Wednesday, Jan. 21 marks the first of two statewide bi-annual waterbird surveys across the state of Hawai'i. Conducted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the survey covers more than 250 wetland sites, including marshes, reservoirs, golf course canals, prawn farms and even the Honolulu International Airport's reef runway. The counts give important population trend data and show habitat use of Hawai'i's endangered waterbirds, migrant waterfowl and shorebirds.

Wildlife Biologist Jaap Eijzenga is in charge of the Windward O'ahu count, with sites stretching from Hau'ula to Olomana Golf Course. Armed with clipboard, binoculars and a volunteer counter, his task is to accurately count nearly all bird species at the survey area, including the weather and area conditions.

Of utmost importance are four endangered waterbird species in Hawai'i: the Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), Hawaiian moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), Hawaiian coot, (Fulica alai), and Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana). "The survey is taken bi-annually because of the seasonal fluctuation of populations," explains Eijzenga. "Spring and early summer are the breeding seasons, so the August count tends to have inflated numbers because of newly fledged chicks. Many of them don't make it, so the January numbers are more reliable."

The Hawaiian stilt population is gaining strength due to successful wetland restoration efforts over the past ten years. The Hamakua Marsh, on Eijzenga's list of stops, is a prime example of wetland conservation. Pairs of Hawaiian stilts forage and frolic in the ponds nestled between rings of floating grass. Hawaiian coots cruise the deeper stream while the red-billed moorhens wade through the grassy shallows and up onto the banks. Black-crowned night heron perch patiently on sturdy foliage, eyes trained at the water anticipating their next meal.

Eijzenga spies the waterfowl and makes tick marks on his clipboard as he slowly walks the stream bank. His volunteer counter keeps watch for stilts with her binoculars. After stopping for a break to marvel at a night heron sitting on the bank, its red eye facing them, staring, they pack up their gear and continue to the next sight. All across Hawai'i, staff and volunteers have their eyes peeled for Hawai'i's endangered waterfowl.