Download

During 1975, 3681 kilometres of coast were patrolled by 163 members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and their friends: 21 425 dead seabirds and 192 non sea birds were found. Four wrecks contributed to this total. In February there was a wreck mainly of fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) on Wellington West beaches. From late June to September there was a wreck of diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix) and prions (except Pachyptila vittata) with high numbers of six other species. In late August and September there were extra numbers of Antarctic fulmars (Fulmarus glacialoides) and Kerguelen petrels (Pterodroma brevirostris) with an increase in numbers of some other species. During October-November there was a record wreck of sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) on west coast beaches.