Fledglings of the two species – the endangered 'ua'u, or Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel, and the more common 'ua'u kani, or wedge-tailed shearwater – leave their burrows at night and are thought to use the stars to navigate. During flight, they can be disoriented by lights on land and fly in circles around the lights. When they tire, they can fall to the ground, usually around areas such as hotels, golf courses, stadiums and yards lit by floodlights.

Wildlife biologists with Haleakala National Park and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources are asking people to assist by reporting any seabirds that become grounded.

Groundings usually occur during dark, cloudy nights or nights of the new moon, when streetlights and other outdoor lighting can be more disorienting. This year, biologists expect a higher number of groundings around the nights of the new moon, on Thursday and again on Nov. 9.

Both seabird species normally spend their lives at sea, forming large flocks feeding on squid and schools of small fish, but return to land to nest and raise their chicks usually in the summer.

Fledglings leaving their burrows for the first time to head out to sea are the birds most likely to be stranded on land.

'Ua'u are black-and-white seabirds with black webbed feet. They are 16 inches long and have a wingspan of about 3 feet. The birds are found only in Hawaii and nest on the slopes of Haleakala, with about 90 percent of the known 'ua'u nesting in Haleakala National Park.

Another significant population has been found on the slopes of Lanaihale on Lanai, with a smaller breeding population believed to be in the West Maui Mountains.

'Ua'u kani are gray and white, similar in size and appearance to 'ua'u but with lighter-colored feathers and without the white breasts of the 'ua'u. They are 17 inches long with a wingspan of 38 inches. They nest at lower elevations, including in the dunes and shoreline cliffs around the Kamaole beach parks, at Kapalua, along the north coast of Maui and on offshore islands. In addition to breeding birds at the Kamaole parks and Cove Park, a new colony was recently discovered near Waipuilani Park.

State wildlife biologist Fern Duvall said he remembers when the colony was devastated a few years ago by a local dog and is impressed that the 'ua'u kani are returning to the area.

Anyone finding a grounded seabird is asked to:

Protect it from cars, dogs and cats. Birds can be placed in a covered, well-ventilated cardboard box and kept in a cool place, but should be handled carefully since they will bite.

Do not give the bird food or water.

Call the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 984-8100 or Haleakala National Park's resources management cellular phone at 264-5317.

After hours, call the Maui Police Department nonemergency number at 244-6400.

Provide your name, number, when and where the bird was found and other pertinent information.

Do not attempt to release the seabird. Wildlife specialists need to inspect the birds for injuries and will release it safely.

For more information, call National Park Service wildlife biologist Cathleen Natividad Bailey at 572-4491 or state wildlife biologist John Medeiros at 873-3510.