October Newsletter 2022

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Watching the Moon

At SOS we aren’t just checking our Aid Stations throughout fallout season- we're also keeping a close eye on the moon cycle! When shearwaters and petrels fledge from their burrows, they are guided out to sea by the light of the moon. They are more likely to make it out successfully when the moon offers more illumination, as artificial lights are less likely to cause disorientation. The graph below shows 2020 fallout birds admitted by SOS each day, alongside moon illumination. As expected, our days with the most admissions (19 birds on 10/17/20!) occured around the new moons on Oct. 16th and Nov. 14th.

While you may already know that moon phase can impact seabird fallout, did you know that what time the moon rises and sets can impact this too? Kauaʻi’s seabirds make their voyage out after sunset, but the time the moon subsequently rises can affect how much of a "guide" these birds have. For example, this month the moon is 78% illuminated on the 14th, but it won’t rise until around 10pm - nearly 4 hours after sunset and later than their anticipated fledge time. When the moon was 76% illuminated in October 2020, it rose around 3pm and didn't set until after 2am.

So what does this mean? For one, it means that our moon illumination mid-October might not be as impactful for fledging seabirds due its late timing. And two, with variables like phase, timing, and weather all impacting the light of the moon, it's important to minimize outdoor lights and keep an eye out for grounded birds all season long.

Fallout Update!

That being said, Newell's Shearwaters / ʻaʻo are actively fledging! We admitted three today alone. Please keep a close eye out for grounded birds that look out of place, especially when driving at night. To locate your nearest Aid Station, visit saveourshearwaters.org.

Mahalo nui to the caring community of Kauaʻi that steps in to find, collect, and deposit these grounded seabirds into SOS Aid Stations! We couldn't do what we do without you.

Do you work at or own a local business on Kauaʻi?

We're hanging posters around the island to help get the word out about fallout season, and we'd love to add your location to the list. As a program that relies heavily on the general public during this time, we greatly appreciate any help with spreading awareness.

Reach out to us at saveourshearwaterskauai@gmail.com or (808) 635-5117 to request!

Patient Spotlight

This Wedge-tailed Shearwater / ʻuaʻu kani chick was admitted for care on August 26th, at only a week or so old. S/he was found cold and wet along the shore after being displaced from her burrow. Upon intake she received a full exam, supplemental fluids, and was placed in the incubator. Once dry and warm, she slowly began to perk up. After a few days of supportive care she was strong enough to be moved into a custom enclosure with sand and an artificial burrow, mimicking her natural environment. SOS will continue to support her growth until she is fully grown and ready to fly (hopefully by late November!)

Each year SOS ends up having to hand-rear a few Wedge-tailed Shearwater chicks like BSV293 (above). These chicks require an extensive amount of time and resources to support their growth and success, and often end up in care for over three months. Please remember that in the wild, these chicks are left alone in their burrows as their parents go out in search of food. While it may be alarming to see a chick on its own, it is completely normal. If you're worried a chick may be in need, please give us a call before intervening. While we are glad to be able to step in when needed, there is no comparison to being raised in the wild by their own species!

If you'd like to help support the care of patients like BSV293,

scroll down and follow the donate link below. Mahalo!

Behind the Scenes

SOS Avian Technician Carolyn assesses a newly applied band. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer, Pacific Missile Range Facility

Banding Training

Each fall the SOS team gets the opportunity to visit the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) to band Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. As every bird released by SOS receives a federal metal band, this annual training helps familiarize seasonal staff with shearwater handling and band application before they begin to band independently in the field. This event also allows PMRF’s environmental team to practice safe bird handling techniques in preparation for their Dark Skies program.

2022 SOS Avian Technicians at PMRF Practice Banding. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer, Pacific Missile Range Facility

As adult shearwaters begin to return to the colony after sunset, a designated handler will carefully collect an unbanded bird. The bird is then brought directly to an SOS Technician at our pop-up banding station on the beach. Once banded, the bird is released and makes its way back to its burrow. No birds with chicks are interrupted and handling time is very brief. In turn, both crews gain valuable experience that will aid our efforts through the fall and we continue to learn about this particular ‘ua’u kani colony.

Since SOS returns to the same stretch of coastal burrows each year, it isn’t uncommon to find birds that we have already banded years prior. This year we had a Wedge-tailed Shearwater that had been banded during our 2011 training! The identification of individual birds can provide valuable insight on species survival, productivity, movement, and so much more.

A Wedge-tailed Shearwater peeks out of its burrow. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer, Pacific Missile Range Facility

Conservation Corner

National Wildlife Refuge Week

National Wildlife Refuge Week is October 11-16th! See what Hanalei and Kilauea Point have planned. What could be better than KPNWR free entry day on Oct. 15th? Free entry day... with info booths of Refuge conservation partners! SOS will be there, so be sure to come say hi and grab one of our keiki activity books!

Mosquito Birth Control

On September 7th, the Kauaʻi County Council passed a resolution pressing Hawaiʻi State elected officials to both fund and implement “mosquito birth control” as a way to combat the spread of Avian Malaria. This mosquito-borne disease is threatening Hawaiʻi’s native and endemic forest birds, pushing some species such as the ‘akikiki, ‘akeke‘e, kiwikiu, and ʻākohekohe near extinction. Learn more about this collaborative initiative- Birds, Not Mosquitos Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project

National Farmer's Day

October 12th is National Famer’s Day! You can celebrate and support local farms by signing up for one of Kaua ʻ i's CSA box programs. Not sure what’s available near you? This island by island listing of farmers’ markets, farm tours, CSA and Food Hubs is a good place to start! A variety of pickup locations and delivery options are available on Kauaʻi.

October is also National Farm to School Month! Farm to School (F2S) efforts have grown significantly over the past decade, and the long list of research-based benefits makes it easy to understand why. Get to know some of the key Hawaiʻi F2S programs here! Or visit the Hawaiʻi Farm to School Hui for more ways to support the farm to school movement statewide.

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)!