Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
In the 2000 census, the Statistics Office (2002) reported that the 61 residents of Abariringa
(Kanton) raised local chickens and ducks.
Neilson (2002) reported the presences of various bird species on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona and Rawaki (see Table III-3.22 above).
Neilson (2002) reported that on the southeastern edge of Abariringa (Kanton), there was a
large colony of Sterna lunata (perhaps 1,000 birds). Upon closer inspection, almost half of
the eggs were either empty, damaged or being eaten by hermit crabs.
In 2002, bird surveys were conducted on all Phoenix Islands, except McKean (Obura and
Stone 2003; Yoshinaga 2002; see Table III-3.23 above). No petrels, shearwaters, Pacific reef
herons, or blue-gray noddies were observed.
Yoshinaga (2002) reported that egg poaching was a significant activity on Abariringa
(Kanton) from residents and passing boats. Yoshinaga (2002) reported that visiting naturalist
reported that only 20 percent of tern eggs he examined were viable.
In 2002, birds were identified and counted in Abariringa, Birnie, Manra, McKean,
Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (Bukaireiti and Rabaua 2002). Results of these counts are
provided in Table III-3.21 above.
Oates (2003) provided general summary information of key bird species on Abariringa
(Canton) including the frigate, fairy white tern, and the Pacific golden plover.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) provided a list of bird species observed on Rawaki (Phoenix),
Enderbury, Manra, Orona, and Abariringa (Canton) (see Table III-3.24 above).
Pierce et al (2006) compared the number of bird species found during offshore and terrestrial
surveys for all the Phoenix Islands, except Manra (see Table III-3.25 above).
Pierce et al (2006) completed preliminary estimates of the number of seabird pairs on all of
the Phoenix Islands (see Table III-3.26 above).
Pierce et al (2006) provided population estimates of shore and land birds in all eight of the
Phoenix Islands (see Table III-3.28 above).
BIRNIE
In 1863, the brown-winged tern, Sterna anaethetus anaethetus, was reported from McKean
by Finsch and Hartlaub 1867; see also Child 1960).
Lister (1891) noted the presences various bird species on Abariringa (Canton), Birnie, Manra
(Sydney), McKean, Nikumaroro (Gardner), and Rawaki (Phoenix) (see Table III-3.16 above).
Maude (1937) noted that there were far fewer birds on Birnie than on Rawaki (Phoenix).
84