaldson)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 RED KNOT, 3 RUFF (1 Reeve and 2 ruff (1 pale)), 1 Black-bellied Plover, 40 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 4 Northern Pintail, 3 Northern Shoveler, 3 Green-winged Teal, 3 GADWALL and 4 Lesser Scaup. (Arleon Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream Lower Ponds: 1 RUFF and 1 Hawaiian Stilt. This is across the highway from KWWRF and just north (100 meters) of the Kaunakakai Stream bridge is an area that ponds during higher-high tides and following heavy rains. A series of three shallow ponds (2.75 acres) is proposed as habitat restoration for Hawaiian Stilt in conjunction with a ground-water project (http://pubs. usgs.gov/ sir/2007/ 5128/#pdf). Public works removes the sediment from this pond during the dry summer months, forming a 200 meter-long shallow bowl that retains water following heavy rains. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Thursday 29th November 2007

Kaua'i: Hanapepe Salt Pond: 4 BRANT, 6 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Wandering Tattler. With the recent heavy rain, the pond is full once more. The Brant are swimming along the periphery and occasionally walking out onto the sand to eat salt bush. (Jim Denny)

Kaua'i: Kawaiele Sand Mine: 1 female Lesser Scaup, 1 female Ring-necked Duck , 7 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 5 Sanderling and 2 Wandering Tattler. (Jim Denny)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (1 male and two females all banded --:YA), 2 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 WHIMBREL, 6 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Black-bellied Plover, 4 Hawaiian Stilt (1 male and two females all banded --:YA, one HY banded WR:GA), 4 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Sanderling and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Elementary School: On the basketball court: 10 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream: Upper Pond: 3 RUFF (2 Ruff (1 pale) and 1 Reeve), 27 Hawaiian Stilt, 1 Pacific Golden-Plover and 6 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 40 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Hawaiian Coot dead on highway (crossing the road to the Kaunakakai Stream habitat?), 5 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Pacific golden-Plover, 3 Sanderling, 3 Northern Pintail, 3 Northern Shoveler, 3 Green-winged Teal (male (alternate plumage) and two females), 3 GADWALL (male (belly and sides now molting into alternate plumage) and two females, 2 Lesser Scaup and 2 Mallard. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

NOVEMBER

David Kuhn wrote: "My recent trip to Big I included Hakalau on Nov 12--a beautiful day in the Refuge, no wind, a recordists delight. We encountered a mixed flock down the road from the camp, all native species present and accounted for, and vocalizing. Lead singer was a male Akiapola`au, foraging with a female. For your listening pleasure I include a snippet of a 20 min recording, mid-morning- -it is posted on my www.soundshawaiian.com home page, http://www.soundshawaiian.com/mp3/Aki%20Hak%20Nov%2007.mp3
An `Io was encountered 4 times that day in the refuge, ghosting along low in the forest, silent. All told we sighted eight `Io that day, round trip from Hilo. None vocalized. As some may recall, I have been trying for years to record the adult "keer" call, and succeeded finally in Puna on the 13th. Here it is--http://www.soundshawaiian.com/mp3/hawaii-io%20ad.mp3
Lack of this key vocalization has been my excuse for not finishing my compilation "Voices of Big Island Montane Birds"(or words to that effect)--I'll be getting out the first cut in the next
couple months. David Kuhn www.SoundsHawaiian.com

MONTHLY SIGHTINGS

DECEMBER

Saturday 1st December 2007

O'ahu: James Campbell NWR: 1 Cackling Goose, 2 Canvasback, 6 Northern Pintail, 3 Northern Shoveler, 36 Mallard/Koloa, 2 Ring-necked Pheasant, 1 Wandering Tattler, 1 Sanderling, 35 Ruddy Turnstone, 17 Hawaiian Stilt, 25 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 75 Hawaiian Coot, 4 Hawaiian Moorhen, 2 Common Waxbill and 3 Nutmeg Mannikin. (Mike Ord)

Moloka'i: Puuhala: 7 Hawaiian Stilt (YB:GA, WR:GA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Monday 3rd December 2007

Maui: Kihei: 1 Brant (7.30-8 am), feeding along the boat ramp at Cove Park, Kihei. (Marianne Gosztonyi Ainley)

Tuesday 4th December 2007

Hawai'i: Loko Waka Pond, Hilo: At least one female scaup (white at base of bill) and a flock of probable Ring-necked Ducks. No sign of any ibis. (Les Chibana)

Hawai'i: Waiakea Pond, Hilo: 14 Lesser Scaup including a few male-plumaged birds. This was about the same number of birds seen in the Loko Waka flock(above), but they may have not been the same group of birds. Also 3 female-plumaged wigeon present, two looked like American Wigeon and one appeared slightly lighter and warmer in color. Also one unbanded Nene and the Greater White-fronted Goose still present. (Les Chibana)

Wednesday 5th December

Hawai'i: Waiakea Pond, Hilo: 2 Greater White-fronted Geese along with the Nene, 12 Canada Geese, several Northern Pintail and two Northern Shovelers. (Reginald David)

Hawai'i: Loko Waka Pond, Hilo: 3 American Wigeon. Nearby 2 Gretaer Frigatebirds flying over Lilioukalani Park, harbingers of the weather that followed. (Reginald David)

Friday 7th December 2007

Hawai'i: Pu'u La'au: Species seen: PALILA, Hawai'i 'Amakihi, California Quail, Erckel’s Francolin, Skylark and Turkey. (Dan Lindsay, Doug Runde)

Hawai'i: Big Island Country Club: Species seen: Nene, Pintail, Nutmeg Mannikin, African Silverbill, Saffron Finch, Yellow-fronted Canary, Java Sparrow, House Finch, Common Myna and Red Avadavat. (Dan Lindsay, Doug Runde)

Hawai'i: Hualalai Resort Beach: Species seen: Sanderling, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Wandering Tattler and Northern Cardinal. (Dan Lindsay, Doug Runde)

Monday 10th December 2007

Moloka'i: Lake Ohiapilo: 3 Brant, 1 Bufflehead, 2 American Wigeon, 3 Northern Shoveler, 8 Northern Pintail, 53 Hawaiian Coot, 18 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Sanderling, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 6 Black-crowned Night Heron and 9 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke ball field: 3 Bristle-thighed Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Tuesday 11th December 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 5 GADWALL, 11 Northern Pintail, 4 Green-winged Teal (1 drake), 2 Northern Shoveler, 3 American Wigeon, 11 Hawaiian Stilt and 27 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 12th December 2007

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream: 1 RUFF (pale), 20 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover and 13 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Thursday 13th December 2007

Hawai'i: Big Island Country Club: 11+ Black-rumped Waxbills. The weather was blustery and overcast and the birds were hunkered down in the weed patch. (Reginald David, Ed Strong)

Hawai'i: Kaohe GMA, Saddle Road: We parked near the hunter check station by the Saddle Road and went the rest of the way on foot. We saw or heard approximately 15 Palila from the road about 1.5-3 miles from the start. Almost all of the ones we saw were identified by call notes first. The area near the sandalwood tree noted in Pratt, Enjoying Birds, was especially productive. The density of palila appeard to drop considerably as we reached the Pu'u La'au cabin. The weather was beautiful: clear skies and a morning chill at 7 AM, and welcome shade from partly cloud skies by noon. (Darren Dowell, Brooks Rownd)

Maui: Kealia Pond NWR: While doing a count a dead storm-petrel was found on a dike at the old baitfish ponds. I have banded numerous Leach's storm-petrels but this seemed smaller (about 17 cm). So this is a black petrel with a white rump. I haven't had time to ID it yet, but have it frozen. It probably died during the rainstome last week, but it seems to be all dry. Plumage looks in good condition. I took some photos too but have not checked it yet. Also on the refuge was an Osprey. The three White-fronted Geese were also present. The SNOW GOOSE is also still here. (Mike Nishimoto)

Moloka'i: Lake Ohiapilo: 1 juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER - plumage dark and crisp, not worn. Swooping a few feet over the batis, it would hover and then pounce on something and move to an open space for a few minutes, then start the routine again. Would fly a little higher when over the water. Hawaiian Stilt (26), all crowded together in a tight group in the big pond; Hawaiian Coot, not counted, spending more time under water than above, 6 Pacific Golden-Plover and 3 Sanderling. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 WHIMBREL - very noisy - "cack, cack, cack, cack cack" flying in and out of the wetland to the beach mudflats, 2 Bristle-thighed Curlew (8am) and 5 Bristle-thighed Curlew (noon), 13 Pacific Golden Plover and 3 Hawaiian Stilt (male and female both banded --:YA, HY banded WR:GA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kawela Plantation Unit III drainage retention pond at the subdivision entrance: 1 Hawaiian Stilt (YB:GA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Lake Ohiapilo: 5 GADWALL, 3 BRANT, 1 Bufflehead, 2 American Wigeon, 1 Northern Pintail, 2 Northern Shoveler, 1 Mallard hybrid, 54 Hawaiian Coot, 22 Hawaiian Stilt, 4 Pacific Golden-Plover, 4 Sanderling, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron and 6 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

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

Sunday 16th December 2007

O'ahu: Kaneohe Marine Corps Base: Strong winds seemed to be causing many birds to lie low, numbers were down a bit from previous years. Highlights were a first-year Laughing Gull, 2 BRANT, 2 Northern Shoveler, 4 Northern Pintail, and 2 Ring-necked Ducks. (Eric VanderWerf)

O'ahu: Aiea Loop Trail: 3 O'ahu 'Amakihi, 12 'Apapane, 3 Spotted Dove, 1 Zebra Dove, 3 Red-whiskered Bulbul, 6 Red-vented Bulbul, 3 White-rumped Shama, 27 Red-billed Leiothrix and 28 Japanese White-eye. (Peter Donaldson)

Thursday 20th December 2008

Hawai'i: Kona Village Resort: 1 Brant on the ocean. (Rob Pacheco)

Saturday 22nd December 2007

Moloka'i: Kamahuehue Pond: 2 Sanderling. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Pano Place Stream: 2 Brant.(Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream: 10 Hawaiian Stilt (male banded YR:KA) and 5 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 5 GADWALL, 5 Hawaiian Stilt and 27 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 6 Pacific Golden-Plover and 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Elementary School lawn: 8 Ruddy Turnstone (no bands detected). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 3 Brant, 1 Bufflehead, 2 Eurasian Wigeon (pair), 2 American Wigeon (pair), 10 Green-winged Teal (all female), 45 Northern Pintail, 46 Hawaiian Stilt (no bands detected), 52 Hawaiian Coot, 2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 2 Sanderling and 1 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Sunday 23rd December 2007

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 5 GADWALL (2 drakes), 6 Green-winged Teal (one drake), 4 Northern Pintail, 5 Hawaiian Stilt and 27 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 3 Brant, 1 Bufflehead, 45 Northern Pintail, 1 Northern Shoveler, 9 Green-winged Teal, 52 Hawaiian Coot, 58 Hawaiian Stilt (no bands detected), 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Sanderling and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt (male and female both banded --:YA, HY banded WR:GA) and 2 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Wednesday 26th December 2007

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Hawaiian Stilt 1 (--:YA) and 1 Wandering Tattler. (Arleone Dibben-Young)
Bristle-thighed Curlew 1

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Elementary: 9 Ruddy Turnstone (one banded --:YA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream: 2 RUFF (1 pale, 1 reeve), 9 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover and 1 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 5 GADWALL, 4 Green-winged Teal (2 drakes), 6 Northern Pintail, 2 American Wigeon (1 drake), 19 Hawaiian Stilt, 27 Hawaiian Coot, 1 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 3 BRANT, 1 Bufflehead, 16 Green-winged Teal (2 drakes), 61 Northern Pintail, 52 Hawaiian Coot, 56 Hawaiian Stilt, 2 Pacific Golden-Plover, 9 Sanderling and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 21 Hawaiian Coot. Today affixed neck bands, black alphanumeric on white: AAA, AAB, AAC, AAD. AAC is 700 gr male on Boogieboard with rope used as nesting material. Other three coots do not appear to be paired and hang out in the DMZ - the berm separating the two ponds. 13 Hawaiian Stilt: female banded OK:KA 7/5/05 at Kealia by Mike Nishimoto.Very clean bands, so she hasn't spent much time in the Molokai red mud. Also 5 GADWALL, 5 Green-winged Teal, 4 Northern Pintail, 2 American Wigeon (1 drake), 3 Pacific Golden-Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler, 3 Cattle Egret and 1 Short-eared Owl. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 3 BRANT, 1 Bufflehead, 2 American Wigeon, 3 Green-winged Teal (2 drakes), 43 Northern Pintail, 52 Hawaiian Coot, 56 Hawaiian Stilt, 5 Pacific Golden-Plover, 4 Sanderling, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 53 Hawaiian Coot and 49 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

O'ahu: Kii Unit, James Campbell NWR: 1 Cackling Goose, 2 Northern Shoveler, 10 Northern Pintail, 1 Bufflehead, 1 drake Mallard, 1 Aythya sp.- an odd-looking duck: ad the general appearance of a female scaup - brown head, dark brown back, lighter brown flanks, blue bill but with no white at the base of the bill. Seemed to have a short white wing stripe; 67 Mallard X Hawaiian Duck Hybrid, 3 Cattle Egret, 5 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 10 Hawaiian Moorhen, 72 Hawaiian Coot, 22 Pacific Golden-Plover, 24 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Wandering Tattler, 28 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 91 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Sanderling. (Peter Donaldson)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 1 GADWALL flew west, 6 Northern Pintail, 4 American Wigeon, 1 Pacific Golden Plover, 27 Hawaiian Coot (AAA, AAB, AAC, AAD) and 19 Hawaiian Stilt (female OK:KA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 5 GADWALL, 3 BRANT, 1 Bufflehead, 9 Green-winged Teal, 28 Northern Pintail, 2 Sanderling, 2 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Wandering Tattler, 6 Pacific Golden Plover, 41 Hawaiian Stilt (no banded birds detected) and 42 Hawaiian Coot. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 WHIMBREL, 1 Bristle-thighed Curlew, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 3 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Wandering Tattler (very aggressive and noisy, chasing away all the
plovers) and 4 Hawaiian Stilt (male YB:GA, female --:YA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Puuhala: 6 Hawaiian Stilt (male YB:GA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Duke Ball Field: 1 WHIMBREL, 5 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 1 Pacific Golden-Plover. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 1 Black-bellied Plover, 2 Hawaiian Stilt (female --:YA), 3 Pacific Golden-Plover and 9 Ruddy Turnstone. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Kaunakakai Stream: 3 RUFF (1 pale, 1 reeve), 13 Hawaiian Stilt, 3 Pacific Golden-Plover 3 and 1 Cattle Egret. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: 5 GADWALL flew west, 2 American Wigeon, 5 Northern Pintail, 1 Wandering Tattler, 2 Pacific Golden Plover, 27 Hawaiian Coot (AAA, AAB, AAC, AAD, AAF) and 21 Hawaiian Stilt (female OK:KA). (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Ohiapilo: 5 GADWALL, 3 BRANT, 10 Green-winged Teal, 52 Northern Pintail, 1 Northern Shoveler, 4 Pacific Golden Plover, 42 Hawaiian Coot, 23 Hawaiian Stilt (For the past two weeks a male and female has been behaving as if there is a nest. yip, yip, yip, stalking me. Weird. Today the male attacked me while the female flew into the water to wing feign. Also a possible Fulvous Whistling Duck preening behind batis next to the Brant. Very erect stance, all I could see was head, neck and top of shoulders. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Puuhala: 7 BRANT and 5 Hawaiian Stilt. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: Koheo: 3 Hawaiian Stilt, 10 Ruddy turnstone and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

Moloka'i: KWWRF: All collared coots accounted for. Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Coot, Northern Pintail, GADWALL present, not counted. (Arleone Dibben-Young)

PHOTOGRAPHS, REPORTS and DISCUSSIONS

DECEMBER

In early December Mike Ord wrote: "I had an interesting report the other day of 6 Hawaiian Stilts at the Koele Golf Course pond on Lana'i. This is apparently at about 2,000 foot elevation as I am told. While I have never been to Lanai, I thought it was particularly interesting because of the elevation of the sighting. On Oahu you just get used to seeing them at sea level." John Polhemus replied: "There are 3 stilts that hang out regularly at the Puu Waawaa Reservoir, Lana'i. It used to be two, but they did nest successfully 2 years ago and I believe the third may be a survivor from that hatch (no way to tell for sure, just gut feeling). Anyway, that location is about 2300 feet, which would make it the highest nesting area in the state? Not sure if they nest in the Niihau Playa, and if so what the elevation is there."

Dave Bremer reported: "The Wilson's Snipe continued to be present each time I stopped last week by the 3' yellow poles next to a telephone pole along the Pearl Harbor Bike path just Ewa (west) of the Waiawa NWR and a stream. (I haven't checked recently as I'm driving this week after spraining my shoulder in a spill as I was hiking on the Honolulu CBC this Sunday).Just one day 12/7 after a heavy rain, I observed the snipe in a new puddle between the path and the single mature milo tree east of the yellow poles. On other days, the bird was in the area of puddles about 20 to 50 feet from the bike path and yellow poles. Except for that one day when the snipe was standing in plain sight in the middle of a fresh puddle near the larger milo, I always have been present and scanning the area for several minutes before seeing the bird, which often then is clearly visible, preening or pecking the mud or water, though blending with the background. I'm not sure why it takes me so long to spot the bird. Regarding identification, there's a description of some additional fieldmarks distinguishing Wilson's from Common Snipe and some excellent photos of the Wilson's at: http://www.oceanwan derers.com/ WISNP.html. Also see the Snipe identification article on the Birding Hawaii Website. The Sibley Guide to Birds, published before the species split, describes the American (now Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata) and Eurasian (now Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago) as subspecies of Common Snipe. Of historical interest, George Munro's Birds of Hawaii, originally published in 1944, referred to the bird as Wilson's Snipe Capella delicata, identical to today's classification except for the genus. In Munro's 1960 edition, he changed the genus designation to Wilson's Snipe Capellagallinago delicata. Also intriguing is that Munro, in both editions, cited Ord as his reference for the Wilson's Snipe. I'm wondering if that Ord is of the same family as Mike Ord who provided the helpful notes on this listserv for differentiating the Wilson's from the Common Snipe."

Doug Pratt commented: "The storm-petrel looks like a Leach's to me, but you can't really see everything well enough in the photos. The size is about right (ca. 20cm) as is the forked tail. Among the "white-rumped" storm-petrels, Leach's is the one most likely to have ragged or smudgy edges to the white patch. The others are more cleancut. But this could be an artifact of feathers being out of place on this bird, so I can't be completely sure of the ID. It is certainly not a Wedge-rumped, which has a huge white wedge with sharp borders. Band-rumped is a possibility, as are some s. hemisphere species I have not considered." Photos coming soon.

Hawaii Birding Chatlist. 2007. Messages posted on the Hawaii Birding chatlist by various birders throughout the course of the year. Kaua'i, Hawai'i / Worthing, U.K.

Melgar, C.W. 2007. Sightings reports published on the Birding Hawaii website. Worthing, West Sussex, U.K.

Pyle, R. and P. Donaldson. 2007. Quarterly reports in North American Birds, ABA.

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