Annual census of Northern Giant Petrels on Macquarie Island shows continued recovery after MIPEP

Biologist Kimberley Kliska currently based on Australia’s Macquarie Island reports on the latest census of ACAP-listed Northern Giant Petrels Macronectes halli after losses incurred during the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP).

“Over the past three weeks, the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife team of ranger Chris and wildlife ranger Marcus along with field biologist Kim and the assistance of trusty volunteers (Ali and George–BOM, chef Rocket and carpenter Joe), have been searching the featherbed for breeding northern giant petrels.  This work is part of the long-term monitoring of giant petrels on Macquarie Island to determine the population trend of these species informing international conservation management.

Northern giant petrels are one of two giant petrel species that breed on Macquarie Island annually, the other being the southern giant petrel.  Northern giant petrels are listed as a rare and vulnerable species under state and federal legislation, respectively.  Historically, the population has suffered from incidental mortality in fisheries and also predation by pest species, such as rats and mice.  The coastal nesting locations of giant petrels also leave them vulnerable to inundation by storm events and large waves: in October 2015 their population was impacted when many nests were washed away by large waves.

As both a scavenger and a predator that consumes small fish and the remains of carcasses, the giant petrels play a vital role in the Macquarie Island ecosystem.  Because of this, they were one species impacted during the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP), where in small numbers the giant petrels suffered incidental mortality through consumption of poisoned rabbit carcasses.  The census aims to monitor population recovery post MIPEP and meet Australia’s international obligations for monitoring threatened species.

The census, conducted in the north west of the island, counts and maps all the northern giant petrel nests in a set area each year.  This provides a comparable number of breeding attempts annually. A follow-up census in January counts all the surviving chicks, which provides an indication of breeding success. Last year the census showed that the population is stable and has continued to increase post-MIPEP.  This year it appears there is a slight increase in breeding numbers, however only time will tell if the chicks survive to continue the cycle.”

Taken from Macquarie’s weekly on-line newsletter (click here for census photos).

Northern Giant Petrel, photograph  by Marienne de Villiers

Read more about MIPEP here.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 October 2016