Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information This IBA supports eight of the nine subspecies endemic to Vanua Levu. A1 (globally threatened species) * Friendly Ground-dove (VU) – fairly common in some areas * [Long-legged Warbler (VU) – the only record of the Vanua Levu subspecies T. r. clunei was from here in 1974; probably still occurs] * Black-faced Shrikebill (VU) – rare A2 (restricted-range species) 22 species (out of 24 on Vanua Levu), including two of the three endemic to Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

Site description This IBA contains the only known site for the Vanua Levu subspecies of Long-legged Warbler (EN), and has all the other endemic birds on Vanua Levu except for the Silktail, which is restricted to another peninsula. It consists of the largest remaining important forests in Vanua Levu, and includes six Sites of National Significance as outlined in the BSAP: Delaikoro, Waisali, Tavea, Valili, Drawa and Delainacau.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Waisali Forest	Amenity Reserve	50	protected area contained by site	50

Other biodiversity Limited surveys have been undertaken in Waisali and Drawa only. Waisali is the only known site for the Fijian Ground Frog (EN) on mainland Fiji (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) despite the presence of mongoose. Waisali also supports the Fijian Tree Frog (NT) and at least four species of reptile including the Turquoise Tree Skink which is known only from one other specimen. The BSAP technical botanical report identified six Vanua Levu sites of high botanical biodiversity, four of which are part of this IBA (Waisali, Mt Dikeva, Mt Delainacau and Mt Kasi). Botanical surveys at Drawa showed that 51% of flora species are native, 47% are endemic to Fiji and 10 species are threatened within Fiji.

Management considerations Logging - Agricultural Expansion - Invasive Alien Species - Fire - Hunting

Protection status Unprotected except for Waisali Forest Amenity Reserve (120 ha). Most of the site is a Site of National Significance.

Conservation response This IBA is threatened primarily by logging. Whilst environmentally friendly logging may not have major effects on birds, much of the logging on Vanua Levu is unsustainable and causes extensive forest destruction as well as the subsequent problems of increased numbers of invasive alien species (e.g. mongoose), and agricultural expansion. Other minor threats include fire and hunting. Waisali is managed by the National Trust of Fiji as an ecotourism site which offers pools, forest, especially Dakua trees, and birdwatching. Visitor facilities developed in 2005 included constructing tracks between the pools, with a bure and visitors’ information. The GTZ sustainable forest management project at Drawa forest aims to balance the conservation of forest and endemic plants with income for local stakeholders from forestry and agriculture. The Delaikoro, Delainacau and Valili areas currently lack any conservation effort. Conservation work needs to be initiated at the mataqali level of the villages in these areas. An opportunity is afforded by the road up to the Delaikoro radio mast which offers easy birdwatching on the way up to the island’s highest peak with beautiful views to Labasa to the north and Savusavu to the south.

References BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2005) Fiji Programme IBA project field reports Nos 26, 31, 34, 35 and 36. FUNG, C. (2005) Profile of the Drawa Model Area. Appraisal of a Rural Forest Area in Fiji. Suva: Pacific German Regional Forestry Project. Unpublished report. GOF (1998) Botanical Biodiversity in Fiji. Technical Group 3, Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Suva: Department of Environment. Unpublished report: MORRISON, C., NAIKATINI, A., THOMAS, N., ROUNDS, I., THAMAN, B. AND NIUKULA, J. (2004) Importance of Waisali Reserve, Vanua Levu for herpetofauna conservation in Fiji. South Pacific Journal of Natural Science 22: 71–74. SOUTH PACIFIC REGIONAL HERBARIUM (2004) Baseline Floral and Faunal Survey of Waisali Reserve, Cakaudrove, Fiji Island. Biodiversity and Ethnobiodiversity Report. Suva: South Pacific Regional Herbarium. TUIWAWA, M. in litt. (1999, 2000)

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Wailevu/Dreketi Highlands. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013

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