Nanuyalevu Is., Fiji
Dick Watling
Nasoata Is., Fiji
Dick Watling
Maninita, Vavau, Tonga
Dick Watling
Viwa Island, Fiji
Dick Watling
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.
| 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 |
