Planning A Birding Expedition Across Oʻahu? Don’t Miss Out On Turtle Bay Resort

Hawaiʻi is famend for its towering volcanoes and picturesque seashores, however for ecotourism aficionados, the wealthy biodiversity of the archipelago is one among its most fascinating qualities. Tens of millions of years of utmost geographic isolation have spurred unusually excessive ranges of endemism in its native species, with no scarcity of fascinating natural world discovered nowhere else on earth. This excessive focus of distinctive avian species has made Hawaiʻi a paradise for visiting birders, and within the northern reaches of Oʻahu, Turtle Bay Resort is inviting visitors to get a close-up take a look at a few of the island’s most iconic wildlife.

Whereas there’s a wealth of native and launched birds which have been noticed on the property over time (70 recorded species, to be exact), the property takes it one step additional with the Shaka Kukakuka Birdwatching Tour, a curated expedition that provides prime birding alternatives together with some added perception into the historical past of the world. Led by Shaka Kayaks founder Captain Scott Sundby, this tour highlights a few of the most sought-after avifauna to be discovered throughout the island of Oʻahu.

“Paradoxically, a few of our rarest birds aren’t uncommon to us—we see them on each tour and very often we’ve two or three endangered species in a single discipline of view,” says Sundby. “The Punahoʻolapa marsh protect is a vital habitat for the Hawaiian stilt (aeʻo) Hawaiian moorhen (ʻalae ʻula) Hawaiian coot (ʻalae kea) and the Hawaiian duck (koloa). The primary three birds are all subspecies which are solely present in Hawaiʻi and are all thought-about very endangered. Over the past rely, we had 1,500-1,800 stilts, 300-800 moorhen, and a couple of,000-5,000 coots. Shaka Kukakuka Birdwatching Excursions can even see the Java sparrow, which is endangered, and the Laysan albatross, which is close to threatened.”

There’s ample alternative to identify endangered native birds throughout a tour, however that’s not all it’s best to maintain an eye fixed out for. Fowl life within the space additionally consists of placing launched species just like the saffron finch—a colourful canary lookalike that’s native to South America—in addition to the white-rumped shama, a songbird that was delivered to the archipelago from South and Southeast Asia. Guests can even anticipate to see a variety of indigenous seafaring species together with the Pacific golden plover (or kōlea) and the Laysan albatross (or mōlī). After all, whereas birdlife is ample throughout the resort, there’s no scarcity of non-avian creatures to look at for as effectively.

“Through the winter months, visitors can view humpback whales because the ocean surrounding Turtle Bay Resort is a Nationwide Marine Sanctuary,” says Sundby. “Moreover, visitors can spot Turtle Bay’s resident ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or Hawaiian monk seal, resting on the seaside throughout most excursions, which is one other critically endangered species. The identical space alongside the shore is residence to just about your complete inhabitants of the endangered yellow face bee, solely discovered on and surrounding Turtle Bay’s property.”

With greater than seven miles of trails spanning 4 distinct ecosystems, Turtle Bay Resort is definitely one of many high locations in Oʻahu for visiting nature lovers. Whereas the island could also be finest referred to as the house of Honolulu, new arrivals to The Gathering Place ought to definitely spend a while attending to know the fascinating species that decision the area residence. Whether or not you’re trying to find native birdlife, breaching humpbacks, or inexperienced sea turtles lazing alongside the shore, Turtle Bay Resort is definite to depart you with lasting recollections of the pristine pure great thing about Hawaiʻi.