Easter Island Trip Results. Ahu Tahai at the edge of Hanga Roa.

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1 Easter Island 2013 Trip Results Ahu Tahai at the edge of Hanga Roa. There really is a magical quality to Easter Island. I have been there a few times now and I can t wait to get back. The question birders always have is how can it be fun to bird a place with so few birds? Well, it is, and much of the magic of it is not what the birds offer, but the history, the Moai, the place itself and its definite Polynesian mana or magic. Part of what makes this trip special is to be able to share it with Josie, not only an expert on the history and archaeology of the island but a direct descendent not only of the islanders, but of the most famous archaeologist who brought this fantastic place to

2 light for the rest of the world to be able to marvel at. Ever since I heard about it and saw the pictures of those giant standing heads, the moai, I had wanted to go there and no doubt that is partly due to the work and efforts made by Josie s grandfather, those early images in National Geographic that became permanently fixed in our minds, were due to his and the work of his colleagues. During our trip we visit all of the main sites, all restored Ahus, and of course the impressive volcanic calderas and particularly Rano Raraku where the Moai were carved. It is an absolutely amazing place, where you can feel and almost see the ancient Rapanui working away and creating these amazing pieces of art. The other spot that stands out is the ceremonial village of Orongo which overlooks the islets, or motus. Here we learned all about the cult of the bird people, and their brave and amazing efforts they went to in order to find an egg to bring back to their priests, to instill the mana on them. But in terms of the birding, the real highlight is to see the motus up close. We had a windy and wet ride out there, but we were lucky on the bird front. A total of four species of Pterodroma petrel was a great haul, including the Kermadec, Herald, Phoenix and Henderson. The latter two are less widespread than the first two, and the Henderson is downright rare as it is endangered and is now known only to breed in two places, one of them right here on Motu Nui where we saw it. A sprinkling of Great Frigatebirds, Masked Boobies, Brown Noddies and even a distant White-tailed Tropicbird made for a real nice trip. On land almost all is introduced, although the Chilean Tinamou was a welcome sight as we did not see one of these birds on our mainland Birds and Wine trip! But a real surprise was finding the Wandering Tattler, almost surely the same one, that I saw here last year. Perhaps a few of these long distance migrants winter on the island, but at least now we can really say that it is a regular visitor here as there have been sightings of the species three years in a row! I know that some of you did not know exactly what to expect on Easter Island, and perhaps wondered if it would hold your attention. I know from your faces and comments that you agree that it is a special and amazing place, one of those spots you simply do not forget about. I hope that the mana of Rapa Nui is in your heart and minds; you are the modern bird people, so you carry the magic with you at all times. Take care and see you all soon I hope. Alvaro.

3 Motu Kao Kao, Motu Iti and Motu Nui. * = heard only. I = Introduced. Bird List Tinamidae (Tinamous) I Chilean Tinamou Nothoprocta perdicaria It is interesting that the game bird that would be introduced here on this isolated spot is a tinamou, but there you go. This is probably the only case of a successful introduction of a tinamou anywhere on earth. They are heard more often than seen, and the locals call them kivi based on the sound they make. We saw our first spotted by Steve as we drove in the interior of the island. There were others heard, or glimpsed, but that first one was THE view. Procellariidae (Petrels and Shearwaters) Phoenix Petrel Pterodroma alba On our boat trip, it took us a bit of time to see this guy, but eventually he showed up. It is contrasting in plumage, white below, dark on breast and

4 dark on the underwings. Otherwise it is very similar in shape to the Herald Petrel and appears to be very closely related to it. Kermadec Petrel - Pale Morph, Motu Iti. Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta This was one of the more common petrels on the Motus. It is polymorphic, some are dark, others pale and others intermediate! We seemed to see mostly dark birds out there, although at least one of the very pale white headed morph flew by as well. A key feature to distinguish from the Herald is that this species had white shafts on the primaries. However, this is really difficult to see and much easier is to note that the Kermadec is a heftier, thick bodied and short tailed petrel. They also call differently and we did hear a few which I pointed out on the boat.

5 Herald Petrel, Motu Nui. Herald Petrel Pterodroma [arminjoniana] heraldica This is the second most common petrel at the Motus. It only comes in a pale version, and in shape it is slimmer and longer tailed than the Kermadec, although essentially identical in shape to the Phoenix. Some individuals look half way to a Phoenix and I do wonder what the explanation for these birds is. Their call is loud and suggests the call of a Peregrine Falcon! Taxonomically the Pacific version is the true Herald Petrel and in the Atlantic there is a different form sometimes known as the Trinidade Petrel. Some taxonomic bodies separate these two as species, and likely most will follow this decision in time. Henderson Petrel Pterodroma atrata This species was separated quite recently from the Herald Petrel. Previously it was thought to be the dark morph of the Paciric Herald. On Henderson Island a study found that the dark birds called differently, nested at a different part of the island and only tended to nest with like birds. Further genetic work confirmed that they deserved to be separated as a species. This was the slim dark petrel that we saw on several occasions. Henderson Petrel is only known to nest at a few sites, Easter Island is the most isolated of its nesting stations, and maybe only 3 nests or so exist here! It is rare and of conservation concern due to relatively small population, few nesting sites, and perhaps a decreasing population? Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)

6 White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Relatively rare on the island, but I think overlooked. We saw one flying in the distance, first spotted by Sarah, on our way to the Motus. Sulidae (Boobies) Masked Booby Sula dactylatra Common on the motus, also flying by along the coast here and there. The brown birds were immatures. Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) Great Frigatebird Fregata minor The common offshore frigatebird in the Pacific is the Great, while near the American continent you see the Magnificent. Easter Island is about as far offshore as you can go, so it is not unexpected that the Great is the frigatebird here. Numbers of frigatebirds have been on the increase in recent years on Easter Island. Ahu Tongariki from Rano Raraku Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Noddies are odd terns, they are dark with pale caps instead of being pale with dark caps like other terns. As well most terns have a forked tail while noddies have elongated tails that are longest in the middle, not the sides! As you would expect the

7 noddies are on a very different branch of the tern family tree. We saw Brown Noddies well on the motus. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers) Wandering Tattler Tringa incanus The tattler was unexpected. After the 2012 tour I had spotted one of these after much searching along the coast. And this bird was right where last year s bird was! I assume it is the same individual, and suggests there is a tiny number (I doubt it is the only one on the island) which winter here. Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) I Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced, common in Hanga Roa. Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) I Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango Common. It is Amazing that this bird got introduced to the island, but it did! It is relatively common and in my estimation it may be one of the main problems for nesting petrels, as it is a predator. Perhaps a Chimango control program is necessary. Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) I Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca The most common introduced species on the island. It is found in higher densities here on the island than it is on its native mainland range! There is a relatively high frequency of individuals with white feathers (leucistic) on the island, but I do not recall if we saw any of these white splotched birds on this trip. Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) I House Sparrow Passer domesticus Common introduced species, but not as common as the Common Diuca-Finch. Herps Snake-eyed Skink Cryptoblepharus poecilpleurus Several seen, these are thin and relatively dark colored lizards. Mourning Gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris These were the geckos seen at hotels and restaurants. Dragonflies Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens Common, this species appears to have gotten here on its own. It is one of the most highly migratory of all dragonflies! Apparently there are no butterflies on Easter Island!

8 Barefooted birders of Anakena!