Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
3) Phaethon rubricauda, 6) Gygis alba.
Non-breeding visitors and migrants noted by Garnett (1983) included:
1) Puffinus pacificus,
2) Puffinus lherminieri,
3) Puffinus nativitatis,
4) Sula sula,
5) Fregata minor,
6) Fregata ariel,
7) Anous minutus,
8) Sterna fuscata,
9) Erolia acuminate, and
10) Crocethia alba.
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).
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 the entire island
was surveyed in 2002.
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.
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).
ENDERBURY
Lister (1891) reported that there were fewer birds on Endenbury than on Rawaki (Sydney).
No lists of bird species observed were provided.
As part of the 1938 Line Islands Expedition, Donaggho (1952 and 1953) visited Enderbury
and reported numerous bridled tern boobies, and frigate birds. Grey-backed terns nested on
the Portulaca mats at the edge of the lagoon. Large frigate bird colonies were also observed.
Bo’son birds, sooty terns, and white terns were banned. Red-footed boobies and whitecapped
noddies were in the kou. Phoenix petrels, dusky shearwater, curlews, and fairy terns
were also observed. One grey noddy was observed. In 1938, some bird banding had been
done (Abbott 1966).
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that birds on Enderbury were abundant and included sooty terns
and other species.
Cooke (1945) reported that a frigate bird, Fregata magnificens, banned on Enderbury Island
on 2 May 1939 was caught on Tongareva Island (=Penrhyn Island, Cook Islands) on 28
February 1941.
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