Breeding, Distribution and Status of Barrow-nesting Petrels at Maqaurie Island

Abstract

A survey of burrow-nesting petrels on Macquarie I. between 1975 and 1982 confirmed breeding of the white-headed petrel Pterodroma lessoni, blue petrel Halobaena caerulea, Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata, fairy prion Pachyptila turtur, sooty sheanvater Pufinus griseus and common diving petrel Pelecanoides urinatriw. A further six species were recorded. The population size of all burrow-nesting petrels has been adversely modified by alien fauna introduced last century. Of the six species breeding, one is stable, two are diminishing and three are present in very low numbers. Current deterioration of their status is localized and with proper management there may be recovery, particularly of the three last species.