The shearwaters of Shark Bay, WA

Abstract

The results of a survey of the population of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in Shark Bay in 1971, compared with observations made earlier, are given. The breeding population on the five breeding islands was estimated at 600 pairs. On Slope Island the population was obviously being adversely affected by working for salt and probably by predation by foxes. Recommendations are made for safeguarding the birds there. The population is dimorphic and 20–30% are white-phased birds.