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The Weka on Macquarie Island

Notornis, 31 (2), 145-154

Brothers, N.P., Skira, I.J. (1984)

Article Type: Paper

Wekas have been on Macquarie Island for just over 100 years. They occur in the coastal tussock grassland, mainly in the northern half of Macquarie Island. Males are larger than females and the sexes can be separated on a combination of culmen and tarsus lengths. The sex ratio in favour of males was considered to be due to behavioural differences. Breeding begins in August and, although four eggs may be laid, only one or two chicks are usually reared. Losses are probably due to predation by feral cats and skuas. Preferred foods are vegetation, insects and spiders. Mammal and bird remains were present in fewer than half the gizzards examined, but rats and mice are thought to be important food because of their size.

Birds of the Western Chain, Snares Islands 1983-84

Notornis, 31 (3), 209-223

C.M. Miskelly (1984)

Article Type: Paper

Birds observed during landings on four islets of the Western Chain, Snares Islands, in February 1984 are discussed. A census of Salvin’s Mollymawk revealed 586 chicks on two of the islets and one stack, and so the population is not likely to exceed 650 pairs. The numbers of the eight other bird species known to breed on the Western Chain were estimated, and their distribution is described. Measurements of 20 chicks of Snares Crested Penguin indicate that the breeding cycle on the Western Chain is about six weeks later than on Main Island. Buller’s Mollymawk, Mottled Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Scuthern Skua and Red-billed Gull are new breeding records for the Western Chain, and eight other species observed had not been reported previously.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1982 and a review of penguin recoveries since 1960

Notornis, 31 (2), 155-171

Powlesland, R.G. (1984)

Article Type: Paper

In 1982, 3,705 kilometres of coast were patrolled and 6,957 dead seabirds were found. Large numbers of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) were found on Stewart Island beaches (mainly in July) and Auckland West beaches (November-December). Large numbers of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) were found on Auckland West and Auckland East beaches in January-February and August-September. Unusual finds were single specimens of long-tailed skua (Stercorarius longicaudus), Black-fronted tern (Sterna albostriata), Arctic tern ( S. paradisaea) and little tern (S. albifrons). A summary is given of the coastaI and monthly distribution for each species of penguin found over the 1960-1982 period.

A banding study of North Island brown kiwis in an exotic forest

Notornis, 30 (2), 109-124

Colbourne, R., Kleinpaste, R. (1983)

Article Type: Paper

Territory, distribution and dispersal of the North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis mantelli) were studied at Waitangi State Forest, Northland, from February 1981 to July 1982. In all, 84 kiwis were banded and individually coded and 220 resightings were recorded. Weights and bill measurements are given, together with some growth rate data. Territories of 23 birds are shown and these approximate 5 ha per adult pair, but territory size may decrease with greater abundance of food and with immigration from logged areas. Kiwis frequent many burrows within fixed territories, and males defend these territories from other pairs, primarily by calling. Juveniles under 1 year old are accepted in these ranges, whereas larger juveniles and some females do not have regular haunts. Kiwis try to retain their territories in the face of logging and other forest management practices and this behaviour demonstrates the importance of site attachment. Swamp margins and swamp arms are important to kiwis as a temporary refuge after clearfelling and as feeding areas during dry periods of the year. Despite the forestry practices the Waitangi kiwi population is thought to be viable.
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