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The distribution of Buller’s shearwater (Puffinus bulleri) in New Zealand coastal waters and in the Tasman Sea

Notornis, 35 (3), 203-215

J.A.F. Jenkins (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Records gathered since 1960 in the coastal waters of New Zealand and in the Tasman Sea are plotted. They show the September return of Buller’s Shearwaters (Puffinus bulleri) from migration; their distribution through the austral summer; and their almost total withdrawal from the region by the end of May. Their present wider distribution is shown, apparently related to the increasing numbers of breeding birds at the Poor Knights Islands.





The Farewell Spit gannetry – a new sea level colony

Notornis, 35 (4), 249-260

Hawkins, J.M. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

A new breeding colony of Australasian Gannets (Sula bassana serrator) is recorded from Farewell Spit, Nelson. From small beginnings in 1981 and a major roost of c. 300 in 1983, the colony has increased steadily from c. 75 breeding pairs in the 1983-84 season to c. 600 in 1987-88. Two birds breeding at the site had been banded as chicks at White Island, Bay of Plenty.

The Hakawai

Notornis, 35 (3), 215-216

R. Galbreath, C.M. Miskelly (1988)

Article Type: Short Note


Osteological differences between Sula and Morus, and a description of an extinct new species of Sula from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, Tasman Sea

Notornis, 35 (1), 35-57

van Tets, G.F., Meredith, C.W., Fullagar, P.J., Davidson, P.M. (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Osteological differences between boobies, Sula, and gannets, Morus, were found for every major element examined. These differences confirm that Sula and Morus are generically distinct. Sula tasmani n.sp. is described from bones found in aeolian coral sand dunes at Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, Tasman Sea. Sula tasmani is larger than extant and known fossil species of Sula, the upper part of its massive bill being more concave laterally.

Breeding behaviour of the long-tailed cuckoo on Little Barrier Island

Notornis, 35 (2), 89-98

I.G. McLean (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Long-tailed cuckoos (Eudynamys taitensis) were studied on Little Barrier Island during three summers. The only species of host was the Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla). Rates of brood parasitism on the island were 18.1% overall, 35.7% at altitudes above 250 m, and 5.4% at altitudes below 250 m. The breeding season for cuckoos probably lasted for 4-6 weeks from mid-November, suggesting that early nests of the Whitehead escaped brood parasitism. The available information suggests that the major hosts of the cuckoo are the Whitehead, the Yellowhead, and possibly the Brown Creeper, although other hosts are used occasionally. As adult cuckoos call in small groups during the breeding season, I speculate that Long-tailed cuckoos may have a lek-type social organisation.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1985, and a review of Pterodroma species recoveries since 1960

Notornis, 34 (3), 237-252

R.G. Powlesland (1987)

Article Type: Paper

In 1985, 5,967 kilometres of coast were patrolled and 28,304 dead seabirds were found, both new records for the Beach Patrol Scheme. A new species for the Scheme was a White-bellied Storm Petrel (Fregetta grallaria). Ten species were found in greater numbers in 1985 than in any previous year: Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor), Buller’s Mollymawk (Diomedea bulleri), White-headed Petrel (Pterodroma lessonii), Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur), Fulmar Prion (P. crassirostris). Fluttering Shearwater (Puffinus gavia), Australasian Gannet (Sula bassana), Pied Shag (Phalacrocorax varius), Redbilled Gull (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus) and White-fronted Tern (Sterna striata). The record numbers of Fairy Prions, Fulmar Prions and Fluttering Shearwaters were the result of wrecks of these species in August-September, mainly along the western and southern coasts of the North Island. A summary is given of the coastal and monthly distributions for most Pterodroma species found during the 1960-1984 period. The most frequently found species was the White-headed Petrel, a result of 30-100 being found in spring of most years.


Subfossil snipe

Notornis, 34 (4), 343-344

C.M. Miskelly (1987)

Article Type: Letter