Wildlife· Tuanake· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Tuanake Bird Refuge (Tuamotu Sandpiper)
16° 40.0′ S · 144° 13.0′ W
Tuanake and neighboring Hiti are among the few places with records of the endangered Tuamotu sandpiper, and Tuanake is reported to hold the Tuamotu reed warbler and the critically endangered Polynesian ground dove.
Practical
Coordinates are Tuanake's center (English Wikipedia). The Tuamotu sandpiper (IUCN Endangered, about 700-1,100 mature birds) is recorded historically from Katiu, Tuanake and Hiti among the Raevski atolls, but now breeds mainly on a few rat-free islands such as Anuanuraro, Tenararo and Morane; its threats are introduced rats and coconut planting (English Wikipedia). French Wikipedia lists Acrocephalus atyphus and Gallicolumba erythroptera (Polynesian ground dove, about 100 birds Pacific-wide) on Tuanake, but English Wikipedia says the dove now survives only in the Acteon group, so current presence is uncertain. Tuanake has only a very shallow south pass and no yacht anchorage; view from a dinghy or not at all. Never land dogs, cats or rats, light fires or go crab hunting on bird motus.
Best for
Birders passing between Katiu and Makemo
Nearby
- Tuanake and Hiti Atolls (no pass)Right here
- Katiu East End Beach14 NM away
- Katiu East Finger Anchorage14 NM away
- Katiu Pearl Farms15.5 NM away
- Katiu Lagoon Rules: Pearl Farms and Sea Cucumbers16.2 NM away
- West Pass Anchorage (Makemo)19.3 NM away
- Tapuhiria Pass Drift Snorkel (Makemo West)19.6 NM away
- Katiu Village Anchorage (Hitianau)20.5 NM away