Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
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.
Stone (2004) reported counting 150,000 spectacled and sooty terns and more than 50,000
lesser frigatebirds on Rawaki. No Phoenix petrels were observed.
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) noted that Rawaki had the highest diversity of seabirds with 18 species. It
was the only island that still had a breeding population of blue noddies and the Endangered
Phoenix petrel, Pterodroma alba, and the vulnerable white-throated storm petrel,
Nesofregetta albigularis. Phoenix petrel and shearwater colonies on Rawaii were identified
in Figure III-3.8 below
Figure III-3.8. Phoenix petrel pairs and shearwater colonies on Rawaki 2006.
(source: Pierce et al 2006)
Pierce et al (2006) noted that the very high density of rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, was
negatively impacting seabirds on Rawaki. Rabbits competed for burrows and shaded
shelters. In addition, they trampled eggs and nestlings. Rabbits also consumed palatable
species of vegetation, reducing nest site availability and burrow stability.
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).
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