Stationary and walking counting methods to obtain numbers of bird species in survey work were compared under Tasmanian forest conditions. For short observation times, the stationary method was clearly inferior to walking at a brisk pace through the survey area. In unsheltered areas, windy conditions significantly reduced the number of species recorded compared with calm conditions in either fine or rainy weather. When time is short, a basic 10-minute walking unit will yield a reasonable percentage of the number of species present.
Recent observations and counts of chicks suggest that predation by rats and cats may be destroying the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) colony at Denham Bay, Raoul Island. Aspects of this predation and of a comparable situation on Ascension Island are discussed. More management-oriented research is needed on the Sooty Tern at Raoul Island, and an annual assessment of breeding success and population trends is proposed.
A survey of the distribution of South Island fernbirds (Bowdleria punctata punctata) in relation to vegetation types was made in part of the Kongahu Swamp, Karamea district, West Nelson. The data show that fernbirds have a marked preference for areas with low, dense ground vegetation and emergent shrubbery, and are infrequently seen in cut-over kahikatea forest bordering on swampland, or in level pakihi vegetation lacking shrubs. Observations on fernbird habitat at other places are compared with those for Kongahu Swamp.
Dr Pat Vickers Rich. Bulletin 184. Bureau of Natural Resources, Geology and Geophysics. Canberra 1979.
During 1978, Fiji experienced a minor invasion of Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus). a species not recorded there previously.
Further to the record of a Dunlin (Calidris alpina) at Tapora, Kaipara Harbour (Brown 1974, Notornis 22: 241), birds seen at Taramaire and Miranda in the Firth of Thames provide more records of this species in New Zealand.
Dr. Christopher McGowan. Journal of Morphology. Vol. 160. No. 1 . April 1979.
Beside a Hawkes Ray farm lake in December 1977 I observed a spotless crake (Porzana tabuen plumbea) in response to a playing taped crake calls. Immediately two fernbirds (Bowdleria punctata) appeared. They duetted together and went through their whole repertoire, their bodies vibrating as they gave the “ticking” call.
Past information on the birds of Antipodes Island is reviewed and an account given of the findings of the first scientific party to live ashore, from 28 January 1969 to 12 March 1969. The bird list of 37 species includes 16 for which breeding is proven (11 seabirds and 5 landbirds) ; eight seabirds that almost certainly breed but whose eggs or chicks have yet to be seen; four seabirds and two landbirds that possibly breed and two seabirds and two landbirds that appear to be stragglers. Three seabirds known only from nearby seas complete the tally. Dimensions are given of birds handled or collected. Most were petrels and included a sample of Soft-plumaged Petrels, previously unrecorded in New Zealand, the skins of which were compared with those of other populations and judged to belong to the nominate race. Skins of the Little Shearwaters, collected for the first time at Antipodes Island, agreed with examples of the subspecies elegans from the South Atlantic. A census was attempted of the Wandering Albatross population, and the penguin and Northern Giant Petrel colonies were mapped. The seabird fauna is compared with the seabird faunas of our other southern islands.