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| Endemic 'I'iwi, the highlight of our birding trip |
I found a tour and Scott gave it to me for Christmas. The trip was a day-long birding tour with Explore Maui Nature.
There were five of us plus our guide, Beth. We traveled to the summit and Hosmer’s Grove in Haleakalā National Park, the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and The King Kamehameha Golf Course.
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| Our group at the Haleakalā summit |
In this post, I will concentrate mainly on the birds I saw that I have not already discussed in my previous posts. And, I will cover more birds later. Please note that the photos of the birds in this post may not have actually been taken while on the birding tour. I don’t think the reader cares WHEN I took the pictures over the roughly 30 days between my first arrival and my second departure.
I think it's more important to represent the birds and give accurate information about WHERE I saw them.
Beth picked us up in Wailea in her very nice mini-tour bus and we headed straight for Haleakalā National Park. Almost immediately, we saw, but didn't stop for, our first bird, the Gray Francolin.
Gray Francolin
On my first trip to Maui, I saw four Gray Francolins and photographed zero – two were running along the road as we set out on the birding trip and two were in a residential area in
Formerly called the Grey Partridge, this introduced bird
from the Indian subcontinent
On my first trip to Maui, I saw four Gray Francolins and photographed zero – two were running along the road as we set out on the birding trip and two were in a residential area in
Kīhei. Every time one scurried away before I snapped a picture,
I was told, “don’t worry, they are everywhere.” They aren’t. But, on my second visit, I managed to see and photograph two of them. One was at my hotel and one was on a beach!
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| I am not sure why it is called "gray," it looks rufous to me! |
is a medium-sized Francolin and resembles a large Quail and
some of the Francolins I saw in Africa.
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| Windless day on Haleakalā |
It was a glorious morning, which was fortunate because it had been nasty up on Haleakalā during the storms on the previous days. The Park is notoriously cold and windy ("cold and windy" in the opinion of Hawai'ians) because it sits more than 10,000 feet above Maui's sunny beaches. But, on our visit, it was calm – very, very calm – and it never dropped below 40 degrees. I think it's a rare day that the flag doesn't even flutter.
As we approached the park entrance we saw a couple of Maui ‘Amakihis,
of which I got only one so-so photo. My first endemic bird!!! I will discuss the Amakihi in a moment.
We
also allegedly saw a Eurasian Skylark, but I am not even sure I saw it, so I did not count it as a “seen” bird. Fortunately, that was remedied when I returned to Haleakalā with Caty.
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| My first glimpse of a Maui ‘Amakihi |
'Apapane
But, the first real sighting of a “new” bird was the endemic Hawai’ian ‘Apapane, of which we saw only one flitting around the main Haleakalā National Park Visitor Center, unfortunately most of the time in a deeply shaded flowering bush.
The feathers of this brilliant red honeycreeper were once
used to adorn the capes, helmets and feather leis of Hawaiian nobility (the Ali'i). This comes up a few times and is an interesting way to adorn clothing – but, remember Hawai'i has no native fur-bearing land animals.
’Apapane generally form small flocks when foraging through the canopies of ʻōhiʻa lehua
trees, drinking nectar from the flowers and simultaneously pollinating them. But, alas, we saw just one bird on that first visit, not a flock. That's sad, because I saw ebird reports of flocks of up to 50 birds.
But, the first real sighting of a “new” bird was the endemic Hawai’ian ‘Apapane, of which we saw only one flitting around the main Haleakalā National Park Visitor Center, unfortunately most of the time in a deeply shaded flowering bush.
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| My first encounter with an 'Apapane |
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| This painting shows the Ali'i in feather-adorned capes and helmets |
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| 'Apapane |
Male ’Apapane are known for singing, with six different calls and about ten different song patterns.
The major traits of an adult ’Apapane are a bright crimson
top and back; white bottom and under tail; and black wings and legs.
A unique
characteristic is the white undertail coverts which can be seen clearly when
the tail is cocked, giving the bird the nick name, “Apa-Panties.”
’Apapane live on Hawaiʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu
and Maui.
The majority – 86 percent – can be found on Hawai’i, especially in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The next largest population is found on Maui; it is made up of 110,000 individuals, most of them found in protected forests on the slopes of Haleakalā.
The majority – 86 percent – can be found on Hawai’i, especially in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The next largest population is found on Maui; it is made up of 110,000 individuals, most of them found in protected forests on the slopes of Haleakalā.
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| 'Apapane |
Our guide told us that recently some 'Apapane had been migrating to lower elevations on Maui, leading biologists to think a small portion of the population is becoming resistant to malaria.
Volunteers have been planting native bushes and trees along their path to encourage the birds to spread out.
When Caty and I visited Haleakalā, we saw 'Apapane all along the road at mid-elevations. No matter how many times I stopped, I never got even a bad photo. But I saw lots of them. Caty managed to snag one photo in Hosmer's Grove while I was looking elsewhere for birds.
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| 'Apapane; Photo: Caty Stevens |
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| Northern Mockingbird |
This was
no big deal to the five people on the tour – we were all from the Mainland.
But
our guide, Beth, said they weren’t all that common on Hawai’i, so it was a
special sighting. And, it was the only one I saw.
Chukar
After our encounter with the ’Apapane, we continued up to the summit area, stopping in a hikers’ parking lot in search of Nēnē, which were not there at that time. We pulled into the Summit Visitor Center Parking lot and were greeted by a small flock of Chukar scurrying across the concrete and into the lava field.
After our encounter with the ’Apapane, we continued up to the summit area, stopping in a hikers’ parking lot in search of Nēnē, which were not there at that time. We pulled into the Summit Visitor Center Parking lot and were greeted by a small flock of Chukar scurrying across the concrete and into the lava field.
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| Chukar toes the line in the Summit parking lot |
A member of the pheasant family, the Chukar was introduced to Hawai’i for hunting.
Its name comes from its noisy “chuck-chuck-chukar-chukar” song. The Chukar’s native range is Asia, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the inner ranges of the Western Himalayas from India to Nepal. Its habitat in the native range is dry rocky open hillsides with grass or scattered scrub or cultivation. It is not unusual to see Chukars at high altitudes. The summit of Haleakalā is 10,023 feet.
Its name comes from its noisy “chuck-chuck-chukar-chukar” song. The Chukar’s native range is Asia, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the inner ranges of the Western Himalayas from India to Nepal. Its habitat in the native range is dry rocky open hillsides with grass or scattered scrub or cultivation. It is not unusual to see Chukars at high altitudes. The summit of Haleakalā is 10,023 feet.
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| Chukar |
If really necessary, they will fly a short distance, often down a slope on rounded wings,
calling loudly immediately after alighting.
Before young Chukars fly for the first time, they use wing-assisted incline-running as a transition to adult flight.
This behavior is found in several bird species, but has been extensively studied in Chukar chicks as a model to explain the evolution of avian flight.
Before young Chukars fly for the first time, they use wing-assisted incline-running as a transition to adult flight.
This behavior is found in several bird species, but has been extensively studied in Chukar chicks as a model to explain the evolution of avian flight.
The Chukar is the national bird of Iraq and of Pakistan and,
in North Indian and Pakistani culture and mythology, it symbolizes intense and, often, unrequited, love.
They are beautiful, if a little bit amusing, birds. Caty and I saw a couple more near the crater when we visited.
We then continued on to the summit, where Beth took the obligatory “I am clawing my way up” photo.
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| A Chukar leaves the parking area |
We then continued on to the summit, where Beth took the obligatory “I am clawing my way up” photo.
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| If I had known the angle, I wouldn't have held my hand up so high! Still ... |
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| The Big island is behind those clouds |
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| Hosmer's Grove |
Only
20 of Hosmer’s 86 introduced species survived: the soil was unsuitable for many
and Haleakalā’s high winds blew others over. A few thrived, escaping from
Hosmer's experimental forest.
The Mexican weeping pine, Monterey pine and eucalyptus have become aggressive invaders and are now recognized threats to the native ecosystems within Haleakalā National Park. I will talk about this more in my next post.
The Mexican weeping pine, Monterey pine and eucalyptus have become aggressive invaders and are now recognized threats to the native ecosystems within Haleakalā National Park. I will talk about this more in my next post.
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'I'iwi on a māmane plant
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We were not disappointed in Hosmer's birds. Immediately upon entering the parking lot, we came upon several ‘I’iwis hopping around in the bushes, drinking in nectar as fast as they could.
The ‘I’iwi (pronounced ee-EE-vee) is, by far, my favorite
Hawai’ian bird.
I mean, just look at it …
I mean, just look at it …
Also called the Scarlet Honeycreeper, the ‘I’iwi is a "hummingbird-niched"
species of Hawaiian honeycreeper because it can hover, much like a hummingbird.
It is the most plentiful species of its group, many of which are endangered or extinct. In fact, it is the third most common native land bird in the Hawai’ian Islands, living on Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi and, in small colonies, on Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. The total island population of 350,000 is declining, primarily because of habitat destruction, replacement of native vegetation with non-native plants and a high susceptibility to disease, including fowlpox, avian malaria and avian influenza.
The adult Iʻiwi is mostly scarlet, with black wings and tail
and a long, curved salmon-colored bill used primarily for drinking nectar.
Younger birds have golden plumage with more spots and ivory bills – I didn’t
(to my knowledge) see any of them.
It is the most plentiful species of its group, many of which are endangered or extinct. In fact, it is the third most common native land bird in the Hawai’ian Islands, living on Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi and, in small colonies, on Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. The total island population of 350,000 is declining, primarily because of habitat destruction, replacement of native vegetation with non-native plants and a high susceptibility to disease, including fowlpox, avian malaria and avian influenza.
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| The 'I'iwi's decurved bill and legs are bright orange |
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| May be a juvenile or may just have pollen on it |
Like the ‘Apapane, the 'Iʻiwi was prized for its feathers, which were used to decorate cloaks and helmets for the Ali'i.
The 'Iʻiwi's long bill assists it to extract nectar from
the flowers of Hawai'ian lobelioids, which have decurved corollas. Starting
in 1902, lobelioids declined dramatically and the 'Iʻiwi shifted
to nectar from the blossoms of ʻōhiʻa lehua.
They also eat small arthropods.
‘I’iwis are “altitudinal migrants,” following the progress
of flowers as they bloom at increasing altitudes throughout the year. They sometimes fly between the Hawai’ian islands.
Unfortunately, seeking food at lower elevation exposes them to low-elevation diseases. Therefore, their range is limited.
These are very vocal and very loud birds. The grove is absolutely alive with their calls.
Unfortunately, seeking food at lower elevation exposes them to low-elevation diseases. Therefore, their range is limited.
These are very vocal and very loud birds. The grove is absolutely alive with their calls.
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| 'I'iwi |
Down the trail, when we got to the native forest, we saw many more ‘I’iwis and the even-more-tricky-to-photograph Maui ‘Amakihi. Still referred to as the Hawai’i ‘Amakihi by many, is being split off as a separate species shortly.
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| It took some patience to get a close shot of this Maui 'Amakihi |
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| Maui 'Amakihi leaving the ʻōhiʻa lehua bush |
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| ‘Amakihi shows us its tongue |
We never saw any Maui ‘Alauahios – Hawai’ian Creepers. Beth says they can be seen on the large non-native trees at the beginning of the nature trail, but she sees them only about 10 percent of the time.
Their coloration is similar to the ‘Amakihi and I saw lots of what I thought were 'Amakihis zipping about , so maybe we did see some … who knows?
When Caty and I went, she may have seen one when she went into the grove before I did, but she didn't get a photo, so we are not sure.
Beth also reported that she heard but did not see two other
birds – both introduced species – the Japanese Bush Warbler and the Chinese
Hwamei (AKA Melodious Laughing-Thrush). These birds are known for being heard
but not seen.
While we picnicked in the picnic/camping area, we
photographed the skittish ‘I’iwi and the very-willing-to-pose House Sparrows.
Why
is it that the easiest to photograph birds on this trip were a Northern Mockingbird and
a House Sparrow? Why?
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| House Sparrow |
Anyway, on to more birds …
Nēnē
Stopping again at a popular trailhead parking lot, we did see a pair of Nēnēs. Typical geese, they hang out there hoping to snag snacks dropped by hikers. Nēnē mate for life and spend most of their time with their life partner.
Nēnē
Stopping again at a popular trailhead parking lot, we did see a pair of Nēnēs. Typical geese, they hang out there hoping to snag snacks dropped by hikers. Nēnē mate for life and spend most of their time with their life partner.
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| Pair of Nēnēs; almost all the ones I saw were tagged |
Also known as the Hawaiian Goose, the Nēnē is the official
bird of the state of Hawaiʻi and is exclusively found in the wild on O’ahu,
Kauaʻi, Molokai, the Big Island and Maui. With only 2,500 wild birds, it is the
rarest goose on earth.
Still, they are pretty easy to find in Maui. Or so I thought. Scott and I saw quite a few. Caty and I never saw any and that makes me sad. I really wanted her to see one.
It’s a very pretty goose, especially the thick buff-colored
feathers on its neck that are furrowed to reveal black skin below.
The Hawaiian name comes from its soft call, a sort of grunt that
sounds like nay-nay-nay.
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| The Nēnē has a deeply furrowed neck |
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| Nēnē resting before begging hikers for snacks |
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| Extinct Hawai'ian Geese with a Nēnē; Painting: Julian P. Hume, Smithsonian Institution |
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| On the lookout in the Visitor Center parking lot |
It is believed that Nēnē were once common, with
approximately 25,000 Hawaiian Geese living in Hawaiʻi when Captain James Cook
arrived in 1778.
Hunting and introduced predators, such as small Asian Mongooses, pigs and cats, reduced the population to 30 birds by 1952.
The
species breeds well in captivity, and has been successfully re-introduced.
There is concern about inbreeding due to the small initial population of birds.The Nēnē is the only goose species in the Northern Hemisphere to nest during the winter months of October through March.
Hunting and introduced predators, such as small Asian Mongooses, pigs and cats, reduced the population to 30 birds by 1952.
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| Nēnēs aren't often seen on water |
As we were driving up and down Haleakalā, we searched for
the Pueo – Hawaiian Short-Eared Owl – that Beth said is frequently seen in the
scrubland on the flanks of the mountain. Alas, no Pueo! Nor did we see any of
the feral goats that plague the Park.
We did stop briefly to listen to what must have been a huge flock of Eurasian Skylarks singing in a grove of trees just off the main road at the lower elevations. These birds really understand "heard and not seen."
We did stop briefly to listen to what must have been a huge flock of Eurasian Skylarks singing in a grove of trees just off the main road at the lower elevations. These birds really understand "heard and not seen."
Next was Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, a salt marsh on the south-central coast between Kīhei and Māʻalaea. The Refuge is home to 30 species of waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory ducks.
In
the rainy winter season, high water levels enlarge the freshwater pond to more
than 400 acres. By spring, water levels begin dropping and, by summer, the pond
shrinks to half its winter size, leaving a salty residue behind.
This accounts for its name, "Kealia," meaning "salt encrusted place.” Just during the time I was there, I saw wide fluctuation in the water level.
Kealia was once an ancient fishpond supplied with water from
the Waikapu Stream in the West Maui Mountains and Kolaloa Gulch originating
from Haleakalā. Native Hawaiians may have raised awa (milkfish) and amaʻama
(flathead mullet) using a system of ditches and sluice gates to let nearby fish
from Māʻalaea Beach into the pond. Beth told us that there has been a problem
with modern-day fishermen digging trenches to the ocean in order to draw out small baitfish and attract larger ocean fish. This is illegal, but it goes on and
artificially lowers the marsh level. Many locals have gotten away with claiming a native right to do this, but lately, the Park Service is clamping down.
This accounts for its name, "Kealia," meaning "salt encrusted place.” Just during the time I was there, I saw wide fluctuation in the water level.
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| Kealia Pond from the air |
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| Hawai'ian Stilt in the mudflat area |
The trails were too, too
muddy to go very far, but I did see some Hawai’ian Stilts and Hawai’ian Coots,
plus some tracks from feral pigs.
The more popular (and productive) viewing place is a
beautiful boardwalk situated between the pond and the beach. You can actually
birdwatch and whale watch at the same time.
So, let’s talk about the Kealia Pond birds, which were
totally different from those I saw anywhere else.
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| Kealia Pond Boardwalk |
Hawai'ian Coot
The Hawai'ian Coot looks very much like an American Coot, but it is recognized as a separate bird (perhaps two separate birds) and is endemic to Hawai’i.
Also known as the ʻAlae Kea, the Hawai’ian Coot is in the Rail family and has white frontal shield that is a larger and more bulbous than that of the American Coot. Some have red on the shield and a few with almost completely red shields have been observed. Scientists are studying whether the ones with red are actually a separate bird. The Hawai’ian Coot’s legs and giant feet are gray rather than the yellow-green found on American Coots, but they still have the funky pads for which Coot feet are famous.
They live in freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, coastal
saline lagoons and water storage areas.
On O’ahu, Molokai, Kaua'i and Maui, the Hawai'ian Coot was previously abundant, but by the 1950s and 1960s, there were fewer than 1,000 birds statewide. Since then, the
population has fluctuated from less than 1,000 to over 3,000 and appears to be
gradually increasing. The
Hawai’ian Coot was federally listed in 1970 as an endangered species,
threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators including the Java Mongoose.
Do you get the idea that introducing the mongoose might have been the WORST idea ever?
Hawai’ian Stilt
The Hawai'ian Coot looks very much like an American Coot, but it is recognized as a separate bird (perhaps two separate birds) and is endemic to Hawai’i.
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| The Hawai'ian Coot's Shield is more bulbous than the American Coot's |
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| Hawai'ian Coot |
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| Hawai'ian Coot |
Do you get the idea that introducing the mongoose might have been the WORST idea ever?
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| Look at those feet! |
The next endemic and endangered bird we saw was the Hawai’ian
Stilt (Aeʻo or Kukuluaeʻo) – a very pretty and a little bit silly-looking bird.
Sometimes classified as a subspecies of the Black-Necked Stilt and sometimes listed as its own species, the Hawai’ian Stilt has more black on its neck and face and
it has slightly longer legs than its Mainland cousin. That’s
saying something because the Hawai’ian Stilt has among the longest legs of any
bird in the world.
Generally found below elevations of 500 feet, the Hawai’ian
Stilt occurs locally on all the main Hawai’ian islands, and there are breeding populations on O'ahu, Kaua'i and Maui, where it is fairly common. It is
uncommon on Moloka'i and Lānaʻi, and scarce on Hawai'i. Many of Kauai's birds
migrate to Ni'ihau during wet winters. Stilts are most often seen in wetlands
near the ocean in large groups on ponds, marshes and mudflats.
Like many of Hawaii's native birds, the Hawai’ian Stilt is
facing extensive conservation threats, including loss and degradation of wetland
habitat, disease, environmental contaminants and introduced predators including rats, dogs, cats and mongooses. Native predators include the Pueo (Hawai’ian
Short-Eared Owl) and the Black-Crowned Night Heron. The Hawai’ian Stilt was a popular game bird
until waterbird hunting was banned in Hawaii in 1939.
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| Hawai'ian Stilts showing off those long, long legs |
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| Hawai'ian Stilts often appear in flocks |
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| Hawai'ian Stilts in flight |
In researching for the blog, I learned that you can differentiate males from females by the feathers on their backs – males are glossy black and females have a tinge of brown.
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| Female, left, and male, right |
Black-Crowned Night Herons abound at Kealia Pond; at one point I saw at least 30 in one area.
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| Black-Crowned Night Heron coming in for a landing |
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| Hunting |
Black-Crowned Night Herons are smaller, stockier and have shorter
bills, legs and necks than egrets and "day" herons.
When resting, they often hunch down, extending their necks in a heron-like pose only when hunting. They stand statue-still at the water's edge – sometimes for very long periods – and wait to ambush prey, including small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals and small birds.
When resting, they often hunch down, extending their necks in a heron-like pose only when hunting. They stand statue-still at the water's edge – sometimes for very long periods – and wait to ambush prey, including small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals and small birds.
They are among seven heron species that use bait to fish. They have been
observed tossing buoyant objects into water to attract fish – a rare example
of tool use among birds.
With its brilliant red eyes and pearl gray feathers, the
Black-Crowned Night Heron is a beautiful bird.
Cattle Egret
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| Black-Crowned Night Herons tend to be a bit dramatic |
Another introduced bird that you see everywhere in Maui is the Cattle Egret.
Sanderling
Way off in the distance we saw a number of Sanderlings, the tiny light-colored shore birds that appear on beaches around the world. These long-distance migrants spend their summers in the Arctic and winter in South America, South Europe, Africa, Australia and the U.S. I have never seen them in breeding plumage, when their necks turn red. These ones in Kealia were exceptionally light-colored.
Sanderlings are often seen running along sandy beaches at the
surf’s edge, stopping
frequently to pick up small food items. They hunt small crabs and other small
invertebrates by plunging their beaks into the sand at random, consuming whatever
they find. In Maui, I saw them only at Kealia and not on the beach. The most common beach bird was the House Sparrow.
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| Cattle Egret |
Found in the tropics, subtropics and warm-temperate zones, the Cattle Egret is originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, but
has undergone rapid expansion throughout much of the world in the last century.
Most has been natural expansion, but not in Hawai'i. Cattle Egrets were introduced there in
1959 in a failed attempt to control insects in cane fields.
Although often found near bodies of water, Cattle Egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species.
Although often found near bodies of water, Cattle Egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species.
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| Cattle Egret takes off |
Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands and wetlands.
They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insects
and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these as the big animals walk, hence their name.
Despite superficial similarities in appearance, the Cattle Egret
is more closely related to great or typical herons and the great egret than to
the majority of smaller egrets.
The positioning of the Cattle Egret's eyes allows for
binocular vision during feeding, but because they have adapted to foraging on
land, they have lost the ability possessed by their wetland relatives to
accurately correct for light refraction, thus making it difficult to hunt fish.
Sanderling
Way off in the distance we saw a number of Sanderlings, the tiny light-colored shore birds that appear on beaches around the world. These long-distance migrants spend their summers in the Arctic and winter in South America, South Europe, Africa, Australia and the U.S. I have never seen them in breeding plumage, when their necks turn red. These ones in Kealia were exceptionally light-colored.
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| Sanderlings |
Wandering Tattler
The final shorebird I saw was another new one for me, the Wandering Tattler. Also migratory, these birds spend the summers in far-eastern Russia, Alaska, portions of the California coast and northwestern Canada.
In
the winter, they are found on rocky islands in the southwest Pacific and on
rocky Pacific coasts from California to South America and as far away as Australia.
Wandering Tattlers forage actively for crustaceans and
marine worms, making jerky bobbing movements. Its name refers to two separate
characteristic of the breed: "wandering" for its widespread
occurrence over vast portions of ocean; “tattler" for the alarm notes it
uses to alert other birds to a hunter's presence. But, ya gotta think the name also reflects how it paces along the water's edge.
The final shorebird I saw was another new one for me, the Wandering Tattler. Also migratory, these birds spend the summers in far-eastern Russia, Alaska, portions of the California coast and northwestern Canada.
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| Wandering Tattler hunkering down in the wind |
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| Wandering Tattler doing what it does -- wandering |
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| Scaly-Breasted Munia |
Another bird in abundance at Kealia Pond -- and also at the golf courses -- was the tiny little Scaly-Breasted Munia, known in the pet trade as Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch. Big flocks of these cute little critters fly from bush to bush on the edge of the boardwalk, occasionally alighting long enough to be photographed.
Native to tropical Asia,
the Scaly-Breasted Munia – so named because of scale-shaped feather markings on
the breast and belly – is another introduced species.
The highly social bird eats grass seeds, berries and small
insects, foraging in flocks and communicating with soft calls and whistles.
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| A flock of Scaly-Breasted Munias |
Golf Course Birds
Then, we were off to wilds of Maui – the King Kamehameha Golf Course in Waikapu. Although this is a private club, Beth has permission to take her tours onto the grounds for two reasons – to look for birds and to see the unique clubhouse.
This spaceship-looking pink structure with tile trim that
resembles whale flukes was based on the designs of several structures by Frank
Lloyd Wright.
The primary design was a house Wright designed for Arthur
Miller and Marilyn Monroe that was never built because the playwright and
actress divorced. That design was, in turn, a modification of two previous unbuilt
projects from the late 40s and early 50s.
Then, we were off to wilds of Maui – the King Kamehameha Golf Course in Waikapu. Although this is a private club, Beth has permission to take her tours onto the grounds for two reasons – to look for birds and to see the unique clubhouse.
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| The King Kamehameha Club Clubhouse |
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| Clubhouse detail |
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| The Conch Blower |
He enlarged the 7,000 square feet planned for a house to 74,000 square feet to meet the spatial requirements of a commercial clubhouse and modified them to it to fit into the natural landscape of Waikapu's hilly terrain.
Construction of the clubhouse was completed in 1993.
When economic downturn closed the golf course from 1999-2006, the
clubhouse was kept open and used for private functions.
Now the property is one of Maui's premier 18-hole member golf clubs.
Now the property is one of Maui's premier 18-hole member golf clubs.
Most of the birds we saw on the grounds were repeats of
birds I had already seen – and have discussed in previous posts …
The Common Myna …
The Red-Crested Cardinal …
The Java Sparrow (almost too far away to photograph) …
... and the Pacific Golden Plover …
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| Common Mynas are often seen striding confidently across parking lots or yards |
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| Red-Crested Cardinals tend to stay on the ground |
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| Java Sparrows are a bit more shy than other birds we saw |
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| Pacific Golden Plovers also like golf courses |
I did get a glimpse – through a windshield that made catching a photo impossible – of a couple of Chestnut Munias. You need forensic IT skills to pick them out!
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| Left, in my picture, you can barely make out two birds; right, Chestnut Munia |
This small introduced Asian finch has a black head and brown body with a brick-red patch on the lower back, visible only when it flies.
Sea Birds?
You may wonder why, on a birding tour, we didn’t see any seabirds. That’s because there aren’t many in Maui. They are rare for the same reasons whales gather in Maui – lack of food in the shallow bays. There are a number of pelagic birds that live on the open ocean and come into Maui just to nest, but nothing was actively nesting when I visited. And, now, feral cats threaten many of the nesting colonies. Oddly this trip was the first time I noticed that the beaches are devoid of gulls. Rather, they are inhabited by Common Mynas, House Sparrows, Rock Pigeons and Red-Crested Cardinals.
On my subsequent visit with Caty, I did see a few very cool seabirds – including my first Booby. I will talk about them later.
The birding tour was a fun day where I learned a lot about
Maui and the birds that live there. I didn’t check off everything on the list –
far from it – but I did gain a much greater appreciation for why checking off
the list is difficult.
You may wonder why, on a birding tour, we didn’t see any seabirds. That’s because there aren’t many in Maui. They are rare for the same reasons whales gather in Maui – lack of food in the shallow bays. There are a number of pelagic birds that live on the open ocean and come into Maui just to nest, but nothing was actively nesting when I visited. And, now, feral cats threaten many of the nesting colonies. Oddly this trip was the first time I noticed that the beaches are devoid of gulls. Rather, they are inhabited by Common Mynas, House Sparrows, Rock Pigeons and Red-Crested Cardinals.
On my subsequent visit with Caty, I did see a few very cool seabirds – including my first Booby. I will talk about them later.
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| A Brown Booby flies across Ma'alaea Bay |
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| Some good sightings |
Trip 1 date: January 31-February 8, 2019
Trip 2 date: February 25-March 2, 2019
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