Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship Awards

Forest and Bird, Volume 17, Issue 1, 1 February 1986, Page 30

Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship Awards

Four post-graduate students have been awarded scholarships by the Society for their expenses in researching projects for work which will be of use in our conservation projects. Phillip Seddon, researching for his PhD at Otago University will investigate the nesting requirements of the yellow-eyed penguin, and study how these rarest of penguins develop and interact socially. He is working in close association with John Darby of the Otago Museum, an expert who joins the Society in campaigning for the protection of the habitat of this unique penguin. Graeme Elliott, continuing a study of breeding and habitat use of yellowheads, a threatened bird now found only in the south of the South Island and extremely rare north of Arthurs Pass. The broad aims of his study are to find out why yellowheads have declined, and what can be done to prevent any further decline. Carol Bergquist, in her final year of PhD study, is studying the social behaviour of the tui in relation to feeding resources. She is researching in the suburban area of Auckland, in regenerating gullies and scenic reserves. Alison Davis, a science graduate from Auckland University, is continuing her study of the N.Z. Shore Plover in the Chatham Islands. Alison has contributed an article to the last issue of Forest & Bird on Rangatira Island in the Chathams.