--- title: "Flesh-footed shearwater population monitoring on three New Zealand islands, 2021/22" --- # Flesh-footed shearwater population monitoring on three New Zealand islands, 2021/22 [![Flesh footed Shearwater 2 Kirk Zufelt](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Flesh_footed/Flesh-footed_Shearwater_2_Kirk_Zufelt.jpg)](http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/flesh-footed-shearwater-ardenna-carneipes) *A Flesh-footed Shearwater rests at sea, photograph by Kirk Zufelt* The Conservation Services Programme ([CSP](http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal/commercial-fishing/conservation-services-programme/)) of New Zealand’s [Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) works to reduce the impact of commercial fishing on protected species in New Zealand fisheries waters.  Here are [summaries](https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/conservation-services-programme/csp-reports/202122/flesh-footed-shearwater-population-monitoring-and-estimates-202122/) of two of its most recent final reports by ecological consultancy [Wildlife Management International](https://www.wmil.co.nz/) on the globally [Near Threatened](http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/22698188) Flesh-footed Shearwater *Ardenna carneipes,* a species that has been identified for listing by ACAP ([click here](https://acap.aq/latest-news/4482-the-acap-monthly-missive-should-more-shearwaters-be-listed-by-the-agreement)). **Lady Alice and Ohinau Island** This report covers the findings from the first year of flesh-footed shearwater (*Ardenna carneipes*) research under Conservation Services Programme project POP2021-04. Here we report on the ongoing population monitoring of flesh-footed shearwaters on Ohinau and Lady Alice Islands. An updated population estimate for Titi Island, Marlborough Sounds is presented in a separate report. During the 2021/22 season we monitored 261 and 302 study burrows on Ohinau and Lady Alice Islands respectively. The breeding success (burrows with an egg that produce a chick that is likely to survive to fledging) on Ohinau Island was 59%, similar to the 58% measured in the 2020/21 season. Breeding success on Lady Alice Island was 51%, which was also similar to the 48% measured in 2020/21 season. There were no detectable differences in breeding success between study and burrowscope (control) burrows, indicating no impact of handler disturbance. We were able to identify 73% of the birds in breeding study burrows on Ohinau Island and 93% in burrows on Lady Alice Island. An additional 349 and 165 flesh-footed shearwaters were banded on Ohinau and Lady Alice Island respectively.  **Titi Island** This report covers the findings from the first year of toanui/flesh-footed shearwater (*Ardenna carneipes*) (Threat Status - At Risk: Relict) research under the Department of Conservation’s Conservation Services Programme, project ‘DOC CSP POP2021-04’. Here we report on the flesh-footed shearwater population estimate undertaken on Titi Island, Marlborough, to update previous estimates made in 2010 and 2014 (Baker *et al*. 2010 and Waugh *et al*. 2014). Burrow transects were carried out on Titi Island to gather data for an updated population estimate for flesh-footed shearwaters known to breed on the island. It is estimated that there are a total of 528 (250 – 806, 95% CI) occupied flesh-footed shearwater burrows on Titi Island with an average burrow occupancy of 15% calculated across all colony areas. Through this transect work, it was also possible to calculate a population estimate for the tītī/sooty shearwaters (*Ardenna grisea*) (Threat Status - At Risk: Declining) breeding on the island. It is estimated that there are a total of 1,038 (544 - 1,533, 95% CI) occupied sooty shearwater burrows on Titi Island with an average burrow occupancy of 25%, calculated as an average across all colony areas. The flesh-footed shearwater population estimate presented here for Titi Island is slightly higher than the previous estimate carried out by Baker *et al*. (2010) and Waugh *et al*. (2014). We conclude that our estimates are not necessarily reflective of a population increase, but more likely a result of more in-depth and higher-quality sampling and analysis techniques giving a more accurate estimate of population sizes compared to the two previous estimates. We recommend another future population estimate be undertaken in 5 years, utilising the same methods to support long term population trend analyses on Titi Island. **References:** Burgin, D., and Ray, S. 2022.  Flesh-footed shearwater population monitoring and estimates: 2021/22 season.  POP2021-04 final report prepared by Wildlife Management International Limited for the Department of Conservation, Wellington.  24 pp. Burgin, D. & Lamb, S. 2022.  Toanui/flesh-footed shearwater (*Ardenna carneipes*) population estimate for Titi Island, Marlborough Sounds: January 2022.  POP2021-04 final report prepared by Wildlife Management International Limited for Department of Conservation, Wellington.  23 pp. Both reports are available from [here](https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/conservation-services-programme/csp-reports/202122/flesh-footed-shearwater-population-monitoring-and-estimates-202122/). *John Cooper, ACAP News Correspondent, 26 December 2022*