1 AUSTRALIAN FIELD ORNITHOLOGY 2004, 21, Supplement The of the Group: A Review of Records

IAN A.W. McALLANt, BRIAN R. CURTIS2, IAN HUTTON3 and RICHARD M. COOPER4 146 Yeramba Street, Turramurra, 2074 2P.O. Box 1967, Port Macquarie, New South Wales 2444 3P.O. Box 157, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales 2898

4 18 Lewis Drive, Medowie, New South Wales 2318

Summary This paper is an inventory of all known records from the Lord Howe Island Group of the central . One hundred and eighty-two species are listed for the Group, of which 20 are resident landbirds, 14 are breeding seabirds, 17 are regular visitors and 120 are vagrants. Of the original avifauna 10 species are now apparently either completely or locally extinct. of the White Gallinule P01phyrio a/bus, White-throated Pigeon Columba vitiensis godmanae and Red-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subflavescens were probably because of hunting by man. Those of the Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa cetvina, Robust White-eye Zosterops strenuus, Island Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus and Tasman Starling Aplonis fusca hulliana were caused by the accidental release of Black Rattus rattus on the main Island in 1918. The extinctions of the Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria and Lord Howe Gerygone Getygone insulmis occurred later and the causes are not known. Pycroft's Petrel Pterodroma pycrofti and the White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina are known from subfossil deposits but are not known to breed on the Lord Howe Island Group today. The cause of their apparent is also not known. Two species (Masked novaehollandiae and Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca) deliberately introduced during the 1920s are still fo und on the Group. However, several species have colonised the islands since the arrival of humans, some of which have had adverse effects on the endemic avifauna. Management issues are discussed where relevant to the species concerned. Additional background information to some previously reported records is also given.

Introduction Although several accounts have been written on the birds of the Lord Howe Island Group (hereafter also called 'the Group'), the last paper to review and annotate individual records was written almost 40 years ago (McKean & Hindwood 1965). This was the third paper on this subject by Keith Hindwood, the first being his seminal work which took up most of an issue of The Emu (Hindwood 1940; also Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). Since 1965 there have been many ornithological studies undertaken on the Lord Howe Island Group, including those conducted by staff of the Australian Museum, the New South Wales (NSW) National Parks & Wildlife Service and the CSIRO Division of Wildlife (now CSIRO Division of Sustainable Ecosystems) (see for example Recher 1974, Recher & Clark 1974). The number of visitors to the Group has increased significantly following the construction of an airstrip in 1974. There has also been an increased interest in the local wildlife by Island residents, fostered in part by the interest of visitors, and the establishment of the Lord Howe Island Museum. During the preparation for publication of an atlas of the birds of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, three of the authors (McAllan, Curtis McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 2 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY and Cooper) became aware that the post-Hindwood bird literature on the Lord Howe Island Group gave no indication of the current status of all the species, nor any detail of most of the records of vagrant species. Hutton has been resident on Lord Howe Island for extended periods from 1980 to the present and was aware that sightings of birds were not being recorded in a systematic fashion. This present paper is an attempt to bring together the many scattered records of Lord Howe Island birds, revise the individual species' status and assess the future of the Group's avifatfna.

The Lord Howe Island Group The Lord Howe Island Group lies in the central Tasman Sea at 31 o33'S, 159°05'E.It is 570 km east of Port Macquarie on the NSW mainland, with 800 km to the north-east and 1350 km to the south-east. Colonisation of the Group by birds has largely come from these sources. Lord Howe Island proper (hereafter 'the main Island') is a crescent shape c. 11 km long and up to 2.8 km wide (Figure 1; Plate 2, p. 18). With a land area of 1455 ha, it is dominated by two peaks at the southern end: Mount Gower, with an altitude of 875 m, and Mount Lidgbird rising to 777 m. On the western side of the main Island is a lagoon formed by a 6-km-long fringing coral reef, which is the southernmost coral reef in the Pacific Ocean. There are several smaller islands in the Group, the most significant being the Admiralty and Balls Pyramid (Plate 3, p. 18). The Admiralty Islets are a series of rock stacks immediately to the north-east of the main Island, with grassy vegetation on their higher parts. Balls Pyramid is 23 km to the south-east of the main Island and is an eroded stack with almost sheer sides rising to 550 m. Apart from coralline rocks and dunes associated with beach deposition, the Group is mainly composed of rocks derived from submarine volcanic activity dating from 6.9 to 6.4 million years ago. The islands of the Group have eroded to just 2.5% of their original area. The seas near Lord Howe Island are dominated by warm water originating in the Coral Sea and are perhaps more typical of tropical waters. Ultimately these southward-flowing waters mix with the cooler waters found over most of the southern and central Tasman Sea, and in the process a sharp temperature gradient known as the Tasman Front is formed. This front lies south of Lord Howe Island for most of the year, but lower water temperatures are often experienced in August and September when the front moves north. This variation in water temperature results in sporadic records of seabirds more typical of the Southern Ocean. There is no evidence to show that Lord Howe Island had been visited by humans before it was discovered in 1788. At that time most of the main Island was covered with rainforest. Although settlement occurred in 1834 the human population has remained low and there are still only approximately 350 residents. There is often a greater number of tourists visiting .the Group than there are residents, though there is a cap of 400 additional people at any one time. Only about 10 to 20% of the main Island has been cleared and the remainder is almost in its original state. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, including its unique landforms and the diversity of rare and endemic plants and , the Group was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1982.

General history of ornithology on Lord Howe Island Lord Howe Island was discovered on 17 February 1788 and the following month the first landings were made on a return visit by the HMS Supply. The VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 3

LORD HOWE ISLAND

Roach Island Admiralty Islets ..

Blackburn Island Muttonbird Island

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3km

s - 2km

- lkm

0

Gower Island ...,

Figure 1. Lord Howe Island McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 4 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

first accounts of the bird life come from this landing and a subsequent visit by members of the in May 1788 (Hindwood 1940). Some bird species were mentioned and painted, notably the White Gallinule Porphyria albus, the Lord Howe Woodhen sylvestris and the local population of the White­ throated Pigeon Columba vitiensis godmanae, but these species were primarily appraised for food value. Some visits were made by provisioning ships over the next 40 years, but litt!e additional information was recorded on the avifauna. The first settlers arrived in 1834. The only record of birds in the early years of settlement was in a brief account written by a Dr Foulis, who was resident at the Group in the mid 1840s (Foulis 1853). The first detailed notes on birds at Lord Howe Island were written by Assistant Surgeon John Denis Macdonald and the naturalist John MacGillivray when they visited the Group on the HMS Herald in 1853 (Macdonald 1853; see also Some additional historical information, p. 10). Several of the endemic Lord Howe Island taxa were named from the specimens collected by MacGillivray, for example the local of the Pied Currawong Strepera graculina crissalis and the Robust White-eye Zosterops strenuus. Importantly, MacGillivray also noted that Cats Felis catus had been let loose on the main Island some time in the late 1840s (David 1995). A murder occurred on the Group in 1869 and a party headed by a NSW water-police magistrate was sent to investigate. At this time the Australian Museum in was afforded the opportunity of sending a staff member, George Masters, to collect specimens. This started an association between the Museum and the Group that continues today. Much later, Edward P. Ramsay of the Museum described some of the birds collected by Masters, including the now extinct subspecies of the Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa cervina. Apparently the first subfossil bone collections were made on this visit as one of the party, R.D. Fitzgerald, presented specimens to the British Museum in November 1885 (Bourne 1974). Alexander Morton, another Australian Museum collector, visited the Group in April 1882, as did a further Museum party in late 1887. From this time on, visits by amateur and professional collectors became more frequent. These included E.H. Saunders in 1887, Allan McCulloch and Edgar Waite in 1902, L. Waterhouse in 1903, A.F. Basset Hull in 1907 and A.J. North in October 1910. The most complete collections for the Group were made by Roy Bell for the ornithologist Gregory M. Mathews. Bell was resident from July 1913 until early 1915. He went to great lengths to find birds, including traversing the 600-m-high cliffs on the southern side of Mount Gower on ledges not much more than 50 em wide (Mathews 1928, 1936; Hindwood 1940). In June 1918 the SS Makambo grounded on Neds Beach. This proved to be a disaster for the Lord Howe Island avifauna as it resulted in the arrival of the Black Rattus rattus which rapidly increased in numbers with the ready supply of food. Within two years Allan McCulloch reported that there had been serious declines in several of the species (McCulloch 1921). By 1928 the Robust White-eye and local populations of the Grey Fantail, Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus and Tasman Starling Aplonis fusca hulliana appeared extinct (Sharland 1929). At this stage the Lord Howe Gerygone Gerygone insularis was still considered common throughout the main Island, though it was extinct only eight years later (Hindwood 1940). It is possible that this last species was not exterminated by the alone. Attempts to control the Black Rat through the introduction of various during the 1920s may have only exacerbated the problems of some of the endemic birds; for example, they may VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 5 have led to the final extinction of the local subspecies of the Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria in the 1950s. Keith Hindwood visited Lord Howe Island on his honeymoon in October 1936. Although he never again travelled to the Group, this visit began his interest in records of the Group's avifauna that was to last until his death in 1971. There had been earlier accounts of the birds found on the Group, but Hindwood's initial paper on Lord Howe Island birds, published in 1940, was the first to bring together all known records and assess each species' status. Hindwood became the focus for all research on the Group, and both visitors and Island residents gave him lists of birds seen. Most of these lists are now held in the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW Scientific interest in the Group's avifauna was rekindled in the late 1950s. In September 1956 the young John McKean went on a school excursion to Lord Howe Island (McKean 1957). Three years later he was back to conduct the first local banding of seabirds. Banding expeditions have continued to this day by both visitors and Islanders. On a visit in November 1969 John Disney and Courtney Smithers of the Australian Museum examined habitat segregation by different bird species (Disney & Smithers 1972). In July 1970 the Lord Howe Island Board requested the Australian Museum to co-ordinate a complete environmental survey of the Group. Surveys commenced in February 1971 and lasted until September 1972 (Recher 1974). The main bird-survey participants were John Disney and Harry Recher of the Australian Museum; Peter Fullagar, John McKean and Gerry van Tets of the CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research; and Alan Morris of the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Other Australian Museum and CSIRO personnel participated in the surveys to a lesser extent. These surveys were able to assess the numbers of several species and in particular noted that the Lord Howe Woodhen was extremely rare (Disney 1974). In addition, the first systematic collections of subfossil and recent bird bones were made, and these indicated that some seabird species had become locally extinct before being recorded alive by humans. The results of the survey included a list of the birds known to have occurred up to that time (Fullagar et al. 1974). Follow-up surveys in the late 1970s found that populations of the introduced Sus scrofa, Goat Capra hircus and Cat were implicated in, if not directly responsible for, a decline of the Lord Howe Woodhen and several seabirds. A successful rehabilitation program for the Lord Howe Woodhen ran from 1978 to 1984, with Ben Miller and Glenn Fraser in charge of captive breeding. The feral Pig and Cat populations were eradicated in 1979 and several seabird species, including the Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis, Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis and Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata, have benefited. To make sure that there were no further introductions, domestic Cats were banned in 1982. Efforts were also made to eradicate the feral Goat population. Although most Goats were killed, small numbers remain in the southern mountains. Island residents began to take an increased interest in the birds. In 1991 Hutton published a book that included accounts of the more common species (Hutton 1991). This book included a list of birds, compiled with the assistance of Glenn Holmes, who had visited the Group four times between 1975 and 1989 and obtained some records from Island residents. In recent years NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service personnel and students from Charles Sturt University have conducted surveys of the Pterodroma solandri, Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes and Sooty Tern. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 6 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

It is intended that the Lord Howe Island Museum, opened in 2001, will highlight the Group's natural history and provide a collection point for all observations. Since the 1970s there has been an increasing number of visits by bird-watchers to the Group, but there has been no central repository for records of Lord Howe Island birds since the death of Keith Hindwood. This has meant that some focus has been lost in keeping track of new species for the Group and the changing status of resident and visiting species. This paper is intended to provide a new base-line for Lord Howe Island bird records.

Methods Ornithological and related literature was scoured for all references to birds of Lord Howe Island. McAI!an, Curtis and Cooper have used the database of the NSW Bird Atlassers Inc., which includes many unpublished observations. Hutton has resided on the Island for varying periods since 1980 and has made extensive observations on the bird life. Other sources include specimens in the Australian Museum; diaries of Norman Chaffer, now in the Australian Museum archives; records in the Keith Hindwood Bird Recording Service files, previously maintained by Ernest Hoskin and now in the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; other unpublished files in the Mitchell Library; records from the Birding-Aus website and a few records from the Birds Nest Record Scheme and Birds Australia's second Australia­ wide Atlas database. This information is assessed here in the species accounts and lists. Appendices 1-3 list species introduced but now locally extinct, recorded in error or unconfirmed, and also species recorded at Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs. All recent authors who have written on Lord Howe Island birds have overlooked the fact that Hindwood continued to collect reports of sightings on the Group until his death on 18 March 1971. Hindwood's Lord Howe Island records are now held in the K.A. Hindwood papers, Mitchell Library (not part of the K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service). These papers include details of several sightings of rare and vagrant species for the Lord Howe Island Group that have not previously been published.

Taxonomy and nomenclature The and nomenclature of this list generally follows Christidis & Boles (1994). Exceptions are:

1. the gender ending of several scientific names needs to be modified to conform to the findings of David & Gosselin (2002a,b);

2. the recognition that the 'extinct' Tasman Booby Sula tasmani and the endemic Masked Booby population Sula dactylatra fullagari are the same taxon, as noted by Holdaway et al. (2001 ), means that the birds currently and formerly on Lord Howe Island are now known as Sula dactylatra tasmani; and

3. the apparent occurrence of the New Zealand form of the South Island Pied Oystercatcher means the use of the name Haematopus finschi.

Holdaway et al. (2001) based their taxonomy of the avifauna of the New Zealand region on the phylogenetic species concept. This meant that many insular populations were elevated to species level. As the area covered by their work included Norfolk Island, many of their findings referred to species that have also been recorded from Lord Howe Island. However, in many cases they made no reference to treatment of populations from Lord Howe Island. For example, should the extinct Tasman Starling Aplonis fusca population on Lord Howe Island be separated asAplonis hulliana? In addition, some populations of extremely widespread taxa, such as the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis, were separated with no reference to the numerous populations elsewhere. At the same time, however, the Grey Fantail of Norfolk Island was considered the same species as that found in New Zealand, and yet Schodde & Mason (1999) concluded that Norfolk Island birds were the same species as those in Australia, and those from Lord Howe Island were the same as those in New Zealand. Clearly more work needs to be done on the taxonomy of the endemic birds of the Tasman Sea. VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 7

Species population status This listing includes the following codes for the status of all species that are not vagrants: Rare less than 100 individuals Uncommon 100 to 1000 Common 1001 to 10 000 Abundant more than 10 000 These categories denote the numbers of individuals visiting the Group during the year and are not an indication of the likelihood of observing a species. For example, some species may be common at times, yet absent on migration for part of the year; conversely, other species may be numerically uncommon or rare, yet easily observed. This rarity is a function of the small land area of the Group, rather than any characteristic of the birds concerned. A bird-watcher visiting the Group for the first time should bear this in mind.

Future bird records from Lord Howe Island There has been no single repository for bird records from Lord Howe Island. We suggest that visiting bird-watchers lodge their records with the Lord Howe Island Museum in the first instance (Lagoon Road, Lord Howe Island, 2898). Records can also be left with the NSW Bird Atlassers (care of McAllan). Recording cards and sheets are available from the Lord Howe Island Museum as well as the NSW Bird Atlassers. The authors would also gratefully accept any records overlooked in this paper.

Abbreviations used in text AM Australian Museum AMNH American Museum of Natural History ANWC Australian National Wildlife Collection, CSIRO Division of Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra BMNH The Natural History Museum, Tring, UK - formerly the British Museum (Natural History) BOCA Bird Observers Club of Australia CBOC Cumberland Bird Observers Club HBOC Hunter Bird Observers Club LHIM Lord Howe Island Museum ML Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW NLA National Library of Australia NMV Museum NSWBA New South Wales Bird Atlassers NSWFOC New South Wales Field Ornithologists Club, also known as Birding NSW

Results

Number of species Hindwood (1940 and subsequent papers) recorded the species from Lord Howe Island in a summary table. Using his format today produces a summary as given in Table 1. The list of bird species recorded for Lord Howe Island has more than doubled since 1940. These numerous additions are largely vagrants, but several additional species now breed on the Group and some, such as the Cattle EgretArdea ibis, are now regular visitors. Variations in Table 1 from the numbers given in Hindwood's papers are as follows: McKean and Hindwood (1965) listed a few taxa in an Addendum to their paper. The summary table in their paper did not include these extra taxa, but the figures have been adjusted here. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 8 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Table 1 Summary of birds recorded from the Lord Howe Island Group. 1940 = Hindwood (1940), 1950 = Hindwood & Cunningham (1950), 1965 = McKean & Hindwood (1965), 2003 = this paper. Categ01y 1940 1950 1965 2003 Indigenous landbirds (i'"lcludes extinct taxa) 15 15 15 15 Seabirds: breeding 11 11 11 14 Seabirds: visitors 10 15 20 34 Landbirds: visitors and self-established species 12 18 23 45 Palaearctic waders: visitors 14 14 19 26 Waterbirds and waders other than Palaearctic waders: 12 15 23 44 visitors and self-established species Species introduced by man (extant taxa only) 4 4 3 2 Species known from subfossil deposits 2 Total 78 92 114 182

Hindwood (1940) included twelve taxa as 'Birds introduced by man', some of which were not separate species. Of these forms, five, the Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus, California Quail Callipepla californica, Rock Dove Columba Iivia, Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans and the Island Thrush from Norfolk Island Turdus poliocephalus poliocephalus were extinct in the wild on Lord Howe Island at the time Hindwood wrote his first paper. The Rock Dove has since recolonised the Group from wild birds. Hindwood included the Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca as both a vagrant and as introduced by humans. It is here included only as an introduced species. Although there was a hiatus of records of the Magpie-lark in the 1920s, there is no evidence that birds found on the Group today are self­ established. The Buff-banded Gallirallus philippensis was probably not introduced but found its own way to Lord Howe Island as it is widespread elsewhere in the south-west Pacific. There is no evidence that the small number of Silvereyes Zosterops latera/is introduced to Lord Howe Island in the 1920s and 1930s are still present; as few birds were introduced, it is likely that they were genetically swamped by the greater numbers of local birds. This is probably also the case for any flocks of Silvereyes from mainland Australia that find their own way to Lord Howe Island. Barn Owls Tyto alba were introduced to Lord Howe Island from both mainland Australia and North America. The only Barn Owl specimens collected from Lord Howe Island seem to be of the Australian population, which suggests that only Australian birds survived the initial importation. In either case, the Barn Owl has not been recorded for over 20 years and is now extinct on the Group. Similarly, Australian populations of the Southern Boobook were also introduced, but have not been reported since the 1950s. On this basis there were probably only four introduced species at the time of Hindwood's first paper: Southern Boobook, Barn Owl, Masked Owl T. novaehollandiae and Magpie-lark. Today there are only two species that were introduced by humans, Masked Owl and Magpie-lark. Hindwood was not able to comment on birds from subfossil deposits. Additional species in these deposits include remains ofPycroft's PetrelPterodroma pycrofti and White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina. The latter species is also known from two recent sightings, so it is not known if there was, or is still, a breeding population on the Lord Howe Island Group or whether these records involve vagrants from elsewhere. VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 9

Hindwood's table does not indicate the population status of any species. It is thus somewhat misleading to refer to 15 endemic landbirds, especially when nine of them are now at least locally extinct. It is pertinent to note that of the 182 species recorded, 20 are resident landbirds, 14 are breeding seabirds, 17 are regular visitors, 120 are vagrant species or at best irregular visitors and 11 are extinct (including Pycroft's Petrel and White-faced Storm-Petrel, the latter's status being indeterminate). Of the 20 landbird species currently resident, two were introduced by humans and another twelve were self-introduced. Of these last twelve species, seven are endemic to the south-west Pacific whereas the other five have European origins and were introduced by humans to both Australia and New Zealand. Three of the breeding seabirds, the Black-winged Petrel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and White Tern Gygis alba, are only recent colonists. More species have been recorded from the Lord Howe Island Group (182 species) than from the large island groups of (130 species: Bregulla 1992) and (178 species: Barre & Dutson 2000, Barre & Bachy 2003). Three-quarters of the species recorded from Lord Howe Island are vagrants and migrants compared with around one-third in both Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Undoubtedly this difference is due in part to the large number of bird-watchers visiting Lord Howe Island. There is also probably a greater chance of a vagrant bird finding Lord Howe Island, which is small but elevated, projecting high above the horizon and would appear as a haven to any bird lost over the central Tasman Sea.

Some additional historical information Hindwood's papers included all the information he could find on the early history of Lord Howe Island birds. In our search for all records we have come across a few minor historical references that were not available to Hindwood. Most of these additional records are included within the species accounts, but four are of more general interest.

1. The first landing Although Hindwood (1940) gave details of the first landing on the Group by Europeans on 12 March 1788, he was able to give only the second-band account of Arthur Bowes Smyth of the Lady Penrhyn (see also Fidlon & Ryan 1979). However, there was a first-hand account published: in 1789 a letter from James Callam, the Surgeon of the Supply, to his brother was printed in booklet form (Callam 1789). This publication is extremely rare and is apparently not in any Australian library. Fortunately, a transcript was published in 1990, and includes Callam's brief notes on Lord Howe Island (McDonald 1990). We know of only one previous reference to Callam's account of Lord Howe Island birds, in John Latham's General Histmy of Birds (Latham 1823). Callam wrote (see McDonald 1990) On our first landing to our agreeable astonishment, we found on the Beach numbers of the fin est Turtles, four of which loaded the Boat, on returning on Board we found the Ship's Company equally successful in fishing, - after Dinner we again revisited the Shore in two Boats, landed and examined the interior Parts of the Island, found in great plenty of Pigeons, with three different species of Fowl, peculiar to that Island, one of which resembled the Guinea Hen make, the Hen whi te, the Cock's Wings beautifully mottled with blue, in Weight about four Pounds, none of them could fly, but were run down by the Seamen, those with Pigeons were caught in such Quantitys, as to be shared to the Ship's Company; the produce of the Island is principally the Cabbage Palm Tree, Mangrove, McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 10 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Bomboo, with a species of Elder, has likewise Samphire, wild Cellery, Parsley, Sorrel, Endive, &c.&c.- On returning to the Boats, we found they had turned twenty-three fine Turtle, which were got on Board; and next Day we sailed for ... This is the only first-hand suggestion that the White Gallinule was flightless. Certainly it can at best have had limited powers of flight as, on a visit in May 1788, Thomas Gilbert commented that he 'caught six of them by running them down among the low.bushes' (Gilbert 1789).

2. The visit of John Washington Price John Washington Price kept a diary when he was Ship's Surgeon aboard the Convict Transport Minerva from early 1799 to June 1800 (Fulton 2000). The ship visited Lord Howe Island on two days in February 1800, arriving on 19 February and landing the following day. He made only a few comments on the birds: Thursday February 20th ... we killed a quantity of ganets [ = Masked Booby], woodhens [ = Lord Howe Woodhen] and pidgeons [ = White-throated Pigeon], all of which were so tame as to suffer themselves to be taken by our hands, the pidgeons are larger than the wood pidgeon or quest in Ireland but the shape of the body is much the same, nor is the colour much different. The neck is covered with feathers of a changeable colour, according as they are placed in different lights: they are of a fine glossy hue and sometimes appear to be purple, copper colour and sometimes green; some part of the wings are of a reddish colour. The woodhens are of a dusky brown colour, seldom fly but keep on the ground like a rail which they in some measure resemble, but are larger & fatter, we saw magpies [ = Pied Currawong], parrots, and beautiful paroquets [ = Red-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subfiavescens] and some handsome smaller birds, the parrots and parraquets were extremely shy and so wild that I could not get within shot of them, which is the more extraordinary as the rest are so singularly tame, we found no eggs as they are only after bringing out their young, these are the only inhabitants we saw on the island except some fire insects ...

Friday February 21st ... we had this day a most excellent pye of the fowls brought from Lord Howe's Island, tho the pidgeons were very good, the wood hens were much superior; in tenderness flavour etc. These birds are in great abundance and we might have brought off so much more of them, but we did not suppose them to be such delicious food. Apart from comparisons of a culinary nature, Price's account offers little new information on the birds. However, he also gave an indication of the original extent of the vegetation cover on the main Island: 'in searching for the water we saw large pieces of clear ground which appeared to us like meadows, but when we approached them we found covered with large rank grass 10 and 11 feet high'. This suggests that originally the main Island was almost entirely covered in tall vegetation, with cleared areas probably only occurring when there was some disturbance such as fallen trees, land slips, beach erosion, or burrowing by shearwaters and petrels. His observation of the 'large rank grass' could be the 'Bamboo' referred to by Callam (1789).

3. The visits of the HMS Herald The HMS Herald visited Lord Howe Island three times during 1853 while undertaking surveys for the Royal Navy in the south-west Pacific. On the first visit from 29 April to 28 June, the ship's naturalist, John MacGillivray, was absent in Sydney. However, some of the birds seen were noted in a report furnished to the Colonial Government by the Assistant Surgeon, John D. Macdonald (Macdonald 1853). Macdonald gave records of only nine species. Some of these he did not see himself, but were reported by the Island residents. He noted the Lord Howe Woodhen, White-throated Pigeon, Red-crowned Parakeet, Pied Currawong, Southern Boobook, 'ducks' - presumably Pacific Black DuckAnas VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 11 superciliosa, 'swallows' - some species of Hirundo, and two species of 'mutton birds, (Puffinus)' one of which was 'dusky brown' and bred in summer, either the Wedge-tailed Shearwater P pacificus or Flesh-footed Shearwater, and a 'white' species that bred in winter, undoubtedly the Little Shearwater. On the second visit of the Herald, from 6 to 15 September 1853, MacGillivray collected specimens of at least 14 species that were sent to John Gould and are now in the BMNH (Hindwood 1940, Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). A report from MacGillivray to the Captain of the Herald, Henry Mangles Denham, refers to 15 genera collected (Original in the Public Records Office, Kew, UK, Adm. 55/73; copies held on microfilm in the ML and NLA). Some have the number '2' after the name, though MacGillivray's diaries indicate that more than two specimens were collected of many of these species. MacGillivray also wrote notes in his diary (now in the Public Records Office, Kew, UK, Adm. 7/851; copies also held on microfilm in the ML and NLA). At the end of his visit MacGillivray wrote a general account in his diary of the birds he recorded at the Group: Birds There are at least 32 species of birds of which 28 passed under my own examination. The Raptores are represented by a hawk (which I never saw) and an owl -common to Australia and New Zealand - here abundant and noisy at night. Of 10 Incessorial birds the first to attract attention is a Strepera [ = Pied Currawong] - a fantail flycatcher (Rhipidura) [ = Grey Fantail] and two silver-eyed warblers (Zosterops) [ = Silvereye and Robust White-eyeJ are common, as are also a reddish brown thrush (Merula) [ = Island T hrush] & a small starling (Aplonis ) [ = Tasman Starling]. Of two pigeons one is Chalcophaps chrysochlora [ = Emerald Dove C. indica], the other, not seen by me, and now nearly extinct, is said to be the New Zealand Carpophaga Novae-Zealandice [ =White­ throated Pigeon]. Ofthe 8 waders all except one are Australian also. The solitary exception is the 'woodhen' [ = Lord Howe Woodhen] a wingless rail is as large as a fowl, once very plentiful and easily caught with a snare on the end of a stick, now nearly exterminated & very wary. Of the 9 waterbirds the most abundant and remarkable are the 3 species of muttonbirds (Puffi.nus ) which burrow all over the island - in the woods and on the banks by the shore and whose periodical arrival and departure in prodigious flocks are known to the inhabitants to within a few days. MacGillivray also mentioned several different species in his daily accounts. On the evening of 6 September 1853 he collected a Southern Boobook, the specimen now in the BMNH (Knox & Walters 1994). The following day he collected a green parrakeet (Platycercus) with red markings [=Red-crowned Parakeet], a handsome Pachycephala like P gutturalis [ = Golden Whistler] and two species of Zosterops [ = Silvereye and Robust White-eye], the two last being the most common birds upon the island. There are two specimens of the Red-crowned Parakeet with this date in the BMNH. On 8 September he collected an Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascwiensis, a Masked Booby and two Tasman Starlings. No birds were mentioned in the account of 9 September, but on 10 September he collected an Island Thrush, a godwit and two 'ringed plovers' (presumably a Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica and Double-banded Plovers Charadrius bicinctus; Hindwood 1940, Hindwood & Cunningham 1950), five Pacific Golden Plovers Pluvialis fulva , a Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and 'many small birds - parrakeets, thrushes, and a green-tailed flycatcher'. This last bird could have been a reference to either a Golden Whistler or a Lord Howe Gerygone. The Gerygone is not known to have been collected by MacGillivray, but it was painted by the ship's artist, James Glen Wilson (David 1995). Also on this day MacGillivray wrote that he 'winged a bittern which got into a thicket where I searched for it in vain aided by a dog. It was evidently a Botaurus, and seemed smaller than Botaurus melanotus McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 12 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

[ = Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus ]'. Although it is not clear what species was meant by this observation, it was undoubtedly a vagrant. Not referred to in MacGillivray's diary was the collection of a Red Knot Calidris canutus on 10 September (Hindwood 1940). On 11 September, MacGillivray intended to climb the southern mountains with two residents to look for Lord Howe Wood hens. However, he had to prepare the specimens collected the previous day, and did not get another opportunity to go there. Significantly, MacGillivray also noted that the Woodhen 'was now rather scarce, its numbers having been thinned by the wild cats, the descendants of three landed by the master of a Sydney whaler five or six years ago'. The following day he collected another Golden Whistler and a Pied Currawong. On 13 September he collected a Sooty Tern, Pacific Black Duck and a pair of Grey Fantails, the last still in the BMNH (Knox & Walters 1994). On the lagoon side of the main Island he observed 'Great numbers of the two species of Zosterops and an Aplonis were feeding on the small, plum-like fruit of a very large tree which I had not seen elsewhere'. On the evening of 14 September he collected another Southern Boobook. Preparations were made for leaving the Group on the morning of 15 September. However, before they left MacGillivray had the opportunity of visiting Roach Island. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were already present, though not breeding. Also present with eggs were Masked Booby and Grey Ternlet Procelsterna cerulea. MacGillivray gave a description of the nest and egg of the latter as he noted that the egg of this species had not been described before. He also wrote that 'A little warbler, common on Lord Howe Island, was the only land bird seen', undoubtedly a reference to the Lord Howe Gerygone. It is unlikely that this species was resident on Roach Island, given the lack of trees. He also saw Sooty Terns and Common NoddiesAnous stolidus flying about Roach Island. The Herald again visited Lord Howe Island on 26 and 27 December 1853 to rate the ship's chronometers (David 1995). According to MacGillivray's diary, he went ashore on the 26th, but only mentioned observing Bar-tailed Godwits and Pacific Golden Plovers. In MacGillivray's general account he reported that he saw 28 of the 32 species reported from the Group. However, from the birds recorded in his diaries and the specimens only 26 of the species seen by him can be identified (see Table 2). The Red-crowned Parakeet was not listed in his general account of the birds, but was in his daily accounts and is needed to make his 32 species. Those species in the general account that are not accounted for include at least a 'wader' and an 'lncessorial' bird. Apart from the 'hawk', the Lord Howe Woodhen, and possibly the 'swallows' that were seen by Macdonald but not mentioned by MacGillivray, there was also at least one other species that he did not see that was reported to him by either the Island residents or the other crew of the Herald.

4. Deliberate introductions of birds in 1944 Although most introduced birds were brought to the Group in the 1920s following the arrival of the Black Rat, there appears to have been a later introduction of unknown species that has gone unrecorded. Details were provided to Hutton by Gordon Read of Brookfield, Qld, in a letter sent in April 2001. VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 13

Table 2 Birds recorded in the Norfolk Island Group by members of the HMS Herald in 1853, and the source of the information. Macd. =Macdonald (1853); specimen = specimen recorded in Hindwood (1940), Hindwood & Cunningham (1950), Knox & Walters (1994); also Masked Booby specimen according to list given to Denham by MacGillivray; diary = MacGillivray's diary notes; Wilson = painting by James Glen Wilson, reproduced in David (1995). * = not actually seen by MacGillivray. Species First visit Second visit Third visit Other 29 Apr.-28 June 6-15 Sept. 26-27 Dec. Pacific Black Duck Macd. Diary Wedge-tailed Shearwater Specimen, diary Flesh-footed Shearwater Diary Little Shearwater Macd. Diary Masked Booby Specimen, diary 'bittern' Diary 'hawk' Diary'' Lord Howe Woodhen Macd. Diary* Bar-tailed Godwit Specimen, diary Diary Whimbrel Specimen, diary Eastern Curlew Specimen, diary Red Knot Specimen Pacific Golden Plover Specimen, diary Diary Double-banded Plover Specimen, diary Sooty Tern Diary Common Noddy Diary Grey Ternlet Diary White-throated Pigeon Macd. Diary* Emerald Dove Diary Red-crowned Parakeet Macd. Specimen, diary Southern Boobook Macd. Diary Lord Howe Gerygone Diary Wi lson Golden Whistler Specimen, diary Grey Fantail Specimen, diary Wilson Pied Currawong Macd. Specimen, diary 'swallows' Macd. Silvereye Specimen, diary Robust White-eye Specimen, diary Island Thrush Specimen, diary Tasman Starling Specimen, diary

Back in 1944 I was a Catalina pilot in the RAAF. I was instructed to fly from Sydney to Lord Howe Island 17 crates of birds which had been shipped from New Zealand. I completed the operation on 11/2/44 [ = 11 February 1944] when the birds were released on the island. My information at the time was that the birds from New Zealand were the natural predators of an infestation that was decimating the Kentia Palm [Howea forsterana J seeds also melon and tomato seeds. This record is credible as there was a tomato-seed industry on Lord Howe Island during the Second World War. Hindwood's correspondent on the Island during the 1940s was Max Nicholls, but his letters do not mention this introduction. It is unclear what species were released on this occasion. It could be that it was the Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris, as this species was not recorded by Hindwood on his visit in November 1936, but was resident by the end of the 1940s. Another possibility is that it was the Silvereye and has thus gone unmentioned. Nicholls noted that the pest on the Kentia Palms was a weevil that was previously kept under control by the Robust White-eye (Nicholls 1952). Alternatively, the species introduced in 1944 merely died out soon after introduction. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 14 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Species accounts All species recorded from the Group up to the end of 2003 are recorded here and listed on pp. 72-73. An indication of the overall status of the species is given at the start of each account. In the case of vagrant and irregularly recorded species the number of records is given, as well as details of these records if known. Species additional to those in the three lists authored by Hindwood are marked with an asterisk (*). Extinct· species are marked with a dagger (t). All records are considered confirmed unless otherwise stated. Since 1970 there has been a massive increase in the number of records of Palaearctic waders from the Lord Howe Island Group. It is not clear if there has been any actual change in the status of the waders. When the airstrip was constructed an area of swamp forest dominated by Sallywood Lagunaria patersonia was cleared at the eastern end of the runway (Pickard 1983; Hutton pers. obs.). This opened up an area that has become a semi-permanent freshwater swamp (hereafter referred to as the Moseley Park Swamp). This additional wetland may have resulted in the establishment of several populations of waterbirds, as well as further sightings of visiting Palaearctic waders. Nevertheless, the increasing numbers of records of the waders is probably in part due to an increased ability of observers to identify the species with more user-friendly field-guides and better optical aids. The overall effect is that several of these species have had a change in status when compared with that given by Hindwood (1940) and Fullagar eta!. (1974): from vagrants or irregular visitors to regular visitors.

Black Swan Cygnus atratus Vagrant. Four records, two undated. Hindwood (1940) recorded that the Black Swan had been seen in the Group in 1916 and 1933. McKean & Hindwood (1965) noted that a Black Swan had been recorded in the preceding 15 years, but gave no details. Dean Retmock wrote to Keith Hindwood in 1969 noting that he had at some stage seen a Black Swan, but also gave no details of the sighting (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML).

*Canada Goose Branta canadensis Vagrant. Two records. The first has previously been overlooked and involves two birds seen by Dean Retmock in August 1969 ( K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Another bird was present on Lord Howe Island from 3 to 8 February 1977 (Smithers 1977). Presumably the same bird was seen by P. Poulton in April1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). These birds were evidently vagrants from New Zealand where the Canada Goose was introduced from North America in 1905 (OSNZ 1990) and where it is now widespread. Vagrants from the New Zealand population were also reported from New Caledonia in October 1965 (Delacour 1966).

*Australian Shelduck Tadoma tadomoides Vagrant. One record. Seen by Jeff Hardy on 26 November 1985 (Anon. 1986).

Paradise Shelduck Tadoma variegata Vagrant. One record. The only record for Lord Howe Island (and any Australian territory) is that of at least five birds seen, captured and photographed in March and April 1950 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950); feathers collected by Robert Baxter from one of these birds are on file in the K.A. Hindwood papers, VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 15

ML. Two birds were captured, banded and released, and three birds were present until at least early August 1950 (Lillian Fenton in !itt. to Hindwood, K.A. Hindwood papers, ML).

*Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata Vagrant. One record. An adult male was seen by Tony Dymond at Moseley Park Swamp on 24-27 September 1991 (Morris & Burton 1993). Presumably the same bird was reported the following month (Andrew & Eades 1992). Another adult male was reported by June Harris at the golf course on 1 March 1995 (Morris & Burton 1997); however, the actual observer of the bird, Norm Harris, later withdrew the record (NSWBA data).

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Uncommon breeding resident. This species was first recorded on Lord Howe Island in February 1963 when a female was seen by J. Booth (McKean & Hindwood 1965). The next record was in 1972 when the species was recorded by the Island residents (Hutton 1991; Ray Shick pers. comm.). The Mallard was introduced to Australia and New Zealand in the 19th century and is a highly mobile species that has dispersed to many islands beyond New Zealand and Australia. Birds banded in New Zealand have been recovered in Australia, and birds banded on Norfolk Island have been recovered in New Zealand, New Caledonia and on Tanna in Vanuatu (Anon. 1983, 1984, 1985a; Cossee 1989). Mallard x Pacific Black Duck hybrids were observed on the main Island as early as 1975 (P. Fullagar in Rogers 1976). The Mallard is a threat to the integrity of the Pacific Black Duck population throughout the south-west Pacific and there should be a planned cull of Mallards and their hybrids. On Lord Howe Island it is found in settled areas including paddocks, swampy areas, beaches and near houses. Hutton (1991) recorded a breeding season from July to November for all ducks on Lord Howe Island. The NSWBA has limited breeding data for this species on Lord Howe Island, and breeding has been recorded only from September and October. The nest of the Mallard is a depression on swampy ground, lined with grass and down.

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Uncommon breeding resident. The Pacific Black Duck has been a regular visitor to Lord Howe Island since records have been kept. The first breeding record has been overlooked and was a clutch of nine eggs collected by E.H. Saunders in November 1887 (AM 0 .26037); the second was in 1941 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). Breeding was not recorded again until November 1971 when it was noted by Dean Retmock at 'the south of the island' (Rogers 1972). The species has been found breeding many times since, and this is no doubt a response to the provision of permanent water. Many 'Pacific Black Ducks' reported in recent years are likely to be hybrids with Mallards.

Grey Teal Anas gracilis Vagrant. Two records. Five seen by Graham Pizzey in August 1957 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Peter Fullagar at the airstrip pond on 24 May 1975 (Rogers 1976). McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 16 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Chestnut Teal Anas castanea Vagrant. Two records. Max Nicholls observed a pair in 1944, and another pair in 1949 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950).

*Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Vagrant. One set of records. Nine birds seen by Glenn Holmes at Moseley Park Swamp on 9 Ap.ril1975 (Rogers 1976; G. Holmes in !itt.). At least four and possibly as many as 12 seen by Peter Fullagar and John Disney on 24 May 1975 (Rogers 1976). Seen by John Waugh in November 1975 (NSWBA data). One bird was collected in 1975 (AM 0.46794, skeleton specimen). These observations are likely to involve the same birds.

*Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus Vagrant. One record. One dead bird found by Ray Shick on 6 June 1975 (Rogers 1976; AM 0.45342, date from specimen).

Little Penguin Eudyptula minor Vagrant. Four sets of records. Seen twice by Max Nicholls and H.O. Payton in November 1953 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One found beachcast by Clive Wilson in July 1973 (AM 0.44727). One found beachcast by Ray Shick in July 1975 (Rogers 1976; AM 0.45364). One photographed by Hutton on rocks on the northern shore of Blackburn Island in October 1988.

Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus Vagrant. At least fo ur records. Two of these records cannot be identified to species, as they were reported before the separation of the Northern and Southern Giant-Petrels in 1966 and lack sufficient detail. One found beachcast by Roy Bell on 31 May 1914 and prepared as a study skin, which was subsequently destroyed by fire (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). However, Bell described the bill as 'bone grey', with no mention of any red or orange tip, and on this basis the bird can be considered a Southern Giant-Petrel (R. Bell diaries, copies in AM and CSIRO Division of Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra). One found beachcast (foot only) by J.D. Gibson (hereafter Doug Gibson) in November 1964 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One was found beachcast and a colour photograph taken in February 1965 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML; the photograph was not kept). Giant-Petrels were seen by Ben Miller on at least one trip to Balls Pyramid during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.).

Cape Petrel Daption capense Rare regular visitor. At least eight records. One specimen collected by Henry West in May 1922 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0 .27301). One injured bird was shown to Dean Retmock on 10 September 1970 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One bird found dead by B. Young near Old Settlement Beach on 20 August 1978 (AM 0.47059). Seen a few times by Ben Miller near Balls Pyramid during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One bird seen by Dion Hobcroft on 9 October 1999 (Morris 2002). One bird seen by Hutton near Balls Pyramid on 3 November 2000. Seen by Adam Bester between Balls Pyramid and the main Island on 22 September 2001 (Birds Australia data). One seen by Peter Bond near Balls Pyramid on 16 September 2003 (P. Bond pers. comm.). Bond conducts fishing tours to Balls Pyramid where between September and November single birds are often seen feeding with Flesh-footed Shearwaters. Observers travelling VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 17

to the Group from the Australian coast have also reported seeing the species in the western Tasman Sea, but no exact localities have been given (e.g. Hindwood 1940).

*Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera Rare regular visitor. Eight records. One seen by Peter Fullagar, John McKean and Gerry van Tets at sea south of Kings Point on 1 March 1971 (Rogers 1972). One found beachcast by Ray Shick in July 1975 (Rogers 1976; ANWC 21343). One photographed by M. Price at Lagoon Beach below the flagstaff in November 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Seen by Alan McBride on 26 and 27 May 1985 as he approached Lord Howe Island by sea (A. McBride in !itt. to E. Hoskin, K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). Two birds seen by Neil Cheshire 14 nautical miles north-east of the main Island at 31 o16'S, 159°15'E on 21 January 1997 (NSWBA data). Ten birds seen by Rohan Clarke near Balls Pyramid on 3 September 1999 (Morris 2002). One seen by Dion Hobcroft near Balls Pyramid on 9 October 1999 (NSWBA data). One bird seen by a Birds tour party near Balls Pyramid in March 2002 (in !itt. to Hutton). The Great-winged Petrel breeds on islands off northern New Zealand and is a common species in the Tasman Sea, west to the Australian and Tasmanian coasts and north to approximately 26oS (OSNZ 1990, Tanaka & Seino 1994, Reid et al. 2002). Although there are few records of this species from the Group, it could be more common than this suggests as it is probably overlooked amongst the large numbers of the similar Providence Petrel that are found near Lord Howe Island. Most records of the Great- winged Petrel have been from over deeper waters, well away from the main Island.

':'White-headed Petrel Pterodroma lessonii Vagrant. Two records. One found alive at the airstrip in winter 1975, but later died (Rogers 1976; AM 0.45390). Ten seen by Alan McBride on 26 May 1985 less than 200 nautical miles west of Lord Howe Island, when the observer was sailing towards the Group (A. McBride in !itt. to E. Hoskin, K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML).

Providence Petrel Pterodroma solandri (Plate 6, p. 20) Abundant breeding migrant. This species is present at Lord Howe Island year-round and breeds there in winter. It has been recorded off mainland NSW in all months although it is least common in summer (NSWBA data). An unknown number of birds migrates to the North Pacific Ocean. Tanaka (1986) observed large numbers during most months in the western North Pacific, particularly in waters east of Japan. This suggests that immature birds spend more than a year away from Lord Howe Island after fledging. The Providence Petrel breeds on Lord Howe Island in tens of thousands. Nest-sites on the main Island are on the rainforest-covered summits and slopes of the southern mountains, where the birds are present from March to November; eggs are laid in late May and early June, and young fledge in November. Before the 1980s, numbers at the breeding grounds may have been reduced by introduced predators (B. Miller pers. comm.), most of which have now been removed. It has been recorded off Balls Pyramid but it is not known if it breeds there. Possibly the entire population of the species bred on Lord Howe Island following its elimination as a breeding species on the Norfolk Island Group in McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 18 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

2. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, with main island in background

3. Balls Pyramid VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 19

4. Flesh-footed Shearwater

5. White-bellied Storm-Petrel McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 20 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

6. Providence Petrel

7. Kermadec Petrel VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 21 the early 19th century (Medway 2002). However, in July 1985 a small breeding colony was discovered on Phillip Island off Norfolk Island (Hermes et al. 1986).

Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta (Plate 7, p. 20) Rare breeding migrant. McKean & Hindwood (1965) could find only one record of the species following Roy Bell's collection of specimens in 1913. E.L. Hyem collected feathers at a nest on Mount Gower, in December 1961 (letter and feathers in K.A. Hindwood papers, ML; note error of date in McKean & Hindwood 1965). Since 1970 there have been several records of the species, starting with observations around Balls Pyramid on 1 March 1971 (Fullagar et al. 1974). In November 1978 it was found breeding on Balls Pyramid above 400 m altitude (Brown 1979). It has subsequently been seen regularly at this site as well as in seas farther away from the Group, including one seen on 21 January 1997, 14 nautical miles north-east of the main Island at 31 o16'S, 159°1 5'E (N.G. Cheshire, NSWBA data). lt breeds on only the steepest slopes of the Group. Records are mainly from October to May (NSWBA data). Most birds seen are of the dark morph, though occasionallight-morph birds are seen (Hutton pers. obs. ). Birds are still occasionally seen flying around Mount Gower during summer, but breeding has not been recorded on the main Island since Roy Bell's initial observations (Hutton 1991). When the species was discovered on Lord Howe Island, there was evidence that it was being eaten by feral Cats. The Kermadec Petrel was probably more common in the Group in the past, and could recover if all introduced predators were eliminated.

Mottled Petrel Pterodroma inexpectata Vagrant. Two records. One found beachcast by John McKean at Blinky Beach in November 1959 (NMV W.5003). One found beachcast by Gary Sefton at the same place on 5 January 1964 (McKean & Hindwood 1965; now AM 0.60324). Although rarely recorded from Lord Howe Island, it may occur regularly. It migrates to the North Pacific from its New Zealand breeding grounds and in some years is recorded in large numbers off eastern Australia on its southern migration (Walbridge & Ashby 1999).

*White-necked Petrel Pterodroma cervicalis Vagrant. Three positive records. The first sighting of this species for the Lord Howe Island Group (as well as for any Australian territory) was between the main Island and Balls Pyramid on 1 March 1971 (McKean 1979; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). A possible sighting by Mike Carter near Gower Island on 1 March 1986 (M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003). Seen by Frank O'Connor on 31 January 1999 (Birding-Aus data). One seen by members of a Birds Queensland tour party near Balls Pyramid in March 2002. This species has colonised Phillip Island off Norfolk Island in the last 15 years, and the birds seen near Lord Howe Island may be prospecting for nesting sites.

Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis Uncommon breeding migrant. McKean & Hindwood (1965) could refer to only a few records of this species from the Group. However, the number of records rapidly increased during the 1960s and breeding was finally confirmed by E.L. Hyem in January 1970 (K.A. Hindwood Papers, ML) ; this population was growing in February 1974 (Rogers 1975). The number of pairs has increased since 1982 when domestic Cats were banned. There were close to 100 pairs in 1990 ~nd several hundred pairs in the 2002-2003 season (Hutton 1991; Hutton pers. obs.). McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 22 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

8. Red-tailed Tropicbird with chick

9. Masked Booby and chick VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 23

10. Immature Masked Booby, Roach Island

11. Lord Howe Woodhen McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 24 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

The Black-winged Petrel breeds on islands in the South-west Pacific, from the Lord Howe Island Group north to New Caledonia, and east to Rapa Island in the Austral Group. Its largest colonies are in the Kermadec Group where over 2 000 000 pairs breed (Heather & Robertson 1996). This species has rapidly increased in both range and population size in the last 40 years, expanding to include both Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. This is a pelagic species but it can be seen flying over land and inshore waters of Lord Howe Island. It is absent from the Group from May to October, when it migrates northwards to the Central Pacific Ocean. It nests in burrows 600 to 1500 em long that are lined with fresh green leaves and leaf-litter (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). In the late 1970s the main colonies were at North Head and above North Bay. At this time many Cat-killed birds were found on the shore near Mutton Bird Point (B. Miller in !itt. 11 October 2003). In the 2002-2003 season the main colonies were from Neds Beach to Clear Place in burrows hidden under bushes on the cliffs (Hutton pers. obs.). Several pairs were also breeding on dunes behind the lagoon and at the top of Middle Beach Road. Other colonies were at the northern end of Blinky Beach, North Head, Scab Point (just east of Boat Harbour Point) and the lower slopes of Erskine Valley. It has also been seen flying over Roach Island and Mount Gower (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). The birds return in October and prepare their nests before leaving on a pre-laying exodus during December. On Lord Howe Island it breeds from January to April, with eggs in January and February. In recent years remains of partially eaten Black-winged Petrels probably killed by Masked Owls have been found at colonies near Mutton Bird Point and Mount Eliza (Hutton pers. obs.).

*tPycroft's Petrel Pterodroma pycrofti Extinct. A small petrel of the subgenus Cookilaria has been fo und as subfossil remains on Lord Howe Island (Bourne 1974; Meredith 1985, 1991). These specimens fi t within the size range of Pycroft's Petrel and have been assumed to be this species, though it is possible that they could refer to an extinct endemic species. Similar-sized remains have also been found on Norfolk Island (Meredith 1985, 1991; Holdaway & Anderson 2001). Pycroft's Petrel is a rare species that breeds on small islands off the North Island of New Zealand and is said to migrate to the North Pacific (Heather & Robertson 1996).

*Gould's Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera Vagrant. Three records. A bird was seen by Glenn Holmes between the main Island and Balls Pyramid on 14 April 1975 (Rogers 1976). One seen by a NSWFOC tour party near Balls Pyramid in early March 1990 (Richards 1990). One found beachcast by Doug Davidson at Neds Beach on 13 April1996 (Morris & Burton 1999). '

Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata Vagrant. Two positive records. One found beachcast by D. Moroney in November 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965; NMV W.5576). One found by F. Davies at Lagoon Beach on 8 September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965; AM 0.40477). A prion brought in dead to Ben Miller some time during the period 1978 to 1980 was believed to be this species (B. Miller pers. comm. ). Early reports of Antarctic Prions on the main Island and the Admiralty Islets (Hull1910) were probably incorrect. VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 25

12. Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur Vagrant. Four records. One collected by an Australian Museum party during August and September 1887 (Etheridge 1889, Hindwood 1940; AM 0.1614). One found beachcast by Ray Shick in July 1975 (Rogers 1976; AM 0.45492). One found beachcast by G. Retmock on 14 September 1978 (AM 0.47056). A live bird, which later died, was found ashore by Hutton on 28 June 2002. Another two were found beachcast by Hutton on 7 July 2002 (these three birds now in AM, unregistered).

*Westland Petrel Procellaria westlandica Vagrant. One record. A bird was seen by Mark Holdsworth between Lord Howe Island and Balls Pyramid on 5 March 2001 (Birds Australia data). Although this species is considered a rarity in Australia, its occurrence at Lord Howe Island is to be expected. It has increased in numbers off New Zealand in recent years (Heather & Robertson 1996).

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus (Plate 2, p. 18; Plate 12, above) Abundant breeding migrant. Although there has been some banding of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Lord Howe Island, there have been no distant recoveries. Locally this species breeds in a burrow or, if the soil is too shallow, in 'tunnels' made in dense grass or vegetation. The breeding season lasts from McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 26 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

September to April, with the eggs laid in late November or December (Hutton pers. obs.; NSWBA data). Of concern is the spread of Kikuyu Grass Pennisetum clandestinum on Lord Howe Island. This grass has rapidly growing stolons that can block the Shearwater burrows during the breeding season and can even cause the death of adult birds when their wings become entangled. According to Island residents, approximately 90% of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters have disappeared from Mutton Bird ~oint since Kikuyu was planted there in 1948. Some bush regeneration is being conducted on Lord Howe Island, but it remains to be seen whether the Kikuyu will be controlled. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater breeds mainly on offshore islets including Blackburn and Roach Islands and Balls Pyramid. Since the removal of Cats in 1982 there has been increased breeding on the main Island beneath Mount Eliza, along the lagoon foreshore near the northern end of the airstrip and at Signal Point.

*Buller's Shearwater Puffinus bulleri Vagrant. Two records. One seen by Glenn Holmes at sea near the Admiralty Islets on 14 April 1975 (Rogers 1976). One seen by Rob Drummond off Balls Pyramid on 28 January 1986 (Cooper 1990).

Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes (Plate 4, p. 19) Abundant breeding migrant. The Flesh-footed Shearwater breeds on Lord Howe Island from September to April, with the eggs laid in late November or early December (Hutton pers. obs.; NSWBA data). Eggs are laid in burrows usually found under palm forest dominated by Kentia Palm. Banding results show that when not breeding Lord Howe Island birds migrate to the North Pacific off the coasts of Japan, Korea and south-eastern Siberia (McKean & Hindwood 1965). The species is also recorded in the North Pacific as far east as the coasts of Alaska and, rarely, California. When breeding, the Flesh-footed Shearwater regularly forages in the inshore waters of mainland NSW. Although this species is still common on Lord Howe Island, this population may be threatened for several reasons: 1. As long ago as 1975 there was some concern that some colonies had been deserted because of the construction of buildings nearby (Holmes in Rogers 1976). As this species breeds only on the flatter areas of the central lowlands of the main Island, human activities are likely to continue to interfere with breeding. 2. As with the Wedge-tailed Shearwater, the spread of Kikuyu Grass could adversely affect the Flesh-footed Shearwater population. According to Island residents there were large colonies of Flesh-footed Shearwaters in an area of palm forest above Middle Beach. This area was cleared over 50 years ago and, although the species continues to breed at this site, there are now only a few dozen pairs present because of the choking of burrows by Kikuyu Grass which is also invading colonies under palm forest near Neds Beach. 3. All North Pacific recoveries of Lord Howe Island Flesh-footed Shearwaters have been from seas off Japan, the Korean Peninsula and south-eastern Siberia - particularly in the Sea of Japan (see the many reports in 'Recovery Round-up' in Australian Bird Bander and Corella). The majority of these birds have died entangled in fishing gear, usually in inshore waters. Although these fisheries kill far fewer seabirds than those on the high seas, the number of seabirds killed in Japanese waters alone must number tens of thousands each year (DeGange & Day 1991, DeGange et al. 1993). As fewer than 20 000 pairs of Flesh-footed VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 27

Shearwaters breed on Lord Howe Island, a significant percentage of this population could be killed in the North Pacific fisheries in any year. 4. During the 1990s there was a significant increase in the domestic tuna longline fishery in the Tasman Sea (Anon. 2002). Studies of the efficiency of measures to reduce seabird bycatch found that a large number of Flesh-footed Shearwaters, perhaps in the thousands, may be killed in the Tasman Sea fishery every summer. 5. Some adult breeding birds pick up plastic floating on the ocean surface and regurgitate this to their chick. The chick's stomach fills with plastic and hence the chick cannot take in sufficient food to develop fat reserves needed for fledging (Hutton pers. obs.). Each year Flesh-footed Shearwater skeletons with plastic enclosed are found in breeding areas. It is unclear at this stage whether ingesting plastic affects adult birds.

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus gTiseus Vagrant. Two records. One found beachcast by Doug Gibson on 8 November 1964 (McKean & Hindwood 1965; AM 0 .58828). Three seen by Dion Hobcroft off Balls Pyramid on 9 and 10 October 1999 (Morris 2002).

*Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris Vagrant. Four sets of records. Four birds found beachcast by Alan Rogers in December 1968, two on Kings Beach, one on Salmon Beach and one at Old Gulch (A. Rogers in !itt. 19 April 2003). Remains were sent by Alan Rogers to Keith Hindwood who confirmed the identification (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One found beachcast by Peter Fullagar in January 1972 (ANWC 21635). At least 30 seen by Dion Hobcroft off Balls Pyramid on 9 October 1999 and 100+ birds seen the following day (Morris 2002). Seen between Balls Pyramid and the main Island by Adam Bester on 22 September 2001 (Birds Australia data).

*Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia Vagrant. Two records. One seen by Glenn Holmes, Mike Carter and John Izzard between the main Island and Balls Pyramid on 3 March 1986 (Cooper 1990; M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003). Seen by June Harris in February-March 1995 (NSWBA data).

*Hutton's Shearwater Puffinus huttoni Vagrant. Two records. One seen by Glenn Holmes, Mike Carter and John Izzard between Balls Pyramid and the main Island on 3 March 1986 (M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003). One seen by Dion Hobcr·oft near Balls Pyramid on 9 and 10 October 1999 (Morris 2002).

Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis (Plate 13, p. 28) Common breeding migrant. In the early 20th century the Little Shearwater still bred on the main Island (Hindwood 1940); however, in the 1971 ornithological surveys the species was found breeding only on Roach Island (Fullagar et al. 1974). At this time there were about 4000 breeding pairs. It began to recolonise the main Island in the late 1980s, evidently in response to the removal of the feral and domestic Cats (Hutton 1991, Priddel et al. 2003), and between 30 and 50 pairs now nest there. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 28 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

13. Little Shearwater

This species is widespread in subtropical and subantarctic waters of the Southern Hemisphere and in the North Atlantic. Holdaway et al. (2001) suggested that several of the subspecies of the Little Shearwater should be separated as distinct species, though there was no indication what the taxonomic status of the populations from the Lord Howe Island Group would be. The Little Shearwater has been seen near Lord Howe Island in all months, but is usually absent during summer (Hutton 1991). It is not known how far this species disperses from its breeding colonies as there has been little banding. In most years rafts of Little Shearwaters can be seen off the Admiralty Islets in autumn before breeding (Hutton pers. obs.). On Lord Howe Island the Little Shearwater usually lays its eggs in July, though eggs have occasionally been found as late as September (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data; AM 0 .57311).

Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans Vagrant. Five positive records. One found beachcast on Blinky Beach in September 1935 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). Seen by Alan McBride on 26 and 27 May 1985 as the observer was approaching Lord Howe Island by sea (A McBride in !itt. to E. Hoskin, K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). One seen by Dion Hobcroft 6 nautical miles east of Mount Gower on 9 October 1999 (Morris 2002). One seen by Murray Lord from Blinky Beach on 30 October 1999 (Morris 2002). Seen between Balls Pyramid and the main Island by Adam Bester on 22 September 2001 (Birds Australia data).

*Biack-browed Albatross Diomedea melanoph1is Vagrant. Three sets of records. Seen by Alan McBride on 26 and 27 May VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 29

1985 as the observer was approaching Lord Howe Island by sea (A. McBride in !itt. to E. Hoskin, K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). An immature bird was seen by Dion Hobcroft near Balls Pyramid on 10 October 1999, and possibly the same bird was seen by Murray Lord at the same place on 27 October 1999 (Morris 2002). Seen between Balls Pyramid and the main Island by Adam Bester on 22 September 2001 (Birds Austral ia data).

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Vagrant. One record. One seen by a Birds Queensland tour party near Balls Pyramid in March 2002 (in !itt. to Hutton).

*White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina ssp. Status unknown. Excavations of deposits of subfossil bones on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands in the 1970s revealed that a species attributable to the White­ faced Storm-Petrel was present before the arrival of Europeans (Fullagar et al. 1974; Meredith 1985, 1991). These bones could refer to Pm. albiclunis, at present known to breed only at the Kermadec Group. Holdaway et al. (2001) suggested that this form should be separated as a species in its own right. There are two recent records from near the Lord Howe Island Group, one of which is undoubtedly of the Kermadec form. One was seen at sea between Lord Howe Island and Balls Pyramid on 1 March 1995 by Reg Clark (NSWBA data; R. Clark pers. comm.). Clark observed the bird for at least four minutes, and saw the diagnostic white rump of the Kermadec form. The bird was last seen flying towards Balls Pyramid. The second was seen by Neil Cheshire, on 21 January 1997 14 nautical miles north-east of Lord Howe Island at 31 o16'S, 159°15'E (Bourne 1998; NSWBA data; N.G. Cheshire in !itt. ), but no detailed notes were taken. The White-faced Storm-Petrel may still breed in the Lord Howe Island Group.

White-bellied Storm-Petrel Fregetta grallaria (Plate 5, p. 19) Uncommon breeding migrant. McKean & Hindwood (1965) could refer to only three observations in the period 1914 to 1965. The next record was on 14 May 1970when a bird was found in a 'fowl yard' by Dean Retmock and released at the beach the following day (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). The species was finally found breeding on Roach Island in March 1971, when about 1000 breeding pairs were present (Peter Fullagar, John McKean and Gerry van Tets in Rogers 1972). The White-bellied Storm-Petrel builds a nest of grasses at the end of a shallow burrow, often with a right-angle bend. Eggs are laid from January to March (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data) and downy young have been seen as late as May (Hindwood 1940). lt is usually present at the Lord Howe Island Group from September to May, with birds found in nest-burrows on Roach Island from October to May (NSWBA data; Hutton pers. obs.), though a beachcast bird was found by Janis and Tim Hosking in July 1992 (NSWBA data). At present the White-bellied Storm-Petrel breeds only on the offshore islands. However, the species is known from subfossil deposits on the main Island. Around 1914, Roy Bell found remains of this species, evidently killed by feral Cats, on Mount Gower (Hindwood 1940). In addition, Robert Baxter wrote to Keith Hindwood in April 1941 noting that 'It is quite definite that the storm petrels nest on the cliffs along the lowlands for one of the lads when ratting smoked McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 30 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY what he thought was a rat burrow but from which flew a petrel. There was no egg in the nest only one bird' (K.A Hindwood papers, ML). Although there is the possibility that this record could be of a White-faced Storm-Petrel, it is likely that the bird was one of the last White-bellied Storm-Petrels breeding on the main Island. Cats have now been removed from the main Island, but the White­ bellied Storm-Petrel may not have been able to recolonise because of the presence of Black Rats and Masked Owls.

Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda (Plate 1, cover; Plate 8, p. 22) Common breeding migrant. The Red-tailed Tropicbird breeds mainly on the northern cliffs of the main Island, though significant numbers also breed on cliffs on the southern mountains, the Admiralty Islets and Balls Pyramid. In 1974 there were about 300 pairs breeding on the Group, but there are now believed to be between 500 and 1000 pairs (Hutton pers. obs.; Bruce Thompson pers. comm.). This change in status is likely to be because of the removal of Cats which preyed upon Red-tailed Tropicbirds (B. Miller in !itt. 11 October 2003). Although the Lord Howe Red-tailed Tropicbird population is not great, it is one of the largest known breeding populations of the species in the south-west Pacific (see James 2001). Most birds lay eggs from November to February, but dependent young have been seen as late as June and July (B.R. Curtis, J. & T. Hosking, NSWBA data). It has been reported year-round from the Group, but only a few birds are present from July to September (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data).

White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Vagrant. Seven records. One 'obtained' by D. Love in May 1890 (North 1898). One seen by Mrs E. Foster between the main Island and the Admiralty Islets in March 1926 (Kinghorn 1928; record overlooked by Hindwood 1940). Seen by members of HBOC tour party in February 1978 (NSWBA data). One seen by Alan McBride on 26 May 1985 less than 100 km west of Lord Howe Island as the observer was approaching the Group by sea (A McBride in litt. to E. Hoskin, K.A Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). One seen by John Blyth on 19 April1989 (J. Blyth pers. comm.). One seen by Alan Foster and John McLennan over the main settlement in February 1997 (Morris 2000); presumably the same bird was also seen by Antoney Fabbrio in the same month (A Fabbrio pers. comm.). Up to two birds seen by Bruce Ford, Tom Fletcher and John Carpenter at North Bay and Old Gulch from 26 February 2003 to 22 March 2003 (LHIM cards).

Australasian Gannet Morus sen·ator Rare regular visitor. One or two birds seen by an Australian Museum party at the lagoon during August-September 1887 (Etheridge 1889). One specimen collected by R.M. Baxter and registered in the · Australian Museum on 25 September 1922 (AM 0 .27346). One seen by Max Nicholls in June 1944 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). One seen offshore and one found dead at Old Settlement Beach by John McKean in September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Seen by Norman Chaffer in January 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). Seen by Neil Rankin in May 1974 (NSWBA data). One seen in August 1990 (Hutton pers. obs.). During the 1990s there have been at least nine further records, and the species is seen in most years. Although most accounts consider the Australasian Gannet a vagrant or rare visitor to Lord Howe Island, there is little doubt that it is a regular visitor as VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 31 suggested by McKean & Hindwood (1965). Most juveniles leave New Zealand and spend two years in Australian waters before returning (Wodzicki & Stein 1958).

Masked Booby Sula dactylatra tasmani (Plates 9-10, pp. 22-23) Common breeding resident. Although the Masked Booby is a widespread species that breeds on islands in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, the form found on Lord Howe Island, S.d. tasmani, is a large dark-eyed subspecies that breeds only on the Lord Howe, Norfolk and Kermadec Island Groups. The subspecies was described scientifically from subfossil material but was later found to be identical with birds present on these Groups today (van Tets et al. 1988, Holdaway & Anderson 2001). Yellow-eyed birds have occasionally been reported from the Lord Howe and Norfolk Island Groups, but such records are rare (L. Smith & H. McCoy pers. comm.). Banding studies have shown that the dark­ eyed subspecies migrates northwards when not breeding to New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Coral Sea and occasionally as far as Tonga. Birds banded on Lord Howe Island have also been recovered from near the eastern Australian coast. The Masked Booby is found on Lord Howe Island throughout the year and breeds on the main Island at Mutton Bird Point and King Point, as well as on the Admiralty Islets, Balls Pyramid and most of the offshore isl ets. The breeding season is protracted: the majority of eggs are laid from June to July, but some as late as November (McKean & Hindwood 1965; Hutton pers. obs.; NSWBA data). Chicks have been seen at least as late as March (Fullagar et al. 1974). These are the most southerly breeding colonies of the Masked Booby in the world.

*Red-footed Booby Sula sula Vagrant. One record. An adult, dead at least six weeks, was found on Roach Island by Peter Fullagar and John Disney on 25 February 1974 (Rogers 1975; AM 0.44948).

*Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Vagrant. Four records. One seen by John Foster on 27 February 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML; note this record was listed with no detail in Fullagar et al. 1974). One seen by Margaret Cameron at Balls Pyramid in February 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). One seen by Alan McBride on 26 May 1985 less than 100 km west of Lord Howe Island as the observer was approaching the Group by sea (A. McBride in litt. to E. Hoskin, K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). One seen by Glenn Holmes, Mike Carter and John Izzard near Gower Island on 3 March 1986 (M.J. Carter & G. Holmes in litt. April 2003).

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Vagrant. At least seven sets of records. One specimen, collected by an unknown person, was registered into the Australian Museum collection in May 1888 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0 .2303). Up to 11 were seen by E.L. Hyem and Max Nicholls from November 1952 to January 1953 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). At least 40 seen by Henry Williamson and Charles Bryant in March and April 1957 (McKean & Hindwood 1965; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by John McKean in November and December 1959 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Four birds seen at Old Settlement Beach by Glenn Holmes on 5 and 6 April 1974, including one dead bird. Another dead bird was found by Holmes the following day at Neds Beach and one was seen at the airstrip pond on 8 April 1974 McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 32 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

(G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Twenty-two were seen by Peter Fullagar at the same place on 24 May 1975 (Rogers 1976). Seen by John Waugh in November 1975 (NSWBA data). Four seen by Fullagar on the airstrip pond on 4 December 1975 and off Signal Point on 3 December 1975 (Rogers 1976). Seen several times in 1977, including a maximum of nine birds seen by P. Poulton in April (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Seen by members of HBOC tour party in February 1978 (NSWBA data). Seven birds were seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (Lindsey 1979). Single birds were seen by Norma Maxwell in August 1978 (Lindsey 1979). These records from 1975-1978 all probably refer to the same individuals. Seen by Alan McBride in May 1985 (K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). One bird seen by Bruce Knight at Soldiers Creek in late August 1985 (Cooper 1989). Apart from noting a specimen collected in 1887 (AM 0.2303), and a sighting of 40 birds in April 1957, Hindwood did not give details of any records of this species (Hindwood 1940, McKean & Hindwood 1965). He initially considered the Little Pied Cormorant to be a 'straggler' but later decided it was a regular visitor. However, there are few records of this species in Hindwood's papers or since 1964, and it should only be considered a vagrant. The spread of records of the Little Pied Cormorant indicates that small flocks occasionally reach the Lord Howe Island Group and then stay for considerable periods.

*Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius Vagrant. Two records. Two birds were seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (Lindsey 1979). Seen by D.N. McDonald in early April 2001 (Birds Australia data). This species was also recorded for the Group in the second edition of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union Checklist (RAOU 1926), though Hindwood (1940) could find no basis for the record.

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Vagrant. At least 13 records. Recorded as an occasional visitor to the Group by Hull (1910). Seen by Michael Sharland in 1928 (Sharland 1929). McKean & Hindwood (1965) wrote that the species had been seen three times in the preceding 15 years, but gave no details. One of the records concerned was a bird found dead by Max Nicholls in December 1952 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen at Old Settlement Beach by Glenn Holmes on 6 April1975, with another bird at North Bay the same day. One at Signal Point the following day and four at Old Settlement Beach on 13 April 1975 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Eight seen by Peter Fullagar on the airstrip pond on 24 May 1975 (Rogers 1976). Ten seen by Margaret Cameron near the Old Settlement in February 1977, and single birds seen three times by P. Poulton in April1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Seen by members of HBOC tour party in February 1978 (NSWBA data). Two birds seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (Lindsey 1979). At least two were seen by Norma Maxwell in August 1978 (Lindsey 1979). Seen several times from August to October 2001 by Adam Bester (Birds Australia data). Around six seen by Bruce and Joanne Foster on Moseley Park Swamp on 12 and 13 February 2002 (NSWBA data; B. Foster in !itt. 6 April2003). A small number of birds was present at the Group from February 2002 until the end of October 2003.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Rare regular visitor. At least two seen by E.L. Hyem in November and December 1952, 30 seen by Max Nicholls in January 1953, several seen by VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 33

D.G. Morgan in December 1955, two seen by L.W. O'Connor and John McKean in November 1959, and one seen by TW. Pescott in March 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Seen by John Waugh in early November 1975 (NSWBA data). Seen several times in 1977, including a maximum of 40 in the lagoon and a few at Balls Pyramid in February (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Seen by members of HBOC tour party in February 1978 (NSWBA data). At least four seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (Lindsey 1979). Seen by Norma Maxwell in July-August 1978 (Lindsey 1979). Seen by Alan McBride in May 1985 (K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). The Great Cormorant has been recorded many times since 1990, and is seen in most years. Although Hutton (1991) classed the Great Cormorant as only a rare visitor to Lord Howe Island, the records show that it is now a regular visitor. It breeds in both mainland NSW and New Zealand and does not undertake any regular migration. However, there is some long-distance dispersal and it has been noted moving in both directions across the Tasman Sea. A bird banded in New Zealand was recovered on Lord Howe Island, and a bird banded at Menindee, in mainland NSW, was found in New Zealand (Anon. 1983, Heather & Robertson 1996). It has also been recorded on Norfolk Island, as well as in the mid Tasman Sea (Sibson 1978, 1979; Moore 1999). This suggests that it may often fly between Australia and New Zealand. Records from Lord Howe Island are mainly in the warmer months, but there are late winter records from 1978 and 2001 (Lindsey 1979; Hutton pers.obs.; M. Burgmann, NSWBA data).

Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel Vagrant. One positive record. Etheridge (1889) recorded that the species was a possible vagrant to the Group. E.H. Saunders supposedly collected a clutch of eggs of this species on Lord Howe Island in November 1887 (AM 0.26031) but it is likely that this was coll ected elsewhere. One male bird was collected by Roy Bell on 11 February 1915 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 729599). Unidentified frigatebirds seen by P. Poulton at Malabar and Roach Island in April1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978) and by Ben Miller off Old Gulch during cyclonic conditions between 1978 and 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.) were probably this species.

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae Rare breeding resident. The White-faced Heron was thought to be an irregular visitor to the Group until breeding was confirmed in November 1938 (Hindwood 1940). However, the presence of five birds in November 1907 suggests that the species may have already been breeding on the Group (Hull 1910). The colonisation of Lord Howe Island by this species was probably possible only with the clearing of the lowlands for agriculture. It also colonised New Zealand at much the same time (Heather & Robertson 1996). Sightings are regularly made on Norfolk Island, but breeding has not yet been reported (Moore 1999). There are few breeding records from Lord Howe Island, but nests have been found near the airstrip (Hutton pers. obs.). The Heron population may have declined because of a reduction in agriculture on the Group since the 1950s, with most food for humans now being brought from the mainland (Hutton 1991), but the species is still regularly seen, including at Roach Island and Balls Pyramid (Hutton pers. obs.). It forages in grassy areas and on rocky seashores and seagrass beds at low tide. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 34 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

*Little Egret Egretta garzetta Vagrant. Two records. One was seen at the airstrip by Doug Davidson on 12 April 1996 (Morris & Burton 1999). Seen by Ros Laundon in late October and early November 1998 (Birds Australia data).

*Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra Vagrant. One record. Seen by unknown persons during October 1991 (Andrew & Eades 1992). This species has also been recorded breeding on Middleton Reef (see Appendix 3).

Great Egret Ardea alba Vagrant. Five positive sets of records. Two egrets, possibly this species, seen by Max Nicholls in the 1930s (Hindwood 1940). Two birds seen by Nicholls in December 1952 and January 1953 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Two seen in winter 1961 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Terry Clark on 19 May 1970 (Dean Retmock in !itt. to K. Hindwood, K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Glenn Holmes at the airstrip on 12 April 1975, and near Salmon Beach on 18 April 1975 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Presumably the same bird was seen the following month by Peter Full agar (Rogers 1976). Seen by Trevor Cowie in late October 2002 (Birds Australia data). Presumably the same bird was seen by Hutton at Old Settlement Beach on 19 November 2002 and at North Bay on 10 December 2002. One seen from 2 March 2003 until 11 September 2003 at localities including North Bay, Neds Beach and South Reef (Hutton pers. obs.; N. McKilligan & M. Blunt, LHIM cards). There are several other early records of 'egrets' in Keith Hindwood's files, but few can be identified.

*Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Vagrant. Two records. One seen by Ben Miller on rocks near the main Island from 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One in breeding plumage seen by John Goldie from 26 to 28 November 1999 (Morris 2002; Birds Australia data).

*Cattle Egret Ardea ibis Rare regular visitor. Three seen by Glenn Holmes near Pine trees on 19 April 1975 (Rogers 1976). Up to 14 birds were seen with cattle near the airstrip by P. Poulton in April 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). One seen by M. Price near the airstrip in November 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Ten birds were seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (Lindsey 1979). Seen by Alan McBride in May 1985 (K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). Nineteen seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 12 April 1987. Thirty-four seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 23 April 1988. The Cattle Egret has been recorded at least eight times since 1990 and probably occurs every year. Since the first record in 1975, this species has become a regular visitor to Lord Howe Island, though in low numbers. The species makes a regular winter migration from Australia to New Zealand (Maddock 1990). As the first record of the species in New Zealand was in the early 1960s, it may have visited Lord Howe Island much earlier (Turbott et al. 1963). Thousands of Cattle Egrets have migrated from Australia to New Zealand over the decades, so it seems that Lord Howe Island is not a major stopping point and most birds fly direct to New Zealand (Maddock & Bridgman 1992). Most observations on Lord Howe Island are in VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 35

autumn and spring, though occasionally birds overwinter. Records of the Cattle Egret in autumn are of birds in non-breeding plumage, whereas those in spring are in breeding plumage (Hutton pers. obs.).

Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Vagrant. Two positive records. Recorded for the Group without details by Ramsay (1882). One seen by Michael Sharland at Old Settlement Beach in December 1928 (Sharland 1929). One seen by Glenn Holmes, Mike Carter and John Izzard in mangroves at the mouth of Soldiers Creek in February and March 1986 (G. Holmes & M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003).

Little Bittern Ixob1ychus minutus Vagrant. Three positive records. Recorded for Lord Howe Island by Ramsay (1882), but no further details were given. One found exhausted by Ray Shick on 1 October 1960 subsequently died (Hindwood 1961, McKean & Hindwood 1965; AM 0.39841). Shick told Hindwood that he had captured a Little Bittern on the Group about 1940. One found alive at Moseley Park Swamp in autumn 1980, later found dead by Micke Nichols (G. Fraser in !itt. 30 October 2003).

Australasian Bittern Botaunts poiciloptilus Vagrant. One positive record. Apart from MacGillivray's possible record (see Some additional historical information, p. 11), one specimen was purchased by the Australian Museum from E.H. Saunders in August 1888 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0 .2396). Saunders was present on Lord Howe Island in late 1887.

*Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Vagrant. One record. One seen by Island residents in May 1975 (P. Fullagar in Rogers 1976).

*Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca Vagrant. One record. One seen by Tony Dymond at Moseley Park Swamp on 28 September 1991 (Morris & Burton 1993).

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Vagrant. Two sets of records. One seen by R.E. Baxter for a few days in February 1952 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Doug Gibson in January 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). This bird was evidently present for some time. It was seen in February, April and July 1971, throughout 1972, until at least June 1973 (Peter Fullagar, John McKean and Gerry van Tets in Rogers 1972; Rogers 1973, 1974; Alan Morris, NSWBA data).

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Vagrant. Four records. One collected by 'Mr. Nicholls' in September 1891 (North 1892, Hindwood 1940; AM 0.4364). One seen by Graham Pizzey in August 1957 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One found dead by Ray Shick on 6 June 1975 had been present on the Group for some months (Rogers 1976; AM 0.45253). One seen by John Blyth at Moseley Park Swamp in March 1992 (J. Blyth pers. comm.). McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 36 HUlTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes Vagrant. One record. Seven birds were found by J. Vodrazka on 19 March 1957 and seen the following month by Robert Baxter and Charles Bryant (McKean & Hindwood 1965).

*Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Vagrant. One record. One seen by Jack Shick at Lovers Bay near the golf course on 2 September 2001 (J. Shick pers. comm.).

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans Vagrant. Hindwood (1940) considered this species a regular visitor, as have most later authors (e.g. Fullagaretal. 1974, Hutton 1991). However, since McKean & Hindwood (1965) recorded only two observations for the period 1950 to 1965 and there have been few observations since, it would be better to consider the Swamp Harrier a vagrant. One seen by Bruce Knight at Malabar on 19 October 1974 (Rogers 1975). Seen by Ben Miller some time during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One seen by Glenn Holmes at Blinky Beach on 7 March 1988 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Two birds present on the Group from 10 April 1989 until at least 8 November 1989 were seen mostly on the main Island, but also on Blackburn and Roach Islands (Hutton pers. obs.). One seen by Hutton over Moseley Park Swamp on 8 April 1990. One seen by Stephen Mungford in May 1995 (Birding-Aus data). One seen by Doug Davidson and Julian Bielewicz at Blackburn Island in April 1996 (Morris & Burton 1999; Birding-Aus data). Seen by Clive Wilson in July 1999 (NSWBA data).

*Brown Falcon Falco berigora Vagrant. One record. One seen by Alan McBride on 29 May 1985 (Anon. 1985b; A. McBride in !itt. to E. Hoskin).

Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides Rare breeding resident. The Nankeen Kestrel originally occurred only in Australia, the Moluccas, Lesser Sundas and . Since the 1940s it has colonised Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and . The first record on Lord Howe Island was in 1944 when at least two birds were seen by Max Nicholls on Mount Eliza (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). Five birds were present in April 1944, but probably did not become established as there were few sightings over the next two decades. Seen by John Cunningham in August 1949 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). One seen by John McKean in September 1956 (McKean 1957). Seen by McKean in November and December 1959 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by Doug Gibson in November 1964 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by Norman Chaffer and Gary Sefton in January and February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Since 1967 most observers have recorded the species. The Nankeen Kestrel apparently nests in spring on Lord Howe Island, probably on cliff ledges, though no details of any nest have ever been published for the Group (Hutton 1991). It is unlikely to increase greatly in numbers on Lord Howe Island because of the limited habitat.

Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis Uncommon breeding resident. Although the Buff-banded Rail is said to have VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 37

14. Lord Howe Woodhen chick been introduced to the main Island around 1880 (Etheridge 1889, Hull 1910, Hindwood 1940), there is no reason to believe that this widespread and highly dispersive species could not have found its own way there. The first positive record for Lord Howe Island is a specimen purchased by the Australian Museum in June 1898. Two chicks were collected in 1903, which indicates that there was a breeding population at this time. Records were erratic after this date, with only three records in the next 70 years. This apparent decline could reflect the introduction of the Black Rat in 1918 or other predators. The first recent record of the species was in July 1975, when a bird was found injured and sent to Taronga Zoological Park in Sydney (Ray Shick in Rogers 1976). In the spring of 1980 a Buff-banded Rail was caught near Soldiers Creek, and by 1983 they were breeding at a swamp near Kings Beach (G. Fraser in !itt. 30 October 2003). Since the 1980s there has been a steady increase in records and, given the lack of records before then, it appears that the Group was recolonised. Chicks have been observed from September to May, though eggs may be laid in August (Hutton pers. obs.; NSWBA data). This species builds a well-hidden nest of grasses and sedges woven into a cup. Since the removal of the Cat, the Buff-banded Rail has colonised all settled areas and can be locally conspicuous. It is not known if there is any competition for food, nest-sites or shelter between the Buff-banded Rail and the Lord Howe Woodhen.

Lord Howe Woodhen Gallirallus sylvestris (Plate 11, p. 23; Plate 14, above) Uncommon breeding resident. The recovery of the Lord Howe Woodhen is a well-known conservation success story. In the early 1970s an intensive survey found that the species was close to extinction and was restricted to the highest parts of Mount Gower (Rogers 1972, Disney 1974). Studies from 1978 to 1980 found that its greatest threat was the feral Pig population (Miller & Mullette 1985). A Pig eradication program began in 1979. It was estim ated there were McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 38 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

only about 20 birds left, so it was decided to carry out a captive-breeding program. The feral Cat and Masked Owl were also identified as significant threats to the Lord Howe Woodhen, and control of these species was also undertaken. The first young from the captive-breeding program were released at sites in the south of the main Island. Later releases included sites near the settled areas. In 1984 at the end of the captive-breeding phase, there were about 200 birds, a ten-fold increase on -the estimated number a decade earlier (Miller & Mullette 1985) and near the carrying capacity estimated by Brooke et al. (1997). In stark contrast to the situation in 1971, the Lord Howe Woodhen is now a familiar feature of the lowlands, foraging in gardens, forest and open areas.

*Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla Vagrant. Four records. One bird was collected by Ray Shick on 25 August 1972 (Rogers 1973; AM 0.44313). One found dead on a northern beach in 1979 and seen later by G. Fraser (in litt. 30 October 2003). Three birds resident at the creek at Old Settlement Bridge from November 1990 to January 1991 (Hutton pers. obs.). One bird was seen by Martin Blunt at Old Settlement Creek on 19 June 2003, and probably the same bird was seen by Hutton on 13 October 2003 (Hutton pers. obs.; M. Blunt, LHIM card).

Purple Swamphen P01phyrio porphyria Rare breeding resident. Both McKean & Hindwood (1965) and Fullagar et al. (1974) considered the Purple Swamphen to be an irregular visitor to Lord Howe Island. It has bred on the main Island since 1986. Records from 1965 to 1986: One seen by Dean Retmock on 4 April 1969 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by John Waugh in April1978 (NSWBA data). One brought in dead to Ben Miller some time during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One seen by Bruce Knight near Soldiers Creek in August­ September 1985 reportedly arrived during May 1985 following strong south to south-east winds (Cooper 1989). Breeding was reported in August 1986 and the population has steadily grown to about 50 birds (Hutton 1991; Hutton pers. obs.) which are mostly found around the golf course, the airstrip and behind Pinetrees and Old Settlement Beach. This species has colonised both Norfolk Island and New Zealand, where it is absent from the pre-human record (Holdaway et al. 2001). It may be that it was at first unable to occupy Lord Howe Island as there was little suitable habitat. Following clearing of the land, hunting by feral Cats may have prevented colonisation until the Cats were removed in the 1980s. It prefers to forage on roots and leaves as well as invertebrates, and is most commonly found in open areas such as paddocks and swamps. This species builds a platform nest in tall grasses or rushes near water. On Lord Howe Island, breeding has been recorded from August to as late as April (Hutton 1991; Birds Australia Nest Record Scheme data). The Purple Swamphen could compete with the endemic Lord Howe Woodhen, but at this stage both appear to be flourishing and using largely different habitats (Hutton pers. obs.). tWhite Gallinule Porphyria albus Extinct endemic species. This species was first seen in March 1788 when the Group was discovered (Hindwood 1940). The last record was in May 1788 when VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 39 it was recorded on the second visit to the Group. Extinction occurred between 1788 and the visit of John MacGillivray in September 1853, probably from hunting pressure. Nothing is known of its habits or breeding. There are two surviving specimens: one in the Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria, and the other in the Liverpool Museum, UK (von Pelzeln 1873, Fisher 2002).

*Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Vagrant. Two records. One bird seen by Glenn Holmes at Moseley Park Swamp, 9 April1975 (Rogers 1976). Seen by Diana Lade in April1987 (NSWBA data).

*Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Vagrant. Four sets of records. Two birds seen by Glenn Holmes at Moseley Park Swamp on 9 April1975; four birds seen by Peter Fullagar at the same place on 24 May 1975 probably involved the same birds (Rogers 1976). One seen by E.J. Harpley in June-July 1991 (NSWBA data). One seen at the golf course in March 1999 (Hutton pers. obs.). One seen by Noel Linehan and Hutton behind Old Settlement Beach from 9 to 25 November 2002 (N. Linehan in !itt. to Hutton).

Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. A specimen was collected by L. Waterhouse in spring 1903 (North 1904b ). Two seen by Norman Fearn ley in December 1956 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by John McKean on 10 December 1959 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by D.M. Walker in February 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Up to five birds were seen by McKean in November 1962 and several more in September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Two seen by Norman Chaffer in January 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Doug Gibson in January 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Five seen by Terry Lindsey at Moseley Park Swamp on 28 November 1971 (Rogers 1972). Seen by Neil Rankin in May 1974 (NSWBA data). Seen several times by Ben Miller at the Old Settlement during the period 1978 to 1980. A few observations of single birds by Kevin Mills in November 1986 (Cooper 1990; NSWBA data). Up to three birds seen by Glenn Holmes at Moseley Park Swamp, Pinetrees and Middle Beach on 6 and 7 March 1988 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Up to two birds seen by Holmes at Moseley Park Swamp from 5 to 9 March 1989 (G. Holmes in !itt.). Since 1990 Latham's Snipe has been recorded at least nine times, and it is probably present in the warmer months of most years.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Vagrant. Five records. One seen by Doug Gibson at Old Settlement Beach on 19 November 1964 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by John Disney and Courtney Smithers at Moseley Park on 18 November 1969 (Disney & Smithers 1972). One seen by Bruce Knight behind Old Settlement Beach on 17 and 21 October 1974 (Rogers 1975). Seen by members of joint NSWFOC/CBOC tour party at the airstrip in February 1985 (Tyler 1985). One seen by Hutton at Moseley Park Swamp from 19 to 31 October 1990.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Uncommon regular visitor. The Bar-tailed Godwit is a summer migrant to Lord Howe Island in small numbers. It sometimes overwinters on Lord Howe McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 40 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Island and has been recorded in all months; however, most birds are seen between September and April (Hutton 1991). The largest numbers occur in March when birds are returning northward from as far south as New Zealand.

*Little Curlew Numenius minutus Vagrant. Seven records. One collected by Ben Mill er at the airstrip on 26 December 1978 (AM 0 .53661). One seen by P. Mitchell and D. & A Magarry on 4 November 1984 (Lindsey 1986). Seen by members of NSWFOC/CBOC tour party in February 1985, possibly the same bird as the previous record (Tyler 1985). One seen by Glenn Holmes on Blackburn Island on 8 March 1989 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Probably the same bird was seen by Holmes the fo ll owing d ay near Blinky Beach. Seen by me mbers of a Queensland Ornithological Society tour party on 14 March 1993 (Morris & Burton 1995). One seen by Hutton at North Bay and at the airstrip in January 2001. Two seen by Tom Fletcher at Old Gulch on 11 March 2003 (LHIM card).

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Rare regular visitor. The Whimbrel is a summer migrant to Lord Howe Island in small numbers. Although the greatest numbers are seen from September to April, birds commonly overwinter (Hutton 1991). It often roosts on Blackburn Isl and at night (Hutton 1991). One seen by Glenn Holmes at Balls Pyramid on 11 April 1975 (Rogers 1976).

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. One specimen collected by John MacGillivray on 8 September 1853 and another in 1889 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0.3214). One seen by Michael Sharland in December 1928 (Sharland 1929). McKean & Hindwood (1965) recorded three sightings between 1950 and 1965, but gave no details. These records included birds seen by Henry Williamson in March and April 1957 and by John McKean in November and December 1959 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by Norman Chaffer in January-February 1967 and in January 1968 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). Seen by Doug Gibson in January 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by Molly Crawford in February 1983 (Crawford 1983). Seen by Hutton on the airstrip on 22 November 1988. Since 1990 there have been at least 12 records, and the Eastern Curlew can be expected in most years.

*Marsh Sandpiper Ihnga stagnatilis Vagrant. Four records. One seen and photographed by P. Poulton at North Bay on 18 April1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). One seen by John Blyth at Moseley Park Swamp in December 1992 (J. Blyth pers. comm.). One seen by Kevin Mills on the airstrip in December 1993 (Morris & Burton 1995). Seen by Chris Lester in February 1998 (Lester 1998).

Common Greenshank Ii'inga nebularia Vagrant. 13 records. One seen by D. Morony, G. Setford and John McKean at Old Settlement Beach in November 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by John Disney and Courtney Smithers on 18 November 1969 (Disney & Smithers 1972). At least two seen by Kevin Mills, Warren Sweeney and Jeff Hardy in November 1986 Anon. 1987, Coo er 1990· NSWBA data . Seen b Barbara VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 41

Howie in March 1987 (NSWBA data). Up to two seen by Hutton and Glenn Holmes at Moseley Park Swamp from 24 December 1988 to 11 March 1989 and also occasionally at Old Settlement Beach and North Bay in the same period (Hutton pers. obs.; G. Holmes in !itt. April2003). One seen by Hutton at Moseley Park Swamp in late October 1990. One seen by Mark Eldridge at this swamp on 5 February 1992 (NSWBA data; M. Eldridge pers. comm.). One seen by an Island resident at Moseley Park Swamp in July 1992 (NSWBA data; T Hosking pers. comm.). Seen by Peter Ewin in November 1992 (NSW NPWS data). Seen by Chris Lester in February 1998 (Lester 1998). Seen by W.E. Scannell and E.D. Scannell in January 1999 (Birds Australia data). One seen by John Carpenter at Old Settlement Beach from 5 to 15 March 2003 (LHIM card). One seen at Moseley Park Swamp on 13 December 2003 (Hutton pers. obs.).

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Vagrant. Five records. One seen by L.W. O'Connor and John McKean at Old Settlement Beach in November and December 1959 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Norman Chaffer in February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). A female was found dead by Ray Shick during 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978; AM 0.46470). One seen by Kevin Mills near Old Settlement Beach Creek in November 1986 (Cooper 1990; NSWBA data). One seen by Tony Dymond at Moseley Park Swamp in September 1991 (Morris & Burton 1993).

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Vagrant. Nine positive records. A specimen in the Australian Museum that was registered in August 1926 was supposedly collected in the Admiralty Islets (AM 0.31842); however, it is part of the Robert Grant collection which is infamous for erroneous locality details and it should not be considered a va li d record. One seen by L.W. O'Connor and John McKean at Old Settlement Beach in November and December 1959 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Possibly the same bird was seen by D.M. Walker in February 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by McKean at Old Settlement Beach on 23 November 1962 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Norman Chaffer in January and February 1968 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). One seen by Terry Lindsey at Old Gulch, 27 and 29 November 1971 (Rogers 1972). One seen by Ray Swaby, A Griffin and F. Foster, at Johnsons Beach, 29 November 1973 (Rogers 1974). Seen by Barbara Howie in March 1987 (NSWBA data). Seen by J. Denning and J. Hall in November 1993 (NSWBA data). Two seen by Bruce and Joanne Foster at Hunter Bay on 11 February 2002 (NSWBA data; B. Foster in !itt. 6 April 2003).

Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes (Plate 18, p. 58) Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. Two specimens co llected by E.H. Saunders in November 1887 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0 .2421 and 0.2422). Two seen by D.M. Walker at Old Settlement Beach in February 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by John McKean at Old Settlement Beach on 25 November 1962 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Four seen by D. Lamm at the same place on 5 September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). About six birds seen by Alan Rogers in late December 1968 and early January 1969 (A Rogers in !itt.). Seen by Doug Gibson in January 1971 (K.A Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Glenn Holmes at North Bay on 6 and 13 April1975 (Rogers 1976). Seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (NSWBA data). Seen by Ben Miller during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). Around 20 birds were seen by McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 42 HUITON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Mike Carter and Holmes at the northern end of the main Island in February­ March 1986 (M.J. Carter & G. Holmes in !itt.). Seen by Holmes on (south of Salmon Beach) on 3 March 1988 and up to two birds seen at Old Settlement Beach and North Bay from 5 to 8 March 1989 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Three seen by Hutton at North Bay on 2 August 1989. Since 1990 there have been at least ten records of this species and it can be expected in most yea,rs from September to May.

Wandering Tattler Heteroscelus incanus Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. Specimen collected by Roy Bell on 19 March 1914 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 740064). Specimen collected by John McKean, no date, registered on 12 January 1971 (AM 0.43832). Single birds were seen by Peter Fullagar, Gerry van Tets and McKean, on rocks near Signal Point and North Bay Reef, in February and March 1971 (Rogers 1972). Evidently more than one bird was involved in these sightings as a Wandering Tattler was collected by John Lewis at North Bay on 26 February 1971 (ANWC 15800). Single birds seen by Glenn Holmes at Signal Point, 7 April 1975, and Neds Beach, 17 April1975 (Rogers 1976). Seen by Ben Miller during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). Seen by Alan McBride in May 1985 (K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). Up to five birds were seen by Mike Carter and Holmes at the northern end of the main Island from 27 February to 6 March 1986 (G. Holmes & M.J. Carter in !itt. April2003). One bird seen by Holmes at the northern end of the main Island from 5 to 8 March 1989 (G. Holmes in !itt. April2003). Presumably the same bird was seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 11 March 1989, and at North Bay on 27 March 1989. Since 1990 there have been at least eight records of this species from Lord Howe Island, and it can be expected in most years.

Ruddy Thrnstone Arenaria interpres Uncommon regular visitor. The Ruddy Turnstone is a summer migrant to Lord Howe Island in low numbers. It has been recorded year-round but is most numerous from September to April (Hutton 1991). Some flocks can be large, for example 180 were at the airstrip on 23 November 1990 (Hutton pers. obs.).

*Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Vagrant. One record. One seen by Carol and Andrew Iles at North Bay on 24 November 2002 (LHIM card).

Red Knot Calidris canutus Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. One was collected by John MacGillivray on 10 September 1853 (Hindwood 1940). One seen by C. Beauglehole, F. Goodinge and John McKean in September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Three seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 20 November 1989. There are 13 records since 1990, and the species can be expected in most years. Tens of thousands of Red Knots migrate from Siberia to New Zealand via Australia each year (Heather & Robertson 1996, Tomkovich & Riegen 2000). Given the low number of reports from Lord Howe Island, it is evident that either the Group is not on the regular migration path of the species or the Red Knot rarely needs to stop during migration. VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 43

Red-necked Stint Calidris mficollis Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. One was collected by E.H. Saunders in November 1887 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0.2418). Two birds seen by L.W O'Connor and John McKean at Salmon Beach on 21 November 1959 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Three seen by Norman Chaffer in February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Seen by Chaffer in January 1968 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). Seen by John Waugh in November 1975 (NSWBA data). One seen by M. Price near the jetty at Signal Point on 13 November 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Seen several times by Ben Miller during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). Seen by Alan McBride in May 1985 (K.A. Hindwood Bird Recording Service, ML). One seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 16 October 1990. Since 1990 the Red-necked Stint has been seen at least 18 times, and can be expected in most years.

*Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Vagrant. Four records. Seen by John Waugh in November 1975 (NSWBA data). Two seen by Glenn Holmes, Mike Carter and John Izzard at Moseley Park Swamp from 27 February to 7 March 1986 (Cooper 1990; M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003). One seen by Peter Ewin at Moseley Park Swamp on 12 November 1992 (Morris & Burton 1994). One seen by Tom Wheller and Tom Fletcher at Moseley Park Swamp from 9 to 15 March 2003 (LHIM card).

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Rare regular visitor. Records to 1990 are listed. Four specimens collected by L. Waterhouse on 3 October 1903 (Hindwood 1940; ANWC 19079-19082). Two undated records in the period 1950 to 1965 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Seen by Norman Chaffer in February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). Two seen at Moseley Park swamp and one behind Kings Beach by Bruce Knight on 19 October 1974 (Rogers 1975). Seen by John Waugh in November 1975 (NSWBA data). Seen a few times by Ben Miller at Moseley Park Swamp.during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). Two sightings of single birds by Kevin Mills in November 1986, one at Moseley Park Swamp on 16 November and the other at Old Settlement Beach the next day (Cooper 1990; NSWBA data). Two seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 20 November 1987. Two seen by Hutton at Moseley Park Swamp on 24 October 1990. Since 1990 there have been at least nine records of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, and it can be expected in most years.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris foruginea Vagrant. At least ten sets of records. One collected by E.R. Waite in December 1902 (North 1904a, Hindwood 1940; AM 0.13153). At least two seen by C. Beauglehole, F. Goodinge and John McKean in September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Seen by Norman Chaffer and Gary Sefton in February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One. seen by Terry Lindsey at Lagoon Beach on 2 December 1971 (Rogers 1972). One collected by S.G. (Bill) Lane on 8 October 1978 (AM 0.47061). Seen by Molly Crawford in February 1983 (Crawford 1983). Seen by A.D. Stuart on 7 January 2001 (Birds Australia data; A.K. Morris pers. comm.). Presumably the same bird was seen at the airstrip by S. Bryant and M. Holdsworth on 26 February 2001 (Birds Australia data), and by Hutton and Adam Bester from 6 to 28 March 2001 (Hutton pers. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 44 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY obs.; Birds Australia data). Seen by Margaret Burgman in late August and early September 2001 (NSWBA data). Possibly the same bird was seen by A. Bester in early October 2001 (Birds Australia data), and it may have been still present in mid November 2001 when one was seen at the airstrip by a BOCA tour party (pers. comm. to Hutton). Single bird seen by a Birds Queensland tour party at North Bay from 17 to 24 March 2002 (pers. commm. to Hutton). Seen at Old Settlement Swamp by Bas Hensen on 9 November 2003, and one seen at this locality by Janet Robint'l on 21 November 2003 (LHIM cards).

*Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites submficollis Vagrant. One bird seen and photographed by Ben Miller at the Moseley Park Swamp, some time during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm; photograph also seen by Glenn Holmes, pers. comm.). A later report of this species, of a bird seen on 6 April1992, was rejected by the Birds Australia Records Appraisal Committee (Patterson 1996).

*Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Vagrant. One record. One female photographed by Hutton and seen by a NSWFOC tour party and John Blyth at Moseley Park Swamp in February 1990 (Richards 1990, Burton & Morris 1993; Hutton pers. obs., J. Blyth pers. comm.).

South Island Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus finschi Vagrant. Five records. One seen by Norman Fenton in July and August 1950 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Dean Retmock from 24 August 1969 to 6 September 1969 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Eric Wheeler near the airstrip on 23 March 1996 and by Julian Bielewicz the following month (Morris & Burton 1999; Birding-Aus data). One seen at Moseley Park Swamp and at the golf course by John Duranti and John MacLennan in February-March 1997 (Morris 2000). One seen by Lisa Menke on 19 September 1998 (L. Menke pers. comm.). Oystercatcher records have previously been assumed to be of the Australian Pied Oystercatcher H. longirostris. However, the discovery of the New Zealand South Island Pied Oystercatcher at Norfolk Island, Vanuatu and mainland NSW suggests that this is the species recorded from Lord Howe Island (Hay 1984, 1985; Hermes et al. 1986; Totterman et al. 1999).

*Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus Vagrant. One seen by Barbara Howie on a rocky beach near Old Gulch on 15 March 1987 (NSWBA data; B. Howie pers. comm.). Although this record could be of a New Zealand Variable Oystercatcher H. unicolor, that species does not migrate within New Zealand and has not been recorded elsewhere (Heather & Robertson 1996). The Sooty Oystercatcher has been recorded crossing (Watkins 1993), equivalent to over half the distance from Australia to Lord Howe Island, so it is likely that the bird on Lord Howe Island was a Sooty Oystercatcher.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Vagrant. One positive record. Two specimens from Lord Howe Island were registered into the Australian Museum collection in September and October 1888 (Ramsay 1888, Etheridge 1889; AM 0.2643 and 0.2667). North (1892) noted VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 45 that a specimen was collected in 1891 by Mr TR. Icely, the visiting Magistrate, but he may have been referring to the two earlier specimens. There is an unverified record from the period 1975 to 1990 (Glenn Holmes and Hutton in Hutton 1991; G. Holmes pers. comm.).

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Uncommon regular visitor. The Pacific Golden Plover is a regular summer migrant to Lord Howe Island. Some birds overwinter every year, but the largest flocks are seen from September to April (Hutton 1991). It is usually seen in paddocks and cleared areas such as the airstrip, but can also be found on rocky shorelines, reefs and beaches.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Vagrant. Two records. Three seen by L.W. O'Connor and John McKean in November 1959 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Doug Gibson, January 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML).

Double-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctus Rare regular visitor. The Double-banded Plover is a regular winter migrant to Lord Howe Island, usually reported from February to July (Hutton 1991), though it has been seen as early as the last week of January and as late as November (Morris 2002; N. Chaffer diaries, AM). It migrates in large numbers from New Zealand to Australia (Watkins 1993). Although the Double-banded Plover is regularly reported on Lord Howe Island, it is likely that the main migration between New Zealand and Australia is farther south, as the number of records from Lord Howe Island is not great for a bird that crosses the Tasman Sea each year in tens of thousands (see Watkins 1993).

Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongo/us Vagrant. 14 positive records. Two specimens collected by E.H. Saunders in 1887 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0.2419 and 0.2420). An unidentified sand plover was noted as having been seen in the period 1950 to 1964 by McKean & Hindwood (1965), but no detail on the record was given. At least four were seen by P. Poulton in April 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Seen by Ben Miller during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). Seen by Glenn Fraser during the period 1980 to 1984 (G. Fraser in litt. 30 October 2003). Seen by members of a joint NSWFOC/CBOC tour party at the airstrip in February 1985 (Tyler 1985). One seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 12 February 1989. Four seen by Hutton at Moseley Park Swamp on 24 October 1990. One seen by Irene Denton at North Bay on 21 October 1995 (NSWBA data; I. Denton in litt.). Two seen by John Duranti at North Bay in February 1997 (Morris 2000). One seen by Hutton from 8 to 15 March 1999. Seen by Murray Lord at Blinky Beach in late October and early November 1999 (Birds Australia data). Presumably the same bird was seen by Richard Jordan in December 1999 (Birding-Aus data). One seen by Hutton at North Bay on 8 March 2001. Up to four birds seen by John Carpenter and Tom Fletcher at the golf course and Moseley Park Swamp from 5 to 22 March 2003 (LHIM cards). One seen at North Bay by Janet Robina and Hutton on 24 November 2003 (Hutton pers. obs.).

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Vagrant. Three records. One collected by Roy Bell at Middle Beach on McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 46 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

2 February 1914 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 737541). One seen by C. Beauglehole and John McKean, September 1963 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Noel Linehan at North Bay and Old Settlement Beach from 6 to 9 November 2002 (in !itt. to Hutton).

*Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus Vagrant. Two records. Up to 53 birds seen by Barrie Heather on grassed areas near the airstrip in mid September 1982; also seen in the same month by Stephen Clark (Heather 1991; Birding-Aus data). Single immature bird seen by Hutton and Noel Linehan from 5 to 10 November 2002 (Hutton pers. obs.; N. Linehan in !itt.).

*Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor Vagrant. One record. One seen by Norma Maxwell near Jims Point, south of Stevens Point, 26 July-3 August 1978 (Lindsey 1979; N. Maxwell pers. comm.).

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Rare breeding resident. The Masked Lapwing was originally restricted to Australia and New Guinea, but has colonised Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, the Chatham and Kermadec Groups and New Caledonia (Heather & Robertson 1996, Barre & Dutson 2000). The first record of the species on Lord Howe Island was before December 1938 (Hindwood 1940). Five birds were seen in January 1941 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950, Nicholls 1952). There were no further reports until two birds were seen by Ben Miller some time during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). Three birds were seen in August and September 1985, and further birds were seen in 1986 and 1987 (Cooper 1989; NSWBA data). The arrival of a small flock in March 1988 initiated colonisation of the Group (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data; G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). Breeding was first reported in December 1990, though there are still few reports of breeding on Lord Howe Island. Chicks have been seen in August and December near Moseley Park Swamp, and the Masked Lapwing is likely to breed regularly in spring (Hutton 1991 ). It usually lays its eggs on the ground in open areas such as pasture.

*Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivamm Vagrant. Two records. One seen at the airstrip by Ben Miller some time during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One seen by Diana Lade between 4 and 15 April 1987 (Cooper 1991 ). Presumably the same bird was seen by Hutton from 12 April 1987 until 30 May 1987, when it was found dead.

*Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella Vagrant. One record. One seen by Bill Retmock, Hutton and John Blyth at the airstrip from 4 to 12 January 1991.

*Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus Vagrant. Two records. A single adult with full tail-streamers was seen by Glenn Holmes at North Bay on 8 April1975 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). One bird was seen by a Birds Queensland tour party near Balls Pyramid, 17- 24 March 2002 (pers. comm. to Hutton). VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 47

Kelp Gull Larus dorninicanus Vagrant. Four records. One seen by John Cunningham at Lagoon Beach on 21 August 1949 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). One seen by L.W O'Connor and John McKean at Blinky Beach on 29 November 1959 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by D. Moroney at Blinky Beach in November 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One recently dead bird found at North Bay by Hutton on 9 December 2003 and sent to the Australian Museum.

Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae ssp. Vagrant. 13 records. One seen by G.F. Lewers at the landing at Signal Point in April 1939 (Hindwood 1940). One seen by A.W Hamilton in September and October 1940 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One bird collected by Max Nicholls and sent to Keith Hindwood in November 1945 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). A bird was present on the main Island for most of 1954, photographs taken by R. Payton (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Seen by Norman Chaffer in February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). One seen by Dean Retmock on 8 March 1969 and 1 October 1969 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Terry Lindsey at the lagoon on 25 November 1971 (Rogers 1972). One seen by Peter Fullagar at the lagoon on 18 January 1972 (Rogers 1973). Seen by members of HBOC tour party in February 1978 (NSWBA data). Seen by John Waugh in April 1978 (NSWBA data). One seen by Ben Miller at Little Slope during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One seen by Peter Ewin at Neds Beach on 12 November 1992 (Morris & Burton 1994). Only the records of 1945 and 1954 have been identified to subspecies, and both were of the New Zealand L.n. scopulinus. The nominate subspecies could also occur on Lord Howe Island.

*Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica Vagrant. One set of records. At least three seen by Norman Chaffer in January 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One specimen found by Gary Sefton mid February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). These records were after a period of severe storms.

*Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Vagrant. Two records. Single bird seen by Hutton at the airstrip from 4 to 7 September 2000. One seen at the airstrip by Andrew Jamieson on 30 October 2003, and by Patricia Gornall on 2 November 2003 (LHIM cards).

Crested Tern Sterna bergii Vagrant. Two sets of records. One collected by Roy Bell at Old Settlement Beach on 13 February 1915 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 747120). Three seen by Norman Chaffer in early February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM). One specimen found by Gary Sefton in mid February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). In both cases the records were after periods of storms.

*White-fronted Tern Sterna striata Vagrant. One record. One specimen found by Gary Sefton in mid February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). This record was after a period of severe storms. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 48 HUlTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

*Biack-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Vagrant. One record. One seen by Hutton and John Blyth at North Bay on 14 April 1989.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo Vagrant. Three sets of records. Three specimens collected by Roy Bell on 2 February 1915 (Hindwosd 1940; AMNH 746327-9). One seen by Doug Gibson on 24 December 1965 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Four seen and one specimen found by Norman Chaffer in late January and early February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML; AM 0.42228). Specimen found by Gary Sefton in mid February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). In all cases the records were after periods of storms.

*Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Vagrant. One record. One found dead by Ray Shick at the airstrip on 25 April 1975 after storms (Rogers 1976; AM 0.45291).

*Little Tern Sterna albifrons Vagrant. Four records. Two specimens found by Gary Sefton in mid February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). A bird was collected on Gower Island by J. Pickard on 15 December 1975 (Rogers 1976; ANWC 18253). One seen by Glenn Holmes at North Bay on 4 March 1986 (Cooper 1990). One bird with band seen by Dion Hobcroft on 7 October 1999 (Morris 2002).

Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata (Plate 15, opposite) Abundant breeding migrant. The Sooty Tern is the most abundant bird on Lord Howe Island with about 35 000 pairs breeding on the main Island and the Admiralty Islets (D. Priddel in !itt.). It also breeds on Balls Pyramid. These are the world's southernmost breeding colonies of this species. It is most common from September to February, but birds have been recorded in all months (NSWBA data). The movements of this species away from the breeding colonies are not well known, but one bird banded on Lord Howe Island was recovered at Leyte in the (Lane 1967). Eggs are laid from late August to early December, but most are laid from September to November (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data). The Sooty Tern formerly bred on the main Island (Hindwood 1940). Around the late 1950s Sooty Tern chicks were being eaten by at Scab Point (Gower Wilson pers. comm.) and by 1965 it was nesting only on isolated cliffs near North Head (McKean & Hindwood 1965). At the start of intensive surveys in the 1970s it did not breed on the main Island and apparently had not done so 'in living memory' (Rogers 1974). Re-colonisation of the main Island occurred in the 1973- 1974 breeding season and 400- 600 chicks were found near Neds Beach in early 1974 (Rogers 1974). In the 1980s Sooty Terns also increased in number in the North Bay area and they now breed on grass at New Gulch, on the shingle beach along the western end of North Bay and on Mount Eliza and the ridge towards North Head. The number of breeding pairs is increasing around Boat Harbour Point. These changes are probably because of the removal of Pigs in the 1970s and Cats and Goats in the 1980s. In the 1997- 1998 season, Sooty Terns attempted to breed on the dunes behind Blinky Beach but were discouraged because of concerns about aircraft safety. In VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 49

15. Sooty Tern

the 1998-1999 season they started breeding along the grassy cliff-tops from Neds Beach to Middle Beach. A colony at Neds Beach Common is increasing, with birds spreading westwards from Neds Beach. The breeding success of the Sooty Tern on Lord Howe Island can fluctuate greatly from year to year: a 76% success rate in the 2000-2001 breeding season dropped to 12% in 2001-2002, possibly as a result of changed oceanic conditions (O'Neill 2002).

*Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Vagrant. One set of records. One found dead by Richard Jordan at the golf course on 29 December 1999 (Birding-Aus data). Presumably the same bird had been seen alive two weeks before by Bill Retmock (pers. comm.).

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Vagrant. Six sets of records. Two specimens collected by Roy Bell on 13 February 1915 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 745975-6). At least 20 birds seen in January 1967 and one specimen found by Norman Chaffer on 4 February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML; AM 0.42227). Seen by Gary Sefton in mid February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Two seen by Hutton near the airstrip from 28 to 30 November 1988. One seen by Peter Ewin at the Moseley Park Swamp on 12 November 1992 (Morris & Burton 1994). One seen by John Blyth at the airstrip in November 1995 (1. Blyth pers. comm.). One seen at the Moseley Park Swamp and the golf course from 11 December 2003 to the end of that year (Hutton pers. obs., Dean Retmock pers. comm., Maria Bellio and Max Finlayson; LHIM cards). McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 50 HUITON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Common Noddy Anous stolidus (Plate 19, p. 58) Common breeding migrant. The Common Noddy breeds on the main Island, the Admiralty Islets and Balls Pyramid. These are the southernmost breeding colonies of the Common Noddy in the world. In the early 1970s about 1000 pairs nested at Lord Howe Island (Fullagar et al. 1974). It is likely that the Common Noddy has become more abundant since the eradication of Cats on the main Island in the 1980s but there has been no recent estimate of the size of the population. It is presertt mainly from September to May, but birds have been recorded in all months (NSWBA data). Eggs are laid from October to January, though there is a record of fledglings as late as June (McKean & Hindwood 1965). It is not known where the birds go when they leave the breeding colonies.

Black Noddy Anous minutus Uncommon breeding migrant. The Black Noddy was first reported in February 1909 (Hull 1910). There were few records of the species from the Group before the mid 1960s; for example, none was reported in the period from 1950 to early 1965 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). The r,ext record was when the species was seen by Dean Retmock at Christmas 1965 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML), and since then the number of records has steadily increased. Breeding was long suspected in the north of the main Island, and this was confirmed in October 1989 (Hutton 1991). The first colony was confined to a small area at Old Gulch. In 1995 the colony moved to the Norfolk Island Pines Araucaria heterophylla behind North Bay. In 2002-2003 there were 200 nests at this site, and on 18 December 2003, 146 nests were counted (Hutton pers. obs.). The Black Noddy has been recorded regularly near Balls Pyramid and it may breed there. The species is present at Lord Howe Island from September to May (NSWBA data), although it also occurs in small numbers during winter (Hutton 1991). There are two main egg-laying periods, one in October and another in February-March (Hutton pers. obs.). This species has bred on the main Island only since the Cat eradication program was carried out in the early 1980s. It is probable that hunting by Cats prevented successful colonisation before this time.

Grey Ternlet Procelstema cerulea (Plate 20, p. 59) Uncommon breeding resident. The Grey Ternlet is found year-round, foraging on small fish and in inshore waters around Lord Howe Island and occasionally in deeper waters. From December to March there are fewer birds present following a post-breeding dispersal. This species breeds from late August to January. Eggs are laid in September and October. It breeds on most of the islands in the Group including the Admiralty Islets, Balls Pyramid and on the northern end of the main Island itself. There are fewer than 1000 breeding pairs in the Group and it may be restricted in its breeding places by introduced predators. There are numerous cliffs on the main Island that are suitable for breeding which are not used. In addition, the introduced Rock Dove occupies some nesting ledges previously used by the Grey Ternlet (see Rock Dove account, p. 52).

White Tern Gygis alba (Plates 16-17, opposite) Uncommon breeding migrant. It is unclear when this species was first recorded on Lord Howe Island. A photograph album owned by Les King, an Island resident, includes a 1926 photograph, which was probably taken on Lord Howe Island, of a White Tern sitting on an egg (Hutton pers. obs.). The next record was in January VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 51

16. White Tern

17. White Tern chick McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 52 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

1943 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). At this time a large avenue of Norfolk Island Pines was cleared to make the airstrip on Norfolk Island and may have induced the White Terns to attempt to colonise Lord Howe Island (Hoare 1965, Disney & Smithers 1972). This species was recorded on numerous occasions over the next two decades, but breeding was not confirmed until January and February 1968 when four nests were found by Dean Retmock (A. Rogers in !itt. 19 April 2003). The White Terp was at th is time heavily persecuted by the introduced Masked Owl, Cats and subsequently the endemic Pied Currawong. Control of both Masked Owls and Cats may have helped the White Tern population to grow. The breeding season of the White Tern on Lord Howe Island generally runs from October to May, and eggs are laid as late as April (Hutton 1991). No nest is built and the egg is laid in a depression on a bare horizontal branch. On Lord Howe Island one of the preferred nesting trees is the introduced Norfolk Island Pine, which is also the preferred nesting tree on Norfolk Island. The White Tern is found in the settled parts of the main Island and so is now regularly reported. There are records from all months, though it is usually absent from June to September (NSWBA data), when it is believed to disperse to the surrounding seas.

Rock Dove Columba Livia Rare breeding resident. This species was introduced to Lord Howe Island some time before 1869 but subsequently died out (Hill 1870, Hindwood 1940). Although not recorded in Hindwood's published accounts, two racing pigeons were released in mainland NSW at Stroud Road (32o21'S, 151 o56'E) on 22 June 1957 and were found on Lord Howe Island on 28 June (Macdougall 1957a,b; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). These birds were caught and returned to mainland NSW. The next observation was in May 1984 when at least seven birds were seen by Bruce Knight (Lindsey 1986). These birds were either directly introduced or, more likely, found their own way to Lord Howe Island just as the racing pigeons did in 1957. On Lord Howe Island breeding has been recorded in September on the sea-cliffs on the northern side of the main Island on ledges formerly occupied by the Grey Ternlet (NSWBA data; Hutton, D . Hiscox & A.K. Morris pers. comm.). Some culling of the Rock Doves has occurred and although it is present only in low numbers it would be desirable to eradicate it. tWhite-throated Pigeon Columba vitiensis godmanae Extinct endemic subspecies. There are only a few accounts from Lord Howe Island that can definitely be ascribed to this form. It was probably first seen in March 1788 when the Group was discovered, but not specifically mentioned until the second visit (Hindwood 1940). There were two illustrations made of the species in this period, the only accurate paintings of the form ever made. One was painted by George Raper and the painting is in the Natural History Museum, , UK, with the other similar painting in the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ (Hindwood 1964). The latter is unsigned, though it is in a series of 66 paintings that includes four signed by Raper. The species was evidently both common and tame at this time. The last record was on the first visit of the HMS Herald from 29 April to 28 June 1853 (Macdonald 1853, David 1995). Macdonald noted that 'A very beautiful pigeon is occasionally to be seen on the flats, with metallic green tinting on the wings, and whitish-brown breast, deepening towards the neck.' His visit was only a few months before the second visit of the Herald which had John VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 53

MacGillivray aboard, but MacGillivray, a trained naturalist, did not mention the species (Hindwood 1940, David 1995). This may have been an oversight on his part as he also did not directly mention the Lord Howe Gerygone which he evidently saw (David 1995; see Some additional historical information, p. 12). The White-throated Pigeon was extinct on Lord Howe Island by February 1869 (Hill 1870). As a large tame species, it would have been a preferred food of any early human visitors. Nothing is known of the habits or breeding of this Lord Howe Island population. This species is still found from the Philippines south to the Lesser Sundas, New Guinea and New Caledonia and east to (del Hoyo et al. 1997). As with many Pacific Island pigeons, the White-throated Pigeon is likely to have been important as a disperser of fruit, and could have been important to the survival of the local flora (Steadman 1997, Steadman & Freifeld 1999). It may be possible to re-introduce the species to Lord Howe Island from the nearest population on New Caledonia.

Spotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensis Vagrant. One record. One seen by Max Nicholls in April 1944 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). A complete description of the bird by Nicholls is found in Keith Hindwood's papers in the Mitchell Library.

Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans Vagrant. One record. One bird found and captured in early 1907 and seen by Arthur Basset Hull in October 1907 (Hull 1910).

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica (Plate 21, p. 59) Uncommon breeding resident. Hindwood (1940) argued that as MacGillivray did not collect this species it may have been introduced. However, MacGillivray did indeed record the species (see Some additional historical information, p. 1 1), and it has no doubt always been present on the Lord Howe Island Group. On Lord Howe Island it is often seen foraging on the forest floor, particularly in lowland forest, though it can occasionally be seen near houses and in mountainous areas (Hutton 1991). Its breeding season on Lord Howe Island is from October to February, with eggs recorded in October and November (NSWBA and AM data).

*Pied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bicolor Vagrant. An early record of the Pied Imperial-Pigeon was overlooked by Hindwood (1940). A bird was shot on Lord Howe Island by the collector Roy Bell on 14 October 1913 (Bruce 1976; AMNH 611383). Bell was told by Island residents that this bird had been present for approximately four years (Bruce 1976). Although outside the period covered by this review, two birds were seen by Peter Bond in forest above Middle Beach on 21 March 2004 (P. Bond pers. comm.).

*Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius Vagrant. One seen by Ben Miller just east of the flagstaff at Signal Point some time in the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 54 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

*Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor Vagrant. One record. A bird was found dead by Dean Retmock in September 1968. A photograph was sent to K.A. Hindwood who confirmed the identification and returned the photograph (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). tRed-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subflavescens Extinct endemic sub6pecies. When the main Island was first settled, the Red­ crowned Parakeet was shot as a pest (Foulis 1853). It appears to have been common when the Group was first discovered, 'parrots' being recorded by most early visitors. However, there are only two specimens of the Lord Howe Island form in existence, both collected on 7 September 1853 by John MacGillivray and now in the BMNH (Knox & Walters 1994, David 1995). The last positive record for the Group was of a pair in June 1869, but it may have persisted until around 1880 (Hill 1870, Etheridge 1889). Nothing is known of the habits or breeding of this population. This form was treated as a subspecies of the Red-crowned Parakeet by Christidis & Boles (1994) who took the broader view of the species to include forms from New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Island and . It has recently been demonstrated that the forms from New Caledonia and Norfolk Island are distinct species (Boon et al. 2001; see also McAllan & Bruce 1989). However, Boon et al. (2001) did not examine the specific status of the Lord Howe Island birds, and it is possible that they were also a separate species. Although it is unclear whether it would be worthwhile introducing the endangered Norfolk Island form to Lord Howe Island as an ecological equivalent, it may be useful as a backup against extinction.

Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Vagrant. Two set of records. Three specimens collected by Roy Bell between 15 December and 29 December 1913 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 625160- 2). Seven specimens collected by Bell between 15 February and 16 May 1915 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 625154-9 and 625163).

Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus Vagrant. One record. A specimen was collected by the AM party in August­ September 1887 (Etheridge 1889; AM 0 .1477).

Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Vagrant. One record. One seen by Norman Fearnley in late November 1956 (McKean & Hindwood 1965).

Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis Vagrant. Two records. One specimen collected by an unknown person and registered into the AM collection in February 1882 (Ramsay 1882; AM A.12471). Another specimen collected by N. Whiting in May 1911 (North 1911; AM 0.16794).

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus lucidus Vagrant. 13 sets of records. One taken at sea 64 km east of Lord Howe Island VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 55 in 1882 (Ramsay 1882, Hindwood 1940; AM 0.18685). Eighteen specimens were collected by Roy Bell between 12 and 17 February 1915, following severe storms (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 626797-626814). Seen by Max Nicholls in May and early June 1944 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by D.M. Walker in February 1960 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Norman Chaffer and Gary Sefton in February 1967 (N. Chaffer diaries, AM; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One found dead at the southern end of the main Island by Dean Retmock, 17 March 1973 (Rogers 1974; AM 0.44994). One found dead by an Island resident on 26 February 1974 (Rogers 1975; AM 0.44939). One seen by Glenn Holmes and Mike Carter at Little Island on 5 March 1986 (Cooper 1990; M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003). One seen by Hutton at the meteorological station near the airstrip on 11 February 1989. One found dead by J. Denning and J. Hall in November 1993 (NSWBA data). Seen by Chris Lester in February 1998 (Lester 1998). Seen by Ian Harpley in early March 1999 (Birds Australia data). Seen by Richard Jordan on 29 December 1999 (Birding-Aus data). Seen by S. Bryant and M. Holdsworth at Mount Eliza in January 2001 (Birds Australia data).

*Common Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Vagrant. One record. A female was seen by Carol and Andrew lies and Ken Pettit near Neds Beach on 24 and 25 November 2002 (LHIM card; Birding-Aus data).

Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamys taitensis Vagrant. Five sets of records. One specimen collected by Mr Icely was registered into the AM collection in September 1892 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0.4930). One collected for John Waterhouse in spring 1905 (Hull 1910; ANWC 19066). One seen by Norman Chaffer in January 1967 and observed by Gary Sefton in the following month (Disney & Smithers 1972). One seen by Ben Miller on Little Slope some time during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm.). One seen by Hutton at the meteorological station near the airstrip on 11 February 1989.

*Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae Vagrant. One record. One heard by Carol and Andrew lies in November 2002 (LHIM card). This species normally migrates northward to New Guinea and the . However, it has also been reported as a vagrant to both New Zealand and New Caledonia (Hindwood 1953, AM 0.39157; Heather & Robertson 1996; Barre & Bachy 2003).

Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae Rare breeding resident (introduced). The Masked Owl occurs in mainland Australia, and southern New Guinea. As many as 100 Masked Owls were introduced to Lord Howe Island between December 1922 and October 1930 to control the Black Rat (Hindwood 1940). In such numbers the Masked Owl was able to successfully colonise the Group. It is usually considered that only birds of the Tasmanian subspecies Tn. castanops were introduced. However, the variation in size and plumage of the birds, including some that are almost white ventrally, suggests that birds of the mainland NSW subspecies Tn. novaehollandiae were introduced at the same time. Further work needs to be done to confirm the origins of the Lord Howe Island population. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 56 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

The Masked Owl probably forages over most parts of the main Island, and has been seen on fence posts in the cleared areas and at the edges of the forest as well as on the summit of Mount Gower (Hutton 1991; B. Miller in !itt. 11 October 2003). There are few breeding records from Lord Howe Island, but it probably breeds in winter in large tree-hollows. A clutch of eggs was collected on the main Island in May 1969 by E.L. Hyem and Ray Shick (AM 0.61455). In the early 1970s the Masked Owl was found to be a threat to breeding seabirds and the endangered Lord Howe Woodhen (Fullagar & Disney 1975, Hutton 1991). As part of the management for the Lord Howe Woodhen, it was decided to eradicate the Masked Owl. Although 13 birds were shot in the early 1980s and at least another 35 between 1988 and late 1990 it is still regularly seen (B. Miller in !itt. 11 October 2003; Hutton pers. obs.).lt still preys upon breeding seabirds, including the Black-winged Petrel, Providence Petrel and White Tern, and has the potential to prey upon the Lord Howe Woodhen. It would be desirable to eliminate the Masked Owl from the Group. tSouthern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria Extinct endemic subspecies. The first record of the Southern Boobook was on the visit of the HMS Herald in 1853 (Macdonald 1853, David 1995). The reasons for the extinction of this endemic form are unclear, but are likely to be related to the introduction of both Black Rats and other species of owls (Garnett & Crowley 2000). Several shipments of owls were set loose on the main Island from December 1922 to October 1930 to prey upon the introduced Black Rat. Included amongst these shipments were the Masked Owl, Barn Owl Tyto alba from Australia and North America, and Southern Boobook from mainland Australia Nn. boobook (Hindwood 1940). It is likely that there was competition with the local Southern Boobooks for nesting sites. It is also likely that at least the Barn Owl would have competed for food, and the Masked Owl may have occasionally eaten Southern Boobooks. In addition, interbreeding with mainland birds could have occurred. The Southern Boobook was still heard as late as the 1950s. However, as the call of the Lord Howe Island subspecies was similar to that of mainland birds, it is unclear whether the local form had survived even this long (Hindwood 1940, Hutton 1991). In either case, by the 1960s both forms were locally extinct. The Southern Boobook presumably foraged for insects at night over most parts of the main Island. Breeding was not recorded for this species on Lord Howe Island, but was probably in tree-hollows. Christidis & Boles (1994) treated the Lord Howe Island form as a subspecies of the widespread Southern Boobook found in Australasia and Wallacea. However, Schodde & Mason (1997) considered that this grouping involved at least two species, with the Australian forms being the Southern Boobook N boobook and the New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island forms being the N novaeseelandiae. Nevertheless, genetic studies have confirmed Christi dis & Boles's taxonomy (Norman et al. 1998a,b) . Although it could be suggested that the Norfolk Island form of the Southern Boobook Nn. undulata could be introduced to Lord Howe Island for conservation reasons, it is also functionally extinct, with only progeny derived from introduced New Zealand Nn. novaeseelandiae (Garnett & Crowley 2000).

White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Vagrant. At least six records, possibly more. A large number of swifts, probably this species, was noted by Norman Chaffer in November 1935 (Hindwood 1940). VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 57

One seen by Max Nicholls at Malabar in late October 1942 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). Nicholls had apparently seen this species 'in large flocks' some years previously. Several seen by Nicholls in January 1943 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). One seen by Terry Lindsey at Malabar on 25 November 1971 (Rogers 1972). Glenn Holmes and Hutton (in Hutton 1991) reported this species for the period 1975 to 1990, but we cannot verify this record (also G. Holmes pers. comm.). Seen by Carol and Andrew lies at Kims Lookout on 24 November 2002 (LHIM card). Seen by Ian Hawthorn at Old Settlement Beach on 17 December 2002 (LHIM card).

*Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus Vagrant. One record. Reported by residents in mid November 1971, and nine were seen by Terry Lindsey at Malabar on 26 November 1971 (Rogers 1972).

Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus (Plate 22, p. 62) Uncommon breeding resident. It appears that this species colonised Lord Howe Island in the mid 19th century. It was not recorded by John MacGillivray in September 1853 though this by itself does not indicate that it was absent, as at least one species is unaccounted for in his listings. The first record was in May­ June 1869, when only one bird was seen (Hill 1870). By late 1887 it was implied that it was common, even though Island residents considered it 'a comparatively recent addition to the avifauna of the island' (Etheridge 1889). Hind wood (1940) was told by residents that they believed it arrived in 1874; this is clearly untrue. The Sacred Kingfisher is found in Australia, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand. Lord Howe Island birds resemble those from New Zealand. However, only altitudinal movements have been recorded in the New Zealand subspecies (Heather & Robertson 1996). Both populations are more similar in appearance to the Collared Kingfisher T. chloris in eastern Australia than they are to other populations of the Sacred Kingfisher. A detailed analysis of these taxa has not been performed. On Lord Howe Island the Sacred Kingfisher is found in lowland forest, cleared areas and on the shoreline and reefs. It breeds from November to December, though it may lay its eggs earlier as birds apparently pair in September and October (Etheridge 1889). Eggs have been collected in November and December (North 1890; AM data). The Kingfisher nests in tree-hollows on Lord Howe Island.

*Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Vagrant. One record. One seen by Ray Shick on 27 August 1990 (pers. comm.) .

Dollarbird Eurystomus orienta/is Vagrant. Six records. One specimen collected by an unknown person and registered into the AM collection in February 1882 (Hindwood 1940; AM A.12468). One specimen collected, presumably by W. Nicholls, in October 1892 (Hindwood 1940; AM 0.5480). One specimen collected by L. Waterhouse in October 1903 (Hindwood 1940; ANWC 19084). One seen by Max Nicholls in early October 1943 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Two birds seen by Max Nicholls in May and June 1944 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Max Nicholls in October and November 1945 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). McALLAN, CURTIS, · AUSTRALIAN 58 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

18. Grey-tailed Tattler

19. Common Noddy at nest VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 59

20. Grey Ternlet

21. Emerald Dove on nest McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 60 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY tLord Howe Gerygone Ge1ygone insularis Extinct endemic species. The Lord Howe Gerygone was first recorded in 1853 when it was drawn by James Glen Wilson of the HMS Herald (David 1995; see Some additional historical information, pp. 11-12). The first known specimen was collected in 1869 (see Appendix to Hill1870). The extinction of the species is believed to have resulted from the introduction of the Black Rat in June 1918 (Hindwood 1940). At t~e time of the last recorded sighting in December 1928 it was considered 'common throughout the island', but was extinct by 1936 (Sharland 1929, Hindwood 1940). Because the similar Norfolk Island Gerygone G. modesta still survives on Norfolk Island in the presence of Black Rats, there may be another explanation for the extinction of the Lord Howe Gerygone, perhaps disease brought by an introduced passerine. The Lord Howe Gerygone was a forest bird, with a call described as 'very attractive' and 'tinkling' (Sharland 1929). It made a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance, as is typical of the , and laid its eggs in September (Hull 1910, Mack 1930).

This form was treated as a species by Christidis & Boles (1994). Subsequently, Schodde & Mason (1999) considered the Lord Howe Gerygone and the Norfolk Island Gerygone as subspecies of the Grey Gerygone G. igata of New Zealand. On the other hand, Holdaway et al. (2001) kept the Norfolk Island Gerygone separate from the Grey Gerygone. Evidently further taxonomic study needs to be undertaken on these taxa. It may be possible to introduce the Norfolk Island subspecies to Lord Howe Island as an ecological equivalent.

*Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus Vagrant. One set of records. One seen by Alan Morris near Pinetrees on 28 September 1971 (Rogers 1972). This bird was reported by Island residents in the previous few weeks. One heard calling near the summit of Mount Gower on 7 January 1972 by Peter Fullagar was evidently the same bird (Rogers 1973).

Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis contempta (Plates 23-24, pp. 62-63) Uncommon breeding resident. Following the taxonomy of Christidis & Boles (1994), the Golden Whistler on Lord Howe Island is an endemic subspecies of a widespread species found from the Lesser Sundas and Moluccas through much of the South Pacific, east to Tonga and south to Tasmania (Galbraith 1956). It can be found throughout forests on the main Island and is one of the few local songbirds to withstand the ravages of the Black Rat (Fullagar & Disney 1975). The first record of it from the Group was in September 1853 when collected by John MacGillivray (Hindwood 1940, David 1995). The main breeding season for the Golden Whistler on Lord Howe Island is September to December, with eggs recorded from September and October. Its nest is a large cup made from vines and palm fibre: lined with fine grasses and built in dense vegetation. Hull (1910) recorded the nest at 8 feet above the ground, though Hutton (1991) noted that it is built at some height 'high up out of sight' . Holdaway et al. (2001) suggested that the subspecies of Golden Whistler found on Norfolk Island is a separate species P xanthoprocta, but did not discuss the status of any other subspecies. Schodde & Mason (1999) kept xanthoprocta as part of the species P pectoralis, but advocated separating some of the Pacific taxa, though the species-limits were not fully 'circumscribed' in their work. VOL. 21 , Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 61

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula Vagrant. Two records. One specimen collected around 1882 (Ramsay 1882, Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). One seen by Warren Sweeney and Jeff Hardy in November 1986 (Anon. 1987).

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Uncommon breeding resident (apparently introduced). The Magpie-lark is found in Australia and has either colonised or been introduced to Lord Howe Island. Hull (1910) reported that Island residents had seen this species on a few occasions. Vagrancy was confirmed when a specimen was collected by Roy Bell on 22 July 1913 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 655558). Ten birds were introduced to the main Island in July 1924 as a response to the explosion in Black Rat numbers and the extinction of several endemic . In a visit in December 1928 none was to be found (Sharland 1929), but in November 1936 Keith Hindwood observed two adults with two immature birds (Hindwood 1940).1t is thus unclear whether the introduced population persisted after 1924 or whether it died out before Sharland's visit and other birds colonised independently. Although seen in most parts of the main Island, it is most common in the grassy paddocks, settled areas and edges of forest. It often visits the Admiralty Islets and Mutton Bird Island during daylight hours (Hutton 1991). There are few published records of Magpie-larks breeding on Lord Howe Island, though the season lasts from at least August to November, and probably into summer (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data). tGrey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa cetvina Extinct endemic subspecies. The Grey Fantail was evidently a common resident of Lord Howe Island. It was first recorded in September 1853 when at least two specimens were collected by John MacGillivray, and it was drawn by James Glen Wilson (Knox & Walters 1994, David 1995). Its decline was rapid after the arrival of the Black Rat in June 1918. In May 1924 an Island resident, H.A. Payten, considered that it was 'practically wiped out' and by 1928 it could not be found (Sharland 1929, Hindwood 1940).

It was found in both forested and inhabited areas of the main Island and fed on flying insects (Hull 1910). It built a typical Rhipidura nest, with a cup and 'wine-glass' tail made out of decayed wood, palm fibre and fine grass, bound together with ' webs. This nest was usually placed less than 5 m from the ground (Hull 1910). Clutches of eggs are dated from October to December (Knox & Walters 1994; AM data), indicating that its main breeding period was from spring to early summer.

Christidis & Boles (1994) treated this form as a subspecies of the Grey Fantail found in Australia, New Zealand ami the South Pacific. However, Schodde & Mason (1999) considered that this grouping involved two species, with the Australian and most of the Pacific forms being the Grey Fantail R. albiscapa and the New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island forms being the species R. fuliginosa. This last taxonomy has not been endorsed by any further studies. Nevertheless, it may be possible to introduce the Norfolk Island subspecies to Lord Howe Island as an ecological equivalent. McALLAN, CURTIS, . AUSTRALIAN 62 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

22. Sacred Kingfisher

23. Lord Howe Island Golden Whistler, juvenile VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 63

24. Lord Howe Island subspecies of Golden Whistler, male

25. Lord Howe Island subspecies of Pied Currawong McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 64 HUITON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

*Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Vagrant. Two positive records. Le Souef (1924) wrote that one bird had been present on the main Island for some time but had been 'collected for an English ornithologist', in other words collected by Roy Bell for Gregory Mathews. His correspondent, Mr. P. Dignum, later told Keith Hindwood that it had been seen 'on many occasions' (Hindwood 1940). Even so, Hindwood considered that this species had no confirmed observations. Dean Retmock also wrote to Hindwood in the late 1960s listing the Willie Wagtail as one of the species he had seen, but again giving no precise details (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Finally a bird was recorded by Glenn Fraser in October 1980 (G. Fraser in !itt.). A bird was seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 4 September 2000; this bird remained until at least 6 October 2000. In mainland NSW this species is at least a partial migrant, with most birds vacating higher altitudes and many moving north to winter in Queensland (Storr 1984; NSWBA data). The September and October dates correspond with birds returning southwards in spring. This species has also occurred as a spring vagrant at the Chatham Islands, east of New Zealand (Gummer 2002).

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Vagrant. At least 11 records. One collected by W. Nicholls in October 1892 (North 1902; AM 0.5481). Noted as a 'somewhat frequent visitor' by Hull (1910), but no detail was given of any records. Albert Le Souef (1924) noted that two birds had been seen by P. Dignum and R. Wilson, but no date was given. One seen by Keith Hindwood in early November 1936 (Hindwood 1940). One was seen by Dean Retmock on 8 March 1969 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Another was seen by Retmock several times in 1971 (Rogers 1972). One seen by P. Poulton in April 1977 (Rogers & Lindsey 1978). Two seen by Tony Dymond at the radio station near the golf course on 28 September 1991 (Morris & Burton 1993). One seen by Alan Morris in September 1996 (Morris & Burton 1999). Seen by Adam Bester in early October 2001 (Birds Australia data). Presumably the same bird was seen by Lisa O'Neill on a fence above Ned's Beach Common on 2 November 2001 (L. O'Neill pers. comm.). An immature was seen by Carol and Andrew lies at Leanda Lei in the main settlement area on 23 November 2002 (LHIM card). One seen at the airstrip by Michael Murphy on 13 October 2003 (LHIM card).

*White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii Vagrant. One record. One seen by Bas Hensen at Moseley Park Swamp on 8 November 2003 (LHIM card). Presumably the same bird was seen near the golf course by Matthew Retmock on 9 November and at Soldiers Creek by Hensen on 11 November 2003 (M. Retmock pers. comm.; B. Hensen, LHIM card).

*Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus Vagrant. Two records. One seen by Lisa O'Neill at the Island Board Research Centre in the main settlement area on 1 October 2001 and seen by Adam Bester in early October (L.O'Neill pers. comm.; Birds Australia data). Another sighting at the same locality by O'Neill in October 2002 (L. O'Neill pers. comm.).

Masked Artamus personatus Vagrant. Six sets of records. One seen by Graham Pizzey in August 1957 near the landing in the lagoon. Seen by Gary Sefton in February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 65 papers, ML). Three seen by Alan Rogers near the meteorological station on 24 December 1968 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML; A. Rogers in litt. 19 April2003). Two seen by Doug Gibson in January 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). These birds had apparently been present for approximately three years, and were evidently the same birds seen in 1968. Two seen by K. Basset at Transit Hill in company with White-browed on 10 December 1994 (Morris & Burton 1996). Two seen by NSWFOC tour party at Transit Hill on 1 March 1995 (Morris & Burton 1997). Two seen by Hutton at Mount Eliza on 8 September 2000.

*White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus Vagrant. Two records. Ten seen by John Blyth at the Old Settlement Paddock on 20 May 1993 (J. Blyth pers. comm.). Two seen by K. Basset at Transit Hill on 10 December 1994 (Morris & Burton 1996).

Pied Currawong Strepera graculina crissalis (Plate 25 , p. 63) Rare breeding resident. The Pied Currawong on Lord Howe Island is an isolated endemic subspecies. It breeds in the forested hills of the main Island, particularly in the south (Hutton 1991, McFarland 1994). In autumn and winter it forms flocks and can be found in the settled areas (Hutton 1991 ). It feeds mainly on vegetable matter and invertebrates but also eats rats and the chicks and eggs of other birds (Mills in Cooper 1990, Hutton 1991). 11 has been recorded breeding from October to December, but is likely to start breeding in September (NSWBA data). Eggs have been recorded in October and well-feathered chicks in November (Hindwood 1940, McFarland 1994). Its nest is a large cup made from sticks and fine twigs placed in the outer branches of a tree, usually over 8 m from the ground. The Pied Currawong on Lord Howe Island is one of the few endemic land birds to withstand the ravages of the Black Rat. Surveys from 1984 to 1991 estimated the population to be between 28 and 55 birds (Lindsey 1986; Cooper 1989, 1990; McFarland 1994). This form is extremely isolated and was probably founded on a single chance event. Its taxonomy should be reviewed, particularly at a molecular level, to see if it is a species in its own right.

Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Vagrant. Two sets of records. One found by Island residents on 19 September 1941 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). This bird remained on the main Island until 3 October 1943, when it was caught in a rabbit trap. Barry Pascoe saw one harassing a Pacific Golden Plover in July 1992 (Morris & Burton 1994).

Skylark Alauda arvensis Vagrant. Three records. Two birds were seen by D. Lamm, B. Hall and J. McKean on 3 September 1963 at the meteorological station (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Five birds seen by Glenn Fraser on the airstrip on 16 June 1982 and again at the same place on 26 July 1983 (G. Fraser in !itt. 30 October 2003). Given the timing of these records, it is likely that the birds originated in New Zealand (see also Fraser 2004).

*Richard's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Vagrant. One positive record. Glenn Holmes and Hutton (in Hutton 1991) McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 66 HUlTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

reported a sighting for the period 1975 to 1990. However, we have been unable to find details on this (also G. Holmes pers. comm.). One seen by Bob Southman on a track in a grassy area near Malabar on 16 September 2003 (LHIM card).

*Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Vagrant. Several records, many undated. The Common Chaffinch was first recorded by Glenn FraSer at Stevens Reserve in the main settlement area on 21 September 1980 (Fraser 2004; see also Boles 1988). It was found almost daily at the same locality for the next three months where it was also seen by Bill Retmock (B. Retmock pers. comm.). Fraser recorded a Common Chaffinch at the same locality on 1 September 1981 and again almost daily in the period from 6 October 1982 to mid December 1982. One was seen by Norman Fenton at the southern end of the main Island in winter 1983 (N. Fenton pers. comm.). This species was also seen by Retmock several times during the 1990s, though no detailed notes were kept. These birds were undoubtedly vagrants from New Zealand where the species was introduced from Europe in the 1860s and 1870s and from where it has spread to several offshore islands including the Chatham, Auckland and Campbell Island Groups (OSNZ 1990); it has recently been recorded on Norfolk Island (Clarke & Stephenson 2002).

*European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Vagrant. Two sets of records. Four birds seen by Glenn Fraser at the airstrip on 20 May 1980 (Fraser 2004). One observed by Fraser at the same place on 5 June 1983. Eighteen were seen by Fraser at the airstrip later in June 1983 until 4 July 1983. Hutton observed the species on at least one of these occasions, though no notes were kept. This species has colonised Norfolk Island. Given the rarity of the species in mainland NSW, it is likely that these records involve vagrants from New Zealand (Fraser 2004).

*European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Vagrant. 11 sets of records. Three seen by Dean Retmock on 9 May 1970 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Four or five birds seen by Glenn Fraser at the airstrip in June and July 1982 (Fraser 2004). Five birds seen by Fraser at the same place on 16 June 1983. Five birds were present on 26 July 1983, with 10 birds present the following day. Two seen by Alan McBride on 28 May 1985 (Anon. 1985b; K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Glenn Holmes and Mike Carter near the airstrip in February and March 1986 (Cooper 1990; M.J. Carter in !itt. April 2003). Three seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 9 June 1988 and, presumably one of the same birds, at the same place on 27 July 1988. One seen by Holmes at the golf course on 11 March 1989 (G. Holmes in !itt. April2003). At least 20 birds were seen by Alan Morris at the airstrip in September 1996 (Morris & Burton 1999). Seen by Adam Bester in September 2001 (Birds Australia data). Two seen by Jim Care at the paddock adjacent to Beachcomber Lodge in the main settlement area on 19 May 2003 (LHIM card). Five seen by Hutton at the airstrip on 9 September 2003 and again by Ivor Jones on 20 September 2003 (Hutton pers. obs.; I. Jones, LHIM card). As with the other finches, it is likely that these birds originated in New Zealand (Fraser 2004).

Common Redpoll Carduelis jlammea Vagrant. Two sets of records. Two females collected by Roy Bell on 26 August VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 67

1913, and a flock of at least 13 was collected on 28 August, of which 12 were in the AMNH in 1940 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 711211- 711222). Five seen by Glen Ingram, Greg Roberts and Glenn Fraser on Blackburn Island on 9 June 1983 (Ingram & Roberts 1983, Fraser 2004). These birds were evidently vagrants from New Zealand where the species was introduced from Europe in 1862 (OSNZ 1990).1t has spread to several islands in the New Zealand region including as far afield as Macquarie Island. A single male, presumably also from the New Zealand population, was collected on the island of Aneityum in Vanuatu in March 1961 . (Bregulla 1992).

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Vagrant. One positive record. One seen by John Cunningham near the summit of Mount Eliza on 18 August 1949 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). No description of the bird was given in the paper concerned and as it is the first record of this species for an Australian territory, it is worth noting the exact details as given in a letter from Cunningham to Hindwood (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML):

At the top of Mt Eliza was surprised to flush a male Yellowhammer. Did not see his front, but he sat with his back [to me] for quite a while. I noted the yellow head, brown stripes on back & chestnut rump. I know them in N.Z. well, & assume there is no Aust. species corresponding to the appearance of the back of this bird. Its 'chip' call also corresponds. Hindwood & Cunningham (1950) also gave details of other possible sightings of the species. One of these sightings, of some birds seen by Max Nicholls in late 1949, may involve the individual seen by Cunningham. This species was introduced into New Zealand in the 1860s, and there is little doubt that the birds recorded on Lord Howe Island originated there (Williams 1953, OSNZ 1990).

Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena Uncommon breeding resident. Records to 1973 are listed. The first confirmed record of the Welcome Swallow on Lord Howe Island was in October 1907 when one bird was seen (Hull 1910). One collected by Roy Bell on 22 July 1913 (Hindwood 1940; AMNH 560131). Several seen by Bell on 12 February 1915 (Hindwood 1940). One seen in December 1942 (Hindwood & Cunningham 1950). One undated record from the period 1950 to 1965 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). One seen by Dean Retmock on 8 March 1969 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Terry Lindsey, November 1971 (Rogers 1972). Retmock observed the colonisation of the main Island in mid 1973 (Rogers 1974). In December 1973, two nests were found at Sea Breeze Lodge near Soldiers Creek by Ray Swaby, A Griffin and F. Foster, and by early 1974 there were over 20 birds present (Rogers 1974). By the following year the species was well established (Rogers 1975). Smithers (1977) estimated that there were at least 40 birds at the Group by February 1977, and 137 were counted by Bruce Knight at Soldiers Creek on 6 May 1984 (Lindsey 1986). The Welcome Swallow occurs throughout Australia but is only a recent coloniser of New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. The species has been recorded in New Caledonia only since 1976, though it is not yet known to breed there (Barre & Dutson 2000, Barre & Bachy 2003). The Lord Howe Island population appears to be resident, and birds are most often seen flying over paddocks and settled areas. It has also been recorded at Balls Pyramid (NSWBA data). There are few published records of breeding on Lord Howe McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 68 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Island, though the season lasts from at least September to April. Nests are usually placed under the eaves of a building, though cave sites are also known (Hutton 1991).

*Tree Martin Hirundo nigricans Vagrant. Five sets of records. One seen by Norman Chaffer in January 1967 and Gary Sefton in mid. February 1967 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Two seen by Alan Rogers near Old Settlement Beach on 26 D ecember 1968 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). One seen by Doug Gibson in January 1971 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). Specimen collected by J. Evans, 18 August 1978 (AM 0.47058). Seen by D.N. McDonald in April 2001 (Birds Australia data).

*Fairy Martin Hirundo miel Vagrant. Seven records. One seen by Peter Fullagar at the airstrip, 25 May 1975 (Rogers 1976). Eight to ten birds seen by Ben Miller during the period 1978 to 1980 (B. Miller pers. comm. ). These birds took up residence near Salmon Beach for about two weeks before departing. Two seen by Rob Drummond on 28 January 1986 (Cooper 1990). Two seen by Glenn Holmes at Soldiers Creek on 6 March 1988 (G. Holmes in !itt. April 2003). One seen by Janis and Tim Hosking at the cliffs at Malabar in July 1992 (NSWBA data; J. & T. Hosking pers. comm.). Four birds seen by Hutton, Adam Bester and Margaret Burgman, 28-29 August 2001 (Birds Australia data, NSWBA data). Seen by Trevor Cowie in late October 2002 (Birds Australia data).

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis tephropleurus (Plate 26, opposite) Common breeding resident. The Silvereye on Lord Howe Island is an endemic subspecies of a widespread species found in eastern and south- and much of the south-west Pacific (Mees 1969, Heather & Robertson 1996). It occurs in all forest and shrub habitat and is frequently fed by the Island residents (Hutton 1991). It feeds on nectar, small insects, fruit and seeds, and often forages in flocks. It may be responsible for spreading the seed of the introduced Cherry Guava Psidium cattleianum to much of the main Island. For such a common bird on Lord Howe Island, there are remarkably few breeding records. The breeding season has not been recorded but is probably in spring and summer. The only breeding records are in January (NSWBA data), and dependent birds seen by Glenn Holmes on 25 February and 6 March 1986 (G. Holmes in !itt. April2003). The Silvereye builds a cup-shaped nest from palm fibre and reinforced with grass and spiders' webs (Hutton 1991). After the Black Rat had ravaged much of the main Island's avifauna, it was decided to introduce white-eyes (Zosterops species) to Lord Howe Island. Silvereyes of unknown subspecies from both Sydney and Norfolk Island were introduced in 1924 and 1925. However, these birds apparently died out without leaving evidence of interbreeding (McKean & Hindwood 1965). Fortunately the endemic subspecies still survives. t Robust White-eye Zosterops strenuus Extinct endemic species. The Robust White-eye was originally found in large numbers on the main Island. It was first recorded in September 1853 when at least one specimen was collected by John MacGillivray (Knox & Walters 1994, David 1995). There are no records of the species after the arrival of the Black VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 69

26. Lord Howe Island subspecies of Silvereye

Rat in June 1918, and it was certainly extinct by 1928 (Sharland 1929). The major habitat noted for the species was the forested areas, particularly those dominated by palms (Hull1910). 1t invaded gardens and fed on fruit, and Roy Bell recorded it puncturing the eggs of other birds to extract the contents (Hindwood 1940). The nest of the Robust White-eye was large, cup-shaped and made from either rootlets or palm fibre and woven with grasses. It was built in a fork of twigs (Hull 1910, Hindwood 1940). Clutches of eggs are dated from mid November to early February, indicating breeding from late spring and through summer (AM data). Traditionally thought of as a species in its own right, the extinct Robust White­ eye was combined as a subspecies of the Slender-billed White-eye Zosterops tenuirostris of Norfolk Island by Schodde & Mason (1999). Despite any plumage similarities these two forms were markedly different, with different nests, bill structure and habits. The Slender-billed White-eye is still largely insectivorous and feeds more like a treecreeper (McA!lan pers. obs.). It is adapted to feeding in crevices and under the bark of the trunk and branches of trees, especially the Norfolk Island Pine. Unlike the Robust White-eye, the Slender-billed White-eye survived the invasion of the Black Rat on Norfolk Island.

Common Blackbird Turdus me!Ula Uncommon breeding resident. The was introduced to Australia and New Zealand from Europe. It has colonised most subantarctic islands south of New Zealand as well as Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and the Chatham and Kermadec Groups. It was first seen on Lord Howe Island in McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 70 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

December 1953 (McKean & Hindwood 1965). By November 1959 it was present in low numbers over the northern half of the main Island; three years later it was found throughout most of the main Island. It is likely that the Common Blackbird colonised Lord Howe Island from New Zealand rather than mainland NSW, where it is still rare in coastal districts. On Lord Howe Island it is now one of the most common songbirds, found in all forested habitat, including settled areas, but most common at lower elevations. It forages for invertebrates both on the forest floor and on grassed areas nOt far from cover, such as lawns and gardens. The breeding season is usually from September to January on Lord Howe Island, but this species has been recorded breeding as early as late August, and young have been seen as late as March (Hutton 1991; NSWBA data). The preferred nest-site is in dense shrubs or low trees. The nest is a large cup-shaped structure built of twigs, palm fibre or grass often bound together with mud. Although it would be desirable to eradicate this species from the Group, the population is widespread and such an undertaking may be difficult. This species may be filling a niche previously held by the Island Thrush. tisland Thrush Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus . Extinct endemic subspecies. The Island Thrush was first recorded on Lord Howe Island in September 1853 when at least two specimens were collected by John MacGillivray (Knox & Walters 1994, David 1995). I twas common in forested areas of the main Island where it fed on the ground, turning leaf-litter to look for food (Etheridge 1889). It was locally known as the 'Doctor Bird', as its plumage matched the colour of a coat owned by an early resident, Dr Foulis (Hutton 1991 ). The Island Thrush on Lord Howe Island built its large loose cup-shaped nest close to the ground from strips of palm fronds, dead leaves and grasses (North 1890, Hull 1910). Clutches of eggs are dated from late September to January (Knox & Walters 1994; AM data), indicating that the main breeding period was from spring to early summer. There are no records of the Lord Howe Island subspecies after the arrival of the Black Rat in June 1918, and it was extinct by 1928 (Sharland 1929). There were two attempts to introduce the Norfolk Island subspecies Tp. poliocephalus to Lord Howe Island, in May 1925 and November 1935, but neither succeeded (Hindwood 1940). Given that the Black Rat remains on Lord Howe Island, it is not advisable to reintroduce the Island Thrush at this stage.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Rare breeding resident. The first vagrant Song Thrush was reported around 1928 (Sharland 1929, Hindwood 1940). In January 1955 a nest of this species was sent to K.A. Hindwood for identification (McKean & Hindwood 1965). The Song Thrush had established itself on the main Island by late 1959 when 50 pairs were estimated to be present. Colonisation of the main Island was complete by January 1972, when breeding was recorded by Peter Fullagar and John Disney near the summit of Mount Gower (Rogers 1973). The nest of the Song Thrush on Lord Howe Island is a cup-shaped structure made from grass, leaves and palm fibre, qnd lined with mud or rotten Pandanus pulp (Hutton 1991). Breeding has been recorded from November to January, but is likely to last longer (NSWBA data). VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 71

A bird was found dead on the NSW mainland at Lake Cathie (31 °33'S, 152o51'E) on 13 September 2001 (D. Whitfield, NSWBA data; specimen donated to AM). Given that the nearest population of the Song Thrush to this locality is at Lord Howe Island, 590 km due east, its presence on Lord Howe Island should be of concern to NSW authorities. The Song Thrush also colonised Norfolk Island from New Zealand around 1913 (Hindwood 1940). Although the Victorian population of this species has not advanced far from the environs of Melbourne, the New Zealand population is evidently able to disperse over water and colonise · over long distances, including into warmer climates (see also Williams 1953). Eradication of the Song Thrush on Lord Howe Island should be considered.

tTasman Starling Aplonis fusca hulliana Extinct endemic subspecies (and species). The Tasman Starling had an endemic subspecies on Lord Howe Island, with another subspecies on Norfolk Island where it is also extinct. It was first recorded on Lord Howe Island in September 1853 when two birds were collected by John MacGillivray (Knox & Walters 1994, David 1995). There are no records of the species after the arrival of the Black Rat in June 1918, so its decline was evidently rapid. It was originally found in large numbers on the main Island and raided gardens for fruit (Etheridge 1889). The Tasman Starling was evidently found in the forest (Etheridge 1889). Islanders named it 'Cudgimaruk', based on its call (Hindwood 1940). It built a grass nest inside the hollow branch of a tree (North 1890). Clutches of eggs are dated from late September to late December, though there is one clutch from May and another from June (Knox & Walters 1994; AM data). This suggests that although the Tasman Starling could breed at any time, its main breeding period was from late spring to early summer.

Common Starling Stumus vulgaris Rare breeding resident. This species was first recorded as a vagrant to Lord Howe Island in the first half of 1924 when a flock of 50 birds was seen (Le Souef 1924). Norman Chaffer saw two birds entering a hollow in November 1935, which suggests that it was already breeding, but the Island residents had not recorded breeding when Hindwood wrote his paper (Hindwood 1940). Hindwood himself did not see the species in November 1936, but by the end of the 1940s the Common Starling was resident (Hindwood 1940, Hutton 1991). On Lord Howe Island the Common Starling is found mainly in open habitat where it forages for insects, seeds and fruit on the ground or in bushes. In the non-breeding season it forms flocks. Previously it was regularly found at Moseley Park Swamp, later to become the airstrip. At this stage the preferred nesting tree was a large hollow Grey BarkDrypetes deplanchei; however, this tree fell over in a storm in 1990. This event coincided with the early stages of colonisation of the Group by the Masked Lapwing which mainly forages at the airstrip. These factors evidently induced the Common Starling to move to the Old Settlement and the golf course areas (Hutton pers. obs.). On Lord Howe Island the Common Starling builds a nest of grass or other fine material, usually in a tree-hollow, but also in the crown of a palm (Hutton 1991). There is no recorded date of any breeding attempt on Lord Howe Island, but the breeding season is likely to be in spring and summer. There has been a decline in the numbers of this species on Lord Howe Island in recent years and the population is now very small and may die out of its own accord. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 72 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Species List This listing is of all species known from the Lord Howe Island Group, excluding those introduced species that are now locally extinct (for which see Appendix 1). Status codes: breeding species = B, regular visitor = R, vagrant = V, extinct = X, introduced breeding = I, status indeterminate = ? .

Black Swan v Little Black Cormorant v Canada Goose v Great Cormorant R Australian Shelduck v Lesser Frigatebird v Paradise Shelduck v White-faced Heron B Australian Wood Duck v Little Egret v Mallard B Eastern Reef Egret v Pacific Black Duck B Great Egret v Grey Teal v Intermediate Egret v Chestnut Teal v Cattle Egret R Australasian Grebe v Nankeen Night Heron v Hoary-headed Grebe v Little Bittern v v Australasian Bittern v Southern Giant-Petrel v Glossy Ibis v Cape Petrel R Australian White Ibis v Great-winged Petrel R Straw-necked Ibis v White-headed Petrel v Royal Spoonbill v Providence Petrel B Yellow-billed Spoonbill v Kermadec Petrel B Brahminy Kite v Mottled Petrel v Swamp Harrier v White-necked Petrel v Brown Falcon v Black-winged Petrel B Nankeen Kestrel B Pycroft's Petrel X Buff-banded Rail B Gould's Petrel v Lord Howe Woodhen B Antarctic Prion v Baillon's Crake v Fairy Prion v Purple Swamphen B Westland Petrel v White Gallinule X Wedge-tailed Shearwater B Dusky Moorhen v Buller's Shearwater v Eurasian Coot v Flesh-footed Shearwater B Latham's Snipe R Sooty Shearwater v Black-tailed Godwit v Short-tailed Shearwater v Bar-tailed Godwit R Fluttering Shearwater v Little Curlew v Hutton's Shearwater v Whimbrel R Little Shearwater B Eastern Curlew R Wandering Albatross v Marsh Sandpiper v Black-browed Albatross v Common Greenshank v Wilson's Storm-Petrel v Terek Sandpiper v White-faced Storm-Petrel ? Common Sandpiper v White-bellied Storm-Petrel B Grey-tailed Tattler R Red-tailed Tropicbird B Wandering Tattler R White-tailed Tropicbird v Ruddy Turnstone R Australasian Gannet R Great Knot v Masked Booby B Red Knot R Red-footed Booby v Red-necked Stint R Brown Booby v Pectoral Sandpiper v Little Pied Cormorant v Sharp-tailed Sandpiper R Pied Cormorant v Curlew Sandpiper v VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 73

Species List (continued)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper V Brush Cuckoo v Painted Snipe V Fan-tailed Cuckoo v South Island Pied Oystercatcher V Shining Bronze-Cuckoo v Sooty Oystercatcher V Common Koel v Black-winged Stilt V Long-tailed Cuckoo v . Pacific Golden Plover R Channel-billed Cuckoo v Grey Plover V Masked Owl I Double-banded Plover R Southern Boobook X Lesser Sand Plover V White-throated Needletail v Greater Sand Plover V Fork-tailed Swift v Oriental Plover V Sacred Kingfisher B Banded Lapwing V Rainbow Bee-eater v Masked Lapwing B Dollarbird v Oriental Pratincole V Lord Howe Gerygone X Australian Pratincole V Noisy Friarbird v Long-tailed Jaeger V Golden Whistler B Kelp Gull V Leaden Flycatcher v Silver Gull V Magpie-lark I Gull-billed Tern V Grey Fantail X Caspian Tern V Willie Wagtail v Crested Tern V Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike v White-fronted Tern V White-winged Triller v Black-naped Tern V Olive-backed Oriole v Common Tern V Masked Woodswallow v Arctic Tern V White-browed Woodswallow v UWeThrn V Pied Currawong B Sooty Tern B Australian Raven v Whiskered Tern V Skylark v White-winged Black Tern V Richard's Pipit v Common Noddy B Common Chaffinch v Black Noddy B European Greenfinch v Grey Ternlet B European Goldfinch v White Tern B Common Redpoll v Rock Dove B Yellowhammer v White-throated Pigeon X Welcome Swallow B Spotted Turtle-Dove V Tree Martin v Brush Bronzewing V Fairy Martin v Emerald Dove B Silvereye B Pied Imperial-Pigeon V Robust White-eye X Eastern Rosella V Common Blackbird B Swift Parrot V Island Thrush X Red-crowned Parakeet X Song Thrush B Oriental Cuckoo V Tasman Starling X Pallid Cuckoo V Common Starling B McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 74 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the following for providing details of records, both recent and historical: Maria Bellio, Martin Blunt, John Blyth, Walter Boles (Australian Museum), Peter Bond, Bill Bourne, Margaret Burgmann, Jim Care, John and Carole Carpenter, Mike Carter, Neil Cheshire, Margaret Christian, Reg Clark, Mark Clayton (CSIRO), J. Denning, Irene Denton, John Disney, John Duranti, Mark Eldridge, Antoney Fabbrio, Max F in layson, Tom Fletcher, Bruce and Joanne Foster, Glenn Fraser, Patricia Gornall, J. Hall, Ian Harpley, June Harris; Ian Hawthorn, Bas Hensen, Dian Hobcroft, Glenn Holmes, Ern Hoskin AO, Janis and T im Hosking, Barbara Howie, Carol and Andrew lies, Andrew Jamieson, Les King, Diana Lade, Noel Linehan, Norma Maxwell, Honey McCoy, Neil McK.illigan, Lisa Menke (NSW NPWS), Ben Miller, Kevin Mills, Alan Morris, Michael Murphy, Lisa O'Neill, Neil Rankin, Bill Retmock, Dean Retmock, Matthew Retmock, Janet Robina, Alan Rogers, Jack Shick, Ray Shick, Andrew Silcocks (Birds Australia), Lindsay Smith, Bob Southman, John Stirling, Bruce Thompson, John Waugh, Dave Whitfield, Clive Wilson and Gower Wilson. Walter Boles, John H. deS. Disney, Glenn Fraser, Glenn Holmes, Ben Miller, Alan Morris, David Priddel (NSW NPWS) and Alan Rogers found time to read and comment on advanced drafts of this paper. Much help was also received from the staff of the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW and the Australian Museum Library. Finally a big thank you to Andrew Ley, Stephen Debus and Julia Hurley for their critical and valuable editorial comments.

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Appendix 1: Species introduced to Lord Howe Island and now locally extinct For further details on these introduced species see Hindwood (1940) and Hutton (1991). Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus California Quail Callipepla californica Peaceful Dove Geopelia tranquilla (as escaped pet, seen in early 1980s, G. Fraser) Galah Cacatua roseicapilla (as escaped pet, seen in 1980s, NSWBA data). Long-billed Corella Cacatua tenuirostris (as escaped pet, seen 7 March 1988, G. Holmes) Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans Barn Owl Tyto alba Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae boobook (mainland NSW subspecies) Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus poliocephalus (Norfolk Island subspecies)

Appendix 2: Species recorded in error, or not confirmed for the Lord Howe Island Group Hindwood (1940) listed several species in this category that were based on misinterpretations of scientific nomenclature which are not listed here. However, some of the other records that he thought were questionable have since been verified (e.g. Little Bittern, Masked Lapwing, Leaden Flycatcher and Willie Wagtail). Listed below are those species that have been reported from the Group which cannot necessarily be explained away as incorrect use of scientific nomenclature. Some of these may have been valid records and these species could occur at the Group.

Black-bellied Storm-Petrel Fregetta tropica Recorded in error by Morris (2000, 2001). Enquiries to the observers revealed that the birds seen were White-bellied Storm-Petrels. Even so, the Black-bellied Storm-Petrel could occur in surrounding waters as it is likely to migrate through the mid Tasman in most years (see McAllan 2002).

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Etheridge (1889) recorded that a Pelican had been reported from the Group, though no details were given. This species has wandered to many island groups in the Pacific and so a record from Lord Howe Island is likely. McALLAN, CURTIS, AUSTRALIAN 80 HUTION & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Glenn Holmes and Hutton (in Hutton 1991) reported a sighting for the period 1975- 1990. However, after questioning many known residents and visitors to the Island and a search of the literature we cannot verify this record (also G. Holmes pers. comm.). One was also reported via a LHIM card and from the western end of Old Settlement Beach on 22 October 2003, though we have not been able to confirm the details of the record.

Whistling Kite Haliastw;, sphenurus Reported by Ramsay (1882). Hindwood (1940) concluded that this was an error for a Swamp Harrier.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Ramsay included this species for Lord Howe Island, but gave no details of any records (Ramsay 1882). Doug Gibson was told by Island residents that a White-bellied Sea-Eagle had been seen several times during 1964 (J.D. Gibson in /itt. to Keith Hindwood, 9 January 1965, K.A. Hindwood papers, ML).

Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae This species was described to Hull (1910) by Herbert Wilson. However, Hindwood (1940) considered its identity not confirmed.

Hooded Plover Thinornis rubrical/is According to Etheridge (1889) this species was recorded by J.A. Thorpe, but this sighting is likely to have been of another species.

'Wattlebird' Anthochaera sp. ? Local residents reported a 'wattlebird' to Ben Mill er some time during the period 1978 to 1980, but the identification was not confirmed (B. Miller pers. comm.).

'Red-breasted Robin' Petroica sp.? Hindwood (1940) noted that Mr Dignum, an Island resident, had recorded such a species.

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris This species was reported by Ramsay (1882). However, Hull (1910) and Hindwood (1940) considered the report doubtful. Even so, the Rufous Whistler undergoes a migration in mainland NSW so there is always the possibility of a bird turning up on Lord Howe Island.

Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa ssp. Island residents occasionally report 'Grey Fantails', though no details have been given (Hutton pers. obs.). It is not clear whether this is a correct identification.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Dean Retmock told Keith Hindwood that he had seen a 'Tree Sparrow' on the main Island on 20 May 1970 (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML). However, no description was given. As the Tree Sparrow is rare in mainland NSW and has not been in troduced to New Zealand, evidently some other species was seen. ·

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum The Mistletoebird was reported from the Group (Le Souef 1924), though later the observer could not confirm the record to Hindwood (1940).

Appendix 3: The birds of Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs are administered by the Australian Government, and the nearest landmass is Lord Howe Island. They have rarely VOL. 21, Supplement 2004 Birds of Lord Howe Island 81 been visited by bird-watchers, and only occasionally by residents of Lord Howe Island, and there is little recorded information concerning these visits. Elizabeth Reef is 130 km north of Lord Howe Island at 29°55'S, 159°05'E and Middleton Reef is 50 km farther north, at 29o25'S, 159°05'E. These oval coral reefs are both c. 10 km from east to west and are largely inundated at high tide. A small sand cay, which is probably inundated during storms and spring tides, is present on Elizabeth Reef. However, there have been several shipwrecks on both reefs and this means that some solid surfaces are exposed even on the highest tides. This has allowed some birds to roost and breed, albeit in small numbers.

Documented visits to Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs l. Gilbert Whitley [ = GW], 14- 18 April 1936. Visited both reefs on the Wanderer, for the Australian Museum (Whitley 1937). 2. Lindsay Smith [ = LS], early December 1987. Visited both reefs on the Research Vessel Flamingo Bay, for the Australian Museum (Smith 1992). 3. Captain Neil Cheshire [ = NC], 3 May 1989. Visited seas to the west and south-west of Elizabeth Reef, on the CSIRO Research Vessel Franklin (in litt.). 4. Ian Hutton [ =IH], 13 January 1990. Visited both reefs. 5. Captain Neil Cheshire, 27 May 1994. Visited seas to the south of E lizabeth Reef, on the CSIRO Research Vessel Franklin (in litt.). 6. Margaret Christian [ = MC], 16-22 January 1996. On the Australian Customs Vessel Sir William Lyne, for the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (in litt. 23 March 1999).

Species recorded at Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs

Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera Seen in small numbers by LS near both reefs.

Providence Petrel Pterodroma solandri One seen by NC c. 40 km west-south-west of Elizabeth Reef on 3 May 1989. Single birds seen on three occasions by NC about 13 km from E lizabeth Reef on 27 May 1994. Birds presumed to be this species were seen between Middleton and E lizabeth Reefs by MC.

White-necked Petrel Pterodroma ce1vicalis Seen by LS near both reefs. This species was considered relatively abundant in seas north of Lord Howe Island by LS, and small numbers were seen close to both reefs.

Wedge-tailed Sheatwater Puffinus pacificus Seen in small flocks by LS near both reefs. About six birds seen by NC c. 13 km west of Elizabeth Reef on 3 May 1989. Seen between Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs by MC.

Flesh-footed Sheatwater Puffimts cameipes Seen in small fl ocks by LS at the edge of both reefs. Two seen by NC c. 13 km south­ south-east of Elizabeth Reef on 27 May 1994.

Sooty Sheatwater Puffinus f51iseus Ten seen near the eastern end of Elizabeth Reef by LS. McALLAN, CURTIS,· AUSTRALIAN 82 HUTTON & COOPER FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda One seen by GW south of Elizabeth Reef on 14 April1936. Seen by LS 15 km west of Middleton Reef, but not near the reef itself.

Masked Booby Sula dactylatra Observed on a sandbank at Elizabeth Reef by crew of the Wanderer on 15 April1936. Seen by GW between Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs on 16 April 1936. One seen by GW at Middleton Reef on 18 April 1936. Hundreds of Masked Boobies were seen roosting on both the Fuku Maru "shipwreck (Middleton Reef) and Yoshin Maru-lwaki shipwreck (Elizabeth Reef) by LS. Two were collected, and are the subspecies tasmani (AM 0.60019 and 0.60100). One seen by NC c. 55 km west-south-west of Elizabeth Reef on 3 May 1989. Single birds seen on two occasions by NC c. 13 km from Elizabeth Reef on 27 May 1994. 20 to 30 birds seen roosting on the Yoshin Maru-lwaki (Elizabeth Reef) by MC. Gower Wilson found three Masked Booby eggs on the Yoshin Maru-Iwaki, though no date was noted (G. Wilson pers. comm.).

Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra Salvage workers found a nest of this species made from copper wire in the funnel of the wreckage of the Runic on Middleton Reef in early 1973 (Anon. 1973). A photograph of the nest revealed four eggs.

Ruddy Thrnstone Arenaria interpres Small numbers were seen by LS on both reefs. Seven seen by IH on sandspit at low tide on Elizabeth Reef on 13 January 1990.

Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata Small numbers seen by LS near both reefs, and birds seen loafing on exposed coral.

Common Noddy Anous stolidus Observed near sandbank at Elizabeth Reef by crew of the Wanderer on 15 April1936. Large numbers seen by GW perched on two shipwrecks on Middleton Reef on 17 and 18 April1936. Hundreds seen at both reefs by LS, who also observed c. 30 pairs breeding on the Fuku Maru (Middleton Reef). At least four seen by NC c. 13 km west of Elizabeth Reef on 3 May 1989. Three chicks were photographed by IH at nests on the Fuku Maru (Middleton Reef) on 13 January 1990. Two seen by NC c. 35 km west-south-west of Elizabeth Reef on 27 May 1994. Seen roosting on the Fuku Maru by MC. Seen flying at Elizabeth Reef by MC.

White Tern Gygis alba Norman Fenton of Lord Howe Island told Doug Gibson in January 1971 that the White Tern nested on the handrails of the wreck of the Runic on Middleton Reef (K.A. Hindwood papers, ML).

In addition, Gilbert Whitley recorded unidentified shearwaters and petrels.

Received 6 November 2003