Mariana moorhens are spotted !
A Micronesian honeyeater stands out against the lush green fern.
A twelve-day survey of aquatic and forest birds was conducted this July at American Memorial Park, Saipan, to determine bird abundance with a special focus on the endangered Mariana moorhen (Gallinula chloropus guami). The bird inventory covered a total of six transects for both the core wetland natural area (30 acres) and the smaller strand forest (4.9 acres) along the shoreline. Mark Rauzon recorded ten Mariana moorhens within the wetland area of the park. Previously, only anecdotal reports accounted for the waterbird in American Memorial Park with many surveys having bypassed park lands altogether.
A total of 948 birds were observed from 17 species. The most common bird reported was the bridled white-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus), making up almost 28% of all birds recorded. The Micronesian honeyeater (Myzomela rubratra), golden white-eye (Cleptornis marchei), rufous fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons saipanensis), and white tern (Gygis alba) were also commonly seen in the survey. Two other endangered and endemic bird species of note included four Nightingale reed-warblers (Acrocephalus luscinia) in the wetland and a flock of Mariana swiftlets (Collocalia bartschi) along the coast. The little tern (Sternula albifrons) was also seen flying over the park shoreline and constitutes a new species for the park.
This inventory reinforces the importance of American Memorial Park’s wetland and forest strand areas to the birds of Saipan.
The elusive Mariana moorhen takes cover behind some reeds.
For more information on recent events in the Pacific Island Network of National Parks check out the most recent newsletter at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/outreach/newsletter/pacn-news_20100111.pdf
