Palila restoration project 1999 report, 1 January 1997 - 30 September 1999

Author:

Banko, Paul C., Dougill, Steve, Goltz, Daniel, Gray, Elizabeth, Johnson, Luanne, Laut, Megan, Muffler, Barbara, Murray, Chris, Murray, Colleen, Oboyski, Peter, Radasky, Kendy, Rogers, Traci, Rounds, Rachel, Semones, John, Slotterback, John, Weddle, Heather, Wiley, Michael

Title:

Palila restoration project 1999 report, 1 January 1997 - 30 September 1999

Year:

1999

Subject:

Palila Hawaiian honeycreepers Drepanididae Loxioides bailleui Birds Mauna Kea Endangered species birds Birds habitat Hawaii Island Birds ecology Mamane-naio forest

Summary:

The Palila Restoration Project was initiated in 1995 to develop strategies and techniques for reintroducing and increasing palila (Loxioides bailleui) populations and for managing their subalpine mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) and naio (Myoporum sandwicense) forest habitat. The project was limited to portions of Mauna Kea volcano and adjacent areas in the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). The scope of work includes four major tasks: 1) developing translocation to reintroduce palila to habitat recovering from browsing from feral ungulates, 2) developing techniques to enhance the productivity of palila, 3) developing habitat management techniques and strategies to promote palila population growth, and 4) monitoring the response of palila populations and habitats to management actions. This report presents results of work done from December 1996 to September 1999. Studies were conducted at eight relatively dry, montane to subalpine woodland sites where palila occur or might be reintroduced. Four sites were situated on the western slope of Mauna Kea where palila commonly nested -- Puu Laau Mauka and Makai (PLMauka and PLMakai), or less commonly Manao and Ahumoa. One site was located at Kipuka Alala on Mauna Loa. Three sites were located elsewhere on Mauna Kea where Palila no longer or rarely occur -- North, South, Pohakuloa Flats (PFlats). PFlats, (also known as Training Areas 1 and 2), and Kipuka Alala (also known as Training Area 23), were located within the PTA. The other sites occurred on state lands managed as forest reserve or game management areas. Although there were no apparent increases or declines in the overall population size, analysis of individual strata revealed that palila numbers have become increasingly concentrated on the western slope of Mauna Kea, with very low numbers in the southern and eastern slopes. Population numbers on the northern slope remain low, but this reintroduced population should hopefully increase with additional translocations.

Collection:

Monographs