Puffinus Pacificus Research Articles

Nesting activity, breeding success and colony size for the Wedge‐tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus on Heron Island

Abstract The Capricorn Group of islands in Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park sustains one of the world's largest breeding populations of the Wedge‐tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus. Heron Island, a 13.5 ha coral cay which supports tourist and research station leases as well as a national park, is the third largest nesting island in the group. Sample censuses of breeding burrows were conducted each year between 1985 and 1990 and a further survey was completed in 1993. These returned estimates of between 13 264±1387 and 16 337±1545 active burrows (Y±SE). Burrow densities within each of the habitats monitored showed no significant trends between years, although there were large differences in burrow density between habitats. There were roughly the same number of burrows in the developed (west) and national park (east) halves of the cay. A miniature video camera system (burrowscope), which allowed nesting chambers at the ends of burrows to be inspected, was used in 1989, 1990 and 1993. This demonstrated that around half the burrows were occupied by incubating birds. Variations were found in the distribution of incubating birds between habitats, although this did not remain constant between the years. In the 1993 season, breeding activity was traced from the burrow establishment to fledging stage. Fifty‐one per cent of burrows were used for breeding (eggs laid), 77% of eggs hatched and 80% of chicks produced a fledgling. Overall breeding success for the island was estimated at 61%. In 1993 the area designated as Buildings was found to have significantly lower hatching success compared with natural habitats. Most mortality occurred at the egg stage; however, in the Fringe habitat, mortality was highest at the chick stage. Previous surveys have estimated the breeding population from burrow counts. It now appears that only about 30% of such burrows produce fledglings.

Breeding Cycle of Wedge-tailed ShearwatersPuffinus pacificusat Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef

Heron Island (23'27'S, 151°55'E), is a small coral cay of the southern Great Barrier Reef, one of several cays constituting the Capricorn Group of islands which supports a large breeding colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus. These birds excavate burrows for nesting in suitable ground, and nest colonially (Warham 1990). To date, only breeding population estimates, burrow incubation rates, and a preliminary investigation into hatching success have been made at this locality (Gillham 1963; Shipway 1969; Ogden 1979, 1994; Hulsman 1984a; Hill & Barnes 1989; Dyer 1992; Dyer & Hill 1992; Ogden 1994; Hill et al. 1995). This study was based at Heron Island during the 1993-94 breeding season and describes the timing of the breeding cycle, particularly the hatching and fledging phases.

Weights, hematology, and serum chemistry of seven species of free-ranging tropical pelagic seabirds.

I established reference values for weight, hematology, and serum chemistry for seven species of free-ranging Hawaiian tropical pelagic seabirds comprising three orders (Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes, Charadriiformes) and six families (Procellariidae, Phaethontidae, Diomedeidae, Sulidae, Fregatidae, and Laridae). Species examined included 84 Hawaiian darkrumped petrels (Pterodoma phaeopygia), 90 wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus), 151 Laysan albatrosses (Diomedea immutabilis), 69 red-footed boobies (Sula sula), 154 red-tailed tropicbirds (Phaeton rubricauda), 90 great frigatebirds (Fregata minor), and 72 sooty terns (Sterna fuscata). Hematocrit, total plasma solids, total and differential white cell counts, serum glucose, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine phosphokinase were analyzed. Among and within species, hematology and chemistry values varied with age, sex, season, and island of collection. Despite this variation, order-wide trends were observed.

Three Decades of Burrow Estimates for Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on the Capricorn Group

Previous estimates of the population sizes of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus pacificus in the Capricorn Group paid little attention to methodology and standardisation of data. Rationalisation of earlier data, to better meet the requirements for comparability, now lead to interpretations that dispute previous assessments based on 'face value' acceptance of the literature. The number of shearwater burrows on Heron Island may have been relatively stable over the past three decades, whereas previous interpretations indicated a dramatic increase in the population in the early 1980s. However, there has been an increase in the number of burrows on North West Island and an apparent overall decrease on Masthead Island.

Tourism development and environmental limitations at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef: a response

Heron Island, in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia, has been the subject of many recent case studies. There are a number of issues associated with permitting resort developments and expansion of the Research Station to gradually encroach on the nesting areas of the wedge-tailed shearwater and the black noddy. The roles of scientists and planners in dealing with these issues are often confused, resulting in some controversy about the future development of such islands.

An Integrated Mapping Approach to Monitoring Burrowing Birds: Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland

At Point Lookout, on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, (approximately 50 km from Brisbane), a small colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus pacificus was first recorded in 1983 at the north and south headlands near Dune Rocks. In the 1990-91 season this young colony included 248 burrows that had surface level signs of recent activity. Although no colony existed there in the early 1970s (A. Smyth pers. comm.) some birds occupied the Point Lookout headland, a kilometre further south, in the early 1950s (J. Woodward pers. comm.). The eight burrows found there in November 1987 (B. Hines pers. comm.) may be all that remain of that colony.

Population Size of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus Population in Pisonia grandis Forest on Heron Island in 1992

Repeated counts of Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus burrows were made in two 30 × 30 m permanent plots in Pisonia grandis forest on Heron Island in 1978,1979 and 1992. The results support the population estimates of Hill & Barnes (1989) and their suggestion that the shearwater population almost doubled (to c. 16 000 pairs) between 1983 and 1985. However, due to the wide confidence limits on most estimates, a more gradual increase (of c. 3% per annum) cannot be ruled out. The 1992 population estimate was 16 503 ± 3427 pairs. Because shearwaters are supposedly faithful to nesting sites, the increase poses questions about inter-island movement and social organisation within colonies. It may also present problems for management of the Heron Island population.

Embryonic heart rate and oxygen pulse in two procellariiform seabirds, Diomedea immutabilis and Puffinus pacificus

Developmental patterns of embryonic heart rate were measured non-invasively in two procellariiform seabirds, the Laysan albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) and wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), during prepipping and after pipping. The O2 pulse, defined as the O2 consumption per single heart beat, was calculated using the previously reported O2 consumption for these species. The embryonic heart rate of the albatross was not changed by internal pipping (initial pipping event in this species), remained unchanged during the prolonged internal pipping period and tended to increase, although insignificantly, with the initiation of external pipping (second pipping event). Heart rate in the shearwater remained unchanged during the late prepipping stages, did not change with external pipping (initial pipping event), but increased during the prolonged internal pipping period (second pipping event) and reached a maximum on the last day of incubation. The developmental pattern of heart rate in the shearwater was very similar to that reported previously for the brown noddy, a member of the order Charadriiformes but with the same pipping sequence. Developmental patterns of embryonic O2 pulse were also different between the two procellariiform seabirds. However, those of the shearwater and the noddy were similar. The sequence of access to atmospheric O2 during development and hatching may be an important factor determining the developmental patterns of embryonic heart rate and O2 pulse.

Oxygen Consumption and Organ Growth in Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) Embryos

data were obtained for the Sooty Tern. There are some similarities between the eggs of the two species. The sequence of events during pipping, which had an important effect on organ growth in shearwater embryos, is similar in terns and shearwaters (Pettit and Whittow 1983, Whittow 1985). The maturity of the hatchling is also similar; both are designated to be semiprecocial (Pettit et al. 1984). However, there are also differences between the two species as well. The incubation period of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater's egg, but not that of the Sooty Tern's, is prolonged (Whittow 1980). Incubation temperature is 3?C higher in the Sooty Tern (Rahn et al. 1976). Incubation also is different; the Sooty Tern lays its egg directly on the ground whereas the shearwater's egg is protected by the burrow in which it is laid. Thus, there were reasons to expect similarities in embryonic organ growth between the two species, but also grounds for anticipating differences. So little

The Second Record of the Dark Morph of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Pulrinus pacificus from Japan

The Second Record of the Dark Morph of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Pulrinus pacificus from Japan

Extinction and biogeography of birds on huahine, society islands, French polynesia

AbstractThis study is based upon the identification of 336 bird bones from the Fa'ahia archaeological site, Huahine, French Polynesia. The bones represent birds that were killed for their flesh, feathers, or bones by prehistoric Polynesians. The radiocarbon ages of excavated strata at Fa'ahia range from about 1140 ± 90 to 770 ± 90 yr B.P. The bird bones represent 15 species of resident seabirds, 15 species of resident landbirds, four migrant species, and one introduced species. The only extinct seabird is a gull, Larus new species, although locally extirpated seabirds are Puffinus pacificus, Puffinus nativitatis, Puffinus lherminieri, Pterodroma rostrata, Pterodroma alba, Pterodroma arminjoniana, Sula leucogaster, Sula sula, Fregata minor, Fregata ariel, and Anous minutus. Extinct landbirds are Gallirallus new species, Gallicolumba nui, Macropygia arevarevauupa, Vini vidivici, Vini cf. sinotoi, and Aplonis diluvialis. Locally extirpated landbirds are Ardeola striata, Porzana tabuensis, Gallicolumba erythroptera, Ducula galeata, Ducula aurorae, and Acrocephalus caffer. The bones from Fa'ahia increase the seabird and landbird fauna of Huahine, from the historically known 3 to 15 species and from 7 to 18 species, respectively. Thus the number of species from Huahine is even greater than those from nearby Tahiti, which has a much greater land area and elevation. The occurrence of so many extinct or extirpated species of birds at the Fa'ahia site suggests that this site represents a very early phase of human occupation on Huahine, probably no more than 500 years after the first arrival of people on this previously undisturbed island ecosystem.

Active Breeding Burrows of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater in the Capricorn Group, Great Barrier Reef

Estimates of the breeding status of the Wedgetailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus on the Capricorn Group of islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef indicate that the size of the breeding population is much lower than previously thought (500 000 pairs). For the 1989-90 season 43% and 56% of burrows, on Heron and Erskine Islands respectively, supported breeding birds. Most occupied burrows featured lined nesting chambers. Burrow lengths ranged from 0.1 m to 2.35 m with a mean of 0.91 m. There was no relationship between burrow length and breeding activity.

Hatching and the Establishment of Thermoregulation in the Wedge-Tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus)

Late-incubation unpipped eggs, pipped eggs, and hatchlings of the wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) were exposed to constant ambient temperatures ($T_{a}'s$) between 28° and 38°C (eggs) or 15° and 43°C (hatchlings). Below 36° C (incubation temperature for shearwater eggs), oxygen consumption ($\dot{V}O_{2}$) and body temperature ($T_{b}$) of embryos varied directly with $T_{a}$, even with individuals in eggs with well-developed pip holes. Thus, shearwaters appear unable to initiate and sustain any effective cold-induced thermogenesis before hatching, even though access to oxygen appears to improve substantially during pipping. In contrast, hatchlings increased their $\dot{V}O_{2}$ by as much as 74% during cooling, with the maximum rate occurring at a $T_{a}$ of 25°C. The consequent increase in heat production served to maintain $T_{b}$ near 35°C at $T_{a}'s$ between 25° and 35° C, but hypothermia tended to develop below 25°C. Hatchlings increased pulmocutaneous evaporation at $T_{a}'s$ above 36...

THE CHELONIA SEISMIC SURVEY: MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON A NATURE RESERVE

Onshore seismic surveys are traditionally associated with wide straight tracks, required for access by seismic vehicles and denuded of vegetation. The proposal by Lasmo Oil (Australia) Ltd and its co-venturers to perform a seismic survey on the Muiron Islands Nature Reserve was therefore received with some concern by residents of nearby Exmouth in Western Australia. The proponent undertook extensive surveys of the existing environment, however, and produced a strict environmental management plan which featured innovative methods to minimise impacts on both flora and fauna — in particular the extensive Wedge-tailed Shearwater colony on the islands. These methods were executed much as planned and caused negligible destruction of vegetation and no known bird mortality. The results indicate the management plan was highly successful and established a new benchmark for exploration in sensitive areas.This paper outlines the environmental management plan developed for the work and documents the results of the procedures employed. It concludes that such methods could be applied to similar projects elsewhere.

A Solution to the Problem of Determining the Occupancy Status of Wedge-tailed ShearwaterPuffinus pacificusBurrows

SummaryThe problem of establishing the breeding status of burrowing birds is compounded by the inaccessibility of long meandering burrows. A solution, involving manipulation of a mini video camera and monitor, using infra-red light is presented which enables efficient, reliable recording of burrow occupancy with minimum disturbance to the birds and burrows. It was designed to establish the breeding status of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus in the Capricorn Group of islands, Great Barrier Reef, but with proper screening and possibly, further modification, its use need not be site or species specific.

Environmental and Operational Challenges of a Seismic Survey On and Around the Muiron Islands, Western Australia

In early 1990, the EP 342 and TP/9 joint venture conducted a seismic survey on and around the Muiron Islands in the Carnarvon Basin. Its objective was to infill the gap in existing marine seismic data coverage resulting from the presence of the islands, which are believed to overlie a prospective trend. Work on the Muiron Islands was done in conjunction with a shallow-water marine seismic survey conducted over the remainder of the permit areas. Because the Muiron Islands are a nature reserve and a significant nesting site for Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and turtles, environmental assessment of the project was required. Approval to conduct the survey was subject to stringent conditions, including: the avoidance of Shearwater nesting areas, prohibition of the use of vehicles and the clearing of vegetation, prohibition of camping on the islands, and a requirement to use environmental consultants to monitor the survey. A fully portable operation was conducted on the islands. A recording spread was laid across the islands and extended into the surrounding waters to record shots fired both onshore in drilled or augered shotholes and offshore from the seismic vessel. On the more protected eastern side of the islands a bay cable transition zone spread was extended from the islands to provide a tie with the marine data. However the exposed western side generally proved too rough for the bay cable operation, and a shallow-draft seismic vessel was used in 'rollout mode' to obtain a tie between the onshore and offshore data. The geophysical objectives of the survey were achieved with negligible impact on the environment. There was no known mortality to wildlife and only minor and impermanent disturbance to vegetation.

Genetic Divergence and Relationships in Fifteen Species of Procellariiformes.

The genetic analysis of 23 protein loci in 15 species of Procellariiformes was made The genetic distances between the species was calculated and a dendrogram was formulated of the group. The separation of Hydrobatidae from all other taxa including Diomedeidae agrees with other precedent works. The results of the present study support the basic Procellariid classification system. However, two points still need further study. The first point is that Fulmarus diverged earlier from the Procellariids than did the Diomedeidae. The second point is the position of Puffinus pacificus which appears more closely related to the Pterodroma petrels than to other Puffinus species. These points are discussed.

Census and Distribution of Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus Burrows on Heron Island, November 1985

A census of Wedge-tailed Shearwater nesting density on Heron Island in 1985 returned an estimate of 16 337 ± 1545 (X ± s.e.) active burrows, an increase of over 147% on the most recent previous survey conducted in 1983. A similar survey of nearby Masthead Island indicated a decrease of around 35% over the same period. An assessment of habitat usage on Heron Island indicated that shearwaters utilise all vegetation types found on the island. Highest densities were recorded in disturbed habitats with a ground cover of Pisonia branches or building material debris. Our findings are contrary to previous assessments that closed Pisonia forest is the preferred nesting habitat. As well, there was no significant difference in burrow density between the eastern (national park) and western (resort, research station) halves of the island. Loss of breeding sites in the western section, resulting from construction of facilities, was balanced by the higher availability of the preferred, disturbed, habitats which were also a result of human activities.

Ingestion of plastic debris by Laysan Albatrosses and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in the Hawaiian Islands

Surveys of Laysan Albatross and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Midway and Oahu Island, Hawaii, identified a high proportion of birds with plastic in the upper gastrointestinal tract, representing hazards to the health of adult birds and their chicks. Fifty Laysan Albatross chicks were examined for plastic items lodged within the upper digestive tract. Forty-five (90%) contained plastic, including 3 chicks having proventricular impactions or ulcerative lesions. Plastic items in 21 live albatross chicks weighed a mean of 35.7 g chick−1 (range 1–175 g). Four dead birds contained 14–175 g (mean 76.7 g). Two of four adult albatross examined contained plastic in the gut. Laysan albatross chicks have the highest reported incidence and amount of ingested plastic of any seabird species. Twelve of 20 adult Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (60%) contained plastic particles 2–4 mm in diameter. Impaction did not appear to be a significant hazard for adult shearwaters. Shearwater chicks were not examined. Chemical toxicity of plastic polymers, plasticizers and antioxidant additives is low, although many pigments are toxic and plastics may serve as vehicles for the adsorption of organochlorine pollutants from sea water, and the toxicity of plastics is unlikely to pose significant hazard compared to obstruction and impaction of the gut.

Temperature regulation in a burrow-nesting tropical seabird, the Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus)

At low air temperatures (2.3–13.9°C), Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) shivered and their oxygen consumption increased to as much as 283% of the mean value (0.77 ml O2/g·h) within the thermoneutral zone of air temperature (23–34°C). The minimal thermal conductance of the tissues and plumage was similar to the value predicted from the body mass (320.5 g). The oxygen consumption of the birds within their thermoneutral zone was lower than predictions based on body mass. At elevated air temperatures, the shearwaters panted at respiratory frequencies as high as 260 respirations/min; maximal respiratory frequencies were not invoked until the birds had become hyperthermic. During exposure to a hot environment, the oxygen consumption of the birds increased and in most instances the shearwaters were not able to lose heat equivalent to their concurrent metabolic heat production.