ARTICLES ON HAWAIIAN BIRDS AND BIRDWATCHING AND OTHER PACIFIC WILDLIFE

Birding Hotspots No. 6 - Waikomoi Preserve and Hosmer Grove, Maui

WAIKOMOI PRESERVE

Whereas nearby areas may be more notable for their geology than their birdlife, Waikomoi is definitely noteworthy for its birds and so it is well worth planning ahead to be able to join one of the Nature Conservancy's guided hikes. As well as stunning scenery and lush native forest these sites are home to the enigmatic 'Akohekohe and Maui Parrotbill. The area also provides some of the easiest to observe I'iwi and 'Apapane and is home to a third endemic, the Maui 'Alauhio or Creeper, which is also extremely easy to observe here. A few introduced species will boost the list a little, but unusual migrant or vagrant species are extremely unusual anywhere on Haleakala.

'Akohe'kohe (Crested Honeycreeper) Neither this species or the next is common, but there is a good chance of seeing one or the other here, especially if the trip is led by an experienced hiker who knows their birds. (Some of the hike leaders are not birders and may not make a point of trying to find the rarer species, inquire when making reservations if the leader knows their birds). These birds are quite large sized, adults are dark black with gray and white flecks and streaks. It has a short golden or gray fluffy crest. Feathers on the underparts are tipped with white or gray whereas those on the upperparts and wings are tipped with orange. The nape is bright orangey-red. The tail is tipped with white. Immatures are brownish-black and lack orange feather tips or the crest. Bill and legs are black. Of their calls the most notable is a loud whistled "whee-o, whee-o", also a descending repeated "tchew". The song consists of a low chuckling "tjook tjook chouroup" or "hur-hur-hur-gluk-gluk-gluk".

This species is now confined to Maui, although it once inhabited Moloka'i as well. This bizarrely plumaged birds is one of the highlights of Hawai'i birding. It is most numerous in the East Maui Wilderness, but the Waikomoi Preserve is the place to look for it for the average birder. Organised walks by the Nature Conservancy sometimes see this species and provide the best chance of finding one, especially if the walk includes the "boardwalk". Birds have also been seen at Hosmer Grove, but these sightings are extremely rare. Staff at Haleakala NP will be able to provide information on sightings and trips schedules (contact details below). Privately organised trips by tour groups or commercial tours regularly visit the best area for 'Akohekohe and it may be well worth contacting one of these groups as sometimes they allow birders to go along, and often are able to spend more time or visit the more likely spots, than might be possible otherwise.

Link: Akohekohe

Maui Parrotbill. Males are olive-green above and the underparts are yellow. The flanks are olive. Prominent yellow supercilium. Short tailed. The bill is parrot-like with a large lower mandible and a narrower curved upper mandible. Females and immatures are duller and have smaller bills. Listen for their calls: A short "chip", similar to Maui Creeper but given every three to five seconds or their song: A series of whistled, descending "cheer" notes, slower and richer than 'Akepa. Also a short song consisting of a whistled "chur-wee".

Found only on Maui, where birds live on the North slope of Haleakala and the East Maui Wilderness Preserve. The best site to try and see this species is here, which has regular walks through the area, led by the Nature Conservancy/Haleakala staff. Even if one manages to spend some time in this area, a sighting is by no means guaranteed. Birds have occasionally been seen in the past at Hosmer Grove, but this is extremely unusual.

Link: Maui Parrotbill

Maui Creeper The male is yellow-green above and bright yellow below with yellow forehead and face. Lores are also yellow. The female is drabber with a yellow wash on the upper breast and throat. Immatures are drab above and below with a faint wing bar. Bill in all birds is straight and pale. Legs are pale too. Their calls consist of a distinctive "chip", given at one to three second intervals; their song: A thin warble, different to all other trills of native Maui birds.

This Maui endemic can easily be seen in Haleakala NP, especially around Hosmer Grove and the Waikomoi Preserve, as well as the East Maui Wilderness. At Hosmer Grove birds are often seen feeding near, or even on the ground, and in non-native species. One of the easiest endemic birds to observe.

I'iwi, 'Apapane and Common 'Amakihi are all present in good numbers.

Introduced species which are present here include Red-billed Leiothrix, Hwamei, Japanese Whiteeye, Japanese Bush Warbler, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Common Myna, Spotted and Zebra Doves.
Pueo may pass low overhead, but are easier to see on the bare slopes and the top of the ridge before the start of the boardwalk trail - the prime birding area of Waikomoi. 'Akohe'kohe seem to hang out near the bottom of the trail, whereas Parrotbills seem to prefer the area near the first steps on the boardwalk and often group together with Maui Creepers, so check all those flocks just in case.

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HOSMER GROVE

Hosmer Grove is an area of mainly exotic trees planted at the start of the 20th Century (1910) to reforest the area, it is a pity that they did not think to use native trees, although it seems to affect the birds less than one might expect and it is commonplace to see Maui Creeper and 'Apapane foraging amongst the non-native trees.

The forested area at Hosmer Grove is probably the easiest place to observe Maui Creeper, which can be easily seen around the parking lot and even hopping around on the ground!

The fairly short trail will also produce good views of I'iwi, 'Apapane, Common 'Amakihi and introduced species such as Hwamei, Japanese Whiteeye, Northern Cardinal and Red-billed Leiothrix. Both Maui Parrotbill and 'Akohe'kohe (Crested Honeycreeper) have been seen here but these sightings are extremely rare and should not be considered as a likely event.

Pueo or Hawaiian Short-eared Owl can regularly be seen floating over the area near the entrance road and soaring high above the forest. On the nearby hillsides Ring-necked Pheasant, Chukar and Skylark are all easily seen. A few Pacific Golden Plovers may be found in open areas during the winter, but the species is not numerous at this altitude.

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Useful information about Waikamoi Preserve and Hosmer Grove.

LOCATION		Both sites are signposted off the main Haleakala Road (Rte 378), about three-quarters of a mile before Park Headquarters. See access details for Waikamoi Preserve, right.		Accessed via closed trail from Hosmer Grove. No Access is permitted except with a TNC hike leader. Please do not trespass as habitat is under severe threat and it is easy to hike in noxious weeds and to disturb nesting birds.
ACCESS		Waikamoi Preserve: Restricted Access only available on TNC guided Hikes. Free (donation) afternoon guided walks to Waikomoi Preserve boardwalk take place on the third Sunday of each month and must be booked no more than one week in advance by calling the National Park Service on (808) 572-4400. Hosmer Grove: Open All Year. No Entrance Fee. Campground & Parking Lot. Contact Park staff for camping arrangements.		Waikamoi Hikes telephone: 1 808 572 4400. Haleakala National Park Headquarters for details: 1 808 572 7749
PRIVATE VISITS		Private visits to the boardwalk can be arranged but are expensive; US $100 per person entrance fee payable by non-refundable advance cheque to TNC, plus professional bird guide's fee, which depends on group size but is up to US $100 per person.
ENTRANCE FEE		Small fee for Waikamoi (c.$10-$15 "donation"). None for Hosmer Grove.		Reduced fee for TNC members.
GUIDED HIKES		Guided hikes into Waikamoi Preserve by appointment, see right.		For guided trips into the Waikamoi Preserve telephone 1 808 572 4400. For Hike schedule Click Here or Phone for details.
NATURE CONSERVANCY OFFICE		Telephone: 1 808 572 7749
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, HALEAKALA OFFICE		Postal Address: PO Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768 Physical Address: Mile Marker 10.5, Crater Road, Kula, Maui, HI 96790		Telephone: Voice - 1 808 572 4472 Fax: 1 808 572 1304
BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED		About 35 species recorded, excluding Endemic Forest birds in non-historical times and extinct species.		c.28 species recorded annually, c. 20 breeding annually in area of Hosmer/Waikamoi.
USEFUL READING		Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific by H.D. Pratt et al. Hawaii's Birds by the Hawaii Audubon Society.		The following have a literature list on books for the area:  Link: USGS Haleakala Link: The Nature Conservancy Hawaii
LINKS		Link: The Nature Conservancy Hawaii Link: USGS Haleakala Link: Visiting Haleakala		Link: Akohekohe  Link: Maui Parrotbill

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

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