I was typing out a reply to the lady that was asking about places to go
to see birds on the Big Island and I struck a wrong key on my computer
and lost my answer to her inquiry. So here goes again. Having spent l6
years in the Islands working on endangered species, (l964-79) before
retiring, I suggest that at soon as she gets settled in a hotel in Hilo,
she contact several people there. First, give Dick Wass, Refuge Manager
of the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge or his biologist, Jack Jefferys,
to find out where you could see the most in a short time. Iiwis,
Apepane, Akepa, Amakihi, Elapaio, etc.in a number of kipukas along the
Saddle Road between Mauna Loa and Maunu Kea. The Palila especially near
the Puulaa Cabin area. But they could tell you where to go to see the
birds easiest with wasting too much time. Especially the native as well
as the non non native forest birds. Also contact Jim Jacobi, project
leader of the National Geological Survey biological research station
based at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. He and his staff also is
conducting research on birds, insects, plants etc.. Jim was one of our
botanists when we were conducting the systematic survey of the forest
birds of all the populated Hawaiian Islands. Also the McCandless Ranch
area for the Alala, the Hawaiian Crow which is a distinct species of
crow. The Volcano area is a place where you should easily see the Nene,
Hawaiian Goose. Up country from the Nene is the Akiopalaau. I repeat,
call them up and talk to them. You might see the Io, Hawaiian Hawk
anyplace, especially on the leeward, Kona, side. For Aeo, Hawaiian
Black-necked Stilt (a distinct species from the Stilt found here as is
the Alae Keokeo, Hawaiian Coot, on the Aimakapa Pond just north of the
Kona Airport. Hawaiian Coot are also found on several small ponds in
Hilo. These are just some of the native species to be seen. Introduced
Barred Doves and Lace-necked Doves are everywhere, right in towns. Also
the Eurasian Skylark, Warbling Silverbill, Red-billed Leiothrix,
Japanese White-eye, Northen Cardinal, Red-crested Cardinal, etc. etc.
etc.. If you have access to Forest Bird Communities of the Hawaiian
Islands, Their Dynamics, Ecology, and Conservation by J. Michael Scott
et al, a publication of the Cooper Ornithological Society consult it.
It's a book of 43l pages. The surveys which I helped initiate as the FWS
Endangered Species Coordinator is the basis for the establishment of
national wildlife refuges for Hawaiian forest birds. If you cannot get a
copy, pick up a copy of a booklet put out by the Hawaii Audubon Society
titled Hawaii's Birds. It's about lOO pages and has colored
illustrations of the birds plus small maps of various islands with
locations where you are liable to see various species of birds. But I
repeat, give Wass, Jefferys and Jacobi a call first. End of epistle. E.
Kridler