Trends in the numbers and distribution of coastal birds in Wellington Harbour | Notornis and Birds New Zealand

[摘要] The Wellington branch of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand counted coastal birds along the shores of Wellington Harbour every month for two years in 1975-77 and again in 1986-88. Between the two surveys, giant petrels and Black-backed Gulls, which feed on offal, showed significant population declines; however, most other key species increased, particularly Little Shags, Little Black Shags and Mallards, presumably as the health of the harbour improved as discharges from abattoirs and sewer outfalls were reduced. The distribution of some species changed markedly between the surveys, away from Ngauranga and Pencarrow Head to Moa Point and Owhiro Bay, where raw sewage continued to be discharged into the sea.

[学科分类] 动物科学

[关键词] beach patrol;New Zealand;recoveries;seabirds;Sterna