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South Polar skua breeding colonies in the Ross Sea region, Antarctica

Notornis, 33 (3), 155-163

D.G. Ainley; S.H. Morrell; R.C. Wood (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Using ground and aerial surveys between 1980 and 1983, we increased the number of known breeding sites of the South Polar skua in the Ross Sea region from 21 to 55. Some 20 more sites may occur along parts of the coast which we did not survey, especially between Cape Adare and Cape Jones. We estimate that the Ross Sea region has about 15000 skuas. Up to 20% of breeders do not nest in association with penguins. Since the late 1950s, several colonies have increased, while others have decreased. Some colony changes have apparently been due to human activity. Information on banded birds indicates a low rate of exchange between colonies; some movement may be related to more food being available at refuse dumps at scientific bases.







Adélie penguin rookeries at Coulman Island, western Ross Sea, Antarctica

Notornis, 32 (2), 101-107

R.H. Taylor; P.R. Wilson (1985)

Article Type: Paper

Three rookeries of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Coulman Island, Antarctica, were last reported in 1964. Their size was then only roughly estimated and their positions were incorrectly mapped. They were relocated and photographed during aerial photographic surveys of Ross Sea penguin breeding areas on 6 December 1981, 29 November 1982 and 2 December 1983. This paper reports the correct position of each colony, together with detailed description and photograph and an accurate count of occupied nests. Numbers of breeding pairs in 1983 were assessed as Northern Rookery 2,157, Middle Rookery 3,989, Southern Rookery 22,743.