An annotated checklist of the bird species of Niue Island in the southwest Pacific is provided from published and unpublished sources, and from observations during April-May, September, and December 1994. Results for common species were derived from five-minute counts, numbers seen per kilometre while travelling by motorcycle along roads, and single species surveys. The number of species on Niue is 31 (6 seabirds, 10 shorebirds, and 15 land birds). The common noddy (Anous stolidus) was confirmed as nesting on the island. Recommendations are made for the future management of the hunted Pacific pigeon (Ducula pacifica) and the scarce blue-crowned lory (Vini australis).

McLean, I.G. 2000. Breeding success, brood reduction and the timing of breeding in the Fiordland crested penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus). Notornis 47 (1): 57-60.

I visited 10 breeding sites across the range of Fiordland crested penguins (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) in 1995. Based on the developmental stage of chicks at each of the sites, breeding begins progressively later in more northern colonies. Fiordland crested penguins had unusually high hatching success on Taumaka I. (Open Bay Islands) in 1995, and I suggest from anecdotal observations made at the nine other sites that 12% of pairs may have raised two chicks in that year. Together, these observations suggest that Fiordland crested penguins had an unusually good breeding season in 1995. The suggestion that rare "good" years occur, allowing two chicks to be raised, has implications for explanations of brood reduction in crested penguins.

Bell, M.; Bell, D. First wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) record from the Chatham Islands

Worthy, T.H.; Brassey, R. New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) on Raoul Island, Kermadec Group

Chance, G.R. The return of the Australasian crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus australis) to the Wakatipu region, South Island, New Zealand

McAllan, I.A.W. A possible record of black-fronted tern (Sterna albostriata) from Norfolk Island

Sagar, P.M.; Geddes, D.; Banks, J.; Howden, P. 2000. Breeding of South Island pied oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus finschi) on farmland in mid-Canterbury, New Zealand. Notornis 47 (2): 71-81.

Breeding of South Island pied oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus finschi) on farmland in mid-Canterbury was studied from 1987 to 1997. Each year birds returned to breeding territories from early June; females arrived about six days earlier than males. Laying dates extended from early August to mid-November and were similar in all years. Most first clutches were laid from late August to mid-September. Up to two replacement clutches were laid. Clutch size averaged 2.29 (range 1 - 3 eggs) and declined through the breeding season, but was consistent from year to year. Mean first clutch sizes were larger than replacement clutches. On average, 47% of eggs hatched and 58% of these chicks survived to fledge. Both hatching and fledging rates declined through the season. On average, 52% of pairs which laid in any year failed to rear a fledgling. Hatching success was greater in cultivated sites than pasture sites, but fledging success was similar at both sites. Trampling by stock, farming activities, and unknown causes were the main causes of egg loss.

Beauchamp, A.J.; Chambers, R. 2000. Population density changes of adult North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) in the Mansion House Historic Reserve, Kawau Island, in 1992-1999. Notornis 47(2): 82-89.

The total population of North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) is about 4150 adults spread over five islands, one North Island population, and a number of captive birds in aviaries and mainland island programmes. Between 77% and 84% of the adult weka population are on Kawau Island. Density changes in the Mansion House Historic Reserve, and anecdotal records suggest that adult weka populations on Kawau Island has fluctuated between c.2100 and c.5000 during 1992-1999. The largest declines occurred within 12 months of the 1990-91 and 1997-98 droughts.

Beauchamp, A.J.; Staples, G.C.; Staples, E.O.; Graeme, A.; Graeme, B.; Fox, E. 2000. Failed establishment of North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) at Karangahake Gorge, North Island, New Zealand. Notornis 47 (2): 90-96.

A captive-breeding programme was begun in August 1991 to breed North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) for release at a North Island site. A total of 101 weka were released between October 1992 and January 1996 at Karangahake Gorge, southern Coromandel. The project was abandoned in March 1996 after dogs and ferrets (Mustela furo) killed many of the birds.

Powlesland, R.G.; Knegtmans, J.W.; I.S.J. Marshall. I.S.J. 2000. Breeding biology of North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) in Pureora Forest Park. Notornis 47 (2): 97-105

Breeding of North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) was monitored at 2 sites in Pureora Forest Park, central North Island, during the 1996/97 and 1997/98 breeding seasons. A total of 146 nests was found. First clutches were laid in September-October (mean: 20 September) and last clutches in November-January (mean: 17 December). Pairs had time to rear 3 broods during the breeding season (September-March), although most reared only 2. Nest materials and nest location are described: mean nest height was 5.3 m (range 1.0 - 13.6). Mean clutch size was 2.60 (clutches of 2 or 3).. Monthly mean clutch size increased from September to November, then decreased. The breeding biology of the North Island subspecies of robin at Pureora was similar to that of the South Island robin at Kaikoura. Nesting success improved dramatically after brushtail possums were poisoned by aerially distributed 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) baits, because mammalian predators were also poisoned. Robins are easy to monitor, and predation is a common cause of nest failure, so the species is potentially a valuable indicator of predator activity.

Armstrong, D.P.; Ewen, J.G.; Dimond, W.J.; Lovegrove, T.G.; Bergström, A.; Walter, B. 2000. Breeding biology of North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Notornis 47(2): 106-118.

We studied North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) over 7 breeding seasons following their reintroduction to Tiritiri Matangi Island. All robins bred in their first year if a mate was available. They usually retained pair bonds for life but some females switched mates within or between breeding seasons. There were 2 instances of sequential polyandry, where a female laid a clutch with a new male while her previous mate was rearing her fledglings. The 1st clutches were usually laid in early September and the last clutches in late December or early January. Mean clutch size was 2.3 eggs, and clutches were largest in the middle of the breeding season. Females reared a maximum of 3 broods per year, and a maximum of six fledglings. Females that survived the breeding season fledged an average of 2.48 young, and 51% of clutches found before hatching fledged at least one young. Juveniles were fed for 4-7 weeks after fledging, and stayed in the natal territory for 7-10 weeks. Dispersing juveniles were often chased when entering other territories, but there were 4 instances of juveniles being fed by unrelated lone males. The juvenile survival rate declined as the population grew. Permanent territories were restricted to patches with a canopy of at least 6 m, totalling about 13.4 ha, and the breeding population levelled off at 65 in the 5th year. The decline in juvenile survival was similar for males and females, suggesting that both sexes needed to compete for territories even though there were always males without mates because of an initial bias in sex ratio. Males had delayed plumage maturation whereby they appeared similar to females or juveniles until after their first breeding season. We suggest this could be advantageous for territory acquisition because male territory holders cannot be preferentially aggressive toward juvenile males.

Loh, G. A mainland breeding population of fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur), South Island, New Zealand

Crossland, A.C.; Simamora, D. Consecutive use of the same nest scrape by spur-winged plover (Vanellus miles) and South Island pied oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus finschi)

Parrish, G.R. Which subspecies of Mongolian dotterel visit New Zealand?

Corrigenda

Elkington, S.P.; Maloney, R.F. 2000. Age- and sex-related differences in head feather patterns of black stilts (Himantopus novaezelandiae) Notornis 47 (3): 127-130.

Patterns of white feathers on the heads of 10 female and 18 male wild and captive adult black stilts (Himantopus novaezelandiae) were quantified to determine whether the presence and location of white flecking was age- or sex-related. Eleven of the males, but none of the females had white flecking on their heads. Flecking occurred on 2-7 of 9 head regions described and an increased amount of flecking was positively correlated with increasing age. Males without white flecks were 2-7 years old, whereas males with flecks were aged 5-19 years. Most flecking was around the eyes, in the superciliary region and on the crown. We conclude that the presence of white flecking around the eyes or generally scattered on the head is a reliable indicator of a black stilt being old and male.

Miskelly, C.M. 2000. Historical records of snipe from Campbell Island, New Zealand. Notornis 47 (3): 131-140.

Four historical records of snipe from Campbell Island in the New Zealand subantarctic are reviewed to determine whether any may refer to the recently discovered Campbell Island snipe (Coenocorypha sp.). It is concluded that none of the records is likely to have been Campbell Island snipe, and that Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) probably reached Campbell Island before 1840. An 1840 record of "a Scolopax" may have been Coenocorypha, but this is not supported by any documentation or specimen. All other records were errors in identification referring to bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica), or incorrect recording of the location where snipe were seen. Three "snipe" specimens shot on Campbell Island in 1894 were located in the Museum of Victoria and are bar-tailed godwits.

Schuster, K. 2000. Observations on the chick-rearing strategy of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) on Otago Peninsula, New Zealand. Notornis 47 (3): 141-147.

The chick-rearing strategy of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) breeding on Otago Peninsula was examined in 12 pairs of adults, between 17 November 1996 and 31 March 1997, from time of hatching of chicks to parental moult. Differences in behaviour of both male and female parents towards one- or two-chick-broods were not statistically significant, but behaviour towards all offspring changed significantly over time with respect to breed-ing phases. Differences observed resulted from a change in feeding procedure. "Food-walks" started significantly earlier in the course of a feeding session as time progressed, while major components (duration and number of individual feeds) decreased significantly. The changes observed are interpreted as resulting from the chicks' growing independence in concert with the parents' decreasing urge to spend time with their offspring outside the still necessary feeding encounters. An evolutionarily stable environment and reliable food source are suggested as the reason for the lack of development of different chick-rearing strategies for different numbers of offspring or for male and female breeders.

Bell, M.; Bell, D. 2000. Census of the three shag species in the Chatham Islands. Notornis 47 (3): 148-153.

During the 1997/98 breeding season we counted the breeding populations of Chatham Island shag (Leucocarbo onslowi), Pitt Island shag (Stictocarbo featherstoni) and black shag (Phalacrocorax carbo). Surveys, on foot or from kayaks and fishing boats, of all potential shag nesting habitat within the Chatham Islands provided the first complete census for shags breeding there. The breeding population of Chatham Island shag was 842 pairs in 10 discrete colonies, while there were 729 breeding pairs of Pitt Island shag at 63 locations throughout the group. Given that the counts of the endemic shags are for the total world population, these species are extremely rare. The black shag breeding population was 233 pairs, in 5 locations on Chatham Island only. Comparisons with counts made during the 1960s and 1970s by visiting ornithologists suggest that the populations of Chatham Island shag and black shag have remained relatively stable, although the distribution of colonies of both species has changed significantly. Too few previous counts of Pitt Island shag colonies were available to determine a population trend. All 3 species are threatened in the Chatham Islands by destruction of nesting habitat, disturbance of nesting colonies, human persecution, and predation by introduced mammals.

Bramley, G.N.; Veltman, C.J. 2000. Call survey method for monitoring endangered North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi). Notornis 47 (3): 154-159.

We investigated the use of call count surveys to monitor weka numbers for management purposes. A Generalised Linear Model based on data from 111 nights of listening for weka at Rakauroa (North Island, New Zealand) showed that the number of calls recorded was influenced by listening site and month, but not by wind direction, wind strength, cloud cover, phase of the moon, rainfall or temperature. Mean number of calls heard was highest between December and March, with a peak in January. More virds were heard from certain listening sites. Although there was no correlation between any of the environmental variables and weka calling, wind and rain may have reduced the audibility of weka in other studies. The estimated probability of detecting weka was 60-80% (mean = 72%). At least 3 nights at each listening station were necessary to improve the census accuracy. Call counts of weka at Rakauroa between 1993 and 1997 showed a decline in the number of weka.

Winter, S. J. A. Number and distribution of blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) nests in the Mount Maunganui area, Bay of Plenty

Renner, M.; Lloyd, S. D. Marking penguins with implanted transponders

Bell, 0.; Bell, M. Discovery of a second natural wild population of the New Zealand shore plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae)

Moore, P. J.; Battam, H. Procellariiforms killed by fishers in Chile to obtain bands

Miskelly, C. Spotted shags breeding on Kapiti Island

Various. Abstracts of papers presented at the Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. AGM and Conference, Napier, New Zealand, June 2000

Corrigendum

Brinkley, E.S.; Howell, S.N.G.; Force, M.P.; Spear, L.B.; Ainley, D.G. 2000. Status of the Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica) off South America. Notornis 47 (4): 179-183.

The presence of small numbers of Westland petrels (Procellaria westlandica) off the east and west coasts of South America is a relatively recent discovery. Evidence for the presence of the species in those seas has, however, been found to extend back at least as far as 1913, with the reidentification of a specimen in the American Museum of Natural History collection as P. westlandica. Preliminary comments are given on the condition of plumage of Westland/etrels observed in South American waters.

Gibb, J.A. 2000. Dawn to dusk counts of common or garden birds, Wellington, New Zealand. Notornis 47 (4): 184-191.
Common land-birds in a rural suburban garden, Wellington, New Zealand, were counted for 10 minutes twice an hour, twice a month for 2 years, from dawn to dusk. The birds’ behaviour sometimes changed or they entered or left the study area during the day; so there is no ideal time of day for counting birds.

Tennyson, A. J. D.; Lock, J. W. Classified Summarised Notes, North Island 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998

Parrish, G. R. Classified Summarised Notes, North Island 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999

Obituary - Patrick Timothy Crombie

Queen’s Birthday Honours, June 2000

Thompson, D.; Murdoch, R.; Page, M. A near albino cape pigeon (Daption capense) off Kaikoura