The breeding of little shags at the Lindale Tourist Complex, Wellington, was studied during the 1997/98 and 1998/99 seasons. Breeding at the site first occurred in spring 1993 when a single pair was present. By 1999, the breeding population had increased to about 44 pairs. The breeding season extended over eight months (August to March), with a successful breeding cycle taking about 11 weeks (courtship and nest-building one week, incubation four weeks, chick rearing six weeks). Breeding success was high, with 79% of nesting attempts resulting in young leaving the nest. The productivity of successful nesting attempts differed significantly between the two seasons; 1.5 young per nest in 1997/98 and 2.1 in 1998/99.
Four historical records of snipe from Campbell Island in the New Zealand subantarctic are reviewed to determine whether any may refer to the recently discovered Campbell Island snipe (Coenocorypha sp.). It is concluded that none of the records is likely to have been Campbell Island snipe, and that Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) probably reached Campbell Island before 1840. An 1840 record of “a Scolopax” may have been Coenocorypha, but this is not supported by any documentation or specimen. All other records were errors in identification referring to bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica), or incorrect recording of the location where snipe were seen. Three “snipe” specimens shot on Campbell Island in 1894 were located in the Museum of Victoria and are bar-tailed godwits.
Breeding of South Island pied oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus finschi) on farmland in mid-Canterbury was studied from 1987 to 1997. Each year birds returned to breeding territories from early June; females arrived about six days earlier than males. Laying dates extended from early August to mid-November and were similar in all years. Most first clutches were laid from late August to mid-September. Up to two replacement clutches were laid. Clutch size averaged 2.29 (range 1-3 eggs) and declined through the breeding season, but was consistent from year to year. Mean first clutch sizes were larger than replacement clutches. On average, 47% of eggs hatched and 59% of these chicks survived to fledge. Both hatching and fledging rates declined through the season. On average, 52% of pairs which laid in any year failed to rear a fledgling. Hatching success was greater in cultivated sites than pasture sites, but fledging success was similar at both sites. Trampling by stock, farming activities, and unknown causes were the main causes of egg loss. Sagar, P.M.; Geddes, D.; Banks, J.; Howden, P. 2000. Breeding of South Island pied oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus finschi) on farmland in mid-Canterbury, New Zealand. Notornis 47 (2): 71-81. Keywords breeding success; Haematopodidae; agricultural land; land use; population change
The chick-rearing strategy of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) breeding on Otago Peninsula was examined in 12 pairs of adults, between 17 November 1996 and 3 1 March 1997, from time of hatching of chicks to parental moult. Differences in behaviour of both male and female parents towards one- or two-chick broods were not statistically significant, but behaviour towards all offspring changed significantly over time with respect to breeding phases. Differences observed resulted from a change in feeding procedure. “Food-walks” started significantly earlier in the course of a feeding session as time progressed, while major components (duration and number of individual feeds) decreased significantly. The changes observed are interpreted as resulting from the chicks’ growing independence in concert with the parents’ decreasing urge to spend time with their offspring outside the still necessary feeding encounters. An evolutionarily stable environment and reliable food source are suggested as the reason for the lack of development of different chick-rearing strategies for different numbers of offspring or for male and female breeders.