Subject: Birding Hawaii and Oahu, 3/19-3/28/04
Date: Apr 2 14:21:55 2004
From: Fran Wood m - fbwood at u.washington.edu


Greetings Tweeters,

Bunny and I with a couple of our birding friends from Cleveland
spent 5 days on the "big island" before traveling to Honolulu for a
"mini-reunion" of my Princeton Class. As usual, the birding in the state of
Hawaii was most interesting.

On the Island of Hawaii we stayed in a condominium 100 yds.
south of the Punalu'u black sand beach at the south end of the island. At
the feeder outside our window were flocks of Saffron Finches, Northern
Cardinals, House Finches and House Sparrows. Common Mynas were everywhere,
as were Zebra and Spotted Doves. Pacific Golden-Plover single birds were on
lawns and golf courses, and bunches of Yellow-Fronted Canaries and Japanese
White-eyes were seen in the brush.

On Sunday (3/21) we had signed up for a "birdwatching adventure"
with Hawaii Forest and Trail out of Kailua-Kona. This was a 12 hr. trip to
the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the east slopes of Mauna Kea.
The altitude of 3-4,000 ft. puts the area above mosquito levels, protecting
the native birds from the deadly Avian Malaria to which they have no
immunity. The introduced birds are immune. Our leader was Kevin Schneider
who was excellent at locating birds and leading a fine trip. We saw 9
species of native birds on this trip including the Pueo (Short-eared owl),
'Elepaio, 'Oma'o, Hawai'i Amakihi, 'Akiapola'au, Hawai'i Creeper, 'Akepa,
I'iwi and 'Apapane. We had spectacular scope views of the 'Akiapola'au
picking at bark with its short straight lower bill, and then removing its
prey with its curved upper bill and tongue. Additional introduced birds
seen included Chukar, Black Francolin, Erckel's Francolin, Kalij Pheasant,
Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, California Quail, and a Red-billed
Leiothrix was heard.

On Monday we explored South Point (the most southern point in
the U.S.) and saw many Sky Larks, a flock of Ruddy Turnstones. No seabirds
were seen. We explored Whittington Beach Park on our way back to the condo.
And saw the Yellow-billed Cardinal, a mature and immature 'Auku'u
(Black-crowned Night-Heron), a Great Blue Heron, and a white egret of some
sort. The last had very black legs and feet in flight, and was all white
with a yellow bill. It seemed small for a Common Egret (not seen on the
islands) but could have been a non-breeding Cattle Egret. Back at the
condo. we saw some Lesser Yellowlegs on the beach along with some Sea
Turtles.

On Tuesday we explored the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park where
we added the White-tailed Tropicbird to our list (flying in the craters), as
well as the Black Noddy at the closed end of the Chain of Craters Road at
the ocean. We never saw a Nene (Hawai'ian Goose) even though we passed
dozens of "Nene crossing" signs along the highway.

Wednesday we flew to Honolulu where we stayed on Waikiki Beach.
The Palms around the hotel were loaded with Red-vented and Red-whiskered
Bulbuls, as well as several mating White (Fairy) Terns. The lawns hosted
bunches of Java Sparrows along with the House Finches and House Sparrows,
and Rock Pigeons which were almost all white. On trips around Diamond Head
and the east end of the island, we saw some Red-footed Boobies in flight as
well as an occasional 'Iwa (Great Frigatebird).

The trip was marvelous in spite of a couple of episodes of
thunderstorms and deluging rainfall. Resources I would recommend include
"Hawaii's Birds" (Hawaii Audubon Society), "The Birds of Hawaii and the
Tropical Pacific" (Pratt, Bruner and Berrett), and the revised edition of
"Enjoying Birds and Other Wildlife in Hawaii" by Doug Pratt (2002). Also,
if you're on the big island, check out Hawaii Forest and Trail and their
trips. (I have no financial interest in any of the above).

Best birding wishes to you all,

Fran Wood (male)

Seattle
(Madrona)

206-323-2296