Research I am currently involved with...
 

New Zealand storm-petrel rediscovery

Australasian gannet ecology and mating systems

Bird monitoring at windfarm sites
 
New Zealand storm-petrel rediscovery
 

Principle investigator: Dr Brent Stephenson

Co-investigators: Mike Imber, Halema Jamieson, Richard Griffiths, Dr Bruce Robertson
 

The rediscovery of the supposedly extinct New Zealand storm-petrel, Oceanites maorianus, by myself and Sav Saville in January 2003, is probably one of the biggest New Zealand bird stories of the last decade or so (more information can be found here). Not since the rediscovery of the Chatham Island taiko, Pterodroma magentae, (Magenta petrel) in 1977 by David Crockett and others, has the New Zealand ornithological world been rocked by such an event! Although the rediscovery has not been officially accepted by the OSNZ, it is expected that this will occur shortly, with the recent capture of birds in the Hauraki Gulf in Jan 2006. I am currently permitted by the Department of Conservation (DoC) to undertake this work.

However, as this bird was only known from three specimens collected in the 18th Century, we know almost nothing about its biology, and certainly have little idea of its current population size. Currently I am involved with a small team trying to determine where this bird breeds, and where it lies with respect to its taxonomic relationship with other storm-petrels. The taxonomy of the Oceanites and Fregetta storm-petrels needs much work, and with the aid of DNA-techniques it is hoped that the phylogenetic relationships of these and the New Zealand storm-petrel may once be resolved. Mike Imber, Halema Jamieson (DoC), and Richard Griffiths (DoC) are amongst the workgroup. For recent developments in this exciting story click here.

Dr Bruce Robertson from Canterbury University is also part of the team, with an interest in determining the phylogenetic relationships of this bird. We have recently received samples from each of the three museum specimens, as well as samples from a number of other storm-petrel species, and hope to have some preliminary results in early 2006. With the collection of blood samples from birds captured in the Hauraki Gulf in Jan 2006, this work will be able to confirm the relationship of these birds to the museum specimens, and other storm-petrels.

 

Australasian gannet ecology and mating systems
 

Principle investigators: Dr Mark Hauber and Dr Brent Stephenson

Co-investigators: Claire Daniels
 
Having finished my PhD thesis entitled "Variability in the breeding ecology of Australasian gannets, Morus serrator, at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand" in January 2005, I have still managed to maintain an interest in these birds.
My PhD fieldwork was almost entirely conducted at the Plateau Colony, at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay. Work revolved around monitoring 100 nests at this colony over three breeding seasons - 1999-00 to 2001-02. The focus of the work was to examine inter-annual differences in breeding parameters, such as attendance patterns, egg size, chick growth rates, and chick fledging success. Perhaps rather fortuitously (although it didn't seem so at the time!), the first breeding season studied (1999-00) was perhaps one of the worst on record for Cape Kidnappers, with 9% of pairs raising a chick to fledging. In tthe two subsequent breeding seasons 55% and 13% of pairs produced chicks to fledging, respectively. For further information on my study click here to download a PDF version of the Thesis Abstract.
 
Currently, research at the Plateau colony centres around investigating the mating system of this socially monogamous species. Gannets were once said to "mate for life", however, as with most species of birds this has been found to be a romantic fallacy. During my study I recorded divorce within pairs more frequently than I had expected. I still need to analyse this information, but extra-pair copulation was also recorded during my observations. This suggests that despite complex ritualised behaviours between pair members, and the seemingly strict monogamous pair-bond, some offspring may not be related to the male of the pair! Molecular techniques are currently being employed to answer this question.
 

 

Bird monitoring at windfarm sites

The effects of windfarms on birds have been relatively well studied overseas, however, we currently have little information about their effects on bird populations in New Zealand. Windfarms are currently being proposed for a number of sites around the country, and many more are currently under investigation. Therefore, it is critical that we gather rigorous scientific data here in New Zealand.

I am currently udertaking bird monitoring at two proposed windfarm sites in western Hawkes Bay, near the Titiokura Saddle, just off the Napier - Taupo Highway. These two windfarms are being developed by Unison Networks, who have been very proactive and initiated the monitoring along with Stephen Fuller from Boffa Miskell Ltd. I have been contracted to carryout the pre- and post-construction fieldwork, being conducted during each of the four seasons annually, at a number of the proposed turbine sites. Information derived from this study will be published upon completion.

 

This site is maintained and copyrighted by Brent Stephenson @ Eco-Vista 2002. All photos (unless otherwise stated) were taken by Brent Stephenson @ Eco-Vista and are copyrighted 2002. Use of any kind without permission is not allowed. However, all photos are for sale, please email me for more information.
Updated last on Wednesday, January 18, 2006