Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management

Transcription

1 5-1 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management The initial Biological Opinion (BO) that triggered the development of the Mākua Implementation Plan (MIP) was issued in At that time, the O ahu Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis ibidis) was not listed as an endangered species. The 1999 BO included recommendations related to Elepaio. These included conducting complete surveys of the Mākua Action Area (AA) for Elepaio presence, monitoring of all known Elepaio within Mākua Military Reservation (MMR) and installing and maintaining predator control grids around nesting pairs within MMR. In 2, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) granted the O ahu Elepaio endangered species status under the federal Endangered Species Act and in 21 designated critical habitat on O ahu for the Elepaio. In the Supplement to the Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion for Proposed Critical Habitat for Routine Military Training at Mākua Military Reservation issued in 21, the recommendations from the 1999 BO became requirements. Most recently in September 24, the Service issued another BO that covered newly designated critical habitat within the action area for plants and Elepaio. This BO outlined additional requirements related to this critical habitat. The sections below outline the status of the required actions from MMR Section 7 Consultations since Current Status of Elepaio in Mākua Action Area Surveys & Monitoring Extensive surveys for Elepaio have been conducted in the Mākua AA within MMR. Currently at MMR, Elepaio are known from the Kahanahāiki and Ōhikilolo MUs, as well as from the East Rim Ungulate Control Area (UCA) (Figure 5.1). A total of 15 Elepaio currently are known within MMR. Of these birds, there are three pairs: one in the Ōhikilolo MU, one in the UCA, and one pair in the Kahanahāiki MU. Seven of the 15 known birds within the MMR have been captured and banded (Table 5.1). Areas outside the MMR, but within the Mākua AA that have had Elepaio in the past include the Mokulē ia Forest Reserve (Kuaokalā) and the Pahole Natural Area Reserve. Surveys for Elepaio in these two areas by State Biologists in 24 resulted in no detections. Mākaha Valley is currently the only location outside of MMR, but within the Mākua AA that Elepaio are still found in large numbers. Presently, 44 individual birds including 1 pairs are known from the Mākua AA in Mākaha Valley (Figure 5.2). This represents a substantial increase in the number of Elepaio known in the Mākua AA. The estimated number of pairs as stated in the 1999 BO was six. Currently there are 13 pairs known from the Mākua AA. Kahanahāiki MU Currently, NRS know of four Elepaio in the Kahanahāiki MU and one just outside. Of these birds, there is only one pair (GBAR and BABW) (Table 5.1). In 1996, three males and one female were banded. Since that time, two of the males have not been detected since prior to 21 and these birds are thought to be dead. The last confirmed observation of the only Kahanahāiki pair was in 24. During the 25 breeding season, nine site visits were made for both rodent control and monitoring of the pair. A bird was heard on four visits without a visual confirmation. Two birds were never heard or sighted together in 25. A bird was very

2 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-2 unresponsive to tape playbacks through the breeding season. It is a possibility that one of the birds from this pair is dead. Ōhikilolo MU As of 24, five Elepaio are known from the Ōhikilolo MU. Of these birds, there are three single males and one pair. Two of the three single males were last sighted in 2 and the third male was sighted in 24. The male of the known pair in this MU was banded in 22 (Table 5.1). The pair was resighted in 24. East Rim Ungulate Control Area (UCA) Five birds are known from the East Rim Ungulate Control Area. These five known birds consist of three single males and one pair. The three single males were last resighted in 21, while the pair was observed in 24. The male of the pair was banded in 21 and the female was banded in 24. The female had active avian pox lesions when captured and the current fate of this bird is unknown. Additional surveys are needed in the UCA below the cliffs. The best way to access this area is via the Ōhikilolo MU. Access to the UCA has been hampered by restrictions imposed by the Army s Safety Office following realignment of the suspected Improved Conventional Munitions (ICM) Area boundary. Once realignment is finished it is anticipated that access to this area will be regained, so surveys can continue. Range or Gulch Sex Table 5.1. Elepaio Banding Data, Makua Military Reservation Bird 1 Date Last Last Disease 2 Mate Banded Observed Monitored Observed 3 ARRB 3/4/96 3/4/1 2/7/2 N Kahanahāiki M GBAR 3/4/96 5/26/4 6/6/5 Kahanahāiki M BABW 3/4/96 2/11/4 6/6/5 Kahanahāiki F BGAW 3/4/96 12/9/99 3/18/2 N Kahanahāiki M ARGB 12/3/2 1/24/4 5/5/4 Ōhikilolo M ABBB 12/11/1 5/5/4 5/5/4 N UCA M AGWR 5/5/4 5/5/4 5/5/4 UCA F 1 = Band combination: A=Aluminum, R=Red, B=Blue, G=Green and W=White color bands. 2 = Presence of disease when banded (es or No) 3 = Presence of a mate when last observed (es or No) Kaluakauila MU Two single male Elepaio were known to exist in Kaluakauila in 1999, but have disappeared from this area.

3 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-3 Legend Elepaio Site ICM Area Estimate Kaluakauila Kaluakauila MU MU MMR Boundary MMR Management Units Kahanahaiki Kahanahaiki MU MU Sub Sub Unit Unit II & & IIII East Rim Ungulate Control Area East East Rim Rim Ungulate Ungulate Control Control Area Area Projection and Datum: NAD 83, UTM Zone 4 Contour Interval 4 feet Lower Lower Ohikilolo Ohikilolo MU MU Ohikilolo Ohikilolo MU MU ² 75 1,5 3, Meters Scale: 1: 46, Figure 5.1. Elepaio Distribution in Mākua Military Reservation (MMR) Legend Elepaio Site Survey Routes within AA 3 MMR Training Boundary Projection and Datum: NAD 83, UTM Zone 4 Contour Interval 4 feet Overview of MMR and Makaha Valley ² Existing Action Area 6 1,2 Meters Scale: 1: 25, Figure 5.2. Elepaio Distribution on the North Slope of Mākaha MMR MMR Makaha Makaha Valley Valley

4 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-4 Mākaha Valley In 25, NRS conducted extensive Elepaio surveys on the north side of Mākaha Valley in the Mākua AA. A total of 44 birds were located during nine surveys conducted from January through August (Figure 5.2). Twenty single males, 1 pairs, and four juvenile (hatch year) birds were located during the surveys. NRS will continue to surveying for Elepaio in Mākaha Valley in the coming year. Mokulē ia Forest Reserve (Kuaokalā) Surveys were conducted along forested gulches within the Kuaokalā area in February of 21. During these surveys, three birds were observed. Two of these birds were a breeding pair. In addition, one lone male was observed in 2 below the State s Nike Site Facility, it has not been observed since. The State of Hawai i Wildlife Program has continued monitoring these birds. In the last year, none of the birds could be detected (E. Shiinoki, pers. comm., August 24). NRS will assist the Hawai i Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) in additional surveys in Kuaokalā in the coming year and will assist DOFAW with predator control if any Elepaio pairs are found. The Kuaokalā birds are very important to the conservation of Elepaio in the Wai anae Mountains because they represent the northwestern most birds. Also the fire of July 23 burned into Kuaokalā in a number of places. Measures will be taken to ensure that these birds are not impacted by fires from MMR training. With the Integrated Wildfire Management Plan in place, future fire encroachment into this Forest Reserve should be averted. Pahole Natural Area Reserve During the spring of 24, NRS spent a couple of days surveying for Elepaio throughout Kapuna, Keawapilau, and Pahole Gulches. Special emphasis was paid to locations of known birds in order to relocate them. Playbacks were used but no birds were detected. Recently, NAR Staff have indicated that birds have not been detected in these areas. Kea au Game Management Area NRS have not conducted surveys for Elepaio within Kea au. Management Actions Ōhikilolo MU & East Rim Ungulate Control Area (UCA) In 21, NRS initiated predator control efforts for the pair within the Ōhikilolo MU. Predator control was initiated in 22 for the pair located in the UCA. The two pairs located within the Ōhikilolo MU and the UCA are approximately 4 meters apart in the back of Mākua Valley. Four monitoring trips were conducted each in 21 and 22, three trips in 23, five trips in 24, and no trips in 25. Predator control efforts during the Elepaio breeding season from 21 through 25 are presented in Figure 5.3. Access to these areas in 25 was denied over concerns of potential passage through the suspected ICM Area in the back of Mākua Valley (Figure 5.1). The boundaries of the suspected ICM Area were expanded in 25. This expansion of the suspected ICM Area usurped the access trail used to monitor Elepaio in the Ōhikilolo MU and UCA. Currently, a new boundary for the ICM Area is being designated and hopefully access will be regained in time for the 26 breeding season.

5 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-5 % of BaitTaken 1% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % # of Rats Snapped ear % Take Rats Snapped Figure 5.3 Ōhikilolo MU & Ungulate Control Area Rodent Control Kahanahāiki MU NRS have conducted predator control around pair GBAR and BABW since This pair has successfully fledged young over the years. Predator control for the 25 breeding season was implemented from 13 January through 6 June (Figure 5.4). NRS conducted bi-monthly maintenance of 1 Protecta rodent bait stations, 14 Victor rattraps, and three Tomahawk live traps. A total of 46 blocks (11.5 kg) of molasses/peanut-butter flavored Ramik Mini Bars (.5% diphacinone), were taken from bait stations. Bait take remained moderate through the breeding season with 44% of the bait taken. A total of 1 rats were caught in snap traps, with an average of 1.1 rats caught per monitoring trip (9 monitoring trips). One feral cat was caught in a Tomahawk live trap in 25. Predator control efforts during the Elepaio breeding season from 1998 through 25 are presented in Figure % 4 7% 6% 3 % of Bait Taken 5% 4% 3% 2 # of Rats Snapped 2% 1 1% % 2/2 2/17 3/9 3/31 4/27 5/5 5/18 6/6 Date % Take Rats snapped Figure 5.4 Kahanahāiki MU Rodent Control Results, 25

6 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-6 1% 4 % of BaitTaken 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % ear Figure 5.5 Kahanahāiki MU Predator Control Efforts, # of Predators % Take Rats snapped Mice snapped Mongoose trapped Cats trapped Mākaha Valley During the 25 breeding season, NRS assisted the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) with predator control and monitoring for three pairs of Elepaio on the south side of the valley (Mākaha MU) and five pairs on the north side (Mākua AA). Predator control efforts for the 26 breeding season will include the eight pairs protected in 25 plus an additional five pairs on the north side of the valley to meet O ahu Implementation Plan (OIP) requirements. NRS will continue to conduct surveys to locate additional birds in this area. Critical Habitat in the Mākua Action Area Ōhikilolo MU and Kahanahāiki MU In 23, a prescribed burn that got out of control and crossed the fire break road, subsequently burned nearly 61 ha of designated critical habitat (Figure 5.6). The USFWS recommend the revegetation of burned critical habitat in their September 24 Mākua BO. At present, no actions have been taken to revegetate the burned areas in Mākua. The section of the critical habitat that burned in the Ōhikilolo MU has not been assessed because of the restricted assess to the ICM Area. This area contains unexploded ordnance (UO), which would make revegetating this area very difficult. The fire was more extensive on the C-Ridge area west of the Kahanahāiki MU. The section of critical habitat that burned on C-Ridge is difficult to access because of steep terrain. The majority of critical habitat that burned was composed of introduced grasses prone to fire. This area consists of steep grass covered side ridges with Aleutrites moluccana forest in gulch bottoms. At present there are no proven techniques for revegetating steep exposed dry rocky terrain with native species that are either fire resistant or fire tolerant. With the Integrated Wildfire Management Plan in place, future fire encroachment into Elepaio

7 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-7 critical habitat should be averted. Possible alternatives to revegetation in these difficult areas could be to increase predator control within existing Elepaio territories and potential territories within MMR or additional predator control in areas outside MMR, but within the Mākua AA, that currently have breeding pairs. Legend ICM Area Estimate Elepaio Site July 23 Fireline Elepaio Critical Habitat MMR Boundary ² 75 1,5 3, Meters Scale: 1: 46,5 Figure 5.6. MMR 23 Wildfire and Elepaio Critical Habitat Projection and Datum: NAD 83, UTM Zone 4 Contour Interval 4 feet

8 Chapter 5: MIP Elepaio Management 5-8