December Birds New Zealand magazine published

[Michael Szabo]

The December 'Birds New Zealand' magazine is published next week. This issue contains news of new bird research to be funded by the 2022 Birds New Zealand Research Fund (BNZRF) on North Island Brown Kiwi (Kiwi-Nui), Yellowhead (Mohua), Weka, NZ Tomtit (Miromiro), Sooty Shearwater (Tītī), Swamp Harrier (Kāhu), White-fronted Tern (Tara) and Flesh-footed Shearwater (Toanui), and new research to be funded by our 2022 Projects Assistance Fund (PAF) on tracking Little Penguins (Kororā) in Taranaki and a population assessment of Fluttering Shearwaters (Pākaha) on Long Island in the Marlborough Sounds.

There are also reports on the results of research previously funded by the BNZRF and PAF on a new portable Kākāpō gene sequencing technology, disease in Little Spotted Kiwi (Kiwi Pukupuku), Okatiro Brown Kiwi (Rowi) gut health, seabird restoration in the Waitākere Ranges, the ecology of three small seabird species in the Hauraku Gulf, avian viruses in Aotearoa New Zealand, Grey-faced Petrel (Ōi) stress physiology, seabird deaths in Auckland, and NZ Storm Petrel genetics.

There is also news of a Black Robin/Karure/Kākāruia translocation success on Mangere Island, Pīwauwau/Rock Wren thriving in areas with pest control, the evolutionary history of penguins and moa, the discovery of three new extinct bird species from St Bathans in Otago, and notice of the next NZ Bird Conference & AGM to be held in New Plymouth on 3-4 June 2023.

This issue also has a focus on seabirds and fisheries with illustrated articles on the extent of seabird bycatch in commercial fisheries in Aotearoa and beyond, using Hoiho (Yellow-eyed Penguin) tracking data to map critical marine habitats off Rakiura Stewart Island, and new government measures requiring surveillance cameras on inshore commercial fishing vessels to help protect seabirds.

There is also an illustrated article on Birds New Zealand’s long-running 70-year-old Beach Patrol Scheme going digital, written by scheme coordinator Ian Armitage, who is also a Birds New Zealand Council member.

This issue also includes the regular quarterly report of the Society’s President Bruce McKinlay and quarterly reports from the Society’s regional representatives, book reviews, and updates on the NZ Bird Atlas Scheme and NZ Birds Online website.

Find out how to subscribe here: https://www.birdsnz.org.nz/membership/join-now/

Pīwauwau/Rock Wren cover photo by Mike Ashbee.

[Jim_j]

Another great read - thanks Michael.

Cheers
Jim

[Michael Szabo]

The low res PDF version of the magazine is now posted online:
https://www.birdsnz.org.nz/publications ... zealand-3/