Rare mottled petrel found in Waiouru

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 2, 4 June 1985, Page 4

Rare mottled petrel found in Waiouru

by

Dave

Johnson

An unexpected visitor found in the Ruapehu region recently was a mottled petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata). This sea-bird, often associated with the pack-ice of Antarctica, was found at Waiouru during the strong southerly storm at the beginning of May. The bird was discovered first by Mrs McCready of Waiouru who correctly ident-

ified it is a species of petrel. It was then handed to wildlife officer Dave Johnson who identified it further. It is an adult mottled petrel. It was a storm-blown bird and it is likely many more storm-wrecked birds will be stranded over the Waimarino. This bird looked for a hole to climb into in Waiouru as the only- time petrels spend on land is during the breeding season and this is largely spent down burrows. Sea-birds which venture

or are blown inland are often dazzled by streetlights. This is often the case in Auckland suburbs as birds fly from nearby islands such as Little or Great Barrier. Most people seeing this type of bird would probably think it was a sea-gull. Any sick or injured seabird should be investigated, particularly after a strong windy storm. A few years ago an albatross was found wandering round one of the main streets of Palmerston North. Another sea-bird was found in the Taumarunui rail-sheds dazzled by the strong-lights. If such a bird is found then the Wildlife Service should be contacted. Petrels are very beautiful birds. The mottled petrel, however, is not

often seen. It breeds only on islands in Foveaux Strait and at Snares. After leaving New Zealand they migrate north to the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and occasionally to the west coast of North America.

During the breeding season they return to New Zealand and range from New Zealand to the Antarctic ice. The mottled petrel found at Waiouru will be fed until it has gained a lot more weight. It will then be released at sea.