PROGRAMME AND ABSTRACTS 4 - 7 December 2013 Unitec Institute of Technology - Seventh Biennial - BirdLife Australia
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Seventh Biennial
4 - 7 December 2013
Unitec Institute of Technology
New Zealand storm petrel © Neil Fitzgerald
AUSTRALIA
PROGRAMME AND ABSTRACTS
CONFERENCE LOCATIONS
• Parking available in “P” areas - P no charge; P “Pay-and-display”, $3 per day
(NB: S = staff parking only).
2
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
On behalf of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and Unitec Institute of Technology,
we welcome delegates to Auckland for the 7th Australasian Ornithological Conference.
Many delegates have travelled considerable distances to participate in the conference,
and we look forward to sharing with you this celebration of ornithology and the birding
experiences of our region.
We gratefully acknowledge the support and sponsorship offered by Unitec Institute of
Technology and trade exhibitors.
Organising team:
Mel Galbraith (Convenor) Nigel Adams (Scientific programme)
Diane Fraser Josie Galbraith
Adrian Riegen Trina Smith
Chris Thompson Jacquie Wairepo
Trish Wells
AUSTRALIA
3
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Wednesday 4 Dec Thursday 5 Dec Friday 6 Dec Saturday 7 Dec
Opening Field trips:
Plenary session Plenary session
Morning
Plenary session 1. Miranda
Symposia Symposia
Symposia Shorebird Centre
Themed sessions Themed sessions
Themed sessions
2. Tiritiri Matangi
Island
3. Hauraki Gulf
Symposia Pelagic
Afternoon
Themed sessions Symposia 4. Auckland
Themed sessions Museum &
Manukau Harbour
Welcome function /
Poster session
Evening
7.00pm
Conference dinner
FIELD TRIPS Friday 6 November
All field trips leave from beside the on-campus sports fields (see map inside front cover
for location). PLEASE NOTE DEPARTURE TIMES.
Note: Field trips are subject to weather conditions, and return times are approximate.
We will advise of any changes prior to the day.
Destination Meeting/departure times Notes
Meet at Unitec 0745, depart Includes lunch and return
Miranda Shorebird Centre
0800; return c.1630. transport from Unitec
Meet at Unitec 0730, depart Includes lunch and return
Tiritiri Matangi Island
0745; return 1730. transport from Unitec.
Includes lunch and return
Meet at Unitec 0615, depart transport from Unitec. Extra
Hauraki Gulf Pelagic
0630; return c.2000. water advised; motion
sickness medication if needed.
Lunch is not included, but time
Auckland Museum and Meet at Unitec 0915, depart will be allocated for
Manukau Harbour 0930; return c.1630.! refreshments at the Museum
café.
4CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENTS
VENUE
The Red and Gold Lecture Theatres are located in Building 180 (see map inside front
cover). Toilets are located off the courtyard between the two rooms. Also situated on this
courtyard are a pharmacy and bookshop. Postal services are available at Campus Copy
Centre, located beyond the pharmacy. Please ask for directions if needed.
Emergencies
In case the building needs to be evacuated in emergency the assembly area is the
grassed area outside the Red and Gold Lecture Theatres.
REGISTRATION
The Registration and Information Desk will be open at the following times:
Wednesday 4 December 0800 - 1730 hrs
Thursday 5 December 0800 - 1730 hrs
Saturday 7 December 0800 - 1030 hrs
NAME BADGES
Delegates are requested to wear their name badge at all times. The badge confirms
access to all sessions, morning and afternoon teas, lunches and functions.
CATERING
All morning and afternoon teas, lunches and the Welcome/Poster session will be held in
the foyer of the Red Lecture Theatre. Please note that food and drink may not be taken
into lecture theatres.
The conference dinner (Thursday 5 Dec, 7.00pm) will be held at the Point Chevalier RSA,
1136 Great North Rd, Pt Chevalier (see map inside front cover). The dinner will be a
buffet with hot and cold dishes (including vegetarian options) and desserts. Two glasses
of wine or beer per person are included in the dinner ticket, and additional drinks can be
purchased from the cash bar.
SMOKING
Unitec is a smoke-free campus. Please respect this policy.
MOBILE PHONES
Please remember to turn off your mobile phone, or put it on silent when in the lecture
theatres.
COMPUTER / INTERNET ACCESS
Guest access to the Unitec wireless network is available for access to the internet:
Login: conference
Password: auckland13
A computer room (Rm 183-1105) will be available to upload, check and modify
presentations, and to access the internet, webmail, etc. This room will be available during
conference breaks, and at other times by arrangement through the registration desk.
5BANKING AND CURRENCY
An ANZ Bank branch is located on the Mt Albert campus for banking needs, Building 114.
There are two ATM machines on campus – one opposite the Gold Lecture theatre, the
other outside the ANZ bank.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport timetables are provided in your conference bag. This information can also
be obtained through the MAXX website (www.maxx.co.nz).
PARKING
There is parking available on-campus, some free and some Pay-and-Display ($3 per day).
Although it is outside of the teaching semester, please avoid staff parking areas. (see map
inside front cover).
SHOPPING
St Lukes Shopping Mall (Westfield) is located within a short driving distance from Unitec.
Address - 80 St Lukes Road. For directions please see the registration desk.
TAXIS AND SHUTTLES
Auckland Co-op Taxis 09-3003000
Green Cabs 0508-447336
Regency Cabs 0800-3778844
Corporate Cabs 09-3770773
TELEPHONES
There is a public telephone available behind the coffee cart in Building 180.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Pt Chevalier Medical Centre - 1181 Great North Road, Point Chevalier (09-8466244)
Mt Albert Medical Centre - 986 New North Road, Mount Albert (09-8467493)
White Cross Accident & Medical Clinic – 52 St Lukes Rd, St Lukes (09-8153111)
If an emergency, please call 111 (or 1-111 if calling from a Unitec line).
COPY CENTRE
The Unitec Copy Centre offers a full range of copying and publishing services - Building
117, Mt Albert campus (815 4315).
6PRESENTERS / SESSION CHAIRS - INSTRUCTIONS
Please read the following carefully for smooth paper presentation.
Presenters:
1. Note the date, time and room for your session from the final programme.
2. Please see the chair of your session in the allocated venue at least 10 minutes before
your session begins.
3. MS PowerPoint is the standard presentation software. You should ensure that the
Powerpoint is compatible with Office 2010 and Windows XP. If you have embedded
videos into your presentation please ensure that you also have the video file readily
available as a separate QuickTime file.
4. If you intend to use/include other visuals, please see your session chair or a
conference organiser well in advance to test the presentation.
5. The computers and data projectors used for presentations will be provided by the
conference and no other computers (including laptops) will be permitted to be
connected to the projectors.
6. If your presentation has not been supplied in advance, please report to the registration
desk, or the helpers stationed in the computer room (183-1105), WELL IN ADVANCE
of your session to arrange loading into the computer system. We recommend that you
check the talk in the computer room beforehand to make sure it all shows correctly.
7. Speakers at concurrent sessions will have 12 minutes ONLY for the presentation
followed by 3 minutes for questions (15 minutes total).
Session Chairs:
1. Note the date, time and room for the session you are going to chair from the final
programme.
2. Please be present in your session room at the start and end of the break prior to your
session, including the last 10 minutes prior to the commencement of your session. An
assistant will acquaint you and your speakers with the general room setup.
3. Please ensure that all PowerPoint presentations for the session are visible on the
computer desktop and ready to go before the session begins.
4. Please start sessions on time, even if people are still arriving.
5. Please announce student talks at the beginning of each talk for the benefit of those
judging for the student prizes. (Students indicated by * in programme)
6. Concurrent session chairs: It is essential that sessions run precisely to the schedule
indicated, given that there are parallel sessions. Please keep speakers to time. Give
them a warning at 9 and 11 minutes, AND STOP THEM AT 12 MINUTES. Warning
cards will be supplied.
7. Ensure that question time does not extend beyond the allocated 3 minutes, even if there
are questions still requiring responses.
8. If a speaker finishes early, or if a talk is cancelled, do not advance the programme
beyond the schedule. Have a pause or a break.
9. If you need any assistance please ask the assistant assigned to your session room, or
any member of the conference organising committee.
10. Please announce any housekeeping notices at the beginning and end of your
session.
Thank you for your role as session chair.
7KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr Matt Rayner
School of Biological Studies, University of Auckland
Dr Matt Rayner is a researcher in the fields of avian behaviour, ecology and evolution with
strong application to species conservation. Matt’s research approach relies upon cross-
disciplinary research combining remote sensing and tracking technologies, molecular and
isotopic markers and behavioural datasets to test hypothesis regarding the ecological and
or evolutionary context of animal behaviour in space and time. As study systems he
currently works on mobile avian taxa such as seabirds and New Zealand endemic
terrestrial birds such as Kereru (NZ Pigeon) and Kaka (NZ forest parrots). Active study
sites range from the New Zealand mainland, offshore islands (Mokohinau Islands, Red
Mercury Island, Little Barrier Island and Codfish Island) and international field
collaborations in Australia and the tropical Pacific (Fiji and New Caledonia). His current
research is investigating the “spill over” benefits of managing endemic bird populations in
fragmented landscapes, the community ecology and migration of seabirds in New Zealand
waters and the wider Pacific basin, phylogenetics of cookilaria petrels, incipient speciation
in Cook’s petrel and the hunt for the breeding site of the New Zealand storm petrel.
Professor Hamish Spencer
Director, Alan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, and
Professor of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin
Hamish Spencer is Professor of Zoology at the University of Otago as well as a founding
member and the current Director of the Alan Wilson Centre. Hamish holds additional
appointments as Principal Investigator with the Gravida: the National Centre for Growth
and Development, an Honorary Professor at Massey University and an Academic with
the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal
Society of New Zealand in 2009. His research encompasses mathematical modelling of
genetic phenomena and the evolutionary relationships of diverse groups of organisms
(birds, molluscs, algae), to the history of genetics and evolutionary medicine.
Dr John Ewen
Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London
Dr John Ewen works at the interface between varied scientific disciplines relevant for
understanding the biology and management of small populations. His work often involves
reintroduction biology and the subsequent monitoring and management of establishing
populations. Dr Ewen uses a clear theoretical basis to test the relevance and optimization
of alternative management options and has contributed research in the fields of behavioral
ecology, conservation genetics, population ecology and wildlife health. He has been
Research Fellow at the Zoological Society of London’s Institute of Zoology since 2004,
and is also co-chair of New Zealand’s Hihi (Stitchbird) Recovery Group. Hihi feature as
one of Dr Ewen’s main study systems.
8SYMPOSIA
Conservation and status of seabirds.
Convenor: Nicholas Carlile
The ecology of seabirds and the needs for their conservation is similar in both Australia
and New Zealand and the AOC presents an opportunity for researchers from both sides of
the Tasman to meet and discuss recent findings. In this symposium we review advances
in seabird research and management since the last symposium at the Cairns AOC. The
symposium is organised by the Australasian Seabird Group as one of our initiatives to
promote trans-Tasman cooperation in seabird research.
The Role of Australia and New Zealand in reversing shorebird declines in the East
Asian-Australasian Flyway
Convenor: Judit Szabo
This symposium provides update on what's happening (research, projects, CEPA,
lobbying, etc) on both national and international levels along the EAAF in order to reverse
alarming declines in migratory shorebirds. We also discuss research needs and the
linking of science to actions on the ground, what approaches do and don't work, as well as
current and planned future actions. We include a discussion on what Australian and New
Zealand researchers can do to conserve the shorebirds along the flyway.
Avian evolution in our region in the era of genomics: where are we headed?
Convenor: Leo Joseph
There have been several major turning points in the application of molecular data to
evolutionary studies. Research on birds has always been at the forefront of illustrating
these changes. The latest one is the advent of genomics – the methodological revolution
underway that allows researchers to look across entire genomes and not just a sample of
about ten (or more, if we are lucky) mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Our symposium
explores how the science of bird evolution can benefit from these new tools. The field is
very much in a transitional stage as researchers and labs gear up to using the new tools
and dealing with the flood of information that genomics methodologies have unleased.
Our talks span the birds of Sulawesi, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands and hint
at the nature of talks to come at AOC meetings in future.
Ecological and social dimensions of wild bird feeding.
Convenor: Darryl Jones
The provision of food for wild birds in suburban environments is one of the most popular
and widespread forms of interaction with wildlife in the world. In the Northern Hemisphere
30-70% of households participate in this activity, and similar rates have been found in
Australia, despite widespread opposition. Nonetheless, there is growing concern about
the possible impacts of this ‘global supplementary feeding experiment’ on birds and urban
environments. At the same time, the social significance of the practice is being
recognized. This symposium explores the various dimensions of this important activity.
9The complexities of avian communication; sound, scent and sight.
Convenor: Dianne Brunton
This symposium presents research on the phenomenon of avian communication that
occurs through complex songs and calls, scent production, and colourful plumage. Talks
examine avian signals from an integrative perspective, asking such questions as how song
signals function to mediate social interactions, what mechanisms underlie the production
and development of signals, and what evolutionary and cultural processes drive the
incredible diversity of signals seen in birds. Topics covered include social and behavioural
aspects of avian vocalisations, avian communication through scent, and morphological
adaptations in communication. In addition, we look at innovative approaches to collecting
and analysing vocalisations.
Ratite ecology, genetics and conservation.
Convenor: Helen Taylor
Ratites are a fascinating group of birds and Australasia is lucky enough to play host to
three families of them. This session focuses on the ecology and genetics of ratites, with
special attention to New Zealand’s own endemic ratite family, the kiwi (Apterygidae). In
the past few hundred years these birds, like many others, have faced challenges to their
survival from anthropogenic sources. Here, the biology of ratites is discussed in light of
these conservation concerns and with a view to managing this ancient group for a
successful future.
Biological insights from remote tracking.
Convenor: Phil Battley
Remote tracking, particularly with miniature geolocators, is commonly used to track long-
distance movements of birds. But in addition to revealing where birds go, such tracking
has the potential to reveal novel insights about the species’ underlying biology. This
symposium moves past the “where and when” questions to show how remote tracking
enables deeper questions about the ecology and annual cycles of species to be
addressed.
10TIME% WEDNESDAY%04%DECEMBER%
08:30%08:50' Welcome''
08:50%09:20' Plenary'Speaker:'Dr'Matt'Rayner''
'' Lost'and'found:'hunting'New'Zealand'storm'petrel'in'a'world'centre'of'seabird'diversity'
'' Parallel%Session%1% Parallel%Session%2%
'' Symposium:%Conservation,%status%and%biology%of%seabirds% Themed%session:%Migration,%spatially%related%biology%and%its%
implications%%%
Brian'Gill:'The'epic'migration'of'the'long%tailed'cuckoo'pieced'
09:30%09:45' Stefanie'Grosser*:'A'Trans%Tasman'fairy'penguin'tale'
together'from'museum'and'sighting'records'
David'Wilson:'Latham’s'snipe'Gallinago(hardwickii'in'Australia:'
Nicholas'Carlile:'Seabird'island'surveys'of'the'Lord'Howe'
09:45%10:00' trends'in'migration'patterns,'local'population'changes'and'
Group:'essential'knowledge'at'minimal'cost.'
data'coverage'since'1950'
Eduardo'Gallo%Cajiao:'Evidence'is'required'to'address'albatross' Erin'Kennedy*:'A'spatially%explicit'approach'to'assessing'and'
10:00%10:15'
mortality'in'trawl'fisheries' resolving'kea%human'conflicts'
Craig'Simkins*:'Population'viability'of'whio'(Hymenolaimus(
Megan'Friesen*:'Sensory'ecology'of'New'Zealand'petrel:'A'
10:15%10:30' malacorhynchos)'within'the'Te'Urewera'Mainland'Island:'a'
model'for'sensory%based'conservation'
spatially'explicit'individual%based'modelling'approach'
Sarah'Jamieson:'An'assessment'of'recent'population'trends'of'
10:30%10:45' flesh%footed'shearwaters'Puffinus(carneipes'breeding'in'New' '
Zealand.'
10:45%11:15' Morning%Break'
'' Symposium:%Conservation,%status%and%biology%of%seabirds% Themed%Session:%Citizen%Science,%Community%and%Stakeholder%%
Engagement%
Fiona'McDuie*:'Trans%equatorial'migration'of'tropical' David'Bain:'Australia’s'largest'owl'in'Australia’s'largest'city:'
11:15%11:30'
shearwaters'–'wintering'with'tuna% High'achieving'citizen'science%
Julie'Riordan*:'Bigger'is'always'better:'an'experimental'study'
Dean'Ingwersen:'Saving'critical'woodland'bird'habitat'through'
11:30%11:45' of'nestling'competition'in'asynchronous'hatching'black%faced'
prioritisation'and'incentives'to'landholders'–'a'case'study'
Cormorants''
Janice'Mentiplay%Smith:'Conservation'Management'Networks:'
Ashleigh'Robins*:'Modelling'the'movement'behaviour'of'grey%
11:45%12:00' Recognising'the'importance'of'community'involvement'in'the'
faced'petrels'
conservation'of'threatened'woodland'birds'
Rachael'Sagar*:'Slim'pickings:'a'comparison'of'the' Justin'Watson:'Biodiversity'and'conservation'management'in'
12:00%12:15'
development'of'mottled'petrel'chicks'in'two'different'seasons''' Western'Province,'Solomon'Islands'
Tamsin'Orr%Walker:'Changing'attitudes'towards'kea'%'conflict'
Kyle'Morrison*:'Is'the'aastern'rockhopper'penguin'population'
12:15%12:30' to'co%existence%%
on'Campbell'Island'still'in'decline?'
'
Wray'Grimaldi*:'First'report'of'feather'loss'in'Adelie'penguins'
12:30%12:45' '
on'Ross'Island,'Antarctica'
Iqbal'Muhammad:'Seabird'status,'threats'and'conservation'in'
12:45%01:00' '
Indonesia'
01:00%02:00' Lunch%Break/AOC%Steering%Committee%Meeting%
Symposium:%%The%role%of%Australia%and%New%Zealand%in%
' reversing%shorebird%declines%in%the%East%AsianQAustralasian% Themed%Session:%Active%management%and%translocation%
Flyway%
Judit'Szabo:'Science'needs'for'the'conservation'of'migratory' Allan'Burbidge:'Assisted'island%hopping:'fairy%wrens'and'
02:00%02:15'
waterbirds'in'the'East%Asian'Australian'Flyway' spinifexbirds'
Chiyeunmg'Choi*:'Shorebird'species'composition'and'numbers' Dean'Ingwersen:'Achievements'and'lessons'from'three'
02:15%02:30' in'the'Chinese'Yellow'Sea'on'northward'and'southward' captive%releases'of'regent'honeyeaters'Anthochaera(phrygia'in'
migration' north%east'Victoria'
Danny'Rogers:'What'effect'did'the'destruction'of'the'
02:30%02:45' Martine'Maron:'Managing'an'avian'despot'
Saemanguem'tidal'flats'have'on'the'great'knot?'
Richard'Fuller:'Why'are'Australasian'shorebirds'declining'so' Anna'Probert*:'Developing'a'best'practice'guide'for'the'
02:45%03:00'
rapidly'and'what'should'we'do'about'it?' trapping'of'Indian'myna'(Acridotheres(tristis)'
Rob'Clements*:'Development'of'species'distribution'models'
Laura'Molles:'Reintroduction'of'tūī'to'Banks'Peninsula,'
03:00%03:15' for'spatially'and'temporally'variable'shorebird'habitat'in'
Canterbury'
Australia''
03:15%03:45'
Afternoon%Break/Australasian%Seabird%Group%members%meeting'
03:45%05:45' Poster%Session%and%Welcome%Function%
11%TIME% THURSDAY%05%DECEMBER%%
08:50%09:20' Plenary'Speaker:'Professor'Hamish'Spencer''
'' 'Classification'of'the'cormorants'of'the'world'
'' Parallel%Session%1% Parallel%Session%2%
Symposium:%%Ecological%and%social%dimensions%of%wild%bird%
'' Symposium:%%Avian%evolution%in%the%era%of%genomics%%
feeding%%
Leo'Joseph:'Avian'evolution'in'our'region'in'the'era'of' Darryl'Jones:'Why'bird'feeding'matters?'
09:30%09:45'
genomics:'where'are'we'headed?' '
Karen'Rowe:'The'role'of'islands'as'reservoirs'of'ancient' Eric'Spurr:'Feeding'wild'birds:'results'from'New'Zealand'bird'
09:45%10:00' lineages:'Sulawesi'and'the'endemic'genus,'Myza' survey'
(Meliphagidae)' '
Gillian''Gibb:'Why'fly'when'you'can'walk?'The'evolution'of' Josie'Galbraith*:'Changes'to'local'bird'communities'as'a'result'
10:00%10:15'
flightlessness'in'rails' of'supplementary'feeding'
Ellery'McNaughton*:'Patterns'of'supplementary'feeding'and'
Nic'Rawlence:'Ratite'and'moa'evolution'in'the'age'of'
10:15%10:30' common'myna'(Acridotheres(tristis)'visitation'at'feeders'in'
genomics:'progress,'problems'and'prospects'
urban'Auckland'
Renee'Chapman*:'Connecting'with'nature:'The'social'
Nic'Dussex*:'Unexpected'genetic'population'structure'in'the' dimensions'of'feeding'birds'in'Australia'and'the'United'
10:30%10:45'
New'Zealand'endemic''kea'(Nestor(notabilis)' Kingdom%
'
Richard'Major:'Population'differentiation'of'a'small'passerine' Richard'Fuller:'Backyard'bird'feeding'in'Britain:'Caring'gone'
10:45%11:00' bird'at'a'continental'scale:'the'importance'of'land,'ocean'and' mad?'
urban'barriers' '
11:00%11:30' Morning%Break%
Symposium:%The%complexities%of%avian%communication:%
' Symposium:%Ratite%ecology,%genetics%and%conservation%
sound,%scent%and%sight%
Helen'Taylor*:'Disparity'in'reproductive'effort'and'hatching'
James'Dale:'The'function'of'colourful'plumage:'it’s'not'just' success'suggests'inbreeding'depression'in'a'translocated'
11:30%11:45'
about'quality'signalling' population'of'little'spotted'kiwi'(Apteryx(owenii)'
'
Laura'Molles:'No'translation'required'(yet):'kōkako'song'and' Sarah'Jamieson:'Baby,'it’s'cold'outside:'Exploring'the'drivers'
11:45%12:00'
conservation' behind'social'roosting'in'North'Island'Brown'Kiwi'
Sam'Hill*:'Vocalisations'of'mainland'tui'(Prosthemadera(
novaeseelandiae(novaeseelandiae)'and'Chatham'Island'tui'(P.( Alex'Wilson*:'Behaviour'of'brown'kiwi'chicks'(Apteryx(
12:00%12:15'
n.(chathamensis):'a'comparative'study% mantelli)'at'the'nest'
'
Michelle'Roper*:'The'development'of'female'song'in'the'New'
12:15%12:30' Isabel'Castro:'The'sensory'world'of'ratites'
Zealand'Bellbird'(Anthornis(melanura)'
Rachel'Abbot*:'Effects'of'early'rearing'experience'on'rowi'
Dianne'Brunton:'New'Zealand'Bellbirds:'song'learning'abilities'
12:30%12:45' (Apteryx(rowi)'behaviour'and'implications'for'conservation'
of'male'and'female'juveniles'
management.'
12:45%01:45' Lunch%Break/Workshop:%Birdlife%Australia:%Support%for%Ornithologists'
Symposium:%The%complexities%of%avian%communication:%
' Contributed%papers%
sound,%scent%and%sight%
Louis'Ranyard:'Automatic'classification'of'large'song'datasets,' Tegan'Douglas*:'Babbler'it’s'cold'outside:'Social'
01:45%02:00'
Tiritiri'Matangi'hihi'population'as'a'case'study' thermoregulation'in'the'white%browed'babbler'
Justus'Deikumah*:'Mining'matrix'effects'on'rainforest'birds:'a'
02:00%02:15' Andrew'Digby:'Kiwi'vocal'communication'
case'study'of'south%west'Ghana'
Erika'Roper*:'Piping'call'diversity'in'the'crimson'rosella'species' Katheryn'Napier*:'Mistletoebirds'vary'their'dietary'intake'of'
02:15%02:30'
complex:'evidence'of'individual'signalling' arthropods'depending'on'time'of'year'
Kate'Buchanan:'One'hundred'years'of'publishing:'trends'and'
02:30%02:45' '
the'future'for'Emu'Austral'Ornithology'
Rochelle'Steven*:''A'review'of'the'research'on'travelling'
02:45%03:00' '
birdwatchers:'future'directions'for'avitourism'
03:00%03:30' Afternoon%Break'
12Thursday 05 December continued …..
Themed%%session:%Conservation,%biology%and%status%of%
' Themed%Session:%Bird%populations%and%population%biology%%
psittacines%
Clio'Reid*:'Understanding'attacks'by'kea'(Nestor(notabilis),'an' Tim'Lovegrove:'16'years'of'forest'bird'counts'in'the'Waitakere'
03:30%03:45'
endemic'high'country'parrot,'on'sheep'in'New'Zealand' Ranges'following'possum'control'
'Asher'Cook*:'Terrestrial'bird'monitoring'on'Great'Barrier'
Luis'Ortiz%Catedral:'Conservation'status'of'Cyanoramphus' Island'and'the'population'size'and'distribution'of'North'Island'
03:45%04:00'
parakeets'in'the'South'Pacific' tomtit'and'red%crowned'parakeet'on'Mount'
Hobson/Hirakimata'
Mike'Perrin:'The'conservation'status'of'the'parrots'of'Africa,' C.J.'Ralph:'Value'added'in'bird'monitoring:'capture'and'
04:00%04:15'
Madagascar'and'the'Mascarene'Islands.' banding'provide'new'insights'on'climate'fluctuations.'
Kara'Joshi*:'Can'automated'digital'recording'methods'provide'
Zoe'Stone*:'Kakapo'(Strigops(habroptilus)'breeding'patterns'
04:15%04:30' more'unbiased'and'cost%effective'bird'surveys'than'human'
on'Little'Barrier'Island'in'relation'to'plant'phenology'
counts?'
Allan'Burbidge:'Measures'of'genetic'variability'for'ground' Marta'Ferenczi*:'Avian'influenza'virus'dynamics'in'a'waterfowl'
04:30%04:45'
parrot'conservation' community'
04:45%05:00' 'Cromwell'Purchase:'Reproductive'research'strategies'for' 'Penn'Lloyd:'Relationship'between'annual'adult'survival'and'
Spix’s'macaws'(Cyanopsitta(spixii)' post%fledging'survival'among'passerine'birds'
' ' '
' Conference%Dinner/%D.L.%Serventy%Medal%Award%
FRIDAY%06%DECEMBER%%
Field'Trips'
13TIME% SATURDAY%07%DECEMBER%%
08:50%09:20'
Plenary'Speaker:'Dr'John'Ewen'
The'biology'and'management'of'small'bird'populations'
' Parallel%Session%1' Parallel%Session%2'
Themed%session:%Evolution,%taxonomy,%phylogenetics%and%
' Symposium:%%Biological%insights%from%remote%tracking%
morphology%
Nicolas'Rawlence:'Circumpolar'phylogeography'of'the'blue%
Phil'Battley:'Individual'consistency'in'bar%tailed'godwit'migration' eyed'shag'complex'(Leucocarbo'spp.)'and'consequent'
09:30%09:45'
timing' taxonomic'implications'for'the'New'Zealand'blue'eyed'
shags'
Elen'Shute*:'An'extinct'coucal'species'(Centropus(sp.(nov.)'
Graeme'Taylor:'How'do'five'species'of'Puffinus'shearwater'breed'
09:45%10:00' from'the'early'Pleistocene'of'the'Nullarbor'Plain,'south%
sympatrically'in'the'Hauraki'Gulf?'
central'Australia:'
Paul'Scofield:'An'update'on'the'Early'Miocene'avifauna'
Todd'Dennis:'ARGOS'satellite'telemetry'reveals'the'natal'dispersal'
10:00%10:15' from'St'Bathans,'Otago:'helping'understand'the'origins'of'
patterns'of'kea'(Nestor(notabilis)'
New'Zealand'birds'
Inka'Veltheim*:'Influence'of'thermodynamic'costs'on'daily'
Jamie'Wood:'New'morphological'and'phylogenetic'analyses'
10:15%10:30' movement'decisions'and'habitat'use'of'the'brolga'(Grus(
of'extinct'birds'from'the'Chatham'Islands,'New'Zealand'
rubicunda)'
Kelly'Matthews:'Morphology'of'the'red%browed'finch'
10:30%10:45' Reece'Pedler*:'Continental'movements'of'Banded'Stilt' (Neochmia(temporalis)'in'Queensland,'New'South'Wales'
and'Victoria,'Australia'
John'McEnvoy*:'From'farm%duck'to'desert'nomad'%'how'
10:45%11:00' '
waterfowl'respond'to'rapidly'changing'environments'
11:00%11:30' Morning%Break%%
Themed%session:%Birds%in%modified%terrestrial%and%aquatic%
' %
habitats%
Emily'Gray*:'Seasonal'selection'and'use'of'native'and'exotic'
11:30%11:45' vegetation'by'bush'bird'species'in'an'urban'mixed'forest' '
environment'
Kate'Stevens*:'Effects'of'habitat'fragmentation'on'breeding'
behaviour,'mating'systems'and'relatedness'of'family'groups'in'the'
11:45%12:00'
co%operatively'breeding'grey%crowned'babbler'Pomatostomus(
'
temporalis'
Birgita'Hansen:'Does'riparian'condition'influence'breeding'success'
12:00%12:15'
in'woodland'birds'in'highly'modified'landscapes?' '
Robert'Green:'Avian'responses'to'rehabilitation'and'water'flow'
12:15%12:30'
management'in'a'degraded'wetland'system'
'
12:30%13:00' Student%awards/Conference%Close'
13:00%13:30' Lunch%
14WEDNESDAY%04%DECEMBER%
Poster'Presentations'
Nigel'Adams:'Minimising'the'impact'of'mammalian'pest'management'on'non%target'birds'
'
Thomas'Clay*:'Colony%based'differences'in'the'distribution'and'habitat'characteristics'of'non%breeding'grey%headed'albatrosses'
'
Grant'Humpheries*:'Following'sooty'shearwaters'(Puffinus(griseus)'to'a'precursor'of'El'Nino'Southern'Oscillation:'seabirds'as'true'predictors'of'
climatic'changes'
Golo'Maurer:'Shorebirds'2020'–'Turning'survey'data'into'education'and'conservation'
Pavel'Pipek:''Yellowhammer.net:'Citizen'science'projects'uncovering'the'mysteries'of'the'distribution'of'yellowhammer'(Emberiza(citronella)'
song'dialects'
'
Peter'Saguba:'Diurnal'behaviour,'time'and'energy'budget'and'resource'use'of'nonbreeding'green'pygmy%goose'(Nettapus(pulchellus)'at'Pacific'
Adventist'University'wetlands,'Papua'New'Guinea'
'
Justin'Watson:'Habitat'utilisation'by'the'black%breasted'button%quail'(Turnix(melanogaster)'in'southeast'Queensland'coastal'and'dry'vine'thicket'
'
Jingjing Zhang*: Detecting behaviour states from foraging paths of little blue penguins in New Zealand
*Student presentations
1516
ABSTRACTS
(in alphabetical order based on presenter surname)
1718
PLENARY PRESENTATIONS
Biology and management of small bird populations
JOHN EWEN
Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London & Co-Chair of the Hihi
Recovery Group
There are substantial challenges faced when undertaking conservation management of small or
rapidly declining populations. The threats to these populations are driven both by external
extinction drivers, and intrinsic processes related to the life history of the species combined with
population smallness. Although we have had some remarkable recoveries of species on the brink
of extinction, we have also frequently seen poor success rates in some of our key management
techniques, such as translocation, disease risk assessments or supplementary feeding. Some
have linked our poor success to the development of knee-jerk reactions by conservation
practitioners and the establishment of conservation dogmas. This reflects our often poor approach
to problem solving and decision-making in conservation management. I will advocate a strategic
approach where all actions (including monitoring) are guided by explicit theoretical frameworks
based on clearly defined objectives and thorough consideration of management alternatives.
Presenting author: john.ewen@ioz.ac.uk
Lost and found: hunting New Zealand storm petrel in a world centre of seabird diversity
MATT J. RAYNER1, CHRIS P. GASKIN2
1
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
2
400 Leigh Road, RD5, Whangateau, Warkworth 0985, New Zealand
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is a globally significant seabird hotspot with 27 species breeding
amongst a myriad of offshore island and mainland sites. Research in this natural laboratory is
revealing the lifestyles of seabirds, their importance as ecological links between marine and
terrestrial environments and, with the arrival of lightweight tracking technologies, the staggering
movements of these animals at oceanic basin scales. However, in comparison with terrestrial
avifauna our understanding of the biology of seabirds remains poor, yet critical for effective
conservation management. Nowhere can this lack of understanding be more exemplified than in
the case of the New Zealand storm petrel (NZSP), photographed in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
in 2003 following 108 years of presumed extinction. Ten years on, in February 2013, this critically
endangered species was finally tracked to a breeding site on Te Hauturu o Toi Little Barrier Island
only 50 km from New Zealand's largest city. From the first 2003 photo to the discovery of a
breeding site the story of the NZSP has rolled with all the twists and turns of a good detective
novel. This talk presents an overview of recent seabird research in the Hauraki Gulf including the
highs and lows of the search for the NZSP and lessons learned from this project that can be
transferred to seabird conservation in general.
Presenting author: m.rayner@auckland.ac.nz
19Classification of the cormorants of the world
HAMISH G. SPENCER, MARTYN KENNEDY
Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology & Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of
Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Relationships among the 40 or so extant species of cormorants (family Phalacrocoracidae) have
been obscured by their morphological similarities, many of which we have recently shown to be the
result of convergent evolution. Previous attempts by other workers to derive an evolutionarily
justifiable classification for this group of birds using osteological and behavioural data have been
hampered by these similarities. Many checklists currently avoid giving any indication of
relationships among the species by using the singe genus Phalacrocorax. We present a well-
resolved evolutionary tree for some 40 taxa based on the results of extensive genetic work that
produced over 9000 bases of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence. This tree implies a novel
classification for the cormorants, which reflects their evolutionary history and can be implemented
using some 7 genera. Some of the relationships among the species are well-known but many are
previously unrecognized. Nevertheless, much of the classification makes sense in terms of
biogeography.
Presenting author: hamish.spencer@otago.ac.nz
20SYMPOSIA, THEMED AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Effects of early rearing experience on rowi (Apteryx rowi) behaviour and implications for
conservation management
RACHAEL ABBOTT, BEN BELL, NICKY NELSON
Victoria University Of Wellington, School of Biological Sciences, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New
Zealand
Early rearing experience can have significant impacts on the behaviour of animals reared in non-
natural situations for conservation management. Rowi are critically endangered flightless ratites
which form monogamous, highly territorial pairs with extended periods of parent-offspring
association. Restocking the sole remaining rowi population involves rearing chicks on predator-
free islands isolated from adult conspecifics. During this time juvenile rowi exhibit increased social
tolerance, sharing burrows with multiple unrelated conspecifics. We hypothesised that as a result
of behavioural mechanisms induced by pre-release experience, individuals in larger groups would
have a higher survival rate than those in small release groups. We tested this experimentally by
manipulating release group size over 3 years. Modelling revealed that of all variables tested,
group size has the most significant influence on post release survival (n=67, P=0.036). Survival of
individuals in small groups was significantly lower than that of individuals released in large groups.
We suggest that social attraction and continued conspecific tolerance resulting from an individual’s
rearing environment are the reason for this. Our findings have informed conservation
management leading to changes in release protocols, and triggered further research into
behavioural plasticity and long term effects of rearing conditions in conservation management.
Presenting author: rachaelabbott21@hotmail.co.uk
Poster
Minimising the impact of mammalian pest management on non-target birds
NIGEL ADAMS1, TAMSIN ORR-WALKER2, LORNE ROBERTS1, JOSH KEMP3, ERIC SPURR4
1
Department of Natural Sciences, Unitec New Zealand
2
Kea Conservation Trust,
3
Department of Conservation,
4
Landcare Research
Toxic laced baits are often used to control introduced mammalian pests in New Zealand. Delivery
of the toxin 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) in cereal bait by aerial scattering remains by far the most
effective control way of targeting pests over large areas particularly in rugged terrain. By-kill of
non-target native bird species by 1080, including the threatened native parrot the kea Nestor
notabilis, does occur. The effectiveness of the toxic laced bait drop is increased by pre-feeding
with nontoxic cereal-based pellets. This provides the opportunity for introducing bird-specific
repellents to pre-feed pellets in order to develop learned aversion by the birds and to reduce this
by-kill. We tested the effectiveness of a combination of repellents, introduced to the cereal bait, in
potentially deterring consumption by kea. Our results indicate that most captive birds rapidly
develop a learned aversion to the bait and average consumption rates dropped to levels that would
make unlikely that birds would receive a lethal dose of 1080. There was however considerable
individual variability in the response with not all birds developing aversion to treated pellets. This
suggests a small proportion of birds may remain susceptible to by kill during pest control
operations in spite of the use of repellents. While these results are encouraging, field use of these
repellents can only occur on demonstration that repellency to kea in the field and the palatability to
the target pests are maintained.
Presenting author: nadams@unitec.ac.nz
21Australia’s largest owl in Australia’s largest city: High achieving citizen science DAVID BAIN BirdLife Australia, BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, 1 Jamieson St, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127, Australia The powerful owl Project is a citizen science research project looking at the urban-based population of powerful owls throughout the Sydney Basin. The project was initiated by a motivated member of the public, with no formal science based training. The project is now funded through the NSW Environment Trust and led by BirdLife Australia. The project has seen up to 130 volunteers take part in surveys of known and potential territories of powerful owls in Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle over three years. This has been supplemented by over 300 sightings per year provided by other interested members of the public. Results have shown up to 53% more territories than that estimated 10 years ago and preliminary work on diet is also now indicating more varied mammal prey items. Indications are that territories are substantially smaller than in non-urban areas and their locations are being driven by an interaction of environmental factors. Significant threats exist in the urban situation with car strike the biggest single impact, possibly affecting up to 10% of the population a year. The project is also developing education resources for a range of target audiences. The project has captured the interest of a large number of people and the value of this citizen science goes far beyond the benefits to the powerful owl, with the species becoming a ‘pin-up boy’ for urban conservation. Presenting author: david.bain@birdlife.org.au Individual consistency in the annual schedules of bar-tailed godwits PHIL F. BATTLEY, JESSE R. CONKLIN Ecology Group, Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand In addition to their utility in documenting migration routes and stopover sites of migratory birds, geolocators can allow observed and unobserved phenomena to be linked and therefore enable novel testing of previously untestable hypotheses. Here, we combine data from a range of methods including geolocation to evaluate individual consistency in annual-cycle events in bar- tailed godwits that winter in New Zealand and breed in Alaska. We found that the individual timing of northward migration from New Zealand reflects godwits’ eventual breeding latitudes, with later migrants breeding further north in Alaska where the thaw is later. We also compared individual and population variation in a range of moult, movement and breeding timing parameters. Upholding a common belief, we confirmed that migratory movements are more tightly scheduled than moults are, but we did not find that migratory movements became ‘tighter’ as birds approach the breeding grounds. This was in part due to the remarkable individual consistency shown, with an average variation between years of
New Zealand bellbirds: song learning abilities of male and female juveniles
DIANNE H. BRUNTON, BARBARA K. EVANS, MICHELLE ROPER
Ecology, Conservation & Behaviour, Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey
University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand
The endemic New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura) is an ideal model for testing cultural
evolution of song. Bellbirds are honeyeaters that have a natural range that includes most offshore
islands and the majority of New Zealand’s forests. Most significantly both sexes sing prolifically and
defend resources using song. Song learning is a key factor in the evolution of dialects and there is a
critical relationship between timing of song learning, dispersal and the formation of geographic
dialects. While it is undisputed that many species have sex differences in song usage, vocal learning
abilities of female songbirds are effectively unknown. In this study we quantify and compare the
vocalizations of 1) male and female juvenile bellbirds of comparable ages, and 2) compare songs of
adults and juveniles of the same sex. Songs were recorded in February 2013 at Lady Alice Island,
an island off the coast of north-eastern New Zealand. Juvenile bellbirds of both sexes ranged in age
from 2-8 weeks post fledging. Song development and complexity was similar for both male and
female juveniles and sex differences in song types were apparent for all ages. Both sexes had a
plastic song phase and song crystallisation occurred within 8 weeks post-fledging. The implications
of sex biased juvenile dispersal and song learning abilities on the formation of sex-based dialects are
discussed.
Presenting author: d.h.brunton@massey.ac.nz
One hundred years of publishing: trends and the future for Emu Austral Ornithology
M.R. YARWOOD, K.L. BUCHANAN, M.A. WESTON
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
Emu Austral Ornithology has been publishing ornithological findings from the southern hemisphere
since 1901. During the following 110 years the face of international publishing has changed, and
consequently the focus of journal. Changes in publishing have resulted in more multi-affiliated
papers submitted to the journal and from researchers based at academic institutions. Across this
time the number of studies documenting basic species distributions has decreased, whilst the
number of hypothesis-driven studies has increased. Analyses reveal gaps in both taxonomic and
geographical content, suggesting studies are consistently focussed on particular taxonomic groups
or within certain geographic areas. Non-Australian studies increased proportionally from the 1970s,
whilst the strong gender bias towards male authors has improved since 1960. The trends are
discussed against the background of changes in the international publishing scene and the strong
potential for the journal in the future highlighted.
Presenting author: kate.buchanan@deakin.edu.au
23Assisted island-hopping: fairy-wrens and spinifexbirds
ALLAN H. BURBIDGE
Department of Parks and Wildlife, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6946
The Montebello Islands, off north-western Australia, were the site of British atomic testing in the
1950s and, until recent times, have also supported populations of feral cats and black rats, and still
harbour dense stands of various weed species. Disturbance has therefore been substantial,
despite the relative remoteness of the islands. Some bird species, and two mammal species, were
lost from the islands. Following removal of cats and rats, 36 Barrow Island white-winged fairy-
wrens (Malurus leucopterus edouardi) (Vulnerable) and 47 spinifexbirds (Eremiornis carteri) were
reintroduced from Barrow Island to the Montebello Islands, in 2010-2011. Despite some significant
logistical and husbandry challenges, birds were released successfully. Reintroduced populations of
both species have expanded their range, and approximately double the number of birds were
recorded within two years of the original translocation. The primary aim of these translocations was
not to do with species recovery; rather, they are part of a broader project aimed at reconstructing
the vertebrate fauna of the Montebello Islands. While the project has been successful, it raises the
question of how we prioritise translocations for species recovery vs fauna reconstruction vs
insurance against climate change.
Presenting author: allan.burbidge@dpaw.wa.gov.au
Measures of genetic variability for ground parrot conservation
ALLAN H. BURBIDGE, SARAH COMER, ABBY BERRYMAN
Department of Parks and Wildlife, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6946
Genetic investigations have been informative in relation to our understanding of the 'taxonomic
uniqueness' of the traditionally accepted subspecies of ground parrot, and the lack of complexity of
genetic structuring within constituent taxa. Interpretation of these data, and translation into policy
and management, has, however, been challenging. These challenges are compounded by the
perilous conservation status of the western populations. Phylogenetic analysis has revealed the
existence of genetic lineages that are in contrast to the traditional taxonomic view based on
morphology. This suggests a clarification of conservation priorities is appropriate, but changes to
regulations and policy have not flowed readily. Limited morphological variation, presumably related
to the cryptic nature of the species, has also made interpretation difficult. Studies of genetic
variability between individuals has also been illuminating, with surprisingly low levels of variability
in both eastern and western Australia. This leads to some interesting management questions.
Should we translocate birds within the range of the eastern populations? Should we translocate
between eastern and western populations? Or between western populations? Or should eastern
birds be used to test effectiveness of habitat management in areas where western birds are no
longer found? As preliminary work suggests a lack of variation in microsatellite markers in western
birds, how can we use this to manage the genetic health of the captive or wild populations? Given
the apparent degree of genetic uniformity, does it matter how the captive birds are paired? Should
eastern birds be added to the western captive population to increase genetic variability?
Presenting author: allan.burbidge@dpaw.wa.gov.au
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