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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.