Frank, Niels and David,
I would just like to back up David's statement that STS are the abundant
species in the Australian sector of Antarctic and subantarctic waters during
summer (at least from Mawson to the west of Prydz Bay to Balleny Islands
near the Ross Sea in Antarctic waters). To the north, while working near
Macquarie Island, I found Sooty commoon to the east of the island (and in
the NZ subantarctic zone ie in the areas that would include Campbell Island,
and not surprising since Sooty Sh. are an abundant breeding species around
NZ), Short-taileds abundant about a day's steaming west, and both species to
be regular around the island, suggesting that this area is the approximate
change longitude.
I have also heard some evidence that STS engage in two lengths of foraging
trip (short and long) while breeding (as do a number of subantactic species,
such as wandering albatrosses and blue petrels), and on the long trips they
return with almost exclusively antarctic food species. I understand that
this work is currently being written up.
tim.
Tim Reid.
Marine Ecosystems Unit
Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service
PO Box 44a
Hobart
Tasmania
Australia
phone: 011-61-3-62336018
fax: 011-61-3-62333477
e-mail:
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