Publications Archive

The results of a combined Wildlife Service/OSNZ visit to Farewell Spit, the northwestern point of the South Island, from 7 to 14 March 1974 are given. The objects were (a) to make an accurate count of the main waders, (b) to see what rare species were present and in what numbers and (c) to make an accurate count of black swan.

A list of 95 species, including past records with their appropriate references, is given. New records are Canada goose (1), paradise duck (15), large sand dotterel (4), lesser yellowlegs (1) and rock pigeon (1). Counts for waders were: South Island pied oystercatcher, 8619 and 7407; variable oystercatcher, 74 black; golden plover, 16, 15, 14; NZ dotterel, 8; banded dotterel, 1134 and 1624; Mongolian dotterel, 4; large sand dotterel, 4; wrybill, 1; curlew, 22; Asiatic whimbrel, 23; little whimbrel, 1; bar-tailed godwit, 13492 and 12215; lesser yellowlegs, 1; greenshank, 2; turnstone, 1334 and 1879; knot, 18700 and 16143; sharp-tailed sandpiper, 5; curlew sandpiper, 3; red-necked stint, 28; sanderling, 2 and pied stilt, 20. The count of black swan on 12 March 1974 was 13678.

Seven species of birds are newly recorded from the Snares Islands, New Zealand. They include the Australian gannet, white-faced heron, white heron, eastern bar-tailed godwit, skylark, grey warbler, and South Island fantail. There are now 53 species recorded of which 22 are breeding on the islands. Records of 32 species include departure and arrival dates of some of the sea birds and observations of winter activities of other birds.

Observations from 15 years of voyages in coastal New Zealand waters are analysed. There is evidence for a continuing increase in numbers of Buller’s shearwater. The population pressure in northern waters is thought to be such that the extra birds are forced southwards to feed. The suggestion that the southern birds are non-breeders may be true but it is pointed out that as the total population increases so do the numbers of breeding birds which then have to forage further afield. Distribution maps showing seasonal movements and numbers including areas to the east and west of New Zealand are given. The three main feeding methods observed are described.