BirdNote; Saving Newell's Shearwaters on Kaua'i

BirdNote®

Saving Newell's Shearwaters on Kaua'i

Written by Bob Sundstrom

This is BirdNote.

[Gentle Hawaiian music]

As twilight gives way to dusk, the trade winds soften to a gentle breeze. We are on the north shore of Hawaii’s island of Kaua’i. Endangered seabirds called Newell’s Shearwaters nest above us in the mountains. After sunset, newly fledged shearwaters fly out from the highlands to the ocean, using the moon’s reflection on the sea to guide them.

[Newell’s Shearwater calls]

But some of the Newell’s Shearwaters don’t make it to the ocean. They mistakenly fly toward streetlights, lighted resorts, and even football stadiums, especially on nights when there is no moon. Adult Shearwaters too often collide with power-lines. In thirty years, their population has dropped by more than two-thirds.

[Newell’s Shearwater calls]

Yet positive change is afoot. American Bird Conservancy and other groups are promoting cooperation, education, and the enforcement of laws to protect the birds. Nearby resorts are lowering shades on guests’ windows and installing downward-pointing lights. Night football games will be scheduled away from the critical fledging period of October. The local utility will move more power-lines underground, and plant trees along existing lines.

Here on the island of Kaua’i, the Newell’s Shearwater will have new hope for the future. [Newell’s Shearwater calls] Today’s show brought to you by the Lufkin Family Foundation.

There’s more to the story on birdnote.org. I’m Michael Stein.

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Musical selection “Sarina” preformed by the Hawaiian Spa Players, from the album Hawaii Vacation Spa, 2009 Cleopatra Records.

Calls of Newell’s Shearwaters recorded by David Kuhn of SoundsHawaiian.com. Permission granted.

Producer: John Kessler

Executive Producer: Chris Peterson

© 2011 Tune In to Nature.org December 2011 Narrator: Michael Stein

ID# SotB-NESH-01-2011-12-17