Long-term Seabird Colony Monitoring

ʻAʻo (Newell’s Shearwater)

On Kauaʻi we carry out long-term monitoring projects at ten seabird colonies in the north-west of the island. These colonies consist of ʻaʻo (Newell’s Shearwater Puffinus newelli) and ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis) - two endangered endemic Hawaiian seabirds. Monitoring work is carried out in conjunction with predator control operations by our partners (Hallux Ecosystem and Restoration LLC and the National Tropical Botanical Gardens) and has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the removal of invasive predators such as cats, rats and pigs.

Several of the colonies are also safeguarded by predator proof fences and utilize social attraction (speakers playing calls of the birds) and artificial nest boxes to attract birds into these highly protected management areas.

ʻUaʻu (Hawaiian Petrel)