Publications Archive

Birds observed during a visit to Rima Islet of the Snares Western Chain on 21 November 1976 were counted. The results of previous landings on the five main islets of the Western Chain are discussed and a distribution of the four breeding species (Snares crested penguin, Salvin’s mollymawk, Snares Cape pigeon and fulmar prion) is proposed. Their breeding cycles are discussed.

During 1975, 3681 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 163 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends: 21 425 dead seabirds and 192 non sea birds were found. Four wrecks contributed to this total. In February there was a wreck mainly of fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) on Wellington West beaches. From late June to September there was a wreck of diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix) and prions (except Pachyptila vittata) with high numbers of six other species. In late August and September there were extra numbers of Antarctic fulmars (Fulmarus glacialoides) and Kerguelen petrels (Pterodroma brevirostris) with an increase in numbers of some other species. During October-November there was a record wreck of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) on west coast beaches.

A colony of North Island wekas (Gallirallus australis greyi) has been successfully established at Rawhiti, Bay of Islands, as a result of five liberations in the summers of 1966–1971. This account is written mainly to help other amateurs who may consider obtaining wekas from the Wildlife Service and trying to establish colonies elsewhere. The number of birds required is discussed as well as details concerning the construction of the cage, time in the cage, and feeding. The account describes the effect of predators on the birds and the effect of wekas on other wildlife and the neighbours. It includes a map of the area illustrating a weka count in the Rawhiti area during January 1976. Most of the wekas counted at that time were bred in the area.

During 1974, 2909 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 147 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends. The 24,747 dead seabirds found is a record. Two large wrecks contributed to this total. During April and May some 3,500 blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) came ashore on both sides of Northland. During June and July more than 13,000 prions (Pachyptila spp) came ashore along the whole of the west coast of New Zealand. Both these wrecks were apparently caused by starvation following periods of adverse weather. Other minor, localised, wrecks are recorded. Unusual finds were one soft-plumaged petrel (Pterodroma mollis), one grey ternlet (Procelsterna cerulea albivitta), and two erect-crested penguins (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus sclateri).