Kaua‘i: Where Seabirds Thrive
Kaua‘i is still home to many species of seabirds that nest and raise their young in our mountain forests and coastal beaches. The absence of mongoose, unique in the state, has allowed many species of seabirds to survive on Kaua‘i.
On other islands, where there are large populations of mongoose, seabirds are absent, except in remote reserves or offshore islets. When they leave their nests, seabird fledglings are guided by the light of the moon out to sea. Unfortunately, urbanization on Kaua‘i has resulted in the ongoing fallout of fledgling seabirds on their first nocturnal flight from their nesting burrow to the sea. By eliminating stray light, through its lamp replacement program completed in 2004, KIUC has reduced the number of young birds that get confused and fall rather than continue out to sea.
How to Rescue a Seabird
To prepare for seabird recovery, please follow these recommendations:
Keep an old towel and a ventilated cardboard box, pet carrier or other non-airtight container in your car. If you are on foot, just the towel will do.
If you find a downed bird, gently pick it up from behind with the towel, carefully wrapping the material completely around its back and wings. Place it in a container as soon as possible. Be aware of the shearwaters’ long, pointed bill. Don’t be worried too much because the birds are usually docile, but wrapping the bird in a towel will protect you and the bird.
Keep the bird covered and in a quiet, shaded location. Do not feed, water or handle it.
Take the recovered bird to the nearest shearwater aid station right away. Do not attempt to release the bird yourself. It may have internal injuries or be too tired or weak to survive. Throwing the bird into the air could cause more injury. Let the trained Save Our Shearwaters program staff examine the bird and decide when, where and how to let it go.
On the board provided at the aid station, write information about where you found the bird. The best information would be a street address or street intersection, the number of a nearby utility pole or highway mile marker. If you are in a hurry, you can leave your telephone number so staff can call you to get additional information about the bird you found.
Public Review Draft
KIUC's Short-Term Seabird
Habitat Conservation Plan
You can also help reduce light attraction by:
Turning off unnecessary outdoor lights.
Replacing fixtures that scatter light in all directions - such as globe and carriage lights - with directional fixtures that point down and away from the beach.
Shielding the light source. Materials such as aluminum flashing can be used to direct light where it is needed and keep it off the beach.
Replacing white incandescent, fluorescent and high intensity lighting with a 40-watt or less yellow bug light.
If you have large windows, draw drapes at night to keep interior lights from attracting the birds.
If you live near a county ballpark, check your neighborhood for grounded seabirds. If the park is not in use, but the lights are still on, turn off the lights.
Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Kaua`i Habitat Conservation Plan
Kaua`i Humane Society, SOS