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Seabirds
are not only inspiring to watch as they gracefully glide on the
air currents above the ocean surface, but they are a valuable asset
to local fishermen who depend on them to locate the large Ahi or
yellow-fin tuna which frequent the waters around Kauai. Large gatherings
of mixed seabird species flock together to feed on smaller fish
pursued by the tuna.
Short of being
in the middle of one of these congregations there is no better place
in the Hawaiian Islands to view them up close than the Kilauea Point
National Wildlife Refuge. Of the twenty species of seabirds that
are known to frequent the vicinity of Kauai, Ni'ihau, Lehua, Kaula,
and Moku 'Ae'ae (a small island directly off Kilauea Point), six
can regularly be seen at this scenic peninsula and two others (the
White-tailed Tropicbird and the Brown Booby) occasionally show up.
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'Iwa
- photo by Jim Denny |
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