Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00392:body:0:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00392
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 31864–34564

1991); given the lifespan of this species, population-wide surveys every 10 years may be sufficient. If the initial paired survey indicates that the number of breeding adults is not significantly less than the number of breeding age adults then the second part of the survey could be discontinued in future years.

All current and historical nesting locations should be surveyed, including all terrace levels along the coast between the Norris Point and Margaret Beaches (see Figure 1). Overall numbers of birds should be recorded, but nesting and/or display sites should also be mapped to show the most densely used areas. The first survey to count the number of breeding-age adults should be in January/February, during the peak period of male display, the second to count the number of breeding adults in June/July when the numbers of nesting birds peaks and nest attendance by adults is high.

Any differences in the distribution of birds between the two surveys may indicate areas which are favoured for nesting. Areas which are chosen by males for display purposes but are either shunned by females or fail early in the nesting attempt could indicate sub-optimum habitat which could be the focus of future management.

Currently the only practical method to survey frigatebird numbers is from the ground by counting adults on their nest or display site. Using ground-based surveys it should be possible to obtain reasonably accurate estimates of numbers in the golf course colony since access on foot is reasonably good. However, the upper terraces in the cemetery colony cannot be accessed on foot and numbers of nesting or displaying birds would have to be estimated based on observations of birds flying.

One full-time researcher would need to be employed for a period of 12 months and an assistant for at least 10 months. The first three months should be used to lay a grid on areas accessible by foot to facilitate later mapping of nest and display sites. This time could also be used to practice surveys and refine the survey technique. The first survey would take place in January/February followed by a two to three month period to analyse the data from these surveys and to prepare for the second survey. The second survey should be carried out in June/July and the resulting analysis and publication of results completed by the end of October.

If the total breeding population is significantly less than 1620 pairs then investigations should commence to reveal why. The decline may be explicable by the loss of breeding habitat in the Dryers colony and if this appears to be the case, there may be no need for other action. The monitoring program will suggest whether there has been