Following the hard core birders on Oahu

In February 2020 we started our two month long holiday of Central America and the Caribbean. We didn't quite make two months as Covid19 struck and we were debarked in Fort Lauderdale a couple of weeks early but we did have a great time virus worries not withstanding. Because we are older and generously proportioned in the shoulders (and elsewhere) we find long flights unpleasant but coming from Australia there aren't many choices. In this case we overnighted in Auckland and then had another stopover in Honululu. We only had five days before we had to be in San Diego so we didn't try to see any of the other Hawaiian Islands and stuck to Oahu. There was plenty to do; Luaus, Pearl Harbour, Tourist submarines, Diamond Head, lots of walking and hiring a car to drive around the Island. But I had also organised a bird watching tour with local guide Mandy Talpas. When I first booked it was just Reagan and I but over time 5 other birders had jumped on the booking (with my blessing) which turned out great as Reagan was crook on the day and bailed. 

BUT

My bird watching needs were "let's see as much as possible as I've never been to Hawaii before" whereas the hard core birders that joined in were more "I need to see this obscure endemic bird to complete my life list" I mean fair enough, that's why you hire a bird watching guide so this is my story of seeing the Oahu Amakihi, the Oahu Elepaio, and the Bristle-thighed Curlew. The first two are of course endemic to Oahu. The Curlew breeds in a few remote areas of Alaska in summer then migrates to the Pacific Islands to have a winter holiday. Nice. 

Our apartment was opposite the Zoo and the park outside and a walk up Diamond Head let me snap these exciting birds:

Red-crested Cardinal

The Red-crested Cardinal is a South American species introduced to Hawaii and certainly where I was staying it appears to be quite common but look at it! It's beautiful. Just hanging around the park near Waikiki Beach. 

Yellow-fronted Canary

This is an African bird and ebird gave me a rare warning when I went to add it but again introduced to Hawaii and seemingly thriving. 

Common Waxbill

Another sub-saharan African bird that has been spread about the world widely as released cage birds and thriving on Oahu.

Zebra Dove

The Zebra Dove is about half the size of the pigeons and doves I'm familiar with which isn't obvious from the photo. A South East Asian native it is also doing well in Hawaii. 

Java Sparrow

Saffron Finch

Red-vented Bulbul

White-rumped Shama

You might be noticing a theme here. Another attractive cage bird, the Java sparrow was introduced from Indonesia and the Saffron finch from South America. The Red-vented Bulbul is from India and the White-rumped Shama (iritatingly not showing his white rump) is Asian. Where are all the Hawaiian birds you're asking? Well it turns out that as well as the usual anthropogenic extinctions due to habitat destruction, Hawaiian birds are dying out due to a mosquito born avian malaria. In the cool of the high forest mountains there are still safe zones where the mosquito can't survive but Oahu unfortunately doesn't have any mountains high enough. Some species have developed an immunity but most haven't.

What about the Oahu Amahiki I hear you clamour? We headed out early but it was only a short drive up Tantalus mountain with great views across to Diamond Head. We just stopped on the side of the road where a steep hillside had us looking out onto the forest canopy below. It was overcast and the early hour meant poor lighting and my poor P900 struggled to focus. What looked like a little brown bird flitting quickly between the flowers turned out a little more interesting in the photos. No photography awards here but still definitive proof of the honeycreeper.

Oahu Amahiki

Our next jaunt saw us heading up the east coast and then ducking into one of those lush valleys that plunge into the interior of the island. A short walk through the forest and it starts to rain. It was warm enough but I was concerned for the camera. The Liangs generously lent me a poncho to keep the camera dry. We waited for about 30 minutes for the Oahu Elepaio to appear. According to Mandy it isn't shy and will often come and check out birders for a fleeting moment. Someone saw a Red-billed Leiothrix and as we hunted for a photo we saw the Elepaio. It sat hundled on a branch getting wet and feeling quite sorry for itself. Normally flycatchers are pretty quick and don't hang around long for photographers but this fellow just sat till we gave up. It was in dense brush and dark with the rain so even worse photos than for the Amakihi. Sigh.

Oahu Elepaio

Four birders now happy having seen their endemics we headed up to the North of the island and that most excellent of birding spots, a golf course. The Kahuku golf course is a casual sort of public course and didn't mind us wandering around the extremities looking for birds and in particular, the Bristle-thighed Curlew. Mandy spotted 3or4 Curlews in a field and we navigated the long grass to get a better look. As we got close something spooked them and Curlews appeared out of everywhere and wheeled overhead, a 30+ strong flock. A few landed out in the open on the golf course and that's where I got a few shots. They kept getting spooked by a Laysan Albatross that was wheeling about the course. It's not often that I get irritated by an albatross hanging around and disturbing my photos but there you go. 

Bristle-thighed Curlew

The offending Laysan Albatross

Laysan Albatross

Our hard core birders sated we stopped for some Chilly Shrimp at a roadside van. The shrimp came fresh from a local pond that I had seen the day before when we hired the car and drove round the island. There was a conservation area but when I turned off the road the area was all sealed off and you couldn't even walk in. Fortunately the other side of the pond was by the highway and I got these interesting photos.

Black-crowned Night-heron

The shrimp were as popular with the Herons as they were with the birders! There were also stilts and coots and what I thought was a Dusky Moorhen but it turns out they were the Hawaiian specific Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian), the Common Gallinule (Hawaiian), and the Hawaiian Coot.

Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian)

Common Gallinule (Hawaiian)

Hawaiian Coot

Assorted other birds

Pacific Golden Plover

Ruddy Turnstone

Cattle Egret

Wandering Tattler

Rose-ringed Parakeet

I'm not entirely sure about the Ruddy Turnstone, it was hanging with the Plover so I thought it was a juvenile but looking at the photos before posting I went with the Turnstone. The Cattle Egret seems to be as ubiquitos as the Common Myna. Next stop Mexico