DOCSLIB.ORG

Newsletter Issue 38 November 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

PATRON: RUUD KLEINPASTE PO BOX 48-232, BLOCKHOUSE BAY, AUCKLAND 0644 NEWSLETTER WWW.LITTLEBARRIERISLAND.ORG.NZ ISSUE 38 NOVEMBER 2017 FROM THE CHAIR I hope you have all had the chance now to watch the 11-minute approved funds for research into the genetics of Hauturu’s hihi video prepared for the Trust by NHNZ and generously funded by population. The fieldwork has now been carried out and we will the Becroft Foundation. It is free to view on YouTube – “Little have a report to share with you in due course. Barrier Island: New Zealand’s Ark” – and is a great heart- The Conservation Management Plan for Te Hauturu-o-Toi was lifter for those of us that love NZ’s unique natural heritage. approved by the Ngäti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and the Auckland I would like to welcome our newest trustee, Shane McInnes. Conservation Board and released in October (see page 4). Shane was a ranger on Hauturu for several years, but now Finally thanks to all our supporters, many of whom have given has a land-based job and a young family and is keen to give generous donations of time or money towards ensuring that something back to the island. The Trust is keen to benefit from Hauturu remains the jewel in the crown and the exemplar for his expert knowledge of the island as well as his youth and all other restoration goals around New Zealand. enthusiasm. Lyn Wade – Chair Sadly we acknowledge the passing of a previous trustee, Geoff Drew, who had retired from the Trust last year after many years as the accountant (see page 7). Congratulations to our newsletter editor Kate and partner IN THIS ISSUE Sam on the safe arrival of a new wee daughter, Indigo. Rangers report ���������������������������������������������������������������������������2 Keith Gell, DOC Conservation Services manager for the Gulf Islands, spoke to our July meeting about his role. We also had Old friends and new faces ��������������������������������������������������������3 Tom Trnski, Head of Natural Sciences at Auckland Museum, Hauturu’s new rangers ��������������������������������������������������������������4 to our October meeting to talk about marine reserve possibilities Te Hauturu-o-Toi Conservation Management Plan�����������������4 for the Hauraki Gulf. Käkäpö and kauri breeding link ����������������������������������������������5 Weed work continues on the island with assistance from Trust- A dream come true �������������������������������������������������������������������6 sourced funding. Our thanks go to Foundation North and the DOC Community Conservation Fund for this welcome support. A deep connection ��������������������������������������������������������������������7 The Trust has been working towards offering small amounts Parkinson’s rätä �������������������������������������������������������������������������8 of funding to assist with research on the island. We recently ‘Island Invasives’ conference: Hauturu on the world stage ����8 HAUTURU ISSUE 38 1 RANGERS REPORT August and early September were mostly taken up with preparation for the weed season and a response to the spread of the plant pathogen myrtle rust. Polly went off to the main- land for a couple of weeks to train and help with response at infected areas, and on the island we identified unaffected rätä, pohutukawa, kanuka, manuka, and ramarama that we could potentially collect seed from early next year. WEEDS The recruitment of the weed team went smoothly and so far the team has covered good ground with the number of weeds declining compared to last year. To date only seven climbing asparagus have been found this season – two of them were adult but not old enough to generate seeds. The number of pampas found has been significantly lower than last year, with no seeding adults found to date. The team is making good progress on the number of plots that have to be covered this year. HIHI The hihi team of five was on the island from 5 to 13 October to look at genetic diversity and sperm viability in the hihi population on the island. The birds caught had blood samples taken, with sperm samples taken from the males. A total of 36 hihi were caught in mist nets to determine similarities or differences between sites on the island. Samples were taken from Pohutukawa flat (6 birds), East Cape (6 birds), and the bunkhouse and valley track/Hamilton track junction areas (24 birds). 34 of the captured birds were male and only two female. This is in part due to the fact that the females were sitting on nests at the time, and a good outcome as males were predominantly targeted. The hihi team is planning to come back in March to capture more birds and continue to research genetic diversity. – – – KAKAPO Four more käkäpö arrived on Hauturu in July, two new faces and two old friends (see story on next page). The annual transmitter change in September went well and all of the birds were caught on the first attempt and within the time allowed. There were two teams, and neither returned empty-handed on any of the catching days – a first since käkäpö returned to the island. All of the birds were in good or very good condition with most of the males being very heavy – which helped us to catch them as they were comparatively slow moving! The good weight of the males indicates that they are likely to boom. The beech and kauri seed count has not shown high numbers of flowers or cones, but there are some flowers and seeds forming. We’ll have to wait and see if any breeding occurs this season. The käkäpö team were once again key actors and ‘Lollywood stars’ in Liam’s movie-making efforts. Leigh was on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island helping with the käkäpö transmitter change and health check. She was excited to catch up with Mahli (the chick hatched on Hauturu in 2014 and named by the Supporters after Liam and Mahina) and see that she was in good condition and doing well, as was her sibling Tohu. Richard Walle From top: Leigh with Mahli on Whenua Hou, the hihi team at work, helicopter pilot Roger Stevenson helping release the new käkäpö arrivals. 2 HAUTURU ISSUE 38 RANGERS REPORT OLD FRIENDS AND NEW FACES On 10 July, four more käkäpö were transferred to Hauturu, on to father Mahli and Tohu in 2014, meaning Wendy is their bringing the total number to 14. The new arrivals included grandmother. two older birds who have been on Hauturu in the past, and The birds were released by the island rangers as well as Deidre two younger females, Tiaka and Tia, who have settled in the vercoe and Bronnie Jeynes from DOC’s käkäpö team, and iwi southwest of the island. representatives Fiona McKenzie (Ngäti Manuhiri) and Tane Davis Blades, an older male and prolific breeder – the father of 22 chicks (Ngäi Tahu). The birds were carried a short distance up the hill – was one of the ‘originals’, caught on Stewart Island and taken and released following a blessing by Tane and Fiona. to Hauturu in 1982. In 1999, he was transferred to Whenua Hou/ In a lovely symmetry, Warkworth-based helicopter pilot Roger Codfish Island. Blades’ winter home-range on Hauturu was near Stevenson flew the käkäpö to Hauturu. He had transferred Wendy Te Hue point and though he’s been away almost two decades, off the island in 1998 – and it was his father who originally took he seems to have settled back in the same vicinity. her there in his helicopter in 1982! The other older bird is Wendy, also a known breeder. She arrived Hopefully the addition of another successful breeding male and on Hauturu from Stewart Island in 1982, and was taken to Te Hoiere/ three more females will help answer the question sooner about Maud Island in 1998, then transferred to Whenua Hou in 2001. whether female käkäpö can successfully raise chicks on Hauturu Her home-range on Hauturu was near Track 20, and within one without supplementary food. week of transfer she was back in her old haunt. During her last stint on the island Wendy mated with both Bill and Ox and had several nests, eggs and chicks on Hauturu. Clockwise from below: Flightless birds in flight from Whenua Hou; iwi representatives Tane and Fiona accompany the käkäpö on the Two chicks disappeared from the nest, but Dobbie successfully helicopter trip; Tane and Fiona release the birds on Hauturu; fledged in 1991 with the aid of supplementary food. Dobbie went Wendy in her new home; prolific breeder Blades. HAUTURU ISSUE 38 3 Hauturu’s NEW RANGERS Hi everyone, Polly and Andre here. Not We arrived on Hauturu at the end of June sure where to start but the last place we and were straight into a flurry of activity left off might be best. Polly and I were with the planned release of käkäpö the the island rangers on Stephens Island/ following week. A highlight for us was a Takapourewa for the last three-and-a-half visit to Orau gorge with Pete and Kathy years. Stephens is around 20 times smaller to have a look at some weed sites, a very than Hauturu and is known for its seabirds imposing and special spot. and reptile fauna – it’s home to between The last few weeks have been quieter with 20,000 and 50,000 tuatara and many Richard joining Leigh and the kids for a millions of seabirds, including fairy prions. much-deserved break off the island. Prior to Polly’s focus on the island was mainly this Richard and I were focused on getting looking after the nursery, propagating the sentry stations running, me used to the 10,000 trees from seed a year to help with boat, and learning anything else I needed the restoration of the island.
Recommended publications
  • The Impact of Predation by Introduced Mammals on Endemic Shorebirds in New Zealand: a Conservation Perspective

    The Impact of Predation by Introduced Mammals on Endemic Shorebirds in New Zealand: a Conservation Perspective

    Biological Conservation 99 (2001) 47±64 www.elsevier.com/locate/biocon The impact of predation by introduced mammals on endemic shorebirds in New Zealand: a conservation perspective John E. Dowding a,*, Elaine C. Murphy b aPO Box 36-274, Merivale, Christchurch 8030, New Zealand bScience and Research Unit, Department of Conservation, Private Bag 4715, Christchurch, New Zealand Abstract The avifauna of New Zealand has been severely depleted since human colonisation and currently contains a disproportionately high number of threatened species. Of the 23 threatened shorebird species worldwide, six are endemic to New Zealand. We review the status of New Zealand's endemic shorebirds and examine the impact on them of various threats, particularly predation by introduced mammals. The conservation status of the 10 extant species (three oystercatchers, one stilt, four plovers and two snipe) is outlined and the factors that predisposed them to predation by introduced mammals are summarised. Individual species accounts are presented, including data on population trends, known or suspected impacts of predation, identi®cation of important predator species, other threats, and conservation measures currently in place or required. One species and two subspecies are extinct, three species are con®ned to predator-free islands and another is found only on the Chatham Islands group. Six survive on the mainland but three have declined to varying degrees and are assigned threatened status by Collar et al. (1994). Only one plover and two oystercatchers are still relatively numerous and/or widespread. Rats, cats and mustelids have had the greatest overall impacts. Conservation measures in place to mitigate the eects of introduced predators include the formulation of recovery plans, predator control around breeding areas, captive breeding and rearing programmes and the founding of new populations by translocation.
  • Great Barrier Island Aotea Brochure

    Great Barrier Island Aotea Brochure

    AUCKLAND Further information Great Barrier Aotea / Great Barrier Island Base Private Bag 96002 Island/Aotea Great Barrier Island 0961 Hauraki Gulf Marine Park PHONE: 09 429 0044 EMAIL: [email protected] www.doc.govt.nz Published by: Department of Conservation DOC Aotea / Great Barrier Island Base Private Bag 96002 Great Barrier Island October 2019 Editing and design: DOC Creative Services, Conservation House, Wellington Front cover: Aotea Track. Photo: Andris Apse Back cover: Kākā landing in a pōhutukawa tree. Photo: Leon Berard This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. R153740 Contents Aotea and Ngāti Rehua Aotea and Ngāti Rehua .................1 The island renown Ridge to reef ..........................2 The west coast ...........................3 Aotea is the ancestral land of the The east coast ............................3 Ngāti Rehua hapū of Ngāti Wai. It is Marine life ................................4 the southeastern outpost of the tribal rohe of the Ngāti Wai iwi. Seabirds ..................................4 Rich history ..........................5 Although each island, islet and rock has its own individual character and identity, Aotea is Mining ...................................5 viewed as a single physical and spiritual entity Whaling ..................................6 over which a ‘spiritual grid’ lies. At its centre Shipwrecks ...............................6 stands Hirakimata (Mt Hobson), the maunga Historic buildings. 6 tapu of Ngāti Rehua. To the
  • Distributions of New Zealand Birds on Real and Virtual Islands

    Distributions of New Zealand Birds on Real and Virtual Islands

    JARED M. DIAMOND 37 Department of Physiology, University of California Medical School, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA DISTRIBUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND BIRDS ON REAL AND VIRTUAL ISLANDS Summary: This paper considers how habitat geometry affects New Zealand bird distributions on land-bridge islands, oceanic islands, and forest patches. The data base consists of distributions of 60 native land and freshwater bird species on 31 islands. A theoretical section examines how species incidences should vary with factors such as population density, island area, and dispersal ability, in two cases: immigration possible or impossible. New Zealand bird species are divided into water-crossers and non-crossers on the basis of six types of evidence. Overwater colonists of New Zealand from Australia tend to evolve into non-crossers through becoming flightless or else acquiring a fear of flying over water. The number of land-bridge islands occupied per species increases with abundance and is greater for water-crossers than for non-crossers, as expected theoretically. Non-crossers are virtually restricted to large land-bridge islands. The ability to occupy small islands correlates with abundance. Some absences of species from particular islands are due to man- caused extinctions, unfulfilled habitat requirements, or lack of foster hosts. However, many absences have no such explanation and simply represent extinctions that could not be (or have not yet been) reversed by immigrations. Extinctions of native forest species due to forest fragmentation on Banks Peninsula have especially befallen non-crossers, uncommon species, and species with large area requirements. In forest fragments throughout New Zealand the distributions and area requirements of species reflect their population density and dispersal ability.
  • Re-Establishing North Island Kākā (Nestor Meridionalis Septentrionalis

    Re-Establishing North Island Kākā (Nestor Meridionalis Septentrionalis

    Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. Re-establishing North Island kākā (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) in New Zealand A thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Conservation Biology Massey University Auckland, New Zealand Tineke Joustra 2018 ii For Orlando, Aurora and Nayeli “I don’t want my children to follow in my footsteps, I want them to take the path next to me and go further than I could have ever dreamt possible” Anonymous iii iv Abstract Recently there has been a global increase in concern over the unprecedented loss of biodiversity and how the sixth mass extinction event is mainly due to human activities. Countries such as New Zealand have unique ecosystems which led to the evolution of many endemic species. One such New Zealand species is the kākā (Nestor meridionalis). Historically, kākā abundance has been affected by human activities (kākā were an important food source for Māori and Europeans). Today, introduced mammalian predators are one of the main threats to wild kākā populations. Although widespread and common throughout New Zealand until the 1800’s, kākā populations on the mainland now heavily rely on active conservation management. The main methods of kākā management include pest control and re-establishments. This thesis evaluated current and past commitments to New Zealand species restoration, as well as an analysis of global Psittacine re-establishment efforts.
  • Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) Quick Fact Sheet

    Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) Quick Fact Sheet

    Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) Quick Fact Sheet One of New Zealand's oldest off-shore island sanctuaries (established in 1895) One of New Zealand's largest off-shore island sanctuaries (3083 hectares) Volcanic in origin, with rugged, mountainous terrain, rising to 722 metres above sea-level (Mt Hauturu) Home to a greater number of threatened bird species than any other island in the country Home to New Zealand's most diverse assemblage of reptiles (tuatara; five species of gecko and eight species of skink) Home to over 400 species of native plants, including 34 that are nationally or regionally threatened The only site in the Auckland region for three nationally threatened plants: giant- flowered broom, red mistletoe, and Dactylanthus taylorii. Also the site of the largest natural populations in the region of shore spurge, which is declining nationally Home to the only self-sustaining population of hihi (stitchbird) Home to New Zealand's largest earthworm (up to 1.4 metres) and the wetapunga (Deinacrida heteracantha), which is New Zealand’s heaviest recorded insect (up to 71 grams) One of the few remaining sites where both species of native bat (short- and long- tailed) are present a safe haven for up to 23 kakapo, which was close to 50% of the remaining kakapo from 1982 to 1999, most of them moved up from Stewart Island to protect them from cat predation. Kakapo were removed prior to kiore (rat) eradication in the early-2000s and were re-introduced in 2012 Free of all mammalian predators (cat free since 1981 and rat free since 2006) The only known breeding ground in the world for the critically endangered New Zealand storm petrel, rediscovered in 2003 after 108 years of presumed extinction The world’s largest breeding ground of Cook's petrel, estimated at fewer than 30,000 pairs One of the two breeding grounds of the rare black petrel, estimated at 200 pairs .
  • Hihi – Stitchbird Facts As We Approach Christmas and the New Year We

    Hihi – Stitchbird Facts As We Approach Christmas and the New Year We

    Hihi – Stitchbird facts As we approach Christmas and the New Year we also approach the first year anniversary of HANZ. Woo! To celebrate us lasting a year and not just my dad listening but actual real people too, I have decided to do what most podcasts do during this time and do an AMAA or Ask Me Almost Anything or a Q and A episode if you like. So, to do that, I need questions that you would like answered! They can be about pretty much anything you want, stuff about the podcast, how I make it, the research, what I wear while recording, I don’t know! But you can also ask anything about me, who I am, my biases and just generally get to know me better if you want! There are a few restrictions though, as you might expect. I won’t answer anything too personal or that might tell you more about where I live and work. All I will say on those fronts is that I live in Wellington and I work in conservation, so don’t bother asking anything deeper. Don’t worry too much about that though, I’ll filter questions that I deem out of scope, so fire away anything you want to know through to me via Twitter, Facebook, Email and all the usual places! I’ll probably need quite a few so really go nuts! Kia ora, gday and welcome to the History of Aotearoa New Zealand. Episode 26: My Birb of the Year. I know I said that we would be talking about Māui this time but he will have to wait for next time cause I decided to do something a bit different.
  • Stitchbird (Hihi), Notiomystis Cincta Recovery Plan

    Stitchbird (Hihi), Notiomystis Cincta Recovery Plan

    Stitchbird (Hihi), Notiomystis cincta Recovery Plan Threatened Species Recovery plan Series No. 20 Department of Conservation Threatened Species Unit PO Box 10-420 Wellington New Zealand Prepared by: Gretchen Rasch,Shaarina Boyd and Suzanne Clegg for the Threatened Species Unit. April 1996 © Department of Conservation ISSN 1170-3806 ISBN 0-478-01709-6 Cover photo: C.R. Veitch, Department of Conservation CONTENTS page 1. Introduction 1 2. Distribution and Cause of Decline 3 2.1 Past distribution 3 2.2 Present distribution 3 2.3 Possible reasons for decline 3 3. Ecology 7 3.1 Foods and feeding 7 3.2 Competition with other honeyeaters 7 3.3 Habitat 8 4. Recovery to Date 9 4.1 Transferred populations 9 4.2 Captive population 11 5. Recovery Strategy 13 5.1 Long term goal 13 5.2 Short term objectives 13 6. Work Plan 15 6.1 Protect all islands with stitchbirds 15 6.2 Monitor stitchbirds on Little Barrier island 15 6.3 Monitor and (where necessary) enhance stitchbird populations on existing transfer sites 16 6.4 Establish self-sustaining populations of stitchbirds in other locations 18 6.5 Support captive breeding programme 18 6.6 Advocacy 19 6.7 Research needs 20 References 23 Appendices 1. Stitchbird Ecology 2. Criteria for assessing suitability of sites for stitchbird transfer. FIGURES page 1. Present distribution of stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) 4 2. Average number of stitchbirds counted per transect on Little Barrier Island 1975-1989 5 3. Percentage of food types in stitchbird diet, Little Barrier Island 1982-1984 7 Percentage of foods used by honeyeaters on Little Barrier 1982-1983 Appendix 1, p 1 Nectar used by honeyeaters in the Tirikakawa Valley, Little Barrier 1983-1984 Appendix 1, p2 TABLES page 1.
  • (Strigops Habroptilus) on Maud Island

    (Strigops Habroptilus) on Maud Island

    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Lincoln University Research Archive 143 Seasonal changes in home range size and habitat selection by kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on Maud Island JULIE WALSH Abstract Seasonal changes in home range size and habitat selection of kakapo Ecology and Entomology Group, P.O. Box 84, (Strigops habroptilus) were investigated on Maud Island. Kakapo were radio-tracked Lincoln University, New Zealand. at night in each of the four seasons between December 2000 and October 2001. [email protected] Home ranges were estimated for four adult males, three juvenile males and two juvenile females in each season and for nine females in summer, each based on KERRY-JAYNE WILSON 20 radio-fixes per season. Home range size varied from 1.8 to 145.0 ha using the Bio-Protection and Ecology Division, P.O. minimum convex polygon method. Home ranges were smallest in winter. Habitat Box 84, Lincoln University, New Zealand selection was determined by overlaying the kakapo locations and home ranges on a vegetation map of the island. For each season selection ratios were calculated GRAEME P. ELLIOTT for each vegetation community. Pine plantation (Pinus radiata) was selected for in Research, Development & Improvement summer, whereas the treeland community dominated by five- fingerPseudopanax ( Division, Department of Conservation, arbereus) was selected for in the autumn. Dense pole stands of manuka Private Bag 5, Nelson, New Zealand (Leptospemum scoparium) and pasture communities were avoided by kakapo. Walsh, J.; Wilson, K-J.; Elliott, G.P. 2006. Seasonal changes in home range size and habitat selection by kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on Maud Island.
  • Abundance and Future Options for Wetapunga on Little Barrier Island

    Abundance and Future Options for Wetapunga on Little Barrier Island

    Abundance and future options for wetapunga on Little Barrier Island SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION: 48 George Gibbs and Mary McIntyre Published by Department of Conservation P.O. Box 10-420 Wellington, New Zealand 1 Science for Conservation presents the results of investigations contracted to science providers outside the Department of Conservation. Reports are subject to peer review within and outside the Department. May 1997, Department of Conservation ISSN 1173-2946 ISBN 0-478-01896-7 This publication originated from work done under Department of Conservation contract 1959 carried out by George Gibbs and Mary McIntyre, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University, PO Box 600, Wellington. It was approved for publication by the Director, Science and Research Division, Department of Conservation, Wellington. Cataloguing-in-Publication data Gibbs, George W. (George William), 1937– Abundance and future options for wetapunga on Little Barrier Island / George Gibbs and Mary McIntyre. Wellington, N.Z. : Dept. of Conservation, 1997. 1 v. ; 30 cm. (Science for conservation, 1173-2946 ; 48.) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0478018967 1. Giant wetas- -New Zealand- -Little Barrier Island. 2. Weta punga. I. McIntyre, M. E. (Mary E.) II. Title. III. Series: Science for conservation (Wellington, N.Z.) ; 48. 595.7260993245 20 zbn97-045241 2 CONTENTS Abstract 5 1. Introduction 5 1.1 Objectives 6 1.2 Visits to Little Barrier Island 6 2. Assessment of numbers 6 2.1 Methods 7 2.2 Results 8 2.3 Discussion of population size 8 3. Habitat use 9 3.1 Use of shelters 10 3.2 Radiotracking study 10 3.3 Discussion of predators and role of shelters 12 4.
  • Success of Translocations of Red-Fronted Parakeets

    Success of Translocations of Red-Fronted Parakeets

    Conservation Evidence (2010) 7, 21-26 www.ConservationEvidence.com Success of translocations of red-fronted parakeets Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae novaezelandiae from Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) to Motuihe Island, Auckland, New Zealand Luis Ortiz-Catedral* & Dianne H. Brunton Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102-904, Auckland, New Zealand * Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] SUMMARY The red-fronted parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae is a vulnerable New Zealand endemic with a fragmented distribution, mostly inhabiting offshore islands free of introduced mammalian predators. Four populations have been established since the 1970s using captive-bred or wild-sourced individuals translocated to islands undergoing ecological restoration. To establish a new population in the Hauraki Gulf, North Island, a total of 31 parakeets were transferred from Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) to Motuihe Island in May 2008 and a further 18 in March 2009. Overall 55% and 42% of individuals from the first translocation were confirmed alive at 30 and 60 days post-release, respectively. Evidence of nesting and unassisted dispersal to a neighbouring island was observed within a year of release. These are outcomes are promising and indicate that translocation from a remnant wild population to an island free of introduced predators is a useful conservation tool to expand the geographic range of red-fronted parakeets. BACKGROUND mammalian predators and undergoing ecological restoration, Motuihe Island. The avifauna of New Zealand is presently considered to be the world’s most extinction- Little Barrier Island (c. 3,000 ha; 36 °12’S, prone (Sekercioglu et al. 2004). Currently, 77 175 °04’E) lies in the Hauraki Gulf of approximately 280 extant native species are approximately 80 km north of Auckland City considered threatened of which approximately (North Island), and is New Zealand’s oldest 30% are listed as Critically Endangered wildlife reserve, established in 1894 (Cometti (Miskelly et al.
  • Breeding Petrels of Dusky Sound, Fiordland – Survivors from a Century of Stoat Invasions

    Breeding Petrels of Dusky Sound, Fiordland – Survivors from a Century of Stoat Invasions

    136 Notornis, 2017, Vol. 64: 136-153 0029-4470 © The Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc. Breeding petrels of Dusky Sound, Fiordland – survivors from a century of stoat invasions COLIN M. MISKELLY* ALAN J.D. TENNYSON JEAN-CLAUDE STAHL Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PO Box 467, Wellington 6140, New Zealand ANDREW F. SMART HANNAH K. EDMONDS PETER G. MCMURTRIE Department of Conservation, PO Box 29, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand Abstract A total of 49 breeding colonies of 3 petrel species was found on 44 of 56 islands surveyed in Dusky Sound, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, in November 2016. Sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) was the most widespread and abundant species, with an estimated 21,400 burrows on 35 islands. Mottled petrels (Pterodroma inexpectata) were breeding on 12 islands (5500 burrows estimated), and broad-billed prions (Pachyptila vittata) on 2 islands (560 burrows estimated). Sooty shearwaters were found breeding among mottled petrels on 4 islands, and among broad-billed prions on 1 island. This is a 5-fold increase in the number of petrel colonies in Dusky Sound identified in published accounts, and the first estimate of the number of burrows on each island. Long-term survival of most or all of these colonies is dependent on ongoing control of stoats (Mustela erminea) in Dusky Sound. However, we suggest that islands too small to support a resident stoat population provided partial refugia for petrels, even if the islands are within stoat swimming range, allowing petrels to persist for multiple generations. In contrast, petrels were apparently rapidly extirpated from islands over 100 ha, where stoats maintained a resident population.
  • Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust

    Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust

    Membership Fees Annual Subscriptions: Ordinary: $25, Senior: $20, Family $35, Student $15 Issue 38 Spring/Summer 2017 Life Subscriptions: Life Seniors: $200, Life Ordinary: $250 www.gbiet.org Corporate Subscriptions: Negotiable (contact: [email protected]) NAME: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ADDRESS: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… EMAIL: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. PHONE: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... CONTACT PREFERENCE (circle): mail/email RESIDENT RATEPAYER RESIDENT AND RATEPAYER MEMBERSHIP TYPE (circle): Ordinary/Senior/Family/Student/Life (senior)/Life SEND TO: Great Barrier Island Environmental Trust, PO Box 35, Okiwi, Great Barrier Island, 0963 DIRECT CREDIT: 12-3110-0058231-00 REFERENCE: Name DID YOU KNOW? You can access back issues of the Environment News (and Bush Telegraph) online at: http://www.gbiet.org/news CONTACT US Email: [email protected] /Facebook and Twitter Readers are welcome to send in contributions to the Environmental News. Email: [email protected] Aotea - Island of Lizards Hauraki Gulf Seabird Research - Claris Fire Scar Little Windy Hill - Conservation Dogs The Needles, the northern-most point on Aotea Great Barrier. Photo: I. Mabey Beyond Barrier GBIET gratefully acknowledges the support of the Great Barrier Local Board. 24 The trees, plants and ground cover had been Pest free sculpted by the movement of a million Four days later, sitting on the back deck of the seabirds, but the most striking feature was that hut and taking the petrel boards off for the last the very island itself – the ground beneath our time, I give a sigh of relief and my partner a feet - was nothing but an enormous labyrinth quick rub for a job well done. No rats. In all of catacombs, excavated by the subterranean honesty, there never usually is on these jobs, movements of a million burrowing seabirds.