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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 105(2)

The demography of a new Common Noddy (Anous stolidus) colony during the establishment period

J. N. Dunlop
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Email: nic.dunlop@conservationwa.asn.au

Emu 105(2) 99-104 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU04041
Submitted: 24 August 2004  Accepted: 20 April 2005   Published: 30 June 2005

Abstract

Common Noddies were first recorded breeding on Lancelin Island off south-western Australia in January 1992, when a colony of five pairs was discovered. This colony was 275 km south of the historical limits of its breeding range. A study of the population dynamics of this colony began in the 1994–95 breeding season and has now continued for 10 years. During that period the colony has expanded to more than 900 pairs. The demography of the colony was modelled using information on adult survivorship, age of first breeding and natal recruitment from the analysis of banding–recapture data and annual colony census data. During the establishment period, the Noddy colony went through a demographic transition. This involved an early phase of slow colony growth based on immigration, an intermediate phase of exponential growth driven by rapid immigration and a period of flattening growth characterised by declining immigration but increasing natal recruitment. Net immigration stopped by the 2003–04 season, 13 years after the colony was initiated. Future growth in the colony is predicted to be gradual and dependent on the natal recruitment rate.


Acknowledgments

Numerous people have assisted with the field work for this project but the author would particularly like to thank David, Julie, Hannah, Pip and Hugh Mitchell for their contribution and hospitality. The Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme provided bands and data management services. The Department of Conservation and Land Management granted permission to conduct research on Lancelin Island.


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