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One of our 'ua'u kani / Wedge-tailed Shearwater patients at release. |
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It's that time of year again: Fallout Season 2024 is just around the corner! Fallout Season occurs September 15 - December 15. The ‘ua‘u kani / Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and ‘a‘o / Newell’s Shearwaters have begun to hatch and soon enough will be on their first flight out to sea. As they leave their burrows at night, they are guided by the light of the moon. Unfortunately, these birds can be attracted to artificial light by mistake and end up grounded. Once grounded they are often unable to regain flight, and become vulnerable to a variety of threats (e.g. predation, contamination, vehicle collisions). To help reduce fallout numbers: minimize lights, which lead to disorientation as birds follow the moon! Turn off outdoor lights when not in use and draw blinds/curtains in the evening if you have lights on indoors. Keep pets indoors to help protect birds that have already been grounded. Help us spread the word.
Each year SOS deploys Aid Stations island-wide in place of the individual boxes found at each fire station outside of season. This year, Aid Stations will be deployed on September 16th, instead of Sept. 15, and will be up until December 15th.These high-volume Aid Stations and expanded number of drop off locations account for the increased volume of birds we see in season.
Be prepared for fallout season by prepping a bird box for your car and identifying your nearest Aid Station. If you find a bird in need, give our hotline a call and let us know which aid station the bird is being brought to. Once the bird has been placed in the aid station, be sure to write down date and location information on the attached board.
Like last year, our September-December Newsletters will be abbreviated as we turn our focus to our increased intake numbers. We will keep you updated on fallout numbers here, and you can stay up to date with other SOS happenings on Instagram and Facebook! |
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Both 'ua'u kani chicks have already more than doubled in weight in just over 2 weeks of care! |
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We have already been preparing for this Fallout Season, and some of this year’s shearwaters have already started rolling in. Earlier this month SOS received two‘ua‘u kani chicks. Each came in at only a few days old. The first was found tumbling down a cliffside, but luckily didn’t sustain any injuries. The other was found in the middle of a walkway and away from its burrow. Both chicks are alert and doing well. We expect to have them in care for roughly 100 days before they are fully grown and ready for release!
If you find a shearwater chick, give the SOS hotline a call before picking up the bird. Do not assume a chick is in need of help, it is not uncommon for a chick to be on the ground and/or alone as they nest in burrows in the ground and their parents go out to sea in search of food. SOS staff will help assess the situation and determine whether the chick needs to be brought to us.
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August 8th marked the one-year anniversary of the wildfire that has devastated Lahaina on Maui. The fire, which became one of the deadliest in U.S. history, left behind a loss of homes, loved ones, businesses, and spaces of cultural significance. On August 8th, Lahaina took time to hold space for their loss and grief. A paddle out was hosted off the shores of Lahaina and a sculpture, ‘Teardrop of Lahaina,’ was unveiled in memory of those lost. Across islands, the community has come together in large ways to show support and help Lahaina over the past year, but there is still a lot of healing and rebuilding to be done. Temporary housing is being built for those displaced by the fires as land is cleared of debris and rebuilding starts. Organizations such as All Hands and Hearts are accepting volunteers for temporary housing projects. Or you can donate to places like Ka La‘i Ola. As Lahaina rebuilds, the Lahaina Community Land Trust has been formed to ensure it remains in Lahaina hands. Additionally, efforts are being made to revitalize the land to restore the ecosystem (see below).
Our hearts continue to go out to Maui, and everyone impacted by the Lahaina wildfire. If you are able, please consider supporting the organizations mentioned or passing on the information. |
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Kaiāulu Initiatives
Pahu Ditch
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SOS is an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association and fiscally sponsored by the Hawai'i Wildlife Center, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.
As the only Federal and State permitted wildlife facility on Kaua‘i, Save Our Shearwaters provides life-saving care to Hawai'i’s native birds in need. When you donate, you help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife. Mahalo nui loa from all of us at SOS (our feathered friends included)!
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