Newell’s Shearwater; photograph by Lindsay Young

André Raine (Archipelago Research and Conservation, Hanapepe, Kaua‘I, Hawaii, USA) and colleagues have published in the journal Waterbirds on nest-site aspects of the Endangered Hawaiian Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis and the Critically Endangered Newell's Shearwater Puffinus newelli on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“The nest site characteristics of two endangered seabird species – the Hawaiian Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis and Newell's Shearwater Puffinus newelli – on Kaua‘i were considered.  Burrows of both species were predominantly found under tree roots or small caves on steep slopes and were associated with native plants, both in the canopy (particularly Metrosideros polymorpha) and the understory (particularly Dicranopteris linearis).  There were, however, marked differences between the two species.  Petrels were found at higher elevations with a shorter, patchy canopy and more open understory.  Models using microhabitat variables were better able to classify burrows than those using landscape topographic metrics, suggesting that metrics describing the immediate area around the burrow are more important to burrow selection.   A comparative model indicated that elevation and maximum vegetation height were the strongest variables in classifying between the two species.  Understanding microhabitat needs for these species is important for locating new colonies and for the successful implementation of management actions such as colony creation through social attraction.  Furthermore, wih the spread of Rapid’Ōhi’a Death canker disease Ceratocystis huliohia on Kaua‘i, the heavy reliance by both species on forest dominated by M. polymorpha (the tree killed by this disease) should be of increasing consideration for conservation efforts targeting these species.”

A Hawaiian Petrel chick in its burrow; photograph by André Raine

Reference:

Raine, A.F., Driskill, S., Rothe, J. & Vynne. M. 2021.  Nest site characteristics of two endangered seabirds in montane wet forests on the island of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, USA.  Waterbirds 44: 472-482.

John Cooper, ACAP News Correspondent, 13 September 2022

A Manx Shearwater amongst flowers; photograph by Chris Perrins

Clare L. Alley (School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom) and colleagues have published open access in Seabird on the prevalence of plastic ingestion by Manx Shearwaters on Skomer Island, Wales.

ACAP has recently announced “Plastic Pollution” as the 2023 theme for World Albatross Day, marked annually on June 19. The Manx Shearwater is not an ACAP-listed species, however it, along with many albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters and other seabirds, are foraging in waters increasingly polluted with plastic. 

Two new albatross species will be used to feature the theme for next year’s World Albatross Day, with artworks, posters, infographics and a music video.  These will be the globally Endangered Northern Royal Albatross D. sanfordi, endemic to New Zealand, and the abundant and widespread Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris.  In addition, coverage will be given to last year’s featured species, the Black-footed Phoebastria nigripes and Laysan P. immutabilis Albatrosses of the North Pacific, which ingest more plastic than do the southern hemisphere species.

More information on next year's World Albatross Day and its theme of "Plastic Pollution" can be found at the ACAP website, here. 

The paper's abstract is as follows:

“Plastic debris is ubiquitous in the marine environment, and seabirds are among the most impacted marine vertebrates. Plastic ingestion was investigated in an internationally-important breeding population of Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus on Skomer Island, Wales in 2018–19. Opportunistic necropsies were carried out on a total of 34 birds to collect contents of the gastrointestinal tract: 13 adults in April – July 2018 and 12 fledglings during September 2019, and a further nine opportunistic necropsies carried out from adults in July – September 2018. The presence, quantity, size and colour of plastic in the gastrointestinal tract was investigated. Plastic was found in 71% of stomach contents (68% of adults, 75% of fledglings). Adults were found to have larger plastic pieces in their gastrointestinal tract than fledglings, and lighter birds had larger pieces of plastic in their tracts than heavier birds. This study shows that Manx Shearwaters on Skomer Island are vulnerable to plastic ingestion, and that adults are likely to pass plastic to their chicks.”

REFERENCE:

Alley, C.L., Arkless, S., Ames, E., Abrahams, M., Gentle, L.K. and Wood, M.J. 2022. Plastic ingestion in adult and fledgling Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus on Skomer Island, Wales. Seabird: 34.http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/seabird-34

Posted 12 September 2022

North West Island, Australia, the site of a successful house mice eradication operation

After a two-year campaign, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has managed to successfully eradicate the invasive House Mice from a significant seabird breeding island off the coast of Queensland, Australia.  A popular tourist destination located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, North West Island is home to more than 70% of the east-coast Wedge-tailed Shearwater population. Surveys of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater conducted between 2016 and 2019 showed a 40 per cent decline in the island's population.  Although not an ACAP-listed species, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters face similar threats to their survival as those listed: accidental death in fishing gear, introduced predators, diseases, habitat loss, human disturbance, pollution and climate change.

Aerial baiting was chosen for the eradication due to its precision and cost efficiency

A feasibility study for an eradication campaign, offering several management options and technical advice was completed in 2013, with the campaign beginning in earnest in 2020. The operation consisted of three aerial drops of 12 kg of bait per hectare, spaced 21 days apart and was carried out by an air and ground team. The island remained closed for a further 60 days to visitors to ensure sufficient breakdown of bait pellets to a point at which they posed no health risks to humans.

A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Ranger checks for mouse prints on an ink trap

The campaign was declared a success after two years of ink-trap monitoring showed no indication of House Mice on the island. However, bait stations will continue to be maintained for detection and early control should the mice return. 

A three and a half minute video about the campaign, produced by Australia’s public broadcaster the ABC, is shown below.  It is also available to watch from here.

From infestation to eradication: This Great Barrier Reef Island is mice free

All photographs courtesy of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Posted 9 September 2022, updated 12 September 2022

Gently does it: Tatiana Neves releases the rehabilitated Black-browed Albatross at sea; photograph by Emanuel Ferreira

A juvenile Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris was received by the wildlife rehabilitation organization R3 Animal after rescue from the shore at Praia da Armação (Armacao Beach), Florianópolis, Brazil on 31 July by the Bacia de Santos Beach Monitoring Project (Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias da Bacia de Santos).  Upon admission, the bird was found to be thin, extremely dehydrated and with ectoparasites present.

On discovery; photograph by Josiele Felli

Following health checks and medication over three weeks of rehabilitation it was released at sea near Xavier Island, Florianópolis, when it was photographed taking to flight from the water.  Aboard the release vessel was a team from the NGO Projeto Albatroz, including its founder and general coordinator, Tatiana Neves, who was given the honours of making the actual release.

After release: on the water and taking off; photographs by Nilson Coelho

Tatiana writes (in translation) “It was magic for me! After 33 years dedicating my life to the conservation of these birds, I'd never had the opportunity to release a live albatross.  A beautiful day, a beautiful rehabilitation job and a magnificent animal.”

Tatiana Neves with ACAP’s then Information Officer, John Cooper, Florianópolis, Brazil, when attending the Eleventh Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee (AC11), May 2019

Tatiana Neves is a long-time supporter of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement, having attended many of its meetings since its inception as a member of the Brazilian Delegation or representing her NGO.  After serving as a coordinator of an ACAP working group, she is currently the Vice-Chair of the ACAP Advisory Committee.  It has been a great pleasure working with Tati on albatross conservation all these years.  Now retired from the ACAP Secretariat, I will miss our annual meetings around the world.

John Cooper, ACAP News Correspondent, 08 September 2022