Roost sites in Whangarei Harbour and Ruakaka Estuary were used regularly by 12 wader species and 6 other species were present occasionally between 1974 and 2000. Counts at 7 roost sites in Nov, Jun/Jul, and Mar showed that 4 species, eastern bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), lesser knot (Calidris canutus), pied stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), and South Island pied oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus finschi) contributed 70-99% (median 94%) of the waders. Most of the common waders used several roosts at each tide, but numbers and species richness of resident and vagrant species were greatest along the southern margin of the harbour. Changes in roost structure and proximity to feeding areas, and differences in migration patterns affected counts at individual roosts and the overall totals of wading birds counted in the harbour and its environs.
[First paragraphs…] At c.0800 h on 6 Nov 2006, PB and TC caught a whitehead (Mohoua albicilla) while mist-netting on Tiritiri Matangi I, Hauraki Gulf, North I, New Zealand. The net was set in “Bush 1”, on the northwestern side of the island. The bird carried a metal band (B57955) and 2 (green, blue) faded, inter-twined wrap-around plastic bands: the band combination could have been either metal-GB or metal-BG. It was thought to be male because it had a bright white head (Gill & McLean 1986) and an enlarged cloacal area.
The only whiteheads that had been banded recently on the island had all been processed by NL and received split colour bands. We therefore thought that this whitehead was from the original trans-located population which was transferred to Tiritiri Matangi I from Little Barrier I in 1989 and 1990, which would mean that it was at least 16 years old. age of 8 years 7 months for another Little Barrier I bird (Gill 1993).
[First paragraph…]New Zealand pipits (Anthus n. novaeseelandiae) were apparently common in the open landscapes of the last glacial period (Worthy & Holdaway 1996). Before humans arrived, there were no mammalian predators in New Zealand but the pipit was an important food of the New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) and the laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) (Worthy & Holdaway 2002). New Zealand pipits would have been likely to increase as more open habitats developed during the 700 years since Polynesian settlement, because their close relatives on continents live with mammalian and avian predators (Sibley & Ahlquist 1990), and New Zealand pipits have an 8-month (Aug-Mar) breeding season during which multiple clutches of 1-4 are raised (Heather & Robertson 1996). Pipits did apparently initially increase in numbers during the phase of forest and scrub clearance following European settlement (Buller 1888, Guthrie-Smith 1927), but no recent studies have found pipits in high densities in any habitat (Beauchamp 1995). The factors that could be controlling pipit numbers include the deteriorating quality of open habitats (Lovegrove 1980), and high levels of predation by endemic avian and introduced mammalian predators (Wilkinson & Wilkinson 1952).
Collections of bird specimens assembled by T.F. Cheeseman
We investigated whether the abundance of the South Island robin (Petroica australis australis) could be explained by the abundance, species richness, diversity, or evenness of leaf-litter invertebrates. We recorded robin abundance indices and collected leaf-litter invertebrates in 3 forest types: mature Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii); mature Monterey pine (Pinus radiata); and old growth kanuka-manuka (Kunzea ericoides – Leptospermum scoparium). Robins were attracted to stations using 5-min playbacks of robin full song in each forest type. Invertebrates were extracted from leaf-litter samples using ‘Tullgren-type’ heat extraction funnels. There was no significant difference between the numbers of robins detected in the Douglas fir (1.14 5 min count-1), or kanuka-manuka forest (0.86 5 min count-1), and no robins were detected in the Monterey pine forest. Kanuka-manuka forest had the greatest biomass and species richness of leaf-litter invertebrates, but the lowest evenness. We believe that the abundance of the South Island robin can not be sufficiently explained by the density or directly of leaf-litter invertebrates.
[First paragraphs…]With the death of Roger Sutton in September 2006 at the age of 84, the Ornithological Society of New Zealand lost a long-standing and stalwart member.A member of the OSNZ for nigh on 50 years, Roger became the Southland Regional Representative in 1966, and served in the role for 17 years, years during which ornithology made considerable strides in Southland and when the local membership reached its peak. Roger was an inspirational RR, introducing many young (and some not so young) people to the delights of bird watching and study. During his time as RR the Southland Region hosted the highly successful 1969 field study course. The members who took part completed the 1st full survey of the main wader sites in the region, and started annual summer and winter wader censuses that were then undertaken at all main roost sites from 1976 to 1999.
[First paragraph…] Occurring on both Auckland and Campbell Is. (52°32.4’S, 169°8.7’E; 11,300 ha), the Auckland Is pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae aucklandicus G.R. Gray) is a subspecies of the New Zealand pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Gmelin (Turbott 1990). At Campbell Is, the pipit is restricted to small offshore islets. A similarly restricted distribution of this southern subspecies to offshore stacks at Campbell Is is reported by Heather & Robertson (1996), and Foggo (1984) who suggested that this situation is caused by the effects of Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and cat (Felis silvestris catus) predation. Foggo (1984) noted that the inability of pipits to co-exist with rats on subantarctic islands has been demonstrated in South Georgia by Pye & Bonner (1980). Foggo & Meurk (1981) commented that it is likely that rats and cats have eliminated this species from the main island. Deliberate burning of vegetation as a farming practice in the early 19th century (Wilmshurst et al. 2004) may also have restricted the distribution of the pipit. Foggo (1984) collected pipits on Dent Is in 1975 and reported that they “were immediately obvious and very tame” during a brief helicopter visit to the summit of Jacquemart Is in 1980 (Foggo & Meurk 1981), adding that on each of these offshore islands the birds had fulvous plumage. Thompson et al. (2005) encountered pipits at 2 locations on Campbell Is in 2003 and that they were distributed more extensively in 2004, 2 main centres being around Penguin Bay in the southwest, and towards the south around Eboulé Peak.
Forbes’ parakeet (Cyanoramphus forbesi) is an endangered taxon now endemic to Mangere I and Little Mangere I in the Chatham Is group, 500 km east of New Zealand. This taxon exists now as a single mixed population consisting of Forbes’ parakeets, Chatham I red-crowned parakeets (C. novaezelandiae chathamensis) and their hybrids (Taylor 1975; Nixon 1982; Chan et al. 2006). Increased attention on the conservation of Forbes’ parakeets followed from the presentation of allozyme and mitochondrial DNA control region genetic evidence which suggested that Forbes’ parakeet should be elevated from a subspecies of yellow-crowned parakeet (C. auriceps forbesi) to full species status (Triggs & Daugherty 1996; Boon et al. 2000).
[First paragraphs …] The ‘sandspit’ on the True Right bank of the Manawatu River, in Foxton Beach Village, (175°14’E 40°30’S) is a significant roosting site for migratory and resident waders, gulls, terns, pied stilts (Himantopus himantopus), royal spoonbills (Platalea regia), shags, ducks, and other birds. The ‘sandspit’ is 2-5 ha, depending on the state of the tide, c.1 km from the Tasman Sea, It is surrounded on 3 sides by the main course of the river and by tidal flats, and as well as this natural isolation, it is protected as a “bird sanctuary” by local bye-laws.
On 14 Jan 2006, I observed a flock of 29 wrybills (Anarhynchus frontalis) arrive on the ‘sandspit’, rest briefly, then take flight again and leave the area. The weather was sunny and warm, with a light south-easterly wind, and visibility was good. The tide was rising, being about mid-tide when the birds arrived. The wrybill flock arrived at c.0930 in a compact group and landed on dry sand above high water mark c.20 m in front of my position on the western edge of the ‘sandspit’. The birds settled quickly after landing and, with a few exceptions, they scarcely moved but remained close together,with c.½ of the birds resting on 1 leg. However, the birds in the flock were sufficiently separated to be counted easily using 9 × 25 binoculars. No birds attempted to feed and the flock was silent when resting. The flock rested slightly apart from the numerous lesser knots (Calidris canutus), variable oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor), bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica), pied stilts (Himantopus himantopus), and several Pacific golden plovers (Pluvialis fulva) that were also roosting on the sandspit. After about 10 min, the wrybills departed, with a few calling as they took flight. The flock quickly gained height to 10–25 m and headed south-west along the river towards the sea, returning the way they had come.
We collected and collated more than 2400 records of the rock wren Xenicus gilviventris, covering the period 1912-2005. These records allowed past and present distribution patterns to be mapped and compared. Areas from which birds have apparently disappeared were identified. The rock wren was common once on mountain ranges along or close to the Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, but have been recorded less frequently in many areas after 1980. More numerous records from some areas and during some decades could have resulted from differences in search effort and from inconsistency in record keeping. Nevertheless, there were consistent anecdotal accounts of decline, evidence of predation by stoats and mice, unsuccessful searches in previous strongholds and the recent extinction of 5 confamilial species indicate that the rock wren should be regarded as a threatened species.
Symbols were corrupted in the captions of several figures; captions with the correct symbols are reproduced below…
The timing and breeding success of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in nest boxes was monitored simultaneously at 5 localities representing northern, central, and southern New Zealand. The northern locality, (Kaikohe, 35° 25’S) was monitored for 2 consecutive years; the others, of which Winton (46° 10’S) was the southernmost, for 4 consecutive years. The median date for the laying of Oct clutches was always earlier at Winton except in 1978 when it was 4 Oct at both Kaikohe and Winton. In any 1 year the size of Oct clutches (4.43 pooled over all years and localities) and the number of young in successful broods was always greater at Winton than elsewhere. In both 1977 and 1978 the difference in laying dates between Ohau and Waikanae (only 27 km apart) was greater than between Kaikohe and Winton at opposite ends of the country. The 5 localities showed no consistent trend, one with another, in their respective median laying dates from 1 year to another. The mortality of chicks was highest at Kaikohe, except for Belmont in 1978 when the 65% mortality was attributed to stoats (Mustela erminea). The laying of 2nd clutches has a very weak genetic basis and is probably a response to environmental factors.
The Campbell Is snipe (Coenocorypha undescribed sp.) was unknown to science until its discovery on 19 ha Jacquemart I in 1997. Following the successful eradication of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from 11,268 ha Campbell I in 2001, there was increasing evidence that snipe had begun to recolonise the main island: footprints were found at Monument Harbour in 2003, and a fully-feathered dependent chick was captured nearby in Mar 2005. A survey of Campbell Is snipe recolonising Campbell I was undertaken by the authors and a trained bird-locater dog during 7-15 Jan 2006. We confirmed the presence of snipe and their successful breeding at 2 sites: the outlet to Six Foot Lake (head of Monument Harbour), and near the mouth of Kirk Stream at the head of Six Foot Lake. We estimated at least 22 adult snipe to be present. Twelve adult snipe were caught, along with 5 dependent chicks with estimated ages ranging from 8 to 37 d. One snipe nest was found. Subsequent sightings in Feb 2006 revealed at least 2 snipe to be present on the north-western shores of Perseverance Harbour, c. 3 km north of where we recorded them. We document the successful re-establishment of snipe on Campbell I within 5 years of rat eradication, and recommend that their natural recolonisation be left to continue unaided.
Seasonal changes in home range size and habitat selection of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) were investigated on Maud Island. Kakapo were radio-tracked at night in each of the four seasons between December 2000 and October 2001. Home ranges were estimated for four adult males, three juvenile males and two juvenile females in each season and for nine females in summer, each based on 20 radio-fixes per season. Home range size varied from 1.8 to 145.0 ha using the minimum convex polygon method. Home ranges were smallest in winter. Habitat selection was determined by overlaying the kakapo locations and home ranges on a vegetation map of the island. For each season selection ratios were calculated for each vegetation community. Pine plantation (Pinus radiata) was selected for in summer, whereas the treeland community dominated by five-finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) was selected for in the autumn. Dense pole stands of manuka (Leptospemum scoparium) and pasture communities were avoided by kakapo.
We studied the New Zealand morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) over 2 breeding seasons on Mokoia I, Lake Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. Ten pairs were monitored in the 1995/96 breeding season and 8 in the 1996/97 season. Nest sites included tree cavities, hollows amongst tree fern fronds, nest boxes provided for saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) and scrapes on the ground. Nest cavities were 0-5.2 m agl. Clutch size was 1-3 eggs; egg dimensions averaged 39.0 mm × 32.9 mm. The incubation period for 1 clutch was at least 24 days. Only females were observed to incubate eggs and brood nestlings; males roosted nearby. Two chicks were weighed and measured throughout their development and the nestling period was determined for 1 chick. Nestling development is described. Breeding success was lower in the year after a poisoning operation to eradicate mice from the island. Juvenile mortality was high after fledging. The dispersal of 3 juveniles was monitored, and females appeared to move earlier and disperse farther than males.
The context of modern conservation management of kakapo is introduced and a brief overview of the research presented in this special issue of Notornis is provided.
182 bird taxa have been recorded from the Chatham Is archipelago, including 32 reported here that are additional to the most recently published reviews in 1990 and 1994. Nine of these new records are from subfossil bone deposits; the remaining 23 are new records of vagrants or colonists, although 2 result from taxonomic revision of albatross species, where it is not clear how many terminal taxa had been recorded before 1994. Antipodean albatross (Diomedea antipodensis), Salvin’s mollymawk (Thalassarche salvini), and Indian yellow-nosed mollymawk (T. carteri) were recorded breeding on the Chatham Is for the 1st time since 1994, with the latter being the 1st breeding record for the New Zealand region. Notable among the list of over 100 vagrant species recorded from the Chatham Is are the only New Zealand records to date of Atlantic yellow-nosed mollymawk (T. chlororhynchos), and willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys).
The reproduction of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on offshore island refuges was monitored between 1990 and 2002. Productivity was primarily determined by the proportion of females that nested each breeding year. Within the same island, the proportion of females nesting each breeding year ranged between 33 – 95% but, as a proportion of the total female population, was just 5 – 42% between 1990 and 1999. The deliberate placement of the entire adult female population on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) in anticipation of an exceptional fruit crop resulted in 95% of them nesting in 2002, raising 24 fledglings and increasing the total population by 39%. Although efforts to increase the frequency of kakapo breeding by providing supplementary food have been unsuccessful, nesting and fledging success increased significantly following the introduction of new, more intensive, management methods in 1995. Hatching success has, however, remained poor, with just 42% of eggs hatching. Comparison with related parrot species suggests that the kakapo’s hatching success is unusually low, perhaps because of inbreeding. Despite infrequent breeding and poor hatching success, the kakapo population has increased by 69% from 51 birds in 1995 to 86 in 2002. The female population has increased from 21 birds in 1995 to 41 in 2002, 20 of which are presently less than 10 years old.