Field notes from Ronald L. Walker, February 12, 1968: Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Author:

Walker, Ronald L.

Title:

Field notes from Ronald L. Walker, February 12, 1968: Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Periodical:

Elepaio

Year:

1968

Volume:

28

Pages:

98-99

Subject:

Mamane Palila Birds Mauna Kea Mauna Kea

Summary:

While participating in a survey to enumerate feral sheep on Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaii, the writer had an opportunity to observe bird life that was found in a remote band of habitat, located between the 8,000 and 9,000 foot tree line elevation, that stretched from the Hale Pohaku area and counterclockwise around the mountain on the contour to Puu Laau above the Waimea plains. During this survey, that was done from 23 - 25 January 1968, the Chukar partridge were relatively common along the line of travel as were the California Valley Quail that were particularly abundant in the lower areas located between Puu Laau and Puu Mali. While many ring-necked pheasants were heard "crowing" at the lower elevations of the grass zone during the early morning hours on each day, none were actually seen. In the upper areas where there was bare cinder or sand, the Golden Plover were abundant and a Hawaiian hawk was spotted in a grove of mamane trees that were on a lava ridge above Kahinahina hill. Then, located below the Forest Reserve boundary fence, several species of introduced songbirds such as the skylark, white-eye, linnet, and ricebird that were seen just above Puu Kihe hill and two Iiwi were heard "conversing" in a mamane tree that was in full bloom just above Puu Mali. While only three palila were sighted in another fully-blossomed mamane that was located a few miles further on, the writer felt that it was highly likely that there were many others on this face of the mountain. Also seen in a mamane tree was an immature Amakihi and two parents and a Hawaiian owl was seen sweeping low over a grassy area located just before the Kaluamakani hill.

Label:

Birds - General

Collection:

Periodicals