A conservation concern for the ACAP-listed Westland Petrel is mortality of fledglings downed by bright street and other lights as they head to sea at night and then can get hit and killed by passing vehicles. ACAP Latest News has reported on this concern several times over recent years, most recently in relation to plans to undertake mining near to the petrel’s sole breeding colony at Punakaiki on New Zealand’s South Island (click here).

The Westland Petrel Conservation Trust, which works to promote, support and actively engage in the conservation of the globally Endangered and nationally Naturally Uncommon petrel, reports this week on its Facebook page that as a consequence of the petrel fallout a patrol will run regular searches for downed petrels during the fledging stage starting on 13 November. The trust is calling for volunteers to join searches along the highway in the early evenings.

A Westland Petrel by Anne Lyon of Artists Unite for Biologists and Nature, after a photograph by Frank Valckenborgh

In support of the trust’s efforts, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has produced a leaflet setting out what to do when finding a downed bird. Its edited text follows:

“Westland Petrel/Tāiko chicks fledge between November to January from their colony just south of Punakaiki. Their first flight can be a tough one, as they are inexperienced fliers, and can become disorientated by bright lights and poor weather conditions. Adult birds are also found at any time of year. Once on the ground they need our help, as they are unable to take flight again easily, and are very vulnerable to being struck by cars and attacked by dogs.

The main flight path area for these birds at the northern end of the Barrytown flats has no streetlights, which is great for the birds ordinarily but means that they may be distracted by vehicle lights and come down on the highway. These large all black birds are then almost invisible against the black tarmac until the next car comes speeding along.

If you’re driving in the area, please be mindful of these birds particularly November to January and travel a little slower. The same applies in all coastal areas where penguins could be crossing too – better for wildlife, safer for you, and less fuel used – win – win – win.

The Department of Conservation and Westland Petrel Conservation Trust work together to help these birds get back out to the sea, and document when/where all birds are found, so we can work to remove attractive lights sources or hazards.

Particularly around Punakaiki and Barrytown but in fact anywhere between Hokitika and Westport, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk to this special bird, which only breeds in one place in the world.

To give them the best chance of success:

Avoid leaving bright outdoor lights on after dark and close curtains and blinds, as this confuses them
Keep dog(s) secure at home
Keep a cardboard box, with air holes and towel in your car, just in case

If you find a bird on the ground:

Use a towel (or item of clothing) to cover the bird and gently lift it into a box (unwrap the bird once in the box), or move it away from danger (traffic)

If you feel uncomfortable handling the bird or require assistance, please immediately call the numbers provided

Birds found can be transported to the “Petrel Drop Off Boxes” at the DOC Visitor Centre (if the centre is closed go through the gate to the left of the front door) and leave your details in the log book
If you are unable to transport the bird please call the numbers provided
Please do not attempt to release the bird yourself.

What happens next?

All birds are health-checked by DOC or the WPCT. Healthy and uninjured birds will be assisted to take flight again
Injured or underweight birds are provided veterinary and rehabilitative care by DOC
If you would like to know about your bird or attend its release, please let us know"

The flyer is here if you would like to print and keep handy or share.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 21 November 2023

Sebastián Jiménez, Co-convenor of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels’ Seabird Bycatch Working Group (SBWG), presents on seabird bycatch at a workshop in Namibia

Sebastián Jiménez, the Co-convenor of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels’ Seabird Bycatch Working Group (SBWG), recently participated in two workshops in Namibia. The workshops, held by the Albatross Task Force (ATF) and the Namibian Government, centred on the issue of seabird bycatch in local fisheries.

Namibia has made significant progress in reducing seabird bycatch in its fisheries. A paper published in 2021, showed a 98% reduction of seabird deaths in the country’s demersal longline fisheries due to increased government regulation, the implementation of seabird bycatch mitigation measures and a comprehensive observer programme.

The effective implementation of seabird bycatch mitigation measures was one of the areas of focus at the ATF workshop. Sebastián presented on ACAP’s Best Practice Advice (BPA) for reducing seabird bycatch in fisheries and current research priorities for mitigation measures across pelagic longline, demersal longline and trawl fisheries. Additionally, the importance of engagement with Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) was emphasised.

At the Seabird Bycatch Data Workshop hosted by the Namibian Government, Sebastián detailed ACAP’s guidelines for collecting data on seabird bycatch and underscored the potential of the ACAP data portal in facilitating seamless data sharing between Namibia and the broader ACAP network. Data collected by observers on-board fishing vessels are critical to improving knowledge of the impact of fisheries on ACAP-listed species.

Highlighting the outcomes of the workshop, Sebastián commended Namibia's observer programme and its proactive implementation of mitigation measures to minimise seabird bycatch. Despite facing challenges in achieving complete observer coverage on fishing trips, Namibia has maintained an average of approximately 70% observer coverage annually across its fisheries. Participants from the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and the Fisheries Observer Agency (FOA) expressed a strong interest in refining data collection practices.

Namibia has a long history of involvement with the Agreement with government representatives attending ACAP’s annual meetings since ACAP came into force in 2004. 

20 November 2023

A new programme to support early to mid-career researchers has been launched by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). 

“The SCAR Science Group Fellowship Programme is designed to encourage the active involvement of early and mid-career researchers in the work of the permanent, disciplinary Science Groups (SGs) to mentor potential future SCAR leaders and promote professional development. “

The reviewing process for applications will begin 18 December 2023. It is advised to submit your application by this date to be considered for the programme.

For further information including details of the award and eligibility criteria, please see the SCAR website, here.

17 November 2023

A Wedge-tailed Shearwater and its chick at the burrow entrance, artwork by the Freeman Seabird Preserve

News is in on the fortunes of three protected breeding populations of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Ardenna pacifica on the main Hawaiian Islands, as reported on Facebook by Pacific Rim Conservation and the Hawai‘i Audubon Society’s Freeman Seabird Preserve.

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, photograph by Pacific Rim Conservation

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve, Oahu

In the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve on the island of Oahu, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters have set another breeding record. Pacific Rim Conservation writes “our annual count this week showed an all-time high of 13 399 total nests (that's 26 678 individual birds), and 5,898 chicks that are ready to fledge from those nests.  This is truly amazing given that the birds only began nesting at Ka`ena in 1994, and only had 317 chicks out of 3777 nests (only 8% of chicks survived) the year the fence was built. Predator exclusion fences make the difference between barely surviving and thriving for many of our native species.”

A Wedge-tailed Shearwater chick in its burrow, photograph by Pacific Rim Conservation

Freeman Seabird Preserve, Oahu

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters also breed on Oahu within the Freeman Seabird Preserve, described as the only colony on the island’s south shore. “This year we started out with more nests, but a higher proportion failed compared with last year. In 2022 we counted 322 chicks on 14 September, out of 395 nests with eggs and chicks the previous 14 July. In 2023 we counted 308 chicks on 14 September out of 427 nests containing incubating adults or unattended eggs on 14 July. This was another record count, despite yielding only four more nests than the previous year. The preserve’s website states that “this unique urban colony has quadrupled in size, from less than 200 breeding birds [in 2009] to over 800 breeding birds.” Although not protected by a predator-proof fence, surveillance and predator control with traps is ongoing during the breeding season, to minimize predation by rats, cats, and mongooses on breeding shearwaters (click here).

Increase in numbers of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters breeding in the Freeman Seabird Preserve, 2009-2023

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai

Over on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the shearwaters are also doing well behind a fence according to Pacific Rim Conservation: “It's wedgie week at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR). Approximately 21 000 Wedge-tailed Shearwater pairs nest at KPNWR, and over the last few days our team has been hard at work monitoring 600+ nests across the refuge. This dataset provides us with a baseline of Wedge-tailed Shearwater reproductive success prior to the completion of the refuge's new predator exclusion fence. In the future these surveys will be repeated so that we can study the effectiveness of our management actions.” The new fence was announced as finally completed on 24 October 2023 after a year and a half of construction (click here).

Still under construction. The new fence’s ground skirt to halt entry by digging predators is still to be buried at Kilauea Point, photograph by Scott Yunker (click here)

A predator-proof fence also protects breeding seabirds within Oahu’s James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater with an estimated global population of over 5.2 million birds is not considered nationally or globally threatened.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 16 November 2023