'Io Disappearance in Wa'a Wa'a

[Kenney]

Saw a hawk circling above the Pahoa pool this morning. Welcome sight!

[MarkP]

I see hawks here in Eden Roc but not regularly enough to say they have disappeared if I don't see them for a few months.

[Obie]

"Green mountain has always been a great place to see a few 'IO hawks as well as many other birds. Unfortunately, the ROD fungus is taking it's fair share "thousands" of Ohia around Green Mountain as well."

There are really no Ohia around Green mountain .And what would it matter.

IO like to perch in tall trees and search for prey.

If your property is an overgrown jungle , they move on.

[Guest]

Obie, Personally I have hiked Green Mountain many times and yes there are lot's of Ohia trees on parts of the Mountain, especially the back side.
Is Kapoho or Vacationland near Green mountain?
Does Kapoho or Vacationland have any Ohia trees?
Is Pohoiki or Wa'a Wa'a close to Green mountain? Are Any Ohia trees in those communities?
Are there Ohia trees above Green Mountain towards the PGV.
Obie, The Ohia tree is and has been an important tree to the native 'IO hawk. Please don't slight the Ohia's importance to the 'IO hawk.

https://www.hawaii-forest.com/hawaiian-h...olitarius/

[kalakoa]

IO like to perch in tall trees and search for prey.

Doesn't that mean they're helping to spread the ROD?

[ericlp]

still get in hawaiian beaches. But, noticed that they come and go. Haven't seen em in a few years... then the chickens were freaking out and I managed to get a picture of one that landed on my mailbox, then, flew to some papaya trees in my yard.

I've heard that people poison the rats and I know that these birds probably don't hunt for rats, but, other birds do, like the owls, cats and well, they probably get poisoned, and it just works it's way up the food chain...

The gift that keeps on giving.

[MarkP]

I saw an Io sitting on a tree limb once with a small rodent in its talons. Since there were no rodents for the vast majority of Hawaii's history they must simply have adapted. One thing I find very interesting: I have read more than once that there is no evidence of Pueos prior to the arrival of humans. Some speculate that they began to flourish after the first people to arrive brought rats. Seems hard to believe since that would mean that owls were regularly getting here on their own prior to human colonization but just not flourishing.

[TomK]

They could have been brought here by an African swallow.

Good point though. Now I'm curious.

[Obie]

"Green mountain has always been a great place to see a few 'IO hawks as well as many other birds. Unfortunately, the ROD fungus is taking it's fair share "thousands" of Ohia around Green Mountain as well."

Gypsy

There are not now nor were there ever "thousands" of Ohia around Green Lake.
The Kapoho Cone is an ash cone.It's not a good habitat for Ohia.

https://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/arc...12_01.html

[Obie]

https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/c...1120%2C630

Here is a picture of the IO that hangs out in my back yard.The green mountain in the back is the Kapoho Cone.The IO usually perches in the large ironwood that you see.It flew down and grabbed something to eat.

I see this IO nearly every day.

Here is a closeup.

https://content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/c...1120%2C630