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==Birds== | ==Birds== | ||
===Notable Species=== | ===Notable Species=== | ||
| − | Many native birds inhabit both the kipuka forests and the lava flows | + | Many native birds inhabit both the kipuka forests and the lava flows. Native birds still dominate this area. '[[Amakihi]], '[[Apapane]], [[I'iwi]] and '[[Oma'o]] are common. [[Kolea]], '[[Io]] and '[[Hawaii Elepaio]] are often seen. '[[Akepa]], [[Hawaii Creeper]] and '[[Akiapola'au]] are much less common, and limited to the far kipukas 3-4 miles south of Saddle Road. They will probably only be found by people who are very familiar with their voices and calls. |
| − | The most common non-natives are [[Japanese White-eye]], [[Red-billed Leiothrix]] and [[Kalij Pheasant]]. [[House finch]] and [[yellow-fronted canary]] are seasonal in grassy areas. Erckel's | + | The most common non-natives are [[Japanese White-eye]], [[Red-billed Leiothrix]] and [[Kalij Pheasant]]. [[House finch]] and [[yellow-fronted canary]] are seasonal in grassy areas. [[Erckel's Francolin]] and [[Wild Turkey]] are sometimes present. |
| − | + | Rarely [[nene]] fly overhead, in transit between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. They are unlikely to be found along Powerline Road. I have not seen pueo here yet though they should be occasionally present. | |
===Check-list=== | ===Check-list=== | ||
Revision as of 00:35, 10 October 2012
Overview
Powerline Road (no motorized vehicles) is my favorite native bird watching location and wilderness exporation area. It runs parallel to the better-known Pu'u O'o Trail, on the east side of the Saddle between Saddle Road and Stainback Highway. (about 5 miles total) The access trail for Powerline Road is an unmarked gravel road between the 21 and 22 mile markers on the South side of Saddle Road. The road is OK for 2WD cars, but you may have to weave a bit to avoid large rocks. There are several places to park along an old cinder section of Saddle Road. There are often hunters on Powerline Road, and brightly colored clothing is recommended.
Powerline Road doesn't look like much from the Saddle Road, or even for the first 500 meters, but beyond that you will be rewarded! This area has the most native hawaiian forest birds of any place that I frequently visit, along with fascinating landscapes and spectacular views of the mountains and Saddle wilderness on clear days. It is at about 5800 feet elevation, with little elevation change. Travelling South along Powerline Road the kipuka forests and lava fields will get progressively more impressive and interesting. The best areas are 3-4 miles out on the edges of the 1881 and 1984 lava flows. For access to these far Saddle kipukas Powerline Road is a much more direct and safe route than Pu'u O'o Trail. 3.5 miles out Powerline Road and Pu'u O'o Trail briefly merge, and then diverge again. 4 miles out the road was covered by the 1984 lava flow, but there is a trail across the 1984 lava that connects the remnant bits of the road until it hits Stainback Highway. It is roughly 1 mile across the rugged 1984, 1852 and 1942 lava flows to Stainback Highway. (Stainback Highway is an unpaved 4WD gravel track)
At the junction of Stainback and Powerline roads, gates prevent you from taking Stainback Highway to the East, and Powerline Road to the South. Following Stainback to the West takes you up gradually up the slopes of Mauna Loa towards the communications relays (5 miles) and Mauna Loa Observatory (14 miles?). There are also native birds along Stainback Road between the Powerline Road junction and the microwave relays at 9000 feet elevation. A historical note: Stainback was constructed in the 1950's with prison labor, and intended as a tourist drive that would take people from the tropical rainforests of the coast all the way to the summit of Mauna Loa.
Powerline Road crosses mostly the wide pahoehoe lava flows of 1855 and 1881, which surround kipuka forests (like islands of forest in a lava sea) filled with native trees such as ohia, koa, olapa, kawa'u, kolea and hapu'u tree-ferns. The lava flows themselves are also heavily vegetated with native ferns, grasses, berry bushes, and pioneering shrubby 'ohi'a trees. When the small 'ohi'a trees on the lava flows are covered in brilliant red blossoms they're visited by 'amakihi and 'apapane just as much as the towering giants of the kipukas. Pahoehoe lava is relatively smooth, like broken pavement, so it's easy to cross the vast lava flows and explore kipukas far off of the road.
See also: Saddle Road powerline service roads, Hawai'i(East half (Hilo side) of the Saddle Road,)
Tree-Planting Road(Eastern saddle, above Hilo, Hawai\\\'i,) Kilohana, Ka'ohe GMA, or Pu'u La'au, Hawai'i(West slope of Mauna Kea,) Pu'u O'o Trail, Hawai'i(Eastern Saddle,)
Birds
Notable Species
Many native birds inhabit both the kipuka forests and the lava flows. Native birds still dominate this area. 'Amakihi, 'Apapane, I'iwi and 'Oma'o are common. Kolea, 'Io and 'Hawaii Elepaio are often seen. 'Akepa, Hawaii Creeper and 'Akiapola'au are much less common, and limited to the far kipukas 3-4 miles south of Saddle Road. They will probably only be found by people who are very familiar with their voices and calls.
The most common non-natives are Japanese White-eye, Red-billed Leiothrix and Kalij Pheasant. House finch and yellow-fronted canary are seasonal in grassy areas. Erckel's Francolin and Wild Turkey are sometimes present.
Rarely nene fly overhead, in transit between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. They are unlikely to be found along Powerline Road. I have not seen pueo here yet though they should be occasionally present.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Natives: Hawai'i 'amakihi, 'apapane, 'oma'o, i'iwi, Hawai'i Elepaio, 'io, 'akiapola'au, Hawai'i Creeper, akepa, kolea
Aliens: Japanese White-eye, House Finch, Red-billed Leiothrix, Kalij Pheasant, Yellow-fronted Canary, Wild Turkey
Other Wildlife
You may also see Hybrid feral-mouflon sheep, feral pigs, feral dogs, feral cats, rats, mice, Mongoose, Skink, etc.
Site Information
Take extra care to monitor the weather and DO NOT underestimate how easily you can get lost once you leave the road! The weather can change very quickly - lightning is very dangerous and terrifying when crossing miles of open lava field, and hypothermia is a serious danger if you become lost overnight in fog and rain. Fortunately Powerline Road is very straight, which makes it safer than the fainter and more rugged Pu'u O'o Trail.
History and Use
Note: mammal hunting is allowed and there are often target shooters firing just off the road.
Areas of Interest
Each kipuka and lava flow on Powerline Road has its own character, and the kipukas at both ends have large meadows and bogs to explore. Lava tubes are scattered around the lava fields. You should wear heavy tough hiking boots for Powerline Road, because the "road" is simply a raw bulldozer scrape across the lava. I highly recommend starting AT dawn if at all possible, because the clouds can set in quickly between 10AM and 1PM. The air is wonderfully cool and dry, and the overcast afternoons give welcome relief from the intense Sun.
Access and Facilities
Contact Details
To do
External Links
More pictures and information: http://www.pbase.com/bkrownd/powerline_road
Content and images originally posted by bkrownd
