St Mary’s Parish Centre, 61 Maxwell Road, Blenheim.

Welcome

On behalf of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand we are pleased to welcome you to Blenheim and the Third Australasian Ornithological Conference. Delegates have come from all parts of Australia and New Zealand and some from even further afield. Some are presenting papers reporting work done elsewhere including New Guinea, East Timor and the Cook Islands. We are delighted that the sphere of interest in these conferences is expanding to take in the fascinating avifaunas of other nations in the wider Australasian/Pacific regions.

We have been over whelmed by the number of interesting papers offered for presentation. We have had to run concurrent sessions for the entire duration of the conference and for parts of one day resorted to running a third session. Even then we were unable to allow all those people who offered a spoken paper the opportunity to present their work. We apologize to those who missed out. The programme contains the rich mix of science and conservation typical of AOC conferences.

Doubts have been expressed as to the wisdom of holding a conference in Blenheim rather than on a university campus. We are certain that those who go on the fieldtrips will understand why Blenheim was chosen. Marlborough is arguably the wine and food capital of New Zealand and our sponsor Grove Mill Winery and our caterers promise fare unequalled on any university campus.

We trust that the conference will stimulate discussion and that many new friendships are forged and old acquaintances renewed.

The Organising Committee

1 Organising Committee

Brian Bell, Paul Scofield Wildlife Management International, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, N.Z. Blenheim, N.Z Kerry-Jayne Wilson (chairperson) Mike Bell, Bio-Protection & Ecology Division, Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Lincoln University, Canterbury, N.Z. Marlborough Region. Australasian Shorebird Conference Sue Bell liaison Wildlife Management International, David Melville and Rob Schuckard Blenheim, N.Z. Website Manager Terry Greene, Brent Stephenson, Department of Conservation, Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ and Christchurch, N.Z. Eco-vista, www.eco-vista.com

Sue Mather, Conference assistants Birds Australia, Western Australian Inc. Kirstin Campbell Euan Kennedy Penny Olsen, Dale Mcentee Birds Australia, Melbourne and School Laura Molles of Botany and Zoology, The Australian Joanna Whitehead National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Social functions All delegates are invited to the Opening Reception, 6.00–8.00 pm Tuesday 7 December, to sample the wines and food for which Marlborough is famous. This is free for all registered delegates.

Wednesday evening there will an opportunity for people who share an interest in certain bird groups or particular aspects of ornithology to meet informally over dinner at local restaurants. Bookings to be made through the registration desk but delegates will be responsible for their own restaurant bills.

The caterers for the conference dinner on Thursday evening are reputed to be some of Marlborough’s best. For those who have not already purchased their tickets a limited number are available from the registration desk at $50 per person.

On Friday evening the Lincoln University ornithology students invite all other students to join them at an informal dinner and social. Details to be announced at the conference. There will be a small charge for this event. Pay at the registration desk.

2 Lunches, morning and afternoon teas. Lunches, morning and afternoon teas will be served outside the lecture halls. The cost is included in your registration fee.

Information for speakers One of the small meeting rooms adjacent to the small hall is available as a preparation facility for speakers. Kirstin, Euan, Dale and Joanna will be available for assistance. Please ensure all slides, powerpoint presentations etc are loaded during the break immediately preceding your talk. Those who have sent us their powerpoint presentations before the conference can expect them to be ready to go, but please still meet with the lecture room staff in the break before your talk.

Name badges Only people wearing their name badges can be admitted to the sessions or provided with lunches or teas.

Messages A message board is located next to the reception desk. Delegates expecting messages are advised to check the board regularly as we can take no responsibility for personal delivery of messages.

Early morning excursions Will Parsons a local naturalist will be organising early morning excursions to sites of ornithological interest. Please book at the registration desk.

Banks, pharmacies, shops and restaurants The main business area of Blenheim is located two blocks from the conference venue. All facilities you may want are easily found.

Please note smoking is not permitted inside the conference buildings.

Abstracts Abstracts are presented in the following sequence: Plenaries, Symposia and papers therein (in order of presentation), Contributed papers then posters both in alphabetical sequence using the first mentioned authors surname.

3 AOC Programme at a glance

Tuesday 6 December 2005. Conference bus departs Christchurch 7.00 am, arrives conference venue, Blenheim 5.30 pm 3.30 pm-6.00 pm Registration desk open 6.00 pm- 8.00 pm Marlborough evening reception

Wednesday 7 December 2005 8.00 am – 6.15 pm Registration desk open except during conference sessions 8.30-10.20 am Conference session 10.20-10.50 am Morning tea 10.50-12.30 pm Conference session 12.30-1.30 pm Lunch 12.45-1.30 pm Meeting of the AOC Steering Committee in the Chapel. 1.30-3.10 pm Conference session 3.10-4.00 pm Afternoon tea and poster session 4.00-6.00 pm Conference session

7.30-11.00 pm Special interest dinners

Thursday 8 December 2005 8.00 am –6.00 pm Registration desk open except during conference sessions 8.40-10.20 am Conference session 10.20-10.50 am Morning tea 10.50-12.30 pm Conference session 12.30-1.30 pm Lunch 1.30-3.10 pm Conference session 3.10-4.00 pm Afternoon tea and poster session 4.00-6.00 pm Conference session

7.30-11.00 pm Conference dinner

Friday 9 December 2005 8.00 am – 5.30 pm Registration desk open except during conference sessions 8.40-10.20 am Conference session 10.20-10.50 am Morning tea 10.50-12.30 pm Conference session 12.30-1.30 pm Lunch 1.30-3.10 pm Conference session 3.10-3.40 pm Afternoon tea and poster session 3.40-5.00 pm Conference session 5.00 pm Prize giving, announcements and farewell. 7.00-10.00 pm Student function

Saturday 10 December 2005

7.00 am Pelorus Sound fieldtrip departs. Returns 6.00 pm 7.00 am Kaikoura fieldtrip departs. Returns 6.00 pm 8.00 am Nelson Lakes fieldtrip departs. Returns 6.00 pm

4 Wednes. 7 Wednes. 7 Thurs. 8 December Thurs. 8 December Friday 9 December Friday 9 December December December Main hall Small hall Main hall Small hall Main hall Small hall 8.30-8.40 Conference opening XX XX XX XX XX Chair, Kerry-Jayne Wilson 8.40-9.40 am Plenary lecture XX Plenary lecture XX Plenary lecture XX Robertson, Kiwi, Holdaway, Clarke, Black-eared biology & Quaternary avian miner. Chair conservation Paleoecology. Jim Briskie Chair Penny Olsen Contributed papers, Contributed papers, Contributed papers, Contributed papers, Contributed papers, Symposium, kiwi. waders. Ornithological wetland birds. breeding. Landbird Chair John miscellany. Chair Kerry-Jayne monitoring. Dowding Wilson Chair Eric Spurr 9.40-10.00 am Bassett et al., Battley et al, Jolly, Rangitata Neil et al., Predator Blackmore, Nobel, The UK Artificial incubation Migration of knots river birds control for brown Babblers, breeding experience of Kiwi eggs. teal & behaviour 10.00-10.20 am Shapiro et al., Kiwi Harrison & Ford. Kleindorfer, Martin et al., Vision Briskie & Martin, Gregory, The and rats Status of NSW Darwin’s finches, & foraging in ducks life histories and European oystercatchers. parasites & fitness. nest predation. experience 10.20-10.50 am Morning tea Morning tea Morning tea

5

Wednesday. Wednesday Thursday 8 December Thursday. Thursday Friday 9 Friday 9 7 December 7 December Main hall 8 December 8 December December December Main hall Small hall Small hall Chapel Main hall Small hall

Contributed Contributed Contributed papers, Symposium, Symposium, Contributed Symposium, papers, papers, Ornithological Avian influenza Ethno-ornithology, papers, breeding Landbird Single species Evolution & miscellany, Chair (AI), Chair Chair Bob Gosford and behaviour, monitoring, Chair conservation. taxonomy, Chair Hugh Ford Dorothy Geale Chair Mike Clark Dianne Brunton Chair Greg Paul Scofield Sherley 10.50- Barrett, Western Joseph & Adams et al., Stress Pharo, AI, the SE Campbell & McDonald et al., Ralph, Land bird 11.10 ground parrot Thomas, response in petrel Asian epidemic Puentener, Altruism in monitoring in am Diversity of arid chicks Maturanga Manu, cooperative North America zone birds Ngai Tahu breeders knowledge 11.10- Saunders, Rawlence & Ewen & Thorogood, Melville, AI in Russell, Ngai Tahu Ortiz-Catedral & Nilsson, Swedish 11.30 Foraging by swift Chambers, Carotenoid wildbirds input into DoC Brunton, web-based am parrots Evolution on supplementation in Hatching & reporting islands Hihi growth in kakariki 11.30- van Hal & Small, Gibb et at., Cunninghame & Langstaff & Tidemann & Thorogood & Dawson, 11.50 Orange-front Mitochondrial Harper, Weka, home McKenzie, AI Nganjmirra, Ewen, Hatching & Monitoring am parakeet sequences range & habitats surveillance in Kunwinjku bird growth in Hihi. common birds in NZ stories NZ 11.50- Hill, Red-tailed Boles, Bell et al, Settlement Geale et al., AI & Gosford, Warlpiri Starling & Briskie, Westbrooke, 12.10 Black-cockatoo Systematics in of translocated Hihi biosecurity. birds and culture Behavioural Scheme design pm Australasian birds plasticity & and analysis predation 12.10- Kennedy et al. Scofield, King Cousin, Petroicidae Geale, J., AI in Thomas, New Hale, Inbreeding Bart et al, 12.30 Black robin shag taxonomy foraging Kamchatka Guinea birds and and disease Population trends pm waders people in NZ birds. 12.30- Lunch Lunch Lunch 1.30 pm

6

Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday 7 December 7 December 8 December 8 December 8 December 9 December 9 December Main hall Small hall Main hall Small hall Chapel Main hall Small hall Contributed Symposium, Contributed Contributed Symposium, Contributed Symposium, papers, Birds in papers, papers, Ethno- papers, fragments Landbird Single species developed Ornithological Bird song , Chair ornithology, & corridors, monitoring, conservation, landscapes, Chair miscellany, Ron Wooller Chair Sonia Chair Amanda Chair C.J. Ralph. Chair Don Eric Spurr Chair Sue Mather Tideman Freeman Merton 1.30-1.50 pm Robertson & Moller et al, Burbidge et al, Berryman, Song Moller et al., Haslem & Szabo et Saul, Cook Is. Birds on organic Fire & threatened sharing in scrub- Matauranga Bennett, Birds in al.,Lessons from Kakerori & conventional birds in SW birds Maori & science mosaic the BA atlas farms Australia landscapes 1.50-2.10 pm Parker & Wratten et al. Schlotfeldt & Koetz et al, Song Bragg & Moller, Watson & Blackwell et al, Brunton, Introduced birds Kleindorfer, dialects in Titi harvest & Herring, samples Five minute Fernbird lessons for Fairy wrens on Chowchillas oceanic changes & inference, the counts and predators Europe islands RIFLE study distance sampling 2.10-2.30 pm Dowding et al, Saxton, Cassey, Nest Molles et al., Langsbury, Herring & Barraclough & NZ dotterel Management of success & Acoustic anchors Weka, a Taonga Watson, Brunton. recovery vineyard birds investment in in Kokako reintroduced Diversity & Distance Introduced birds translocations resources, the sampling & RIFLE study recapture counts 2.30-2.50 pm McClelland & Fox, Falcons in Spurr et al, Ludwig et al, Pauling et al, Gosper & Brunton & Williams, vineyards Distance Song and Kaupapa Kereru, Vivian-Smith, Stamp, Habitats Campbell I. teal sampling & inbreeding community based Fruit dispersal of & saddleback recovery transect counts conservation invasive plants densities 2.50-3.10 pm Caldwell et al., Morgan et al., Perrins, Wooller & Campbell et al., Ward & Paton, Efford & Saving brown Magpies, threats Conservation of Wooller, Golden Kereru, diet & Seed dispersal by Dawson, Bird teal to native birds Cape parrots whistler dialects movements Mistletoebird point counts. 3.10-4.00 Afternoon tea and poster session Afternoon tea and poster session 3.10-3.40 pm. Afternoon tea and poster session

7

Wednes. 7 December Wednes. 7 December Thurs. 8 December Thurs. 8 December Friday 9 December Friday 9 December Main hall Small hall Main hall Small hall Main hall Small hall Contributed papers, Symposium, Birds in Contributed papers, Contributed papers, Contributed papers, Symposium, Seabirds, developed Conservation and Predators, nests and Fragments & Landbird monitoring, Chair Graeme Taylor landscapes, Chair habitats, Chair Allan other stuff, Chair corridors, Chair Chair Mike Weston Burbidge Paul McDonald David Watson David Dawson

3.40-4.00 pm XX XX XX XX Freeman, Fox et al., Individual Colonisation of recognition in vocal wildlife corridors species 4.00-4.20 pm Wooller & Bradley, Webb, Canada goose Chambers, Climate Prendergast et al., Powlesland et al., Corfield & Parsons, Nestling provision in management change & avifauna in Kereru predators Kereru and tui in Individual Shearwaters Australia urban habitats recognition in kiwi 4.20-4.40 pm Bunce, Gannet Clapperton et al., Branson, Birds & Fulton, Identification Richard & Brunton et al., foraging using GPS Bird repellents in river management in of nest predators Armstrong, Robins Monitoring using loggers horticulture East Kimberley song playbacks 4.40-5.00 pm Pyk et al., Gannet Hsu et al., Birds in Hone, Bird diversity Davidson & Boulton & Burbidge & reproductive success plantation & native & pest control Kleindorfer, Nest Armstrong, Habitat Williams, Censusing forests success for New fragmentation and cryptic ground Holland honeyeaters robins parrots 5.00-5.20 pm Robertson & Korodaj & Luck, Watson & Free, Rare Cooney et al., Why Prize giving, XX Blezard, Seabirds Bird diversity in pine birds & integrated nest in mistletoe? announcements and and fisheries plantations development farewell. 5.20-5.40 pm Miskelly, Trainor, Birds in Maron, Birds in Clarke & Oldland, Reintroduction of natural and regenerating Buloke Noisy miner an Fairy prions agricultural lands in woodlands indigenous despot Timor-Leste 5.40-600 pm Hansen, Fairy tern Barraclough & XX Myers, How to conservation Vincent, Blood prepare a great parasites and journal paper fragmented forests 7.30-11.00 Special interest dinners 7.30-11.00 Conference dinner 7.00 pm, Student function

8 Plenary lecture

Are kiwi doomed?

Robertson, Hugh A.

Research, Development and Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected]

Kiwi are an endemic order of ratites that have evolved many bizarre traits during their long isolation in New Zealand. Their largely benign, predator-free world was turned upside-down with the arrival of humans in New Zealand, and now all five species (Apteryx australis, A. mantelli, A. rowi, A. haastii, and A. owenii) are classified as threatened with extinction. Initially, habitat loss had the greatest impact on kiwi, but their main threat now is predation by introduced mammals. Stoats (Mustela erminea), ferrets (M. furo) and dogs (Canis domesticus) are the main culprits, with the birds’ vulnerability to each pest varying with lifestage.

Since 1991, a Bank of New Zealand-sponsored recovery programme, run by the Department of Conservation, has led to many advances in knowledge of the taxonomy, ecology, distribution, and population trends of kiwi; identified the threats they face, and devised tools to successfully manage kiwi populations. The public of New Zealand have embraced the kiwi as a national icon, and the potential extinction of kiwi on the mainland within a human lifetime has galvanised many community-based ‘landcare’ groups to protect their local kiwi populations. Although the total numbers of kiwi continue to decline at an alarming rate, examples from experimental management programmes in various locations in New Zealand provide hope that no species of kiwi is doomed.

9 Plenary lecture

New Zealand Quaternary avian palaeobiology: perspectives and prospects

Holdaway, Richard N.

Palaecol Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand, School of Biological Sciences and Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. [email protected]

The exploration phase of New Zealand Quaternary avian palaeobiology which began with William Colenso and Richard Owen and which is just ending demonstrated above all the richness of the fossil record, both in number of sites and in the often-exemplary preservation of bone and other materials. The next phase, of using that record to work out the structure and function of the systems as they existed and changed through time before human intervention and the progress and effects of human intervention, began with the development of new technologies, including ancient DNA, and the application of existing ones such as stable isotopic analysis to specific problems. Basic research, such as the first description of the post-natal ontogeny of a species of moa, is still essential however, as it underpins analysis of biology of species and their interaction with the environment. The major shift has been towards question-based research, developed within a theoretical structure that was largely missing until 2000 and beyond. The results are already yielding important insights for terrestrial and marine ecology, and in particular as a theoretical basis for conservation and management of surviving species and systems. Some of the examples given show the astounding level of detail that can be achieved under certain conditions. These suggest that we can, in theory, look forward to increasing returns from the application of the new technologies and improved understanding of the “reach” of methods at ecosystem and taxon-specific levels. Such progress should lead to a melding of palaeobiology with modern ecology, exploiting and enhancing the strengths of both fields. The only impediments to progress will be: insularity of thinking on both sides; the increasingly difficult access to research funds for research that does not have an immediate dollar value, but which is almost certainly vital to the success of management of the present ecologic estate; and the vulnerability of the Quaternary resource itself, which is threatened and declining, for which there is only the beginnings of an inventory, and which has no protection and few advocates.

10 Plenary lecture

Trying to save the Black-eared Miner: a flagship species or a waste of money?

Clarke, Michael F.

Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Australia [email protected]

This paper will review over a decade of recovery effort by a multi-disciplinary team whose aim has been to conserve the endangered Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis) in the Murray Mallee region of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. This review will examine the various prongs of the recovery effort including i) basic research into the ecology of the species, ii) habitat preservation and restoration, iii) threat abatement, iv) captive breeding, and v) reintroduction. It will reflect on factors contributing to the effectiveness of these various aspects of the recovery effort and consider lessons that have been learnt along the way. In particular it will use the recovery effort for the Black-eared Miner as a case study upon which to consider the current shift in some conservation agencies away from single-species recovery efforts. The strengths and limitations of alternatives to the single-species recovery effort will be considered as we ponder future directions for the next decade.

11

Symposium, Birds in Developed landscapes Symposium convenors: Eric Spurr (Landcare Research) & Nick Pyke (Foundation for Arable Research)

Bird community composition, diversity and abundance on organic, Integrated Management and conventional farms

Moller, Henrik, Blackwell, Grant and Rate, Stephen

The Agriculture Research Group on Sustainability, The Department of Zoology, The University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The Agriculture Research Group On Sustainability (ARGOS) compared bird abundance on organic, Integrated Management (IM) and conventional sheep/beef farms and kiwifruit orchards during summer 2004/2005. IM is a market accreditation production system within which farmers minimize fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Birds were surveyed on 36 sheep/beef farms that were arranged in clusters spread between Marlborough and Southland, each containing a matched organic, IM and conventional farm. Thirty-six kiwifruit study orchards were arranged in 10 clusters in the Bay of Plenty, one in Northland and another in Nelson. Each cluster contained a matched organic Hayward (‘green’), IM Hayward and IM Hort16A (‘gold’) kiwifruit orchard. Overall bird abundance was high in sheep/beef farms and kiwifruit farms compared to other New Zealand habitats, but bird communities in production landscapes are dominated by introduced species. There is tentative evidence that bird abundance and species richness is higher on organic than on IM kiwifruit orchards. Restriction of pesticide applications with the advent of IM has apparently triggered an increase in fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) abundance on orchards. Habitat complexity and diversity is a key predictor of bird community diversity on sheep/beef farms and seems to be more important than the farming system in structuring bird communities. There is tentative evidence that other birds redistribute themselves amongst habitats within sheep/beef farms where Australian Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) are relatively abundant.

12 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Spatial distribution of introduced birds on arable farms in Canterbury

MacLeod, Catriona J. and Drew, Keven W.

Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand. [email protected]

In New Zealand, the agricultural and horticultural industries view many introduced bird species as significant crop pests. In the arable sector, for example, introduced passerine species, such as house sparrows and greenfinches, cause substantial damage to high-value speciality crops, e.g. radish seed. Bird control techniques currently used by farmers, such as scarers, shooting, repellents and pesticides, are generally inadequate – they are either economically or environmentally unsustainable or simply ineffective. As very little is known about introduced bird populations and their ecology in New Zealand’s modified landscapes, it is difficult to determine the impact of different management strategies on their populations or how these strategies might be improved. In this study, we investigated whether variation in bird abundance of 11 introduced species on arable farms during the breeding and winter seasons could be explained by variation in habitat composition. We discuss implications of our results for bird pest management in New Zealand.

13 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Ecology of introduced farmland birds in New Zealand: lessons for Europe

Wratten, S.D.1, MacLeod, C.J.2 and Petermann, J.3

1 Bio-Protection and Ecology Division, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Landcare Research, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand. [email protected] 3 University of Bremen, UFT, Department of General and Theoretical Ecology, Leobener Str., D-28359 Bremen, Germany.

The populations of many species of passerines on Western European farmland have declined markedly in recent decades. Many of these species have been introduced to New Zealand and their populations there appear to be much higher than those in the U.K. The reasons for this apparently higher success rate could inform farmland-bird conservation activities and policies in Europe. One of the species which has exhibited very large declines in the skylark (Alauda arvensis) while another is the Yellowhammer (Emberiza citronella). Work in Canterbury, New Zealand has shown that the highest populations of the skylark occurred on low-intensity sheep farms compared with intensively managed arable and dairy farms. On the sheep farm, mean foraging flight distance and duration were shortest while feeding frequency was the highest. Also in that habitat, there were no multiple flights between nest visits. The largest mean number of food items found in faecal samples also came from the sheep farm, with a significance preference for Lepidoptera larvae on all farms. The extensive management on the sheep farm led to low and sparse vegetation with high invertebrate densities. Yellowhammer territory densities (0.4/ha) were over three times higher than in the UK. Habitat differences did not explain the high densities, nor did food supply or nest predation rates. Winter survival, related to food supply and climate, appear to be the key.

14 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Vineyard birds – why so many? Ecological management of problem bird populations in vineyards requires understanding of why so many are there

Saxton, V.P. Centre for Viticulture and Oenology, Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand [email protected]

Bird damage to grapes can be a severe problem in cool climate areas, partly because of low cropping levels and long ripening periods, and possibly because of bird metabolic needs in regions with cold winters. To discover what aspects of grapes attract birds an artificial grape was used in controlled field experiments and the responses of blackbirds (Turdus merula) and silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) were monitored, measured and compared. Blackbirds took whole grapes, fed alone, swallowed rapidly, returned regularly, while silvereyes pecked continuously, and fed at length, and moved around in small flocks. These behaviours explain two prevalent types of bird damage, direct loss of whole grapes, or peck damage that leads to rotting and loss of quality. Blackbirds preferred much higher sugar concentrations than silvereyes and purple grapes were strongly preferred by blackbirds, but not by silvereyes, in winter. These results correlate with research overseas into avian digestion and metabolic systems. Bird needs in autumn explain why grapes are so attractive, and why bird numbers increase so much as grapes ripen. Behavioural research led to the development of a scoping diagram that determines points of entry where human intervention may change behaviour. The factors that contribute to a bird eating a grape can be grouped into the broad processes of grape display, bird behavioural traits, bird needs and risk perception (including need for cover). Understanding the hierarchy and influence of these factors may enable ecological and sustainable management of bird populations where they are problematic.

Falcons for Grapes Project

Fox, Nick International Wildlife Consultants Ltd, New Zealand Office, 3339 Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand. [email protected]

The Falcons for Grapes project has just started in Marlborough, New Zealand. It aims to monitor the productivity, mortality and habitat use of wild New Zealand Falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) in the hills surrounding the Wairau Plain. It plans to translocate up to 15 fledgling falcons per year into artificial nests in the vineyard area as a ‘seed’ group to establish a free-living population in the vineyards. The activities of these falcons will be closely monitored with a view to developing a cost-effective method of reducing damage to grapes by introduced Starlings, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. An independent team will monitor grape damage in the trial vineyards.

15 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Are Australian magpies having negative impacts on New Zealand birds?

Morgan, Dai1., Innes, John2., Waas, Joseph R.1 and Spurr, Eric B.3

1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton, New Zealand. 3 Landcare Research, Private Bag 69, Lincoln, New Zealand.

Some anecdotal reports suggest that Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) may have negative impacts birds in New Zealand. Until now, however, no studies have attempted to determine the impact they may have on other birds in New Zealand. Here we assess: (1) whether reducing magpie numbers in rural areas promoted other bird populations, (2) if other birds avoided territorial and flocking magpies, the proportion of passing birds that were attacked and the behavioural context of those attacks, and (3) whether magpies are serious nest predators in rural ecosystems. In the first trial, reducing magpie numbers on large blocks of farmland significantly increased index counts of five introduced and one native species by small amounts in treatment cf non-treatment blocks. In the second trial, significantly fewer birds foraged in pasture near (≤50m) magpies than in pasture with no magpies, and fewer birds were also recorded flying near territorial breeding magpie groups but not non-breeding flocks. Excluding harriers (Circus approximans), only 8% of birds recorded within 50m of territorial breeding groups were observed being attacked. Territorial breeding groups attacked 39% of passing harriers. Magpies in non-breeding only attacked harriers (in 17% of appearances). During attacks, the victim was either swooped or chased; no physical contact was ever observed. In the third trial, time-lapse recording techniques were used to identify predators at bird nests in rural areas; magpies were responsible for one of 22 lethal events. We suggest targeting introduced mammalian predators would probably be more beneficial than magpie control for restoring bird communities.

16 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Canada goose management – a rock and a hard place for Fish and Game

Webb, Mark

Fish and Game New Zealand, Central South Island Region, PO Box 150, Temuka, New Zealand. [email protected]

The Government and Acclimatisation Societies introduced the Canada goose, Branta canadensis, to New Zealand in the period 1905-1920. The purpose of the introduction was to provide a recreational hunting resource. The range of the Canada goose includes most of the South Island, occurring mainly east of the main divide and some parts of the North Island. The Canada goose continues to be very successful in adapting to the NZ environment. This has, at least in part, been assisted by the development of land for pastoral and cropping purposes, particularly in the high country, that has extended the range of the Canada goose. As a consequence some landowners have crop and pasture damage caused by geese. At the same time, the present costs to Fish and Game Councils of goose management far exceed the value and return the species provides for hunters as a gamebird in most South Island regions. Fish and Game Councils currently receive no Crown assistance in discharging their statutory functions and as a consequence identify very closely with their clients - the freshwater anglers and game bird hunters of New Zealand. Over the last ten years the management of the Canada goose has occurred under the South Island Canada Goose Management Plan with increased inter-regional co- ordination, and compilation and reporting of results. Councils have attempted to find the balance between retaining the Canada goose as a gamebird under the First Schedule of the Wildlife Act 1953 and minimising the effects on the agricultural sector.

17 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Bird repellents: their use in horticulture and conservation

Clapperton, B. Kay.1, Porter, Richard E.R.2, Morgan, Dai3 and Matthews, Lindsay, R.3

1. 49 Margaret Avenue, Havelock North, New Zealand. [email protected] 2. 4 Lovat St, Havelock North, New Zealand. 3. Rumen, Nutrition and Welfare Section, AgResearch Ltd, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Bird damage to grapes, soft fruits and seedlings costs growers dearly. A cost-effective, environmentally-safe chemical repellent would be a valuable addition to available control techniques. Bird repellents have another potential use in New Zealand, protecting non- target birds during mammalian pest control poisoning operations. We describe here trials testing the repellent effects of a secondary bird repellent (Avex™) alone and in conjunction with combinations of a primary repellent (d-pulegone), blue dye and cinnamon or orange oil. Applying Avex at 1% and 1.5% significantly reduced bird damage in three Hawke’s Bay vineyards when sprayed once (on Chardonnay grapes) or twice (on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes), but not consistently when applied at 0.5%. In a feeding trial on free-ranging house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in Hawke’s Bay, Avex (2%)-treated blue wheat with or without cinnamon was more repellent than either Avex (1%)-treated blue wheat with cinnamon, or green wheat with cinnamon (standard treatment to deter birds from mammal pest baits in New Zealand). In a trial on North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) on Tiritiri Matangi Island, blue dough baits treated with 2%-Avex with or without cinnamon, or 1%-Avex with either cinnamon or d-pulegone, were all pecked significantly less than green baits with cinnamon.

18 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Are we farming trees or creating forests? A comparative assessment of the wildlife value of plantation and native forests

Hsu, Tina T.T. 1, French, Kristine2 and Major, Richard E.3

1Institute of Conservation Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. [email protected] 2Institute of Conservation Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. [email protected] 3Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. [email protected]

The Australia plantation estate is projected to reach approximately 3 million ha by the year 2020. However, little research has been done to assess the habitat value and impact of eucalypt (hardwood) plantations on the ecology of native birds. Transect surveys (200 x 50 m) were used to determine avian assemblage in five habitat types – Forest, Forest with Riparian, Eucalypt Plantation, Eucalypt Plantation with Riparian, and Pasture with Riparian. Surveys were carried out between Nov. and Dec. 2004, on the mid-north coast of NSW; 79 species were recorded of which six were found in each of the 75 surveys. A further 15 species were found in every habitat but not every survey, including forest birds such as Black-faced Monarch. Plantations were depauperate in avifauna, having significantly lower total abundance, mean species richness and density when compared to other habitat types. In contrast, plantations with riparian strips were able to attract more forest birds, as well as retain open-country species, a vestige of their history as agricultural land. Interestingly, riparian habitats in pasture plots also supported comparable number of species in similar densities to forest plots, which may be attributed to the higher productivity associated with riparian zones. Results suggest that plantations provide shelter and corridors for some species, particularly when riparian zones are retained. Further studies on foraging, territory size and breeding success will be conducted in order to determine how birds respond to, and utilize, plantations in comparison with native forests.

19 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Improving avian diversity in exotic pine plantations.

Korodaj, Terry N.1 and Luck, Gary W.2

1School of Environmental and Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW Australia 2640. [email protected] 2The Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW Australia 2640.

The size of the exotic plantation estate in Australia is set to increase over coming decades. The use of pine (Pinus radiata) plantations by birds has been reasonably well researched, yet few studies have examined how stand-level characteristics of pines influence bird assemblages found in plantations. We examined the influence of stand age, thinning regime and distance from native forest on bird use of pines.

Birds were surveyed across 64 sites (32 pine and 32 natural eucalypt forest) in summer (February/March) and autumn (May/July) 2005. Each site (approximately 4 ha) was surveyed for 30 minutes using the ‘standardized search’ method. Sixteen pine sites were near Eucalypt forest and 16 far (>500m) from Eucalypt forest. Eucalypt sites were similarly split (near and far from pine). Pine sites were split evenly among four stand characteristics (treatments): young/unthinned, mid-age/thinned, old/thinned, and old/unthinned.

There was a significant difference (P <0.05) in species richness between thinned (mean ± SD: 8.53 ± 2.60) and unthinned (6.34 ± 2.72) pines regardless of age, suggesting that thinning has more influence on increasing bird richness than the age of the stand. Pine sites that were far from native forest had higher species richness (8.41 ± 2.95) than pine sites that were close to native forest (6.47 ± 2.45). This was consistent across treatments but may have been partially influenced by thinned stands. Across treatments (combining replicates for each treatment) there was a clear difference in species composition between pine and native sites, but little difference between near and far pine or native sites. Our study supports the practice of stand-thinning to support greater bird richness in pines.

20 Birds in developed landscapes symposium

Bird species richness, persistence and turnover in natural and agricultural landscapes in Timor-Leste (East Timor) and implications for protected area establishment

Trainor, Colin R.1

1 Tropical Savannas Management Cooperative Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina , Northern Territory, Australia. [email protected]

The conservation of a representative set of biodiversity is a key development goal of the new nation of Timor-Leste (East Timor) yet knowledge of bird species distribution, status, and responses to habitat loss and alteration is poor. Much of the former tropical forest landscapes on Timor were converted to dryland agriculture over the past millennia. This study examined the distribution and abundance of birds in Los Palos district covering natural and agricultural landscapes inside and outside protected areas. Five major natural habitats (montane forest, tropical evergreen forest, tropical dry forest, swamp forest) and secondary forest and grassland were identified. In each habitat four 1 km transects were sampled for birds and environmental attributes; each with five 10 minute point counts at 200 m intervals. The richness and abundance of frugivorous pigeons (and many forest birds) was high in primary tropical forests, but was greatly diminished in tropical dry forests and grasslands. Bird composition in secondary forests was mostly a species poor subset of primary tropical forest but had been invaded by some woodland and open country species (e.g. White-bellied Chat) or species preferring increased forest edge and forest patchiness (e.g. Tricolored Parrot-finch and Large-tailed Nightjar). The establishment of a single large (c. 500 km2) National Park in Los Palos district covers most globally threatened, restricted-range and forest birds occurring on Timor island, however key species such as Wetar Ground Dove and Buff-banded Thicket-warbler, and a suite of montane (> 1,000 m) specialist birds are not yet adequately covered.

21 Symposium, Avian influenza

convenors: Dorothy Geale and Christine Reed, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry.

The Biology of Avian Influenza and the South Asian Epidemic

Pharo, Howard1.

1 Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected]

Avian influenza viruses are commonly present in healthy wild birds, especially water fowl, where replication is generally restricted to the intestinal or respiratory tract. It appears that only after viruses are introduced into poultry populations do they become highly pathogenic, as a result of mutations in the protein that is responsible for viral attachment to target cells. Thus, high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are able to replicate in a wide range of tissues and thereby cause disease.

The South Asian H5N1 HPAI epidemic that began in early 2004 has challenged the accepted understanding of the behaviour of these viruses. This virus appears to affect a wide range of wild birds, and it appears that it has become endemic in free-range domestic ducks, at least in Thailand, Vietnam and China. There also appears to have been some spill-over into wild birds. However, claims that HPAI H5N1 virus has been spread widely by migrating wild birds are difficult to evaluate in the absence of reliable information on the status of the domestic poultry prior to the detection of virus and the level of illegal trade across borders. As yet, HPAI H5N1 virus has only been isolated from dead wild birds. Surveys of wild birds have not revealed its presence.

The H5N1 virus has also caused infections in a number of mammalian species, and the high rate of human infections in some countries has led to concerns that these viruses may have the potential to re-assort with current human influenza viruses leading to the next human influenza pandemic.

Wild birds and avian influenza

Melville, David S.,

Dovedale, R.D. 2 Wakefield, Nelson, New Zealand, [email protected]

Wild birds, in particular ducks, geese, gulls and shorebirds, are considered to be the natural reservoirs of avian influenza A viruses. Avian influenza, which is usually asymptomatic and is seldom pathogenic in wild birds, has been largely ignored by ornithologists. The current outbreak of H5N1 in Asia has highlighted the lack of understanding of the role of wild birds in influenza ecology. There are significant potential consequences for human health and wildlife conservation.

22 Avian influenza symposium

Surveillance for avian influenza virus in wild birds in New Zealand

Langstaff, Ian G. and McKenzie, Joanna S.

Epicentre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand [email protected], [email protected]

The EpiCentre, Massey University conducted a pilot project in 2004/05 to evaluate the process and methodology needed for ongoing surveillance for avian influenza virus in migratory shorebirds.

Cross-sectional surveys for avian influenza virus were performed once on migratory shorebirds (lesser knot)1 and twice on two populations of resident birds (wrybill and mallard duck) on occasions prior to and following the arrival of the migrants. Populations were sampled simultaneously by cloacal and faecal swabbing and samples were tested for the presence of avian influenza virus. Wrybill and mallard duck populations were evaluated for their potential role as sentinel species and the method of collecting faecal samples from the environment was considered as a potentially less invasive and more feasible method compared with collecting cloacal samples.

Cloacal sampling of shorebirds and ducks was conducted with the assistance of the New Zealand Wader Study Group and Fish and Game New Zealand in co-operation with their banding schemes.

A total of 1105 cloacal samples (801 from shorebirds) and 1965 faecal samples (1777 from shorebirds) were collected. Avian influenza virus was isolated from mallard ducks however not from shorebirds. Issues that arose included a dependence on technical bird- catching expertise and equipment, time and cost requirements, design of the sampling strategy and access to samples.

The experience gained from this project was incorporated into recommendations for a wildlife disease surveillance strategy developed by the EpiCentre.

1 In co-operation with the National Centre for Disease Investigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Wellington.

23 Avian influenza symposium

Avian Influenza Developments in Australia

Chris Bunn,

Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia

Australia has had five outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry since 1976. All of these outbreaks have been associated with poor biosecurity, and wild birds especially waterfowl. Wild bird surveys have been undertaken in Australia for many years but the results are ‘fragmentary’ and the ecology of avian influenza virus is still poorly understood. The results of such studies will be presented and compared with overseas results. Currently Australia is developing a more comprehensive wild bird surveillance program, which will be outlined.

24 Avian influenza symposium

Avian Influenza: Biosecurity New Zealand Preparedness

Geale, Dorothy W., Cork, Susan C. and Rawdon, Thomas V

1 Senior Advisor, Surveillance & Incursion Response (Animals), Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, P O Box 2526, Wellington [email protected] 1 Senior Science Advisor, Policy & Business, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, P O Box 2526, Wellington [email protected] 1 Veterinary Exotic Disease Investigator, Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, PO Box 40 Upper Hutt [email protected]

Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) of the Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) has comprehensive response plans and policies for avian influenza of regulatory concern. Highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza is identified as a trigger for a whole of government response under the Domestic and External Security Committee (DESC) framework.

MAF is the lead agency for a whole of government response when the disease occurs in poultry while the Ministry of Health (MoH) assumes lead agency status if it is detected in humans in New Zealand or an avian influenza pandemic occurs.

BNZ will respond to an outbreak by rapid containment and eradication by stamping out in domestic poultry as an emergency response. BNZ’s policies also indicate eradication for high risk precursors (H5 and H7 subtypes) in a measured response. The measured response is contingent on risk and in which of six designated New Zealand avian compartments the virus is diagnosed. The compartments span the continuum from high biosecurity poultry genetic stock to non-public avifauna sanctuaries. Response actions will balance social, cultural, economic and environmental considerations.

BNZ is investigating an appropriate vaccine for potential use in endangered native birds or zoos and sanctuaries. Vaccine may also be indicated for widespread low pathogenic H5 or H7, along side eradication programmes, with judicious testing and monitoring using the DIVA (distinguishing vaccination from infection) system.

Communications management will be critical to deal with public perception as most avian influenza subtypes are not zoonotic.

25 Avian influenza symposium

Studies in Kamchatka: Migratory Flyways and AI Status of Shorebirds

Geale, John1, Geeves, Warren2, Gerasimov, Yuri3, Gosbell, Ken4, Huettmann, Falk5, Kendall, Steve6, Matsina, Ekaterina7, Schuckard, Rob8, and Selleck, Paul9

117 Mairangi Road, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected] 26 Lewin Street , Lyneham ACT 2602, Australia 3Kamchatka Branch of Pacific Institute of Geography of Russian Academy of Science, Rybakov 24a, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683024, Russia. [email protected] 417 Banksia Court, Heathmont, Victoria 3135, Australia [email protected] 5Biology and Wildlife Dept., Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks AK, 99775-7000 USA [email protected] 6Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,101 12th Ave., Box 20, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708, USA [email protected] 7Ornithological Laboratory of Ecological Center “DRONT”, PO Box 631, Nizhny Novgorod, 603000, Russia [email protected] 8RD3, 7156 Rai Valley, New Zealand [email protected] 9CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia [email protected]

In August 2004 an international team of seven volunteers spent two weeks with two Russian scientists at the mouth of the Moroshechnaya River on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The primary objective was to carry out censuses of migrating ducks, geese and shorebirds. MAF Animal Biosecurity (New Zealand) encouraged the team to take advantage of this opportunity to sample for the potential presence of avian influenza viruses in these wild shorebird populations, many of which migrate to Australia or New Zealand. MAF also supplied sampling equipment. We found the taking of cloacal swabs to be impractical, but 90 faecal samples were obtained from 88 individual shorebirds of 5 species, mostly juvenile Dunlins (Calidris alpina) and Red-necked Stints (Calidris ruficollis). These samples are being tested at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong; and it is important to note that no avian influenza viruses were isolated from these birds. The isolation of adenoviruses from the samples shows that the collection and transport conditions were not the cause of the negative results. In addition to regular shorebird censuses carried out every second day along about 14 km of river mudflats and ocean shoreline, 226 shorebirds of six species and 103 passerines of seven species were captured and banded. The shorebirds were given yellow and black plastic leg flags as well as the usual metal bands. Subsequently, there have been re-sightings of three of these Red-necked Stints and one Dunlin in Japan, one Dunlin in China, and one Red- necked Stint in northwestern Australia.

26 Symposium, Ethno-ornithology

convenors: Robert Gosford (Australian National University) and Sonia Tidemann (Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education)

Matauranga Manu – reviving traditional Ngäi Tahu knowledge

Campbell, Carolyn., and Puentener, Rachel C/ Kaupapa Taiao, Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu PO Box 13-046, Christchurch [email protected]

A presentation on the Matauranga Manu project, which involves the gathering and sharing with tribal members the Ngäi Tahu traditional knowledge in respect to culturally significant native birds found within the Ngäi Tahu tribal area. Many of these birds are only found within the Ngäi Tahu tribal area (the South Island). The project is in response to a concern that the traditions and practices unique to Ngäi Tahu may be lost and more generic Mäori knowledge is adopted as correct for the Ngäi Tahu rohe. This Ngäi Tahu matauranga (traditional knowledge) may be useful for future management of threatened species, and also for education purposes of both Ngäi Tahu and the wider community, including the Department of Conservation. The information was gathered from the literature, archives and interviews. The project also involved the practical sharing of knowledge and practice in respect to the recovery and use of cultural materials from dead birds. Coming out of this project Ngäi Tahu anticipate identifying ways of keeping this knowledge alive into the future, for example through regular hui, hikoi and wänanga. We also anticipate identifying suitable ways and resources for making this information available to Ngäi Tahu Whänui and the public.

Tribal input to a scientific forum – Ngäi Tahu representation on the Department of Conservation’s Species Recovery Groups

Russell, Detta., and Puentener, Rachel C/ Kaupapa Taiao, Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu PO Box 13-046, Christchurch [email protected]

Through the Ngäi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu was invited on to the Department of Conservation’s technical advisory groups for threatened species management occurring within the Ngäi Tahu tribal area. This includes the Kiwi, Käkäpö, Takahë, Möhua, Weka, and Kakï Recovery Groups. As the only iwi representatives on these very scientific groups, the representatives have had a unique experience, learning a great deal about western science methods, while finding some issues challenging from a cultural perspective. This presentation will discuss some of the issues arising for Ngäi Tahu on these groups.

27 Ethno-ornithology Symposium

Kunwinjku bird stories: their preservation, language and relevance

Tidemann, Sonia C. and Nganjmirra, Jill Department of Natural and Cultural Resource Management, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Australia. C/- Post Office, Batchelor, NT, 0845, Australia. [email protected]

The importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge and language is frequently espoused. This paper presents some Australian Indigenous bird stories of the Kunwinjku people of Mamadawerre, Arnhem land. They include the Torresian Crow, Emu, Pheasant Coucal, Sacred Kingfisher, Black Kite, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Little Egret. Extracts will be presented in English and Kunwinjku and the continuing relevance of the stories will be discussed.

A Warlpiri Ornithorium: Birds, culture and language in an Australian desert.

Robert Gosford

C/- Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200. [email protected]

I will present preliminary results of my research into extrinsic sources of data and information concerning the bird knowledge of the Warlpiri people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of much of the Tanami Desert in central Australia. I will investigate the potential that Aboriginal ornithological knowledge may have to contribute to avian conservation, management and knowledge of arid-zone biodiversity. The Tanami Desert is a good example of a well-defined region where local Aboriginal knowledge may be able to make such a contribution.

28 Ethno-ornithology Symposium

Finding Common Ground: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Implications of Human Activity for Conservation in New Guinea

William H Thomas

The New Jersey School of Conservation, Department of Earth Sciences, Montclair State University, Branchville, NJ 07826. Email: [email protected]

In this paper, I propose an interdisciplinary approach to conservation that employs traditional knowledge of birds to establish a common ground for conservation planning. Birds are one of the best known organisms on the planet and an accepted indicator of biodiversity. Drawing on fieldwork with the Hewa of Papua New Guinea, I present the indigenous view of the connection between tradition and avian diversity. The Hewa describe their activities as a source of disturbance that creates a mosaic of habitats of varying biodiversity. Although this mosaic is more diverse than the undisturbed landscape, the Hewa do not describe their actions as an attempt to conserve biodiversity. By their reckoning, each of the created environments is less diverse than the primary forest. In these vast forests, biodiversity is the unintended side-effect of small-scale disturbances. This parallels the model of the disturbance/biodiversity relationship emerging in western science.

Successful participation in conservation will require that the relationship of indigenous people to their environment is understood by all and the limitations of their traditions as conservation tools are considered in the planning process. If the human/biodiversity relationship is one of disturbance rather than balance, it has important implications for the ability of local people to respond to the changes brought about by conservation. I believe that birds can provide a common ground for establishing the implications of human activity for biodiversity.

29 Ethno-ornithology Symposium

Challenging, complementing but not blending world views: Mātauranga Māori and science to keep the tītī forever

Henrik Moller†, Corey Bragg‡, Jamie Newman‡, Darren Scott†, Suzanne Bassett†, Grant Backwell† and David Fletcher§ † Department of Zoology, Te Whare Wānanga o Otago. ‡ Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body § Mathematics & Statistics, Te Whare Wānanga o Otago.

This talk will outline lessons from the use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Mātauranga Māori) and science for assessing the sustainability of the traditional tītī (muttonbird) harvest by Māori from 35 islands off Rakiura (Stewart Island). Investigation of science and Mātauranga in parallel tests and strengthens inferences of one from the other, improves the reliability of monitoring, facilitates harvest management, and supports kaitiakitanga and conservation. However the science and Mātauranga have important differences and so should not be blended. There are also practical constraints for the application of research partnerships between Māori communities and science teams, some of which could be overcome by commitment on all our parts to better realise shared goals of improved conservation and more resilient land use.

Long-term trends in tītī harvest rates for monitoring population abundance and oceanic changes

Corey Bragg1, Henrik Moller2 1 Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body 2 Department of Zoology, Te Whare Wānanga o Otago.

Sooty shearwaters (tītī, muttonbirds, Puffinus griseus) are a highly abundant seabird which return each year from feeding in the North Pacific to breed in the South Pacific. The annual harvest of their chicks on islands adjacent to Rakiura (Stewart Island) by Rakiura Māori is one of the last large-scale customary uses of native wildlife in New Zealand. This paper analyses six ‘muttonbirder’ diaries (some extending back over 50 years) to evaluate the reliability of (i) the number of chicks harvested, (ii) rate of harvest, (iii) chick size, (iv) duration of harvest season, and (v) timing of the harvest as indicators of fluctuations and trends in the tītī population and oceans. Limitations in harvest data for ecological trend analysis are far out-weighed by their value for community-led adaptive co-management of harvesting. Calibration of monitoring methods can create a common currency for the two knowledge systems to dialogue with one another. Scientific analysis of harvest records is an important way of complementing and challenging Mātauranga, and for Mātauranga to challenge scientific interpretations.

30 Ethno-ornithology Symposium

Buff Weka – reintroducing a culturally significant species to the Ngäi Tahu tribal area

Langsbury, Hoani

C/ Kaupapa Taiao, Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu PO Box 13-046, Christchurch [email protected]

To Ngäi Tahu, buff weka is a taoka tuku iho (treasure handed down from the ancestors), having been a major source of kai (food) in the past. Due to disease, habitat destruction, predation and other reasons, buff weka became extinct in their original home range in the early 20th century. Fortunately, healthy populations of buff weka exist on the Chatham Islands where they were introduced from the east coast in 1905. Ten years ago, Ngäi Tahu people in Otago had a vision to bring weka back from the Chatham Islands to the mainland. This vision coincided with the Department of Conservation’s Weka Recovery Plan, which recognises that the reintroduction of buff weka to the east coast of the South Island would be a long term, but important step in protecting this species from extinction. With technical expertise and funding from the Department of Conservation, Ngäi Tahu and DOC successfully brought thirty weka from the Chatham Islands to a predator free island in Lake Wanaka. The birds have successfully bred, and some have been transferred to another larger island. The long-term vision to have a self-sustaining population is now underway, with a search to find a suitable large mainland site.

31 Ethno-ornithology Symposium Kaupapa Kererū – An iwi-lead, community based, multi-agency approach to enhance the New Zealand Native Pigeon (Kererū) on Banks Peninsula.

Norton, T.1, Pauling, C.1, Wilson, K-J.2, Ogilvie, S.2, Nugent, G.3, Couch-Lewis, Y. 4, Manawatu, T. 5, Cranwell, I. 6, Schmechel, F. 7, and Spencer, A.8.

1 Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, PO Box 13-046, Christchurch. [email protected] 2 Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln. [email protected] 3 Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln. [email protected] 4 Te Hapü o Ngäti Wheke, PO Box 107, Lyttelton. [email protected] 5 Te Rünanga o Önuku, PO Box 13 423, Christchurch. [email protected] 6 Wairewa Rünanga, PO Box 13994, Christchurch. [email protected] 7 Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, PO Box 3914,1 Christchurch. [email protected] 8 Department of Conservation, Private Bag 4715, Christchurch. [email protected]

The kererū is New Zealand’s only endemic pigeon. It plays a key role in the restoration of native forests by distributing seeds of native trees. Te Pataka o Rakaihautū / Banks Peninsula was once known for its abundance of kererū, a taonga (treasure) of the indigenous people, Ngāi Tahu. Today, far fewer kererü exist, and only in fragmented remnants of native forest.

Kaupapa Kererū is an initiative being undertaken to restore kererū communities in and around Banks Peninsula, and is powered by representatives of Ngāi Tahu, the Department of Conservation, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and Lincoln University. The initiative has a two-pronged approach, including work with local communities to raise awareness and support the restoration of kererū populations, and ecological research to elucidate information as a basis for improving habitat. The approach has included the development of a calendar, containing kererū illustrations by local school children, information on kereru ecology, and survey forms to allow local people to report their kererū observations. An oral histories project drawing out local knowledge on the kererū has also been undertaken. These are complemented by a number of masters’ research projects on food plant species that are used by kererū, their relative importance, and seasonal patterns of usage, movement between habitats, and on predator impacts at representative sites on Banks Peninsula.

The approach to date has been extremely well received by the community, the agencies involved and the local iwi and is a credit to all those involved. The project is now looking towards the future and hoping to share the information it has gained by implementing some of the recommendations from the research and working proactively with the local community to improve habitat and reduce predator impacts to achieve the original aims of the project.

32 Home Ranges, Movements and Diet of Kereru in the Urban and Rural Landscape on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

Campbell, K. L.1, Schotborgh, H. M.2, Wilson, K-J.3 and Greene, T. 4

1 Bio-protection and Ecology Department, Lincoln University, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Bio-protection and Ecology Department, Lincoln University, New Zealand. [email protected] 3 Bio-protection and Ecology Department, Lincoln University, New Zealand. [email protected] 4 Science and Research Unit, Department of Conservation, Christchurch. [email protected]

The Kaupapa Kereru Programme is an initiative of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, who co- ordinate the Programme in collaboration with Lincoln University, Department of Conservation and Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research. The ultimate aim of the program is to enhance kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) populations on Banks Peninsula. Our research investigates home ranges, movements, and diet of kereru in the urban and rural landscape on Banks Peninsula, which is representative of similar landscapes elsewhere in New Zealand. Telemetry equipment was used to track 15 kereru captured in the Diamond Harbour area for a period of 13 months. Home range size and movements were greatly influenced by locations of food sources over time, but sizes varied only slightly between breeding and non-breeding seasons. In comparison with previous studies, kereru travelled larger distances annually but had smaller core areas. Kereru fed almost exclusively on vegetation and flowers in winter and spring. Exotic species made up a large proportion of the diet in winter, spring and early summer and native species during summer and autumn. Fruit of native and introduced species was eaten when available. We suggest that protein rich foliage of mainly introduced species and kowhai is selected for prior to the breeding season. Fifteen kereru captured in Hinewai Reserve, the largest regenerating native forest fragment on Banks Peninsula, are currently being radio tracked and preliminary results will be discussed. The Banks Peninsula kereru population appears to be under threat due to predation rather than limited food sources.

33

Symposium. Landbird Population Monitoring

convenors: Eric Spurr (Landcare Research) & C.J Ralph (US Forest Service)

Knowledge is power: the UK experience in terrestrial bird monitoring

Noble, David G.

British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, UK. [email protected]

Long-term bird monitoring programmes provide extremely valuable information for addressing a wide range of ecological and applied conservation questions. Using examples from the UK, I show how terrestrial bird surveys have been used to address many of these questions, from the influence of avian predators on their songbird prey to the assessment of the population status of species of conservation concern. I also show that surveys are fundamental in monitoring the effects of bird pest control for a wide range of issues, such as the protection of crops and livestock, human health and for conservation. Terrestrial bird monitoring in the UK began in the 1960s with the Common Bird Census (CBC). The CBC was an annual territory mapping survey that provided the first evidence of drastic declines in many of Britain’s farmland and woodland birds. Monitoring has continued with the more recent Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which employs a line transect method, a rigorous sampling design and requires considerably less effort from participants. Running the BBS has been greatly facilitated by a network of regional volunteer organisers who are familiar with both the avifauna and birdwatchers in their region, and so, are well placed for recruiting volunteers. Analyses of data from both surveys allowed us to develop species-specific methods for linking the historical CBC trends to those from BBS. Moreover, species trends from different sources can be combined to produce composite indicators, a powerful tool for raising the profile of deterioration in the quality of the wider countryside.

34 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Monitoring and surveying bird populations in Europe: experiences, lessons and achievements

Gregory, Richard D.

European Bird Census Council, c/o Department of Conservation Science, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, United Kingdom. [email protected]

European ornithology has a rich tradition of surveying birds both common and rare, in winter and summer, on passage and migration. This package forms an integrated programme and here I concentrate on the monitoring of common and widespread species. Early work focused on the development and comparison of field methods but more recently, greater attention has been given to survey objectives and sampling strategies, and these three components define modern survey design. Ambitions to define the ‘best’ field method soon dissolved with the realization that different methods have strengths and weaknesses but when implemented correctly could deliver the same information, and deciding what is ‘best’ depended on specific objectives and circumstances. What is more important is attention to the survey design as a whole and that generic principles of best practice are adhered to in all aspects. Thus, monitoring schemes in Europe differ in design: they differ in sampling strategy (random stratified, semi-random, free choice), and field methods (point/line transects, territory mapping), but share standards and common objectives. The UK Breeding Bird Survey is arguably the best example of a growing generation of schemes and is widely mimicked. However, variation in design is not a barrier to creating Europe-wide statistics describing population trends and indeed, Pan-European wild bird indices, or indicators, have been adopted as official statistics of sustainability by the European Union, and their national equivalents adopted by national governments. One lesson to learn from Europe is to define tightly the objectives and get the basics right.

35 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

The North American progress in landbird inventory and monitoring by a cooperative organisation “Partners in Flight” and their possible application to New Zealand

Ralph, C. John

Redwood Sciences Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Arcata, California 95521, USA. [email protected].

New Zealand might benefit from the experience of North America in the inventory and monitoring of landbirds, as our three countries move towards a unified system of interfacing programmes that are providing extremely valuable information for addressing a wide range of ecological and applied conservation questions. Using examples from various programmes, I cover the questions asked, organisation required for the inventories, the methods of data base management, and the promulgation of results. I will briefly outline the historic and ongoing inventory and monitoring programmes, including a mid-winter census and a breeding bird survey. More than 10 years ago, “Partners in Flight,” a cooperative and consensus-driven method of promoting bird conservation, set up an Inventory and Monitoring Working Group whose role is evaluation and promotion of bird monitoring in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Each country has its own systems in place, with a high degree of interaction and communication. I will present our first step, which was an assay of existing programmes and methods in North America, and an evaluation of their advantages and disadvantages. I will also summarize the results of a series of workshops focussing on such items of importance as: monitoring goals; overall census methods; point counts; demographic methods (especially mist-nets); data base management; cooperative data and monitoring networks; and statistical analysis. The results of all these are voluminous, and have been published and references will be made available prior to the Conference on its web site. These have resulted in moving towards a single, common data base administrated by a coalition of government and non-profit organisations that brings together data from a variety of sources and methods. I will focus on the results from various studies of programmes and methods, and their applications to research, conservation, and management programmes for both rare species and the goal of “keeping common birds common.”

36 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Swedish Reporting System for Birds

Nilsson, Johan

ArtDatabanken, SLU, Box 7007, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden [email protected]

The internet-based Swedish Reporting System for Birds has now been in operation for five years. Since the introduction 6,700 birdwatchers have registered 4.2 million observations from 65,000 sites. All sites have coordinates, and may instantly be plotted on a web map. The website has had 240,000 visitors. The system has revolutionised Swedish ornithology. Almost all Swedish birders now use the system in one way or another as a private bird diary or for large-scale scientific studies. Also the authorities are beginning to realise that the key to success is that the system is based on the observer’s field notes on, e.g., species, numbers, age, sex, and type of activity. It is entirely up to the user what data is recorded. The system is, in other words, based on the available information rather a cut-and-dried set of questions. 29 Regional Report Committees safeguard the quality of the registered data. A new and somewhat unexpected phenomenon is the spontaneous, public validation resulting from each observation being scrutinised by thousands of observers. Report a species from a time or place that seems strange, and you will instantly get a number of E-mails or phone calls questioning the observation. The system also contains both an automatic and a manual security system to ensure that information on sensitive species is not publicly displayed. The system has also acquired a function reminiscent of a village square – reporting has become a way of making yourself known. As birders tend to report their observations in a similar way every year, reliable statistics are generated from a large number of spontaneously registered observations.

37 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Recommendations for a scheme to monitor common land birds in New Zealand

Dawson, D.G.

80 Home Park Road, Wimbledon Park, London SW19 7HR, UK. [email protected]

Easy, versatile, efficient and robust counting methods are needed, because there are few observers in New Zealand, many places are inaccessible, organisations and individual projects have different aims, and species differ in abundance and detectability. This precludes using estimates of density from full “distance sampling”, territory mapping or capture-recapture. Nor is random geographic sampling realistic everywhere, and it is unlikely that a single method will suit all purposes, geographic scales or habitat types. However, much can be done within these constraints. I recommend using one or two “binomial” methods, using a threshold distance to classify birds detected “near” or “far”, in slow-walk transects, or five-minute counts. These methods would deliver locally useful population indication, whilst contributing to the regional and national population monitoring of a good number of species. Also, two simpler methods, a “standard walk” and a “timed count”, might extend the coverage to wetland and coastal habitats and be attractive to more observers. Other issues considered are the choice of study sites, seasonal and habitat coverage, the recruitment, training, support and retention of observers, consistency with previous work and with single species studies, species inventory, frequency of occurrence methods, form design, methodological rules, the hours studied, estimation of population density, analysis and presentation of the results, statistical bias and precision, indicators, and surveillance.

38 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Design and analysis of bird monitoring data – some experiences from a statistical viewpoint

Westbrooke, Ian

Department of Conservation, Research, Development and Improvement, 137 Kilmore Street, Christchurch [email protected]

The key starting point for monitoring is having a clear objective. Typical objectives at DOC for indigenous species include: understanding an aspect of short term impacts on a bird species or set of species – for example the effect of poison operations; learning about the medium or long term effects of management on a species or set of species; establishing medium to long term trends in populations, in size and/or distribution. Care needs to be taken that methodology is based on the objectives rather than the other way round. I will describe some experiences in analysing or designing bird monitoring, and draw some lessons from these experiences in relation to future bird monitoring. Examples will come from studies with a variety of objectives and time frames. Monitoring tomtits has included both consideration of short-term impacts of 1080 poison, and ongoing distance sampling since 2001. A long-term banding study of little spotted kiwi has allowed examination of short-term impacts of brodifacoum, and long term survival rates, while both call counts and radio-tracking studies of brown kiwi have allowed assessment of medium-term effectiveness of management. Longer term monitoring analysis has mostly focussed on five-minute bird counts, because of their longer history.

39 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

A power analysis for monitoring population trends in New Zealand’s birds

Bart, Jonathan1, Ralph, C.J.2 and Spurr, E.B.3

1 US Geological Survey, Boise, Idaho, USA [email protected] 2 US Forest Service, Arcata, California, USA [email protected] 3 Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand. [email protected]

An analysis of the number of bird survey routes needed to detect specified changes in the population sizes of New Zealand birds will be presented. We will focus on point counts. Effects of season, count duration, number of stations per route, and number of routes will be investigated. Results will be expressed as the number of species for which one or more accuracy targets are achieved. Estimates will be based on survey data from New Zealand supplemented with long-term data sets from the United States. We hope the analyses will be helpful in designing a comprehensive, long-term bird monitoring program for New Zealand.

40 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

What does the Birds Australia Atlas tell us about the effects of survey method, habitat and time of year on avian observability?

Szabo, Judit1,2, Davy, Pam2 and Astheimer, Lee3

1 The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA. [email protected] 2 Institute of Conservation Biology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia (current address) 3 School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. [email protected] 4 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. [email protected]

Faunal atlases are landscape-level survey collections that can be used for describing spatial and temporal distribution patterns and densities. They can also serve as a basis for quantitative analysis of factors that may influence species’ distributions. We used a subset of Birds Australia Atlas data (285 species, January 1998 to December 2002) to examine the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of species in arid and semiarid regions of eastern Australia (136-152 oE and 17-37 oS). Using ArcView, this dataset was converted into point coverage and overlaid with a vegetation polygon layer (AUSLIG 1990) and a half-degree grid. Given the high spatio-temporal variability of the atlas sampling effort, species-specific reporting rates were calculated per grid and per vegetation units. Using Generalized Linear Models, the influences of survey method and month, geographical location and habitat type were analyzed for each species. On a grid basis, the total number of species correlated with the total number of surveys, and the number of records per species was highly variable. Surveys had high interannual location fidelity. The predictive value of the four factors was species-dependent. Location and habitat were correlated and highly predictive for species with restricted distribution and strong habitat preference. Month was only of importance for migratory species. Survey type was important for extremely common or extremely rare species. In conclusion, species’ behaviours differ sufficiently to require building a customized model to predict distribution. Simple models work for habitat specialists with restricted ranges, however for generalists with wide distributions even complex models give poor predictions.

41 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Is five minutes ever enough? A comparison of five-minute bird counts and distance sampling estimates of bird communities in agricultural landscapes

Blackwell, Grant., Moller, Henrik and Rate, Stephen

The Agriculture Research Group on Sustainability, The Department of Zoology, The University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Five-minute bird counts have become the standard technique for ornithological surveys in New Zealand. However, they are limited by variation in detectability and conspicuousness due to habitat differences, weather effects, bird behaviour and observer experience. Distance-sampling techniques attempt to take detectability and conspicuousness into account, but they have received little attention in New Zealand to date. During summer 2004/2005, we compared 333 and 277 five-minute bird counts with distance line-transect estimates of bird abundance on 37 sheep/beef farms and 37 kiwifruit orchards respectively. There were no significant correlations between abundance estimates for any species we compared on the sheep/beef farms, and the two techniques gave variable and inconsistent results when used to compare bird abundance between organic, Integrated Management and conventional farms and orchards. Our distance sampling estimates were probably more accurate and reliable than those obtained from five-minute counts, at least in open habitats such as those found on the sheep/beef farms. However, distance sampling estimates of bird density may violate their assumptions, and care is needed to ensure sampling is well planned and extensive enough to ensure accuracy and reliable scientific inference.

42 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

A comparison between distance sampling, counts per unit area, and a closed population capture/recapture model for estimating bird abundances

Barraclough, Rosemary K.1 and Brunton, Dianne2

1University of Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected] 2Ecology & Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany [email protected]

Island populations can provide a useful forum for comparing methods for estimating animal abundance. Furthermore, New Zealand’s island populations can also have unique requirements due factors such as the fragility of their environment and the sometimes high density of populations due to the absence of invasive mammals. Distance methods have been applied within New Zealand in comparative studies between line-transects and point-transects on North Island Saddleback, in the form of line-transects on the North Island Tomtit, and as point-transects on a range of forest species within the northern Te Urewera. Distance point-transects have been recommended in situations of high density populations. However, the ‘closed’ populations provided by islands, where a proportion of a target population has been banded, are also potentially suitable for applying a closed population capture/recapture model for estimating population abundance. Furthermore, in appropriate circumstances; according to bird behaviour, density, and habitat type, a search and count per unit area may yield reasonable estimates of abundance. This study will compare results and ease of application of these three approaches to estimating bird abundance on Tiritiri-Matangi Island Scientific Reserve.

43 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Describing habitat and seasonal impacts on bird densities using distance sampling: Saddleback on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Brunton, Dianne H.1 and Rosalie Stamp.2

1Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected] 2Department of Conservation, Auckland Conservancy, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected]

From a single population on Hen Island, North Island saddleback have been successfully translocated to more than 15 other islands and protected areas. Monitoring of most of these populations has been rare and no consistent method has been employed. Season and habitat type are considered to influence bird densities within a location, making accurate estimates of population size and density difficult. In this study we used distance sampling to determine densities of saddleback in two habitat types on Tiritiri Matangi Island over the course of one year, (every 1-2 weeks). More than 200 transects were walked, representing over 20 kms. Saddleback numbers were consistently high throughout the year in established bush patches (approx 11 birds per Ha) but varied with season in replanted areas (from 6-12 birds per Ha) with peaking in winter. The Tiri saddleback are now often used as a source for translocations and regular monitoring of densities can help in determining the impacts of bird removal. At one established bush area we examined the density of saddleback two years after a significant number of adult birds were removed for translocation and found that the densities had recovered to levels similar to other established bush patches. An important assumption of distance is that sightings of the birds are made before birds move away or towards the observer. We tested this assumption for saddleback and are confident that distance sampling is a useful method for regular monitoring of saddleback with the proviso that seasonal and habitat effects be considered.

44 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Combined distance and removal analysis of bird point counts

Efford, Murray G.1 and Dawson, Deanna K. 2

1 Landcare Research, Private Bag 1930, Dunedin, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708 U.S.A. [email protected]

For point counts to index population change there must be effective control of variation in the detection rate. This may be achieved by good experimental design or by estimating the detection rate with additional data collected during each count. Distance sampling, using distance to first detection of each bird, and removal analysis, using the time of detection, have been advocated for estimating detection rate. Each method has a distinct weakness that may be overcome by combined analysis: distance (D) assumes perfect detection at zero distance, and removal (R) is biased because detection declines with distance. We evaluate a new likelihood-based distance and removal model (DR) using both simulated bird counts and field data on Maryland forest birds. First detections during a 12-minute, fixed-radius (100-m) count were classified by radial distance (25-m bins) and time (3-minute bins). Trials with simulated data generated under model DR verified that the new method worked when assumptions were met. However, Akaike’s Information Criterion selected model D for uncommon species, even when it gave more biased estimates than model DR. With field data, model D was generally selected, and tended to give higher estimates of density than other models. The fitted DR model indicated incomplete detection of birds near the observer, but overall fit of the model was often poor. Lack of fit of the more general DR model strongly suggests that the simpler models (D, R) are also inadequate. We conclude that none of these methods solves the detection problem, and that good experimental design is imperative for counting birds.

45 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Individual recognition for vocal bird species: a new perspective.

Fox, E.1, Roberts, J.D.1 and Bennamoun, M.2

1 School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia. [email protected] 2 School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, University of Western Australia

Acoustic recognition could be an effective, non-invasive, method of individual recognition in a variety of bird species but it has rarely been used in field research. This is primarily because of the need to determine the best method of extracting individually distinctive features from a common song type and the requirement that all birds use that song type. I propose a new method of acoustic recognition which does not use features specific to a particular song and therefore can be used in any vocal species singing any song type. Using the mel-cepstrum coefficients to extract features related to the vocal tract configuration, individual identity can be determined regardless of the song type produced, or the complexity of the song. This eliminates the need for common song types, incorporates data from complex repertoires, and the same methods can be used in any bird species. Neural networks were chosen as the classifier for this task as they can solve complex, non-linear classification problems. Results to date show that individual identification within a singing bout can occur, but the system is highly susceptible to noise effects. Current results plus possible solutions to the problems that have arisen will be presented.

46 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Individual identification of Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) using their vocalisations and its use as a monitoring tool.

Corfield, J., Parsons, S.

School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

Vocalisations of the endangered Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) are currently used in a nationwide monitoring program. Calling rates are used to obtain an estimate of population size from a number of small, isolated populations, which can then be compared to past years to assess the health of this population. Results from this survey form the basis for a number of critical management decisions and ultimately determine the level of resources each receives. The ability to identify kiwi individually during monitoring would greatly improve the accuracy and quality of information obtained and provide a wider base of knowledge when management decisions are made. This study explores whether kiwi possess individually distinctive vocalisations, which could be used in conservation management and investigates the feasibility of using this for a regular monitoring tool. Variables from calls from seven male and four female kiwi were analysed using ANOVA and then assigned to individual birds by Discriminant Function Analysis. Statistically significant differences occurred among nearly all variables between individual male and female kiwi calls, despite statistically significant difference occurring between syllables within calls. Discriminant Function Analysis was able to correctly classify 87.5% of male and 85.7% of female calls correctly to individual birds. Brown kiwi show strong signs of individually distinctive vocalisations, which remained consistent over a one year period. The conservation implications of individually distinctive vocalisations and how this feature could be incorporated into the current monitoring of kiwi are discussed.

47 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Monitoring bird populations: a non-invasive method using song playbacks.

Brunton, Dianne H.1, Evans, Barbara A.2 and Ji, Weihong.3

1Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected] 2Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected] 3Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected]

Over the last few decades New Zealand conservation biologists and managers have pioneered and perfected the use of offshore islands as ‘safe’ refuges for New Zealand’s endangered and rare fauna. Many of these island sites now hold source populations for further translocations to other islands and, increasingly, predator controlled mainland sites. Not only have endangered and rare species benefited from these conservation strategies, more common species such as bellbird and tui have also reached high population densities in predator controlled locations. These high density sites may facilitate the expansion of more mobile species back to mainland New Zealand. Such self translocated populations are often more difficult to assess in terms of their source population and founding numbers. Here we report on a non-invasive monitoring method for a small self introduced population of bellbird located at Tawharanui; a coastal mainland regional park with extensive predator control and predator fencing. Tawharanui is located at similar distances from Little Barrier and Tiritiri Matangi Islands, both of which have large bellbird populations. Playbacks of ‘local’ bellbird song were significantly more effective at determining the presence/absence of bellbirds than direct observations. Bellbird responses to playback (approaches or singing) were strongest to same sex playbacks with females responding more strongly to female playback and males to male playback. We then tested our playback protocol at a second mainland site Shakespear Regional Park and had similar results. Finally, quantitative analyses of song types suggest that the Tawharanui bellbirds originated from Little Barrier rather than Tiritiri Matangi Island.

48 Landbird Population Monitoring Symposium

Censusing the cryptic endangered Ground Parrot: how much is enough?

Burbidge, Allan H.1 and Williams, Matthew 2

1 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6946 Australia. [email protected] 2 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983 Australia. [email protected]

Programs for monitoring change in threatened species are often constrained for logistic reasons, or because there is inadequate information on the amount of survey required to detect a given level of change in population trend. For cryptic birds such as the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot, these difficulties are exacerbated. However, sound measures of population trend are required to determine whether a given management regime results in the desired outcome.

Ground Parrot abundance, measured by calling frequencies, varied from year to year at a study site in Fitzgerald River National Park, south-western Australia. Calling frequency increased significantly from 1996 to 2000, including in that part of the study site which is now unburnt for about 40 years. However, calling frequency dropped significantly between 2000 and 2004; reasons for this are unknown.

Our current protocol, where eight plots are counted approximately three times each, is capable of detecting an annual change in calling frequency of about 13%, while bird densities are comparable to those in the 1996-2000 period. The number of plots would need to be increased to 14 in order to detect an annual change of 10%, and to about 50 in order to detect an annual change of 5%.

49 Keynote paper for the New Zealand Landbird Monitoring Scheme Workshop, 11 December 2005.

A Monitoring scheme in New Zealand: what the OSNZ thinks it wants

Scofield, R. Paul

Canterbury Museum. Rolleston Avenue, New Zealand. [email protected]

The Ornithological Society of New Zealand (OSNZ) is an organization that exists ultimately to gather and publish information on the birds of New Zealand. In the wake of the eminent completion of the second atlas project the society’s Scientific Committee has been reassessing its monitoring needs to ensure that OSNZ should be a major body gathering and publishing information on the birds on New Zealand. The Scientific Committee has concluded that web-based methods of data entry and dissemination are the way of the future, but web-based methods have huge logistic problems inherent in their maintenance, and in the analysis, problems that most overseas organizations have ignored in concentrating on early web presence rather than content. OSNZ believes that web-based monitoring of New Zealand birds should be developed according to best practice, to develop the simplest and most useable platform to suit local purposes, which are not necessarily, or even likely to be, consistent with the basis for surveys and monitoring done elsewhere. Furthermore OSNZ believes that before any scheme is launched by OSNZ, the membership is fully consulted, and the results of that consultation incorporated in the development of the platform and in survey and monitoring objectives that are both valid scientifically and feasible for the membership. It is also crucial to consider the outcome of any survey or information-gathering scheme or process, and especially the analytical methods required to achieve that outcome, before any scheme is adopted.

50 Contributed papers

Development of the stress response in grey-faced petrel Pterodroma macroptera gouldi chicks

N.J. Adams1, J.F. Cockrem2 and G.A. Taylor3

1School of Natural Science, Unitec, [email protected]; 2IVABS, Massey University, [email protected]; 3Research, Development and Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, [email protected];

Birds respond to environmental challenges, including nutritional deficits, with a non- specific stress response involving activation of the endocrine system and manifest, in part, as elevated levels of the hormone corticosterone. However, previous work has suggested that delayed development and/or suppressed sensitivity of the endocrine system may be expected in chicks routinely faced with intermittent food provisioning that result from high fluctuations in food resources and/or low parental sensitivity to chick’s demands. We examined whether Procellariiform chicks which have long developmental period, associated with intermittent food provisioning by adults, delay the onset of this stress response. We subjected parent-reared, known-aged grey-faced petrel Pterodroma macroptera gouldi chicks, between 2 and 110 days, to a standardized handling protocol at six intervals through development. Blood samples taken at 3 and 30 minutes after initial handling were assayed for corticosterone. Corticosterone concentrations at 3 min represent baseline levels while samples taken at 30 min would reflect a response to handling. Our data indicate that chicks as young as 2-4 days have a marked a stress response to handling and this is maintained throughout development. This indicates early maturity of the endocrine system. We consider our results in the context of the chick translocations which are increasingly being used to establish new seabird colonies for conservation purposes.

51 Contributed paper

Finding the cryptic and Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris) – a problem of scale

Barrett, Brent J.1

1Science Division, Dept. of Conservation and Land Management, Albany Hwy, Albany, WA 6330 Australia. [email protected]

The Fitzgerald River and Cape Arid National Parks are each approximately 380,000 ha in size and constitute the last refuges of the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot. In order to answer essential questions regarding distribution and conservation needs the Department of Conservation and Land Management mounted a full scale survey effort. This survey spanned two years and constituted the most intensive single species survey ever conducted in the south coast region. The technical difficulties of isolated study sites, critically low bird numbers, large and highly diverse landscapes, a shortage of skilled personnel and the very cryptic nature of this endemic parrot required the development of a highly specialised survey methodology. The resulting data has shed new light on the biology of one of the least understood birds of Western Australia. New management directions are able to incorporate the post fire requirements of this sub-species and allow for a more effective delivery of predator control.

52 Contributed paper

Factors affecting hatchability of artificially incubated kiwi eggs

Bassett, Suzanne1, Travers, Claire2, Kelly, Trevor3, Harvey, Carole2, Day, Kylie2, Richardson, Carmel2.

1. Department of Zoology, The University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. [email protected] 2. Kiwi Encounter, Rainbow Springs, PO Box 25, Rotorua, New Zealand. [email protected] 3. Rotorua Veterinary Centre, 181 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua, New Zealand

Artificial incubation of kiwi eggs and captive rearing of chicks for re-release to increase wild population sizes has become a common conservation management tool in New Zealand. Often, management imperatives to incubate have moved faster than scientific understanding of the requirements for successful incubation. Here were present a summary of our research and management findings into northern brown kiwi incubation and hatching following ten years of artificial incubation at Kiwi Encounter (Rainbow Springs, Rotorua). Since 1996 we have received 411 eggs, of which 301 were viable on arrival and incubated artificially, resulting in 256 hatched chicks. Embryonic mortality was greater at the end of the incubation period. Twenty-nine embryos died during incubation, and 16 embryos died at point of hatch. The hatching sequence in kiwi was determined by observing embryos during candling, those in the process of hatching and dead-in-shell chicks. Candling enabled us to detect suspected mal-positioned chicks, and these eggs were then x-rayed in order to determine the precise position of the chick at hatching. Various degrees of human intervention were provided during difficult hatches, ranging from removing a small section of shell to suffocation, to fully assisted hatches, where the chick was physically removed from the shell. Although mal-positions were rare, the most common malposition was the head-in-the-small-end of the egg. X-rays of eggs have provided an extremely useful technique of confirming malpositions and potentially difficult hatches.

53 Contributed paper

Migration of Great Knots and Red Knots from Northwest Australia: how do Red Knots reach the breeding grounds in time?

Phil F. Battley.1, Rogers, Danny I..2, van Gils, Jan A.3, Piersma, Theunis.3, Hassell, Chris J.4, Boyle, Adrian4 and Yang Hong-Yan5 1 Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia. Current address: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, Private Bag 56, Dunedin. [email protected] 2 School of Environmental and Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, P.O. Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia. Postal address: 340 Nink’s Rd, St Andrews, Victoria 3761, Australia. [email protected] 3 Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, and Department of Marine Ecology and Evolution, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands. Current address for J.A.v.G: Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Centre for Limnology, Rijksstraatweg 6, 3631 AC Nieuwersluis, The Netherlands. [email protected], [email protected] 4 Turnstone Nature Discovery, P.O. Box 3089, Broome, West Australia 6725, Australia. [email protected], [email protected] 5 Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China. [email protected] In general, Arctic-breeding waders leave non-breeding grounds in Australasia from March (New Zealand) to mid-April (Northwest Australia). Using radio-tracking, we documented an unexpected difference in departure timing between Great Knots and Red Knots at Roebuck Bay, Northwest Australia. While Great Knots left as expected from late March to mid-April, most radio-tagged Red Knots did not leave until early or mid- May. Late-departing red knots probably belong to the subspecies piersmai, which breeds on the New Siberian Islands, 10,400 km from Northwest Australia. Based on comparisons of temperatures on the breeding grounds of different knot subspecies, we predict that piersmai knots would not arrive on the breeding grounds until early June, leaving at most 3–4 weeks refuelling in Asia. Using a model of fuelling capacity in relation to prey quality and gizzard mass, we show that these knots must fuel very differently in Australia and Asia. In Australia, knots have seemingly suboptimal gizzard sizes and deposit fuel slowly. In the Yellow Sea, birds could only fuel up within the available time if they either enlarged their gizzards substantially or encountered prey qualities much higher than in Australia.

54 Contributed paper

Settlement patterns and social relationships of Hihi (Stitchbirds) Notiomystis cincta translocated to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand

Bell, Ben D.1, Empson, Raewyn.2, Booth, Matu.2, Brackenbury, Gill F.3 and Gazley, Frances4

1School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand [email protected] 2Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Trust (Inc.), PO Box 9267, Wellington, New Zealand [email protected] 366 Seatoun Heights, Seatoun, Wellington, New Zealand 47 Fillbridge Way, Karori, Wellington

We review the results of a translocation that returned 64 Hihi (Stitchbirds) to the New Zealand mainland for the first time in over 125 years. The birds were ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ released into the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, a largely forested ‘mainland island’ of 252 ha protected from introduced mammalian predators and competitors around its periphery by an 8.6 km 2.2 metre high mammal proof fence. The first 33 Hihi were released in February 2005, 30 from Tiritiri Matangi Island and 3 from the National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce. A further Mount Bruce female was released in March 2005, followed by a second major release of 30 birds from Tiritiri Matangi Island in May 2005. Movements and survival of individual Hihi are summarised for the months following release. Their attendance at feeding stations is examined, including intra-specific dominance patterns and interactions with Bellbirds (Anthornis melanura). Associations of individual Hihi at feeders are compared with their subsequent territorial locations and breeding partners. Challenges facing individuals that move beyond the perimeter fence into adjacent forested and suburban habitats are also briefly discussed.

55 Contributed paper

Spatial and temporal patterns of song sharing in the Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus

Berryman, Abby

School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150 [email protected]

The endangered Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus is a small, semi-flightless, territorial passerine. Its cryptic nature and the dense scrub which it inhabits mean that it is rarely seen. However, males sing a loud, far-reaching territorial song, providing the only practical means of monitoring these birds. These songs have been studied over three years within the largest remaining population of the species.

On average, each male had a repertoire of about 6 types of territorial song. Groups of up to 9 neighbouring males shared the same set of song types. Song sharing was often complete between individuals in these groups. In contrast, neighbouring song groups had no song types in common, even though they could often hear each other.

Repertoire change was widespread and rapid, with small structural changes to song types sometimes noticeable within just a few days. Most change occurred by modification of existing song types, with occasional divergence, addition or deletion of song types. Within a song group, all members made the same changes to their shared song types, showing remarkable cohesiveness. Thus song groups form discrete units, with members sharing most or all of their song types, despite continual repertoire change. Some possible scenarios that account for these findings will be suggested.

56 Contributed paper

The breeding biology and behaviour of a declining woodland bird, the grey-crowned babbler

Blackmore, Caroline J. Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University, Australia [email protected]

The grey-crowned babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis, is suffering ongoing decline and local extinctions in parts of its range that have been subject to human disturbance. Responses to fragmentation are species-specific and a suite of behaviours may increase the risk to a particular bird. Like many Australian woodland birds, the grey-crowned babbler breeds cooperatively. Breeding pairs are usually helped by a number of subordinates, most of which are offspring from previous broods that delay dispersal. Such complex social dynamics are thought to make cooperatively breeding birds unusually susceptible to the effects of habitat fragmentation. I studied a population of grey-crowned babblers in north-western New South Wales to identify the specific aspects of its breeding biology and behaviour that render the species so vulnerable. Nesting and census data were combined with molecular sexing and microsatellite genotyping to investigate the social organisation and breeding biology of the species. I report on the factors that influence reproductive success, mortality and dispersal, and discuss the implications for populations persisting in fragmented habitat.

The effects of recent studies on higher-level avian systematics in Australasia: a progress report

Boles, Walter E. Terrestrial Vertebrates, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. [email protected]

Since Sibley and Ahlquist’s major work on DNA-DNA hybridisation (1990), there has been a increasing number of studies, most of them employing DNA sequences, examining the relationships of many groups of birds. Some of the conclusions are not in agreement with conventional taxonomic arrangements, with often significant ramifications for the classification of Australasian birds. This paper reviews some of the more robustly supported findings that are relevant to this corner of the world. These are limited mainly to those at generic level and above.

57 Contributed paper

River regulation, bird communities and riparian habitat structure of the East Kimberley, Western Australia.

Branson, Mark J.

Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia [email protected]

In semi-arid Northern Australia the riparian zone provides avian communities with a wide range of important functions unavailable in upland habitats. In periods of environmental stress, riparian zones and watercourses provide refuge for native birds in higher numbers than experienced under average environmental conditions. Alterations to river flows are known to result in changes to vegetation characteristics and avifaunal composition within riparian habitat throughout Australia. The Ord River in the East Kimberley (Western Australia) has undergone significant changes in hydrology and ecology since establishment of a massive two-dam irrigation development in 1974. Downstream of the dams, the riparian zone has changed from a highly variable wet-dry regime to a perennial stream bed, prompting this assessment of avian dry season refuges.

Bird surveys and habitat assessments have been undertaken across a number of sites on the Ord River and the nearby unregulated Pentecost and Keep Rivers. Sampling was conducted over a range of seasonal conditions to maximise number of bird species identified. The project investigates the relative importance of this new riparian zone to the avian communities in this once seasonally water-scarce environment by comparing the regulated and unregulated rivers in the study area. Over 125 bird species have been recorded in the study, with significant differences in bird composition between the rivers and throughout the seasons. Results will be discussed in relation to data collected during four sampling periods between October 2004 and October 2005.

58 Contributed paper

Nest predation and the evolution of life history strategies in New Zealand birds

Briskie, James V.1, and Martin, Tom E.2

1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, USA

Birds on isolated islands evolved under low rates of predation as a consequence of a depauparate predator fauna. New Zealand is the best example of this phenomenon as its avifauna evolved in the absence of mammalian predators. To determine how predation shapes the reproductive behaviour and life history evolution of birds, we ran a comparative analysis between native New Zealand birds and their close phylogenetic relatives in Tasmania (where birds co-evolved with a wide range of native mammalian and reptilian predators). We also compared native New Zealand birds with birds introduced from Europe in the 19th century (which also co-evolved with mammalian and reptilian predators in their native range). Native New Zealand birds had longer incubation and nestling periods, built larger and more conspicuous nests, and adults visited their nests 2 to 4 times more frequently than either native Tasmanian birds or introduced European species. Native New Zealand birds also showed poorer nest sanitation than either the Tasmanian or European birds. These traits increase the likelihood of a predator locating a nest and support the hypothesis that life history traits are strongly shaped by risk of predation. Such traits may further increase the risk of predators locating the nests of native New Zealand birds now that exotic mammalian predators have become firmly established.

59 Contributed paper

Nest survival in forest fragments: a study of north island robins

Boulton, Rebecca L.1 and Armstrong, Doug P.1

1 Ecology Building 624, Massey University, PB 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. [email protected]

The decline of avian species in small fragments has generally been linked to the increase in nest predation and brood parasitism that birds experience when nesting in these habitats. Although extensive fragmentation has occurred throughout mainland New Zealand the impact on native avifauna breeding within these fragments has been largely overlooked. We present nest survival data from a naturally occurring population of New Zealand robins (Petroica australis longipes), collected from 13 forest fragments (1.4 – 1 500 ha) in the central north island, New Zealand. To eliminate bias associated with the use of apparent nest survival we used two relatively new programs available for calculating nest survival, Stanley (2000) and MARK. These programs allow researchers to evaluate possible underlying factors that may be effecting overall nest survival. We modeled the effect of different nesting stages (incubation and nestling), grazing pressure, fragment size, fragment isolation, food availability and indexes of rat abundance on nest survival. Overall nest survival for the three breeding seasons 2002-05 was 29% (23- 36%), with nest survival rates lower during the incubation (44%) than the nestling period (67%). Nest survival increased with grazing pressure and smaller fragment size.

60 Contributed paper

Foraging behaviour and habitat utilisation of Australasian gannets determined using GPS loggers.

Bunce, Ashley

School of Ecology & Environment, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. [email protected]

Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) breed in the cool temperate waters of south-eastern Australia and also at several localities around New Zealand, where they are a major marine predator feeding on commercially-exploited pelagic fish. This study investigated the foraging behaviour and habitat utilization of gannets at Pope’s Eye Marine Reserve during the 2005-2005 breeding period using GPS-depth-loggers. GPS data were recorded for a total of 45 foraging trips from 20 individuals. Gannets were found to forage at average maximum distances of 52.7 km (± 29.6 km) from the colony, with total foraging path lengths of 177.1 km (± 93.4 km) and foraging trip durations of 16.5 h (± 9.9 h). During foraging trips gannets spent on average 31.5% (± 11.4) of the time flying at an average flight speed of 47.3 km h-1 (± 2.9 km h-1). Gannets made an average of 39.8 (± 35.2) dives per trip and 3.8 (± 5.6) dives per daylight hour. Dives had an average depth of 3.5 m (± 1.1 m) and a mean maximum depth of 7.0 m (± 3.0 m), lasting for a mean dive duration of 5.3 sec (± 1.3 sec). Gannets foraged predominantly in shallow coastal waters and there was some evidence for foraging site fidelity. Considerable individual variation in foraging strategies was also observed. The results highlight the potential of GPS technology to reveal the fine-scale foraging behaviour of marine predators, thereby improving our understanding the interaction between marine predator populations, commercially exploited fish stocks and the marine environment.

61 Contributed paper

Fire and threatened birds on the south coast of Western Australia

Burbidge, Allan H.1 , Comer, Sarah 2 and Danks, Alan 2

1 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6946 Australia. [email protected] 2 Department of Conservation and Land Management, South Coast Region, 120 Albany Highway, Albany, Western Australia 6330 Australia. [email protected]; [email protected]

The south west of Western Australia is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with the Two Peoples Bay – Manypeaks area near Albany an excellent example of this State’s unique flora and fauna. In this area there are seven species of threatened birds, including the Noisy Scrub-bird, Western Bristlebird, Western Ground Parrot and Western Whipbird. The area also contains a rich flora with a number of threatened taxa and a unique mammal fauna including the Critically Endangered Gilbert’s Potoroo and healthy populations of the threatened Western Ringtail Possum and Quokka. Most threatened plants and animals in the area are fire sensitive, and fire management therefore poses some unique challenges, with managers having to balance the requirements of a number of species to achieve conservation outcomes. In summer 2004/05 a major wildfire at Mt Manypeaks reduced the total number of Noisy Scrub-birds by roughly 55%, and substantially reduced the numbers of the heath subspecies of the Western Whipbird. Ongoing monitoring has allowed the impacts of the fire to be assessed, and will assist the development of new guidelines for fire management for this area, with a major aim being maintenance of sustainable populations of all threatened taxa.

62 Contributed paper

Pateke (Brown Teal): The Fall and Rise of the World’s 4th Rarest Duck

Caldwell, R.1, Roxburgh, J.2, and Williams, L.3

1 Carey Rd, Port Charles, RD 4, Coromandel, New Zealand. [email protected] 2Department of Conservation, Hauraki Area Office, PO Box 343, Thames, New Zealand ([email protected]) 3Port Charles Rd, Port Charles, RD 4, Coromandel [email protected]

Pateke (Anas chlorotis) are a NZ endemic duck once widespread throughout New Zealand’s North Island, and parts of the South Island. One of the primary objectives of the Pateke Recovery Plan (2003) is to establish breeding populations of Pateke outside their existing strongholds of Great Barrier Island, and mid-eastern Northland. Port Charles, at the northern end of the Coromandel Peninsula, supports a small wild population of approx 50 individuals, and much larger numbers historically. Since June 2003, 3 annual releases of 40-60 captive bred, and radio transmittered, Pateke have been made into a predator controlled area of approx 5000 ha. This aims to establish a breeding population of 200 + individuals, and 50+ breeding pairs by 2007. Survivorship was measured through radio telemetry monitoring and flock counts under a constant management regime of predator control for mustelids and cats, public relations to minimise vehicle strikes and dog attacks, and community involvement. Released bird survival was 48% in Year 1, with most being lost to cat predation. Released bird survival in Year 2 was 71%, with most lost to vehicle strikes.

Does nest success affect maternal investment in clutches? A study of European songbirds introduced to New Zealand farmland habitats

Phillip Cassey

Environmental & Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT

In eight exotic European passerine species, maternally derived yolk antioxidant concentrations varied considerably across species and, within species, across habitats and clutches. I examine the possibility that maternal investment in yolk antioxidant concentrations is associated with differences in predation rates across farmland habitats in the central North Island, New Zealand. In particular, I compare differences in clutch survival across species and habitats and present results from a common-garden experiment in which predation rates are related to variable maternal investment.

63 Contributed paper

Climate change and Australia’s avifauna

Chambers, Lynda E.1, Hughes, Lesley2 and Weston, Michael A.3 1 Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, PO Box 1289K, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia. [email protected] 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia. 3 Research and Conservation Department, Birds Australia, 415 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123, Australia.

Climate change is expected to have profound effects on virtually all natural systems, with evidence mounting that the anomalously high temperatures seen in the 20th century have already been associated with changes in many natural systems around the globe.

Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the use of birds as indicators of climate change. Many species have been shown to be sensitive to changes in climate and these changes are often easier for the public to understand than, say, a 0.6ºC rise in global temperature. In addition, such changes are often seen in ‘their backyard’, making the climate change message more relevant and pressing.

Relative to the northern hemisphere, little is known about the effect of climate change on southern hemisphere birds. Australia contains a high proportion of endemic species, which have already adapted to a highly variable climate. Consequently, northern hemisphere climate impact results may not apply to these species. From an environmental management perspective, it is important to determine the impact of climate change on the Australian environment, with the information obtained supporting policy development and further monitoring used to assess policy responses. Here we review documented and potential impacts of climate change on Australian birds and suggest ways of increasing our knowledge base.

64 Contributed paper

Habitat preferences and domination of an indigenous despot – the Noisy Miner, and their implications for habitat restoration

Clarke, Michael F. and Oldland, Joanne

Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Australia [email protected]

The intense interspecific territorial behaviour of the Noisy Miner is known to result in the exclusion of small insectivorous birds from remnant woodlands in eastern Australia. However, little is known of the habitat characteristics that make domination of a site by Noisy Miners more likely. Given that substantial funds are being directed to restoring habitats, it is critical to ensure that current efforts are not simply creating additional habitat for Noisy Miners. This study sought to identify habitat characteristics that influenced how far domination by Noisy Miners penetrated into remnant woodlands. The study examined 25 habitat characteristics at each of 28 sites spread across Box-Ironbark Woodlands, Gippsland Plains Grassy Woodlands and Riverine Grassy Woodlands in Victoria. Noisy Miners were found to penetrate significantly deeper into remnants of Riverine Grassy Woodlands (258 ± 64 m, n = 10), than in Box-Ironbark Woodlands (196 ± 49 m, n = 7) or Gippsland Plains Grassy Woodland (165 ± 69 m, n = 8). Preliminary analysis suggests that the habitat characteristics correlated with increased penetration into the remnant by Noisy Miners include the openness of the canopy, and a decline in the diversity of canopy and shrub species at the site. These findings have implications for the scale, density and diversity of revegetation efforts required to avoid Noisy Miner domination.

65 Contributed paper

Why do birds nest in mistletoe? An experimental investigation.

Cooney, Stuart J. N., Watson, David M. and Luck, Gary W.

School of Environmental and Information Science, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia Current address: School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. [email protected]

Interactions between mistletoe and various bird species have been well studied, with a growing body of research evaluating the role of birds as pollinators and seed dispersers. Mistletoe also provides a nest-site for birds but this interaction is rarely acknowledged and hasn’t been studied previously in Australia. A comprehensive review of the literature revealed 241 species of Australian bird (72% of Australia’s arboreal nesting birds) have been recorded nesting in mistletoe. Some of these birds are regular mistletoe nesters, with up to 30% of nests sites occurring in mistletoe in some areas, while others appear to use mistletoe opportunistically. To evaluate whether mistletoe was used by chance or constituted a preferred nest site, I conducted a field-based study on nest location of Diamond Firetails. Of 44 nests found within a large woodland remnant, 13 were located in mistletoe. This proportion (30%) contrasted with the estimated 1% of canopy area represented by mistletoe. This is the first recorded example of a bird demonstrating preferences for mistletoe as a nest site, a pattern that may be common for other species in Australian woodlands and forests. I evaluate this finding in terms of the structural attributes of mistletoe, the role of predators, microclimate and other factors and find that mistletoe provides a nest site that has benefit for many species.

66 Contributed paper

Interspecific and seasonal differences in foraging microhabitat of two Petroicidae species in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia.

Cousin, Jarrad A.

Department of Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia [email protected]

In order to accurately assess the habitat requirements of a species, it is important to understand selection at as many spatial scales as possible. Many of the declining woodland bird species in Australia are ground foraging. In order to accurately assess possible reasons for their decline, it is therefore imperative to incorporate assessment of the scale governing ground foraging microhabitat selection by these species. The foraging microhabitat of the Scarlet Robin (Petroica multicolor) and Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis) was examined during winter and spring in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Both these species are predominantly ground foraging, so the microhabitat elements in a 25m2 area surrounding pounce sites were examined and compared to random points within the bird’s territory. While both species showed a similar seasonal shift for foraging microhabitat with selection for abundant woody debris and canopy cover in winter but not in spring, the response to other microhabitat elements such as tree and shrub density, plant material, and leaf litter was different between species as well as between seasons. The results of this project suggest foraging microhabitat selection driven by seasonal shifts in invertebrate populations. The complementary shift in foraging microhabitat between the two species between seasons also hints at selection minimising interspecific competition. The implications of these results will be discussed, especially in lieu of the larger study that these results are incorporated within.

67 Contributed paper

Home range and habitat use of Stewart Island weka (Gallirallus australis scotti) on Ulva Island

Cunninghame, H. Francesca.1 and Harper, Grant.2

1 Department of Zoology, University of Otago, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Department of Zoology, University of Otago, New Zealand. [email protected]

Stewart Island weka (Gallirallus australis scotti) have had comparatively little study done on them, therefore their basic ecology is not properly understood. Once widespread across mainland Stewart Island they are now restricted to a small recently translocated population beside the township. Due to the predatory nature of weka, information regarding their home range and habitat use will be beneficial to future management. Especially if the birds are to undergo further translocations in an attempt to re establish them within their historic range. This study aims to determine the home range size and habitat use of Stewart Island weka on a predator free, forested island. Ten birds of both sexes were captured on Ulva Island and fitted with radio transmitters. These birds were located four times a day over a period of eight weeks in order to determine the size of their home ranges. Data analysis using Ranges 6 shows that weka with coastal territories have smaller home ranges than those living inland and that on average males have larger home ranges than females. Habitat use was monitored by surveying 400 vegetation plots comparing habitat that the weka used with what was available within the individual home ranges. Analysis using Compostional Analysis shows that the weka living in proximity to the coast spend a large proportion of their time in the tidal zone. Weka living in solely forested territories used all the vegetation structures within their home ranges equally. The results from this study will be presented.

68 Contributed paper

Nest concealment, human visitation, and predation in New Holland Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) in South Australia.

Sarah Davidson and Sonia Kleindorfer School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide 5042, Australia [email protected]

There are numerous declining bird species in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, with predation considered to be an important factor associated with nesting success and hence recruitment into the area. We measured the vegetation characteristics surrounding 31 New Holland Honeyeater nest sites in two study sites within the Mount Lofty Ranges, to determine if predation outcome (depredated or fledged) covaried with vegetation parameters. We also used an experimental design to control for the influence of human visitation on predation outcome, by randomly allocating each encountered nest to low or high levels of observer visitation. We compared nest vegetation parameters for the two “visitation level” groups, and found no significant differences across experimental treatments. There was also no effect of human visitation level on predation outcome. In contrast, vegetation variables surrounding the nest (10 m radius) were significantly related to predation level, as revealed in a discriminant function analysis with 80 % of depredated and 90 % of fledged cases correctly classified. In particular, the variable nest concealment to the sides was important for predation outcome, with lower predation at concealed nests. The identity of the nest predators remained unknown.

69 Contributed paper

Recovery of the southern New Zealand dotterel on Stewart Island

Dowding, J.E.1, Dobbins, M.A.2, Hockly, W.2, and Roberts, A.3 1DM Consultants, P.O. Box 36-274, Christchurch, New Zealand [email protected] 2Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 3, Stewart Island, New Zealand 3Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 743, Invercargill, New Zealand

The southern New Zealand dotterel once occurred throughout the South Island of New Zealand. Following the arrival of mammalian predators, its breeding range became confined to Stewart Island. The population on Stewart Island declined from over 300 birds in the mid-1950s to a low of 62 birds (including about 16 pairs) in 1992. High mortality of adult birds, probably caused largely by feral cat predation, was thought to be the primary reason for the decline. Mortality of males was higher than that of females, and the population developed a severe gender bias. In 1992, experimental predator control was begun at the largest breeding site on Table Hill, and the decline slowed. From 1995 (when the population numbered 75 birds) predator control has been undertaken annually at five breeding sites. Annual survival of adult dotterels in the predator-control areas was higher than in the non-treatment areas from one year after the onset of control. The population responded rapidly, and numbers rose to about 250 in autumn 2005. Ongoing predator control is required, but is expensive at current levels. The challenge in future will be to maintain a viable population on the island with reduced resources.

Carotenoid supplementation in an endangered passerine, the hihi or stitchbird Notiomystis cincta

Ewen, John1 and Thorogood, Rose2 1Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, NW1 4RY London, United Kingdom. 2School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Carotenoids are essential dietary components utilised not only in pigmentation but also as immuno-stimulants and antioxidants by animals. Reduced availability can have consequences on individual health and survival and this is likely exacerbated in sexually selected species that trade carotenoid use for health with signal quality. We investigate the effects of experimental supplementation of carotenoids in the endangered hihi; a sexually selected species prone to pathogens, poor survival and failed reintroduction attempts. Our results on provide experimental evidence for the benefits of increased carotenoid availability in this species. We argue that the constraints on the availability of essential dietary components, such as carotenoids, needs assessing as they may alter the viability of small populations.

70 Contributed paper

Bird recolonisation in a restored wildlife corridor

Freeman, Amanda N. D.

School for Field Studies, Centre for Rainforest Studies, PO Box 141 Yungaburra, Queensland 4884, Australia. [email protected]

The Peterson Creek revegetation project, near Yungaburra in far north Queensland, aims to restore connectivity between two important rainforest remnants (Lake Eacham and Curtain Fig) along 5km of creek adjoining farm land. Since the project was instigated by the community group Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands (TREAT) in 1997, approximately 30,000 trees of local provenance have been planted along the corridor. Quarterly bird surveys, of all birds heard and seen using plantings during the course of 20 minute counts, have been conducted in each stage of revegetation since 1999. After one year, replanted sites begin to attract their first common forest birds such as Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), Lewin’s honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii) and Little shrikethrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha). Two years post-planting the number of forest bird species using the sites expands considerably and includes frugivores such as Figbirds (Sphecotheres viridis). Once a site is three or four years old, more specialised rainforest bird species begin to use it including Victoria’s riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae). However, although the earliest plantings along Peterson Creek are now eight years of age, there are still several bird species, common in or regular visitors to adjacent remnants, which have not yet been recorded. Ongoing monitoring will reveal whether these species eventually colonise or visit the Peterson Creek revegetation project plantings.

Identification of Nest-Predators With Remote Cameras and Artificial Nests in Continuous Woodland of South-Western Australia

Fulton, Graham R.

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia. [email protected]

This study was undertaken in a large block of relatively undisturbed woodland in south-western Australia. Four major predators were identified by remotely triggered cameras: Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula, Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor, Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata and Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica. Each species’ predatory impact was influenced by different localised factors such as: where and when it bred and its habituation to anthropogenic changes. The theft of nest material (approximately one third of all events) highlighted that existing nests may be important to nesting birds as a source of nest material and that the theft of nest material may be an under-recognised cause of nest failure.

71 Contributed paper

Avian Evolution Using Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequences

Gibb, Gillian.1, Kardailsky, Olga. 1, Braun, Edward 2 and Penny, David1

1Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 University of Florida, USA

Good phylogenetic trees are required to test hypotheses about evolutionary processes. We wish to know how many lineages of birds survived from the Cretaceous to the present, and when they diverged, in order to test models of apparent ‘mass extinctions’ and ‘explosive radiations’, and also to test biogeographic and ecological hypotheses. We have five hypothetical models, each with different implications for the mechanisms of macroevolution. Before these models can be fully explored, there needs to be good resolution in the avian evolutionary tree.

We improve the taxon sampling for bird phylogeny by analyzing seven new complete avian mitochondrial genomes (osprey, lined forest falcon, kestrel, adélie penguin, white- faced heron, ivory-billed aracari and pileated woodpecker). There are three main effects of the improved taxon sampling. Firstly, the forest falcon, kestrel and osprey increase the stability of the position of the falcon. Secondly, the heron and additional penguin genome help to prevent the attraction of the little blue penguin to the stork. Finally, the aracari and woodpecker start resolving the proposed six-way split within Neoaves (Cracraft 2001). In addition, because there is a complete duplication of the control region in some birds (for example the aracari and the osprey) we now find three main gene orders within birds, including a stable intermediate form. There is some evidence for continued gene conversion between parts of the duplicated control regions, resulting in the duplicates being highly similar. These ‘rare genomic rearrangements’ are not informative for deep phylogeny, as they appear to have occurred multiple times during avian evolution.

72 Contributed paper

Opportunities for managing the dispersal by birds of fleshy-fruited invasive plants

Gosper, Carl R. and Vivian-Smith, Gabrielle

CRC for Australian Weed Management and Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Alan Fletcher Research Station, PO Box 36, SHERWOOD, QLD 4075, Australia. [email protected]

Birds are the primary dispersers of the seeds of many fleshy-fruited invasive plants, with such plants successfully co-opting indigenous dispersal mutualisms. Providing that the spread of invasive plants is, at least in part, dispersal limited, manipulating the dispersal mutualism provides opportunities to limit plant invasions and their impact. We identify four broad research approaches to manipulate dispersal at the landscape scale, aimed at reducing dispersal of invasive plants. First, the sources contributing most to seed spread, such as core infestations or particular habitats, could be identified and the invasive plants removed. Second, seed dispersal could be directed to sites inhospitable to recruitment or to where recruitment could be managed, such as by installing perch structures or manipulating vegetation density. Third, seed dispersal could be affected through changes in fruit quality, such as that induced by biological control agents. Fourth, the fruit traits of invasive plants could be used to select appropriate replacement indigenous plants, which could serve to either shift the content of bird diets or provide alternative resources when invasive plants are removed, thus contributing to conserving existing frugivore populations. We examine each of these approaches with examples from the invasive plant flora and native bird fauna of eastern Australia.

73 Contributed paper

Are inbred birds more susceptible to disease?

Hale, Katrina A.

School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch. [email protected]

Exotic diseases and parasites have caused extinctions on many islands and may be especially problematic in populations that are inbred as a result of passing through a severe population bottleneck. Inbreeding resulting from bottlenecks may result in low resistance to pathogens and an immune system that is impaired or defective. However, few studies have assessed the effect of bottlenecks on the immunocompetence of birds. To determine whether severe population bottlenecks affect the function of the immune system of adult birds I tested two populations of New Zealand robins (Petroica australis) that varied in their presumed level of inbreeding: (1) Motuara Island, a highly bottlenecked group founded by 5 individuals, and (2) Nukuwaiata Island, a non- bottlenecked source population. I used the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin test to experimentally challenge the T-cell mediated immune system of the robins. A positive immune response to the PHA test was found in 69% of the robins tested on Nukuwaiata Island (non-bottlenecked source populations) but only 31% of the robins tested on Motuara Island (severe bottlenecked population). Further data will be collected in 2005 to measure seasonal changes in immune response, but my results to date suggest that robins passing through a severe bottleneck (and hence more likely to exhibit inbreeding) have a reduced immune response. This may indicate that inbred populations have an increased susceptibility to disease that may reduce their long-term survival and ability to adapt to novel pathogens.

74 Contributed paper

Conservation of the endangered New Zealand fairy tern

Hansen, Katrina M. Department of Conservation, PO Box 147, Whangarei, New Zealand [email protected]

The New Zealand fairy tern (Sterna nereis davisae) is New Zealand’s rarest indigenous breeding bird. The small population numbers around 35-40 birds and is ranked is ‘Acutely Threatened – Nationally Critical’. The population was once relatively widespread throughout the North and South Islands but had declined by the mid 1980s to a low of 3 breeding pairs. Management was initiated during 1983/84 at the three remaining breeding sites in the north of the North Island. Changes in the population since management was initiated, and then intensified in 1991, are compared to historical data. Results illustrate that the number of chicks fledged since 1991 has increased; 65 chicks fledged between 1991/92 and 2004/05. Demographic modelling based on productivity and age-specific survival predicted that the population would increase at c1.5% per annum. However, this contrasts with observations of a stable resident population. This could be the result of individuals moving out of the study area. Demographic modelling also predicts that the population would have continued to decline at a rate of c1.4% if management was not initiated. The extinction risk within 50 years has declined from 0.52 to 0.39.

75 Contributed paper

Breeding Status and Success of Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris and H. fuliginosis) during the 2003/04 and 2004/05 Season on the North Coast of NSW, Australia

Harrison, Annette E.1 and Ford, Hugh A. 2

1 School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, University of New England and National Marine Science Centre, PO Box J321, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia. [email protected] 2 School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Zoology Building, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia. [email protected]

Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris) and Sooty Oystercatchers (H. fuliginosis) are listed as threatened species in NSW. Despite this, little work has been published on the species, especially in northern NSW, which is considered to be their stronghold. Base-line data were collected on the number of breeding pairs, breeding sites and success of both species along a 270 km stretch of the northern NSW coast during 2003/4 and 2004/5. The total post-breeding population 2004/05 was 170 Pied Oystercatchers and 92- 5 Sooty Oystercatchers. Almost 70% of Pied Oystercatchers were breeders during 2003/04, whereas only 15% of Sooty Oystercatchers were found breeding. The distribution of breeders was patchy. Productivity varied between sites, with Pied Oystercatchers producing an average 0.64 fledglings per pair both years. Sooty Oystercatchers varied little between years, from 1.00 during the first year to 0.83 the second. Results indicate that the number of Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers in NSW may be greater than previously estimated, however, numbers are still generally low. This coupled with unpredictable and varied breeding success and disturbance to their breeding sites, indicate that the species are still at risk. Thus, further research into the cause of failed breeding, and how this can be reduced, is needed before effective recovery plans can be implemented.

76 Contributed paper

Birds in mosaic landscapes: how does landscape structure affect bird occurrence?

Haslem, A.¹ and Bennett, A. F.²

¹ School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, Melbourne Australia. [email protected] ² School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, Melbourne Australia.

There is increasing recognition that successful biodiversity conservation will need to incorporate land not specifically reserved for this purpose. For land managers, this means a complex balancing of the requirements of agricultural production and biodiversity conservation. Understanding the way ecological processes operate at a landscape scale will increase the success of such management. For example, how do landscape characteristics such as the cover and pattern of native vegetation affect native species occurrence. We investigated the effect of these factors on the avifauna of habitat mosaics on the Gippsland Plains, Victoria, Australia. Birds were surveyed by point counts in all habitats in 27 land ‘mosaics’, each 1 km x 1 km. Study mosaics were selected to represent a range of variation in two main factors: cover of remnant native vegetation (range: 0-100%) and number of habitat types. Five human-modified (eg. pasture, plantation, scattered paddock trees) and eight native (based on existing vegetation classes) habitats were sampled. Each mosaic was surveyed six times (three each in breeding and non-breeding seasons in a 12 month period). One hundred and eight bird species were recorded (excluding birds of prey); 56 species were classified as woodland dependent, 18 as open tolerant, 15 as open-country, and 19 as waterbirds. A mean of 50 species was recorded per mosaic (range: 33-64) and the average number of woodland dependent species was 29 (range: 4-38). There was a positive relationship between the richness of woodland dependent species and native vegetation cover in land mosaics.

77 Contributed paper

Resource-based determinants of diversity in a fragmented landscape: insights from the RIFLE study

Herring, M., and Watson, D.M.

Applied Ornithology Group, Institute for Land Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury NSW Australia; [email protected]

Identifying determinants of diversity in fragmented landscapes have attracted considerable scientific attention, but generalizable findings are rare. While this may reflect underlying differences between systems and associated biota, this may also be due to inappropriate study design, site selection and species selection. Most studies relate differences in diversity (or, typically, richness) to a range of patch-scale and landscape- scale metrics. But, have these factors had a direct effect on the organisms being studied? Aside from the important issue of time, many of these variables may be used for simplicity, rather than due to any underlying ecological reason (i.e., they’re easy to measure, analyse and interpret). We take an explicit, resource-based approach to try and gain a mechanistic understanding of the consequences of habitat fragmentation, and to identify the factors directly responsible for constraining species distributions. Called the RIFLE (Resources in Fragmented Landscapes Experiment) project, the approach is a long-term catchment scale study, incorporating experimental manipulation with comprehensive, cross-taxon monitoring. Here, we present two years’ data on distribution patterns of woodland-dependent birds, relating observed patterns to resource measures as well as patch- and landscape-scale factors. In addition to comparing the influence of these different classes of variable, we explore interactions across scales, highlighting the often complex inter-relationships that drive diversity patterns. While relating to a range of different nutritional, nesting and structural resources, we highlight mistletoe as a keystone resource, identifying threshold responses in a range of woodland species.

78 Contributed paper

Conservation of the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Australia)

Richard Hill

Birds Australia PO Box 243, Casterton 3311.

The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorynchus banksii gratpogyne is the rarest and most restricted of five subspecies of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, a species which is endemic to Australia. The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is nationally endangered and listed under state and commonwealth legislation. It is restricted to a small area of south-west Victoria and neighbouring South Australia. A recovery team has been in existence since 1996 and has undertaken a number of investigations into the causes of endangerment and run a community education and engagement program since that time. The recovery team has concluded that the current normal range of the cockatoo has not markedly changed in historical times, however, its area of occupancy has contracted substantially because of loss of habitat within that range. The current population size is about 1000 individuals. A range of investigations has led us to conclude that the cockatoo is primarily limited by the availability of its three food plants, the seeds of the stringybarks Eucalyptus baxteri and E. arenacea and of Buloke Allocasuarina luehmannii. Nesting success can be increased by protection of nests from ground predators. Shortage of nesting habitat, large hollows in old eucalypts, is likely to become a threatening process in the future as large old eucalypts die and are not replaced. Management targetting threatening processes include maximising areas of long-unburnt stringybark woodlands, legislated protection of dead hollow-bearing trees in both states, protection of known nest sites from ground predators, a range of incentives to landholders to protect and enhance identified Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo habitats on private land, and lobbying for improved legislative protection of native vegetation and improved compliance, at all levels of government. Currently the single largest cause of endangerment of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is permitted clearance of singular or paddock trees on private land as some farmers intensify their agricultural operations. Selection of the cockatoo as mascot for the 2006 Commonwealth Games has increased public awareness and interests its conservation.

79 Contributed paper

Bird species richness and pest control

Hone, Jim Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra ACT 2601. Australia

The conservation of threatened species can depend on the control or removal of adverse effects of other species, such as vertebrate pests. There is a large body of empirical experience, knowledge and skills on how to control and eradicate pests. The theoretical basis of the control for threatened species has had limited research. A theory of the response of a community of threatened species to pest control is developed. Key relationships are used in the theory of pest control for conservation, namely (1) the species area relationship (S = cAz) in community ecology, (2) the relationship between the coefficient (c) of that relationship and pest abundance, and (3) the relationship between pest abundance and pest control effort. These three relationships are then combined to yield a focal relationship between species richness and the level of pest control effort. That relationship is an output-input relationship of interest to conservation managers. The theory is applied to the conservation of bird species in two locations, firstly on Guam and efforts to control brown tree snakes, and secondly to mainland islands in New Zealand and efforts to control exotic mammals such as rodents, stoats and brushtail possums. The strengths and weaknesses of the theory and its application are described.

The Rangitata River: An Oustanding Braided River Habitat for Birds

Jolly, J.N. 20,Kalaugher Road, R.D. 21, Geraldine, 8751 [email protected]

The Rangitata River is one of New Zealand’s larger braided rivers. This paper reports on surveys of the birds of both the upper river (above the Gorge) and the lower river, together with comments on the value of the river as a habitat for birds and the perceived threats to the habitat. A total of 3019 birds that use the riverbed as their primary habitat were counted in about 30 Kms of the upper river and 16,958 birds were counted in a similar length of the lower river. Much higher numbers of black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus) (11,120) and black-billed gulls (Larus bulleri) (2522) in the lower river contributed to the higher total there. Five threatened species nested in significant numbers on the river, but the small waders, banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus) and wrybill (Anarhyncus frontalis) were present in much higher numbers in the upper river whereas black-billed gulls and black-fronted terns (Sterna albostriata) were in much higher numbers in the lower river. The river also has a diversity of ecological guilds of riverbed birds. The population of wrybills in the upper river is of national significance, as are the populations of black-billed gulls and black-fronted terns in the lower river. The river has recently been designated an outstanding habitat in terms of the Resource Management Act and granted a Water Conservation Order.

80 Contributed paper

Molecular approaches to the origins of diversity in widespread Australian arid zone birds

Joseph, Leo1 and Wilke, Thomas2

Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA, 19103-1195 USA. [email protected]. Present address: 2Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 (IFZ), D-35392 Giessen, Germany. [email protected]

This paper updates our paper from the Canberra AOC. We report on our research into the molecular phylogeography of essentially co-distributed widespread Australian birds of the arid- and semi-arid zones. Our main goal is to discern relative roles of historical and non- historical processes in the origins of intraspecific diversity. We are exmaining a suite of species chosen to represent different points along a spectrum of geographically structured diversity. We will report primarily on our data from White-browed and Masked Woodswallows Artamus superciliosus and A. personatus, respectively, and the Australian Ringnneck Barnardius zonarius, and secondarily on another woodswallow and some honeyeaters. We will review evidence that these species have variously undergone range expansions or historical stability in population size. Then we will relate these inferences to the literature on Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and postulated Pleistocene refugia and to the role of historical and non-historical processes in generating the diversity within and among these species.

81 Contributed paper

Productivity and population growth trends in two small, ancestrally inbred populations of Chatham Island black robin Petroica traversi, 1990–1998

Kennedy, Euan S.1, Wilson, Kerry-Jayne 2 and Duncan, Richard 3 Bio-Protection and Ecology Division, Lincoln University, New Zealand 1 [email protected] 2 [email protected] 3 [email protected]

Between 1990 and 1998, exhaustive (and ultimately, exhausting) monitoring of the two small (total n = 92, Oct 1990), ancestrally inbred populations of Chatham Island black robin Petroica traversi revealed at first glance that, in the absence of human intervention, trends in breeding productivity and population growth differed. The differences are intriguing for conservation biologists because black robins, an island endemic flycatcher, had passed through a single-female bottleneck ten years earlier, possessed anomalously low levels of genetic variation, and had been subjected to ten years of intensive, innovative manipulation of breeding aimed at averting extinction by raising population sizes rapidly. The research presented here assesses the trends observed and outlines related demographic analyses (in progress) intended to explain their implications for, first, questions of black robin persistence; and second, the conventional theoretical view that extinction risk should be increasing rather than abating in small, chronically reduced and historically inbred populations of island endemic birds.

High fitness costs in Darwin’s finches caused by the introduced parasitic fly Philornis downsi.

Sonia Kleindorfer School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, 5042, South Australia. [email protected]

In 1997, the introduced parasitic fly, Philornis downsi, was discovered on the Galapagos Islands. Larvae of the parasitic fly caused high mortality in Darwin finch nestlings. In this study, I present data on: 1) the current distribution of the fly across the Galapagos Archipelago, 2) patterns of nestling mortality, larval intensity, and host clutch size across Darwin’s finches, and 3) results of an experimental study to examine fitness costs in Darwin finch nestlings due to larval parasitism. These findings are discussed in the light of the reported local extinction of one of Darwin’s finches, Certhidea fusca, on Floreana Island in 2004.

82 Contributed paper

The causes and evolutionary consequences of song dialects in a rainforest specialist bird, the Chowchilla. Koetz, Anna H.1, Westcott, David2 and Congdon, Bradley C.1

1 School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. [email protected] 2 CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems & Rainforest CRC, Atherton, Australia. [email protected]

In passerines song is passed from one generation to the next through learning from conspecifics, which frequently leads to the production of intraspecific variation. Due to the important functions of song such divergence can potentially create and maintain pre- mating barriers to gene flow by favouring assortative mating within dialects. This process may in turn influence genetic divergence and speciation. In addition, processes such as mutation, drift, dispersal and selection have been shown to influence cultural evolution. However, the relative importance of behaviour in general and of each of these processes in particular, in the isolation of populations and the formation of new species remains a major theoretical controversy in evolutionary biology. This project aims to clarify the causes, functions and evolutionary consequences of geographic variation in song of the Chowchilla Orthonyx spaldingii, by determining (1) the pattern of song variation across the species’ entire range, (2) the causes of the current cultural (song) divergence among populations, and (3) the potential for current cultural divergence to create pre-mating barriers to gene flow. To date, major differences have been found in the number, type and order of song elements within Chowchilla song, with greater song similarity between closer sites. Memetic analyses revealed major population sub-division at several spatial scales, and playback experiments showed differential responses of Chowchillas to own and foreign dialects. The exciting findings of this paper reveal new knowledge of cultural evolution, linguistics, and song divergence at different scales over the entire range of this endemic rainforest specialist bird.

83 Contributed paper

Do island birds use song characteristics to avoid breeding with close relatives?

Ludwig, Karin., Jamieson, Ian G. and Davis, Lloyd S. Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Many of New Zealand’s native birds have been translocated to predator-free offshore islands to ensure their survival. Incestuous matings occur more frequently in small island populations with limited dispersal. The adverse effects of inbreeding can reduce growth and viability of these populations. Individual recognition, and in particular recognition of close relatives, can be essential to avoid inbreeding. Male saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus) have previously been thought to match their song to their neighbour’s song. This would hinder recognition of relatives and hence make inbreeding avoidance more difficult. In this study, differences between individual saddlebacks’ song were investigated by using an automated procedure to measure duration, mean amplitude and mean frequency of syllables. Comparisons between neighbouring male saddlebacks revealed significant differences between distributions of all three syllable parameters measured. Neighbouring female saddlebacks, however, did not exhibit significant differences in any of these features. In contrast to previous findings, these results suggest that female, but not male saddlebacks may learn features from neighbouring same-sex birds. Increased individuality of male song makes female recognition of close male family members’ call more likely, and hence could be used as a mechanism to avoid inbreeding. Confirming the presence of a mechanism that plays a role in inbreeding avoidance can help interpret levels of inbreeding observed in small isolated populations.

84 Contributed paper

Threshold effect of eucalypt density on birds in Buloke woodlands: the importance of species choice in restoration projects.

Maron, Martine

Land Use Research Centre, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Qld 4350 Australia

The buloke woodlands of south eastern Australia are of high value for bird conservation but are nationally endangered and highly depleted. Buloke is a slow-growing species and current projects aiming to restore buloke woodland usually incorporate a high density of faster-growing eucalypts in plantings. I aimed to determine whether the habitat value of buloke woodland to woodland bird assemblages is altered when eucalypts are present, and in particular, whether a particular density of eucalypts facilitates invasion by agressive noisy miners – a species absent from pure buloke woodland. Transects in 31 buloke woodland sites containing eucalypt densities between 0–16/ha were surveyed three times each over a period of one year. I found that the probability of noisy miner presence in buloke woodland increased markedly where eucalypts were present at a density of approximately five per hectare. This is the likely cause of a substantial difference in bird assemblage structure and composition between sites with >5 eucalypts/ha and those with fewer eucalypts. Low-eucalypt density sites had more hooded robins, dusky woodswallows, varied sittellas and yellow thornbills, all smaller- bodied insectivorous species which are experiencing population declines in southern Australia. Higher eucalypt density sites were characterised by Australian magpies, white- plumed honeyeaters, crested pigeons and eastern rosellas, all common open-country or aggressive species. These findings have implications for revegetation and restoration practices in buloke woodlands, and potentially also in other non-eucalypt woodlands within the range of the noisy miner.

85 Contributed paper

Vision and Foraging in Blue Ducks Hymenolaimus Malacorhynchos and Pink-Eared Ducks Malacorhynchus Membranaceus Anatidae

Martin, Graham R. 1, Jarrett, Nigel2 and Williams, Murray3

1School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 TT, UK. [email protected] 2Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK. [email protected] 3Department of Conservation, P.O.Box 10420, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected]

Blue Ducks Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos (Anatidae) reside in headwaters of New Zealand rivers and feed primarily on aquatic insects. However, whether such food items are detected by tactile or visual cues is unknown. That Blue Ducks may use tactile cues when foraging is suggested by the presence of specialised flaps of thickened, keratinised epidermis containing Herbst’s corpuscles along the ventral margins of the upper mandibles near the bill tip. Similar bill flaps are found only in one other duck species, Pink-eared Ducks Malacorhynchus membranaceus that surface filter-feed in turbid waters on a range of planktonic organisms. Using an ophthalmoscopic reflex technique we determined the visual fields of both species. We conclude that Blue Ducks are primarily visually-guided foragers. The eyes are frontally placed resulting in a wide binocular field into which the narrow tapering bill intrudes. There is a large blind area to the rear of the head. This visual field topography is similar to that of other visually- guided amphibious bird species that take mobile prey e.g. penguins (Spheniscidae). In contrast, Pink-eared Duck visual fields show features found in other tactile feeding ducks: a narrow frontal binocular field with the bill falling at the periphery, and comprehensive visual coverage of the celestial hemisphere. Since Blue Ducks are primarily visual feeders their foraging may be significantly disrupted by changes to water clarity. This introduces a previously unconsidered factor into the selection of sites for population enhancement or re-introductions; a current conservation focus.

86 Contributed paper

Campbell Island Teal – back from the brink??

McClelland Pete 1 and Williams Murray 2

1 Department of Conservation , PO Box 743 Invercargill 2 Department of Conservation PO Box 10420 Wellington

In 1975 Campbell Island Teal, which were previously only known from 2 specimens, were rediscovered on 26 ha Dent Island 1.6 Km off the coast of Campbell Island. In 1984 four individuals were taken into captivity to start a captive breeding programme, these were supplemented by another seven in 1990. In 1994 the first breeding occurred at the National Wildlife Centre at Mt Bruce and by 1999 sufficient birds were available to release 12 on to 1396 ha Whenua Hou /Codfish Island, which had been selected as the preferred holding site in order to allow birds to adapt to living in the wild prior to the planned reintroduction to Campbell Island. At that time rats (Rattus norvegicus), which had almost certainly extirpated the teal in the first place prevented their reintroduction. A further 12 teal were released on Whenua Hou in 2000 and these two releases were monitored to give the first information on the species ecology in the wild. These birds bred well and to date 44 birds have been transferred off the island.

The removal of rats from Campbell in 2001 allowed for the reintroduction of the teal and following a check in 2003 that found no sign of rats the first release of 50 birds (28 captive bred and 22 from Whenua Hou) took place in September 2004. Monitoring in February 2005 found a high survival rate but no evidence of breeding. A further 55 birds (33 captive breed and 22 form Whenua Hou were released in 2005 to supplement the population including releasing 30 birds at a separate site.

A third release is planned for 2006 with monitoring the following year.

87 Contributed paper

Altruistic acts as indicators of quality in a cooperative breeder: Are helpers-at-the-nest ‘showing off’?

McDonald, Paul G.1,2, Wright, Jonathan.3, Kazem, Anahita. J.N.3 and Clarke, Michael F.2 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom. [email protected] 2 Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Australia. 3 Institute of Biology, NTNU, Trondheim, N-7491, Norway.

Explanations of why helpers incur the costs of altruistic acts have typically centred upon fitness benefits associated with kin selection. However, an alternative explanation is that altruistic acts may be signals used to impress third parties, from whom benefits are derived. The propositions of the two main ‘signalling’ hypotheses are that helping may act as (1) an indicator of quality and improve breeding opportunities (‘social-prestige’), and/or (2) as a means of securing group membership and associated benefits (‘pay-to- stay’). We examined helping behaviour in light of these expectations in colonies of the cooperatively breeding bell miner Manorina melanophrys, for which levels of relatedness between individuals had been genetically determined. In this species the majority of helpers are male, often assisting concurrently at multiple nests. Most helpers are typically related to a breeding pair, as predicted by kin selection, however older attendants are generally unrelated to the broods they aid, suggesting alternative functions of helping. Furthermore, during provisioning individually distinct calls are given by helpers, potentially allowing conspecifics to monitor individual helping effort. We recorded provisioning by helpers at nests before, during and after a potential audience (either breeding male or female) had been removed for several hours. For a subset of observations, during removals we also simulated the auditory presence of the removed bird via playback of its provisioning calls. Preliminary analyses indicate that during breeding female removals playback provoked greater helper feeding rates than did removal alone, consistent with a form of ‘prestige’ signalling.

88 Contributed paper

Restoring fairy prions to Mana Island

Colin Miskelly Wellington Conservancy, Department of Conservation

The Friends of Mana Island and the Department of Conservation are attempting to re- establish a breeding colony of fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) on Mana Island, Wellington as part of a comprehensive restoration programme for the island. Near fully- grown chicks from Takapourewa (Stephens Island) were transferred to Mana Island, where they were hand-fed until they fledged. Forty chicks were transferred in January 2002, a further 100 in 2003, and a final 100 in 2004; all 240 chicks were placed in artificial burrows, and restrained by fences at the burrow entrance for at least the first 2 nights. Half the chicks in 2002 were fed a krill-based diet daily, while the other 20 received a sardine-based diet. All 100 chicks received a sardine-based diet in 2003, but two different brands were compared; a single sardine-based diet was used in 2004. All 240 chicks transferred fledged successfully 2-21 days after transfer; birds fed on sardines in soya oil fledged in the best condition. The first chick to return to the release site on Mana Island was recovered in November 2004, 34 months after fledging.

89 Contributed paper

Acoustic anchors: can song playback enhance the success of kokako translocations?

Molles, Laura.1, Waas, Joe.2, Innes, John3 Flux, Ian4, Peters, Denis5, Calcott, Ana5 and Delemere, George5

1Bio-Protection and Ecology Division, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. [email protected] 2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand. [email protected] 3Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton, New Zealand. 4Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand. 5Nga Whenua Rahui, Omaio.

Intensive predator control programs have allowed kokako numbers to increase in most remaining populations, allowing their reestablishment in large, mainland areas where kokako were formerly present. The difficulty with such translocations is that, unlike on offshore islands, translocated kokako can wander widely and leave the safety of areas protected by pest-proof fencing or intensive predator control. How can we persuade birds to remain in target areas, maximising the birds’ chances of surviving and successfully reproducing?

In addition to carefully choosing release sites that fulfill kokako’s habitat requirements, it may be possible to “anchor” birds in a chosen area by simulating the presence of resident kokako. Studies in a number of species have suggested that the presence of conspecifics (real or simulated with models or sound) is often attractive to birds; it may indicate that the area contains potential mates or resources, or simply stimulate investigation of the sound source.

In this experiment, we simulated a small “neighbourhood” of kokako at the translocation site (Ngapukeriki, Raukumara Ranges) using song playback. Song was recorded from several pairs in the population where translocated birds were sourced (Te Urewera National Park), and edited into natural-sounding sequences of song themes for daily playback at dawn and dusk. Songs were broadcast through three speakers (each playing songs of one pair) placed within earshot of one another along several hundred meters of ridgeline. Using radio telemetry and monitoring of playback and non-playback areas, we investigated whether playback influenced kokako movements following translocation.

90 Contributed paper

Preparing papers for successful publication – an editor’s perspective Myers, Camilla1

1Emu – Austral Ornithology, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Australia. [email protected]

Publishing in journals is important for the dissemination of new research, ideas and methods, and is one of the most important measures of ‘scientific success’. The peer review process, inherent in good quality journals, helps to ensure the published results are credible, and that they are presented and discussed appropriately in the context of the exisiting literature. Preparing a paper for publication is time-consuming, but getting it right means the peer-review process is likely to be quick and painless, the editor is more likely to make a favourable decision, and the production-to-publication process runs quickly and smoothly. A number of elements contribute to successful publication: careful planning of the original study, experimental design and research work; preparing the paper with due thought for the reader (presenting the background and aims of the study and the hypothesis(es) being tested; providing full details of all methods; discussing the data in context and without speculation); choosing the right journal; following the journal’s instructions to authors; and responding meticulously to the referees’ and editor’s requests.

91 Contributed paper

Increases in a mainland New Zealand population of the critically endangered pateke (brown teal, Anas chlorotis) following predator control.

Neill, Emma E.1, Maloney, Richard F.2, Pierce, Raymond J.3, and O’Connor, Shaun4

1 Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 147, Whangarei, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Department of Conservation, Private Bag, Twizel, New Zealand 3 Wildlands Consultants, P.O. Box 1305, Whangarei, New Zealand 4 Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10420, Wellington, New Zealand

Breeding populations of the nationally endangered pateke/brown teal (Anas chlorotis) were once widely distributed throughout New Zealand, but are now restricted primarily to Great Barrier Island and a small section of the eastern coastline of Northland. Introduced mammalian predators, specifically mustelids, cats, and dogs are implicated in pateke losses, and populations of pateke are in severe decline throughout its range. We tested whether sustained predator control would benefit a population of pateke in and around Mimiwhangata Conservation Park, Northland. Control of mustelids and cats was carried out for four years, and outcome monitoring of pateke using radio-transmitters tested whether the trapping had an effect on survival and breeding success of a sample of adult and juvenile birds. Mean adult survival was 74% (n=84); mean hatching success from 61 nests was 82%, mean fledging success was 28%; and the mean recruitment rate for juveniles to one-year-old was 40%. With high productivity and high adult survival within the area of predator control the population should be increasing, and this is supported by relative counts from annual flock sites, when compared to other locations where predator control does not occur. We conclude that the level and intensity of predator control has been very beneficial for this pateke population. Future work should focus on applying this tool to other sites, and refining trapping intensity to improve the cost-effectiveness of control.

92 Contributed paper

Hatching asynchrony and chick growth in the red-crowned kakariki (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae).

Ortiz-Catedral, Luis1 and Brunton, Dianne H.2

1Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected]

2Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected]

Asynchronous hatching has been widely studied in passeriformes, pelecaniformes and falconiformes; however the order Psittaciformes has received little attention, mainly because of the challenges associated with this group of birds. There is uncertainty on whether or not parrots conform to predictions derived from these avian orders. In general, it is predicted that an age and size hierarchy arise as a result of asynchronous hatching. In addition, later hatched chicks are expected to show slower growth rates and attain asymptotic mass at later dates than first hatched chicks. We explored the consequences of hatching asynchrony on chick growth for red-crowned kakariki (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) breeding on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand. We established hatching hierarchies by daily checks of clutches due to hatch. Overall, we monitored 25 clutches, of which only 10 produced at least one fledgling. This represents a total of 22 chicks fledged. Overall, survival was higher for first and second chicks than later hatched chicks. Similarly, mean asymptotic values for mass and wing were higher for first than second hatched chicks. Asymptotic culmen length was not associated with hatching rank, however this can be the result of sexual dimorphism. Even though these results agree with predictions derived from other avian systems we failed to rule out the prediction that age and size hierarchies among nestlings are the result of hatching asynchrony per se.

93 Contributed paper

Detecting nest predation of North Island fernbird (Bowdleria punctata vealeae) in a fragile saltmarsh habitat

Parker, Kevin A. 1,2 and Brunton, Dianne H.1,2

1School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. 2 Currently Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected] [email protected]

We report here on an investigation into nest losses of a saltmarsh population of North Island fernbird (Bowdleria punctata vealeae). Predators responsible for nest losses were inferred from a combination of direct observation, characteristic sign left in both predated and artificial nests, monitoring of local predator assemblages and video monitoring. Artificial nests were also used to assess the impact of human visitation and spatial and temporal patterns of nest loss. The sign at predated nests was characteristic of introduced mustelids (Mustela spp.), and it is likely they are responsible for the majority of the nest losses recorded. Further support for this conclusion is gained from the virtual absence of rats (Rattus spp.) at the study site, frequent observations of stoat (Mustela erminea) tracks and minimal physical destruction of nests that were preyed on, hence excluding most avian predators. Other mainland studies considered native avian predators to be the primary nest predators, however there were no significant differences in nest losses between studies. Mice (Mus musculus) were extremely abundant in the saltmarsh and were responsible for 78% of egg attacks at artificial nests. The artificial nest experiment did not detect a significant effect due to human visits, and only weak spatial and temporal patterns. Although it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions about predation patterns on natural nests from an artificial nest study, artificial nests are useful for generating new hypotheses about predation. Our results suggest that mice may be significant predators during the early laying and/or incubation stages.

94 Contributed paper

The role of taxonomy in the conservation of a critically endangered species, the Cape Parrot.

Perrin, Mike., Downs, Colleen and Symes, Craig.

School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. [email protected]

The taxonomic status of the critically endangered Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus has implications for its conservation, and the prevention of illegal trade. The Cape Parrot is now recognized as a distinct species from the Brown-necked Parrot P. fuscicollis fuscicollis, and its sister subspecies, the Grey-headed Parrot P. f. suahelicus, both of which were formally were recognized as subspecies of P. robustus. The Brown-necked Parrot is geographically and genetically isolated from the other taxa, however, the Grey- headed Parrot is locally and marginally parapatric with the Cape Parrot, so this study focused primarily on these taxa. They are distinguishable on the the morphometrics of the bill and body, two mitochondrial DNA sequences, ecology, and behaviour. The Cape Parrot is a dietary specialist, and its diet differs from that of the Grey-headed Parrot, which has a wider trophic niche, although both feed on (the kernels of) unripe fruit. Feeding behaviour changes in response to seasonal availability and may involve long distance movements. Both taxa share similar breeding habits, but they breed at different seasons in different habitats, with largely dissimilar distributions. Cape Parrots inhabit, nest, and feed in Afromontane mixed Podocarpus forest above 1 000 m asl in south- eastern South Africa whereas Grey-headed Parrots inhabit a wide range of woodland habitats across south-central Africa. In parapatry, there is spatial, both geographical and altitudinal, segregation.

95 Contributed paper

Aspects of the ecology of kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) in urban landscapes of New Plymouth and Invercargill, New Zealand

Powlesland, Ralph G.1, Robertson, Hugh A.1, Greene, Terry C.2, Moran, Les R.3, Moran, Kirsty J.4, Pullen, Kiri M.3 and Joice, Nik4

1 Research, Development & Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Research, Development & Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 13049, Christchurch, New Zealand. 3 Research, Development & Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 743, Invercargill, New Zealand. 4 Research, Development & Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 462, New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Fragmentation is one of the leading factors causing biodiversity loss. Large patches are the backbone of conservation, but small patches with appropriate management can be valuable complements. However, more research is needed on the value of small native forest patches, and the role of the landscape matrix. Such information is critical for the development of effective conservation strategies in New Zealand’s highly fragmented and modified lowland landscapes. Not only is this task important for the conservation of the remaining biodiversity of this ecosystem, but being in close association with the majority of the population, it provides an excellent opportunity to educate the public about biodiversity conservation and to get them involved in the process.

Kereru and tui are both icon species for the public, and they are keen to maintain both species in rural and urban areas as evident by private individuals and councils planting food species to attract these birds, carrying out predator control in forest patches, and some people providing sugar-water for tui. Also, the Department could use these birds as flagship species for conservation efforts in the rural and urban environment that benefit the entire ecosystem.

However, little is known about the ecology of kereru and tui in rural and urban landscapes. We will describe the movements, diet, nesting habitat, nesting success and mortality of radio-tagged kereru and tui in two lowland fragmented sites (Southland centred on Invercargill, and Taranaki centred on New Plymouth). This information is expected to contribute towards the maintenance of tui and kereru populations in rural and urban areas, and assist the re-establishment of either species in such habitat.

96 Contributed paper

The impact of predation on the threatened endemic kereru (New Zealand Pigeon) on Banks Peninsula.

Prendergast, Te Ari S.1, Schotborgh, Maaike H.1, Ogilvie, Shaun C. 1, Wilson, Kerry-Jayne1 and Byrom, Andrea2

1 Bio Protection and Ecology Division, Lincoln University PO Box 84, Canterbury, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Gerald Street, Lincoln, New Zealand [email protected]

The kereru (New Zealand Pigeon, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is a threatened endemic species, with predation of eggs, chicks and adults at nests by mammalian predators considered to be a large potential threat. To determine the impact of predation on kereru populations, two methods were employed; firstly the monitoring of kereru nests through video monitoring and observation, and an artificial nest study, supplementing the study of real nests.

Kereru were radio-tagged and tracked to find nests. In this study 20 kereru nests were located, of which 4 where monitored with video surveillance equipment. Eleven nests were lost, 2 to rat predation and 1 to cat predation, which was recorded on video. Six were to unknown causes believed to be the result of predators and 3 were abandoned for unknown reasons. 40% of the 20 nests fledged chicks..

An artificial nest method was developed to identify possible predators of nests and measure predation activity over a year. Artificial nests consisted of a wicker basket, a wax egg and a hen egg. Rats were identified as significant predators of nests (70 % of total nest predations). Other predators identified by the artificial nest method were possums (20 %) mice (7 %), and 1 stoat (0.4 %). When the egg was removed from the nest, the predator was considered to be unknown (2 %).

The results of this study suggest that the removal of rats would benefit kereru-nesting success, and therefore aid in supporting the conservation of this threatened endemic species.

97 Contributed paper

Bird Damage and Management in Cropping Situations

Pyke, Nick Foundation for Arable Research, P O Box 80, Lincoln

Predominately introduced species of birds can cause significant yield losses in a range of crops in New Zealand. The timing of damage, the extent of damage in the crop, the type of damage the economic impacts of the damage vary markedly depending on the species of crop, the species of birds and the populations present. There are a range of options available to farmers for managing birds.

However, there are large differences in the cost’s and effectiveness of implementing bird management practices. Farmers need to be aware of the yield loss birds can cause, how to best use the range of management tools, such as sound, visual deterrents and poisons; at different times throughout the year and the public perception and acceptance of bird management techniques to give the best possible returns to farmers.

98 Contributed paper

Long-term reproductive success of Australasian gannets (Morus serrator)

Pyk, Tanya M.1, Bunce, Ashley,2 and Norman, Ian3

1 School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125 Australia. [email protected] 2 School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125 Australia. [email protected] 3 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg VIC 3084 Australia. [email protected]

Life history theory predicts that individuals make trade-offs between investment in current reproduction, future reproductive potential and success in order to maximise lifetime reproductive success (LRS). Factors that may influence LRS in seabirds include delayed maturity, small clutches, high adults survivorship and long life spans. Studies have shown that reproductive success of seabirds increases with age and experience. Australasian gannets are long-lived seabirds that typically commence breeding at five or six years of age. A small colony of gannets was monitored over 12 years. This study aimed to identify patterns of long-term individual breeding biology. Results indicate that nest site, pair bond duration, age and breeding experience are all important factors in reproductive success. Relationships were found between breeding success and several variables including breeding experience, pair bond duration and nest site quality. Identifying and understanding the factors that contribute to individuals’ reproductive success is of critical importance for future conservation and management of seabird species.

99 Contributed paper

Using molecular phylogenetic methods to elucidate avian evolution on island archipelagos.

Rawlence, Nic1 and Chambers, Geoff.2 1 School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected], [email protected]

Populations that become geographically isolated may evolve into new species especially when individuals have dispersed to colonise new habitats. This type of situation is prevalent on island archipelagos in the Pacific. Local examples include the Family Phalacrocoracidae, (cormorants and shags) and the Cyanoramphus parakeet genus (kakariki, Bonaparte, 1854), on New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands. Here the phylogenetic relationships between taxa on islands and those on the New Zealand mainland are of interest. Also, can single founding taxa evolve into multiple forms along the archipelago? DNA based methods provide the answers to such evolutionary questions. This paper will apply molecular phylogenetic methods to examine Kermadec Islands Red-crowned Parakeet, (Cyanoramphus novaezealandiae cyanurus, Salvadori, 1891), and the Yellow-crowned, (C. auriceps auriceps, Kuhl, 1820), and Red-crowned Parakeets, (C. novaezealandiae novaezealandiae, Sparrman, 1787), on the Auckland Islands archipelago. These examples will serve as model systems to which the more general evolutionary questions above can be applied.

Effect of habitat fragmentation on the distribution of the New Zealand North Island robin (Petroica australis longipes)

Richard, Y. and Armstrong, D. Institute of Natural Resources - Ecology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. [email protected]

Wildlife management in New Zealand has been mainly undertaken under the sole assumption that the distribution of a species is determined by local habitat quality, essentially measured as predator density. However, an increasing number of theoretical and empirical evidences from the scientific literature point out the potential importance of habitat fragmentation. Using the North Island New Zealand robin (Petroica australis longipes) as a model species, we tested if the consideration of habitat fragmentation could improve our ability to predict the species occurrence in a 170 km2 farmed area in the centre of the North Island in New Zealand. Based on presence/absence data, we found that functional connectivity of forest patches and their distance to the closest major continuous forest are better predictors than local habitat variables obtained by remote-sensing. A behavioural explanation of this result is provided by a further analysis of radio- tracking data on robin natal dispersal recorded in the same study area. We found that robin juveniles seem to be extremely limited in crossing open areas such as farmland, which can prevent them from reaching some habitat fragments that are too isolated and from rescuing non- viable populations. The consequences of this finding on population dynamics and on wildlife conservation will be discussed.

100 Contributed paper

New Zealand trawl fisheries and seabird interaction 1996–2004.

Robertson, Christopher J. R. and Blezard, Reg H.

Wild Press Laboratory, P O Box 12397, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected]

New Zealand trawl fisheries have been officially observed for seabird interactions from 1996–2004 and 1602 seabirds (834 ‘albatrosses’ and 768 ‘petrels’) killed as incidental bycatch were returned to an official autopsy/necropsy programme. Study of these specimens provides the background to a review of fishing practices and avenues for avoidance of interaction. In all observed fishery types (trawl and longline) 40–60% of observed vessels annually did not kill seabirds. In the trawl fisheries, 90% of observed vessels without offal/discard discharge (‘freshers & ice boats’) did not kill seabirds. A small number (20%) of observed vessels killed 80+% of the seabirds returned both for the period and annually. ‘Albatrosses’ are primarily killed by trawl warp contact, and ‘petrels’ in the net reflecting the food source being targeted. The risk of interaction is positively correlated with any form of processing waste/offal/discards lost or discharged during fishing operations and confirmed through stomach contents of the birds killed. There is a need to focus avoidance methods for high bycatch vessels on the flag state of origin, operational and factory methods, ship design and operating plant. The continuing fundamental questions for avoiding seabird bycatch must always focus on ‘why are birds attracted to a fishing vessel’ and ‘why do so few vessels catch the majority of the birds? Avoidance of the creation of interaction risks rather than mitigation to reduce interaction should always be the primary concept for changing practices and attitudes.

101 Contributed paper

To the brink and back: conservation of the kakerori (Pomarea dimidiata)

Robertson, Hugh A.1 and Saul, Edward K.2

1 Research, Development & Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected] 2 Takitumu Conservation Area Project, P.O. Box 3036, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. [email protected]

The kakerori or Rarotonga monarch (Pomarea dimidiata) is a small (22 g) insectivorous passerine endemic to the Cook Islands. In 1989, it was one of the 10 rarest birds in the world, with a declining population of 29 individuals. They were confined to three steep forested valleys in the southern part of Rarotonga.

Since 1989, rats and cats have been poisoned within the 155 ha Takitumu Conservation Area, where most kakerori live. Their breeding success improved, and their survival increased markedly. Despite naturally low annual productivity of 1-2 clutches of 1-2 eggs, the population of kakerori grew rapidly, reaching 255 birds by August 2001. Once this milestone was achieved, the emphasis of management shifted from the ‘recovery’ of kakerori to a programme aimed at ‘sustaining’ the population at 250-300 individuals on Rarotonga. This has involved experimentally reducing the poisoning effort to find a level which maintains the kakerori population, but which can be run from the income generated by an ecotourism business operated by the three families which own the land of the Takitumu Conservation Area.

Since 2001, the kakerori population has remained at over 250, despite five tropical cyclones battering Rarotonga during February-March 2005. These storms highlighted the vulnerability of single-island endemics, and underlined the value of establishing an ‘insurance’ population of 30 birds on Atiu in 2001-03. This new population has shown good breeding success in a variety of habitats, and a minimum of 20 of the 30 birds was known to be alive in April 2005.

102 Contributed paper

Foraging ecology of the endangered Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor in coastal New South Wales

Saunders, D.L.

Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, WK Hancock Building West 43, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 0200 [email protected] and Biodiversity Conservation Section, New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation, PO Box 2115 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia, 2620 [email protected]

The Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor is an endangered species that migrates from Tasmania to mainland Australia searching for suitable winter food sources. Previous research on their mainland foraging sites has focused on box-ironbark woodlands in central Victoria and on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales (NSW). Coastal habitats are also used by Swift Parrots each year, and are particularly important during periods of drought when they support a large proportion of the migrating population. Foraging observations were conducted at 33 sites throughout coastal NSW over five years. Site fidelity, or repeated use of a site in two or more years, was recorded in all coastal regions. Aggressive competitor species often coexisted with Swift Parrots, but these species tended to be less abundant at sites when Swift Parrots were present. Swift Parrots foraged on both lerps and nectar, and were recorded foraging more at sites where both of these resources were present. Key tree species used by Swift Parrots for foraging were Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta, Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis, Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis and Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata. Due to the cyclic nature of nectar and lerp production in these tree species, Swift Parrots require suitable habitat across a number of regions, both within and between seasons. Although Swift Parrots utilize habitats in all coastal catchments, a large proportion of their foraging sites were on the central coast of NSW, emphasizing the importance of conserving habitats within this region.

103 Contributed paper

The King Shag: conference mascot or lost soul

Scofield, R. Paul1

1 Canterbury Museum. Rolleston Avenue, New Zealand. [email protected]

The taxonomy of the pink-footed (Leucocarbo) shags in New Zealand is a twisted muddle. The 1953 OSNZ checklist treated the two South Island taxa and the endemic Chatham Island taxa of this genus together as L. carunculatus demoting the three previously recognized species to sub-species. This treatment held sway in New Zealand and overseas (i.e. Dorst and Mougin 1979) until the 1990 OSNZ checklist treated each taxa as a full species based on the conclusions of Siegel-Causey (1988). Here I examine the features that have been used to separate the three taxa. Pre-eminent amongst these are the supposedly marked difference in overall size and caruncle colour and size. By morphometric, osteological and external analyses I attempt to determine whether or not there really is a Marlborough endemic taxon the King Shag. I also use midden and sub-fossil evidence to establish how a lost population could occur in the Marlborough Sounds.

Mainland-island differences and sexual dimorphism in the morphology and foraging ecology of the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

Schlotfeldt, Beth E. and Kleindorfer, Sonia School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, 5042, South Australia. [email protected]

This is the first study to report on sexual dimorphism and differential substrate use in foraging ecology of the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus). Island theory predicts that impoverishment of the avifauna and geographical isolation leads to adaptive evolution, with shifts in foraging niches, and therefore foraging behaviour and morphology. Sexual size dimorphism is proposed to be a mechanism to avoid intraspecific competition, and is generally associated with sexual differences in foraging. These theories were examined in mainland (Mount Lofty Ranges) and island (Kangaroo Island) populations of the Superb Fairy-wren, a small communal ground-foraging sexually dimorphic passerine. We predicted that insular birds would be larger (this being the general trend for island forms) and occupy a wider foraging niche than the mainland birds. The study on sexual size dimorphism was exploratory. The findings show that 1) island birds were significantly larger than their mainland counterparts, 2) island and mainland birds were sexually dimorphic in bill shape, but not body size, 3) within the sexes, birds foraged differed significantly between mainland and island.

104 Contributed paper

Evaluating the potential for competition between ship rats (Rattus spp.) and kiwi (Apteryx australis) chicks

Shapiro, Lee.1, Castro, Isabel.1, Brunton, Dianne.2, Colbourne, Rogan3 and Miles, Jonathan4

1Ecology, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North, [email protected], [email protected] 2Ecology, Institute of Natural Resources, Albany, Building 40, Gate 4, Oteha Rohe Campus, Auckland, [email protected] 3Research, Development and Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand, [email protected] 4Ruapehu Area Office, Department of Conservation, Whakapapa Village, Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand, [email protected]

The introduction of mammals to New Zealand has devastated the native avifauna. Kiwi declined on the mainland where chicks are easy prey for stoats. Mustelid control is enabling the recruitment of chicks, but has resulted in outbursts of rodent populations at control sites. The potential exists for competition between rats and kiwi chicks as both feed on soil surface and leaf-litter invertebrates. Evidence from Kapiti Island where kiwi chick recruitment was high following rat eradication supports the competition hypothesis. The aim of the current study is to investigate the diet overlap and thus establish whether there could be competition for food between rats and chicks on Ponui Island, which has a rat population, no stoats and a high kiwi density. Invertebrates were collected monthly from pitfall traps and leaf-litter cores. Rat density was estimated using mark recapture. Rat stomachs were collected monthly to determine diet. Kiwi faecal samples were collected weekly from radio tagged individuals and the contents compared to those from rodent stomachs, and the invertebrates available. Kiwi chicks were measured and weighed weekly to determine growth rates. Ricci plots were used to describe habitat. We found that rat densities were very high. The diets of kiwi chicks and rats overlapped in the surface dwelling insects. Surface dwelling invertebrates were more abundant in scrub than forest, the preferred kiwi chick habitat. Kiwi chicks showed little growth and 1 out of 7 chicks survived more than 6 months. Several reasons for this lack of chick development are put forward.

105 Contributed paper

Behavioural plasticity of avian life history traits in response to predation risk

Starling, Amanda, B.1 and Briskie, James, V.2

1,2School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. [email protected] [email protected]

Nest predation is a major cause of mortality in birds. On an evolutionary time scale, high rates of nest predation would be expected to select for changes in bird behaviour that minimize the risk of predation. However, recent studies have found that birds are also capable of short-term changes in their reproductive behaviour due to local variation in predation risk. We examined whether passerine birds in New Zealand (both native and introduced) can alter various aspects of their nesting behaviour when exposed to environments of varying predation risk. We conducted our study at two native woodlands that differ in the risk of nest predation: one study site has intensive predator control while the other study site has little predator control. Preliminary results suggest that both native and introduced birds show rapid changes in their life history strategies in response to the differing risks of nest predation between the two study sites. Birds in the high risk study site appear to have shorter incubation and nestling periods, but visitation rates are lower than in the predator control study site. Our results suggest that birds are able to perceive the relative risks of nest predation and can alter their behaviours accordingly.

106 Contributed paper

Even moderate hatching asynchrony has significant effects: nestling growth and survival of hihi (Notiomystis cincta)

Thorogood, Rose1 and Ewen, John G.2

1School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand [email protected] 2Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom [email protected]

Asynchronous hatching is a common phenomenon within various avian taxa. The majority of reported asynchrony occurs on a time scale of days, rather than hours. The time lag between siblings hatching can have large implications for their growth and survival, both immediately, and during the nestling period. A conservationist’s desire to increase the clutch size of endangered birds may become a “race against time” as increasing clutch sizes can result in increasing competitive advantages for the earlier hatched chicks. We investigated the prevalence of hatching asynchrony in an endangered passerine, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta) on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Lay and hatch order were determined, with nests visited at least two-hourly on the expected day of hatching. All nestlings hatched asynchronously; ranging from 45 minutes to 24 hours to complete hatching. The majority of nests hatched over 6 hours from first to last chick. This time difference correlated significantly with the relative growth of siblings, with older chicks achieving a larger body mass than their younger siblings. Survival was significantly predicted by hatch order. This research indicates that hatching only a few hours earlier than one’s siblings can confer a competitive advantage that is retained throughout the nestling period.

107 Contributed paper

Conservation of Orange-fronted parakeets (Cyanoramphus malherbi) in South Island Beech Forests. van Hal, Jack. 1 and Small, Delia. 2

1 Department of Conservation, North Canterbury Area Office, New Zealand [email protected] 2 Department of Conservation, North Canterbury Area Office, New Zealand [email protected]

The orange-fronted kakariki (Cyanoramphus malherbi) is currently classified as Nationally Critical, which means it has a high risk of extinction. It is the rarest parakeet in New Zealand with only 100-200 birds left in the wild. The distribution of orange- fronted kakariki has reduced dramatically since the 1800’s through predation and habitat loss. Once found throughout the South Island they are now restricted to upland beech forests in four valleys in Canterbury, all within a 30km radius. Beech seeds (Nothofagus sp.) form a large part of their diet, especially during a mast event when breeding activity is also extended. It is during these mast events that they are at most risk of predation from mammalian predator irruptions. To ensure the survival of orange-fronted parakeets, the Department of Conservation closely monitors all known populations and undertakes intensive predator control in two of the four locations where the kakariki remain. Since 1999 it appears that breeding in the wild has increased with a total of 13 nests monitored to date and the known distribution has increased. There are also two populations in captivity which contain at least 3 breeding pairs and 2 potential breeding pairs. The top management priority is to establish a population of orange-fronted parakeets on a predator-free island in Fiordland from this captive population.

108 Contributed paper

Predicting mistletoe seed shadow and seed rain from movements of the Mistletoebird.

Ward, Matthew J. and Paton, David C.

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide. [email protected]

Mistletoes are aggregated in space, resulting from the preferential perching of mistletoe dispersers on previously infected individual hosts. We hypothesised that the landscape scale movement patterns of mistletoe dispersers will also promote the aggregation of mistletoes. This was tested by calculating the seed shadow for box mistletoe Amyema miquelii and predicting patterns of seed rain, by combining radio-telemetry data of mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum movements with existing gut passage time data. 13 adult mistletoebirds had a mean home range of 20 ha, with core activity areas of approximately 1 ha, and birds more often used areas with high levels of mistletoe infestation. The seed shadow of box mistletoe was leptokurtic, with a 12%, 35% and 23% probability of mistletoe seed being deposited 0 m (same host tree), 1-50 m and 51-100 m from the host tree respectively. Although rare (3% probability), long distance dispersal of mistletoe (> 500 m) can occur. The predicted patterns of seed rain were strongly aggregated, with birds dispersing large amounts of seed (> 1 million seeds per ha) in areas with higher mistletoe infection levels. The movements of mistletoe dispersers will therefore promote mistletoe aggregation at a landscape scale. This is important in shaping animal and plant community structure and raises questions about the effectiveness of mistletoe removal as a management tool.

109 Contributed paper

The influence of sample completeness on ecological inference: insights from the RIFLE study

Watson, D.M., and Herring, M.

Applied Ornithology Group, Institute for Land Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury NSW Australia; [email protected]

As part of the ongoing RIFLE (Resources In Fragmented Landscapes Experiment) study, patch-scale inventories have been collected in 40 woodland remnants, using a results- based stopping rule to standardise estimates of bird species richness. By calculating predicted richness after each 20-minute sample, inventory completeness can be successively estimated, and only once estimated completeness exceeds 80% is an inventory deemed complete. This sampling approach (known as the Standardized Search) differs from the more widely used limited-time approach, where an explicit effort-based stopping rule determines when a site has been sampled adequately. These two sampling strategies are compared using 12 months data across all 40 sites, with a single 20-minute sample of a standardised search representing the limited-time protocol. In addition to important differences in overall richness estimates, these two methods also yielded surprisingly different pictures of determinants of diversity. Many of the less common species, including several of conservation concern, were consistently missed in the limited-time approach, leading to a different set of conclusions and recommendations based on the limited data-set. In addition to highlighting the need for appropriate and consistent sampling design, we explore the broader ramifications of our findings, encouraging researchers to conduct exhaustive inventories before deciding on a particular sampling design.

110 Contributed paper

Protection of Threatened Species: Conservation through Environmentally Integrated Development

Watson, Justin and Free, Mark

Natural Solutions Environmental Consultants, PO Box 611, New Farm QLD, Australia 4005 [email protected]

Development, particularly along coastlines, can impact the survival of fragile ecosystems and threatened species. Appropriate environmental planning for developments is essential to ensure the longterm sustainability of these ecosystems. This case study describes the integration of a proposed development with the ecological requirements for threatened species within the coastal zone north of the Pioneer River at Mackay, Central Queensland. The study area is a sandy coastal spit of relatively recent origin, bordered by a tidal creek and ocean beach. The majority of the site is clear of substantial vegetation, has been used for cattle grazing for over 40 years, and has been subjected to a number of other disturbances. The existing vegetation of the area can be broadly classified as bushclumps (native and exotic species), pasture, mangroves, she-oak forest, dunescrub and intertidal sandflats and provides a reasonable diversity of bird habitat. Prior studies in the locality have identified that a number of threatened (International, Federal & State) species are known to occur or are likely to occur in the area (eg. Radjah shelduck, beach stone-curlew, sooty oystercatcher, eastern curlew and other migratory waders). Local fauna and their habitat resources (eg. nesting, roosting, forging) are under pressure from a number of anthropogenic activities, including: grazing, sand mining, off-road vehicles, camping, feral animals, fishing and general public access (with a well-used access road situated along the foreshore). A large portion of the area has existing development approval. Following the identification of important bird areas in the locality, and through negotiations with government agencies and local groups, the proposed development was redesigned to create a significant conservation area and incorporate a number of other important environmental benefits, including: protection (buffers) to the mangrove/creek community; protection and creation of habitat for threatened birds; rehabilitation of areas impacted by grazing; recreation of linkages; control of feral animals; cessation of uncontrolled off-road vehicle activity; control of anthropogenic disturbances to roosting and foraging waders; environmental education; cessation of mining activities; and rehabilitation of the foredune community. The proposed development provides an example of the way forward for sustainable planning ie. protection, rehabilitation and integration of environmental values. This may well have extended the long-term viability of threatened species along the Central Queensland Coast.

111 Contributed paper

Nestling provisioning in five species of Puffinus shearwaters

Wooller, Ron and Bradley, Stuart Biological Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia [email protected]

Puffinus shearwaters, like other petrels, apparently “over-feed” their single nestling which has a peak body mass well in excess of its parents, although it fledges around their weight. In Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus griseus and P. tenuirostris this nestling obesity has been interpreted as a buffer against erratic feeding schedules and long intervals between feeds, linked to long-distance travel between Antarctic feeding grounds and more temperate breeding areas. More recently, studies have been conducted on the Flesh-footed Shearwater P. carneipes on the south coast of Western Australia, the Little Shearwater P. assimilis on the central coast of Western Australia, and the tropical Wedge-tailed Shearwater P. pacificus. In all three species the nestling becomes markedly obese despite being fed large meals almost nightly throughout its life ashore, even in poor years. This lends little support to explanations for nestling obesity as a buffer against erratic feeding regimes. Rather, obesity may result from accumulation of both lipid and water, with peak mass coincident the maximal feather growth. Mass recession then stems from water loss, with the fledgling carrying lipid reserves to buffer its early life at sea.

Geographical variation in the calls of Golden Whistlers on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, and mainland Australia

Wooller, Sue and Wooller, Ron Biological Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia [email protected]

The Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis is widespread throughout Australia and on many Pacific islands. It has a small repertoire of calls, the most distinctive of these comprising a series of similar notes ending in a whip-crack sound. We compared the whip-crack vocalizations of Golden Whistlers at locations throughout Australia, and on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. The greatest difference was between Norfolk Island and mainland Australian birds, consistent with the lack of yellow collar on Norfolk Island males. Calls from Lord Howe Island, less distant from mainland Australia, differed much less from mainland birds.Within continental Australia, birds showed consistent individuality in their whip-crack vocalizations and individuals in an area often sang very similar songs. However, broader patterns of geographical variation in Golden Whistler vocalizations were not apparent within Australia.

112 Poster

Tracking Sooty Shearwaters to measure pan-Pacific connectivity: implications for regional fisheries management and international conservation

Adams, Josh. 1,2, Nevins, Hannahrose M.3, Baduini, Cheryl L.4, Hyrenbach, K. David5, Harvey, James T.6, Shaffer, Scott.7, Costa, Dan.7, Zamon, Jennifer8, and Guy, Troy 8

1 US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Moss Landing Marine Labs, Moss Landing, CA, USA, [email protected] 2 Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand 3 Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, Aptos, CA, USA 4 W.M. Keck Science Center, Claremont, CA, USA 5 Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC, USA 6 Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA, USA 7 University of California Santa Cruz, Tagging of Pacific Pelagics, Santa Cruz, CA, USA 8 NOAA Fisheries, NW Fisheries Science Center, Pt. Adams Research Center, Hammond, OR, USA

Satellite telemetry and molecular genetics indicate that west coast North American National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS; Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Olympic Coast) provide linked, globally important habitats for Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) during the annual non-breeding season. Shearwaters sampled in Monterey Bay contained haplotypes both common in New Zealand and rare in Chile, and vice versa—indicating eastern and western populations overlap in the MBNMS. Shearwaters captured in Monterey Bay, California during the moulting period (June to July) resided within the region for 1–2 months; three individuals used habitats in Monterey Bay and near the Columbia River Plume, Washington. All five west coast National Marine Sanctuaries were used to varying degree by marked shearwaters. During September – November 2004, 12 shearwaters flew directly toward waters off New Zealand, and several traveled toward Chile. As of 22 September 2005, we are tracking 8 individuals captured within MBNMS; we continue to share tracking data with the world in near-real-time via the internet. Extensive foraging ranges and migration of procellariid seabirds make them vulnerable to fisheries, oil spills, and contaminants. At breeding colonies, negative impacts include loss of breeding habitat, disturbance, and introduced predators. Identifying links between source colonies and wintering regions will contribute to international efforts to address human-related conservation issues among far-ranging migratory seabirds. Knowledge of movements and distributions at sea will aid in assessing overlap with fisheries, and potentially impacted habitats throughout their vast range.

113 Poster

Previously Unknown Coenocorypha Snipe Discovered on Campbell Island

Barker, Dave1 and Miskelly, Colin2

114 Dillons Point Rd, Blenheim, New Zealand. [email protected] 2Wellington Conservancy, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 5086, Wellington, New Zealand. [email protected]

A population of Coenocorypha snipe was discovered on Jacquemart Island, a rat-free 19 ha islet adjacent to Campbell Island in the New Zealand subantarctic, on 9 November 1997. This was the first evidence of Coenocorypha snipe occurring in the Campbell Island group, which is believed to have been infested by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) before the first naturalists visited in 1840. Rats were eradicated from 11,268 ha Campbell Island by the New Zealand Department of Conservation in July 2001. Two snipe were seen, and one caught, on Campbell Island adjacent to Jacquemart Island on 10 March 2005. The bird caught was a fully-feathered chick, indicating successful breeding on Campbell Island. The Campbell Island snipe remains undescribed and critically endangered.

114 Poster

Avian Blood Parasite Prevalence and Malarial Parasite Community Structure Across Fragmented Malagasy Forest.

Barraclough Rosemary K.1 and Robert, Vincent2 1University of Auckland & The Field Museum, Chicago 2Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement & Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.

Forest fragmentation and loss has been widespread in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. A survey into the impact of fragmentation on avian-host and blood-parasite dynamics was conducted within and adjacent to the Ambohitantely Special Reserve. Blood was collected from mist-netted birds for thin smears and sequencing in the largest remaining forest remnant (1250 ha) and two smaller fragments nearby, over two months in the middle of the rainy season. 98 forest-dependent birds were sampled from the large remnant and 95 from the smaller fragments, representing 24 avian species from 15 families. Additional open-habitat species were not included in the prevalence statistics. Slides were examined for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Trypanosoma, and microfilariae prevalence. Haemosporidian parasites were then also sequenced (mitochondria cytochrome b) to explore parasite diversity and community structure. 57% of birds were found to be positive for blood parasites through microscopy, exceeding other Malagasy studies to-date (36% and 24% respectively). Inevitably, haemosporidian prevalence from pcr was also greater than that from microscopy. Parasite groups were found to preferentially infect avian host species. Small sample sizes limited some within- host species comparisons across sites. However, we observed disparities in the prevalence of black-fly (Simuliidae) transmitted parasites between the large and small fragments. Furthermore, infected birds from the smaller forest fragments were more likely to have double or treble infections. Analysis of sequences indicated loose groupings of Plasmodium subgenera within host species, and Haemoproteus from single host species tending to group together. However, trends were not consistent. The number of haplotypes and structure within this small fragmented community illustrates the diversity of these malarial parasites.

115 Poster

Growth rates of captive northern brown chicks and implications for conservation

Bassett, Suzanne.1, Travers, Claire.2, Kelly, Trevor.3, Harvey, Carole.2, Day, Kylie2, and Richardson, Carmel2.

1. Department of Zoology, The University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. [email protected] 2. Kiwi Encounter, Rainbow Springs, PO Box 25, Rotorua, New Zealand. [email protected] 3. Rotorua Veterinary Centre, 181 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua, New Zealand.

Mainland kiwi population viability is threatened by predation from introduced mammalian predators. One management response has been to artificially incubate wild- laid kiwi eggs, and raise the chicks to ‘stoat-proof’ size (1000-1200g) in captivity, before release into the wild (Operation Nest Egg). Since 1996, we have been involved in a collaborative research program, focussing on increasing kiwi hatching success and chick growth and survival rates, and to date have released 258 chicks back into the wild. Chicks hatched in captivity show characteristic growth patterns also seen wild chicks, with an initial period of weight loss over the first 10-12 days of life as internal yolk reserves are utilized, followed by a consistent increase in weight up to 900g before weight gain slows and body weight plateaus in some second-cutch chicks. First-clutch chicks grow faster and generally do not enter the plateau phase prior to release. A small proportion of chicks experience difficulties with yolksac absorption, with 15 chicks successful operated on the remove retained and unabsorbed yolksac. Captive chicks generally take 95-125 days to reach 1000g, compared to 140-240 days for wild chicks to reach comparable weights. However, monitored captive-reared chicks often loose 100- 200g of weight soon after release, before adapting to a wild diet and conditions and re- commencing weight gain. We have no evidence that the survival of released captive reared chicks is any different to wild hatched chicks, with the greatest differences in individual chick survival due to the nature and degree of introduced predator control in release areas.

116 Poster

An inexpensive method for identifying nest predators at active Passerine nests.

Boulton, Rebecca L.1 and Cassey, Phillip2

1 Ecology Building 624, Massey University, PB 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. [email protected] 2School of Biosciences, Birmingham University, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.

We identified nest predators of two European thrush species and three European finch species in the central North Island, New Zealand, using artificial clay eggs in active natural nests. The acceptance of the artificial egg by females was extremely high (75%), with low rates of female egg ejection (7%) or desertion (7%). We successfully identified 63% of the nest predators from imprints they left in the artificial eggs, with Rattus sp. and Australasian Harriers Circus approximans accounting for 47% and 42% of predatory events respectively. The study successfully demonstrates the use of an inexpensive method for quantifying and identifying natural nest predators with low rates of nest abandonment and high rates of predator identification.

117 Poster

Comparing techniques for analysing eggshell porosity in passerine birds

Burrows, Ben1 and McKenzie, Jan

School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 1 [email protected]

Eggshells play a key role in the survival of avian embryos by offering protection from the environment and as a source of calcium for development. However, gas exchange cannot occur across a calcified layer, and so the formation of pores provides a mechanism for embryonic respiration. Recent observations of high hatching failure in New Zealand birds led us to examine whether abnormalities in the structure of pores could account for this problem. Three techniques for examining pores are presented in the literature but little has been done to assess their use in wild birds. We compared the ease, efficiency and cost of each technique using a variety of New Zealand passerines. The “acid technique” uses harsh acids to make the pores larger and more visible. Although easy to use and inexpensive, this technique can over-estimate the number of pores and precludes any study of pore morphology. The “fuchsin technique” uses dye to discolour eggshells and can provide reliable estimates of pore number inexpensively, but this technique requires almost complete shells to work successfully. Finally, the “SEM technique” provides accurate estimates of both pore number and morpholgy but can be relatively more expensive. As the majority of passerine eggs are small and the addition of acids or dyes makes them difficult to work with, we recommend that SEM be used for all future studies of eggshell porosity as the technique does not alter eggshell structure and it allows the morphology of the pores to be studied in detail.

118 Poster

The feeding behaviour and diet of an endangered waterbird, the Black- necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus.

Clancy, Greg. P.

School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, University of New England, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. [email protected]

The feeding behaviour and diet of the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus were studied as part of a larger study on the ecology, conservation and management of the species. Field studies were carried out on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia during the period 25.04.03 to13.05.05. A total of 59 foraging bouts were observed, covering 37.5 hours. Birds observed comprised adult males, adult females, immatures and juveniles. Eight foraging techniques were noted with a number of these being used consecutively in the one foraging bout. The technique recorded in most feeding events involved a bird walking in water and visually searching, recorded during 51 (86%) bouts. The second most common technique employed involved a bird standing still and scanning the water. This was observed during 44 bouts (75 %). The time spent employing each foraging technique and the depth of water used by foraging storks are presented. Items in the diet were fish (eels Anguilla sp., Australian Bass Percalates novemaculeatus, Sea Mullet Mugil cephalus), birds (Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), reptiles (Eastern Long-necked Tortoise Chelodina longicollis), frogs (Limnodynastes sp.) and small unidentified animals, possibly insects, molluscs and/or tadpoles. Small unidentified animals were recorded during 14 successful feeding bouts, while eels and frogs were the next most frequent items, (10 bouts and 7 bouts respectively).

119 Poster

Hooded Parrots and Moths-the best of (ant)bed fellows.

Cooney, Stuart., Olsen, Penny., Cockburn, Andrew and Garnett, Stephen. School of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. [email protected]

Although the moth Trisyntopa scatophaga, the larvae of which eat the faeces of the chicks of the termite mound nesting Golden-shouldered Parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius), was described more than eighty years ago, the nature of this parrot- moth relationship has received scant attention. Is the association commensal, parasitic or symbiotic? The closely related Hooded Parrot (P. dissimilis) has been assumed to play host to the same moth, but data is lacking. This poster reports on a field trip to document the presence of a moth in the nests of Hooded Parrots. This will form the basis of a study to determine the true nature of the relationship between parrot and moth and the consequences of the interaction for each organism.

As this is the first component of a PhD study examining the breeding ecology of Hooded Parrots the poster will also highlight areas of future research interest.

Nest concealment and nest defence behaviour in the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

Colombelli-Négrel Diane and Kleindorfer Sonia School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide5042, South Australia. [email protected]

Nest predation is one of the principle causes of reproductive failure in birds. Consequently, selection should favour any behaviour (nest site selection, nest concealment or nest defence) that will decrease this risk of predation. According to the nest concealment hypothesis, nests that are more concealed are predicted to be less vulnerable to predation, and different levels of nest concealment (e.g. vegetation cover below or above the nest) will make nests susceptible to predation from different guilds of predators (e.g. rodents or avian predators). It is also well established in the literature that parental nest defence co-varies with nest concealment and the threat posed by the predator, including the type and distance of the predator. In this study, we examined variation in parental nest defence in relation to nest concealment, predator type, and predator distance from the nest in the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), a species that has high nest predation in our study sites (80% of nests were depredated). We tested the following predictions: 1) well concealed nests have lower nest predation; 2) intensity of parental nest defence behaviour is lower at nests with high concealment; and 3) patterns of parental nest defence response vary in relation to the perceived risk of the predator (measured across different predator types and distance categories from the nest).

120 Poster

Taking the Heat: How resilient will Tooth-billed Bowerbirds be in the face of climate change?

Freeman, Amanda N. D.

School for Field Studies, Centre for Rainforest Studies, PO Box 141 Yungaburra, Queensland 4884, Australia. [email protected]

The Tooth-billed Bowerbird (Scenopoeetes dentirostris) may be detrimentally affected by climate change because it occurs within a restricted, highland range. The specific habitat requirements of Tooth-billed Bowerbirds are inadequately understood and it is difficult to predict how resilient this species will be to expected rising temperatures and changing moisture regimes. In September 2004, hides were installed at eight display courts; four in Acacia regrowth habitat and four in mature rainforest. At these courts, male attendance and behaviour was monitored for four hours each day for a nine day period at the peak of calling. Faecal collection trays were placed under birds’ favoured perches and emptied weekly from September to December 2004. Courts in Acacia regrowth habitat were subject to higher temperatures and lower humidity than courts in mature rainforest, but this did not affect overall male court attendance or courtship behaviour. The composition and frequency of occurrence of fruit species in faecal samples differed between Acacia regrowth and mature rainforest courts. This suggests that fruit availability differs between the two habitats but not sufficiently to affect court attendance. Acacia regrowth, with drier microclimatic conditions and different fruit availability than mature rainforest, never the less appears able to support breeding male Tooth-billed Bowerbirds. These initial findings augur well for the ability of Tooth-billed Bowerbirds to adapt to a warmer, drier climate and shifting forest types. Further research is required however, particularly on the habitat requirements of female Tooth-billed Bowerbirds, before predictions can be made concerning the species resilience to climate change.

121 Poster

Biological data from autopsies of New Zealand pigeons (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) in the Auckland area

Gill, Brian Auckland War Memorial Museum, Private Bag 92018, Auckland, New Zealand. [email protected]

In a sample of 104 New Zealand pigeons from the wider Auckland region, the most frequent cause of death (where known) was collision with window-panes. About 80% in the sample were adults. There was a sex-ratio of 1.7:1 in favour of females but this may have been an artefact of the sampling. Adults weighed 420-780 g. There was no seasonal variation in weight, but fat- score was highest on average in autumn and lowest in summer. In adults, testis-volume was at its lowest from March to August, and ovary-volume at its lowest from February to July. Testes were often enlarged from September to February with a peak in October, and ovaries were often enlarged from August to January. There was no support for the suggestion that New Zealand pigeons can sometimes lay at any time of year, but winter-nesting may be very rare and the present sample too small to detect this. Some adult females had small ovaries in the middle of the breeding season (October-November), supporting the evidence from other studies that not all adult pigeons may breed every year. There were indications of a long season of primary moult (October to May) with a post-breeding peak (February to April), and an absence of moult in winter. Tail-moult was confined to late summer and autumn (February-April).

Skewed distribution of paternity in the Musk Duck (Biziura lobata)

Guay, Patrick-Jean1 and Mulder, Raoul A.2 1 Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia 3010. [email protected] 2 Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia 3010. [email protected]

The Musk Duck (Biziura lobata) is an Australian endemic diving duck. They exhibit extreme sexual size-dimorphism and numerous secondary sexual traits including a leathery black lobe hanging under the lower mandible and the emission of a pungent musky smell by breeding males. During the breeding season, males defend territories where they perform spectacular splashing displays to attract females, which is highly suggestive of a lek mating system. During the 2003 breeding season, we captured and took blood samples from breeding adults and ducklings on Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Using microsatellite markers we were able to assign paternity to ducklings and discovered that only two of eight captured males obtained paternity amongst the five broods sampled. These males were heavier and had larger lobes than the males that did not sire any offspring. Furthermore, both males that sired offspring displayed frequently and produced a strong musky smell. Only one of the other males produced a strong musky smell. These results together suggest that Musk Ducks have a highly polygynous mating system and probably show delayed maturation.

122 Poster

Five-minute bird counts, from the past into the future

Hartley, Lynette J.

Department of Conservation, PO Box 13049, Christchurch, New Zealand [email protected]

Five-minute bird counts have been used for the inventory and monitoring of forest birds for over thirty years in New Zealand. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has funding from the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) programme to locate and preserve the nation’s significant five minute bird count studies. The project has been running for two years and over 340 studies (130,000 counts) have been located. Over 200 of these studies (86,000 counts) are pre-1988. Forty-one studies (10,000 counts) are post-2000. Thirty-eight studies are larger than 1,000 counts. The nation’s five-minute bird count studies are a resource that, until now, has been largely inaccessible. To remedy this, a spreadsheet containing metadata from over 250 studies has been developed and is publicly accessible on the DOC website. The spreadsheet allows interested parties to identify studies of relevance throughout New Zealand and see where the data is currently stored. An Access database has been developed in which to enter five-minute bird count data, and during the coming year we plan to enter over 60,000 counts from older studies. This data will also be made publicly accessible. Possible uses of historical count data will be discussed. Five-minute bird counts have a long history, but what of their future? If you can provide information about five minute bird count studies please contact Lynette Hartley.

123 Poster

Birds of the Ventnor Koala Reserve, Phillip Island Nature Park, Victoria, Australia.

Jessop, Rosalind1 and Collins, Peter2

1 Phillip Island Nature Park, PO Box 97, Cowes, Victoria. 3922. Australia. [email protected] 2RMB 4009, Cowes, Victoria. 3922. Australia. [email protected]

The Ventnor Koala Reserve was reserved for the preservation of koalas in 1940 and managed by the Phillip Island Koala Reserve Committee of Management. Prior to the 1940s it was reserved as a recreation reserve and leased for grazing as well as being used as a race track.

The Phillip Island Koala Reserve Committee of Management carried out numerous tree planting programs which were all completed by 1973. In the same year, a series of three dams were created to attract birds to the area. In 1976 a low-level levee bank was constructed between the main dam and the adjoining property to provide a shallow water area for water-bird habitat (Phillip Island Koala Reserve Committee of Management annual reports 1972/73, 1973/74 and 1975/76). Management of the reserve was taken over by the director of Fisheries and Wildlife (Victorian state government) in 1982 and in 1997 it came under the management of the Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP Board of Management).

Monthly surveys were conducted for three years at four sites selected to represent the different habitat types present in the reserve. Survey methods followed those outlined in the New Atlas of Australian Birds and involved searching a 2 ha area for 20 minutes. Any birds seen or heard were recorded, including birds flying overhead. Information on flowering times of plants was also collected. Presence data was supplemented by information on age and reproductive condition collected during mist-netting sessions at one of the sites.

A total of 93 species were observed. Seasonal composition of bird communities, seasonal and annual changes in diversity were investigated. More species were present in late spring and autumn than other times of the year. Species composition was found to vary with season and site. For some foraging groups (e.g. nectarivores) presence was related to resource availability.

124 Poster

The importance of wetlands in inland Australia for migratory shorebirds

Nebel, Silke1,2, Kingsford, Richard T.1,3 and Porter, John4

1School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. [email protected]. [email protected]. 4Department of Environment & Conservation, Hurstville NSW 2220, Australia. [email protected]

Migratory shorebirds rely on suitable staging areas to refuel during migration. It is important to identify such key sites of biodiversity importance for conservation. The best- known stop-over sites in Australia are along the coast, but major wetland areas also exist further inland, away from the large urban centres. Their availability as wader habitat is highly unpredictable, dependent on variable rainfall and resultant flooding. The extent to which these sites are used by migratory shorebirds is, however, currently not well understood. We aimed to identify the importance of inland and coastal wetlands for migratory shorebirds for about 2000 wetlands. This corresponded to the area covered during aerial surveys each October from 1983 to 2004 (22 years) of about 10% of eastern Australia. At about 14% of all 2000 wetlands a presence of migratory shorebirds was recorded. Seven out of the ten sites that supported more than 4,000 shorebirds (maximum yearly count) are located inland. These tended to be large saline wetlands. The temporal variation of availability of water in these wetlands was high, ranging from three to 22 years during the study period. The presence of water alone, however, did not explain site use. In the ten most important wetlands, variation of site usage during years with water ranged from 9 - 100%. Our findings show that inland wetlands in Australia support large numbers of shorebirds and should be a priority for conservation and management.

125 Poster

Avian ticks (Ixodes sp.) in South Australia: a study of their distribution and fitness costs

Oorebeek, Margot and Kleindorfer, Sonia School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia. [email protected]

This study examines the prevalence and intensity of ticks (Ixodes sp.) in randomly sampled passerines in South Australia. Previous research on avian parasitism has shown that parasites can have a significant negative influence on their avian hosts’ fitness with costs to reproduction, survival, and growth. Most studies on avian parasites and their fitness costs have been conducted in the northern hemisphere where birds have different life-histories compared to southern hemisphere birds. This is the first study to look at the prevalence and infestation of ticks in various host species across different locations in South Australia. The results of this study show: 1) a distinct geographical distribution of ticks in South Australia (ticks were found along the coastal areas but not further inland), 2) differential prevalence across avian host species; out of 28 species sampled, 15 had evidence of tick parasitism, and 3) fitness costs of ticks in relation to body condition. These findings are discussed in the light of patterns of declining bird species in South Australia.

The International Crane Newsletter - a new web journal for crane research and conservation

Scambler, Elinor

Australians working on crane research and conservation have formed an Australian Crane Network linked with colleagues in Europe, Africa and Asia. The main focus for international cooperation is a new biannual journal, the International Crane Newsletter, downloadable free from the International Crane Foundation http://www.savingcranes.org/ and partners in India. The first issue is due late 2005 with peer-reviewed articles on long- term crane monitoring in Asia and Africa, including the Indian Sarus Crane, and briefs on Australian projects. The network invites Australian and New Guinea scientists, bird and conservation groups and their members, captive breeders and photographers to contribute to the Australian website http://ozcranes.net/ and the international journal.

Corresponding Editor Gopi Sundar [email protected] Northern Australia Elinor Scambler [email protected] & http://ozcranes.net/ Southern Australia Matthew Herring [email protected]

126

Poster

Bill Morphology Affects Seed Selection and Handling Ability in Five Species of Granivorous Birds.

Soobramoney, Shernice. and Perrin, Mike.

School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. [email protected]

The relationships between bill morphology and seed characteristics (size and nutrients) were investigated in five species of specialized granivorous passerines, within the Estrilidae or Ploceidae. The effect of bill size on seed preference and handling time was determined foe four wild-caught species, Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullatus), Capa Sparrow (Passer melanurus), Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) and Thickbilled Weaver ( Amblyospiza albifrons) and one domesticated species, the Bengalese Finch (Lonchura domestica). Six seed species were used : Japanese millet, white millet, red manna seed, canary seed, red sorghum and black niger seed. All bird species husked all seed species prior to ingestion. Monocotyledonous seeds were handled significantly faster than dicotyledonous seeds, and spherical seeds significantly faster than elongate seeds. Handling time increased with seed size. Birds with medium-sized bills were most effective in husking most seed species. Birds with the smallest bills husked the smallest seeds smallest seeds fastest while birds with the largest bills husked the largest seeds fastest. Handling time was affected by seed size and shape and bill morphology. However, handling time and nutritional intake rate did not determine seed selection. Japanese millet was preferred by all bird species although it provided fewer calories per seed and less protein per unit time that other seed species. Results suggest that nutrition is less important than morphological traits in determining seed processing efficiency. Birds generally, selected seeds that were easiest to handle and fastest to process, thereby gaining nutrients quickly.

127 Poster

Migratory shorebird behaviour and disturbance rates at day and night time roosts: implications for roost creation

Spencer, Jennifer A. 1 and Howe, Alice, J.2

1Centre for Environmental Restoration and Stewardship, Australian Catholic University, PO Box 968, North Sydney, NSW 2049 [email protected] 2 Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 [email protected]

Migratory shorebirds face a number of threats whilst enroute from their breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere to over-wintering sites in Australia and New Zealand. The availability of safe roost sites, where birds can rest free from disturbance and access supplementary feeding areas, is essential for their successful migration. A greater awareness of the degradation of roosting habitats has led to the creation and rehabilitation of many roosts in Australia. The Hunter Estuary is the most important site for migratory shorebird species in New South Wales, and yet has undergone significant changes since European colonisation, including significant flood mitigation work and dredging to create industrial land. This has led to changes in roosting habitat availability for shorebirds in the estuary. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of roosting habitat in the Hunter Estuary. Topographical and vegetation surveys were conducted at each roost site to estimate the area of each microhabitat available under different tidal conditions. Instantaneous flock scans were used to record migratory shorebird behaviour and microhabitat choice at day and night time roost sites. Incidental disturbance behaviour was also recorded over the high tide period. Individual distance of separation, measured with digital photographs, was greater for larger shorebird species than small species, and shorebirds were observed feeding at both day and night roosts. We use this physical and behavioural data to model roost availability for migratory shorebirds within the Hunter Estuary.

128 Poster

Comparison of distance sampling and transect counts of a small forest bird in New Zealand

Spurr, E.B., Borkin, K.M. and Drew, K.W.

Landcare Research, PO Box 69, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand. [email protected]

Distance sampling and transect counts were compared as methods of estimating population trends of the tomtit (Petroica macrocephala), a small (11 g) passerine, in two forests from late September/early October to early November 2004. Two observers independently surveyed male tomtits along 36 transect lines, 250 m long, in each forest. In total, 98% of the birds were first detected by sound (range 5–100 m from the observers) and only 2% by sight (1–25 m from the observers), partly because the dense vegetation and uneven terrain made visual observation difficult. The number of detections increased from 99 in September/October to 184 in November in one block and 57 in September/October to 94 in November in the other, probably as a result of changes in bird conspicuousness (e.g. increased singing). The number of detections in 5-m intervals peaked at 35–40 m from the observers, indicating that some closer birds stopped singing on approach of an observer and were undetected, or moved away before being detected. The average detection distance differed between observers by only 1.3 m in September/October, but by 16.2 m in November, indicating changes over time in the relative ability of the observers to estimate distance. Thus, several key assumptions underlying distance sampling were not met, and density estimates (tomtits per hectare) could not be calculated reliably. At best, the method provided an index of the tomtit population density in the two forests. Trends over time from distance sampling and transect counts were similar.

129 Population size and status of South Georgian diving petrels (Pelecanoides georgicus) breeding at Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), New Zealand

G.A. Taylor1, R. Cole2 and S. Trainor2

1Research, Development and Improvement Division, Department of Conservation, [email protected]; 2Southland Conservancy, Department of Conservation, [email protected], [email protected]

South Georgian diving petrels (SGDP) (Pelecanoides georgicus) were first discovered breeding on Codfish Island in 1978, the only remaining breeding site in the Pacific Ocean. The birds nest in sand dunes behind Sealers Bay (the only sandy beach on the island) in a narrow strip from the spring tide zone to about 25 m inland. The population had 30-35 active burrows and perhaps 100 birds in 1978. Since that time, control of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) has helped to restore the dune habitat, and possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), weka (Gallirallus australis) and Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) have been eradicated from the island. In November 2002, 122 active burrows were located in a thorough search of the dunes and 40 birds were captured and banded. In September 2003, a severe easterly storm eroded 10 m from the dune face and destroyed 50 marked burrows (41% of the known burrows). A search of Sealers Bay beach revealed that at least 15% of the banded SGDP population died in the storm as well as some unbanded birds. Fifteen new adults were captured and banded in 2003. The dunes were resurveyed in November 2004 and 108 burrows were located with at least 50% confirmed as having SGDP present. Most sites had regular burrow entrance activity but some of these burrows were also visited by common diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix). Forty-seven new SGDP were captured and banded in 2004. The mark-recapture estimate of the population, making some allowance for confirmed and assumed annual mortality rates, was about 150 adults. The breeding population is therefore less then 75 pairs and probably under 50 pairs. With vegetation encroachment, and warmer seas causing more storm damage to the dunes, the conservation status of SGDP in New Zealand is ranked as Nationally Critical.

130 Poster

Distribution and abundance of the white-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina) in Victoria

Underwood, Megan1 and Bunce, Ashley2

1 School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. [email protected] 2 School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. [email protected]

Habitat loss and modification is a major factor driving reductions of seabird populations. The white-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina) is restricted to three breeding colonies within Victoria: Mud Islands and South Channel Fort in Port Phillip Bay, and Tullaberga Island off Mallacoota. The numbers of storm petrels breeding on Mud Islands and South Channel Fort have declined considerably, possibly a result of the significant vegetation changes, together with increases in local populations of other species of birds, most notably, silver gulls (Larus novaehollandiae). On Mud Islands the breeding area available to the storm petrels appears to be limited by the recent arrival of the Australian white ibis (Threskoirnis molucca), and straw-necked ibis (T. spinicollis) which now breed on the islands in large numbers (approximately 15,000 pairs). The impact of these changes on the storm petrels is poorly understood. The current status of storm petrels at Tullaberga Island is unknown. This study estimated the size of the breeding population at all three sites by determining burrow densities, and a burrow-scope was used to determine occupancy. Burrow density was found to be related to vegetation type and other habitat factors. This study has highlighted important information on the breeding habitat of the white-faced storm petrel and the implications for management are discussed.

131 Poster

Maungatautari: scaling up restoration approaches to recover a lost ecosystem

Wallace, D.1, Burns, B.R.2 , and Robertson, J.1 and Smuts-Kennedy, C. 1 1Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, P.O. Box 476, Cambridge, New Zealand. Ph. +64-7-823-7455. Fax. +64-7-823-7456. Email: [email protected] 2Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton, New Zealand. Ph. +64-7-858-3728. Fax. +64-7-858-4964. Email: [email protected]

Despite protection, the biodiversity of New Zealand forests is gradually declining through the persistent pressure of introduced pests. Over time, local communities note evidence for this degradation in the ongoing decline and/or local extinction of wildlife species, and attribute lower values to reserves as a result. At Maungatautari, we are attempting to reverse this degradation by scaling-up and adapting restoration approaches – that are still recent advances in smaller areas – to this strategically located but previously neglected 3400 ha old-growth forest reserve. These approaches are: (a) construction of a pest-proof fence to prevent reinvasion; (b) eradication of a suite of introduced mammals inside the fence; (c) translocation and re-establishment of lost wildlife; and (d) deep-rooted involvement of the local community in the restoration. None of these approaches has been applied at this scale before in New Zealand, and to a forest so accessible to people. Currently we have achieved pest eradication over pilot areas totalling 100 ha, and have fenced almost half the 47 km perimeter fence. Plans are also well advanced to re- establish kiwi at the reserve this year. As a result of renewed interest in the reserve, 10 uncommon species have been either rediscovered or newly discovered, increasing the perceived value of the reserve. However the conservation gains so far are modest compared to the huge swell of public interest and enthusiasm generated for the project. This project’s success is an important step in applying intensive restoration to increasingly large areas, and in restoring links between biodiversity and people.

132 Poster

Food, Water, People and Agriculture : Conservation of the Black- cheeked Lovebird in Zambia.

Warburton, Louise, and Perrin, Mike.

School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. [email protected]

The vulnerable status of the Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis is a function of its environment and reproductive capacity, provided that it not traded for aviculture. In the wild, it feeds on 39 (+) species, including seeds, leaves, flowers, especially nectar, fruit pulp and some invertebrates, bark ,lichen and resin; but is not dependent on any one natural food source for its survival. It is also an agricultural pest, particularly of sorghum but also of millet. < 30 % of the total millet crop was damaged, with 18% of seed heads suffering > 20 % damage. Local subsistence farmers regard the lovebirds as a serious pest but control methods are largely ineffective. Since 1950, annual rainfall in the bird’s restricted range, in Mopane Colophospermum mopane woodland, has decreased, increasing its dependence on artificial water supplies. Birds from one locale drank at the same water hole, but were vigilant and cautious drinkers, not drinking at sources when disturbed by local farmers and their cattle. It appears that water availability, rather than natural or artificial foods, or nest sites, is negatively impacting on distribution and possibly population growth, as only one clutch is raised during the peak of the rains. Because of the increasing dependence on artificial water supplies, which are closely allied with local people, in a highly localized distribution, the conservation management of the species must be developed through education programmes and the provision of artificial water sources.

133 Author index Chambers, L.E. 63 Garnett, S. 119 Bolded = presenter Clancy, G. 118 Gazley, F. 54 Clapperton, B.K. 18 Geale, D.W. 24 Adams J. 112 Clarke, M.F. 11, 64, 87 Geale, J. 25 Adams, N.J. 50 Cockburn, A. 119 Geeves, W. 25 Armstrong, D.P. 59, 99 Cockrem, J.F. 50 Gerasimov, Y. 25 Astheimer, L. 40 Colbourne, R. 104 Gibb, G. 71 Baduini, C.L. 112 Cole, R. 129 Gill, B. 121 Barker, D. 113 Collins, P. 123 Gosbell, K. 25 Barraclough, R.K. 42, 114 Colombelli-Negrel, D. 119 Gosford, R. 27 Barrett, B.J. 51 Comer, S. 61 Gosper, C.R. 72 Bart, J. 39 Congdon, B.C. 82 Greene, T. 32, 95 Bassett, S. 29, 52, 115 Cooney, S.J.N. 65, 119 Gregory, R.D. 34 Battley, P.F. 53 Corfield, J. 46 Guay, P.-J. 121 Bell, B.D. 54 Cork, S.C. 24 Guy, T. 112 Bennamoun, M. 45 Costa, D. 112 Hale, K.A. 73 Bennett, A.F. 76 Couch-Lewis, Y. 31 Hansen, K.M. 74 Berryman, A. 55 Cousin, J.A. 66 Harper, G. 67 Blackmore, C.J. 56 Cranwell, I. 31 Harrison, A.E. 75 Blackwell, G. 12, 29, 41 Cunningham, H.F. 67 Hartley, L.J. 122 Blezard,, R.H. 100 Danks, A. 61 Harvey, C. 52, 116 Boles, W.E. 56 Davidson, S. 68 Harvey, J.T. 112 Booth, M. 54 Davis, L.S. 83 Haslem, A. 76 Borkin, K.M. 128 Davy, P. 40 Hassell, C.J. 53 Boulton, R.L. 59, 116 Dawson, D.G. 37 Herring, M. 77, 109 Boyle, A. 53 Dawson, D.K. 44 Hill, R. 78 Brackenbury, G.F. 54 Day, K. 52, 116 Hockly, W. 69 Bradley, S. 111 Delemere, G. 89 Holdaway, R.N. 10 Bragg, C. 29,29 Dobbins, M.A. 69 Hone, J. 79 Branson, M.J. 57 Dowding, J.E. 69 Howe, A.L. 127 Brawn, E. 71 Downs, C. 94 Hsu, T.T.T., 19 Briskie, J.V. 58, 105 Drew, K.W. 13, 128 Huettmann, F. 25 Brunton, D. 42, 43, 47, 92, Duncan, R. 81 Hughes, L. 63 93, 104 Efford, M.G. 44 Hyrenbach, K.D. Bunce, A. 60, 98, 130 Empson, R. 54 Innes, J. 16, 89 Burbidge, A.H. 48, 61 Evans, B.A. 47 Jamieson, I.G. 83 Burns, B.R. 131 Ewen, J. 69, 106 Jarrett, N. 85 Burrows, B. 117 Fletcher, D. 29 Jessop, R. 123 Byrom, A. 96 Flux, I. 89 Ji, W. 47 Calcott, A. 89 Ford, H.A. 75 Joice, N. 95 Caldwell, R. 62 Fox E. 45 Jolly, J.N. 79 Campbell, C. 26 Fox, N. 15 Joseph, L. 80 Campbell, K.L. 32 Free, M. 110 Kardailsky, O. 70 Cassey, P. 62, 115 Freeman, A.N.D. 70, 120 Kazem, A.J.N. 87 Castro, I. 104 French, K. 19 Kelly, T. 52, 116 Chambers, G. 99 Fulton, G.R. 70 Kendall, S. 25

134 Kennedy, E.S. 81 Olsen, P. 119 Selleck, P. 25 Kingsford, R.T. 124 Oorebeck, M. 125 Shaffer, S. 112 Kleindorfer, S. 68, 81, 103, Ortiz-Catedral, L. 92 Shapiro, L. 104 119, 125 Parker, K.A. 93 Small, D. 107 Koetz, A.H. 82 Parsons, S. 46 Smuts-Kennedy, C. 131 Korodaj, T.N. 20 Paton, D.C. 108 Soobramoney, S. 126 Langsbury, H. 30 Pauling, C. 31 Spencer, A. 31 Langstaff, I.G. 23 Penny, D. 71 Spencer, J.A. 127 Luck, G.W. 20, 65 Perrin, M. 94, 126, 132 Spurr, E.B. 16, 39, 128 Ludwig, K. 83 Petermann, J. 14 Stamp, R. 43 MacLeod, C. 13, 14 Peters, D. 89 Starling, A.B. 105 Manawatu, T. 31 Pharo, H. 22 Symes, C. 94 Major, R.E. 19 Pierce, 91 Szabo, J. 40 Maloney, R.F. 91 Piersma , T. 53 Taylor, G.A. 50, 129 Maron, M. 84 Porter, J. 124 Thomas, W.H. 28 Martin, G.R. 85 Porter, R.E.R., 18 Thorogood, R. 69, 106 Martin, T.E. 58 Powlesland, R.G. 95 Tidemann, S. 27 Matthews, L. 18 Prendergast, T.A. S. 96 Trainor, C.R. 21 Matsina, E. 25 Puentener, R. 26, 26 Trainor, S. 129 McKenzie, J. 117 Pullen, K.M. 95 Travers, C. 52, 116 McKenzie, J.S. 23 Pyke, N. 97 Underwood, M. 130 McClelland, P. 86 Pyke, T.M. 98 Van Gils, J.A. 53 McDonald, P.G. 87 Ralph, C.J. 35, 39 Van Hal, 107 Melville, D.S. 22 Rate, S. 12, 41 Vincent, R. 114 Miles, J. 104 Rawdon, T.V. 24 Vivian-Smith, G. 72 Miskelly, C. 88, 113 Rawlence, N. 99 Waas, J.R. 16, 89 Moller, H 12, 29, 29, 41 Richard, Y. 99 Wallace, D. 131 Molles, L. 89 Richardson, C. 52, 116 Warburton, L. 132 Moran,,K.J. 95 Roberts, A. 69 Ward, M.J. 108 Moran,,L.R. . 95 Roberts, J.D. 45 Watson, D.M. 65, 77, 109 Morgan, D. 16, 18 Robertson, C.J.R. 100 Warson, J. 110 Mulder, R.A. 121 Robertson, H.A. 9, 95, 101 Webb, M. 17 Myers, C. 90 Robertson, J. 131 Westbrooke, I. 38 Nebel, S. 124 Rogers, D.I. 53 Westcott, D. 82 Neill, E. E. 91 Roxburgh, J. 62 Weston, M.A. 63 Nevins, H.M. 112 Russell, D. 26 Wilke, T. 80 Newman, J. 29 Saul, E.K. 101 Williams, L. 62 Nganjmirra, J. 27 Saunders, D.L. 102 Williams, Matthew 48 Nilsson, J. 36 Saxton, V.P. 15 Williams, Murray 85, 86 Noble, D. 33 Scambler, E. 125 Wilson, K-J. 31, 32, 81, 96 Norman, I. 98 Schlotfeldt, B.E. 103 Wooller, R. 111, 111 Norton, T. 31 Schmechel, F. 31 Wooller, S. 111 Nugent, G. 31 Schotborgh, H.M. 32, 96 Wratten, S.D. 14 O’Connor, S. 91 Schuckard, R 25 Wright, J. 87 Ogilvie, S. 31, 96 Scofield, R.P. 49, 103 Yang, H-Y. 53 Oldland, J. 64 Scott, D. 29 Zamon, J. 112

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