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The bird you are most likely to see on Little Beach is the House
Sparrow. It will probably even get in your face quite literally. Haoles'
seem to have a propensity for messing up the pristine environment of paradise.
Instead of being thankful that we do not have gulls they have decided to
train the common house sparrow to beg for food and if they don't get it
to try and take it out of your hands or mouth.
Never mind that you came thousands of miles and would like to see something a little exotic. To add insult to injury try setting up under a tree to get a little shade and you may find that the bulk of the flock is overhead in the branches and they are not too concerned about what is below their anal spinctor. Water is much sought after and they will go to you water bottle to try and get condensation off the sides. To date I have yet to witness one opening a bottle. But that could come.
I remember twenty years ago watching Fergie feed a solitary sparrow. I even did a painting of them both. Today that single sparrow is one of fifty or more.
And you were hoping to get away from being shit on back home for a few days!
Here is something you will not see on the mainland. A Brazilian Cardinal
male with red head and female with brown head taking a bath in a coconut
husk.
In Big Beach
Two parking lot they like to sit on the top of jeeps.
These chicks born
in the park June 5, 2006 didn't make it through the day being eaten by
dog not restrained by a leash.
It is always a question
of birds or cats. At Makena State Park the cats are well established with
the authorities.
State park rules speak to the issue of feeding the birds thusly:
§13-146-41 Wildlife. No person shall molest, disturb, injure, trap,
take, catch, possess, poison, introduce, or kill any wild bird or mammal,
or disturb their habitat except when authorized by federal, state, and
county laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. [Eff 4/16/90; am and comp
June 08 1999] (Auth: HRS §184-5) (Imp: HRS §184-5) §13-146-42
to 13-146-49 (Reserved)
The bird feeder is assisting in propogating an introduced species by
creating an artificial habitat.
Interestingly a poll of beach user is nearly a hundred percent in favor
of not feeding the birds. Oh well some individuals are just out of touch
with reality.
Contacts: Stewards of Makena
Friends of Makena State Park was formally formed in 2003 to assist the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources in the stewardship of Makena State Park.
Membership is open to anyone interested in the stewardship of the unique natural resource that constitutes Makena State Park situated on the island of Maui in the Hawai 'i Islands. The world famous nude beach known as Little Beach is contiguous to Makena State Park.
To declare your membership and to receive the electronic newsletter
of
Dr. Leisure's Friends of Makena State Park click this link: LittleBeachMaui-subscribe@topica.com
and send a blank email.
Dr. Leisure's Friends of Makena State Park
PO Box 1137
Kihei, HI 96753
808-250-4160
--Dr. George R. Harker can be reached by email at drleisure1@aol.com.
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2006 Dr. Leisure. All rights reserved.
