Register by Mail

HAWAII: Land of Many Colors

Best known for Wakiki Beach and Pearl Harbour, Hawaii hosts a large variety of endemic birds. Autumn in Hawaii offers fewer non-birding tourists adorning the trails we want to bird! On this fun, exploratory adventure we will visit the four main Islands of the archipelago: Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. The accommodation and transportation during our tour have been selected to optimize comfort and efficient use of our time. Many of our target species will be difficult to see, so optimizing our time in the field is imperative!

Hawaii’s degree of endemism in birds (as well as plants) is best witnessed through the colorful Drepanids or Hawaiian Honeycreepers—the brilliant jewels of the native forests. Some 20 of these species of honeycreepers still remain—most are highly endangered. Each island is home to a unique group of honeycreepers as well as other native forest bird species, and we will focus on these throughout the Islands. Along our way we can expect to encounter many of the non-native species introduced in the Islands. Other natural features on our tour include the active Kilauea Volcano, splendid native forests unique to each island, tropical palm-lined beaches, lava flows, and much, much water, from thundering waterfalls to the surrounding Pacific Ocean.

ITINERARY

Days 1 - 2 Honolulu / Oahu
Arrival in Honolulu, on Oahu. Some of the important avian attractions here are the Oahu Amakihi, Oahu Elepaio, White Tern, and Bristle-thighed Curlew.

We will scope offshore for seabirds including Sooty and Grey-backed Tern and Christmas Shearwater, which nest on offshore islets.

Days 3 - 6 The Big Island
Today we fly to the Island of Hawaii, the Big Island. Here we’ll venture out to Mauna Kea and the splendid Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge. Our targets here are the Io (Hawaiian Hawk), Omao (Hawaiian Thrush), Akiapola`au, Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Amakihi and the Akepa.

Puu La`au is a drier forest where we will look for Palila, the last remaining finch-billed honeycreeper and a variety of endemic Hawaiian birds such as several honeycreepers and Hawaiian Elepaio.

One day we will explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to enjoy the natural wonders of the park, including the scenic Crater Rim Drive birding through desert and lush tropical rainforest.

Days 7 - 8 Maui
Today we fly to our next island, Maui, for two nights. We will spend most of our time on the extinct volcano Haleakala, meaning “House of the Sun.” Here we will enjoy a most spectacular sunset, then listen for, and possibly see, the Hawaiian Petrel, an endangered species, as they arrive at their nest colony near the summit.

In the Nature Conservancy Waikamoi Preserve we seek Akohekohe (Crested Honeycreeper) and Kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill), and Alauahio (Maui Creeper).

Days 9 - 12 Kauai
Kauai reveals some of the most memorable scenery for observing seabirds: Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, Wedge-tailed shearwater and possibly Laysan Albatross. The Hawaiian Goose (Nene) and the endangered Koloa (Hawaiian Duck) are also found here.

Beautiful white-sand beaches of the North Shore, lush waterfall-laced mountains and Waimea Canyon all harbor rare endemic birds that we’ll seek including I`iwi, Akeke`e, Apapane, Kauai Elepaio, Anianiau and Kauai Amakihi.

A pelagic trip will afford possibilities for endangered Newell’s Shearwater, Mottled Petrel, and some exciting trans-Pacific migrants. Several whale species inhabit these deep waters including migratory Humpback Whales as they arrive from Alaska. We may also find Spinner, Bottlenose, and Rough- toothed Dolphins.

Days 13 Return Home
We catch a flight back to Oahu where we connect with our evening flights back to the mainland USA.