Publications Archive

Results are given of a monthly survey of birdlife in the subalpine Lake Harris basin, north-west Otago Alps. Fluctuations over a year, from May 1976 to April 1977, were tallied by species and by numbers of individuals. Comments are made on effects of climatic conditions and resources available to birds at such altitudes in the Southern Alps along the Main Divide. Arising from observations made so far, it is suggested that the rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) may hibernate during harsh winter months.

142 nesting sites in five study areas totalling 7 800 km² around Marlborough, Kaikoura, North Canterbury, Cass and Fox Glacier were used to measure local densities of New Zealand falcons. Adult falcons are considered to be sedentary. The spacing of nesting territories in each study area is illustrated. Territories in Marlborough and North Canterbury averaged 3.80 and 3.95 km apart. Six territories near Fox Glacier averaged 13.7 km apart but some pairs had probably been overlooked. Falcon pairs in open country probably had home ranges of about 15.0 km², and those in forest areas ranges of less than 189.0 km².

Activities during the Bay of Plenty study course of 8–15 January 1978 are described. 94 species seen during the course are listed, with notes on 27 other species not recorded during the course, but known to have occurred along this coastline in recent years.

During 1976, 2,826 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 151 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends. 5,990 dead seabirds were found. There were no major wrecks. A number of minor wrecks involving blue penguins (Eudyptula minor), white-headed petrels (Pterodroma lessoni), sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) and fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) are recorded. White-faced storm petrels (Pelagodroma marina) were found in higher numbers than ever before particularly on Canterbury South beaches. Patrols of Mason’s Bay, Stewart Island, were the major factor contributing to the highest ever total of mottled petrels (Pterodroma inexpectata). The grey ternlet (Procelsterna cerulea) found is a second record and the black-fronted tern (Chlidonias hybrida) a new record for beach patrolling. The Christmas Island shearwater (Puffinus nativitatis) found is a new record for the New Zealand region.

The past and present distribution of the North Island kokako is determined from reported observations for four periods: pre-1900; 1900–1939; 1940–1959; and 1960–1970. Changes in distribution are described for nine geographical districts. Since the late 19th century distribution has contracted in areas to the north and south of the central Volcanic Plateau. This is attributed mainly to the removal of suitable forest habitat. The kokako is a weak flier and, with continued deforestation, populations are further isolated from one another and the survival of the species is threatened.

A white-capped noddy (Anous minutus Boie, 1844) was seen in the afternoon of 3 April 1977 at the Taieri River Mouth, Otago. This is the 8th published record from New Zealand and the southernmost for the country (and the world). Correlation of timing with preceding weather patterns indicates that the bird came from Norfolk Island (and not the Kermadecs) and that it was wind-carried either during typhoon “Norman” which during 15–24 March swept southwards past Norfolk Island to western North Island or was caught in a strong southerly airstream passing Norfolk Island on 29 March and was carried south before an advancing cold front, making land-fall in Fiordland or coastal Southland.

In 1865 Buller named a ‘hitherto undescribed’ crested grebe Podiceps Hectori after its collector. Several other records and observations precede Buller’s description: Heaphy saw ‘Grebes,’ possibly crested grebes, on Lake Rotoroa, Nelson, in 1846; Grey presented a specimen of ‘P. cristatus‘ from New Zealand to the British Museum (Natural History) in 1847; Potts ‘first made its acquaintance’ on Lake Selfe, Canterbury, in 1856 but did not publish this till 1869; Haast in 1861 published a definite record of ‘crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus ?)’ on Lake Rotoroa, Nelson; Hector’s diaries indicate that he collected and identified the bird on which Buller based his Podiceps Hectori at Lake Wakatipu in April 1863 (Hector listed ‘Crested Grebe, Podiceps Cristatus‘ in his note-book for May-June 1863).