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During 1965, 1406 sea birds and during 1966, 1102 sea birds were recovered from 1064 km and 785 km of New Zealand beaches. Monthly recovery rates indicated that sea bird mortality was usually higher in spring and summer (September to February) than in autumn and winter (March to August). Two wrecks were recorded during the two-year period, both on Wellington west coast beaches, and following periods of westerly or south-westerly winds. From September to December 1965 species affected included fairy prion, sooty shearwater, short-tailed shearwater, fluttering shearwater and diving petrel. In July 1966 there was a wreck of lesser broadbilled prions. Uncommon species found were blue petrel, Fiordland crested penguin, Pycroft’s petrel and Antarctic fulmar (all in 1965), and Arctic skua (in 1966).