Research

published on: 11/07/2023

author and co-authors: Kate Simister, Samhita Bose, Johannes Fischer, Graeme Taylor,

journal:

Research on Westland petrels (Procellaria westlandica) has been undertaken by a range of individuals and agencies across the past few decades with Te Papa staff having a lead role (Waugh et al 2015). Projects looked at species demography, population estimates and tracking studies. The Department of Conservation has supported previous research projects and has now taken over the leadership of the research programme for this species. The current field work is led from the Buller District Office and carried out by Kate Simister to monitor annual breeding success in the study colony at Scotchman’s Creek, near Punakaiki.

The new funding made available under the CSP programme has allowed the work programme to expand to cover a range of new projects not previously attempted with this species. These include:

1. Understanding burrow occupancy rates in this species to determine how burrow mapping
   and nest counts can be related to numbers of breeding pairs. In particular how the status of
   apparent non-breeding birds occupying nest sites changes over time (e.g. are these pairs
   skipping breeding attempts, failed breeders or do these birds lack a partner?)
2. Investigating the diving behaviour of Westland petrels using time-depth records (TDR’s) to
   determine their risk profile from fisheries methods such as surface and bottom long-lines.
3. Carry out multi-year tracking of adult birds using Global Location Sensing (GLS) tags to
   determine extent of time spent within the New Zealand EEZ and elsewhere in the Southern
   Hemisphere.
4. Track juvenile birds to determine if they migrate to seas beyond New Zealand.
5. Testing of different tag attachment methods for GPS or Argos PTT tags

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published on: 12/12/2022

author and co-authors: Dr Euan Kennedy, Bruce McKinlay,,

journal: Notornis

Obituary includes a list of all Kerry-Jayne Wilson’s publications in Notornis and Southern Bird

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published on: 03/09/2021

author and co-authors: Robin Long, Simon Litchwark

journal: Notornis

Abstract: A ground survey of Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki; Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), breeding between Lee Bay
and White Rock Point, northeast Stewart Island was carried out from 1–6 September 2019, to obtain a population estimate
for the area. A total of 128 nests was found along the ~40 km of coast, 107 of which were located in caves on the cliffy
shoreline rather than in the forest as is typical of South Westland breeding areas. Access along this coast is often difficult;
however, the confinement of most nests to caves allows for a more accurate search than in forest colonies such as those in
South Westland and Milford Sound. The results of this survey suggest that a significant breeding population is present
on mainland Stewart Island and needs to be considered in future management plans for the species. Additional surveys
of the remaining ~700 km of coastline should be conducted to obtain a better estimate of the entire population.

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published on: 02/06/2021

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson,

journal:

Submission to West Coast Regional and Grey District Councils in opposition to plans to mine the Barrytown flats.  Concerns relate to the risk of lights to Westland petrels, particularly juvenile petrels.

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published on: 17/01/2020

author and co-authors: Thomas Mattern and Kerry-Jayne Wilson ,

journal:

The report, first published in April 2019, is available as a pdf here: MatternWilson-NZ-penguins-research-priorities.

The New Zealand region is a hot spot for seabirds and hosts six of the world’s eighteen penguin species; of these, four are endemic species that occur only in New Zealand. Despite this regional species richness and New Zealand’s reputation for international leadership in conservation, very little is actually known about our penguins; compared to most other non-NZ penguin species, most New Zealand penguin species are poorly researched.

“In this report, we collate the information available on all six New Zealand penguin species. This includes published accounts (scientific papers, reports), grey literature (unpublished reports and data sets), and personal observations made by researchers that have worked with New Zealand penguins.

“Based on our findings, we compile a list of research priorities that should aid closing many of the knowledge gaps that prevent effective evidence-based conservation management. In New Zealand, conservation management is too often of reactive rather than proactive. Hence, penguin populations often only become the focus of management when declines are well advanced.”

 

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published on: 08/05/2019

author and co-authors: Thomas Mattern, Ursula Ellenberg

journal:

Since 2014, the Tawaki Project has been studying the foraging behaviour, reproductive success and population developments of Fiordland penguins/tawaki across the species’ breeding range. Starting in 2016, the project operated at three sites representing the penguins diverse foraging habitat: Jackson Head on the West Coast, Harrison Cove, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi in Fiordland, and Codfish Island/Whenua Hou in the Foveaux Strait.

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published on: 11/04/2019

author and co-authors: Thomas Mattern, Kerry-Jayne Wilson

journal: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16180.50564/2

Abstract

The New Zealand region is a hot spot for seabirds and hosts six of the world’s eighteen penguin species; of these, four are endemic species that occur only in New Zealand. Despite this regional species richness and New Zealand’s reputation for international leadership in species conservation, very little is actually known about our penguins. In comparison to most other non-NZ penguin species, there is a dearth of information about the biology and ecology of most New Zealand penguin species. Five of our six penguin species are in decline. There is very little published literature for most New Zealand penguins, which means that the reasons for those population declines remain unknown.

Consequently, current conservation actions principally revolve around occasional population counts and ad hoc research or conservation actions that may or may not address the real threats.

With ever increasing pressure from anthropogenic factors, be it climate change, pollution, or fisheries interactions our penguins are in trouble. In order to prevent or reverse their population declines and to put in place evidence based management, we first need to identify the actual rather than the perceived threats. For this, research is essential. In this report, we collate the information available on all six New Zealand penguin species. This includes published accounts (scientific papers, reports), grey literature (unpublished reports and data sets), and personal observations made by of researchers that have worked with New Zealand penguins.

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published on: 01/09/2018

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Alice Barthel, Mathew Lipson, Christopher Fogwill, Chris Turney,

journal: Notornis

In this note we present the first records of petrels breeding on  Masked and Figure of Eight islands, both in Carnley Harbour, Auckland Islands. In contrast, we did not find black-backed gulls on Masked Island where they bred in 1907, nor Auckland Island shags on Figure of Eight Island where observations made in June 1912 suggested they bred.  Our sightings of Snares Cape petrels and Subantarctic skuas on Cossack Rock, Campbell Island suggest that both species breed on that island where they have not been recorded previously. We observed Antarctic terns breeding on Alert Stack at The Snares where this species has not been recorded before. Our survey of Cape petrels and Antarctic terns along the south coast of North East Island, The Snares showed distributions similar to those reported previously and a number of terns similar to those in 1984-85.

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published on: 29/08/2018

author and co-authors: Thomas Mattern, Klemens Pütz, Pablo Garcia-Borboroglu, Ursula Ellenberg, David M. Houston, Robin Long, Benno Lüthi, Philip J. Seddon

journal: PLOS One

Abstract

Migratory species often roam vast distances bringing them into contact with diverse conditions and threats that could play significant roles in their population dynamics. This is especially true if long-range travels occur within crucial stages of a species’ annual life-cycle. Crested penguins, for example, usually disperse over several hundreds of kilometres after completing the energetically demanding breeding season and in preparation for the costly annual moult. A basic understanding of crested penguins’ pre-moult dispersal is therefore paramount in order to be able to assess factors affecting individual survival. The Fiordland penguin, or Tawaki, the only crested penguin species breeding on the New Zealand mainland, is currently one of the least studied and rarest penguin species in the world. We successfully satellite tracked the pre-moult dispersal of 17 adult Tawaki from a single colony located in the species’ northern breeding distribution. Over the course of 8–10 weeks the penguins travelled up to 2,500 km away from their breeding colony, covering total swimming distances of up to 6,800 km. During outbound travels all penguins headed south-west within a well-defined corridor before branching out towards two general trip destinations. Birds leaving in late November travelled towards the Subtropical Front some 800 km south of Tasmania, whereas penguins that left in December headed further towards the subantarctic front. Using K-select analysis we examined the influence of oceanographic factors on the penguins’ dispersal. Water depth, surface current velocity and sea level anomalies had the greatest influence on penguin movements at the subantarctic Front, while sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration were key for birds travelling to the subtropical front. We discuss our findings in the light of anthropogenic activities (or lack thereof) in the regions visited by the penguins as well as the potential consequences of Tawaki pre-moult dispersal for the species’ breeding distribution on the New Zealand mainland.

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published on: 08/08/2018

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Agnew, P., Cannell, B., Carlile, N., Carroll, G., Chiaradia, A., Colombelli-Négrel, D., Copley, P., Dann, P., Garcia Borboroglu , P., Grosser, S., Holmberg, R., Houston, D., O’Neill, L., Ramirez, F., Sutherland, D., Tennyson, A., Waugh, S., & Woehler, E.

journal: BirdLife International Assessment for IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be stable, with localised decreases in population size driven by human disturbance and climatic variability, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has now been quantified at under 500,000 breeding adults, not approaching the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

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published on: 01/04/2018

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Robin Long

journal:

Nests of Fiordland Penguins were monitored using motion activated cameras for four breeding seasons at two colonies and a single breeding season at a third colony, all in South Westland. The objective was to determine which introduced mammals preyed on Fiordland Penguin eggs, chicks or adults. Stoats were the only introduced mammals recorded preying on Fiordland penguin eggs or chicks, but only some years with marked differences in the level of predation between our two study colonies. The reasons for the year to year and site to site differences observed could not be determined. Landscape level predator control by 1080 appears to benefit Fiordland penguins but data to support this is largely anecdotal. Further research is required. Predation by stoats appears most intense in years following masting of beech or podocarps in nearby forests, but more rigorous testing of this is required. Landscape level control of predators immediately following masting in nearby forests appears likely to benefit Fiordland Penguins. Possums rats and mice do not appear to pose a threat to Fiordland penguins. Fiordland penguins do not perceive any of the introduced mammals present as a threat.

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published on: 01/10/2017

author and co-authors: Susan M Waugh, Kerry-Jayne Wilson

journal: Marine Ornithology

Abstract

Threat status assessments provide a benchmark for identifying priorities for conservation and related research for special-status species. We review data about an endemic New Zealand seabird, the Westland Petrel Procellaria westlandica, and provide information to assist future threat assessment reviews. A range of threats have potential or have already contributed to reductions in population growth at a level that may exceed 10% over 10 years (ranked “High” or “High potential” threats). The realised (observed) threats include landslips and extreme climate events that degrade nesting habitat; bycatch mortality in commercial, recreational, and high-seas fisheries; attraction of fledglings to lights; and the potential encroachment of pigs Sus scrofa and dogs Canis familiaris into breeding areas. Low-ranked threats (which may contribute <10% to population reduction over 10 years) include habitat degradation by browsing introduced mammals and land development; death of individuals by striking wires or buildings; disturbance at colonies; the petrels’ consumption of fisheries waste and plastics; human harvest; and naturally occurring mortality such as predation by native species or entrapment in tree branches and vines. Population size estimation, demographic modelling, and trend information indicate that the population is small (~2 800 breeding pairs), with very low productivity and therefore potential vulnerability to stochastic events. Recent surveys show that the area of breeding habitat occupied by the birds is only about 0.16 km2. Storm events in 2014 severely reduced habitat quality, destroyed large parts of some colonies, and increased the likelihood of further erosion and landslip for at least 75% of the global breeding population. Storm impacts at other colonies have not yet been assessed. In light of this information, we recommend immediate review of the threat status of the species and initiation of mitigation to reduce the severity of threats. The information available indicates that a relisting to IUCN Endangered status may be warranted, and that the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels threat assessments should be revised to include two high-level potential threats: pig predation and dog predation.

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published on: 01/10/2017

author and co-authors: Airam Rodriguez, Nick D. Holmes, Peter G. Ryan, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Lucie Faulquier, Yovana Murillo, Andre F. Raine, Jay F. Penniman, Veronica Neves, Beneharo Rodriguez, Juan J. Negro, Andre Chiaradia, Peter Dann, Tracy Anderson, Benjamin Metzger, Masaki Shirai, Lorna Deppe, Jennifer Wheeler, Peter Hodum, Catia Gouveia, Vanda Carmo, Gilberto P. Carreira, Luis Delgado-Alburqueque, Carlos Guerra-Correa, Francois-Xavier Couzi, Marc Travers, and Matthieu Le Corre

journal: Conservation Biology

Abstract

Artificial lights at night cause high mortality of seabirds, one of the most endangered groups of birds globally. Fledglings of burrow-nesting seabirds, and to a lesser extent adults, are attracted to and then grounded (i.e., forced to land) by lights when they fly at night. We reviewed the current state of knowledge of seabird attraction to light to identify information gaps and propose measures to address the problem. Although species in families such as Alcidae and Anatidae can be grounded by artificial light, the most affected seabirds are petrels and shearwaters (Procellariiformes). At least 56 species of Procellariiformes, more than one-third of them (24) threatened, are subject to grounding by lights. Seabirds grounded by lights have been found worldwide, mainly on oceanic islands but also at some continental locations. Petrel breeding grounds confined to formerly uninhabited islands are particularly at risk from light pollution due to tourism and urban sprawl. Where it is impractical to ban external lights, rescue programs of grounded birds offer the most immediate and employed mitigation to reduce the rate of light-induced mortality and save thousands of birds every year. These programs also provide useful information for seabird management. However, these data are typically fragmentary, biased, and uncertain and can lead to inaccurate impact estimates and poor understanding of the phenomenon of seabird attraction to lights. We believe the most urgently needed actions to mitigate and understand light-induced mortality of seabirds are estimation of mortality and effects on populations; determination of threshold light levels and safe distances from light sources; documentation of the fate of rescued birds; improvement of rescue campaigns, particularly in terms of increasing recovery rates and level of care; and research on seabird-friendly lights to reduce attraction.

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published on: 30/03/2017

author and co-authors: Timothee A. Poupart, Susan M. Waugh, Caroline Bost, Charles-Andre Bost, Todd Dennis, Reuben Lane, Karyne Rogers, Junichi Sugishita, Graeme A. Taylor, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Jingjing Zhang & John P. Y. Arnould

journal: New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Abstract

The little penguin Eudyptula minor is primarily an inshore forager with its range generally limited to c. 30 km of breeding sites during the nesting period. However, exceptions with greater foraging distances have been recorded in Australia. To investigate the foraging range plasticity in New Zealand we used GPS tracks gathered on 68 individuals in three regions of central New Zealand between 2011 and 2016. Foraging patterns varied between sites and between years. Tracks revealed that penguins can rely on distant foraging areas while incubating, with nesting birds travelling up to 214 km to feed. Isotope analyses of blood samples showed that this distant food across deep waters (0–200 m) is likely to be squid dominated. During the chick rearing period, birds undertook a diet shift to a higher trophic level while foraging closer to their colony, and possibly near river plumes. These findings highlight the need to consider the little penguins’ large potential foraging ranges when managing threats and changes to the environment.

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published on: 15/03/2017

author and co-authors: Chris S.M. Turney, Christopher J. Fogwill, Jonathan G. Palmer, Erik van Sebille, Zoë Thomas, Matt McGlone, Sarah Richardson, Janet M. Wilmshurst, Pavla Fenwick, Violette Zunz, Hugues Goosse, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Lionel Carter, Mathew Lipson, Richard T. Jones, Melanie Harsch, Graeme Clark, Ezequiel Marzinelli, Tracey Rogers, Eleanor Rainsley, Laura Ciasto, Stephanie Waterman, Elizabeth R. Thomas, Martin Visbeck

journal: Climate of the Past

Abstract

Occupying about 14 % of the world’s surface, the
Southern Ocean plays a fundamental role in ocean and atmosphere circulation, carbon cycling and Antarctic ice-sheet
dynamics. Unfortunately, high interannual variability and a
dearth of instrumental observations before the 1950s limits
our understanding of how marine–atmosphere–ice domains
interact on multi-decadal timescales and the impact of anthropogenic forcing. Here we integrate climate-sensitive tree
growth with ocean and atmospheric observations on southwest Pacific subantarctic islands that lie at the boundary of
polar and subtropical climates (52–54◦ S). Our annually resolved temperature reconstruction captures regional change
since the 1870s and demonstrates a significant increase in
variability from the 1940s, a phenomenon predating the observational record. Climate reanalysis and modelling show a
parallel change in tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures
that generate an atmospheric Rossby wave train which propagates across a large part of the Southern Hemisphere during the austral spring and summer. Our results suggest that
modern observed high interannual variability was established
across the mid-twentieth century, and that the influence of
contemporary equatorial Pacific temperatures may now be a
permanent feature across the mid- to high latitudes.

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published on: 01/02/2017

author and co-authors: Robin Long,

journal: Notornis, 2017, Vol. 64

Abstract

A survey of Fiordland crested penguin/tawaki, Eudyptes pachyrhynchus, breeding colonies between Cascade River and Martins Bay, South Westland, was undertaken from August to September 2014 to obtain an accurate population estimate for the area. A total of 835 nests was found, making this one of the major breeding locations for the species. This total represents a minimum estimate as tawaki nests are spread through large areas of dense forest and are very difficult to locate, and so count accurately. A total of 150 nests was observed in previous surveys of the same location. This dramatic difference in results (835 vs. 150) is attributed to a difference in survey methods and the surveyor’s familiarity with the breeding area, not a population increase. Given these results and the difficulty involved in locating tawaki, it is likely that the species’ overall population size has been significantly underestimated.

Keywords Fiordland crested penguin; Eudyptes pachyrhynchus; population estimate; survey; south Westland; distribution; abundance; breeding colony

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published on: 01/01/2017

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Alice Barthel, Mathew Lipson, Christopher Fogwill, Chris Turney

journal: Online

Abstract

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013-14 presented an opportunity to add to existing knowledge on the distribution and abundance of seabirds on the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. Here we report observations of cliff nesting species on Enderby Island (Auckland Islands). The distribution of burrow breeding petrels is poorly documented, especially so at the Auckland Islands where petrels were surveyed on Ewing, Masked and Figure of Eight Islands. Ewing Island is of particular interest as seabird abundance and diversity has apparently declined with the spread of an introduced tree daisy. As climate is projected to become more variable and sea conditions change, inshore foraging, sub-Antarctic birds such as penguins, shags and terns are likely to be affected. We review the data on shag and Antarctic tern numbers on the islands visited and recommend colonies for regular monitoring.

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published on: 01/01/2017

author and co-authors: Thomas Mattern, Robin Long

journal: Notornis

The Fiordland penguin, or tawaki (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), is one of three endemic crested penguin species in New Zealand (Garcia Borboroglu & Boersma 2013). Despite being the only eudyptid species to breed on the mainland, it remains one of the least studied penguin species world-wide; only a handful of studies have been published which mainly focussed on breeding biology (e.g. Warham 1974; St Clair 1992; McLean et al. 2000) or demography (e.g. McLean et al. 1997; Otley et al. 2017). The main reason for this dearth of research is likely because the species breeds in remote and difficult to access areas of South Westland, Fiordland, Stewart Island and its outlying islands; this also results in uncertainty about population size (Mattern 2013).

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published on: 01/06/2016

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson,

journal:

The Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica Falla 1946) is an endemic seabird that breeds during winter in broadleaf/podocarp rainforest on coastal hills near Punakaiki on the South Island West Coast (Waugh & Bartle 2013, Wood & Otley 2013). Prior to human arrival 16 species of Procellariiformes (albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters and storm petrels) bred on the New Zealand mainland (Holdaway et al. 2001) but only the Westland petrel was large enough and feisty enough to survive in lowland habitats where almost all introduced predators are common.

This report considers all relevant published and unpublished material to summarise the ecology of and threats to the Westland petrel.  Research and management priorities are presented and greater advocacy for the conservation of these birds sought.

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published on: 02/02/2016

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Chris S.M. Turney, Christopher J. Fogwill, Estelle Blair

journal: Antarctic Science

Abstract

The arrival of iceberg B09B in Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica, and subsequent fast ice expansion has dramatically increased the distance Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding at Cape Denison must travel in search of food. This has provided a natural experiment to investigate the impact of iceberg stranding events and sea ice expansion along the East Antarctic coast. As part of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013–14, the Adélie penguin colony at Cape Denison was censused to compare to historic counts. Whilst some 5520 pairs still bred at Cape Denison there has been an order of magnitude decline in Adélie numbers in the area in comparison to the first counts a century ago and, critically, recent estimates based on satellite images and a census in 1997. In contrast, an Adélie population on the eastern fringe of Commonwealth Bay just 8 km from the fast ice edge was thriving, indicating the arrival of B09B and fast ice expansion was probably responsible for the observed recent population decline. In conclusion, the Cape Denison population could be extirpated within 20 years unless B09B relocates or the now perennial fast ice within the bay breaks out. Our results have important implications for wider East Antarctic if the current increasing sea ice trend continues.

Key words: Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013/4, iceberg stranding events

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published on: 01/01/2016

author and co-authors: Sarah E. Jamieson, Alan J.D. Tennyson, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Elizabeth Crotty, Colin M. Miskelly, Graeme A. Taylor, Susan M. Waugh

journal: Tuhinga: Records of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Abstract

Prions are among of the most numerous birds of the Southern Ocean, and yet their populations are poorly documented. New Zealand has breeding populations of four of the six recognised species, all with large population sizes. The remaining two
species occur naturally in the New Zealand zone but do not breed there. This review reports data collated from the scientific literature, government archives and unpublished information about the population sizes of prions gathered since earliest scientific records in New Zealand (1773, during James Cook’s second voyage) until the present day. The study focuses on breeding populations, and reports data about population size and presence or absence of prion populations from sites throughout the New Zealand region. The summary presented provides a solid baseline for future population assessments and identifies priority sites where future surveys are warranted.

KEYWORDS: prions, Pachyptila, population sizes, population distribution, Procellariiformes, range, seabirds, New Zealand.

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published on: 31/12/2015

author and co-authors: Reuben Lane,

journal:

Report on visit to Wall Island to assess the breeding population of fairy prion (Pachyptila turtur) and sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) on the island

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published on: 01/07/2015

author and co-authors: Susan M. Waugh, Tim Poupart, Kerry-Jayne Wilson

journal: Notornis

In April 2014 the tropical cyclone Ita developed in the South Pacific region. The remnants of the cyclone hit the west coast of the South Island on 17 April 2014, with strong southeast winds ‒ gusts of 126 km/h were recorded at Westport Airport, the highest since 1973 when records began (NIWA 2015), along with heavy rain. Southeast winds are rare in this area. This caused widespread damage to indigenous forest, with many trees uprooted or damaged. The storm also affected the petrel colonies: windfall of canopy trees and landslips were recorded in the nesting areas of the Westland petrel, especially on steep slopes and ridges, where petrel nests are concentrated (Waugh 2014). Many trees and tree-ferns were stripped of foliage, although many have subsequently regrown their leaves. One year after the storm, we conducted a survey of the storm damage on 6 of the most accessible of the breeding colonies. Our objective was to conduct a preliminary assessment of the extent of storm damage to the colonies, so that quantitative surveys could be planned and implemented.

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published on: 15/04/2015

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, C. Turney, C. Fogwill, J. Hunter

journal: Marine Ornithology

We censused breeding South Polar Skuas Stercorarius maccormicki at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, in 2013, and collated all available South Polar Skua counts in the wider Commonwealth Bay area, including previously unpublished records from the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911–1914. Counts made in 1912, 1913, 1982, 2002 and 2013 indicate that the population has remained stable over the last century. These counts also indicate that the density of the resident skua population in this region is lower than the densities recorded in other parts of Antarctica.

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published on: 08/04/2015

author and co-authors: Susan M. Waugh, Christophe Barbraud, Lynn Adams, Amanda N. D. Freeman, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Graham Wood, Todd J. Landers, and G. Barry Baker

journal: The Condor

Abstract

The use of long-term ecological datasets to explore the importance of the effects of environmental variability on higher predator populations has been focused mainly on high-latitude areas. We modeled the population dynamics of the Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica), which spends its time mostly in subtropical waters during both breeding and the interbreeding migration across the Pacific Ocean. We found that the population has slowly increased since the early 1970s, a result of high adult survival, high fecundity (0.6 of all eggs laid survived to fledge) and moderate mean age at first return to the colony (7.7 yr; a recruitment age typical for this genus), strong recruitment rate of juveniles, and negligible emigration. The modeled population trends were supported by similar rates of increase in nest occupancy since 2001 and nest density since 2007. Annual adult survival for breeders was the same for both sexes (0.954, 95% CI: 0.918–0.975) and constant across years. However, nonbreeders had lower survival rates than breeders, and, among nonbreeders, males tended to survive better (0.926, 95% CI: 0.917–0.934) than females (0.917, 95% CI: 0.900–0.931). Breeders transitioned to the nonbreeding state at a rate of 0.232 and nonbreeders to the breeding state at a rate of 0.295. Sea-surface temperature anomalies had a negative effect on adult survival during the breeding period and a positive effect on survival outside the breeding season. Local marine productivity as measured by fishery catches was strongly correlated with adult survival: Years with a greater fish catch were also years of higher adult survival. Despite many threats operating throughout the breeding and foraging range of Westland Petrels, it appears that marine environmental change is a strongly influential factor for the species, with uncertainty in population growth due to predicted increases in sea-surface temperature in the future.

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published on: 01/12/2014

author and co-authors: Leon Dalziel, Shared input by WCPT and Department of Conservation

journal:

Comprehensive visual representation of all recorded blue penguin deaths (and causes) between 2000-2014.

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published on: 01/08/2014

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Helen Otley

journal: Online

This workshop was a follow up from two day New Zealand seabirds research and management workshop held at Te Papa in May 2013. In 2013 the time devoted to determining priorities for penguins was limited and the Oamaru Penguin Symposium
(10-11 July 2014) presented an opportunity to review, reassess and refine the recommendations arising from the May 2013 workshop. Prior to the Oamaru workshop we requested that people undertaking research or conservation management on New Zealand penguins provide an outline of their current or recently completed research and or management. These fact sheets were circulated to workshop participants prior to the workshop and are included as Appendix 3 of this report.

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published on: 01/07/2013

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Susan Waugh

journal:

A workshop to determine research and management priorities for New Zealand breeding albatrosses and petrels held in August 2012 ‘s highlighted the need for greater communication and collaboration between people undertaking research on and management of seabirds in New Zealand. It was apparent that a lot of research and conservation was being undertaken that few other workers knew about. A two day long follow up meeting was held at Te Papa in Wellington in May 2013 this time extended to include all New Zealand breeding seabirds. This is a report on that May 2013 meeting.

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published on: 01/01/2013

author and co-authors: Susan M. Waugh, Alan J.D. Tennyson, Graeme A. Taylor, Kerry-Jayne Wilson

journal: Tuhinga

Abstract

We reviewed population data for the nine taxa of shearwaters Puffinus spp. that nest in the New Zealand region. Data for about 350 current breeding colonies were found, and each taxon nested at between three and about 180 localities. We reviewed the information to assess time-series of information for each population and, where possible, to determine trend and total population size. However, few of the species had robust enough information to allow those assessments to be made. We recommend high-priority sites for future monitoring, and encourage other researchers to publish or make available findings from previous work to assist in building a comprehensive picture of the status of shearwater populations.

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published on: 01/07/2011

author and co-authors: Jasmine Braidwood, J Kunz, Kerry-Jayne Wilson

journal: New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Abstract

We estimated the effect of selected habitat variables on burrow occupancy rate and breeding success of blue penguins in two regions of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, South Westland (three colonies) and Buller (five colonies), in order to measure the impact of habitat changes on the West Coast blue penguin population. In both regions, habitat type did not appear to influence the breeding success of burrows and there was no significant difference in breeding success between colonial and isolated breeders in either region. Proximity to the hightide line and scrubline influenced the occupancy of nests in Buller but not in South Westland. Breeding success was apparently unrelated to the proximity of nests to the sea or to a road/track, suggesting that disturbance did not influence breeding success. These findings provide baseline data against which to measure the consequences of changes in breeding habitat and their impact on West Coast penguin populations, and guide the placement of artificial nest boxes.

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published on: 25/05/2011

author and co-authors: J Braidwood, J Kunz, K-J Wilson

journal: New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Abstract:

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published on: 02/02/2011

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Reuben Lane, Jasmine Braidwood, Anna Columbus, Ieuan Davies

journal:

Predation by introduced mustelids is a major cause of breeding failure in white-flippered penguins (Eudyptula minor albosignata) on Banks Peninsula and has either been shown to be, or assumed to be an important cause of breeding failure in blue penguins (E. minor) elsewhere in New Zealand. We have monitored breeding success in blue penguin colonies with, and colonies with no mustelid control near Charleston for three years and in South Westland for two years. We have found no significant differences in breeding success between colonies with or without mustelid control in any breeding season at either area. Breeding success has generally been high in all colonies in all study years with about half the pairs fledging two chicks. Breeding success was lower in one Charleston colony in 2010 with flooding of nesting burrows and other natural events contributing to the loss of eggs and chicks. Breeding success was also low in the predator trapped colony in South Westland apparently also due to natural mortality. Our Penguin Mortality Database has shown roadkills and dogs to be the most significant mortality factor for West Coast penguins, with most deaths apparently being of adult penguins, which has a greater impact on population viability than breeding failure.

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published on: 19/02/2010

author and co-authors: Sol Heber, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Laura Molles

journal: New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Abstract

This paper presents the first detailed study of the timing and breeding success of an apparently declining population of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast, South island, New Zealand. Nest contents of 138 natural bur- rows and 19 nest boxes were determined at regular intervals during the 2006 breeding season. Hatch- ing, fledging, and overall breeding success rates were comparatively high at 78.9, 83.9, and 66.2%, respectively, suggesting that the apparent population decline cannot be explained solely by low breeding success. With 1.18 fledglings produced per pair, productivity was lower than on the east coast of the South island, possibly due to the absence of double clutching. The high incidence of road kills suggests that road traffic may be a major contributing factor to the decline of the blue penguin population in the study area.

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published on: 01/01/2008

author and co-authors: Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Sol Heber, Robyn Blyth, Laura Molles, Helen Chambers, Jill Cotton

journal:

Local residents noticed a decline in the number of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor), but the evidence was anecdotal. No prior counts or distribution surveys, so it was impossible to determine if declines were real. The breeding season for the West Coast population was unknown. Potential threats included: introduced predators, free-roaming dogs, road kills, land development, coastal erosion, predation by weka, fisheries bycatch and other at-seas threats.

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