United States

**Abstract:**

Shy albatross are an endemic Australian seabird, with three breeding colonies off the coast of the island state of Tasmania. Like many species, climate change is a significant future threat, however, the specific impacts remain unclear. As well as macro-scale environmental changes, we expect local weather and microclimate at the breeding colony to influence breeding success from our observations of spatial and temporal clumping of breeding attempt failures. Our data show high-quality nests significantly increase breeding success and we capitalised on this discovery by trialing artificial nests as a climate adaptation intervention strategy, to great success. To further explore the fine-scale variation across the colony and which factors drive breeding success, we use eight seasons of data from a robotic gigapixel remote-monitoring camera providing daily observations of over 100 nests. We analyse spatial and temporal patterns of chick mortality and breeding success to understand the environmental, physical, and intrinsic factors at an individual nest-scale to inform the potential and implementation of future climate adaptation interventions.

**Authors:**

Claire Mason¹, Alistair Hobday², Rachael Alderman³, Mary-Anne Lea¹

¹University of Tasmania, ²CSIRO, ³Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)

3rd World Seabird Conference

Local weather, microclimate and nest-scale drivers of shy albatross chick mortality and breeding success

Welcome Seabirders!  

Welcome to Virtual World Seabird Conference 3 - vWSC3! Whether you are in your office or lab, at home, in a coffee shop or bar poaching some wifi, or at a remote field site or research vessel – we are very excited to welcome you to the third ever World Seabird Conference. 

We would like to thank ALL of you for being so patient as WSC3 was scheduled, postponed, rescheduled, revised to virtual, and scheduled again. Throughout all those iterations there was one message that remained perfectly clear – seabirders were eager to meet and share their science. If we could not meet in person then virtual it would have to be, but a 3rd WSC was something everyone wanted. That support and commitment helped the WSU Board of Directors and Member Societies sort through all of the challenges they faced to plan and hold this conference. 

The list of those that need to be thanked is long and, while we plan on recognizing many during the live closing plenary, it is important to do so here in writing as well. 

The Australasian Seabird Group was our Local Host for our plan to meet in Hobart, Tasmania. They invested substantial time and effort to find venues and plan events that we unfortunately were not able to visit. Nonetheless we appreciate their work on behalf of WSC3 and encourage all of you to thank them when you see their members in Gathertown or elsewhere during our virtual meeting. Their willingness to host created the initial excitement for WSC3 and without that our vWSC would not have been possible.

We also wish to thank the Science Program Committee, the Virtual Committee, and the Early Career Scientist Committee for their hard work planning the logistics, events, and schedule for vWSC3. These committees also had to deal with changing parameters and short timelines that made what is always a challenging task even more challenging. The Travel Awards Committee also invested time and effort in developing procedures for awarding travel funds that ultimately would not be implemented. 

Our ability to shift from an in-person to a virtual meeting, and to do so in a way that would be financially feasible, was due to the effective efforts of The International Fundraising Committee and to our financial sponsors. The IFC raised funds to support WSC3 and then, through the good relationships they built with sponsors, ensured we could re-envision how those funds could be used to support a virtual conference that would be affordable and high-quality.

We all owe the WSU Board of Directors and the Representatives of the Member Societies a great deal of thanks. They are the ones who manage the WSU and, for the past 18 months, have had to have a series of challenging meetings and conversations, have had to make a series of difficult choices, have had to do all of that while considering the short- and long-term health of WSU and the World Seabird Conferences, and did this while also managing their own challenges at their day jobs. We are grateful for their diligence, patience, foresight, and throughout all of the meetings, their collegiality. Also – a 6-year term is quite a commitment!

There would not be a WSC3 without a successful WSC1 and WSC2. Thanks go to the Pacific Seabird Group for their support of WSC1 in Victoria, Canada, and to the African Seabird Group for their support of WSC2 in Cape Town, South Africa. In each of these endeavors and for our current conference we were fortunate to work with a dependable and trustworthy partner in Podium Conferences. Michelle Smith and Marischal de Armond have become valued members of our team and have not only helped us plan conferences but have assisted and advised the WSU Chairs and Board on issues above and beyond conference planning. 

As we embark on our vWSC3 week we extend to all of you our thanks for showing up, for being patient, and most importantly for the work you do with seabirds. We are all part of a unique, global community that shares an interest, a fascination, and a passion for birds that make a living in our world’s oceans. We have advanced the science, conservation, and management of seabirds as well the ecosystems they inhabit. We are consistently impressed and motivated by the work you do. 

The WSU formed in 2010 because we saw the need for a global organization to address challenges at a global level. Over the past 11 years WSU has grown, adapted, and evolved to become the community that this week is making vWSC3 a reality. Enjoy the week, appreciate and support the friends and colleagues you have made in the community, and if you see us in a virtual hallway please stop and say hello! 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve all of you and the WSU over the past few years,

Nicholas Carlile, Interim Chair, WSU<br>
Patrick Jodice, 2nd Chair of the WSU<br><br>

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Join us for four days of science, networking and virtual engagement with delegates from around the world!

symposium

**Abstract:**

Arctic seabirds evolved physiological and morphological adaptation to cold that increases heat production and reduces heat loss. Yet such adaptation might expose them to increased mortality risk from heat stress in a rapidly warming Arctic. When ambient air temperature exceeds the upper critical limit of the thermoneutral zone of an individual, evaporative water loss must increase to dissipate heat and to avoid lethally high body temperatures. At the same time, endogenous heat production also increases as more active forms of evaporative water loss (i.e. gular fluttering) are employed to dissipate heat. If environmental temperatures remain elevated above thermoneutrality, the cycle of increased water loss and heat production can quickly lead to dehydration and hyperthermia. In the present study, we used temperature-controlled respirometry and biotelemetry to link the thermal sensitivity of energy expenditure, water loss and body temperature with behavioural responses to environmental temperature in 50 little auks (Alle alle) from East Greenland. These measurements performed across a wide temperature range (5 to 32°C) allowed us to examine how the magnitude and frequency of heat stress events impact the most abundant seabird in the Arctic. Little auks showed a remarkable capacity to cope with air temperatures 25°C above current maximum temperatures when at rest. Yet individuals may need to reduce activity levels to avoid hyperthermia on warmer days, which could reduce foraging effort, parental care, social activities and predator avoidance. Our study highlights a need to understand the ecological consequences of thermoregulatory constraints on the behaviour and survival of cold-adapted seabirds. Little auks are ecosystem engineers that facilitate an enormous transfer of nutrients from marine to terrestrial ecosystems. Hence, physiological constraints on the behaviour of little auks may have flow on effects for entire marine and terrestrial food webs in the Arctic.

**Authors:**

Julian Beaman¹, Craig White¹, Manon Clairbaux², Samuel Perret², Jérôme Fort³, David Grémillet²

¹Monash University, ²CNRS ? Université de Montpellier ? Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier ? EPHE, ³CNRS ? Université de La Rochelle

Does physiological adaptation to cold predispose little auks (Alle alle) to increased risk of hyperthermia in a warming Arctic?

**Abstract:**

Procellariform seabirds (petrels, shearwaters) are the world's most threatened bird group, particularly in New Zealand, where 90% of our seabirds are at risk. As could be expected, reversing this trend is of significant conservation interest for New Zealand. Key to achieving this is understanding the effects of environmental conditions on breeding seabirds, with more agile monitoring methods desperately needed. To this end, mechanistic and integrative monitoring approaches are providing high resolution information with much quicker turnaround times c.f. annual demographic studies. By incorporating endocrinology, haematology, Hidden Markov modelling (HMM), and stable isotope analyses, resource managers are able to identify colonies that are potentially vulnerable in the absence of overt and established monitoring signals i.e. chick rearing failure. For example, establishing new colonies via translocation of seabird chicks is currently used for many species, but colony location is critical i.e. establishing colonies far from feeding grounds is counterproductive. Using GPS tracked common diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix) breeding in the Hauraki Gulf we hypothesised that 1) there were physiological limits as to how far from feeding grounds colonies could be established; and 2) due to distance from feeding grounds, inner Gulf colonies would show higher stress (CORT), and spend more time commuting rather than foraging. However, CORT profiles were more affected by breeding stage (highest in chick rearing) than colony location. Moreover, HMM analyses and stable isotopes showed inner Gulf birds foraged locally but spent more effort chasing higher trophic prey (fish/cephalopods). Such ecophysiological insights demonstrate that, providing sufficient fish cephalopod prey exist, planned translocations of diving petrels further into the Gulf can occur, thus offering a new tool to arrest the decline of this species within the region.

**Authors:**

Brendon Dunphy¹, Shae Vickers², Edin Whitehead¹, Jingjing Zhang¹, Todd Landers³, Sarah Bury⁴, Matt Rayner⁵

¹The University of Auckland, ²The Ministry of Primary Industries, ³Auckland Council, ⁴National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, ⁵Auckland War Memorial museum

Conservation physiology of seabirds: integrative assessments to guide colony translocations.

**Abstract:**

Continued warming of the Earth's atmosphere is having a range of ecological, behavioural and physiological impacts on seabirds. The effects of changes in sea surface temperatures on seabirds are well-documented, but the effects of high ambient temperatures on land are not. Like all penguins, moult in Little Penguins is 'catastrophic', with all feathers shed and replaced in ~18 days. As they do not have adequate insulation and waterproofing to forage at sea, birds are constrained to land in some of the hottest parts of the year. Long-term survival analysis suggests that adult mortality is greatest in years when high ambient temperatures are paired with low humidity during moult. Given current climate projections, successful management of Little Penguins requires a better understanding of the physiological processes and habitat features that influence mortality events. In this study we aimed to identify which birds are most at risk of heat stress during moult, and why. Using a novel approach to field respirometry, we investigated thermoregulatory costs of moulting birds in response to ambient temperature and humidity. Our results predicted that penguins in early stages of moult would be most affected by heat exposure, as they displayed a significant increase in metabolic rate at higher temperatures compared to mid and late moult birds. During a heat wave in 2019, the greatest mortality event of moulting adult Little Penguins on record occurred at Phillip Island in south-Eastern Australia. As predicted, all recorded deaths were birds in early stages of moult. We are currently quantifying the microclimates of burrows and vegetation types and investigating how birds are using structural habitat during extreme weather events. Results will help determine how Little Penguins are currently coping with extreme temperatures on land, and identify adaptation options most likely to reduce negative climate change impacts for the species across their distribution.

**Authors:**

Lauren Tworkowski¹, Peter Dann², Ursula Ellenberg¹, Kylie Robert¹

¹La Trobe University, ²Phillip Island Nature Parks

Impacts of terrestrial heat waves on survival of little penguins during moult

**Abstract:**

Competition for high quality breeding sites in colonial seabird species is often intense, such that individuals may invest considerable time in site occupancy even outside of the breeding season. The site defence hypothesis predicts that site occupancy should be positively correlated with breeding phenology and success such that more successful sites are occupied earlier and/or more frequently. However, few studies have related non-breeding season attendance and subsequent breeding performance. Therefore, our understanding of the potential life-history benefits of this behaviour are limited. To address this, we used time-lapse photography to record the non-breeding attendance of >80 pairs of common guillemots, Uria aalge, breeding on the Isle of May, Scotland. Images were taken of sites every 15 minutes for three non-breeding seasons (start of October to end of March). We then recorded the time spent at each site, each day, each non-breeding season. We then followed breeding phenology and success at each site in the subsequent breeding season. Attendance at sites began in late October with sites gradually be attended more frequently and for longer until almost all sites were occupied for all daylight hours just prior to the breeding season (end March). We found that higher quality sites were occupied earlier and more often. Sites occupied more often had significantly earlier lay dates, and those occupied earlier were more successful, supporting the site defence hypothesis. These clear effects of non-breeding attendance on breeding timing and success highlight the potential fitness benefits of this behaviour on key life-history processes such a breeding.

**Authors:**

Sophie Bennett¹, Mike Harris¹, Sarah Wanless¹, Jonathan Green², Mark Newell¹, Kate Searle¹, Francis Daunt¹

¹UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, ²University of Liverpool

Colony attendance of common guillemots during the non-breeding season

**Abstract:**

Albatross are typically regarded as adapted to almost effortless aerial travel, with morphology and physiology facilitating an extreme ocean-wandering lifestyle but restricting their effectiveness below water to shallow dives at most. While few in number, depth recorder studies of albatross are consistent with this notion, suggesting that as a group they are very shallow divers, with about 7m the record diving depth of any species. However, informal observations of submergence times for BBA (Catry per obs) suggested that, in a Falklands population of this species at least, the picture may be more complex. We therefore conducted precision combined telemetry deployments (depth recorder, accelerometer, GPS) on BBA breeding on New Island in the western Falkands to investigate the details of foraging behaviour. In a sample of 27 breeding birds on foraging excursions during brood guard we found that the mean maximum diving depth was, surprisingly, around 11.2 m, with every individual diving to at least 2.9 m, 15 individuals diving > 10 m, and the single maximum dive depth recorded at around 20 m. Deeper dives were correspondingly long in duration, with a mean max submergence of about 50 seconds. These deep dives are relatively rare occurrences, but are widespread across individuals and show significant bottom-time features suggesting active pursuit of prey. Our findings suggest that the diving physiology of albatross may need to be reconsidered.

**Authors:**

Tim Guilford¹, Oliver Padget¹, Louise Maurice², Paulo Catry³

¹Oxford University, ²British Geological Survey, ³ISPA ? Instituto Universitário

Widespread but infrequent deep diving in a mollymawk albatross

**Abstract:**

Background. Humboldt penguin (Sphenisuc humboldti) is consider as a protected species worldwide and also in Peru. Anthropic activities can alter the behavior of penguins at physiological and hormonal levels, and can cause negative effects during their breeding season. In this research, the objectives were to examine the differences between the behavior of penguin in relation with the marine anthropic activities, and to analyze the alert and flushed behavior in relation with the distance approach and with the size group. Methods. Two islands on the center of the Peruvian coast were visited in 2018 -2019 during the non-breeding season of Humboldt penguins. Marine anthropic activities test considers the type of marine activity (jet ski, kayak, compressor-diving, tourism boat, fishing with string), the approach distance (20, 30, 50, 80 and 100 m) and the group size. The behavioral response of penguins was categorized in non-reacting, alert and flushed. Results. The type of marine anthropic activity, the approach distance and their interaction had influence on the behavior of the Humboldt penguins. Jet ski and compressor-diving were the most disturbing activities with 80 % and 15 % of reactions registered from 100 m away the colony respectively, while kayak and fishing with string were less disturbing. At distances of 50 m away, all activities caused more than 50 % of reactions. Conclusion. This study shows the relation between the distance approach and the percentage of reactions of alert and flushed of Humboldt penguins. Different anthropic activities can cause different reactions. It´s important to analyze the context on each reproductive site of Humboldt penguin to have a better management of the marine area.

**Authors:**

Cinthia Irigoin-Lovera¹, Maite Arangüena Proaño¹, Diego Gonzales-Del Carpio¹, Carlos Zavalaga Reyes¹

¹Universidad Cientifica del Sur

The effect of marine anthropic activities on the behavior of Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) in two guano islands of Peru

**Abstract:**

In endangered species, harvesting individuals for translocations can negatively impact source populations and thus, translocation cohorts should remain small, limiting potential establishment of recipient populations. This balancing act is further complicated through meta-population dynamics if the target species is highly mobile. The critically endangered Whenua Hou Diving Petrel (Kuaka; Pelecanoides whenuahouensis) is a highly mobile seabird that could benefit from translocations to mitigate current threats, but only one small population remains. We used a novel metapopulation approach to an integrated population model (IPM) to combine long-term data with meta-analyses and expert elicitations (using a Shiny app) to estimate vital rates, population size, population growth, and meta-population dynamics, predict harvest impact on the source, and project establishment of recipient populations under various translocation scenarios. Establishment of a recipient population without excessive impact on the source was dependent on meta-population dynamics. Accounting for juveniles returning to the source post-translocations mitigated impact on the source, but reduced establishment success of the recipient. Accounting for movements of adults and juveniles between source and recipient populations resulted in an equilibrium, negating effects of different harvests intensities. We illustrate that establishment of new populations of endangered, highly mobile seabirds can be feasible, even when metapopulation dynamics are present, yet our results also show considerable uncertainty. Therefore, we recommend that these challenging translocations are conducted within adaptive management frameworks, incorporating monitoring of source and recipient populations, to evaluate impact and establishment and adjust harvest intensities and timeframes when required.

**Authors:**

Johannes Fischer¹, Heiko Wittmer², Caio Kenup³, Kevin Parker⁴, Igor Debski¹, Graeme Taylor¹, John Ewen⁵, Doug Armstrong³

¹New Zealand Department of Conservation, ²Victoria University of Wellington, ³Massey University, ⁴Parker Conservation, ⁵Zoological Society of London

Predicting harvest impact and translocation success in endangered and highly mobile species: a case study of a critically endangered petrel

**Abstract:**

Newell's Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli; NESH) and Hawaiian Petrels (Pterodroma sandwichensis; HAPE) are both listed under the Endangered Species Act and are declining due to habitat degradation by feral ungulates (pigs, goats) and invasive exotic plants, predation by feral domestic cats, pigs, rats, and introduced Barn Owls, and collisions with power lines and structures often exacerbated by light attraction. Translocation to protected breeding sites with social attraction was proposed in the 1983 recovery plan and was ranked as priority one in the 2011 interagency 5-year Action Plan. In 2012, funding became available to begin preparing for translocations to Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. A peer-reviewed translocation plan was developed based on protocols used in New Zealand. A predator proof fence was completed in September 2014 and all non-native mammals were removed shortly afterwards. In August 2015 habitat restoration began and 50 artificial burrows were installed. From 2015-2019 a total of 90 HAPE and 67 NESH chicks that had not emerged from their montane burrows were removed by hand and transported via helicopter to the refuge and were hand-fed a fish, oil, Pedialyte® and squid mixture until they fledged. All but 3 HAPE successfully fledged resulting in a 97% and 100% fledging rate for HAPE and NESH respectively. Morphometric monitoring was done daily to assess chick age and health and the overwhelming majority of birds appeared to be in excellent health. Once complete, this project is expected to result in a new, secured and accessible breeding population of Hawaiian Petrels that will be crucial along with other protected and managed colonies in helping to prevent the extinction of this species and restoring a missing component of the coastal ecosystem in Hawaii.

**Authors:**

Lindsay Young¹, Andre Raine², Robby Kohley¹, Megan Dalton¹, Leilani Fowlke¹, Daniela Casillas¹, Erika Dittmar¹, Marilou Knight¹, Michael Mitchell³, Hannah Nevins⁴, Eric VanderWerf¹

¹Pacific Rim Conservation, ²Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, ³US Fish and Wildlife Service, ⁴American Bird Conservancy

Results of fives years of translocations of Hawaii's two endemic seabirds: the Newell's Shearwater and Hawaiian Petrel

**Abstract:**

The African Penguin population in South Africa has decreased by 42% since the species was listed as Endangered in 2010. The main driver of this decrease is poor food availability due to shifting forage fish distributions and fishery competition. Sardine and anchovy, the penguins' preferred prey, have shifted eastwards along the southern coast of South Africa, creating a mismatch between the current distribution of fish and penguin historical breeding localities. Establishing new or re-establishing extinct seabird colonies has been used as a successful conservation intervention to restore seabird populations for a number of species. Several techniques have been developed including social attraction and translocation of chicks. Most projects have involved flying seabirds with very few focusing on penguins. Establishing new colonies for African Penguins Spheniscus demersus in South Africa has been identified as an action to improve the status of this species by addressing the mismatch between the distributions of breeding areas and prey. Work has begun to re-establish a breeding colony at the De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa, an area of high fish abundance. Penguins attempted to breed in the area in 2003 but the colony was abandoned by 2006 due to high levels of predation. A predator-proof fence has been constructed, and decoys and call playback installed. We present progress towards re-establishing the colony and the planning for the second phase which will include chick translocation. We discuss the challenges of implementing novel conservation interventions, as well as practical challenges of working in protected areas and managing native predator impacts. Given these long-term management challenges for mainland colonies, we also investigate the feasibility of an creating artificial island breeding habitat.

**Authors:**

Christina Hagen¹, Alistair McInnes¹, Ross Wanless², Lauren Waller³, Kevin Shaw⁴

¹BirdLife South Africa, ²National Taiwan Ocean University, ³Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, ⁴CapeNature

Progress towards re-estabishment of an African Penguin colony in South Africa

**Abstract:**

Methods for creating new and restored seabird colonies are now standard practice worldwide. In many situations, however, ongoing management becomes necessary because of recurring threats. Such projects are dependent on funding strategies that can keep pace with rising costs. We review the costs and opportunities associated with 'Project Puffin', one of the oldest seabird restoration programs in the world. This project began at one Maine island in 1973. Over its 48-year history, the original focus of restoring Atlantic Puffins to one island, grew to include seven Maine islands and 23 waterbird species. Since 2002, the number of islands and managed species have remained similar, though breeding numbers have increased at all sites. Sustaining such long-term projects creates invaluable data and trains many early career biologists. However, the annual costs of managing these restored populations increased more than threefold, from 450,000 USD in 2002 to 1.6M USD in 2019. To meet these increased costs, the program created partnerships with federal and state agencies and with other nonprofits. It has also increased the number of donors and mean size of donations. To attract new supporters and provide public outreach, the program initiated puffin watching ecotourism (no landing) at the first restored puffin colony. The number of boat tour visitors increased from 4,600 in 2002 to more than 10,500 in 2019. Each year an additional 8,000 people learn about seabirds at Project Puffin Visitor Center and remote puffin cams expose millions more to the program. These outreach programs have helped build a growing number of followers, many of whom have become advocates for seabird conservation. While the United States is notable for generous philanthropy and puffins are especially compelling, we believe that an entrepreneurial approach incorporating outreach has application to other seabird restoration programs requiring ongoing management.

**Authors:**

Stephen Kress¹, Don Lyons², Tiffany Huenefeldt²

¹1945, ²National Audubon Society

Local weather, microclimate and nest-scale drivers of shy albatross chick mortality and breeding success

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Does physiological adaptation to cold predispose little auks (Alle alle) to increased risk of hyperthermia in a warming Arctic?

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Local weather, microclimate and nest-scale drivers of shy albatross chick mortality and breeding success

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Next from 3rd World Seabird Conference

Does physiological adaptation to cold predispose little auks (Alle alle) to increased risk of hyperthermia in a warming Arctic?

Similar lecture

Breeding seabirds increase foraging range in response to an extreme marine heatwave

Stay up to date with the latest Underline news!

PRESENTATIONS

CONFERENCES

COMPANY

RESOURCES

Downloads