The circumstances are given of the first recorded whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybridus) in New Zealand, at Lake Horowhenua, Levin in 1977 and 1978. Reasons are given why the birds were probably from Australia (C. h. javanicus). The field characters of the non-breeding adult plumage of the whiskered tern, black tern (C. niger), white-winged black tern (C. leucopterus) and black-fronted tern (C. albostriatus) are compared. The nomenclature of Mees (1977) is used, at species level.
Letter to the Editor, 25 April 1979
Between 24 and 27 March 1978, 61 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand counted birds on and near Kaipara Harbour. Results are listed and tabulated. The northward migration of Arctic waders is noted. Unusual birds recorded for this area were grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola), large sand dotterel (Charadrius leschenaulti), black stilt (Himantopus novaezealandiae), black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus), and fairy tern (Sterna nereis).
The Manukau Harbour and Firth of Thames are considered to be among the richest wading bird (sub-order Charadrii) habitats in New Zealand. Annually large numbers of four species of New Zealand’s endemic waders migrate to these, and other, northern harbours for the winter. Thousands of arctic breeding waders winter here during our summer. Small numbers of non-breeders of both these groups of waders remain here during their respective breeding seasons. There are also small numbers of two non-migratory species present. The results of twice yearly censuses of these birds during the period 1960-1975 are summarised, combined with other data where appropriate, and trends in the wader population shown. Although there has been an increase in the total number present, this has been caused by only some species, others remain stable. One species – the wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) – has, on the Manukau Harbour only, fluctuated significantly due to changes to its chosen winter habitat. The general habitats are described and major modifications noted. Lists of waders recorded at times other than censuses are also given. There is a paucity of long-term data on most aspects of the ecology of these species.