Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Neilson (2002) reported the presences of various bird species on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona and Rawaki (see Table III-3.22 above).
In 2002, bird surveys were conducted on all Phoenix Islands, except McKean (Obura and
Stone 2003; Yoshinaga 2002; see Table III-3.23 above). No petrels, shearwaters, Pacific reef
herons, or blue-gray noddies were observed. Yoshinaga (2002) reported that only the
southwestern portion of Nikumaroro was surveyed (south of the lagoon channel).
In 2002, birds were identified and counted in Abariringa, Birnie, Manra, McKean,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (Bukaireiti and Rabaua 2002). Results of these counts are
provided in Table III-3.21 above.
Pierce et al (2006) compared the number of bird species found during offshore and terrestrial
surveys for all the Phoenix Islands, except Manra (see Table III-3.25 above).
Pierce et al (2006) completed preliminary estimates of the number of seabird pairs on all of
the Phoenix Islands (see Table III-3.26 above).
Pierce et al (2006) provided population estimates of shore and land birds in all eight of the
Phoenix Islands (see Table III-3.28 above).
ORONA (HULL)
Lister (1891) did not provide any list of bird species for Orona (Hull).
Ellis (1937) reported that the eggs of the wide-awakes (tern) were eaten. They did not have a
fishy taste. In addition, young birds eaten just prior to being able to fly were also excellent.
Ellis (1937) commented that young bos’n birds, just prior to being able to fly were also a
good meal.
Ellis (1937) noted that there were two varieties of gannets, two kinds of boobies, wide-awake
terns, noddies, white tern, bos’n or tropic birds, and frigate-birds.
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that there were 17 species of sea and migratory birds on Orona
(Hull). No species list was provided.
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that ducks and chickens were raised domestically on Orona
(Hull).
The red-tailed tropic-bird, Phaethon rubricauda melanorhynchos, had breeding colonies on
Nikumaroro (Gardner), Orona (Hull), Rawaki (Phoenix), McKean, Manra (Sydney),
Abariringa (Canton) (Child 1960).
The long-tailed New Zealand cuckoo, Urodynamis taitensis, was rare in the Manra (Sydney),
Orona (Hull), and Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Child 1960).
Clapp (1968) reported that the whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus variegates, was observed on
themud-flats near the lagoon on Orona (Hull).
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