Hi all,
I have just returned from NZ were I joined a small team attempting to
locate the nesting site of the recently rediscovered NZ Storm Petrel. We
spent a few days out in the Hauraki Gulf (east coast of the North Island
about an hours drive north of Auckland). The plan was to catch
individuals at sea and fit them with radio transmitters in an attempt to
track them back to breeding sites. Given many islands have rodent
problems, locating the breeding site(s) and ensuring these sites are
protected may be central to the conservation of the species.
The trip was an outstanding success. An edited version of Brent
Stephenson's summary to Birding-NZ follows....
Six of us, Richard Griffiths (DoC), Halema Jamieson (DoC), Avi (local
Iwi), Rohan Clarke (Aus), Brent Stephenson and Brett Rathe (skipper)
headed out into the Hauraki Gulf to catch New Zealand storm-petrels
early on Thursday morning.
We headed to a point that Brett expected to find the birds based on the
prevailing conditions. Having not seen one after 45 min or so motored a
short way towards the Hen and Chicken's. At the second chumming
location we struck gold and had up to 3 NZ 'Stormies' around the boat at
once. Over the next few hours we tried and tried to catch one, until we
finally managed to get a bird onboard at 1430! Pretty fantastic to
finally have one in the hand after Brent and others rediscovered the
species off Whitianga on 25 Jan 2003.
We banded, measured, and photographed the bird, and fitted it with a
small transmitter. Upon releasing the bird it flew strongly and headed
off to the east. Another few hours were spent trying to catch birds
around the boat, but all evaded our attempts. We headed to the
Mokohinau's to anchor for the night. Being quite rough we weren't able
to scan the islands during dark.
The following morning we headed out again to a similar chumming location
and this time had NZ Storm Petrels arrive within minutes. We ended up
with up to 6 birds around the boat at once, and at 1240 managed to catch
another bird. This bird was similarly processed and released with a
transmitter. It also flew strongly, this time towards the Mokohinau's.
We continued trying for more birds, but with a 25 knot wind and rising
2+ m sea decided to call it quits mid-afternoon.
An ecstatic crew headed back to Great Barrier Island and then Sandspit!
With two birds now carrying transmitters, hopefully over the next few
days some of our questions might be answered. Photos and more
information will be on Brent's websites in a week or so There is already
information on the rediscovery and subsequent sightings at these sites.
Go to http://www.eco-vista.com or http://www.wrybill-tours.com
Birds seen during the trip:
5 Jan 6 Jan
Little Penguin 2(1) 0
BLACK-WINGED PETREL 2(1) 0
PYCROFT'S PETREL 5(2) 2(1)
Cook's Petrel 240(20) 200(20)
Black Petrel 12(10) 15(3)
Great-winged (Grey-faced) Petrel 3(1) 0
NEW ZEALAND STORM-PETREL 8(3) 12(6)
White-faced Storm-Petrel 110(40) 180(60)
Short-tailed Shearwater 1 0
LITTLE SHEARWATER 2(2) 0
Fluttering Shearwater 23(10) 50(10
Buller's Shearwater 70(40) 450(50)
Flesh-footed Shearwater 65(30) 90(8)
Fairy Prion 20(15) 120(50)
Australian Gannet 35(10) 70(20)
Common Diving-Petrel 1 1
GREY TERNLET 0 19(19)
LONG-TAILED JAEGER 0 1
Red-billed Gull 15(14) 6(2)
Kelp Gull 12(10) 6(4)
White-fronted Tern 23(10) 26(20)
Caspian Tern 8(8) 1
Mallard 2(2) 0
Counts (by me) are total estimates for each day at sea, with the maximum
number seen at any one time in brackets.
Cheers,
Rohan
___________________________________
Dr Rohan Clarke
Zoologist
mobile: 0429 792 906
Biosis Research Pty. Ltd.
Natural and Cultural Heritage Consultants
38 Bertie Street (PO Box 489)
Port Melbourne, Vic 3207
ph: (03) 9646 9499
fax: (03) 9646 9242
___________________________________
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