Publications Archive

The Chatham Island Taiko (Magenta Petrel) Pterodroma magentae is endangered, with a population of about 50 birds. Conventional searches from 1970 to 1986 failed to find its breeding sites. Trials of radio transmitter packages attached to Grey-faced Petrels P. macroptera gouldi and to six Taiko in 1982-1986 were satisfactory. In a major effort to find burrows, Taiko were caught and radio-tracked over three months in late 1987. Twelve Taiko were caught at night with the aid of lights. Ten birds were each fitted with a transmitter; all flew out to sea after release. Birds were tracked on 16 later occasions. Two tracked birds landed 4-6 km inland in dense bush. On subsequent searches at the bearings at which the signals became stationary, five burrows were found, in two areas, 4 km apart. During a similar operation in 1988 no Taiko were caught. Despite extensive searches, these were still the only breeding areas known in late 1993.

In 1992, participants of the Beach Patrol Scheme patrolled 4114 km of the New Zealand coastline. 5994 dead seabirds of 53 species plus 143 individuals of 30 other bird species were recovered. The number of seabirds found in 1992 was only 59% of the annual average of 10 187 between 1971 and 1992, and was the seventh consecutive year that below average numbers of dead seabirds have been found. The Common Noddy (Anous stolidus pileatus) was recorded for the first time since the start of the Scheme, providing the second record of this species in New Zealand. Thirteen Little Shags (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) were found, more than the average of 5-10 per year during 1971-1992. 14 833 specimens of three species of gulls were recovered between 1943 and 1992. The majority of recoveries (10 190 bids) was that of the Southern Black-backed (Larus d. dominicanus), which was found mostly near coastal cities when birds dispersed from the colonies after the breeding season. 4195 Red-billed Gulls (L. novaehollandiae scopulinus) were found during 1943-1992, mainly along the eastern coasts of New Zealand. Only 448 Black-billed Gulls (L. bulleri) were found during the same period, mainly on eastern South Island beaches.

In the last issue, the title of R. Schuckard’s paper (Notornis 41: 93-108, 1994) should read: ‘New Zealand King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) on Duffers Reef, Marlborough Sounds’ In the Abstracts, the sentence starting on line 9 should read: ‘During the six months of courtship/breeding period, daily rhythm of the colony was different from the rest of the year; high numbers of birds departed in the early morning and afternoon.’

Between 1960 and May 1993, 62 species of seabirds were recorded at Chatham Islands, including 43 procellariiforms, 5 penguins, 5 pelecaniforms, and 9 Lari. Apart from the 24 breeding species, there were 14 regular visitors, 13 stragglers, 2 rarely seen on migration, and 9 found only beach-cast or as other remains. There is considerable endemism: 8 species or subspecies are confined, or largely confined, to breeding at the Chathams.

In late July and early August, 1993, the survey of Fiordland Crested Penguins on Codfish I. initiated by Department of Conservation personnel in 1992, was completed. From 11-19 August we surveyed the coasts of southern Stewart and the Titi Is, and from 21-23 August we surveyed Solander I. A total of 115 Fiordland Crested Penguin nests and 300 birds were counted: 5 birds on or near Codfish I., 32 birds around southern Stewart I., and 115 nests and 263 birds on Solander I. Solander I. has been added to the small number of locations where more than 100 penguin nests are found annually. The survey has now covered all of the range of the Fiordland Crested Penguin except for the mainland north of Milford Sound; our estimate of nests in the surveyed area is about 1000 annually.

From 13 to 21 August 1992, we surveyed Breaksea and adjacent islands, Chalky and Preservation Inlets, and some of the coastline north of Chalky Inlet, for Fiordland Crested Penguins. Minimum total counts were 215 nests and 425 birds on Breaksea and adjacent islands, and 59 nests and 108 birds in Chalky and Preservation Inlets. Most nests on Breaksea and adjacent islands were under vegetation. Further south, nests were both in caves and under vegetation. Many apparently suitable caves did not contain penguins. The total absence of penguins from the outer coast reinforces our belief that we are finding most of the colonies in the survey area.

The previous distribution of the Shore Plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae) and the possible reasons for its decline are outlined. The species is now confined to one small population on South East Island (Rangatira) in the Chatham Islands. In January and February 1993, we captured and banded or re-banded about 95% of this population and determined its age structure. Excluding juveniles of the 1992-93 season, 55% of the population is aged 6 years or less, 31% is aged between 7 and 12 years, and 14% is aged 13 years or more. The oldest bird currently alive is 18 years old. Estimates of population size and productivity for the season are compared with previous (mostly unpublished) records. Morphometric data are presented; there are small but significant differences in total head length, bill and tarsus between adult males and females, and in weight, wing and mid-toe between adults and 1-year-olds. In January, primary moult was more advanced in 1-year-olds than in adults.