Marcel Gil-Velasco and colleagues have published in this month in the journal British Birds on identifying the three small shearwaters that breed within Europe.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Three medium-sized Puffinus shearwaters breed in Europe: Manx P. puffinus, Yelkouan P. yelkouan and Balearic Shearwaters P. mauretanicus.  These three, considered a single, polytypic species until relatively recently, can be difficult to identify in some situations, notably in a vagrant context.  This paper presents a detailed review of the plumage variability of the three taxa; combined with an understanding of structural differences and flight characteristics, this should provide a sound basis for the identification of problematic individuals.”

Balearic Shearwater

Reference:

Gil-Velasco, M., Rodríguez, G., Menzie, S., Arcos, J.M. 2015.  Plumage variability and field identification of Manx, Yelkouan and Balearic Shearwaters.  British Birds Vol. 108.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 September 2015

Nikolas Haass has written a well-illustrated paper on separating juvenile Grey-headed Thalassarche chrysostoma, Black-browed T. melanophris and Campbell T. impavida Albatrosses at sea in The Petrel for 2014.

The paper’s abstract follows

“Prompted by the paucity of documented sightings of Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma in Queensland and New South Wales and a series of misidentifications in several online platforms, this article aims to provide an update on the separation of juvenile and immature Grey-headed Albatross from Black-browed Th. melanophris and Campbell Albatross Th. impavida.”

Subadult Grey-headed Albatross, photograph by Kirk Zufelt

Reference:

Haasse, N.K. [2015?]. The Grey-headed Albatross conundrum at the Australian east coast.  In Walbridge, P. (Ed.).  The Petrel 2014.  Annual Report for Southport The Brisbane Seabird Study Group SOSSA, Northern Sector.  pp. 96-107.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 September 2015

Bob Flood and colleagues have published in the journal British Birds on ageing criteria for ACAP-listed Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris.

The paper’s abstract follows.

“The basics of moult, wear, plumage and bill colour are described and illustrated for the Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris.  Ageing criteria are presented for birds up to six years old, after which the majority cannot be aged accurately.”

Black-browed Albatross, photograph by John Larsen

Reference:

Flood, B., Fisher, A. &Gale, J. 2015.  Ageing criteria for the Black-browed Albatross.  British Birds Vol. 108.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 September 2015

It is now well known that ACAP-listed albatrosses as well as burrowing petrels face fatal attacks on their chicks by House Mice Mus musculus on Gough Island in the South Atlantic, including on the Critically Endangered and near island-endemic Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena – as regularly reported in ACAP Latest News (click here).  Following more than a decade of research and planning, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB; BirdLife International’s UK partner) is now seeking an experienced person to assist the RSPB's Globally Threatened Species Programme in the development of a mouse eradication project as part of the Gough Island Restoration Programme.

The original proof that Gough's ''killer" mice attack Tristan Albatross chicks, night-time photograph taken in winter 2004 by Ross Wanless 

The following text is taken from the job description for a Restoration Programme Operational Advisor:

“Evidence clearly shows that if mice are not eradicated from Gough Island they will continue to drive two endemic British birds, the Tristan albatross and the Gough bunting, towards extinction.  After many years of investment, all outstanding operational questions relating to the eradication of mice from Gough Island have now been successfully addressed.  Following detailed consideration of the risks and benefits of the programme, a two phased approach to the entire programme has been proposed.

We require a person experienced in the operational preparation and management of complex rodent eradications by aerial baiting.  This person will advise, assist and at times lead on developing the procurement plan along with all other planning documentation necessary to implement the mouse eradication component of the programme.”

Click here to obtain more information on the advertised post.  The closing date for applications is 8 October 2015.

Click here to access RSPB reports on Gough's mice, as well as the island's management plan. 

With thanks to John Kelly, RSPB Globally Threatened Species Programme Manager for information.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 September 2015