WhoFish - Local Events and Activities

Title:	One week Birding and Photography tour on the Big Island of Hawaii
Date:	11/23/2024 - 11/30/2024
Address:	Kailua Kona Hawaii
Location:	Kailua Kona, HI
Hours:	2pm -10am
Cost/Cover:	$3650 per person
Contact Info:	407-242-7833

Details:

Join Archaeopteryx Tours for a one-week adventure to see the endemic bird species of Hawaii. This island chain once supported a thriving avian population, which now sadly is ravaged by released pigs, mongooses, disease, and development. But still their birds are hanging on in places like the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge. We'll see the iconic bird species such as the Iiwi with its curved bill designed for foraging in flowers and the Nene, a goose that is the state bird.
Day 1 – Arrive at Kona Airport no later than 2pm. Check into the
Kona Islander Vacation Club (or similar) and have dinner as a group, and introductions. We'll then bird the hotel grounds for Common Waxbill, Yellow-billed Cardinal, and African Silverbill
Day 2 – Palila Discovery Trail and Old Saddle Road
We'll begin the day very early and visit the Discovery Trail for
Palila, Erckel's Francolin, Hawaiian Elepaio (Kona Subspecies), Hawaii Amakihi, Japanese Bush Warbler, and Eurasian Skylark.
Old Saddle Road - Short-eared Owl (Hawaiian), Black Francolin,
Ring-necked Pheasant, and Wild Turkey
Day 3 – Hakalau Forest NWR and Old Saddle Road. We'll be meeting with Jack Jeffrey, an experienced guide who's very familiar with the Hawaiian bird species. He'll help us find the Hawaii Elepaio (Hilo Subspecies), Omao, Apapane, Iiwi, Akiapolaau, Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Akepa, and Hawaiian Hawk
Day 4 – We'll begin the day with a trip to the water treatment plant
for Hawaiian Coot, Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian Subspecies), Wandering Tattler, Pacific Golden Plover. This will require a long walk from the gated parking area.
Old Kona Airport - Spotted Dove, Yellow-fronted Canary, Saffron Finch, other introduced species
Sandgrouse Fields - Sandgrouse
Golf Course for Bristle-thighed Curlew
Day 5 – We'll enjoy a morning snorkeling session followed by a visit to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park- ?Aimakapa Pond. There we will look for Red-masked Parakeet, Common Myna, Kalij Pheasant, Scaly-breasted Munia, Zebra Dove, Warbling White-eye, and Gray Francolin
Day 6 – Volcano National Park for White-tailed Tropicbird, common endemics and exotics. It's a long drive from Kona, but worth it. We'll even be eating dinner at a restaurant overlooking the volcano.
End of the World - Burrowing Parakeet. We'll have to be there before sunset to see them as they come into roost.
Day 7 -- Morning birding to target any missed species, afternoon
relax, dinner as a group wrap up.
Sheraton Hotel area for Lavender Waxbill if no time previous days.
Day 8 – Flights home
Price for this tour will be $3650 per person double occupancy. This price includes your airport pickup/dropoff, transportation, all park entry fees including our permitted guide for one day, snorkel session, water/snacks, and a checklist of the birds seen on your tour. It does not include your airfare to the island or meals. We're looking for a minimum of 1 more participant with a max of 2 to be able to run this tour this year.