Hawaii and Pacific Islands Regional Shorebird Plan

Executive Summary

Andrew Engilis, Jr.[^1] and Maura Naughton^2^

Because of the vast geography, isolation, and small land base, the U.S.
Pacific Islands are rarely considered important habitat for shorebirds.
The Region stretches 5,000 miles from east to west across the Pacific
Ocean and 3,000 miles from north to south, including: the Hawaiian
Islands; Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands; Wake Is.; Johnston Is.;
Baker and Howland Islands (in the Phoenix Islands); Jarvis, Kingman and
Palmyra Islands (in the Line Islands); and the islands of American
Samoa.\
A regional plan is in development and should be completed by 2001.

The Pacific Islands are of critical importance for two species of
Holarctic breeders, Bristle-thighed Curlew (*Numenius tahitiensis*) and
Pacific Golden-Plover (*Pluvialis fulva*). The majority of both species'
populations winter in the Pacific Islands; several of these islands are
critical to the maintenance of these birds. The Islands are also of
importance for several other migratory species including in order of
abundance: Ruddy Turnstone (*Arenaria interpres*), Wandering Tattler
(*Heteroscelus incanus*), Gray-tailed Tattler (*Heteroscelus brevipes*),
and Sanderling (*Calidris alba*). All of these species are common in
winter and widespread across the Pacific. Other species occur in lower
numbers, but are regular winter visitors. These include Black-bellied
Plover (*Pluvialis squatarola*), Long-billed Dowitcher (*Limnodromus
scolopaceus*), Dunlin (*Calidris alpina*), Pectoral (*Calidris
melanotos*) and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (*Calidris acuminata*), and
Lesser Yellowlegs (*Tringa flavipes*). The U.S. Pacific Islands are also
home to one endemic shorebird: the endangered Hawaiian Stilt or Ae'o
(*Himantopus mexicanus knudseni*).

Threats to shorebirds in the region include: loss of habitat to urban,
industrial, agricultural and recreational development; non-native plants
(degradation of habitat); non-native animals (predation, disease,
competition, etc.); disturbance; and, contaminants. Conservation of
shorebird habitats in the Pacific islands is of paramount importance in
order to maintain healthy wintering and resident populations. In the
Hawaiian Islands, habitats are being restored and managed to support
both endemic and migratory species. Wetlands and beach strand habitats
are particularly vulnerable on Pacific islands due to the limited
acreage of these habitat types. The coastal areas of all main Pacific
islands have been impacted by humans for well over 2000 years resulting
in a mass extinction of native endemic birds and ground nesting
seabirds. Some trends from Hawaii waterbird survey data show that
shorebird numbers have declined during the past twenty years.

The basic geographic distribution in the Pacific is intuitive. Islands
of the western Pacific support more Asian, Holarctic nesting species,
whereas the Hawaiian Islands support more North American species. South
of the equator, species diversity declines and Asian and North American
nesting species are equally represented. Unfortunately, there is little
published literature, on status, trends, and ecology of migratory
shorebirds in this region. Basic concepts such as seasonal status,
distribution and abundance, important migration stopover locations, and
habitat requirements are often poorly understood.

Monitoring and research needs include better assessment of timing and
abundance at key wintering and migration stopover sites; assessment of
habitat use and needs at wintering and migration areas; better
understanding of the linkage between wintering, stopover and breeding
areas; and refinement of habitat restoration and management techniques
(adaptive management strategy) to meet the needs of resident and
migratory species.

[^1]: University of California, Davis - Department of Wildlife Fish and
    Conservation Biology Davis, CA 95616

    ^2^ US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds and Habitat
    Programs, Region 1, Portland. OR