Cook Islands

[iain johnson]

Hi,

Just wondering whether anyone has any information they might be prepared to share regarding birding on the Cook Islands please? I'll be visiting Rarotonga and Atiu in January 2010.

Cheers Iain

[Suzi]

Hi Iain,

I've visited the Cook Islands a lot over the past 10 years and birded there in April this year, on Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu.
An excellent resource that will give you all the bird species information that you need is at the Cook Islands Natural Heritage and Biodiversity website project, led by Gerald McCormack. See at http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org
On Rarotonga, a must-see is the rainforest reserve of the Takitimu Project where there are Kakerori, Rarotongan Starling, Pacific Pigeon, etc This local project is self-funding from tours, so good to support their pest control work with a visit. Around the Island and off-shore along the reef, you can see eg. White Terns, Brown Noddy, and Brown Booby.
On Aitutaki highlights were the Kuramo or Blue Nun Lorikeet (Vini peruviana), White phase Eastern Reef Egret, Brown Noddy, and Pacific Golden Plovers with out on the lagoon overnight; Masked, Brown and Red-footed Booby, Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds, Brown and Black Noddies, and Red and White-tailed Tropicbirds.
On Aitu, I recommend supporting the locals by taking a tour with "Birdman George" who will show you all the best spots for birds such as the Kura lorikeet (Vini kuhlii), Chattering Kingfisher, CI Fruit Dove, White and Blue phase Eastern Reef Egret, and a translocated population of Kakerori. He also makes a superb fruit lunch ! Another local operator, Marshall Humphreys, (provides accommodation) and takes tours to the caves of the tiny Atiu Swiftlet, the Kopeka, that nests in the darkest parts of the cave (Anatakitaki) and navigates in the dark using echolocation. It's an amazing little bird and well worth the trek to the caves. (Wear strong coral proof shoes The fossilised coral or makatea is vicious !)

Let me know if you need any other specific info ?
Suzi

[iain johnson]

Thanks Suzi, thats a great start! Incidentally, is there a bird guide that you would recommend please?

Thanks Iain

[Suzi]

Hi Iain,

There's no comprehensive bird-only field guide for the Cooks, but there is an older guide to the tracks and ecology of Rarotonga that is well worth a look. It's "Rarotonga's Mountain Tracks and Plants" by Gerald McCormack and Judith Kunzle, published in 1995. Includes bird info for Raro. Gerald says it's a bit out of date now, as some of the tracks are over-grown, but its still a treasure-trove of information. He and Judith are working on a new field guide that is due to be published soon. In the meantime, you could print out relevant bird species info from the CI Biodiversity website. I did that and put it in a bound folder with the plastic pockets - worked quite well.
Suzi

[iain johnson]

Thanks again Suzi

[iain johnson]

Apologies for late posting, but had a great time on the Cooks.

White Tern, Golden Plover and Indian Mynah were common through both Rarotonga and Atiu. Brown Noddies and Wandering Tattler were easily seen from the beach of the Rarotonga Beach Resort.

Also visited The Takitumu Conservation area (guided walks at 2pm most Tuesdays and Thursdays) where rarotonga starling and flycatcher were seen including a nesting pair of flycatchers. LT Cuckoo, Pacific Pigeon and CI fruit Dove also seen along with flying fox. White Tailed Tropic birds breed in the reserve.

Atiu was brilliant for birds. Manged to see vitually everything from the Atiu Villas where we were staying including White Tern, Chattering Kingfisher, CI Fruit Dove (Atiu ssp), Pacific Pigeon, Rimarata/ Khuls Lorikeet, Golden Plover and LT Cuckoo and unbelieveably a Great Frigatebird. Indian Mynah also omipresent but Birdman George is currently embarking on a project to eradicate these from the island and is reportedly down to about 700 birds!

Atiu swiflets are easily seen around the island but the cave tour with Marshall Humphreys is worth taking to sit in a pitch black cave listening to the unique echo location call they use as well as the swimming pool.

Also went out with Birdman George for an Eco Tour - the lunch is amazing but watch the coconuts!! Saw everything listed above plus good views of flycatchers. Wandering Tattler, Black Noddy, Masked and Red Footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds seen whilst eating lunch on the beach.

Also found frigatebirds, noddies and tattler on another beach whilst out for a walk.

So a great time had!