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Koro Island, Fiji
Dick Watling

Nanuyalevu Is., Fiji
Dick Watling

Nasoata Is., Fiji
Dick Watling

Maninita, Vava’u, Tonga
Dick Watling

Viwa Island, Fiji
Dick Watling

Table 1 - List of Birds
Table 2 – List of Mammals
Table 3 – List of Lizards
Table 4 – List of Amphibians
General Observations

A Survey Of The Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Of Nanuyalevu (Turtle Island), Yasawa, Ba
Timing And Methods
The survey was undertaken by Dick Watling 6-9 July 2001. The weather was fine throughout. All bird observations reported here were unstandardised transect and stationary observations. 50m circular plot bird counts were also undertaken for comparison with observations on other Fijian and regional islands. `Mobile’ lizards were viewed and recorded during the transects, in addition searching for cryptic lizards and geckos was undertaken in favoured locations.

Previous Observations
The only known previous recorded observations of Nanuyalevu terrestrial wildlife were made by Dick Watling in 1969 and October 21-22, 1986, and Bill Beckon 26 September 1985 (2.5 hrs).

Results
This report records the species observed or reasonably expected on Nanuyalevu with their status; in addition a few species which might occur or are known to occur elsewhere in the Yasawas are listed. The only bird previously observed on Turtle which was not seen by me in 2001 (nor in 1986) is the White-rumped Swiftlet seen by Beckon in 1985. This may be an irregular visitor to Turtle Island. Similarly the absence of Pacific Harrier in 2001, is likely to be temporary, although, this raptor will not benefit from the current reforestation of the island.
The presence of a large number of feral cats is clearly the reason why the Banded Rail and other ground-nesting birds are extirpated or nearly so. My presumed observation of Banded Rail in 2001 was of footprints. Feral cats are also likely to be responsible for the rather low density of ground skinks.
The Marine Toad was not observed in 1986 and appears to have been introduced since that time. With permanent freshwater in the dams and long-lasting ephemeral wetlands being created, this species is likely to survive.
Rat trapping was surprisingly unsuccessful, the rat trap index was 4.5 captures per 100 corrected trap nights. Only Rattus exulans was caught, however, the presence of coconuts with characteristic Rattus rattus damage on them, indicates the presence of this species on the island. This is a pity as this species is highly predatory and destructive to wildlife.

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Recent Trip Reports
© Copyright Environment Consultants 2001

English name* Fijian Name** Scientific name* Status (refer key)

DW 2001

DW 1986 BB 1985
Landbirds            
Reef Heron Belo Egretta sacra B? ü ü ü
Mangrove Heron Visako Butorides striatus Not observed, probably occurs
Pacific Black Duck Ganiviti Anas superciliosa B,C ü   ü
Fiji Goshawk Reba Accipiter rufitorques B,C ü ü ü
Pacific Harrier Manulevu Circus approximans B?   ü ü
Peregrine Falcon Ganivatu Falco peregrinus Breeds (?) Sawailau, may visit
Junglefowl Toaniveikau Gallus gallus I,B ü ü  
Banded Rail Bici Gallirallus philippensis B? ü? ü  
Pacific Pigeon Ruve Ducula pacifica V Not observed, may visit
White-throated Pigeon Soqeloa Columba vitiensis B ü ü ü
Spotted Turtle-dove Kukuru Streptopelia chinensis I,B,C ü ü  
Collared Lory Kula Phigys solitarius E Not observed, may visit
Kadavu Shining Parrot Kaka Prosopeia splendens E,I ü    
Long-tailed Cuckoo Kawakawasa Eudynamis taitensis M Not observed, may visit
Barn Owl Lulu Tyto alba B ü    
White-rumped Swiftlet Kakabace Collocalia spodiopygia V   ü  
White-collared Kingfisher Secala Halcyon chloris B ü ü ü
Pacific Swallow Manumanunidoa Hirundo tahitica B ü ü  
Polynesian Triller Seasea Lalage maculosa B ü ü ü
Slaty Monarch Sasaire Mayrornis lessoni E, B,C ü ü ü
Vanikoro Broadbill Matayalo Myiagra vanikorensis B,C ü ü ü
Silvereye Qiqi Zosterops lateralis B,C ü ü ü
Orange-breasted Myzomela Delakula Myzomela jugularis E,B,C ü ü ü
Wattled Honeyeater Kikau Foulehaio carunculata B,C ü ü ü
Fiji Parrotfinch Kulakula Erythrura peallii E,B ü ü  
Fiji Woodswallow Sikorere Artamus mentalis E,B ü ü  
              
Seabirds (no seabirds breed on Turtle Island; these species may be seen around the island)
Status – Yasawa, Mamanuca
DW 2001
DW 1986
Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Manu, Gu" Puffinus pacificus B     
Brown Booby Gutulei Sula leucogaster B     
Red-footed Booby Gutulei Sula sula V     
Lesser Frigatebird Kasaqa Fregata ariel V ü ü
Crested Tern Ico Sterna bergii B,C ü ü
Black-naped Tern Ereqia Sterna striata B ü ü
Bridled Tern Idre Sterna anaethetus B    
Grey-backed Tern Idre Sterna lunata V    
Brown Noddy Gogo Anous stolidus V ü  
Black Noddy Gogo Anous minutus B    
White Tern Tala Gygis alba V    
           
Shorebirds (likely annual migrants to Turtle Island)      
Pacific Golden Plover Dilio Pluvialis fulva M    
Wandering Tattler Juli Heteroscelus incanus M   ü
Bar-tailed Godwit Batibalavu Limosa lapponia M    
English name* Fijian Name** Scientific name* Status DW 2001 DW 1986
Mammals          
Polynesian Rat Kalavo Rattus exulans Confirmed; I ü  
"Ship, Black Rat" Kalavo Rattus rattus Suspected; I ü?  
Mouse   Mus musculus Reported; I    
Feral Cat Pusiniveikau Felis catus Abundant; I ü ü
Polynesian Flying Fox Beka Pteropus tonganus V   ü
English name* Fijian Name** Scientific name* Status DW 2001 DW 1986
Iguanas          
Crested Iguana Vokai Brachylophus vitiensis "Reported, not observed"
           
Skinks          
Pygmy Snake-eyed Skink   Cryptoblepharus eximius Common ü ü
Blue-tailed Skink   Emoia cyanura/impar Common ü ü
Green Tree Skink   Emoia concolor     ü
Moth Skink   Lipinia noctua Not observed but probably occurs
Geckos          
Oceanic Gecko Moko kabe Gehyra oceanica Common ü ü
Mourning Gecko Moko Lepidodactylus lugubris Common ü  
House Gecko Moko Hemidactylus frenatus Common    
           
Snakes          
Pacific Boa Gata Candoia bibroni "Reported, not observed"
English name* Fijian Name** Scientific name* Status DW 2001 DW 1986
           
Amphibians          
Marine Toad Boto Bufo marinus I ü  
Key:
* English & Scientific Names follow Watling `A Guide to the Birds of Fiji & Western Polynesia.
** Fijian names for birds vary considerably between islands and in different parts of the main islands. The most widely used Fijian names are included here but the Yasawa dialect names are likely to be very different for many species.
DW "Dick Watling 1986, 2001"
BB Bill Beckon 1985 (Beckon unpublished)
E Endemic to Fiji
B Breeds (not recorded but presumed to breed on Nanuyalevu)
B? May breed
C Common
V Visitor
M Annual Migrant
I Introduced species