Notes on rare, vagrant and exotic avifauna at Macquarie Island, 1901-2000

The occurrence and status of rare, vagrant and exotic bird taxa recorded at Macquarie Island between 1901 and 2000 are reviewed. The number of species recorded at the island, excluding those that have bred regularly on the main island between 1901 and 2000, is increased to 56 non-breeding species, seven species that have been confirmed breeding since 1980 and four introduced/exotic species breeding on the island

The status of the black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses on Macquarie Island

Marginal populations of both black-browed (Diomedea melanophris) and grey-headed (D, chrysostoma) albatrosses breed in the Macquarie Island Nature Reserve. Black-browed albatrosses breed in three colonies: one, on North Head, has been declining in numbers since the 1950's; the second, in the southwest corner of the island, has been increasing; the third, on Bishop and Clerk Islets, appears to be larger than the second. Breeding success has been high in the southwest colony over the past ten years, but recruitment of banded youngsters into the breeding population has been very low. Grey-headed albatrosses, biennial breeders, breed only in the southwest corner of the island, with an apparently stable breeding population. The breeding success is slightly higher than that of the black-browed albatrosses but again recruitment into the breeding population is very low. First breeding records of birds banded as fledglings are given for both species and these data are used to extrapolate minimum ages for birds banded as adults in the 1950's. Observations from several seasons are combined to construct the breeding cycles of both species at Macquarie Island Nature Reserv

Macquarie Island flora and fauna management interpreting progress and predictions for the future

The flora and fauna of Macquarie Island, in the subantarctic, have been experiencing a gradual but sure deterioration since the introduction of alien species. The greatest single achievement in attempts to stop this has been success with controlling the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The actual impact of rabbit control on other introduced species causing ecological damage has far exceeded expectations. Plant communities diminished by 100 years of rabbit grazing are re-establishing rapidly. Because of the success with controlling rahbit numbers, total elimination of feral cats (Felis catus) and wekas (Gallirallus australis) can be achieved, with the major potential benefit being the recovery of some seabird populations which are all but extinct on the main island. However, unless the effort given to these and other management problems discussed can be maintained until completion, the progress made will be rapidly lost and greater ecological problems could result

Biology and population studies of two endemic Nematoceras (orchid) species on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island

Two endemic orchid species, Nernatoceras dienernum and N. sulcatum, are known from sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Several additional orchid populations on the island are reported and cleistogamy is documented in N.dienemum for the first time