SEASONAL ABUNDANCE AND MARINE HABITAT OF STORM-PETRELS (OCEANITIDAE) OFF CENTRAL NEW SOUTH WALES
| Posted: |
07/09/2021 |
| Author(s): |
K. A. Wood |
During monthly oceanic cruises off central New South Wales between April 1985 and March
1987, a total of 153 storm-petrels was observed. Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus and
White-faced Storm-Petrels
Pelagodroma marina comprised 70 and 25 per cent of the Oceanitidae
population respectively. Only two Grey-backed Storm-Petrels Oceanites nereis and six White-bellied
Fregetta grallaria and/or Black-bellied Fregetta tropica Storm-Petrels were seen. All Oceanitidae were
mostly pelagic and silent at sea. They occupied the air stratum within a few metres of the surface.
The behaviour and seasonaJ abundance of Wilson's Storm-Petrels suggested that they purely
migrated through the study area. White-faced Storm-Petrels were absent in autumn and most numerous
in late winter. This pattern of abundance is evident elsewhere off New South Wales, suggesting a
large-scale movement from (or through) the region in summer and a return in late winter.
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