A small black-and-white storm petrel seen off Whitianga, New Zealand, in Jan 2003 was tentatively identified as a New Zealand storm petrel (Pealeornis maoriana). A further sighting in the Hauraki Gulf in Nov 2003 of multiple birds identified as New Zealand storm petrels led to the realisation that the species was both extant and apparently locally common. Prior to these sightings this enigmatic seabird was known only from 3 specimens collected in the 1800s, and unreported since. This paper reviews these 2 sightings that constitute the rediscovery of an
The nesting of variable oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor) on the Kaikoura Peninsula was studied at 6 sites over 8 years. Only in 1 year were birds known to have laid eggs at all 6 sites and only at 2 sites was nesting observed every year. Loss of nests often resulted in re-nesting and at 1 site birds made 4 attempts in 1 season. Over the 8 years, 117 eggs were found in 53 nesting attempts between mid-Oct and late Jan. The average size of 114 eggs was 58.2 x 40.6 mm. Thirty of 53 nesting attempts were completed and averaged 2.4 eggs/clutch (range 1
Thirty-four species of birds are recorded from the isolated Pacific island of Nauru. Six are treated as hypothetical pending corroboration; 3 others are introductions. Eighteen of the 25 indigenous species are non-breeding visitors (mainly migrating seabirds and shorebirds). The 7 confirmed or probable resident breeders include only 2 land birds, the Micronesian pigeon (Ducula oceanica) and the endemic Nauru reed-warbler (Acrocephalus rehsei). The Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) and white-winged tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) are reported as first records for Nauru. Hunting pressure and habitat degradation have contributed to reduced numbers of the Micronesian pigeon and the once abundant black noddy (Anous minutus), but the Nauru reed-warbler occurs commonly in degraded and modified habitats. Second-stage mining to recover phosphate deposits will likely reduce available habitat further for all resident breeding species, although land restoration is also planned. Bird band recoveries indicate that many seabirds, especially black noddies, reach Nauru thousands of kilometres from where they were fledged, but to what extent they are recruited into the local breeding population is unknown.
During 1971-75 and 1991-95, surveys of Caspian tern (Sterna caspia) colonies throughout New Zealand were carried out. The breeding population in 1971-75 was 1266 pairs, in 16 colonies, predominately in the northern North Is. In 1991-95, there were 1190 breeding pairs found in 17 mainly northern colonies, suggesting the population had been relatively stable over the 20-year period. As census methodology may under-record the breeding of isolated pairs, we included an estimate of the number of isolated pairs to give a total national population of 1300-1400 breeding pairs. This is less than 3% of the global population. Colony size and location showed some change between survey periods; 6 colonies disappeared and 8 new colonies were formed. Addition surveys in 2011-2015 are recommended to compare recent population trends.
I conducted road counts on the North I and South I of New Zealand in Mar 2006 to evaluate relative abundance and distribution of Australasian harriers (Circus approximans). Over 1670 km were traveled on the North I with 98 harriers detected, yielding 1 harrier/17.0 km traveled. Over 2430 km were traveled on the South I with 145 harriers detected, yielding 1 harrier/16.8 km traveled, with no difference in number of harriers detected/km traveled between islands (P > 0.25). Three survey routes, 1 on southeastern North I and 2 on northeastern and east-central South I, were particularly productive yielding 1 harrier/7.1-11.1 km traveled. My results provide empirical support for the frequently cited description that the Australasian harrier is now New Zealand
In Jul and Aug 2005, 18 North Is kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) were released into a 450-ha area of New Zealand native forest subject to intensive control of introduced mammalian predators. The area, Ngapukeriki (near Omaio, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand), lies within a 13,000-ha matrix of native and exotic forest subject to lower and variable degrees of predator control. In contrast to most previous kokako translocations, this project employed 3 tactics to maximise the likelihood that kokako would remain in the target area: 1) many birds were released in a short period; 2) playback of kokako song was broadcast in the release area (potentially creating an
Natal dispersal of the New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) was documented using relocations of radio-tagged and colour banded falcons in Kaingaroa pine plantation. The age at which fledglings commenced natal dispersal was highly variable. The earliest fledglings dispersed 42 days after fledging, whilst others did not disperse out of their natal territories, remaining there to breed. After 91 days, 87% of fledglings had begun dispersal out of their natal territory. The mean time for the onset of dispersal was 76 days. Males generally dispersed earlier than females, but no significant difference was recorded. Both radio telemetry and colour band recoveries indicated that a large proportion of fledglings dispersed out of the study area. Mean natal dispersal distance within Kaingaroa Forest was 9.6 km. No significant difference was observed in natal dispersal distances between the sexes, although males generally roamed further afield than females. During this study, several females were recorded successfully breeding during their 1st year, a year earlier than usual. Males did not attempt to breed until they were 2 years old. We conclude that the high emigration rates and favourable breeding conditions in pine plantations make these habitats highly likely to act as source populations for neighbouring areas where populations of the New Zealand falcon may be in decline.
Breeding of pied shags (Phalacrocorax varius) at 2 colonies at Makara Beach, Wellington, was studied from Mar 1996, when breeding was 1st noted there, to May 2005. Pairs occupied and refurbished vacant nests rather than build new nests. The number of breeding attempts increased from 3 in 1996 to 46 in 2004, with 166 occurring during the study. New nests (n = 14) took about 3 weeks to build; most nests were used twice a year. Clutches were laid in all months, but there were 2 peaks: 61 nests (37%) in Feb