White-chinned Petrels are set to attempt breeding once more on New Island

A White-chinned Petrel at its burrow entrance on New Island, trail cam photograph by Falklands Conservation

White-chinned Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis are once again attempting to breed on New Island in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)*.  Historically, the population on New Island ranged between 30-50 pairs, but numbers have dropped to just five or six pairs in recent years, with no confirmed breeding success.  This (2024/2025) season at least five occupied burrows have been confirmed.

“Hopefully we can bring them back from the brink of local extinction on New Island with careful management, and ultimately by removing the invasive mammals which eat their eggs and chicks and threaten their survival.”

Read about artificial burrows for White-chinned Petrels on the island by the New Island Restoration Project (NIRP)  here.

News from the Facebook page of Falklands Conservation.

Reference:

Reid, T., Lecoq, M, & Catry, P. 2007.  The White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis population of the Falkland Islands.  Marine Ornithology 35: 57-60.

19 November 2024