Subject: [Tweeters] Oahu birding?
Date: Dec 27 20:08:22 2010
From: Jeff Kozma - jcr_5105 at charter.net


I haven't spent much time on Oahu, but I did see Red-whiskered Bulbuls (another introduced species) at the airport while waiting for my flight to the mainland.

Jeff Kozma

Yakima

j c r underscore 5105 at charter dot net
----- Original Message -----
From: wheelermombi at comcast.net
To: Roger Andersen ; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Oahu birding?


Hi Roger,



I lived on O`ahu for 9 years (during the 1990s), but as a non-birder, by and large. I did go back in August 2009 with my scope and bins and had a great deal of success. Here's a link to the field guide that I brought along; there may be some more up-to-date books that I'm not aware of: http://www.amazon.com/Enjoying-Birds-Hawaii-Birdfinding-Fiftieth/dp/B0046QLUA8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1293491697&sr=8-6



My favorite spot was to drive to a look-out parking lot by Makapuu just a little beyond Hana`uma Bay while driving east on Kalaniana`ole HWY. Scoping Manana Island from this vantage, at least in August, I was able to see large numbers of Sooty Terns. I also saw Great Frigatebirds, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Red-footed Boobies, and was very lucky to have a close fly-by of 2 Masked Boobies.



Kapiolani Park at Waikiki is a guarantee for White Terns and several introduced species of birds. If I remember correctly, near the tennis courts, you should be able to find Yellow-fronted Canaries.



Toward the leeward side of the island are the Ko`olina Resorts. They have constructed 4 artificial lagoons which are open to the public. If you drive to the last one and scope out the buoys, you should be able to find some loafing Brown Pelicans. The golf course that you drive along side of to reach the lagoons should have Black-crowned Night Herons, Pacific Golden Plovers, Cattle Egrets, and sometimes other good species; I've seen Hawaiian Duck and Black-necked Stilts there. A walk around the resort should yield Saffron Finches and Common Waxbills.



Lyon Arboretum in Manoa Valley, not far from the University of Hawaii, often has a good number of the introduced species of forest birds (and lots of mosquitoes).



There are a lot of other locations that you can explore; I would check with the local Audubon chapter, which sometimes has trips to otherwise off-limits spots, such as the North Shore ponds or Kane`ohe Marine Base. Ka`ena Point is a long coastal hike on the NW tip of the island and is perhaps the prettiest spot on O`ahu. I've walked passed nesting Laysan Albatrosses there. The extant endemic forest birds can be difficult to find. You will typically need to hike into the mountains. The trails can be very treacherous and steep, but I've seen Amakihi, Elepaio, and Apapane along some of them.



Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!



Lonnie Somer


----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Andersen" <nitpicker at comcast.net>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 2:32:36 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Oahu birding?

Looking out my Seattle window at the rain, I am looking forward to a few days on Oahu later in the winter. Would anyone be willing to suggest any birding opportunities I might find there?

Particular places to visit, species to look for, guides to help identify what I find,... I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

Thank you.

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