Dates: March 4 - 14, 2026

Leader: Erik Bruhnke

E-bird

Total Species: 83 birds

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Overall Summary

The annual VENT Spring Hawaii tour was a thrill to the senses as we enjoyed amazing birding, fabulous scenery-viewing, all accompanied with great dining on this tropical multi-island adventure.

We started our exciting tour birding right in front of our ocean-side hotel, exploring the adjacent parkland where an exciting array of birds awaited. Common Waxbills and Java Sparrows fed among the area while Rose-ringed Parakeets flew over. As the sun crested above the horizon, several Blue-billed White-Terns flew by, each making careful and graceful passes as they headed to-and-from their selected nesting trees. With some searching we locked our sights on a nesting Blue-billed White-Tern, shuffling intently on a branch. The scope views of this species were magical, and we were less than an hour into our first day of birding! After a delicious breakfast with the aloha charm well received, we made our way to several woodlands.

A brief walk among the first forest had us first looking at a suave-plumaged White-rumped Shama. Further up the trail we enjoyed the Red-billed Leiothrix, and with a little focus and patience there it was… The very rare Oahu Elepaio. Everyone in the group was able to appreciate binocular views of this stunning island endemic, complimented with its sweetly-distinct whistles that carried through the understory. Charming and wondrous. After taking moments to appreciate the elepaio we made our way to another forest where were surrounded (and initially teased) by numerous Oahu Amakihi among the tree tops. Patience paid off, with nice views to follow. The mid-day and afternoon was spent first with Hawaiian Black-necked Stilts and Pacific Golden-Plovers as well as some seawatching. We enjoyed views of a locally-rare Red-billed Tropicbird among Red-tailed Tropicbirds, and even some Sooty Terns and distant Black Noddies. Distant Humpback Whales were wonderful to see. What a fun start to our tour!

On our next day we headed to the northern edge of the island for some golf course birding. While walking around we located seven Bristle-thighed Curlews, our big target of the day. It was amazing to see them, as we discussed their limited worldwide population and incredibly restricted ranges. Laysan Albatross were seen offshore, enjoying shearing just beyond the waves. A fantastic farm-to-table lunch was complimented with Red-whiskered Bulbuls, and we got to see a super rare Hawaiian Monk Seal along the beach too.

Our time on Kauai started off at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Families of Nene (Hawaiian Goose) were seen grazing around the area showing off their dapper appearance, with their adorable little chicks feeding nearby. The kaleidoscope of nesting Red-footed Boobies were so fun to see. As we scoped them out, we saw several upright, white fuzzy chicks. Laysan Albatross were seen patrolling the horizon, as were inquisitive Great Frigatebirds. In the afternoon we enjoyed views of pure Hawaiian Ducks among wetlands! Hawaiian Coots and Hawaiian Common Gallinules bickered back and forth with feisty attitudes towards each other. The views of this vast landscape on the new-to-us island were captivating.

The next day we headed to Koke’e State Park. We were fortunate for the clouds to be parting just as we arrived near the cliffs; Revealing multi-colored, meandering canyons of grandeur. Here we enjoyed the ever-chatty Apapane fluttering around. Their lively antics and crimson-red, black, and white complexion was stunning to see up close. Looking beyond the cliff over the ocean, the low clouds parted once again where we were able to see a White-tailed Tropicbird as well as very distant Humpback Whales breaching the water surface (we realized we were watching them from just over 4000 feet up in that moment)! It was wild. Casual walks along the beautiful Ohia trees brought forth several well-appreciated moments with the delightful and adorable Kauai Elepaio. At one point, we got to hear the extremely rare Anianiau singing softly in the woods. This latter endemic species has been significantly declining in recent years. On the way back to the hotel we enjoyed some mid-afternoon birding and pick-me-up moments at the Kauai Coffee Company.

The exciting adventure continued the next morning as we headed to the Big Island for the remainder of the days ahead. After arriving in Kailua-Kona we had exciting times birding among various waterways with Hawaiian Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Wandering Tattlers, Yellow-billed Cardinals and more. We scored views of a beach-resting Hawaiian Monk Seal that had just beached itself moments before our arrival. Not far from the seal were several Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) paddling around! Chatty Red-masked Parakeets fed not far from several Rosy-faced Lovebirds all while this was happening. Before checking into our luxurious, paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) motel for the next few nights, we enjoyed a few birding spots enroute. Seeing Io (the Hawaiian Hawk) was fantastic plus Hawaii Amakihi too. We often spend a great deal of time looking for Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse among various sport fields, and upon our arrival we found ourselves looking at one out in the open, seemingly waiting for our arrival. It was great to appreciate this bird well! A brief flyby Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl) was seen as we wrapped up our day. We ended the day with a memorable and quite fancy farm-to-market dinner, often praised as one of the best meals of the trip as it was for us on this year’s tour… only blocks from our lodging!

The next day was without a doubt, one of the highlight experiences of our entire tour. We have a day reserved with our fantastic local-guiding friends, Garry and Jon of Hawaii Forest and Trail. We’ve developed a special birding relationship with them over the past few years, making this unique day happen with layers of wonder and awe as we explore the Hawaiian wilderness of Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge. Before even reaching the refuge, we scored great views of a rock-perching Black Francolin out in the open, in addition to several Erckel’s Spurfowl running around. As we entered the refuge, we could tell the magic was setting-in quickly. The forest was vast with old, hardy trees, many draped with delicate lichens, ordained with vibrant leaves, and some freckled with blossoms. Between the Koa trees, the Ohia trees, the Pukiawe bushes and more, there was so much native life to enjoy. Nene greeted us in the parking lot, and as the steps continued throughout the day, we enjoyed views of no fewer than twenty-two Iiwi, THREE rare Akiapolaau, Hawaii Amakihi, a dozen endangered Alawi (Hawaii Creeper), Omaos (Hawaiian Thrush), Apapanes, and even five rare Hawaii Akepa among the tree tops. Hawaii birdsong filled the air. Making the most of our visit, we took some time to really soak up the native Hawaiian Zen. This was all complimented with experiencing a special sense-of-place as the teaching moments delved into the natural history and native plants surrounding us. It was enchanting. On the way home we enjoyed two more Pueo, patrolling low over the fields as the day came to a close.

The next day we explored the hillsides of Mauna Kea, in search of Palila. This rapidly-declining species has become quite challenging to come across in recent years. We put effort to look for this species, and appreciated the numerous Hawaii Amakihi as well as a singing Hawaii Elepaio. Their song is so sweet!

On our last few days of the tour, we were based out of Hilo on the east side of the island. Our visit to Volcanoes National Park was wonderful, as we explored various hotspots throughout the national park (figuratively in a safe way, not literally hot). Walking through the old Thurston Lava Tube was captivating as we enjoyed the intimate views of walking through the naturally-formed underground tunnel. Checking out Pele’s hair and Pele’s tears was special, and we got to see residual aftermath of an eruption that took place a few days earlier on, with tephra all over the ground and some clusters even suspended up in the trees! A visit down to the coast brought forth some nice scope views of the unique orange-footed Black Noddies, as well as up-close experiences of exploring various types of lava formations, lava field after lava field. Our lunch overlooked the Kilauea Crater, with Pele releasing columns of steam off in the distance.

Our last day of the trip is always a flex day. On this year’s trip, the last full day had stormy weather brewing from the south, affecting the western and southern portions of the island. While being flexible and opportunistic, some of the group went with Kevin to further reaching travels for the day, finding several of the challenging introduced birds from earlier on. The more locally-traveled birders stayed with Erik, enjoying new areas with great sights including Humpback whales and pleasant review of many birds, with both groups seeing new birds for the trip collectively (like a Snow Goose). It was a very fun day for all. At the end of the day, we came together to enjoy one more meal, with so many fun memories to reflect on.

A special thanks goes out to Garry and Jon, for the friendship and for greatly enriching our birding experiences throughout our time on Big Island, and for the many folks at restaurants and hotels for taking such great care of our group – it is great to see them year after year. Cheers to our many memorable times among the islands, all-round. I’m already looking forward to next year’s VENT Spring Hawaii tour!

Day-by-Day Summary

March 4 - Early‑morning birding outside the ocean‑side hotel produced Blue‑billed White‑Terns, waxbills, sparrows, and a nesting tern viewed beautifully in the scope. Forest stops yielded White‑rumped Shama, Red‑billed Leiothrix, Oahu Elepaio, and Oahu Amakihi. Afternoon coastal birding added stilts, plovers, tropicbirds, Sooty Terns, Black Noddies, and distant Humpback Whales.

March 5 - A northern‑shore golf course delivered seven Bristle‑thighed Curlews, plus offshore Laysan Albatross. Lunch featured Red‑whiskered Bulbuls, and a Hawaiian Monk Seal rested along the beach. Returned to the hotel area afterward.

March 6 - At Kilauea Point NWR, the group enjoyed Nene families, Red‑footed Boobies with chicks, and patrolling Laysan Albatross and Great Frigatebirds. Afternoon wetland birding produced Hawaiian Ducks, Hawaiian Coots, and Hawaiian Common Gallinules before returning to the Kauai hotel.

March 7 - Koke’e State Park offered canyon views, active Apapane, a White‑tailed Tropicbird, and distant Humpback Whales. Walks among Ohia forest brought Kauai Elepaio and the soft song of the rare Anianiau. A stop at Kauai Coffee Company wrapped up the day before returning to the hotel.

March 8 - After arriving in Kailua‑Kona, the group birded wetlands with stilts, tattlers, turnstones, and Yellow‑billed Cardinals. A Hawaiian Monk Seal and Honu were seen along the shore, with parakeets and lovebirds nearby. En route to the paniolo‑style lodge in Waimea, sightings included Io, Hawaii Amakihi, a Chestnut‑bellied Sandgrouse, and a Pueo, followed by a standout farm‑to‑market dinner near the lodging.

March 9 - A full day at Hakalau NWR with local guides produced a remarkable suite of endemics: over twenty Iiwi, three Akiapolaau, a dozen Alawi, Hawaii Amakihi, Omao, Apapane, and five Hawaii Akepa. Native forest, plants, and natural‑history interpretation enriched the experience. Two Pueo were seen on the return to Waimea.

March 10 - The group searched Mauna Kea’s dry forest for the declining Palila, appreciating Hawaii Amakihi and a singing Hawaii Elepaio along the way. Returned to the Waimea lodge afterward.

March 11 - Now based in Hilo, the group explored Volcanoes National Park, walking the Thurston Lava Tube and observing Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears, and fresh tephra from a recent eruption. Coastal stops added Black Noddies and lava‑field exploration. Lunch overlooked Kilauea Crater with steam rising in the distance.

March 12 - A flexible day split the group: one team traveled farther with Kevin to track down several difficult introduced species, while the other explored locally with Erik, seeing Humpback Whales and new trip birds such as a Snow Goose. Everyone reunited in Hilo for a final celebratory dinner.

March 13 - A lighter final day allowed for optional birding, coastal viewing, and packing. Guests enjoyed last looks at the island’s scenery before preparing for departure.

March 14 - The tour concluded with warm farewells and reflections on the multi‑island adventure, memorable birds, and excellent hospitality throughout the trip.

Wildlife Seen: 

MAMMALS:

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Humpback Whale

Wild Boar

Mouflon

Feral Sheep

Feral Goat

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

Brown Anole

Gold Dust Day Gecko

BUTTERFLIES:

Blackburn’s Blue

Monarch

Cabbage White

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Gallery