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: 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: 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: 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: 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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