REVIEW
OF THE HAWAI'I BIRDING YEAR 2001
REVIEW
OF THE HAWAI'I BIRDING YEAR 2001
This is a review of the birds seen in the Hawaiian Islands during 2001 and should be used in conjunction with the Sightings database for that year, which can be found in the Sightings Archive. Many thanks to all those birders who found and observed birds during the year and shared their sightings with the birding community.
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEPT | OCT | NOV | DEC |
The year started off well with the Black-tailed Godwit remaining at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on O'ahu. This, the first record for the State, originally arrived on Maui at Kanaha Pond in October 2000 before moving to Kealia Pond NWR during December. The only Pied-billed Grebe seen during the winter period was found at Mokuleia on O'ahu on 17th January (Eric Vanderwerf) - the bird was probably a migrant, rather than a resident bird, as the population on Hawai'i appears to have disappeared completely, a sad loss to Hawai'i's avifauna.
The Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) is a common and widespread European and Asian species, but is extremely rare in North America. This individual is the first ever to be recorded with certainty in the sate of Hawai'i, and joins three other species which have also been recorded in the State - Bar-tailed, Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits. The bird was found by participants in a bird tour led by H.D.Pratt. and was first found and identified at Kanaha Pond on Maui in late October 2000 before relocating to Kealia Pond NWR, Maui in December and finally flying some 100 miles or so to James Campbell NWR, O'ahu where it was in residence on the Kii Unit of the refuge throughout 2001.
Black-tailed Godwit at Kanaha Pond, Maui, October 2000. Photos © by Marshall J. Lliff.
A Short-tailed Albatross joined two others at Midway at the beginning of the month. Midway is probably the easiest site to see this species away from its breeding grounds in Japan, and with three birds around there is always the possibility of breeding taking place in the future. A seawatch from Hanalei, Kaua'i on 22nd produced 5 Black-footed Albatross, 10 Laysan Albatross and several Boobies (Christian Melgar), however a seawatch later that afternoon from Ha'ena Point (Kaua'i) was rather disappointing considering what had passed by Hanalei earlier on.
Between three and six American Wigeon and a pair of Eurasian Wigeon remained at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i throughout the month (Christian Melgar). Duck numbers were low on Kaua'i in general however with just 11 Shoveler and a maximum of 13 Pintail (one date only) and 1 female Lesser Scaup at Hanalei NWR (Christian Melgar). Ducks fared better on the other Islands with high counts of 210 Pintail and 185 Shoveler at Kealia Pond NWR, Maui on 4th (Mike Nishimoto); 14 Lesser Scaup and 2 Ring-necked Duck at Waiakea Pond, Hawai'i (Thane Pratt). A Brant was seen throughout the month at Kealia Pond NWR (Mike Nishimoto). Four (Green-winged) Teal were seen at Midway and included a Eurasian or Aleutian drake (Dan Small). Canvasbacks did quite well this year with two being recorded: 1 at Kealia Pond NWR on 17th (Mike Nishimoto) and a female at Kona STP on 14th (Reggie and Susan David).
One of the highlights of North Shore birding on Kaua'i during
January was the presence of an Osprey (probably immature
male, shown right) around the Hanalei, Kaua'i area all month (Christian Melgar). Most days it could be seen feeding
in refuge ponds at the NWR or in ponds and streams around Hanalei village. During the mornings it could frequently
be seen distantly roosting in trees further down the Hanalei River. Another Osprey was seen at Kealia Pond NWR during January (Mike Nishimoto), at Kaloko Pond, Hawai'i on 15th (Reggie
David). A Peregrine Falcon seen on and off throughout
the month was a juvenile of the race "tundrius"
as it was very pale headed and bodied. Another juvenile seen at the end of 2000 was judged to be of the race "pealia" due to its dark head and body (Christian Melgar).
Shorebirds were quite numerous on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i but scarce on Kaua'i. On Kaua'i there were just Lesser Yellowlegs (1), Common Snipe (1) and a Black-bellied Plover (1 on 28th) at Hanalei NWR. On Maui there was a Black-bellied Plover on several January dates (Mike Nishimoto). Three small Plovers on Midway were considered to be 1 Semipalmated and 1 or 2 Common Ringed Plover (many observers), although the final identification had not been resolved by October. Apart from the Black-tailed Godwit the rarest shorebird of the month was a Curlew Sandpiper found at Kona STP on 14th (Reggie and Susan David). Only the third record the bird stayed all to briefly and soon departed, although the same observers managed to find up to 7 different Dunlin along the Kona coast whilst searching for the Sandpiper. Two Whimbrel were seen throughout the period - a North American race bird at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu (Peter Donaldson et al.) and an "Old World" bird on Midway. Two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers wintered at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu (Peter Donaldson).
Two very rare species for Hawai'i occurred early in the month - an adult Slaty-backed Gull on Midway stayed until the 17th and a Black-legged Kittiwake arrived on 10th but unfortunately died the next day. Up to three Herring Gulls were also seen on Midway during January.
The Caspian Tern originally seen on Kaua'i during November (Christian Melgar), reappeared during December of 2000 on O'ahu and remained throughout the month before becoming more mobile. The more regularly occurring Common Tern put in an appearance at Kona STP, Hawai'i and remained for the whole month (Reggie David, Kurt Pohlman).
February started with an unexpected Killdeer (shown right) on a small pool at Waipahu on O'ahu, along with a Long-billed Dowitcher and 8 Green-winged Teal on the 1st, unfortunately the pool had dried up by the 18th (Peter Donaldson, Christian Melgar).
Red-tailed Tropicbirds returned to Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i on 27th, but unlike the last three springs the adult (male?) Red-billed Tropicbird failed to reappear (Christian Melgar). Only a few Laysan Albatross chicks were still surviving at Kilauea Point NWR continuing the worrying trend for this species.
Duck numbers remained fairly static during February with only a few extra birds appearing including 15 Lesser Scaup at Aimakapa Pond (Christian Melgar, Reggie David) and 20 Ring-necked Duck at Kona STP (Reggie David, Christian Melgar). The Brant remained at Kealia NWR, Maui from January and was last reported on 20th (Mike Nishimoto). A single Canvasback was seen during the month - at Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i on 20th (David Kuhn). Four Ring-necked Duck and 4 Lesser Scaup were observed at Wailua Reservoir, Kaua'i on 4th (Christian Melgar) and 9 Lesser Scaup and 1 Ring-necked Duck were at Waiakea Pond, Hilo, Hawai'i on 10th (Christian Melgar). The two Eurasian Wigeon and 8 American Wigeon at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i remained into the month but departed before March. Other duck numbers rose sharply at Hanalei NWR, with a peak of 64 Pintail and 11 Shoveler mid month. The numbers were short-lived however with the Pintail departing within two days. A surprise find on 14th was a sub-adult Mute Swan on the Hanalei River, Kaua'i. An obvious escape the bird remained on the river and around the ponds and Taro l'oi all month (Christian Melgar).
The Osprey continued to be seen at Hanalei, Kaua'i all month and a single Peregrines were seen at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i (all month) (Christian Melgar) and Schofield Barracks, O'ahu on 23rd (Richard May).
The Black-bellied Plover seen last month reappeared very briefly at Hanalei
NWR, Kaua'i on 15th (photo right) and the Lesser Yellowlegs
and Common Snipe also remained at that site all month
(Christian Melgar). The Black-tailed Godwit remained
at the Kii Unit of James Campbell NWR, Oa'hu all month (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord and Richard May). Possible single
Red-necked Phalaropes were reported at sea off Maui
on 17th-19th (Allen Ligon, Robin Baird). An unidentified Tattler at Punalu'u Beach, Hawai'i on 11th flew off before a proper identification could be made, however
the call note given did not fit either Tattler species!!
A 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull remained at Kawaiele Sanctuary on Kaua'i all month (Christian Melgar) and a Glaucous-winged
Gull flew East over Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i at c. 5.30pm on 12th. The Caspian Tern (shown left) seen on Kaua'i in November 2000 and then
O'ahu, was still at Pearl Harbor NWR on 1st (Peter Donaldson, Christian Melgar) but then made a brief trip to Maui
on 7th, being seen disturbing shorebirds at Kealia Pond NWR (Christian Melgar) - a unique three island sighting
for one lucky observer!
A morning visit to Pu'u La'au, Hawai'i produced 5 Palila, 10 Hawai'i Elepaio and 20 Hawai'i 'Amakihi (Reggie David, Christian
Melgar), whilst nearby 80 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
were seen at Waimea Plains the same day (Christian Melgar, Reggie David).
The introduced Yellow-faced Grassquit is a shy and elusive species found only on O'ahu in Hawai'i and just three birds were recorded along the Manana Trail on 1st along with about 5 of the equally elusive Mariana (Guam) Swiftlet. Introduced Red-crowned Amazons appear to be doing well on O'ahu in the Pearl City area and there is a good case for adding them to the official Hawai'i list. Flocks were reported most days during this period (Peter Donaldson).
The female Lesser Scaup remained at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i all month on the "Ducks Unlimited " Pond and elsewhere on the refuge up to 10 Shoveler and 10 Pintail remained, although they were often elusive and would often leave the refuge for days at a time.Two Eurasian and 2 American Wigeon reappeared at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i and remained on and off until finally departing on 18th. The escaped Mute Swan remained throughout the month (Christian Melgar). The introduced Nene at Hanalei NWR continued to be seen daily with just the loss of one bird (via a road accident) and one pair produced a single gosling - the first breeding record at Hanalei in historic times (Christian Melgar). A drake Cinnamon Teal was seen by many observers at Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i until 7th. The Canvasback remained at Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i and was seen on 8th and 19th (Reggie David, Dan Lindsay).
The Osprey remained at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i all month and was harassed by an adult Peregrine on 6th, making it the third Peregrine to be recorded at the site during this winter period (Christian Melgar). Other Peregrines were seen on O'ahu (Mark Rauzon) and Kaho'olawe (Lance Tanino) on 6th.
Four Common Snipe seen on 4th was a good total at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i, although only ones and twos were seen thereafter.
No other unusual or migrant shorebirds were seen during the period at Hanalei NWR. On O'ahu the Black-tailed Godwit remained at James Campbell NWR and was seen on
27th accompanied by 5 Bristle-thighed Curlew and 1
Sanderling (Christian Melgar). The months only Black-bellied Plover was at Kealia Pond, Maui on 20th (Mike Nishimoto).
Kealia is probably the best location in the State to observe this annual migrant.
A Ring-billed Gull (shown right) remained at Kawaiele Sanctuary, Kaua'i (Christian Melgar) and another was at the Chevron Refinery, O'ahu on at least 28th (Peter Donaldson, Leila Gibson). Another 2nd year Gull was at the Chevron Refinery in March but remained unidentified.
The mobile Caspian Tern reported in previous months returned to Nu'upia Ponds, O'ahu on 7th (Mark Rauzon).
Two endemic 'Akiapola'au were seen off the Saddle Road on 9th (Jack Jeffrey).
A pelagic from Kaua'i to near Ni'ihau on 1st produced a good crop of seabirds - 5 Mottled Petrels, 9 small Pteredroma Petrels (probably Mottled), 10 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Newell's Shearwaters, 300 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, 1 Hawaiian Petrel, 10 Sooty Terns and 50 Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins (Christian Melgar, David Kuhn). A seawatch on 3rd off Nawiliwili Lighthouse, Kaua'i produced 3 small Pteredroma Petrels, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Newell's Shearwaters, 2 Hawaiian Petrels, 2 Sooty Terns and 5000 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Christian Melgar).
A single Osprey was seen at Kealia Pond, Maui on 16th (Mike Nishimoto).
No migrant shorebirds, except the odd Tattler, Pacific-golden Plover, Turnstone or Sanderling remained on Kaua'i but a few lingered on other Islands including a part summer-plumaged Dunlin at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Hawai'i (Reggie David, Christian Melgar). The overwintering North American race Whimbrel was last seen at James Campbell NWR, O'ahuon 17th, but returned again in the Fall and the same day a Bristle-thighed Curlew was picked up dead at James Campbell NWR. A Red Phalarope was seen at the Cyanotech Ponds, Hawai'i on 12th (Kim Uyehara, Scott Waddington), unfortunately for birders this highly productive site is at present a "no access" site.
Two 2nd year Gulls were present at the West end of Kaua'i on 1st - both at Kawaiele Sanctuary, a Laughing Gull joined the Ring-billed Gull remaining from last month (until 19th) (Christian Melgar). Elsewhere there were Laughing Gulls at Kealia Pond, Maui on 16th and Kinikini Ditch, Kaua'i on 10th (no doubt the bird from Kawaiele) (Jim Denny).
The only ducks recorded from Kaua'i during the month were a pair of Pintail and a female Green-winged Teal at the old Kekaha Sugar Mill on 1st (Christian Melgar).
A Mourning Dove was seen at
Makawao, Maui at around this time, evidence of the continuing spread of this species from its Hawai'i "stronghold"
(Lance Tanino).
Trips into Koke'e and the edge of the Alakai Swamp on Kaua'i in early April found good numbers of Akeke'e, I'iwi, Kaua'i Elepaio (right), 'Apapane, Kaua'i 'Amakihi and 'Anianiau but failed to locate any Puaohi or 'Akikiki - a trip further into the forest is still required for these species (Christian Melgar).
May was rather quiet compared to the earlier part of the year with most wildfowl and shorebirds having departed and little in the way of migrants turning up.
An all-dark Pteredroma Petrel appeared at Kilauea Point NWR, Kaua'i on 20th but was not reported again. Although a dark-morph Kermadec Petrel had been returning for the previous three summers (Christian Melgar) it was considered by the observers of this bird that it was not that species, unfortunately no other observers were able to confirm or refute the sighting or identification.
The Brant still remained at Kealia Pond throughout the month, oversummering geese in Hawai'i are rare.
An Osprey was seen at Waiawa, O'ahu on 10th (Mike Silbernagle). A male Peregrine was observed on Johnston Atoll on 1st-5th (D. O'Daniel), an unusual site for the species.
Seven Bristle-thighed Curlew remained at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 24th (Mike Silbernagle), and several ended up over-summering at this site. Two birds over-summered on Midway also. The Black-tailed Godwit was reported from Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 22nd, but had remained at James Campbell NWR for every other day of the year - perhaps a second bird was involved ? Shorebird-wise the month was rather quiet apart from the aforementioned species, although a probable Rufous-necked Stint was at the Chevron refinery, O'ahu on 3rd (Peter Donaldson) and single Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were recorded at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu until 7th (present since March at least) and at Kanaha Pond, Maui on 13th-17th (Leo Boon).
Two summer-plumaged Franklin's Gulls were seen at Kealia Pond, Maui on 3rd and 7th and 8th, but as is often the case with this species they did not linger long (Lance Tanino, Mike Nishimoto). A Laughing Gull at Kealia Pond, Maui seen on 14th - 21st may have been the same bird seen last month, although this is one of the two most common species of Gull to occur in Hawai'i and so "fresh" birds are also regularly recorded. A single Least or Little Tern was seen on Midway on 27th and two were observed on 29th (Lance Tanino).
Further reports were received of Mourning Doves during the month with 2 reported from the Upper Paia area of Maui (Lance Tanino). A White-rumped Shama (a common introduced species on some Islands) was observed on Moloka'i on 30th (Robert Coombs), only a few have ever been seen on this Island.
Endemics seen this month included 3 Puaiohi, including a nesting pair in the Alaka'i Swamp, Kaua'i on 11th (David Kuhn, Leo Boon), as well as 3 'Akikiki and 4 'Akeke'e in the same general area that day. Also in May a pair of 'Akeke'e were observed nesting in the Alaka'i Swamp, Kaua'i (David Kuhn). On Hawai'i a pair of Palila with young were observed on 18th and 21st at the traditional stronghold of Pu'u La'au (Leo Boon, Reggie David and Rob Pacheco). A juvenile 'Akiapola'au and 20 Hawai'i Creepers were observed at Pu'u 'O'o Ranch, Hawai'i on 18th (Leo Boon, Rob Pacheco) and on Maui three 'Akohekohe were seen in the Waikomoi Forest Preserve on 16th and 26th (Leo Boon, Lance Tanino et al.).
June more-or-less carried on from where May left with very few birds being reported.
The Brant remained at Kealia Pond NWR until at least the 6th (Mike Nishimoto).
An Osprey appeared at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 4th (Peter Donaldson) and another (or the same) was at Waiawa on 28th (Mike Silbernagle).
Lastly at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu the Black-tailed Godwit remained as did three over-summering Bristle-thighed Curlew (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Richard May). A Bar-tailed Godwit was at Hilo Airport, Hawai'i from 12th to 19th (Tim Ohashi), this represents the first Main Island record and the second June record for the State.
A Least or Little Tern was at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 1st and was photographed but the pictures were not conclusive enough for a firm identification (Kathy Hachey, George Fisher). Three Sterna Terns were observed on Midway Atoll throughout June and into July, with two of the birds nesting and laying three eggs. The birds were reported as Least Terns but no description was given (Lance Tanino, Jennifer Herrman, Wayne Sentman).
Just two Hawaiian Crows, a mated pair, remain in the wild. The pair attempted to nest again this year but abandoned their nest in late June. The female is probably too old to breed and has not laid eggs since 1996. There is a small population of captive Hawaiian Crows, but no captive-reared birds have survived for very long when released into the wild. At present there are no plans to release any more captive birds (Glenn Klingler).
A Snowy or Little Egret was reported from Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i on 28th (Mike Rogers). A Little Egret would have been the first State record and a Snowy Egret would have been a first for the island of Kaua'i. Unfortunately the bird was too far away for a 100% identification.
The rarest bird of the month was once again the "resident" Black-tailed Godwit at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu all month along with up to 9 over-summering Bristle-thighed Curlews.
The wandering Caspian Tern reappeared on O'ahu at Kaneohe Marine Base on 5th and seen again on 10th, before later moving to James Campbell NWR from 19th until 29th (Peter Donaldson et al.). At Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu a small Tern arrived on 10th and was identified as either a Least or a Little Tern (Peter Donaldson).
On Midway most of the Black-footed and Laysan Albatross chicks had left by the 6th - those remaining may not survive. A pelagic on 24th from Kaua'i to Ni'ihau produced 1 Christmas Shearwater, 2 Newell's Shearwaters, 1 probable Short-tailed Shearwater, 1 Bulwer's Petrel, 6 Hawaiian Petrels, 1 probable Band-rumped Storm Petrel and a possible South Polar Skua (David Kuhn) - the second year running that this species has been observed between Kaua'i and Ni'ihau (Christian Melgar).
The sole remaining Fulvous Whistling-Duck was present at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 18th- how much longer will this lonely individual remain?
Another Osprey was seen this month with one being observed at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu (Peter Donaldson).
During ealy August 100's of returning Pacific golden Plovers arrived and the Black-tailed Godwit continuing to reside at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu all month. A North American race Whimbrel joined the Curlews at James Campbell on 18th.
A Common Tern appeared at Kona STP again on 5th (Reggie David), and was probably that seen earlier in the year and the roving Caspian Tern was seen at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 14th (Greg Smith).
Mourning Doves were reported from three Islands at the end of this month with sightings on Hawai'i near Waimea; on Maui (Lance Tanino) and on Kaua'i near Po'ipu (per Christian Melgar).
Lastly, a single 'Akiapola'au was observed along the Saddle Road on Hawai'i at Kipuka 21 at the end of the month.
September turned out to be a good month for shorebirds with several scarce and rare species being recorded.
A Band-rumped Storm Petrel was picked up dead on 2nd on Mauna Loa, Hawai'i - perhaps indicating an as-yet unknown breeding population on Hawai'i (Thane Pratt).
The Black-tailed Godwit continued to remain at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu all month, along with 13 Bristle-thighed Curlews and the North American Whimbrel (Peter Donaldson et al.). Visiting birders reported two Wilson's Phalaropes and a Least Sandpiper at Kealia Pond NWR, Maui on 14th and on Midway a Baird's Sandpiper was reported during the week of 13th-20th, if the individual was this species it constitutes only the 2nd or 3rd record of this species in the State. Also on Midway a Western Sandpiper, two Pectoral Sandpipers and a Lesser Yellowlegs were observed during the same week as the Baird's Sandpiper.
The Caspian Tern was observed on O'ahu again on 28th at James Campbell NWR (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Kurt Pohlman).
The first returning Black-footed Albatross arrived on Midway on 14th, just over two months after the last chicks left!
Few wildfowl were recorded during the month with the best recorded being two Eurasian Wigeon at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 26th. Late news was received in 2002 of a corpse of a duck picked up on Midway, at the water catchment basin during October 2001. The corpse was sent to the Bishop Museum and identified as a female Falcated Duck - the first for the Hawaiian Islands (per Andy Engilis).
A female Rough-legged Hawk was seen on Midway on at least 3rd (Billi Wagner, Keith Larson, Mark McCaustland). This is only the second Hawaiian record after the first on Laysan in spring 1988. A Merlin was also reported from Midway, on 21st and 28th (Wayne Sentman).
Shorebirds featured heavily during this month, as would be expected, with returning wintering birds and a good selection of transient migrants occurring, although most records of migrants came from O'ahu. The Black-tailed Godwit remained at James Campbell all month and thus completed a whole calender year in the State. Bristle-thighed Curlews remained at James Campbell NWR too with up to 21 being seen together. scarcer shorebirds recorded at James Campbell during the month included one Ruff (18th), one Black-bellied Plover (26th & 27th), one Whimbrel (whole month), two Dunlin, three Pectoral Sandpipers, one Sharp-tailed Sandpiper for much of the month and joined by two Long-billed Dowitchers and another Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at the end of the month (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Richard May). Elsewhere there was a Western Sandpiper at Kealia Pond NWR, Maui on 14th (Mike Nishimoto) and a Dunlin at Kuilima STP (O'ahu) on 26th (Peter Donaldson).
A Maui Parrotbill was observed during a hike at the Waikamoi Preserve on Maui on 13th, the only likely location that most birders have the opportunity to see this uncommon Maui endemic.
Wildfowl during the month were still present in fewer than usual numbers but included 40 Pintail, 2 Wigeon sp. and 6 Shoveler at Kuilima STP, O'ahu on 1st; 6 Green-winged Teal and 6 Pintail at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 3rd and 22 Green-winged Teal at Waiawa NWR, O'ahu on 10th. The latter is an exceptionally good tally for Hawai'i of this species. At Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 28th there were 20 Green-winged Teal, 9 Pintail and three Eurasian Wigeon.The single Fulvous Whistling Duck, nicknamed lonesome George (or Georgina) was still present at James Campbell throughout the month (many observers). A single female Canvasback was at James Campbell on 28th (Peter Donaldson) with another at Kona STP on 3rd (Reggie David).
Rarest bird of the month (excluding the now obligatory Godwit !) was a Rough-legged Hawk which was reported from Kaho'olawe on 20th (Lance Tanino). If the identification was correct this would constitute the first record fro the main Islands and only the third ever for the State (after the Midway bird in October). Unfortunately Kaho'olawe is off-limits to most people as it is currently being cleared of ammunitions left by the navy in past years. Other raptors recorded during the month included an Osprey at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 10th (Peter Donaldson) and one at Kealia Pond NWR, Maui on 29th, and a Peregrine Falcon flew over Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, O'ahu on 14th (Eric Vanderwerf).
Shorebirds were again much in evidence with the Black-tailed Godwit still at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu all month as well as the following species, which were seen at various times throughout the month: Pectoral Sandpiper (2), Dunlin (3), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (2), Long-billed Dowitcher (3), Whimbrel (North American race, 1), Semipalmated Plover (1), Ruff (1 reeve) and up to 20 Bristle-thighed Curlew (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Richard May). Other shorebirds during the month included a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and two Long-billed Dowitchers at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 28th (Peter Donaldson); two Least Sandpipers, one Dunlin, 2 Dowitcher sp., a Pectoral/Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and a "small" Sandpiper sp. at Kealia NWR, Maui on 29th (Lance tanino, Mike Nishimoto).
Reports of Gulls were rather few and far between with first-winter Glaucous-winged Gulls being seen at the Amorient/Kahuku Shrimp Farm on O'ahu throughout the month (Peter Donaldson et al.), Honokohau Harbor (Hawai'i) on 2nd (Robert Sundstrom) and Kelaia Pond, Maui on 29th (Mike Nishimoto, Lance Tanino). An unseasonal Franklin's Gull was at Kealia Pond, Maui on 16th (Mike Nishimoto).
The Common Tern was observed again at Kona STP, Hawai'i on 3rd (Reggie David).
A single late Wedge-tailed Shearwater was seen sitting on the sea with a Green Sea Turtle in Kailua Nay, Maui on 2nd before flying off (Chad Castle). Twenty-two Masked Boobies were observed on Maku Manu Island, O'ahu on 24th (Lance Tanino). A visiting Illinois birder reported two Tristram's Storm Petrels from a Holoholo Charter boat between Kaua'i and Lehua Rock on 26th (Michael Hogg), an unusual sighting anywhere away from the NW Chain, but especially at this time of year and were certainly the rarest seabirds reported this month. The only previous records away from the NW Chain in Hawai'i were as follows: 1 in February 1955, collected by George Munro when it landed aboard a ship 200 miles west of O'ahu; 1 in 1989 (November 9th) recovered by Reggie David from the Wailua River, Hilo, Hawai'i which was oiled and later died. It had a downy belly and undeveloped gonads, and could possibly have been a bird born at un unknown site nearby; 1 possible on an April 11th 1997 from a Honolulu Pelagic (Peter Pyle, David Kuhn). Information supplied by Robert Pyle.
Wildfowl in December included a female Canvasback still at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 1st - 29th and another female at Kona Sewage Treatment Plant on 10th (Dan Lindsay). Nine Green-winged Teal, 7 Pintail, 6 Shoveler and a pair of Lesser Scaup were at James Campbell NWR for much of the month (Peter Donaldson) and three Lesser Scaup, including one drake were at Kona STP with a few Pintail on 10th (Dan Lindsay). Numbers of Green-winged Teal rose to 24 at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 15th during the Christmas Bird Count and one at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i on 28th (Peter Donaldson; David Kuhn). James Campbell NWR, O'ahu on 15th produced three Eurasian Wigeon still present and two unidentified Wigeon, as well as 17 Pintail (Peter Donaldson, Dick May). Elsewhere Wildfowl numbers were rather low, particularly on Kaua'i where no Shoveler were recorded at Hanalei NWR on 28th, although 80 Pintail there on that date was unusually high going by recent trends at that site. The Fulvous Whistling Duck also remained in the James Campbell/Amorient Aquafarm area too. A lone female Ring-necked Duck was present at Waiakea Pond, Hilo on 6th (Jason Rogers), along with the resident minima Canada Goose and White-fronted Goose, both of rather dubious origin and present at least three years. The only Buffleheads reported this winter so far were two reported on a small pool near Wailua Golf Course near the months end, although only one could be found on 28th (David Kuhn).
Only three migrant raptors were reported this month, a Peregrine seen flying over the Alakai Swamp Trail, Kaua'i on 11th (David Kuhn) and a Merlin seen at Kaneohe Marine Base, O'ahu on 22nd (Eric Vanderwerf). The Merlin is an extreme vagrant to Hawai'i with only one other record, from Midway (Reginald David) and much sought after by Hawai'i's resident birders. Unfortunately the site chosen by this bird may prevent many people observing it. Lastly an Osprey was at Kaneohe Marine Base on 24th and 29th (Lance Tanino; Peter Donaldson, Richard May).
A
1st winter Red Phalarope was seen on a Christmas Bird Count
at Kanaha Pond, Maui on 21st ( per Lance Tanino).
The Red Phalarope photo to the right was taken by © Nadege Meunier on 21st December 2001.
As expected the Black-tailed Godwit remained in residence at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu all month. Other shorebirds remaining at the refuge included the North American race Whimbrel, three Dunlin, four Long-billed Dowitchers, one juvenile Sharp-tailed sandpiper (unusual wintering species for Hawai'i), one Black-bellied Plover and 20 Bristle-thighed Curlew (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Richard May). Another Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was observed at Pearl Harbor NWR on 15th (Peter Donaldson, Dick May). A single Bristle-thighed Curlew was seen by visiting birders at the Four Seasons resort in Hualalai on the Big Island (Carolyn Turner, Bob Frishman). Birds on Hawai'i are usually encountered as singles or small groups of three or four birds, and anywhere along the west and south shores may produce a sighting, with areas such as South Point being particularly good for the species. A brief view of a Snipe or Dowitcher at Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu on 15th would have been the only Snipe reported during the month, but only one of several Dowitchers reported, which included two at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i on 28th (David Kuhn). A small peep seen at the Waiawa Unit of Pearl Harbor NWR on 15th was thought probably to have been a winter plumaged Red-necked Stint (Peter Donaldson, Richard May). The only Semipalmated Plovers of the period were one at Kanaha Pond, Maui on 20th and one at Nu'upia Ponds, Kane'ohe, O'ahu on 24th (both Lance Tanino). A single Ruff was reported, at James Campbell NWr on 30th (Tom Coles).
Two 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gulls were present in the James Campbell NWR/Amorient Aquafarm area on O'ahu, one having been present since the previous month (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Richard May) and two first winter Laughing Gulls were there on 29th, with possibly a further three there the same day (Peter Donaldson, Mike Ord, Richard May) and four observed on 30th (Tom Coles). Other multiple Gull sightings included a report of six at Kinikin Ditch/Barking Sands, Kaua'i on 29th, unfortunately the birds were not assigned to species, and restricted access during the current security alerts following the attacks on America on September 11th have meant birders have been unable to enter the base to confirm the sightings (per. David Kuhn). A first winter Tern at James Campbell NWR on 29th was considered to be a Common Tern and at Kaneohe Marine Base the same day, the Caspian Tern was still present (Peter Donaldson, Richard May) - having first been seen on Kaua'i in November 2000 and then on various Islands in the meantime and now having completed an entire year in the State (Christian Melgar et al.). A Least or Little Tern was observed at Nu'upia Ponds, O'ahu on 28th (Tom Coles).
Introduced Red-Crowned Amazon Parrots numbers appear to be slowly increasing in the Pearl City area of O'ahu with up to 110 individuals being sighted flying over in the evening to roost (Peter Donaldson). Although present as introduced residents Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse seem to be reported rather sparingly and so a sighting of three birds flying mauka, about one mile mauka of Waikoloa Village on 10th was a worthy report (Dan Lindsay)(also see February 2001). A Saffron Finch was reported from the Waikamoi Preserve, Maui on 3rd (Jeff Bagshaw), possibly the first record for that site.
A forest birding trip at Hakalau Forest NWR, Hawai'i on 6th produced the usual endemic species such as Hawai'i Elepaio, 'Omao, Hawai'i 'Amakihi, I'iwi and 'Apapane but failed to locate any 'Akiapola'au (Jason Rogers). Forest birding along the Mohihi Trail and edge of the Alakai Swamp on Kaua'i on 24th produced 2 Puaiohi, 50 'Apapane, 21 I'iwi, 27 Kaua'i 'Amakihi, 15 Kaua'i Elepaio, 17 'Anianiau, 6 'Akeke'e and one 'Akikiki, the last species seems to be getting ever more elusive (David Kuhn). On O'ahu up to four O'ahu 'Elepaio were regularly seen along the Aiea Ridge Trail, a welcome return to form for this site.
The Black-tailed Godwit managed to pass three milestones this year - 1). Complete a whole calender year in the State, 2). Complete a whole calender year at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu and 3). Remain for the whole of 2001!
Overall the year provided lots of interest, and for the fourth time since 1997 a new species or second record were recorded for the State (1997 - Intermediate Egret on Midway (Jim Nestler, Scott Richardson), 1st record. 1999 - Pacific Swift picked up dead on Midway, 2nd record; Tahiti Petrel near Kure Atoll (Reggie David, Eric Vanderwerf), c.2nd record. 2000 - Sora in Kona, Hawai'i (Kim Uyehara, Reggie David), 1st confirmed record; Black-tailed Godwit at Kahana Pond, Maui (Michael Fowles, Doug Pratt, Robert Randall et al), 1st record; Streaked Shearwater off Kauai (Steve Mlodinow), 2nd record; probable Arctic Warbler at Kilauea Point, Kaua'i (Christian Melgar), 1st record. 2001 - Rough-legged Hawk(s) on Midway (Billi Wagner) and Kaho'olawe (Lance Tanino), 2nd & 3rd record and Merlins on Midway (Wayne Sentman) and at Kaneohe, O'ahu (Eric Vanderwerf), 2nd record.
Hawaii Birding Chatlist. 2001. 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. 2001. Sightings reports published on the Birding Hawaii website. Worthing, West Sussex, U.K.
Pyle, R. and P. Donaldson. 2001. Quarterly reports in North American Birds Volumes 55:1, 55:2, 55:3 and 55:4 and Volumes 56:1 and 56:2. ABA.
