Hanna Granroth‐Wilding (Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland) and Richard Phillips have published in the journal Ibis on tracking Northern Macronectes halli and Southern M. giganteus Giant Petrels at sea through their breeding season.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Biological communities are shaped by competition between and within species. Competition is often reduced by inter‐ and intraspecific specialization on resources, such as differencet [sic] foraging areas or time, allowing similar species to coexist and potentially contributing to reproductive isolation. Here, we examine the simultaneous role of temporal and spatial foraging segregation within and between two sympatric sister species of seabirds, Northern Macronectes halli and Southern Macronectes giganteus Giant Petrels. These species show marked sexual size dimorphism and allochrony (with earlier breeding by Northern Giant Petrels) but this is the first study to test for differences in foraging behaviours and areas across the entire breeding season both between the two species and between the sexes. We tracked males and females of both species in all breeding stages at Bird Island, South Georgia, to test how foraging distribution, behaviour and habitat use vary between and within species in biological time (incubation, brood‐guard or post‐brood stages) and in absolute time (calendar date). Within each breeding stage, both species took trips of comparable duration to similar areas, but due to breeding allochrony they segregated temporally. Northern Giant Petrels had a somewhat smaller foraging range than Southern Giant Petrels, reflecting their greater exploitation of local carrion and probably contributing to their recent higher population growth. Within species, segregation was spatial, with females generally taking longer, more pelagic trips than males, although both sexes of both species showed unexpectedly plastic foraging behaviour. There was little evidence of interspecific differences in habitat use. Thus, in giant petrels, temporal segregation reduces interspecific competition and sexual segregation reduces intraspecific competition. These results demonstrate how both specialization and dynamic changes in foraging strategies at different scales underpin resource division within a community.”

A scavenging Southern Giant Petrel, photo by John Cooper

With thanks to Richard Phillips.

Reference:

Granroth‐Wilding, H.M.V. & Richard A. Phillips, R.A. 2019.  Segregation in space and time explains the coexistence of two sympatric sub‐Antarctic petrels.  Ibis 106: 101-116.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 January 2019

Through the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) the Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU); Coastal and Marine Research Institute, Nelson Mandela University in collaboration with the FitzPatrick Institute of Ornithology, University of Cape Town, is offering two full-time study opportunities (1 PhD [2019-2021] and 1 MSc [2019-2020]) starting in early 2019.

The two opportunities fall within the project ‘Small Procellariiformes as indicators of ecosystem changes and plastic pollution’ led by Dr Maëlle Connan (MAPRU) and Prof. Peter Ryan (FitzPatrick Institute).  This project intends to use burrowing seabirds, including three species of ACAP-listed Procellaria petrels, breeding on the Prince Edward Islands, the Tristan da Cunha Archipelago and possibly Antarctica as indicators of the health and status of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.  One aspect of the project focuses on the trophic ecology of these species that will be determined using direct (identification of prey remains) and indirect (stable isotopes, lipids) approaches.  The second aspect uses the birds as biological samplers to investigate the extent of plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean.  Micro and macro-plastic pollution loads will be estimated mostly from seabird stomach contents and pellets.  The combination of contemporary data with historical works will inform on the impact of global change on marine ecosystems as well as temporal trends in pollution loads.

Both candidates will be expected to work on both aspects of the project (trophic ecology and pollution loads).  The PhD candidate will be expected to work at the community level whereas the MSc candidate will work at the species level.  There is some flexibility and the two projects can be tailored to fit the interests of the suitable candidates.

The two projects will be co-supervised by Prof P. Ryan and Dr M. Connan.  The candidates will be based at Nelson Mandela University in Part Elizabeth with potential trips to the University of Cape Town.  Overwintering personnel are currently collecting samples on Marion and Gough Islands.  Fieldwork cannot be guaranteed but the successful candidates may conduct part of the fieldwork on one of the islands.

The successful applicants will be awarded an MSc bursary (South African Rands R70 000 per year) or a PhD bursary (South African 100 000 per year) and may apply for an additional Nelson Mandela University Research Bursary.  All other project related costs have also been secured.

White-chinned Petrels, photograph by Ben Phalan

Applications should include:

- A covering letter explaining the candidate suitability and interest for the project;

- A comprehensive CV, including contact details (e-mail addresses and telephone numbers) of at least three referees;

- Certified copies of academic records and ID; and

- A pdf copy of the BSc Honours (MSc project) or MSc thesis (PhD project).

Note: South African applicants will receive priority.  Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged individuals who are particularly encouraged to apply.  If you have not been contacted by 31 January, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.   The closing date is 25 January 2019.

Queries oand applications should be directed to Prof. Peter Ryan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Dr Maëlle Connan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

With thanks to Maëlle Connan.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 January 2019

Globally Near Threatened Laysan Albatrosses Phoebastria immutabilis have been reported breeding this season in the north-eastern corner of the Hawaiian Island of Oahu at Kahuku Point.  In response the NGO “non-profit” Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) has called for volunteers to undertake training to act as monitors and protectors for these birds.  HMAR’s mission is “to undertake substantial actions that result in the preservation, recovery and stewardship of Hawaii’s protected marine species and the ecosystem we share”.  According to Sheldon Plentovich of the USFWS Coastal Program Laysan Albatrosses have been attempting to nest in the area for at least five years, but the habitat has not been suitable, primarily due to a high density of predators.  Previously, some eggs have been removed for fostering purposes.  It is not thought any eggs laid in the past have reached hatching.

Further information comes from an early December Facebook post by another Oahu “non-profit", the North Shore Community Land Trust:

“It is mōlī (Laysan albatross) nesting season and we are excited to share that there are currently six potentially viable nests along the North Coast of Oʻahu from Kalaeokaunaoʻa (Kahuku Point) to James Campbell.  These amazing birds have decided that they think this area makes for a nice colony and we will be doing everything we can to give the nests a fighting chance.  This will not be easy and we will need help so please stay tuned for volunteer opportunities.  Predator controls [traps for feral cats and introduced Indian Mongooses Herpestes javanicus set prior to the birds' arrival] have been in place for the past month and we are escalating these efforts in response to the new nests. We ask that if you are in the area you enjoy these birds from afar and always keep your dogs on leashes.”

 A Laysan Albatross stands over its egg on Oahu's North Shore at Kahuku Point, photograph by Sheldon Plentovich

The trust through its Kahuku Point Restoration Project has been removing Casuarina trees, weeding out alien plants and planting out natives in the sand dune ecosystem at Kahuku Point (the northernmost point of Oahu and considered to be both culturally and ecologically significant), inter alia to improve breeding habitat for the albatrosses.  The birds' exact breeding sites, all falling within private properties, are not being made public in an effort to reduce human disturbance.  Posts connected by ropes and “do not disturb” signs have been placed near the nests which are all being monitored by trail cameras.  Sheldon writes to ACAP Latest News: "we plan to continue predator control and ultimately have a predator-proof fence if the community supports it". She also reports that most of the birds are banded; the two that are not are scheduled for banding only after hatching to reduce disturbance during incubation.

Laysan Albatrosses currently breed at three localities on Oahu where they are protected against predators by various types of fencing. These are the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve, the Kuaokala Game Management Area and the close-by James Campbell National Wildlife Reserve, approximately 1.5 km away from Kahuku Point.

The NGO Pacific Rim Conservation has been attempting to create a new colony within the James Campbell NWR by translocating and hand-rearing both Laysan and Black-footed P. nigripes Albatross chicks (click here).  A "wild" Laysan pair first attempted breeding within this refuge in 2017/18 (click here). A Laysan Albatross pair is currently breeding once more within the James Campbell NWR this season, with one other nest having failed, according to Sheldon.

View a recent video clip on the Kahuku Point birds.

ACAP Latest News will endeavour to follow the fortunes of the Kahuku Point birds as the 2018/19 breeding season progresses.

With thanks to Sheldon Plentovich, United States Fish & Wildlife Survey Coastal Program for information and photographs.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 January 2019

Miguel Ferrer (Applied Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain) and Virginia Morandini have published in the journal Polar Biology on tick infestations on Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris chicks on the Falkland Islands/ Islas Malvinas*.

The short note’s abstract follows:

“The tick Ixodes uriae is an ectoparasite widely distributed among seabirds throughout circumpolar regions, usually associated with seabird colonies. Nevertheless, potential effects of infestations, especially in chicks, are not well documented. In this article, we studied factors associated with probability and intensity of infestations in Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys [sic] nestlings in a colony at the Falklands Islands. We compared the body measurements, physiological parameters, distance to other nests and position inside the colony between infested and non-infested 40 Black-browed Albatross nestlings. Ticks were present in 60% of the nestlings with a mean number per nestlings of 1.47. None of the 12 analysed blood parameters but LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) showed significant differences between infested and not infested nestlings. Nestlings infected showed significant higher level of LDH than those without ticks. The number of ticks found on each nestling was positively and significantly correlated with their LDH blood levels. Tarsus length (as a proxy of age) and distance to the nearest nest showed a significant effect, with younger nestlings with closer nests showing higher probability to be infected. These variables also affect intensity of infestation. No effects of nutritional condition (butyrate or urea levels) or body condition (residuals of cubic root of mass/tarsus length regression) on probability or intensity of infestation were found. Both small anaemias and tick scars would explain the different values of LDH between infected/non-infected chicks. The low level of infestation found in our colony could be the cause of a non-detectable effect of the presence of ticks on nestling body condition and other blood parameters related to metabolism of fat or protein.”

A Black-browed Albatross stands over its chick on New Island, photograph by Ian Strange

Reference:

Ferrer, M. & Morandini, V. 2019.  Tick infestations correlates at a Falkland Islands Black-browed Albatross colony.  Polar Biology doi.org/10.1007/s00300-018-02445-5.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 09 January 2019

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.