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Seasonal variation in duck populations on the Waihopai River, Invercargill, New Zealand

Notornis, 57 (2), 57-62

J.R. Wood; C.J. Garden (2010)

Article Type: Paper

Seasonal variation in size of duck populations was examined using weekly surveys along a 1.5 km section of the Waihopai River, Invercargill, New Zealand, between Jul 1995 and Jul 1996. Six species were recorded: mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (n = 8307), New Zealand shoveler (A. variegata) (n = 285), grey duck (A. superciliosa) (n = 36), paradise shelduck (Tadorna variegata) (n = 4), grey teal (A. gracilis) (n = 1), and New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) (n = 1). Asynchronous seasonal trends were observed for mallard/grey duck and shoveler populations: mallard/grey duck numbers peaked during duck hunting season, whereas New Zealand shoveler peaked just prior, and declined during hunting season. A relatively constant rise in mallard/grey duck from Jan to late Jun highlights the difficulties in distinguishing the relative effects of post-breeding moult congregations vs. dispersal to refugia from hunting–related disturbance.

A review of the seabirds of Phillip Island in the Norfolk Island group

Notornis, 57 (3), 113-127

D. Priddel; N. Carlile; O. Evans; B. Evans; H. McCoy (2010)

Article Type: Paper

Few places have been as ecologically devastated by the introduction of exotic mammals as Phillip Island in the Norfolk Island group. Pigs (Sus scrofa), goats (Capra hircus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) denuded the island so severely that massive amounts of soil and underlying substrate were lost through erosion. Rabbits, the last of these exotic animals to be removed, were eradicated during the 1980’s. Since then the extent of vegetation on the island has been increasing by natural revegetation and through plantings and seeding. Fourteen species of seabird currently breed on Phillip Island. Five species—Providence petrel (Pterodroma solandri), Kermadec petrel (P. neglecta), white-naped petrel (P. cervicalis), flesh-footed shearwater (Puffinus carneipes) and red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda)—all have ecologically significant populations. In this paper, we review the current status of the seabird populations breeding on Phillip Island, and suggest how vegetation restoration is likely to affect each species. We update previously published notes and present unpublished material collected by us over more than 3 decades. We document when each species was first discovered, reveal the location of nesting sites, describe breeding phenology and nesting habitat, report on any banding activities and returns, and discuss potential threats.

Density and pair fidelity in a translocated population of North Island robin (Petroica longipes)

Notornis, 56 (4), 206-212

S. McGavin (2010)

Article Type: Paper

The North Island robin (Petroica longipes) was introduced to the Zealandia – Karori Sanctuary in 2001. The sanctuary is a mainland island (225 ha) in Wellington that is free from all mammalian predators except mice (Mus musculus), and enclosed by a predator-proof fence. During 2001 and 2002 a total of 76 robins were translocated from Kapiti I to the sanctuary. To assess changes in this population since its introduction, I surveyed and mapped territories of robins in a 37 ha section of the sanctuary in 2008. Density has continued to increase, from 0.7 robins/ha in 2003 to 2.5 robins/ha in 2008. This density is higher than other mainland sites. Of 46 adult robins seen within the study area at the start of the 2004-05 breeding season, at least 17 remained within the area in 2008, close to their 2004 territories. These included 4 robins from the original transfer. In all cases where both partners from 2004 were seen in the study area in 2008, the pair bond remained intact. My survey confirms continued increase in this introduced population and high pair fidelity.

A census of reef herons (Ardea sacra) in the Marlborough Sounds

Notornis, 57 (3), 152-155

M. Bell (2010)

Article Type: Paper

A total of 57 reef herons (Ardea sacra) were counted during a survey of the entire 1,500 km coastline of the Marlborough Sounds in spring 2006. Most birds were encountered in the outer part of the sounds rather than the more developed inner sounds. The total New Zealand population is estimated at 300-500 birds. Both the Marlborough Sounds and national population appears to have been stable for the past 40 years. With a small but stable population the reef heron’s threat classification in New Zealand should be changed from Nationally Vulnerable to Naturally Uncommon. The species is secure overseas with New Zealand being the southernmost limit for the species.

Numbers and distribution of New Zealand king shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) colonies in the Marlborough Sounds, September-December 2006

Notornis, 57 (1), 33-36

M. Bell (2010)

Article Type: Paper

A survey of the entire 1,500 km coastline of the Marlborough Sounds between Sep – Dec 2006 located 9 king shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) breeding colonies, including 2 new colonies. The total population was estimated at 687 birds, a figure similar to the 10-year average estimated for the period 1992-2002. The 4 largest colonies supported 85% of all birds recorded. The total population appears stable compared to earlier surveys, but there was a tendency for some of the smaller breeding colonies to be occupied only temporarily.
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