Providence Petrel

RECOVERY OUTLINE Providence Petrel

2 Scientific name Pterodroma solandri (Gould, 1844)

3 Common name Providence Petrel

4 Conservation status Vulnerable: D2

5 Reasons for listing This species breeds at only two locations (Vulnerable: D2).

Estimate Reliability Extent of occurrence 1,000,000 km2 low trend stable high Area of occupancy 3 km2 high trend stable high No. of breeding birds 100,000 medium trend stable medium No. of sub-populations 2 high Largest sub-population 100,000 medium 11 Information required Generation time 10 years low None. 6 Infraspecific taxa None described. 12 Recovery objectives 12.1 Maintain protection for current breeding sub-

7 Past range and abundance populations, to enable their expansion. Breeding only ever recorded Norfolk I. (where Providence Petrels were once considered numerous), 12.2 Expand population to Norfolk I. nearby Phillip I. and Lord Howe I. Non-breeding 13 Actions completed or under way distribution across the western Tasman Sea and the entire north Pacific Ocean (Marchant and Higgins, 13.1 The Phillip I. breeding sub-population is 1990). monitored by the Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna Society. 8 Present range and abundance 13.2 Strict quarantine is maintained on any vessels Extirpated from Norfolk I. by about 1800 (Hutton, visiting Phillip I. 1991). At least 20 pairs currently breed on Phillip I., with most of the population, estimated at nearly 13.3 Rat baiting and cat trapping is occurring in 100,000 individuals, nesting on Mt Gower and Norfolk Island National Park. Mt Lidgbird on Lord Howe I. (Marchant and Higgins, 13.4 Responsible cat ownership on Norfolk I. is 1990). being encouraged through sponsorship of a 9 Ecology cat de-sexing clinic, and a ban on the Providence Petrels breed in earth burrows, often importation of reproductively-competent cats within rainforest. At sea, they generally prefer warm is being supported. waters for foraging, taking fish, cephalopods, 14 Management actions required crustaceans and offal, and will forage near fishing boats (Marchant and Higgins, 1990). 14.1 Census sub-population on Lord Howe I. at least once every ten years. 10 Threats 14.2 Census sub-population on Phillip I. every three The breeding population is now confined to two years. mountain tops and a tiny islet. On Lord Howe I., Providence Petrels have withstood introductions of 14.3 Establish cooperative rodent control programs feral pigs, cats, goats, Black Rats Rattus rattus and throughout Norfolk I, with a view to rat Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae castaneothorax, but eradication. remain vulnerable to a catastrophe. 14.4 Eradicate rats from Lord Howe I.

62 14.5 Enhance rat baiting and cat trapping on 16 Other organisations involved Norfolk I. and monitor their efficacy. Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna Society. 15 Organisations responsible for conservation Environment Australia, New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried out Staff resources required 2001-2005 0.05 Project Officer 1 0.05 Technical Officer 2 Financial resources required 2001-2005 Action Conservation Other funding Total agencies sources Monitoring Lord Howe I. 1 $8,000 $0 $8,000 Monitoring Phillip I. 2 $2,500 $500 $3,000 Rat baiting in Norfolk Island. National Park 3 $10,000 $0 $10,000 Cooperative rodent control on Norfolk I. 3 $10,000 $0 $10,000 Rat eradication Lord Howe I. 4 $100,000 $0 $100,000 Cat trapping Norfolk I. 3 $5,000 $0 $5,000 Encourage responsible cat ownership on Norfolk I. 3 $2,000 $0 $2,000 Total $137,500 $500 $138,000 1. Cost divided among Providence Petrel, Kermadec Petrel, Little Shearwater, White-bellied Storm-Petrel, Masked Booby, Woodhen, Grey Ternlet and Pied Currawong 2. Cost divided among Providence Petrel, Kermadec Petrel, White-necked Petrel, Little Shearwater, Masked Booby and Grey Ternlet 3. Cost divided among threatened taxa on Norfolk I. 4. Cost divided among Providence Petrel, Kermadec Petrel, Little Shearwater, White-bellied Storm-Petrel and Grey Ternlet 18 Bibliography Hutton, I. 1991. Birds of Lord Howe Island, Past and Comments received from Present. The Author, Coffs Harbour. Barry Baker, Margaret Christian, Owen Evans, Honey McCoy, David Priddel. Marchant, S. and Higgins, P. J. (eds) 1990. The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.