Why are NZ Storm Petrels off Australia?

["Mike Carter" <>]

Two questions for you Simon re your bird-o article.
Following your banner headline on New Zealand Storm-Petrels you say,
"This species was only rediscovered breeding in northern NZ in 2003, after an 
absence of 150 years from the scientific record".
Which paparazzo told you that? Reveal your source please. My understanding is 
that the breeding grounds of this species were unknown and remain unknown and 
some think that they may breed in the New Caledonia/Vanuatu/Solomons region and 
spend the non-breeding season in the Hauraki Gulf!
So the gyre is likely to have brought the birds to the coast but what brought 
the birds to the gyre which may have a diameter of 100 nm? Even if double that 
size there is  still a broad ocean to cross from a passage between the 
Vanuatu/Solomons etc. and NZ.

Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136