Publications Archive

In October and November, 1962, sightings of 38 species of seabirds were made from H.M. Submarine Tabard in the Tasman Sea and around New Zealand. In addition, further observations were achieved at Taiaroa Head and during a visit to Little Barrier Island. Descriptions taken at sea together with relative differences of albatrosses and storm-petrels are given; this information results from 2½ years watching in the Australasian region.

Analysis suggests that there was a departure from the N.E. and E. coasts of North Island of wandering albatrosses and giant and pintado petrels in the first two weks of November. Some evidence was found to account for albatrosses only occurring outside the littoral region north of the Bay of Plenty. The 100 fathom line seemed to be of importance to the distribution in spring of the white-faced storm-petrel, the fluttering shearwater and the common diving-petrel to the east of Great Barrier Island. It is likely that the feeding habits of the fluttering and pink-footed shearwaters in the Hauraki Gulf are related to the tidal cycle. The speed of a penguin under water was calculated and the submerged swimming of the fluttering shearwater was seen. The means by which fluttering shearwaters and gannets achieved indication of the proximity of shoals of fish are discussed; gannets are attracted from 9 miles and fluttering shearwaters from 4 miles. The Herald petrel was seen 170 miles east of Montagu Island, N.S.W. The position of the Subtropical Convergence off the E. coast of the Dominion and in the Tasman Sea was determined.

This diary records a visit to nine islands, eight of them lying to the south and west of Stewart Island, during February and March 1965. The measure of success achieved in transferring saddleback and bush wren in September, 1964, to vermin-free islands is reported on, and an assessment made of the damage by rats on Big South Cape Island. The importance of Codfish Island is discussed, and the bird-life on seldom visited Bird Island described. In appendices are given the results of a census taken by the party, and compared with a census similarly taken in April, 1964; also lists of the birds recorded on the various islands, and compared, where applicable, with lists made by Dr. R. A. Falla in June, 1955, and May, 1956, and by B. D. Bell and party in April, 1961, and August, 1964.

Beach Patrols during 1963 covered a total distance of 852 miles and produced 1535 birds (64 species). Species are tabulated by month of occurrence and by the coastal zones in which they were found. Unusual species include Eudyptes pachyrhynchus atratus, Procellaria cinerea, P. parkinsoni, P. westlandica, Pterodroma hypoleuca nigripennis, Oceanites oceanicus, Fregetta tropica (Campbell Island), Phaethon rubricauda, Sterna vittata bethunei (Campbell Island), and S. paradisaea.