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Bird species composition and abundance in relation to native plants in urban gardens, Hamilton, New Zealand

Notornis, 42 (3), 175-186

T.D. Day (1995)

Article Type: Paper

During a census in gardens in Hamilton, 71.8% of the 4428 birds observed belonged to introduced species. A total of 15 species were observed. Bird species richness was positively correlated with native plant biomass and, more strongly, with total plant biomass. More birds were present in gardens with more native plants. Among the most common species, the abundance of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) decreased with increasing percentage of native plants, the silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) increased, while blackbirds (Turdus merula) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) showed no significant change. This was typical for other introduced bird species. Most other birds, including the fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) and the grey warbler (Gerygone igata), were most abundant in gardens with higher native plant biomass. Notable was the absence of the tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) from all censused areas in Hamilton at the time of observation. No significant variation between morning and evening samples was noted.

Birds and tuatara on North Brother Island, Cook Strait, New Zealand

Notornis, 42 (1), 27-41

A.J. Gaston; P. Scofield (1995)

Article Type: Paper

During a visit to North Brother Island in Cook Strait from 11 October to 6 November 1990, we estimated by quadrat sampling that the 4 ha island supported 1000 pairs of fairy prions, 600 pairs of common diving petrels, and 225 adult tuatara. Most diving petrels nested below Coprosma scrub, and a few eggs were laid on the surface under dense shrubs. Many prion burrows were in more open vegetation. Burrows of both species were simple and were not shared with tuatara. Some evidence of tuatara preying on unattended eggs was found, but there was no evidence that the endemic Sphenodon guntheri, which is smaller than S. punctatus, fed on adults of either species. Many diving petrels, prions, fluttering shearwaters and red-billed gulls fed in tide rips close to the island. The position of each species in feeding assemblages was related to their dive depths. diving petrels in areas of strong currents submerged for only a few seconds at a time, but in areas of calm water dive durations averaged 29 seconds.

Finding the burrows of Chatham Island taiko Pterodroma magentae by radio telemetry

Notornis, 41 (supp), 69-96

M.J. Imber; D.E. Crockett; A.H. Gordon; H.A. Best; M.E. Douglas; R.N. Cotter (1994)

Article Type: Paper

The Chatham Island taiko (Magenta petrel) Pterodroma magentae is endangered, with a population of about 50 birds. Conventional searches from 1970 to 1986 failed to find its breeding sites. Trials of radio transmitter packages attached to grey-faced petrels P. macroptera gouldi and to six taiko in 1982-1986 were satisfactory. In a major effort to find burrows, taiko were caught and radio-tracked over three months in late 1987. Twelve taiko were caught at night with the aid of lights. Ten birds were each fitted with a transmitter; all flew out to sea after release. Birds were tracked on 16 later occasions. Two tracked birds landed 4-6 km inland in dense bush. On subsequent searches at the bearings at which the signals became stationary, five burrows were found, in two areas, 4 km apart. During a similar operation in 1988 no taiko were caught. Despite extensive searches, these were still the only breeding areas known in late 1993.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1992, and a review of Larus species recoveries, 1943 to 1992

Notornis, 41 (2), 117-132

R.G. Powlesland; M.H. Powlesland (1994)

Article Type: Paper

In 1992, participants of the Beach Patrol Scheme patrolled 4114 km of the New Zealand coastline. 5994 dead seabirds of 53 species plus 143 individuals of 30 other bird species were recovered. The number of seabirds found in 1992 was only 59% of the annual average of 10 187 between 1971 and 1992, and was the seventh consecutive year that below average numbers of dead seabirds have been found. The common noddy (Anous stolidus pileatus) was recorded for the first time since the start of the scheme, providing the second record of this species in New Zealand. Thirteen little shags (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) were found, more than the average of 5-10 per year during 1971-1992. 14 833 specimens of three species of gulls were recovered between 1943 and 1992. The majority of recoveries (10 190 bids) was that of the southern black-backed (Larus d. dominicanus), which was found mostly near coastal cities when birds dispersed from the colonies after the breeding season. 4195 red-billed gulls (L. novaehollandiae scopulinus) were found during 1943-1992, mainly along the eastern coasts of New Zealand. Only 448 black-billed gulls (L. bulleri) were found during the same period, mainly on eastern South Island beaches.

Errata (Schuckard 1994, Notornis 41: 93-108)

Notornis, 41 (3), 219-219

(1994)

Article Type: Correction

In the last issue, the title of R. Schuckard’s paper (Notornis 41: 93-108, 1994) should read: ‘New Zealand king shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) on Duffers Reef, Marlborough Sounds’ In the Abstracts, the sentence starting on line 9 should read: ‘During the six months of courtship/breeding period, daily rhythm of the colony was different from the rest of the year; high numbers of birds departed in the early morning and afternoon.’
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