Surveying Big Island birds and plants

Author:

Whitten, Harry

Title:

Surveying Big Island birds and plants

Periodical:

Elepaio

Year:

1978

Volume:

39

Pages:

45-46

Subject:

Surveys Birds monitoring Vegetation surveys

Summary:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife completed a survey of the birds and plants of Big Island forests in September 1978. This, a third survey, started in early May and covered 311,000 acres on the west side of Hawaii, ranging from Hualalai to South Point. During the survey, the following birds were seen: The Hawaiian Crow (Alala), Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Akepa, Akiapolaau, Io (Hawaiian Hawk), and the endangered Hawaiian Bat. However, the survey team was unable to find members of species that are considered extinct, such as the Hawaii Oo, Mamo, Kona Finch or Grosbeak Finch. A sampling of plants was also taken from the dry areas of Hualalai to the mountain rain forest of Kona that covered 243 miles of transect runs. An endemic tree fern that had previously been reported to exist only in windward forests was found in central Kona. A very rare oha, Cyanea carlsoni, was also found in a middle Kona rain forest.

Label:

Birds - General

Collection:

Periodicals