RECOVERIES, RECAPTURES AND RESIGHTINGS OF AUSTRALASIAN GANNETS Morus serrator BANDED AT LAWRENCE ROCKS, VICTORIA
| Posted: |
03/06/2021 |
| Author(s): |
C. Cooper, F. I. Norman |
Banding of Australasian gannets
Morus serrator (mainly of pre-fledging young) at Lawrence Rocks, off western
Victoria, was initiated in 1960 and continued in most years until the 1971-1972 breeding period; a second series
of banding began in 1986-1987 and occurred annually until 1996-1997. A total of 9 640 young and 374 adults
was banded during these visits. Recoveries, recaptures and resightings of these banded birds are summarised
here. To June 2002, some 203 (2.1 %) of birds banded as young have been recovered both locally and at
considerable distances. Dispersal tended to be westwards and included numerous records around Western
Australia; younger ( <48 months) birds were often recovered at greater distances. For younger birds, recoveries
were more numerous in months immediately following fledging whereas older birds (>48 months) were usually
found within the breeding period. Between 1960 and 1997, 86 birds marked as chicks were recaptured at Lawrence
Rocks, usually four or more years post banding and breeding was increasingly reported in birds over three years
old. Two birds from Lawrence Rocks were found dead during development of the Wedge Light colony in Port
Phillip Bay, and 12 others have subsequently entered breeding populations there although only three from Port
Phillip sites have been recorded at Lawrence Rocks. Several birds banded as chicks have been recovered (or
resighted) at the newly-established mainland colony at nearby Point Danger and it is suggested that this colony
was founded by young breeders from Lawrence Rocks.
Banding began at Lawrence Rocks as the colony was expanding and continued until the site was fully occupied.
The recorded intrusion of birds from other sites has been low and it is considered that the colony developed
essentially from the return of birds to the natal colony (apart from the inclusion of a small number of Cape gannets
M. capensis now breeding there). Since Australasian gannets may move extensively, particularly when young and
not breeding, conservation measures must take account of its temporal distribution and requisite resources.
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