ARTICLES ON HAWAIIAN BIRDS AND BIRDWATCHING AND OTHER PACIFIC WILDLIFE

Hawai'i Birding Hotspots No. 4 - James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, O'ahu

The Refuge is part of the O'ahu National Wildlife Complex, which covers several refuges on the island. James Campbell is, however, the only wetland National Wildlife Refuge currently (2002) open to the public for visits on the island. There are two refuge units, Kii and Punamano. There is no public access to Punamano. There is limited public access to Kii from August 1 to February 15. Guided public tours are offered on Thursdays (4-6 pm.) and on Saturdays (3-5 pm.).

The Refuge was established in 1977 on 142 acres of privately owned land on the site of the old Kahuku Sugar Mill, which was leased from the James Campbell Estate. The Punamano Unit is a spring-fed pond and the Kii Unit was created from settling basins used by the sugar mill, which closed in 1971. The Aquafarm ponds are leased by the James Campbell Estate and there is no internal access to them, although they can be viewed well from the road.

There is a very large population of indigenous Black-crowned Night Herons, with counts in the past in excess of 200 birds. Many are attracted into the area by the nearby presence of aquaculture ponds, which are usually filled with shrimp or fish. Nesting colonies can be found nearby, although the number nesting in colonies close to the refuge boundary are now rather small after the Fish and Wildlife Service were allowed to "move" the colonies further away from the refuge in an attempt to reduce numbers of waterbird chick fatalities. Of course there are many more serious factors that need addressing in wetland conservation in Hawai'i, but the removal of Night Heron nesting sites is easier and gives the impression of the Service taking action. Birds of all ages can be seen easily around the refuge and the nearby aquaculture ponds, which are situated next to the main highway which runs around the top of the island. Cattle Egrets are another common sight at the refuge and no visitor is likely to overlook this species. Vagrant Herons that have occurred at the refuge include Great Blue Heron and Great Egret and Snowy Egret, the last two species being very rare in the State.

Koloa are resident on the refuge, although the majority of individuals appear to be Koloa/Mallard hybrids, and genetically pure birds are probably non-existent or very few in number. The refuge usually boasts a long list of wintering wildfowl and annually recorded species include: American and Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Shoveler, Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser and Greater Scaup and Canada Goose. With such ideal habitat in short supply on the island numbers involved are usually quite high. Other species recorded on the refuge include Canvasback, Tufted Duck, Bufflehead, Garganey, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Redhead, White-fronted Goose and Brant.

The recently re-opened (late 1990's) aquafarm is also a good place to look for migrants, as well as resident species, and is always worth a look even if a visit to the actual refuge is not possible.

Raptors are unusual anywhere in Hawai'i, and so unsurprisingly Osprey and Peregrine are the two species most likely to be recorded from the refuge, although Northern Harrier has also been recorded on rare occasions.

The Hawaiian Owl or Pueo and Barn Owl are regularly recorded in the area and can usually be seen early in the evening quartering the dunes or ponds in their search for prey. Sometimes an Owl will flush large numbers of birds from the ponds and vegetation, which can be useful for observing birds that were secreted away out of view, but can also be very frustrating if one is observing a rare or unusual species or are trying to identify a "little brown" shorebird. Introduced Estrildids also form large, noisy flocks and will circle around whilst the Owl is in the area.

Gamebirds that are present in the general area are restricted on the whole to Ring-necked Pheasant, although the occasional Chukar might be encountered in the drier areas along the coast here. Domesticated Chickens can be seen anywhere in the area, but as most are either feral or obvious hybrids, most birders do not consider them countable, unlike some of the birds on Kaua'i (ie. Red Junglefowl), which are considered to be "purer" and deemed as descendants from the birds originally brought to Hawai'i by the Polynesians.

Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Moorhen are common nesters on the refuge and birds can be seen year-round on the dykes between the ponds and swimming on the pools foraging on submergent vegetation. Coot numbers are usually around the hundred or so mark and are conspicuous in ponds and along the dykes, whereas Moorhen numbers are far lower and the species tends to be much more elusive, with many birds remaining hidden amongst vegetation or remaining along the pond edges near to cover, into which they can easily run if they feel threatened. American Coot has been reported in the past, although the occurrence of this species in Hawai'i and the provenance of many Hawai'i records is open to question.

The endemic Hawaiian Stilt nests in good numbers on the refuge and birds can be seen during the guided tours outside the nesting season. Young birds can usually still be seen in the winter months too, and are not as brightly plumaged as the adult birds. Pacific Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling and Wandering Tattler are present from August to May and other migrant shorebirds are often found. Other migrant shorebirds regularly found include Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Ruff, Pectoral Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover. Many other Shorebird species have been recorded here and almost anything could turn up, species have included Least, Curlew, Baird's, Western and Semipalmated Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Red Knot and Red and Wilson's Phalaropes.

Recent rarities have included Greater Yellowlegs (1999), Black-tailed Godwit (2001-2002) and Whimbrel (annual 1997 onwards).

Bristle-thighed Curlew are often present at James Campbell all year-round. Numbers peak in the winter months when twenty or more individuals may be present; the species tends to spend much of the day foraging in the sand dunes to the north and northeast of the refuge ponds, although at least a few birds are usually present on the grassy dykes surrounding the ponds. In summer only a few birds remain, these are possibly first year birds which have not migrated.

Seabirds are not a great feature of the avifauna at the refuge but Great Frigatebirds can be seen year-round and Laysan Albatross sometimes fly over the refuge during the winter months. Offshore it is possible to observe Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Boobies and a few Terns or Noddies. A few Storm Petrels have been recorded in the past, although they were not assigned to species.

Many species of Gull have been recorded at the refuge, and it is not uncommon for there to be small flocks present, for example five or more Laughing Gulls in winter 2001-2002. Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls are the most regularly recorded species, but Glaucous-winged and Franklin's Gull turns up more or less annually. Rarer Gulls have included Glaucous, Bonaparte's, Herring, Black-headed and Western Gull. Often birds will commute between the refuge, the beach and the aquafarm. Terns occur occasionally and sometimes stay for a few weeks. Species recorded include Caspian, Common, Least/Little and Black Tern. Very occasionally one of the resident Tern (Sooty, Gray-backed) or Noddy (Black, Brown) species will put in an appearance.

Many introduced species can be seen on the refuge and in the scrub along the coast here. Estrildids appear particularly numerous at the western end of the refuge and its boundaries, although it is important to remember that the Punamano preserve is not open to the public at any time. A few Hwamei (Melodious Laughing Thrush) and White-rumped Shama can usually be seen or heard in the thick scrub, especially along the approach track to the refuge, but both these species are more secretive in this habitat than they are in the lush valleys of the centre of the island, or indeed other Hawaiian Islands. Japanese Bush-warblers are an increasing species in Hawai'i and the population on O'ahu is a well-established one, and birds are easily heard anywhere around the refuge where there is vegetative cover, seeing one can be much more difficult though.

The ubiquitous Japanese Whiteeye is abundant in the refuge and surrounding areas, as are Spotted and Zebra Doves, as well as a few feral Pigeons or feral Rock Dove and Common Myna. Common Myna often form large noisy flocks and hundreds may be present in one loose flock, particularly around the meeting point hut.

Northern Mockingbirds are fairly uncommon now on O'ahu but a few are still present in this area, and can be seen perching on posts and prominent branches on the lookout for a meal. Red-vented Bulbuls are present in the area but are usually absent from the refuge, the small towns along the Kamehameha Highway east and west of the refuge and lush hotel gardens in the area are a better bet for this species. Both Northern and Red-crested Cardinals can be seen on the refuge, especially along the entrance track and at the western end of the refuge boundary.

Other introduced species found on or near the refuge include House Sparrow, House Finch, Red Avadavat, Common Waxbill, Java Sparrow, Chestnut and Nutmeg Mannikin and Lavender Waxbill. Yellow-fronted Canary has been reported.

The refuge (and aquafarm, left) is a fantastic area for recording a wide range of species, particularly migrants and every attempt to join a trip during the non-breeding season is recommended. Please do not attempt to enter the refuge unguided or during the nesting season, the endemic waterbirds that nest here are under sever threat all across Hawai'i and they need as little disturbance whilst nesting as possible. Those entering the refuge without authorization will be caught by refuge staff and evicted from the site and may face charges, as well as putting in jeopardy the future of the waterbirds. It is also worth mentioning that during the summer few migrants are present, and so it is not worth trespassing just to view Coots and Stilts, which can be observed legally and easily at other sites on O'ahu.

FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) This species originally appeared in 1982 and built up a small population at the Amorient Aqua Farm on the North Shore of O'ahu, also visiting nearby James Campbell NWR. However when the farm closed down for a period in the late 1990's the species underwent a terrible population crash and only one bird had survived by 2000. Although it is not known whether these birds arrived in Hawai'i unaided or were introduced (no-one has ever taken responsibility) it seems that this species, which is expanding its range elsewhere, has disappeared from the avifauna of Hawai'i, with the last bird nicknamed "Lonesome George", being last seen on 1st December 2001 at James Campbell NWR. Individuals were occasionally recorded from other islands (eg. Kaua'i) at the peak of their numbers, but no birds have been reported elsewhere since the population declined on O'ahu. The species world range covers southern North America, Central America, South America, Africa and Asia. Adults are alike. The species has a distinctive posture and is rather upright on land with long legs and neck. The plumage is brown with chestnut markings and black on the wings and back. The rump is white and the flanks have white stripes. Black tail band. Bill and legs are dark. Juveniles are duller and the white areas are less prominent. (18 inches, wingspan 21 inches). Calls: A repeated nasal, squeaky whistle is given when flying.

Useful Information about James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge.

LOCATION		North side of Kamehameha Highway on the Northeast tip of O'ahu.		The Kii unit of James Campbell NWR is located off Kamehameha Highway between the town of Kahuku and the Turtle Bay resort at Kuilima.
OPENING TIMES		Restricted Access. Guided Tours outside nesting season: August 1st - February 15th.		Telephone: 1 808 637 6330 for information and tour reservations or E mail: Pamela_Gibson@r1.fws.gov
ENTRANCE FEE		None payable for guided tours.
GUIDED TOURS		Tours on Thursdays (4-6 p.m.) and on Saturdays (3-5 p.m.), August to February as above.
U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE OFFICE		O'AHU NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX 66 - 590 Kamehameha Highway, Room 2C, Hale'iwa, Hawai'i 96712		U.S. FISH and WILDLIFE SERVICE, O'AHU 300 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu HI 96850 Tel: 1 808 541 2749
REFUGE CONTACT		Pamela Gibson		Pamela_Gibson@r1.fws.gov
BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED		At least 125 species (approximate), excluding endemic forest birds before historic times and extinct species.		c.65 species recorded annually, c.30 species breeding annually.
NEARBY SITES		Amorient Aquafarm Ponds		Pull off the road and look out over the aquaculture ponds from the roadside/ Kamehameha Highway. Site is good for wildfowl, Gulls and shorebirds
NEARBY SITES		Kuilima Sewage Treatment Plant		Found off the south side of the Kamehameha Highway to the west of the refuge. Sometimes has wildfowl in winter. Make sure you do not trespass or park in the way / block access.
USEFUL READING		Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific by H.D. Pratt et al. Hawaii's Birds by The Hawai'i Audubon Society.
LINKS		Link: James Campbell NWR Link: U.S. FWS Refuge checklists Link: Directions to Refuge

Northern Pintail in flight.

Christian Melgar. Worthing, West Sussex, UK. 2002.

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