From Prioritisation to Conservation Action: Community-Based Conservation Groups at Fiji’s Key Conservation Sites

BirdLife Fiji Map showing Fiji’s IBAs: Circled are the four target sites of this the Darwin Project. Zoom In

Darwin Initiative project ref: 162/15/019

Between 2002 and 2005, the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative supported a project implemented by BirdLife International’s Fiji Programme to identify Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Fiji. This project identified fourteen sites of global importance for birds during three years of extensive field work and the subsequent inventory: Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Fiji: Conserving Fijis Natural Heritage was launched in 2006 (see BirdLife's news story, Fiji's IBA book launched).
Having identified Fiji’s IBAs, the challenge is to turn research in to action which is now being undertaken with further support from the Darwin Initiative. In 2006, a project called Community-Based Conservation Groups at Fiji’s Key Conservation Sites was initiated. The overall purpose of this project is to build the capacity of Fijian conservation professionals to conserve forest resources through the establishment of protected areas, management planning processes and monitoring frameworks. These conservation professionals will then train community members in the management of their own forest resources.
The challenges remain significant, however. Fiji has already lost the majority of its forest resources with logging, urban and agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species posing the greatest threats to these forests, often all at the same time.. Logging operations disturb forest blocks while logging roads increase access by agriculture pests and alien plants and animals.

BirdLife Fiji Poor logging practices are one of the major threats to the Fiji’s IBAs Zoom In

Four sites are the target of this project’s activities: three have no formal protection and one is reserved. They are:

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  The Natewa / Tunuloa Peninsula (FJ03) on Vanua Levu, which has lowland forest and, together with the island of Taveuni, supports the only populations of the charismatic Orange Dove and Silktail. The area is under particular threat from logging;
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  Nabukulevu and Kadavu East on the island of Kadavu support four bird species and several subspecies endemic to Kadavu; they are threatened by agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species; and
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  Taveuni, the only formally protected area, which is under looming threat from agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species.

The main objectives of the project are to:

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  develop models of community-based protected areas;
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  establish management plans for priority sites;
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  develop an IBA monitoring framework and establish a baseline on which to assess future conditions of IBAs; and
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  raise resources for the further development of managed areas in Fiji.

Significant progress has been achieved. Highlights include:

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  positive responses from communities and provincial governments for the development of managed or protected areas;
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  the establishment of a community conservation group on the Natewa Peninsula while continuing work with existing conservation groups in two other IBAs;
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  the establishment of a community-declared protected area totaling about 5000ha on the Natewa Peninsula;
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  a management plan drafted for the statutory reserves on Taveuni;
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  two university students supported to develop frameworks relating to bird populations and forest management;
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  the establishment of a draft monitoring framework and initial baseline;
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  a fundraising workshop resulting in funding for two project concepts from the GEF Small Grants Programme;
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  extensive awareness work in Fiji through media, community work and awareness materials
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  International promotion at the 2006 British Birdwatching Fair.

BirdLife Pacific Fijian Warriors stand proudly beside Birdlife's stand at the 2006 British Birdwatching Fair Zoom In

The challenges to conserving Fiji’s forest resources remain substantial: the causes of deforestation are deep-seated with low local capacity to manage forests. Communities, however, are often under great pressure to derive income through logging. On the hopeful side, many communities would like to manage their forests in sustainable ways, often aware that forest management is related to water quality, fresh water and marine fisheries, the availability of sustainable forest products including fruits and vegetables and flood risk management.
This Darwin Initiative project is building the capacity of a cohort of young Fijian conservational professionals who are developing skills that will contribute to sustainable forest management in the future. Another exciting development this year is the launch of Fiji’s first national NGO committed to terrestrial conservation: Mareqeti Viti/NatureFiji which is working closely with Birdlife International to develop a terrestrial conservation programme.
Important Bird Areas in Fiji: Conserving Fijis Natural Heritage is available from Environment Consultants Fiji.
For further information contact:
Vilikesa Masibalavu,
Fiji Programme Conservation Manager,
Vilikesa@birdlifepacific.org.fj
James Millet,
Senior Technical Advisor,
Birdlife Pacific Partnership,
James@birdlife.org.fj


From Prioritisation to Conservation Action: Community-Based Conservation Groups at Fiji’s Key Conservation Sites

Birdwatching in Fiji : Gowealthy.com

Bird watching is a pleasure in Fiji, with a variety of rare and indigenous found in its forests.

You can observe the Fiji Goshawk glide majestically, a bird you only find in Fiji, or the Blue-Crested Broadbill, found only in the Viti Levu rainforest, or hear the deep hollow call of the Barking Pigeon at the Colo-I-Suva Forest Park.

There are about 80 species of terrestrial and freshwater birds of which about 10 have been introduced. They are distributed throughout the islands but those interested in sampling an array bird should consider visiting three islands: Viti Levu (which has 56 of the 81 known species found in the group), Kadavu, and the Garden Island of Taveuni. In general, the larger islands tend to be more ecologically intact and the bigger birds--notably the parrots and pigeons--are easily seen.

There are three species of hawk in Fiji. The most common is the swamp harrier, Circus approximans, which is most commonly seen over the grasslands, swamps and wooded areas. It feeds on rodents, birds and occasionally snakes. The Fiji Goshawk, Accipiter rufitoques, ranges from the coast to inland areas and preys on lizards, insects and other birds. Peregrine falcons, Falcus peregrinus, can also be found in Fiji but are not commonly observed. 

There are several varieties of dove in Fiji. The most common is the introduced spotted turtle dove, Streptopelia chinensis, which is also among the most destructive vis a vis fruit crops. Among the most sought after by birders is the orange dove, Ptiliponus victor found in Vanua Levu, Taveuni and some of the other offshore islands. The male of the species is a bright orange with the exception of an olive green head. So rare is this bird that you'll be hard pressed to find a photo of it in any book.

Peale's pigeon, Ducula latrans , as Paddy Ryan, the South Pacific's premier nature photographer points out in his superb Fiji's Natural Heritage guide, is "more likely to be seen than heard" and sounds a great deal like a barking dog. Thus when walking through a remote rainforest, the bark you'll hear is more likely avian rather than canine in origin.

The white-collared kingfisher, Halcyon chloris, is a striking blue with a white collar around the neck. I've often seen them dipping into a friend's swimming pool in Taveuni. Also seen on Taveuni is the silktail, Lamprolia victoriae. Once thought to be a bird of paradise, it is becoming increasingly rare on other islands most likely because of logging. Paddy Ryan describes it as a deep black with metallic blue spangling on the head and breast.

Birdwatching in Fiji : Gowealthy.com

Bird Social Network

Bird Network , a leading social network for bird enthusiasts worldwide, has been launched in Dec 2008. The website has already had a successful beginning with hundreds of members taking interest and signing up.

Bird Network (http://www.bird-networks.com) encourages members to share their passion with fellow members, by uploading images or videos of their latest bird spot, blogging about their sightings or stories, interacting on the discussion forums, and uploading their own news stories, press releases and white papers. Bird Network welcomes bird enthusiasts of all kinds, from bird watchers, to twitchers, to those who admire from their garden habitat.

“The feedback on Bird Network has been fantastic” says Kate Cummings, Online Editor of Bird Network . “Our members are very passionate about birding, and are keen to share stories and photographs from their trips and sightings. Many of our members are avid bloggers, and share some amazing stories.”

For marketing, partnerships and other queries, please contact;
Name : Kate Cummings
Tel : +44 (0)117 3119 338
Fax: +44 (0)117 3119 340
Email: info@bird-networks.com

Bird Social Network

Important Bird Areas in Fiji Conserving Fiji's Natural Heritage

By Guy Dutson and Vilikesa Masibalavu

Fiji supports a diverse range of birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. This book presents the best sites for bird conservation to strengthen and add to Fiji’s existing protected area system.

This book documents the results of a three-year research project to identify sites of global importance for bird conservation in Fiji. It draws on all previously published research on Fiji’s birds but relies mostly on data obtained from the 43 field surveys undertaken by this project. Those sites found to meet or exceed the selection criteria as defined by BirdLife

International are designated as Important Bird Areas (IBAs). IBA designation has no legal basis but it provides a strong scientific justification for the conservation of these areas.

Fourteen sites have been identified as IBAs, covering about 17% of Fiji’s land area and about 40% of Fiji’s remaining forest. These IBAs comprise the largest remaining areas of natural forests on the main islands (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu and Gau) plus the whole of two small islands which each support a threatened bird species found nowhere else (Rotuma and Ogea) and Vatu-i-Ra, which supports Fiji’s biggest seabird nesting colony. The safeguard of these areas is vital for the conservation of Fiji’s threatened and endemic bird species. Fiji holds 11 species threatened with global Extinction and another six classified as Near Threatened. It also has sole responsibility for 27 national endemic species, while another ten species are shared only with its smaller closest neighbours. 

The network of 14 IBAs supports all the known populations of the most threatened species and >40% of the populations of the other threatened and endemic species. Conservation of these IBAs requires awareness, commitment and action from government through to native land-owners. BirdLife International aims to work with land-owners to promote conservation awareness and action, and to help the government and all the people of Fiji to ensure survival of these birds and other wildlife for the benefit of future generations of Fijians.

ISBN:  978-982-9101-01-3 

72 p. 24.4 cm;  © 2006 BirdLife International

birding facts Birding Resources by the Fat Birder

Number of bird species:133

Number of endemics:22
Fiji Goshawk Accipiter rufitorques Orange Dove Ptilinopus victor Golden Dove Ptilinopus luteovirens Velvet Dove Ptilinopus layardi Peale`s Imperial-Pigeon Ducula latrans Crimson Shining-Parrot Prosopeia splendens Masked Shining-Parrot Prosopeia personata Collared Lory Phigys solitarius Orange-breasted Myzomela Myzomela jugularis Wattled Honeyeater Foulehaio carunculata Kadavu Honeyeater Xanthotis provocator Giant Honeyeater Gymnomyza viridis Streaked Fantail Rhipidura spilodera Kadavu Fantail Rhipidura personata Slaty Monarch Mayrornis lessoni Fiji Shrikebill Clytorhynchus vitiensis Black-throated Shrikebill Clytorhynchus nigrogularis Vanikoro Flycatcher Myiagra vanikorensis Blue-crested Flycatcher Myiagra azureocapilla Fiji Woodswallow Artamus mentalis Layard`s White-eye Zosterops explorator Fiji Bush-Warbler Cettia ruficapilla Fiji Parrot-Finch Erythrura pealii

Useful reading

A Guide to the Birds of Fiji and Western Polynesia including American Samoa, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Wallis & Futuna
By Dick Watling Hard Cover; 16 Full Colour Plates; Figures, Tables & Maps; 272 pages.
ISBN: 9829030040

Important Bird Areas in Fiji
Conserving Fiji's Natural Heritage Edited by Vilikesa T Masibalavu and Guy Dutson 66 pages, 50 Col photos, 14 tabs, 17 maps. BirdLife International Distributed by NHBS
ISBN: 9829101010

Pocket Poster Guide to the Birds of Fiji - Volume 1 - Landbirds
Dick Watling Series: POCKET POSTER GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF FIJI Col illus. Distributed by NHBS - other posters available too...
ISBN: 99085

birding facts Birding Resources by the Fat Birder

A Guide to the Birds of Fiji and Western Polynesia

‘A Guide to the Birds of Fiji and Western Polynesia including American Samoa, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Wallis and Futuna’ By Dick Watling

Hard Cover; 16 Full Colour Plates; Figures, Tables & Maps; 272 pages.

‘A Guide to the Birds of Fiji and Western Polynesia’ is a completely revised and reformatted edition of the widely acclaimed ‘Birds of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa’ and includes, in addition, the atoll nations of Tuvalu and Tokelau. A5-sized, the guide is handy for field use with detailed species accounts for the 173 species with confirmed records in the region and notes on a further 22 species with unconfirmed records.

Every breeding bird and regular migrant is illustrated on sixteen full-colour plates. The guide has the most detailed and accurate distributional coverage of the region’s birds and an up-to-date checklist for each of the countries covered. Included too is a comprehensive listing of local bird names to assist birders at the community level.

Encouraging conservation of birds is a specific objective of the book, and so in a chapter `Conservation’ current information on the conservation status of the region’s avifauna is provided with an overview of past and present threats, and priority conservation needs. Another chapter ‘Ornithology of the Region: an Overview’ provides an informative background to the study of the region’s birds.

Small though they may be, the islands of the region have plenty to offer the interested birder with 54 endemic or near-endemic species (and over 100 endemic subspecies). How to best see these and the other birds is fully covered in a chapter ‘Birding in the Region’.

Suva: Colo-I-Suva Forest Park - TripAdvisor

Colo-I-Suva Forest Park (pronounced Tholo-ee-Suva) was once a true tropical lowland rainforest, which has been interplanted with mahogany. It is in the upper drainage area of Waisila catchment, alongside Princes Road. The Department of Forestry manages the Forest Park. Colo-I-Suva Forest Park offers hiking trails, swimming, and birdwatching.

The visitor information centre located at the Forestry Station can give you useful information. The Forestry Station recommends that you start from there. You will find three pools developed as swimming areas: the ever-popular Main Pool with its rope swing and the two Upper Pools. All other pools remain in their natural state and many are shallow enough for a child.

While there are picnic tables near the Main Pool, most facilities have been built near the Upper Pools where it was possible to provide adequate parking. Both these areas have toilets. Groups of up to 40 can be accommodated at the Steep Hill Group Area.

All Picnic Tables have shelters. All have fire grates and a sufficient quantity of wood.

A 1/2 km nature trails has been built. This one-way loop begins a short distance from the Upper Pool Parking Area and interprets many interesting facets of the natural environment. If you wish to stretch your legs, hike some of the over 6.5km of trails of the area.

Birdwatching is favourite here with tours from all over the world frequenting.
Fiji Birdwatching Blog: http://fijibirdwatching.blogspot.com/
Fiji Bird Watching website: fiji-bird-watching.com/
See birs list for Fiji at Pacific Birds: pacificbirds.com


Suva: Colo-I-Suva Forest Park - TripAdvisor

Birding Southern Queensland

Fiji Revisited - 2008

Filed under: Trips — aviceda @ 9:57 pm

This trip was conceived in the early part of 2008 with the intention of making the most of the cheap airfares from Brisbane to Fiji. We found that by travelling by air from Nadi to Savusavu on Vanua Levu (second-largest Fiji Island) we could then take the passenger-ferry MV Suilven (Bligh Water Shipping) from Savusavu to Waiyevo, on the island of Taveuni (a 4.5 hour trip) Taveuni is one of the last-remaining mongoose-free islands in Fiji so there is still some pristine forest and two ‘must-see’ species, the Silktail and Orange Dove. Both species are still present on Vanua Levu so we decided to include three days at Savusavu.

Read full trip report here: Birding Southern Queensland

Pocket Poster Guide to the Birds of Fiji: - Landbirds.

Pocket Poster Guide to the Birds of Fiji: - Landbirds. By Dick Watling

Reluctant to take your valued field guide into Fiji’s wet and humid forests or out to sea ?

We certainly know the problem !

These could be the answer – a two part, pocket-sized (10x14cm) guide with a tough, laminated cover, cleverly designed and folded to be read as a book and opening out to the desired habitat.

Every breeding bird and regular migrant is illustrated in full colour and each bird has a paragraph of text with local names and identification and size information.

Otherwise fold out these posters to their full AO size for an informative wall chart or interpretive display.