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Breeding success of isolated pairs of Caspian terns in Canterbury

Notornis, 31 (3), 185-190

R.J. Pierce (1984)

Article Type: Paper

In Canterbury, Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) nest mainly as single pairs associated with colonies of black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus) on shingle riverbeds. Of 37 nests studied, 28 (75%) hatched and 20 (54%) produced a total of 21 flying young, each pair raising an average of 0.6 young per season. The low productivity is attributed to reduced prey availability.

A census of the South Polar skua at Cape Hallett, Antarctica

Notornis, 31 (4), 312-319

J.G. Pascoe (1984)

Article Type: Paper

Two counts of skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) at Cape Hallett were made between 17 and 20 January 1983: in one 85 pairs and 83 non-breeding birds, total 253 birds; in the other, 83 pairs and 79 non-breeding birds, total 245 birds. South Polar skua numbers remain low, suggesting a continuation of the 1960s decline or the influence of climatic factors such as heavy snowfall during critical stages of skua breeding.

The weka on Macquarie Island

Notornis, 31 (2), 145-154

N.P. Brothers; I.J. Skira (1984)

Article Type: Paper

Wekas have been on Macquarie Island for just over 100 years. They occur in the coastal tussock grassland, mainly in the northern half of Macquarie Island. Males are larger than females and the sexes can be separated on a combination of culmen and tarsus lengths. The sex ratio in favour of males was considered to be due to behavioural differences. Breeding begins in August and, although four eggs may be laid, only one or two chicks are usually reared. Losses are probably due to predation by feral cats and skuas. Preferred foods are vegetation, insects and spiders. Mammal and bird remains were present in fewer than half the gizzards examined, but rats and mice are thought to be important food because of their size.

Birds of the Western Chain, Snares Islands 1983-84

Notornis, 31 (3), 209-223

C.M. Miskelly (1984)

Article Type: Paper

Birds observed during landings on four islets of the Western Chain, Snares Islands, in February 1984 are discussed. A census of Salvin’s mollymawk revealed 586 chicks on two of the islets and one stack, and so the population is not likely to exceed 650 pairs. The numbers of the eight other bird species known to breed on the Western Chain were estimated, and their distribution is described. Measurements of 20 chicks of Snares crested penguin indicate that the breeding cycle on the Western Chain is about six weeks later than on Main Island. Buller’s mollymawk, mottled petrel, sooty shearwater, southern skua and red-billed gull are new breeding records for the Western Chain, and eight other species observed had not been reported previously.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1982 and a review of penguin recoveries since 1960

Notornis, 31 (2), 155-171

R.G. Powlesland (1984)

Article Type: Paper

In 1982, 3,705 kilometres of coast were patrolled and 6,957 dead seabirds were found. Large numbers of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) were found on Stewart Island beaches (mainly in July) and Auckland West beaches (November-December). Large numbers of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) were found on Auckland West and Auckland East beaches in January-February and August-September. Unusual finds were single specimens of long-tailed skua (Stercorarius longicaudus), Black-fronted tern (Sterna albostriata), Arctic tern ( S. paradisaea) and little tern (S. albifrons). A summary is given of the coastaI and monthly distribution for each species of penguin found over the 1960-1982 period.
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