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BIRDS of CUVIER ISLAND by P.J. Bellingham*, T.G. Lovegrove**, J

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BIRDS of CUVIER ISLAND by P.J. Bellingham*, T.G. Lovegrove**, J TANE 27, 1981 BIRDS OF CUVIER ISLAND by P.J. Bellingham*, T.G. Lovegrove**, J. McCallum, S.E. Pitt and I.C. Southey * Department of Botany, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland t Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland Department of Geology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland **RD 2, Waiotira, Northland SUMMARY Sixty species of birds have been recorded from Cuvier Island and surrounding waters during a series of expeditions from 1974 to 1980. INTRODUCTION Cuvier lies 40 km east of Cape Colville, the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. The island is approximately 200 ha in area, with 180 ha forming the forested flora and fauna reserve, while the remainder is the grazed pastureland of the lighthouse station (see Fig. 1). Observations were compiled during a number of visits made by T.G.L. from 1974 to 1979,1.C.S. in August 1979, J. McC. in November to December 1979, and by P.J.B., J.McC, S.E.P. and I.C.S. during the Auckland University Field Club scientific trip from 21 to 26 May, 1980. Species nomenclature follows the Ornithological Society of New Zealand (1970). Apart from kiore (Rattus exulans), the island is free of introduced mammalian predators. Since goats and cats were exterminated in the early 1960s, the forest understory has regenerated rapidly making suitable habitat for a number of native birds. By 1968 Cuvier was considered suitable for North Island saddleback, and in January of that year 29 birds were released. In 1974, red-crowned parakeets were introduced. Recent ornithological studies included those of Blackburn (1967), McLean (1975), Jenkins (1976), Reed (1976), Lovegrove (1980), McLean and Jenkins (1980) and O'Callaghan (1980). 23 SPECIES LIST Little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor). Penguins were often heard around the coast at dusk and nesting cavities located under boulders and in rock crevices near the shore. Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans). A regular visitor to the seas around Cuvier in winter. Black-browed mollymawk (Diomedea melanophris). A common winter visitor to the waters of Cuvier Island from May to October. Yellow-nosed mollymawk (Diomedea chlororhynchus). This species is more numerous in New Zealand waters than previously thought and is often seen in the Hauraki Gulf and around Cuvier during winter. Shy mollymawk (Diomedea cauta). A few seen offshore between May and August 1979. Giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus). Present in surrounding waters between June and November. Cape pigeon (Daption capensis). A frequent visitor during winter. Odd birds were often seen in large feeding flocks of gulls, shearwaters and prions offshore. Grey-faced petrel (Pterodroma macroptera). The breeding colonies on Cuvier Island may contain several thousand individuals. The birds arrive in April and May to clean burrows and court. Spectacular aerial displays by pairs occur in May, most eggs have hatched by August and the colonies are deserted by January. Figure 1 shows the distribution of burrows on Cuvier (density was not estimated due to haphazard spacing). Measurements of captured birds are shown in Table 1. Sexing by cloacal inspection was difficult in late May, as most breeding pairs had departed for an approximate 64 day "honeymoon" period (M.J. Imber pers. comm.). Most of our figures given in Table 1 are significantly smaller than data published by Imber (1971) as the majority measured were young birds as well as non-breeders. Kermadec petrel (Pterodroma neglecta). Since 1976 (Reed 1976), a Kermadec petrel, probably the same bird, has visited Cuvier every summer. It was seen during November and December 1979 and was photographed. This individual is a dark- phased bird and its visits followed a regular daily pattern. It usually appeared in late afternoon and circled the occupied gull colony. Often it was chased by the gulls and terns when it overflew their nest-sites. In shape, size and appearance, this petrel was remarkably like a young pomarine skua (Stercorarius pomarinus). Cookilaria petrels (Pterodroma spp.). The "kek-kek-kek" calls of cookilarias are often heard over the 24 Fig. 1. Distribution of grey-faced petrels burrows, Cuvier Island, May 1980, shown by shaded regions. island on summer nights. Cook's petrels breed 30 km away on Great and Little Barrier Islands, while Pycroft's petrels (Pterodroma pycrofti) breed 25 km away at the outer Mercury Islands. Cook's petrel (Pterodroma cooki). Several individuals have been picked up after striking the lighthouse. Fairy prion (Pachyptila turtur). Large flocks of prions, most probably this species, were seen offshore during winter. Black petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni). Occasionally seen in surrounding waters, especially during summer. Flesh-footed shearwater (Puffinus carneipes). Frequently seen offshore in flocks during summer. Buller's shearwater (Puffinus bulleri). The most numerous shearwater seen off Cuvier during summer. Flocks may number hundreds of individuals. Sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus). A few pairs breed on Cuvier. A bird sitting on an egg in a burrow on the Radar Point Ridge was captured and photographed in January 1977. Fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia). Present in the seas around Cuvier throughout the year. Allied shearwater (Puffinus assimilis). Regularly seen around Cuvier Island either alone or in small groups. They do not breed on islands inhabited by rats. A single, freshly used burrow was found on top of Scott's Monument, a small rat-free stack in Fairchild Bay, during May 1980 and was presumed to belong to this winter-breeding shearwater. White-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina). Numerous in surrounding waters during summer. Diving petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix). Numerous around Cuvier throughout the year. Gannet, (Sula bassana). Common around Cuvier throughout the year. Black shag (Phalacrocorax carbo). One seen in May 1979. Pied shag (Phalacrocorax varius). A small colony at Radar Point has been occupied for some years. A count in July 1979 showed 16 birds and 5 occupied nests. Little shag (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos). Seen in May 1980. White-faced heron (Ardea novaehollandiae). 2 in the damp valley behind the lighthouse station on 2.3.79. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). One in the North-west Bay stream on 22.1.75, while a pair inhabited 26 the valley behind the lighthouse station for most of February 1979. Harrier (Circus approximans). Odd birds are often noted over the island, but no nests have been found. Cast pellets show that kiore and small birds comprise a large portion of their diet. Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis). A single bird, probably completing its migration to New Zealand, was seen on several occasions in the valley behind the lighthouse station during October 1979. Black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus). One or two pairs may breed along the coast of Cuvier during summer. Red-billed gull (Larus novaehollandiae). From numbers given in previous papers (Gurr and Kinsky 1965, Blackburn 1967, Reed 1976) and from accounts by the lighthouse keepers, there are fewer gulls nesting on Cuvier Island than in the past. In 1979, only 74 occupied nests were found (numbers of eggs and chicks in these nests are shown in Table 2). In 1978, it is possible that no chicks were reared at all and the colony was practically deserted by 6.12.78. Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia). One seen in July 1979. White-fronted tern (Sterna striata). A small colony breeds successfully every year at Cuvier. 25 occupied nests were counted in November 1979 and contents of eggs and chicks are given in Table 3. New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae). Probably at least 10 pairs on Cuvier Island. A late nest found on 14.5.79 was incubated until 20.5.79 and then abandoned. Kaka (Nestor meridionalis). A regular visitor to Cuvier, probably from Great Barrier where it is numerous. Red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae). Numerous, especially on grassy slopes. There has been a dramatic increase in numbers since Reed (1976). Yellow-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps). Occasional birds and pairs recorded during 1979 and may have originated from Little Barrier or the Coromandel Ranges. Shining cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus). Common during summer. One bird over-wintered during 1979. Long-tailed cuckoo (Eudynamis taitensis). A few birds reach the island every summer. A lack of suitable host species means these cuckoos probably do not breed on Cuvier. Sometimes they are "mobbed" by small flocks of the larger passerines. Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae). 27 Moreporks are very rare on Cuvier Island, despite a good food supply of kiore. During 12 visits to the island between 1974 and 1980, only one morepork has been seen. Spine-tailed swift (Chaetura caudacuta). 9 birds seen on 11.12.79 soaring high over the island. Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta). Common in the forest and along the coast. Nest holes have been found in the rotten boughs of old pohutukawas (Metrosideros excelsa). Skylark (Alauda arvensis). A few present all year round. On Cuvier, there is no sign of the seasonal movements which occur on the mainland during winter. Welcome swallow (Hirundo tahitica). Present throughout the year. Although breeding may be expected in the buildings of the lighthouse station, no nests have been found. It is probable that nesting has occurred in caves along the rocky coastline. Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae). Occasionally seen on the fern slopes above North-west Bay. Hedge sparrow (Prunella modularis). Rather sparingly distributed throughout the forest. Songs have been heard throughout the year at various sites on the island. Grey warbler (Gerygone igata). Common in the bush, but not as numerous as the fantail. Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa). Numerous, especially obvious during winter, when flocks of 20 or more young birds gather in sunlit forest clearings to "hawk" insects. The fantail-saddleback feeding association has been described by McLean (1975) and can be seen at any time of the year. Song thrush (Turdus philomelos). A few pairs in the forest and several birds around the lighthouse station.
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