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Birds of the Aleipata Islands, Samoa

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 153-162

R. Parrish; G.H. Sherley (2012)

Article Type: Paper

An annotated checklist of birds recorded or reported on the Aleipata Is, Samoa is presented. Nu’utele and Nu’ulua Is were the focus of an attempt to eradicate Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) in 2009. The data presented are from bird surveys intended to provide baseline information to determine the effect of rodent eradication on the bird fauna. Fanuatapu or Namu’a Is were surveyed as experimental controls. A total of 42 species were recorded or reported, comprised of 24 species of land birds (including 3 introduced species) and 18 species of seabirds and shorebirds. Morphometric data are also presented from Friendly ground-doves (Gallicolumba stairi) that were removed from Nu’utele I and held in captivity during the rat eradication attempt.

Habitat use by the critically endangered orange-fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi) on Maud Island: its relevance for future translocations

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 148-152

L. Ortiz-Catedral (2012)

Article Type: Paper

Orange-fronted parakeets (Cyanoramphus malherbi) are New Zealand’s rarest parakeet species with a global population of less than 500 individuals on remnant mainland populations and reintroduced populations on offshore islands. Since there is limited information about habitat preferences by this species on offshore islands I characterised habitat use on Maud Island, where captive-bred parakeets were introduced in 2007. I compared the vegetation characteristics of 29 plots (each 25 m2) where parakeets were encountered and 23 plots randomly selected. Parakeets were observed foraging in 96.6% of the plots. Plots used by parakeets showed significantly higher density of stems under 20 cm dbh and a higher canopy than random plots. Used plots also tended to have greater canopy cover and lower understory and ground vegetation covers. These results indicate that orange-fronted parakeets use ecotones of broadleaf coastal forest-manuka scrub, and pine plantations-manuka scrub for foraging highlighting the potential value of islands with mixed patches of these vegetation types as future refuges for this critically endangered species.

Recent increase in population size of red-billed gulls (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus) at Otago, southern New Zealand

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 138-147

L. Perriman; C. Lalas (2012)

Article Type: Paper

The New Zealand endemic red-billed gull (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus) was designated as a ‘Nationally Vulnerable’ species in 2008 as a consequence of recent substantial population declines at large breeding colonies, particularly the one situated at Kaikoura, north-east South Island. In contrast, numbers increased further south along the Otago coastline, south-east South Island. Nest numbers from 7 surveys from Moeraki to Nugget Point increased from 565–1480 in 1992 to 4612–4652 in 2011 and corresponded to an average annual increase of 6–10% through 20 years. The recent decline at Kaikoura has been attributed mainly to a decline in prey availability linked to changes in oceanographic indicators, including sea surface temperature (SST). Fluctuations in SST at Otago and Kaikoura are negatively correlated and may explain the concomitant opposite trends in population sizes. Conservation management at Taiaroa Head and at other key mainland breeding locations is necessary to ensure the viability of red-billed gulls at Otago.

Prey of Auckland Island shags (Leucocarbo colensoi) in winter

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 130-137

C. Lalas; H. McConnell (2012)

Article Type: Paper

Diagnostic prey remains of Auckland Island shags (Leucocarbo colensoi) were analysed from 23 regurgitated pellets collected in August 2010 at Enderby Island, Auckland Islands. Allometric equations from a reference collection were applied to prey remains to provide estimates of prey length and wet mass. A minimum total of 1058 prey items from 7 genera were represented in pellets, with an estimated total wet mass of 13.2 kg. The mean number of prey items per pellet was 46 (range 7-90), with mean total prey mass per pellet of 589 g (range 86–1037 g). Small octopus (Octopus sp.) was by far the most important prey item and was present in all regurgitated pellets. It accounted for 57% of prey by number and 68% of prey by wet mass. Only 2 other genera contributed ≥ 5% towards the total mass of prey—red cod (Pseudophycis bachus) and triplefin (Forsterygion sp.) The overwhelming importance of octopus in the diet is unprecedented among shags for which diet composition is known.
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