The Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands are located northeast of Australia and east of Papua New Gaines (PNG) in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The country is comprised of 922 islands of which 347 are populated. The terrain ranges from low lying coral atolls to mountains reaching 2447m. The forest cover is primary tropical rainforest. 65% to 75% of the original rainforest still remains. Eighteen bird species are considered endangered: 4 are critically endangered; 5 endangered; and 9 species are rated vulnerable. According to BirdLife International, the Solomon Islands (along with Bougonville, PNG) ranks #1 among the 200+ Endemic Bird Areas (EBA) of the world (an EBA is an area with many endemic and restricted range species).
Why did we choose the Solomon Islands?
Our choice of working in the Solomon islands was based on the following:
Survey Methodologies
Point counts and transects were used during both visits and in 1998 we added the use of mist nets. Point counts were conducted along established foot tracks. Basically, you walk 100m, stop, note the trees, whether they are large, medium or small and whether the canopy cover is relatively open or closed. Then, during ten minutes of silence you look for and try to identify birds and also note unseen but heard birds. Transects also utilized existing foot tracks because the slopes were very steep and our time was short. On a transect you walk along the line or path noting all the birds you see and hear. The transect is walked at a given time(s) every day and this survey method works very well when you are working in a given area for a prolonged period of time. In 1998 we also added the use of mist nets and this allowed us to learn of other species in the area that we normally would not have seen (due to their small size) or heard because the song/call was soft and/or unknown.
Survey Notes
In 1997 the team observed 38 species and heard again half as many which could not be identified. We were able to gather a lot of information on the larger and noisier species, particularly the parrots. Four out of the six lory species live in the Komarindi along with one of the two pygmy parrot species and the same for the singing parrot species, plus the Ducorp's cockatoo and the Solomon Island Eclectus. So, out of the 12 species/subspecies of parrots found in the Solomon Islands, 8 can be seen in the new eco-tourism area. We were also able to locate feeding trees, 1 possible nest site, and 1 lory play tree.
In late 1998 on a large hillside of undisturbed rain forest surrounding part of the village of Verambli a survey of the Green Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta finschii) was started. Nest sites are being staked out and after the heavy rainy season, ending mid February, each nest will be checked for eggs on a weekly basis. The nest monitoring and record keeping is the responsibility of the two guides from the S.I.A.S.&C.P. team. Once eggs have been laid these nests will be monitored regularly to watch for hatching babies. If this coincides with our next field trip then one baby will be removed from each nest that has multiple chicks and we will attempt to hand rear them. To date, no one has been successful in keeping pygmy parrots in captivity. By head-rearing the chicks on a prepared formula supplemented with foodstuffs the adult birds eat in the wild, we hope to succeed where others have failed.
Other avian species were seen and provided us with some excellent information. Three Sanford's Sea Eagles (categorized as vulnerable) were spotted. We know they were three different birds and not the same bird seen three times because of the differing patterns of missing tail and/or wing feathers. One Chestnut-bellied Imperial pigeon (endangered) was seen and several Red Knobbed Imperial Pigeons along with a Pale Mountain Pigeon were shot in the afternoon for dinner. From their crops we learned the type of fruit they eat before roosting for the night. Brown-winged starlings, who build a very large communal nest were also seen.
We were extremely excited by the discovery of a previously unknown behaviour of the Blyth's Hornbills. The senior author observed, in the very early morning, a group of 3 to 4 of these hornbills "stooping" rather than flying or gliding when traveling from the mountain top to the valley below. Stooping was previously only associated with birds of prey. In addition to our visual observations, we also heard many bird songs and calls. Unfortunately, not all were identifiable but we expect with further observations our accuracy will improve.
Our 1998 field trip used mist nets for the first time and we were very pleased with our initial results. We were able to catch some fairly small birds, some of which we know were in the area but due to their small size and excellent camouflage were undetectable. Our 'catch' included a Pygmy Parrot, whose bite could only be considered a nibble, indeed I've been bit worse by 'friendly' budgies or cockatiels. We also caught a Dwarf Variable Kingfisher, absolutely outstanding with its iridescent colors. Photographs or paintings cannot do the bird justice. Other species we caught included flowerpeckers, sunbirds, white-eyes and various species of flycatchers.
Life History Studies
One of the components of our research will be to do a goodly sum of life history work on all the parrot species plus the species that are listed as endangered. The life history work will be carried on by the team members during the periods we are not there. The data collected from these studies will be invaluable in helping us determine which areas need protection to ensure the survival of these birds.
Gathering and Managing the Data
Because all our data is location referenced, we decided a global positioning system (GPS) would be very useful. The GPS receiver records satellite signals and the system uses algorithms and triangulation to mathematically determine the geo-spatial coordinates. Once the system is set up, data recording is very simple. When a location is reached where we wish to record information a button is pressed on the hand-held unit and the system starts recording the satellite signals. Then a series of custom-developed, drop down menus are displayed and by simply pressing a few more buttons the user records the information of interest. This data is later downloaded to a geographic information system (GIS). A GIS is a sophisticated software program developed for the integration, storage, management and analysis of geographic associated data. The GIS can produce custom maps, reports and charts, thereby simplifying our work while at the same time offering us the opportunity to do greater in-depth analysis. Since the data is in electronic format, the information we gather can be easily distributed to other interested conservation or research organizations.
Plans for 1999
If we raise sufficient funds, we will purchase another much needed receiver and computer. These two pieces of hardware are necessary to ensure the quality of the geo-spatial data. Without them, we will not be able to update the forest related databases of the World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Natural Resources.
During the summer we will complete our survey of the Komarindi area and begin work on Choiseul Island. In addition, we will be setting up a captive breeding facility in Veramboli. This will house two pairs of Singing Parrots and one flight cage will be for our research with Pygmy Parrots. The work we complete in the Komarindi will provide the information for a field guide booklet which will then be sold to tourists. This booklet will also serve as a birder's checklist. Later editions of the guidebook will also profile other native fauna.
We will be sharing a booth at the Annual Culture Festival and International Trade Show with the Ministry of Forests, Environment and Conservation. We know there is much we can learn from the Solomon Islanders about their unique bird life and this festival is an excellent place to start.
With our assistance, the National Art Museum will be sponsor an art exhibit of native bird paintings by local artists. This show will be juried and the top ten artists selected will be commissioned to paint the provincial birds. A children's art show will also be held in conjunction with this and the four winners will have their paintings issued as stamps.
Beyond 1999
As we complete the work in each Province we will issue a complete report, copies of which will be given to the national government as well as the provincial government. Our report will include recommendations on areas that could or should be set aside as either national parks or reserves. These areas may also be targeted as potential eco-tourism locations.
We will also provide assistance for Solomon Islanders for the setup of several eco-friendly cottage industries. These could include butterfly farming: fruit, nut and spice farms; cut flower operations; etc. These sustainable developments will help communities earn money to improve their standard of living. Throughout the duration of our project, we will be training young students to carry on our work. They will supervise the projects we start and assist other communities in starting their own projects.
How to contact us
If you would like more information about our project or how you can help us, please contact us by any of the methods listed below:
Desiree Wyant
This site maintained by:
THE AVICULTURAL JOURNAL
Contents:
BREEDING BLUE-CROWNED HANGING PARROTS
BREEDING GOLDIE’S LORIES
BREEDING YELLOW-BIBBED LORIES
THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AVIAN PROJECT
The Solomon Islands Avian Project
a) The Solomon Islands have received little attention from the ornithological/conservation community because they still have a high percentage of their tropical rain forest intact although heavy logging is taking place. Without intervention, the Solomon Islands will find themselves in the same critical situation as many other countries.
It took several years and many visits to the Solomon lslands to receive approval for a complete avifauna survey of the country. I am pleased to report that the "Solomon Islands Avifauna Survey and Conservation Project" (SIAS&CP) is now underway. The first survey began on the island of Guadalcanal in the Komarindi Catchment Basin. We were asked to begin our surveys with this area because it is slated to become the first major eco-tourism site for the Solomon islands. Desiree and I, with seven additional team members, spent two weeks in the Komarindi in 1997 and 1998. Five team members were graduates from the Solomons Islands College of Higher Education and their responsibilities were to assist us with our field research. The remaining two members were from the village of Veramboli and served as our guides. 1997 was really a training exercise for the team. They were fast learners and as a result after a few days our observations became much more accurate.
b) No complete avian survey of the entire country has been made and the work that has been done has been patchy and is not current.
c) Interest in conservation by the government, landowning communities and families is high. However, sustainable conservation measures will only be implemented if alternatives to logging as income can be found.
d) We wanted to work in an area where our efforts would be pro-active rather than reactive or remedial.
Jan Roger van Oosten
Return to Index
6920 Roosevelt Way N.E., #113
Seattle, WA, U.S.A., 98115
Phone/Fax (206) 527-3592
E-mail avian_ark_fdn@hotmail.com
85 Guildwood Drive
Hamilton, ON, Canada, L9C 6S3
Phone (905) 383-8671
E-mail d_wyant@hotmail.com
This page last updated May 27, 2000
Chemainus Marketing
Box 1160, Chemainus, BC, Canada, V0R 1K0
E-mail: support@chemainusmarketing.com