Publications Archive

In September 1978 a colony of about 30-35 pairs of South Georgian diving petrels (Pelecanoides georgicus) was identified breeding among the sand dunes at Sealers’ Bay, Codfish Island, New Zealand (46° 46′ S, 167° 39′ E). This may be the only surviving colony of this species in the Australasian region. It is of considerable interest, furthermore, in being the only colony situated on the Subtropical Convergence (all others are in colder waters) and in being the only one sympatric with P. urinatrix chathamensis (all others are sympatric with P. u. exsul).

To The Editor (Notornis), 28 April 1980

During 1978, 4,350 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 195 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends. 15,605 dead seabirds were found. There was a major wreck of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) in November and December. In late August and September there was a wreck of Antarctic fulmars (Fulmarus glacialoides) and Antarctic petrels (Thalassoica antarctica). Localised wrecks caused high annual totals of fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur), flesh-footed shearwaters (Puffinus carneipes), Buller’s shearwaters (P. bulleri), fluttering shearwaters (P. gavia) and diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix). This is the third year that specimens of soft-plumaged petrel (Pterodroma mollis) and wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) have been found; the second year for black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus) and little tern (Sterna albifrons). A new record on the New Zealand mainland for rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes crestatus = chrysocome) and Leach’s fork-tailed storm petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) is a new record for beach patrolling.

The feeding and roosting of the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), turnstone (Arenaria interpres), eastern golden plover (Pluvialis dominica fulva) and far-eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) were studied for six days on Farewell Spit. Five habitat zones are defined and the use of these zones by the four species and their behaviour in them are given.

Te Anau, 5-6 May 1978. Prepared and published by the Fiordland National Park Board