The Maui News

Native Hawaiian seabird chicks journey from their burrow nests to the sea for the first time each year during the months of October through December, also called “fallout season.”

The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project is reminding the public that seabird fallout can happen throughout the year with adult seabirds, but it is primarily a phenomenon affecting fledging seabirds, mainly the ‘ua’u kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters) and the endangered ‘ua’u and ‘a’o (Hawaiian petrels and Newell’s shearwaters).

Fallout occurs when artificial light from buildings and roadways causes them to be distracted and disoriented and to fall out of the sky and land on the ground instead of in the ocean, MNSRP said in a news release.

Nocturnal instincts, hunger, and a strong sense of smell normally guide seabirds, which are endangered, towards the ocean and they often use natural light from the moon and stars to navigate. However, artificial lighting can distrupt these natural behaviors, MNSRP said.

The nonprofit is working to locate, protect, and enhance seabird populations and their habitats, and is prepared for seabird fallout season.

These fallout birds can be found in the road, in parking lots, on the lanai, in the park, hiding or in plain sight. Once grounded, they are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators like cats and mongoose, and they are easy targets for vehicle strikes.

If a seabird is found, carefully place it in a ventilated box with no food or water, then call the MNSRP seabird hotline at (808) 573-BIRD (2473).

For more information about lighting ordinances and light pollution, visit mauinuiseabirds.org or darksky.org.