Using tracking technology to locate endangered ʻuaʻu or Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) burrows

The ʻuaʻu, or Hawaiian Petrel, Pterodroma sandwichensis, is an endangered seabird endemic to the Islands. Although its distribution on some of islands well documented, larger such as Hawaiʻi there are significant gaps. Previous work within Puʻu O ʻUmi Natural Area Reserve (NAR) strongly suggested that a breeding colony species was present, but active burrows had not been located making it difficult focus management actions. Searching for this nocturnal burrow-nesting particularly challenging in NAR, birds very rare, widely dispersed, and remote areas with dense vegetation topography. To locate burrows, we employed use tracking devices track adults back their burrows. Six data loggers (e-obs Bird Solar 10g) were attached transiting caught using lights 2018 2019. Overland locational then interrogated concentrated circling ground activity. This resulted several activity two different locations where tracked ended up transmitting from ground. Burrow searching teams deployed these Petrel burrow located. represents first ever documented NAR entirety Kohala Mountain. Management actions have since initiated protect defined by our data. Logistical methodological considerations inherent telemetry locating colonies discussed.