Brant

Branta bernicla

A single Brant goose visited the Kaelepulu wetland in late 2024. The Brant considered extremely rare in the Hawaiian Islands. This one arrived in mid-November 2024. Sadly, he was scared away from the Kaelepulu Wetland by the numerous large and extremely loud aerial fireworks set off for New Year’s Eve — including several rockets that were launched from the sidewalk next to the wetland. Fortunate he has since returned.

This small species of goose breeds in the Arctic tundra, and migrates to spend winters along the coasts in North America, Europe and Asia. We surmise that this goose may have been blown off his usual migratory route by severe storms along the west coast of North America in November.

They are herbivores that normally feed on eelgrass and other aquatic vegetation. While in the Kaelepulu wetland, he was observed eating akuikulikai (pickle weed, Batis maritima) and the seed heads of Kaluha (bulrush, Bolboshoenus maritimus).