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Population estimation of the New Zealand storm petrel (Fregetta maoriana) from mark-recapture techniques at Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and from at-sea resightings of banded birds

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    2020

  • Author(s)

    M.J. Rayner; C.P. Gaskin; G.A. Taylor; A.J.D. Tennyson; N.B. Fitzgerald; K.A. Baird; M.R. Friesen; J. Ross; S.M.H. Ismar-Rebitz

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    67, 3

  • Pagination

    503-510

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

Fregetta; Hauturu; Little Barrier Island; New Zealand storm petrel; population estimate; spotlighting


Population estimation of the New Zealand storm petrel (Fregetta maoriana) from mark-recapture techniques at Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and from at-sea resightings of banded birds

Notornis, 67 (3), 503-510

M.J. Rayner; C.P. Gaskin; G.A. Taylor; A.J.D. Tennyson; N.B. Fitzgerald; K.A. Baird; M.R. Friesen; J. Ross; S.M.H. Ismar-Rebitz (2020)

Article Type: Paper

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Between 2014 and 2018 a mark-recapture/ resighting study was conducted to ascertain the size of the population of New Zealand storm petrel (Fregatta maoriana) at their breeding grounds on Hauturu, Little Barrier Island, New Zealand. A total of 415 New Zealand storm petrels were captured and marked with individual colour bands using acoustic playback and night-time spotlighting on Hauturu. Two mark-recapture models were developed using the recaptures of banded birds on land and the at-sea resightings of banded birds attracted to burley on the Hauraki Gulf near Hauturu. The land- based model suggests a current population of 994 (range 446–2,116) individuals whereas the at-sea model suggests an estimate of 1,630 (range 624–3,758) individuals. The discrepancy between these models likely lies in the bias of on-land captures towards juvenile birds constituting >50% of birds caught. We consider the at-sea model most representative of total population size. Logistic population growth models anchored by on-land and at-sea population estimates suggest pre-rat eradication populations of New Zealand storm petrel of 323 and 788 individuals respectively.