Bird ringing at Marion and Prince Edward islands, 1977-1982

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44

limpets (Dr. C. Hay pers. comm.). Since limpets are an, if not the, most important food source for kelp gulls at other sub- Antarctic localities (Ealey 1954, Downes et al. 1959, Simpson 1976. Jehl et al. 1.979. Blankley 1981) the absence of such limpets at Gough Island may be a major factor in the failure of kelp gulls to breed there.

Anous stolid us common noddy

None were seen in September 1981 but more than a hundred were present in the vicinity of the meteorological station in 1979 and some were paired but none had laid by 12 November.

Land and waterside birds

Egretta sp

A single egret, probably E. alba, flushed in The Glen on 9 November 1981 was repeatedly attacked by skuas whilst it flew.

Gallinula comeri Gough rail

A pair with two chicks were seen near the meteorological station on 5 November 1979.

Hirundo rustica European swallow Pbylloscopus trochilus willow warbler

Two European swallows and a single willow warbler were seen in the vicinity of the meteorological station on 3 November 1979 by 1. C. Sinclair. These are the first old world landbirds to be recorded at Gough Island.

Rowettia goughensis Gough bunting

In November 1981 chicks at most lowland nests had fledged.

Nine occupied nests were found in 1979, seven each with two chicks of various sizes, the younger ones with dark down, one from which a single chick "exploded", and one in Gonydale with two eggs. The two nests in the open upland area were sunk in scrapes beneath overhanging tufts of Cyperus sedge.

Two nests in lower gorges were six to ten feet above ground- one in a cleft in a bare rock face the other on a ledge in a fern- covered rock wall. Nests at low altitude were in clumps of fern Elaphoglossum sp. (2 nests), in a treefem Blechnum palniforme (1 nest), in the roots of a fallen Phylica tree (1), ana in tussock grass Spartina sp. (1). The eggs were blue with sparse grey-brown blotches at the larger end.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the South African Department of Trans- port who provided Jogistical support on the advice of the South African Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research. The following are thanked for making their observations available to the authors: R. Anderson, A. Berruti, R. Cassidy, S. Fugler, A. Griffiths, C. Hay, I. Martin, J. ^Nielsen,^J.C.

Sinclair and P. Steyn. We thank W.R.P. Boume for the use of his observations and for critical comment on an earlier draft.

References

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BLANKLEY, W.O. 1981. Marine foods of Kelp Gulls. Lesser Sheathbills and Imperial Cormorants at Marion Island (Sub- Antarctic). Cormoram9: 77-84.

BOURNE. W.R.P. 1981. Fur Seals return to Gough Island. Oryx 16:

46-47.

BOURNE, W.R.P. & 1MBER, M.J. 1982. Plastic pellets collected by

S. Afr. T. Antarkt. Nav., Deel 12, 1982

a prion on Gough Island. central South Atlantic. Marine Pollut.

Bull. 13: 20-21.

BROEKHUYSEN. G.J. & M ACNAE, W.l949. Observations on the birds ofTristan da Cunha Islands and Gough Island in February and early March 1948. Ardea 87: 97-113.

BROOKE, R.K. 1979. Some mid-XIX Century bird collections from Tristan da Cunha. Cormorant 7:24-26.

BROOKE, R.K., SINCLAIR, J.C. & BERRUTI, A. 1980.

Geographical variation in Diomedea chlororhynchos (Aves:

Diomedeidae). Durban. Mus. Novit. 12: 171-180.

BRUCE, W.S. 1905. Some ornithological results of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. !m. Om. Congr., Proc. 4: 271-274.

CHRISTENSEN, L. 1935. Such is the Antarctic. Hodder &

Stoughton, London.

CLANCEY, P.A. 1981. On birds from Gougb Island, Central South Atlantic. Durban Mus. Novit. 12: 187-200.

CLANCEY, P.A., BROOKE, R.K. & SINCLAIR,J.C.l981. Varia- tion in the current nominate subspecies of Pterodroma mol/is (Gould) (Aves: Procellariidae). Durban Mus. Novit. 12: 203-213.

CLARK.E. W.E. 1905. Ornithological results of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. I. On the birds of Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean. Ibis, (Ser. 8), 5: 247-268.

CLARKE, W.E. 1913. On the birds of Gough Island, S. Atlantic Ocean. Sci. Res. S.N.A.E. 4: 277-289.

CURTIS, W.F. 1977. A visit to Gough Island, Tristao da Cunha and St Helena, November to December 1974. Sea Swallow 26: 13-14.

DOWNES, M.C., EALEY, E.H.M., GWYNN, A.M. & YOUNG, P.S. 1959. The birds of Heard Island. Aust. Natl. Antarct. Res.

Exped. Rpts., Ser. B, 1: l-135.

EALEY, E.H.M. 1954. Analysis of stomach contents of some Heard Island birds. Emu 54: 204-210.

EDINBURGH, H.R.H. The Duke of. 1962. Birds from Brittania.

Longmaos, London.

ELLIOIT, H.F.I. 1957. A contribution to the ornithology of the Tristan da Cunha group. Ibis 99: 545-586.

ELLIOIT, C.C.H. 1969. Gough Island. Bokmakierie21: 17-19.

ELLIOTI, C.C.H. 1970 a. Additional notes on the sea-birds of Gough Island.Jbis 112: 112-114.

ELL! OTI, C. C. H. 1970 b. Ecological considerations and the possible significance of weight variations in the chicks of the Great Shear- water on Gough Island. Ostrich, supplement 8: 385-396.

GRIFFITHS, A.M. 1981. Vagrant Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus in the African sector of the Southern Ocean. Cormorant 9: 131-132.

HAGEN, Y. 1952. The birds ofTristan da Cunha. Res. Norweg. Sci.

Exped. Tristan da Cunha, 1937-1938,20: 1-248.

HOLDGATE, M.W. 1958. Mountains in the sea. Macmillan, London.

JEHL,J.R., TODD.F.S., RUMBOLL,M.A.E.,&SHWARTZ,D.

1978. Notes on the avifauna of South Georgia. Gerfaut 68: 534-550.

JOHNSTONE, G.W .. SHAUGHNESSY, P.D., & CONROY, J W.H. 1976. Giant petrels in the South Atlantic: new data from Gough Island. S. Afr. J. Amarct. Res. 6: 19-22.

LA YARD, E.L. 1869. The South African Museum. S. A fr. Mag., Ser. 2, 3: 467-468.

LA GRANGE, J.J. 1961. News from the island stations. Newsletter, Weather Bureau, Pretoria 147: 92.

LOWE. P.R. 1923. Notes on some land birds of the Tristan da Cunha group collected by the "Quest" expedition./bis, Ser. ll, 5:511-529.

MURPHY, R.C. 1936. Oceanic birds of South America. American Museum of Natural History, New York.

RIPLEY, S.D. 1954. Birds from Gough Island. Postilla 19: 1-6.

SHAUGHNESSY, P.D. & FAIRALL, N. 1976. Notes on sea birds at Gough Island. S. Afr. J. Antarct. Res. 6: 23-25.

SIMPSON, R. 1976. Physical and biotic factors limiting the distribution and abundance of littoral molluscs on Macquarie Island (Sub- Antarctic). J. ExJf. mar. Bioi. Ecol. 21: 11-49.

SW ALES, M.K. 1965. Thesea-birdsofGoughlsland./bis 107:17-42, 215-229.

VERRILL, G .E. 1895. On some birds and eggs collected by Mr Geo.

Corner at Gough Island, Kerguelen Island, and the Island of South Georgia. TrailS. Connecticut Acad. 9: 430-478.

S. Afr. J. Antarct. Res., Vol. 12, 1982

VOISIN, J-r:. 1979 a. Observations ornithologiques aux lies Tristan oa Cunha et (jough. A/mu/a 47: 7J-R2.

VOISIN. J-F. 1979 b. The nest and eggs of Rowettia gough{'//sis.

o.wirh 50; 12:!-12~.

VOISIN. J-f. & BESTER. M.N. in press. Tl1c spel·itic status of Giant Petrels Macronecte:. at Gough Island. In Proceedings of Symposium on Birds of the Sea nnd Shore. Cape To\ln 1979.

VOO\IS. K.ll. 1%1. Th.: g.:neric distinction of the Gough bland

llightles~ gallinule. Bijd. DierJ..wule :11: 75-79.

VOOUS. K.ll. 1962. Notes t)n a collt:ction ot bird• from lristan

ua

Cunha and (juugh Island. Ht'tmfortia 99: 105-ll-1.

WII.K!NS. (i.H. 1912. An·ount ol the birds seen and collected during the voyage ol the Quest. Bull. Br. Om. Club. -13: 2-5.

45

WILKJNS. G.H. 1923. Report on the birds collected during the voyage ol the Quesr (Shackk:ton-Rowctt Expedition) to the South Atlimtic. Ibis. Scr. I!. 5: -17-1--195.

WILLIAMS. A.J. 1980 a. Hockltopper Penguins Eudypre.1 chry.wmme at Gnugh Island. Bull. Br. Om. Club lOO: 20il-212.

WILLIAMS. A.J. 19Rtl b. Aspcctsofthe breeding biology of the Sub- antarcticSkua at :'vlarion Island. Ostnch 51: 160-!67.

WILLIAMS. A.J. & LA YCOCK. P.A. 19~1. Euphausiids in the diet of some Sub-Antarctic Eudypres p<:nguins. S. A fr. J. A111arc1. Res.

10111: 27-28.

WILSON. A. E. & SW ALES. M.K. 1958. Flightless moorhens (Por- phyriomis c. comeri) from Gough Island bred in captivity. Al'icu/1.

Mag. 6-1: 43--15.

Bird ringing at Marion and Prince Edward islands, 1977-1982

C.R. Brown Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch , 7700 and T.B. Oatley South African Bir d Ringing Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700

Bird ringing activities at Marion and Prince Edward islands are summarised for the period June 1977- May 1982. A total of 2 423 birds of 21 species was ringed during this period and 57 recoveries or recaptures were recorded at Marion Island. Only five birds have been recovered or recapwred elsewhere during the review period. Twenty-three foreign-ringed birds have been recorded on Marion Island and there is increasing evidence for movemem of birds. including king penguins, between the Prince Edward islands and the Crozet islands. it is noted that ringing of birds at Marion Island is chiefly of value in studies of their breeding behaviour but yields few data on post-breeding dispersal.

Voelberingings aktiwiteite op Marion- en Prins Edward- eilande, tl./SSen Junie 1977-Mei 1982, word opgesom. 'n Totaal van 2 423 voels van 21 soorte was gedurende die tydperk gering en 57 terugkrygings of herowerings was op Marion-eiland aangeteken. Net vy( voifls was gedurende die onderhawige tydvak op ander lokaliteite teruggekry of herower. Drie-en- twintig uitheemse-geringde voi:!ls was op die eiland aangeteken en daar is meer en meer bewys van beweging van voels, die koningpikkewyn ingesluit, tussen die Prins Edward-eilande en die Crozet-eilande. Dit word gemerk dat beringing van voels op Marion·eiland word van waarde, vera/ in studies van hul/e broeigedrag, maar /ewer min inligting op hulle na-broeise verspreiding.

Introduction

This paper covers bird-ringing activities at Marion ( 46°52'S, 37°51 'E) and Prince Edward (46°38'S, 37°57'E) islands for the period June 1977 to May 1982 inclusive and supplements previous reports by Bcrruti et al. (1975) and Burger and Morant (1977). The nomenclature followed is that of Clancey ( 1980). There have been two name changes since publication of the last report. The lesser broadbillcd or Salvin's prion, Pachyptila salvini, is here referred to as the mediumbilled prion to distinguish it from the broadbilled prion, P. vittata.

the great skua, Stercorarius skua longbergi, is now called the subantarctic skua. Catlzaracta antarctica.

Methods

Altogether 2 423 birds of 21 species were ringed during the period under consideration. Four species, the yellownosed albatross, Diomedea chlororhynchos, grcyheaded albatross, D. chrysos10ma, imperial cormorant, Phalacrocorax atriceps. and king penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus, were ringed for the first time. This brings the total number of birds ringed at Marion and Prince Edward islands since October 1951 to 6 048 individuals of 26 species (Table 1). Of these, 57

have been recovered or recaptured at Marion Island since June 1977 (Table 1) and

a

further five have been recovered or

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46 S. Afr. T. Antarkt. Nav., Deel 12, 1982

Table 1

Birds ringed and recovered or recaptured at Marion and. Prince Edward islands between .June 1977 and May 1982, with grand total of all birds ringed and recovered or recaptured since October 1951.

- - - - -

June 1977-May 1982

Nest- Full Oct. 51-May 82 No. of birds recovered No. of birds recovered Total recovered Grand or recaptured prior to or recaptured or recaptured Species

ling grown Total Total May 1977 June 1977-May 1982• 1951-1982 Rock hopper penguin

Eudyptes chrysocome Macaroni penguin

Eudyptes eh rysoloplws King penguin

Aptenodytes patagonicus Wandering albatross

Diomedea exulans Greyheaded albatross

Diomedea chrysostoma Yellownosed albatross

Diomedea chlororhynchos Sooty albatross

Phoebetria fusca

Lightmantlcd sooty albatross Phoeberria palpebmta Southern giant petrel

Macronectes giganteus Northern giant petrel

Macronectes halli Giant petrel sp.

Macronectes sp.

Great winged petrel Pterodroma rnacroptera Softplumaged petrel

Pterodroma rnollis Kerguelen petrel

Pterodroma brevirostris Whiteheaded petrel

Pterodroma lessonii Blue petrel

Halobaena caerulea Broadbilled prion

Pachyptila vittata Medium billed prion

Pachyptila salvini Fairy prion

Pachyptila turtur Whitechinned petrel

Procellaria aequinoctia/is Grey petrel

Procellaria cinerea Common diving petrel

Pelecanoides urinatrix South Georgian diving petrel

Pelecanoides georgicus Ke1pGull

Larus dominicanus Subantarctic skua

Catharacta amarcLica Lesser sheathbill

Chionis minor Imperial cormorant

Phalacrocorax atriceps

-

717 163

2 25

21

106

10 lO 50 762

40 203 271 2Tlc 109 l09d

11 11

47 47

32 32

67 67

66 59

172 95

59

233 9 3 30

15 10

68 84

172 95 59 254

9 3 30

121e 10 2423

76 54 10 2182

203 271 422 29 72 74 301

M

82 166

64 172 450 60 276 13 41 53 18

324 690 - 10 6048 a - Excludes ringed study birds handled regularly in the field.

b -Includes two birds captured twice during the relevant period.

c -Ringed at Prirtce Edward Island.

8 7

66

45 2

19

5 87

d - Includes nine i'inged aod not reported from 1976 (Burger & Moram 1977).

e -Includes nine nestlings and two adults not reported from before June 1977 (Burger & Morant 1977).

9

lOb 17

2 2

18 _ll4

45 2

6 ₆

19

7 7

2

4 9

6 93

297

S. Afr. J. Antarct. Res., Vol. 12, 1982 47

Table2

Birds ringed at Marion Island and recovered or recaptured at other localities, 1977-1982.

Species. ring number Date Locality. date recovered or Displacement". time

and age ringed recaptured. am1 status elapsed

King penguin 04-03-1979 Possession Island, Crozets. 46"25'S. 51•-t5'E. I 012km

H 1504, adult 23-0l-l9RI. Recaptured. 22months

Greyheaded alb<llross 18-01-1979 Atsea . .to•27'S.51.45'E. ll-08-1979. 4724 km

9-06296. nestling Dead-caught in trap. 7 months

Southern giant petrel 27-01-1975 Manuwatu R. North Island. New Zealand, 4{)"00'S. 9465km

9-15225. nestling 175°00' E. 16-07-1975b. Found dead. 6 months

Subantarctic skua 07-01-1966 Walvis Bay. South Africa. 22•so·s. 1-t•30'E. 3387km

657-61836. nestling 06-04-1968<. Found dead. 27months

Subantarctic skua Nov. 1951 Possessionlsland. Crozets. 46"25'$, 51°45'E. 1102km

D-2536, unknown Ol-02-1971d Recaprurcd. 230months

a -Shortest great circle distance between ringing and recovery points.

b- Recovery reported in 1980.

c -Previously unreported (Burger & Morant 1977).

d- Previously unreported (Berruti ^e1al. 1975).

recaptured at other localities (Table 2). The total number of Marion-ringed birds recovered or recaptured since 1951 is 297 at Marion Island itself and a further 15 from other localities.

This represents five per cent of the ringing effort.

Results and Conclusions

One of the five Marion-ringed species recovered or recaptured at other localities (Table 2), a subantarctic skua. was found dead at Walvis Bay (22°50'5, l4°30'E). South Africa. This species is present throughout the year off the south-western Cape, South Africa, but is more abundant in winter (Sinclair 1980) and has also been reported on the eastern coast of Africa (Furness, in press). To date, seven subantarctic skuas ringed on the Prince Edward and Crozet islands (46.25'5. 51°45'E) have been recovered or recaptured off the southern African coast between Cape Cross in Namibia (21°45'5, 13°56'E) and Mossel Bay (3l⁰Il'S. 22°08'E), South Africa (Brooke 1978).

A further subantarctic skua, ringed at Marion Island, was recaptured at I'Ile de !'Est in the Crozet group. The ring number was reported as D-8536. This must be a transcription error since the

·o·

series of rings concerned did not exceed the number 3 000. It appears likely that the correct ring number should read D-2536. as this forms part of a series of rings which were used at Marion Island in November 1951. If this is so. it is conceivable that ring wear. or corrosion, over the 20 year period could have resulted in the initial'2' being misread as an '8'. However. the records for the D2501-D3000 series of rings are incomplete und it is not known on what species of bird D- 2536 was used. There is only one previous record of a subantarctic skua. ringed at Marion island. being recovered in the Crozet group (Berruti et al. 1977).

Twenty-three foreign-ringed birds were recaptured at Marion Island between June 1977 and May 19R2 (Table 3).

These included seven king penguins ringed at Possession Island in the Crozct group. These and a Marion-ringed king penguin recaptured at Possession Island (Table 2) confirm a degree of movement between the two island groups.

Eight wandering albatrosses. Diumedea exulans, ringed off New South Wales. Australia, have been recaptured at Marion Island in the last five years. Two of these. 140-03543 and 140-39256, have previously been found breeding at Marion Island in 1975 and 1976 respectively (Berruti et al.

1975, Burger & Morant 1977). The ringing date of the latter

bird was. however, incorrectly cited by Burger and Morant ( 1977). Of five wandering albatrosses ringed at Possession Island and recaptured at Marion Island between June 1977 and May 1982 two birds. BS 0777 and BS 5815, have previously been observed twice on Marion Island (Table 3). The former bird was observed non-breeding at seven years old in 1975 and breeding at nine years old in 1977 (Mougin 1977).

A vagrant Australasian gannet, Mon~s serrator, CF 16751.

ringed at Possession Island. has been recaptured at Marion Island in the summers of 1980 and 1981. each time among the same colony of king penguins (Table 3). In 1981 it was first observed in the first week of October and was last seen on 14 December (N.J. Adams. pers. comm.). Ornithologists at present on the island have reported that the bird was again seen- on 2 October 1982 (S. Fugler and I. Newton, pers.

comm.). making this the third successive summer season that the bird has visited Marion Island. However. it appears that it ovcrwinters at some other locality. The species has not previously been recorded at Marion Island.

It is noteworthy that. of all the birds ringed at Marion Island since 1951. most of the recoveries and recaptures have again been made at the island. Only 15 birds. representing less than one quarter of one per cent. have been recovered or recaptured elsewhere. In comparison. considerably more birds ringed at other localities and, in particular, wandering albatrosses ringed at sea. are recaptured at their breeding grounds at Marion Island. From this it appears that the ringing programme on Marion Island is of more value in providing information on age of first breeding, natal fidelity, nest site fidelity and longevity than on the distribution of the birds when they are away from the island.

Acknowledgements

Bird ringing at Marion and Prince Edward islands forms part of an ornithological research programme undertaken under the aegis of the South African Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research. Logistical and financial support is provided by the South African Departm~:nt ofTransport. Mile J. Backstrom of the Centre de Recherches sur la Biologic des Populations d'Oiseaux, Paris, and D. Purchase of the CSTRO Divisi,)n of Wildlife Research. Canberra, an.: thanked for their prompt and painstaking attention to ring recovery enquiries.

Sincere appreciation is expressed to all members of the Marion Island T ~:ams who have helped with the bird ringing programme.

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Table 1

Birds ringed and recovered or recaptured at Marion and. Prince Edward islands between .June 1977 and May 1982, with grand total of all birds ringed and recovered or recaptured since October 1951.

- - - - -

June 1977-May 1982

Nest- Full Oct. 51-May 82 No. of birds recovered No. of birds recovered Total recovered Grand or recaptured prior to or recaptured or recaptured Species

ling grown Total Total May 1977 June 1977-May 1982• 1951-1982 Rock hopper penguin

Eudyptes chrysocome Macaroni penguin

Eudyptes eh rysoloplws King penguin

Aptenodytes patagonicus Wandering albatross

Diomedea exulans Greyheaded albatross

Diomedea chrysostoma Yellownosed albatross

Diomedea chlororhynchos Sooty albatross

Phoebetria fusca

Lightmantlcd sooty albatross Phoeberria palpebmta Southern giant petrel

Macronectes giganteus Northern giant petrel

Macronectes halli Giant petrel sp.

Macronectes sp.

Great winged petrel Pterodroma rnacroptera Softplumaged petrel

Pterodroma rnollis Kerguelen petrel

Pterodroma brevirostris Whiteheaded petrel

Pterodroma lessonii Blue petrel

Halobaena caerulea Broadbilled prion

Pachyptila vittata Medium billed prion

Pachyptila salvini Fairy prion

Pachyptila turtur Whitechinned petrel

Procellaria aequinoctia/is Grey petrel

Procellaria cinerea Common diving petrel

Pelecanoides urinatrix South Georgian diving petrel

Pelecanoides georgicus Ke1pGull

Larus dominicanus Subantarctic skua

Catharacta amarcLica Lesser sheathbill

Chionis minor Imperial cormorant

Phalacrocorax atriceps

-

717 163

2 25

21

106

10 lO 50 762

40 203 271 2Tlc 109 l09d

11 11

47 47

32 32

67 67

66 59

172 95

59

233 9 3 30

15 10

68 84

172 95 59 254

9 3 30

121e 10 2423

76 54 10 2182

203 271 422 29 72 74 301

M

82 166

64 172 450 60 276 13 41 53 18

324 690 - 10 6048 a - Excludes ringed study birds handled regularly in the field.

b -Includes two birds captured twice during the relevant period.

c -Ringed at Prirtce Edward Island.

8 7

66

45 2

19

5 87

d - Includes nine i'inged aod not reported from 1976 (Burger & Moram 1977).

e -Includes nine nestlings and two adults not reported from before June 1977 (Burger & Morant 1977).

9

lOb 17

2 2

18 _ll4

45 2

6 ₆

19

7 7

2

4 9

6 93

297

Table2

Birds ringed at Marion Island and recovered or recaptured at other localities, 1977-1982.

Species. ring number Date Locality. date recovered or Displacement". time

and age ringed recaptured. am1 status elapsed

King penguin 04-03-1979 Possession Island, Crozets. 46"25'S. 51•-t5'E. I 012km

H 1504, adult 23-0l-l9RI. Recaptured. 22months

Greyheaded alb<llross 18-01-1979 Atsea . .to•27'S.51.45'E. ll-08-1979. 4724 km

9-06296. nestling Dead-caught in trap. 7 months

Southern giant petrel 27-01-1975 Manuwatu R. North Island. New Zealand, 4{)"00'S. 9465km

9-15225. nestling 175°00' E. 16-07-1975b. Found dead. 6 months

Subantarctic skua 07-01-1966 Walvis Bay. South Africa. 22•so·s. 1-t•30'E. 3387km

657-61836. nestling 06-04-1968<. Found dead. 27months

Subantarctic skua Nov. 1951 Possessionlsland. Crozets. 46"25'$, 51°45'E. 1102km

D-2536, unknown Ol-02-1971d Recaprurcd. 230months

a -Shortest great circle distance between ringing and recovery points.

b- Recovery reported in 1980.

c -Previously unreported (Burger & Morant 1977).

d- Previously unreported (Berruti ^e1al. 1975).

recaptured at other localities (Table 2). The total number of Marion-ringed birds recovered or recaptured since 1951 is 297 at Marion Island itself and a further 15 from other localities.

This represents five per cent of the ringing effort.

Results and Conclusions

One of the five Marion-ringed species recovered or recaptured at other localities (Table 2), a subantarctic skua. was found dead at Walvis Bay (22°50'5, l4°30'E). South Africa. This species is present throughout the year off the south-western Cape, South Africa, but is more abundant in winter (Sinclair 1980) and has also been reported on the eastern coast of Africa (Furness, in press). To date, seven subantarctic skuas ringed on the Prince Edward and Crozet islands (46.25'5. 51°45'E) have been recovered or recaptured off the southern African coast between Cape Cross in Namibia (21°45'5, 13°56'E) and Mossel Bay (3l⁰Il'S. 22°08'E), South Africa (Brooke 1978).

A further subantarctic skua, ringed at Marion Island, was recaptured at I'Ile de !'Est in the Crozet group. The ring number was reported as D-8536. This must be a transcription error since the

·o·

series of rings concerned did not exceed the number 3 000. It appears likely that the correct ring number should read D-2536. as this forms part of a series of rings which were used at Marion Island in November 1951. If this is so. it is conceivable that ring wear. or corrosion, over the 20 year period could have resulted in the initial'2' being misread as an '8'. However. the records for the D2501-D3000 series of rings are incomplete und it is not known on what species of bird D- 2536 was used. There is only one previous record of a subantarctic skua. ringed at Marion island. being recovered in the Crozet group (Berruti et al. 1977).

Twenty-three foreign-ringed birds were recaptured at Marion Island between June 1977 and May 19R2 (Table 3).

These included seven king penguins ringed at Possession Island in the Crozct group. These and a Marion-ringed king penguin recaptured at Possession Island (Table 2) confirm a degree of movement between the two island groups.

Eight wandering albatrosses. Diumedea exulans, ringed off New South Wales. Australia, have been recaptured at Marion Island in the last five years. Two of these. 140-03543 and 140-39256, have previously been found breeding at Marion Island in 1975 and 1976 respectively (Berruti et al.

1975, Burger & Morant 1977). The ringing date of the latter

bird was. however, incorrectly cited by Burger and Morant ( 1977). Of five wandering albatrosses ringed at Possession Island and recaptured at Marion Island between June 1977 and May 1982 two birds. BS 0777 and BS 5815, have previously been observed twice on Marion Island (Table 3). The former bird was observed non-breeding at seven years old in 1975 and breeding at nine years old in 1977 (Mougin 1977).

A vagrant Australasian gannet, Mon~s serrator, CF 16751.

ringed at Possession Island. has been recaptured at Marion Island in the summers of 1980 and 1981. each time among the same colony of king penguins (Table 3). In 1981 it was first observed in the first week of October and was last seen on 14 December (N.J. Adams. pers. comm.). Ornithologists at present on the island have reported that the bird was again seen- on 2 October 1982 (S. Fugler and I. Newton, pers.

comm.). making this the third successive summer season that the bird has visited Marion Island. However. it appears that it ovcrwinters at some other locality. The species has not previously been recorded at Marion Island.

It is noteworthy that. of all the birds ringed at Marion Island since 1951. most of the recoveries and recaptures have again been made at the island. Only 15 birds. representing less than one quarter of one per cent. have been recovered or recaptured elsewhere. In comparison. considerably more birds ringed at other localities and, in particular, wandering albatrosses ringed at sea. are recaptured at their breeding grounds at Marion Island. From this it appears that the ringing programme on Marion Island is of more value in providing information on age of first breeding, natal fidelity, nest site fidelity and longevity than on the distribution of the birds when they are away from the island.

Acknowledgements

Bird ringing at Marion and Prince Edward islands forms part of an ornithological research programme undertaken under the aegis of the South African Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research. Logistical and financial support is provided by the South African Departm~:nt ofTransport. Mile J. Backstrom of the Centre de Recherches sur la Biologic des Populations d'Oiseaux, Paris, and D. Purchase of the CSTRO Divisi,)n of Wildlife Research. Canberra, an.: thanked for their prompt and painstaking attention to ring recovery enquiries.

Sincere appreciation is expressed to all members of the Marion Island T ~:ams who have helped with the bird ringing programme.

(4)

Table3

Recoveries and recaptures of foreign-ringed birds at Marionlsland, 1977-1982.

Ring Age at

.

Ringing Recovery

Species number ringing Sex date date Ringing location Status

King penguin TA2557 adult

-

^16-^12-1975 10-09-1981 Possession Island. Crozets recaptured - 46"25'S, 51°45'E. non-br..,eding King penguin TA4793 nestling

-

12-11-1977 16-01-1980 Possession Island, Crozets non-breeding King penguin TA8267

-

^- 03-12-19711 20-02-1980 Possession Island, Crozets non-breeding King penguin TA8748 adult

-

^03-12-1⁹⁷⁹ 10-01-1981 Possession Island, Crozets non-breeding King penguin TA 10231 nestling - 25-11-1980 Jan 1982 Possession Island, Crozets non-breeding King penguin TA 10490 nestling

-

28-11-1980 Jan. 1982 Possession Island, Crozets non-breeding King penguin TA 10732 nestling - 29-11-1980 1+12-1981 Possession Island, Crozets non-breeding Wandering albatross 140-39256a

- -

⁰¹^-08-1971 ^07-01-¹⁹⁸⁰ OffNewSoulh Wales recaptured

34.18'S. 150.58'E breeding Wandering albatross 140-39355

-

- 02-09-1972 07-01-1980 Off New South Wales read in field

34°18'S,150058'E no details Wandering albatross 140-39497

- -

26-08-1973 19-10-1979 Off New South Wales recaptured

34°18'$, l50°58'E breeding Wandering albatross 1.40-39384

- -

^04-08-1⁹⁷³ 10-0l-1980 Off New South Wales _r~adin field

34°18'S, 150058'E no details Wandering albatross 140-03344

- -

31-07-1960 22-12-1965b Off New South Wales read in field

34"22'$. 150°56' E no details Wandering albatross 14D-25303

- -

^23-07-1⁹⁶⁶ 15-12-1978 Off New South Wales read in field

34•22's, 150.56'E no details Wandering albatross 14!J-()3543C

- -

06-08-1961 10-12-1978 OffNewSouth Wales read in field

340Z2'S. 15(f56'E no details Wandering albatross 140-33229

- -

18-08-1979 02-01-1980 Off New South Wales recaptured

34"24'S, 151°00'E breeding Wandering albatross BS6164 adult F 25-01-1974 0.1-12-1979 Possession Island, Crozets read in field

46.25'S, 51°45'E no details Wandering albatross BS5815d adult M 12-03-1973 16-12-1979 Possession Island, Crozets read in field

Wandering albatross BS6578 nestling

-

^11-^11-1975 no details

10-03-1980 Possession Island. Crozets read in field

Wandering albatross BS0777" nestling

-

18-09-1968 no details

18-11-1979 Possessi9n Island, Crozets read in field

Wandering albatross BS6494 nestling

-

26-09-1975 no details

10-03-1980 Possession Island, Crozets read in field no details Australasian gannet CF 16751

- -

^{Jan. 1980} 22-10-1980 Possession Island, Crozets recaptured

13-ll-1981 non-breeding

Subantarctic skua DZ15424 nestling

-

23-{) 1-1978 14-12-1981 Possession Island, Crozets recaptured

- - non-breeding

- - -- a- Previously recaptured 28-12-1976 (Burger & Morant 1977).

b- Not previously reported (Berruti et al. 1975).

c - Previously recaptured 16-02-1975 (Berruti et al. 1975).

d- Previously recaptured 03-03-1975 and 20-02-1977 (Berruti et al. 1975, Burger & Morant 1977).

e- Previously recaptured 07-03-1975 and 19-01-1977 (Berruti er al. 1975, Burger & Morant 1977).

References S. African Ornithological Society.

BERRUTI, A., BURGER, A.E .. WILLIAMS, A.J. & SIEG- FRIED, W.R. 1975. Bird ringing on Marion Island. S. Afr. J.

Antarct. Res. 5: 50-52.

FURNESS, B.L. in press. Skuas. In: The Birds of Africa. Vol. 2 eds E.K. Urban, C. H. Fry, and S. Keith. Academic Press. London.

MOUGTN. J.L. 1977. Nidification a l'ile Marion (46.53'S. 3T52'E) d'un Grand Albatross (Diomedea exulans. L) ne a l'ilc de la Posses- sion, archipel Crozet (46"25'$, 5l⁰45'E). Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci.

Paris series D, 284: 2277-2280.

BROOKE. R.K. 1978. The Catharacta Skuas (Aves: Laridae) occur- ring in South African waters. Durban M us. No Pit. ll: 295-308.

BURGER, A.E. & MORANT, P.D. 1977. Bird ringing on Marion Island, 1975-1977. S. Afr. J. Antarct. Res. 7:26-27.

CLANCEY, P.A. 1980. S.A.O.S. Checklist of South African Birds.

STNCLAIR, J.C. 1980. Subantarctic Skua Catharacra antarctica predation techniques on land and at sea. Cormoram 8: 3-6.

Seal Finger: occurrence in Antarctica

Two cases of seal finger ''spekkfinger' contracted in Amarctica are described. The successjit! treatment of rhe disease and recommendations for the prePellfion of seal finger are gh•en.

Twee gel'alle van ··spekkfinger" wat in Anrarkrika opgedoen is word beskr.1f Die mksesro/le behandeling van die siekte en aanbevelings vir die I'Oorkoming Fan "spekkfinger" word gegee.

Introduction

Seal finger (spekkfinger or blubber finger) has been described in medical literature since 1907 (Candolin 1953). Seals and possibly polar bears are the only known carriers (Beck &

Smith 1976). Although seal finger was common in the Norwe- gian seal fleet (Waage 1950) operating in Greenland (Rodahl

1952) and at the Pribilof Islands (Skinner 1957). only two

previous cases have been reported from Antarctica (Liavaag 1940). This report is intended to bring the symptoms and treatment of the disease to the at.tention of biologists working with seals and of medical personnel in Antarctica and the sub- Antarctic.

Seal finger is described as a sub-acute. severely painful, localised infection of the fingers (Skinner 1957). The symptoms are a sudden, extremely painful swelling of the finger with the skin becoming reddish with a tight shiny appearance. The patient complains of severe local pain and stiffness in the neighbouring joint (Rodahl1943, 1952).

The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are not presently known. The infectious agent has been assumed to enter the finger through small cuts in the skin.

Occurrence and Treatment

Four members of the Mammal Research Institute. University of Pretoria, collected data and specimens from 21 Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossi) in the Antarctic pack ice between 70.24'S, 4•54'W and 69°58'S. 3°57'E from 15 to 20 January 1982. The work involved dissection and contact with most types of tissues from the seals. The biologists worked in teams of two, each team being responsible for the complete proces- sing of a seal. Both members of one of the teams contracted an infection whose symptoms resembled those of seal finger.

Since the other team was unaffected it may be assumed that the infection was picked up simultaneously from an affected seal.

The first case was noticed some seven days after the last seal was processed. The proximal joint of the index finger became

K. Panagis, P. Apps and M.H. Knight Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria 0002

swollen, pink and painful. This condition persisted for 28 days until treated with Yibromycin which cleared the infection after 11 days. The second case appeared 41 days after the last seal was processed. The infection appeared in the distal joint of the forefinger and after three days the swelling was marked.

Attempts to straighten the finger were painful. This case was treated with intravenous injection of Auromycin and Leder- mycin capsules were taken orally for seven days. after which the infection cleared.

Amputation of the infected finger was often resorted to before an effective drug treatment became available. In the 1950's penicillin was tried but proved ineffective. 'Rivanol' was found to be successful (Rodahll952) .. Seal finger has also been successfully treated with antibiotics such as Achromycin (Beck & Smith 1976), Vibromycin and Ledermycin (present cases).

Recommendations

Work on a variety of seal species forms part of South Africa's research effort in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic. In view of the permanent disability which can result from seal finger if it is not promptly diagnosed and correctly treated, the following recommendations are put forward:-

- all biologists working with seals should be made aware of the nature of the disease and the necessity for prompt treatment (neither o( those infected in the present case had even heard of seal finger),

- medical staff at Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations and on research vessels should be familiar with .the disease's symptoms and its treatment,

- suitable drugs should be readily available wherever work on seals is carried out.

References

BECK, B. & SMITH. T.G. 1976. Seal Finger: an unsolved medical problem in Canada. CMA Journal liS: 105.

CANDOLIN, Y. 1953. Seal finger (Spckklingcr) and its occurrence in the gulfs of tihe Baltic Sea. Acta. Chir. Seem d. (Suppl.) 177: 62.

LAVAAG. K. 1940. To tilfelle av ·spekkfinger' Tidskrifr fur Den Norake Tegeforening 60: 173-178.

RODAHL. K. 1952. 'Spekk-finger' or scalers finger. Arctic 5: .235.

RODAHL. K. 1943. Notes on the prevention and treatment of

·Spekk-finger'. Polar Record 4: 17-18.

SKINNER, J .S. 1957. Seal finger. Arcft. of Dermkidoct. 75: 559-561.

WAAGE. P. 1950. Om Spekkfingerbebandcling med Aurforvien.

Tidskr. Nor. Toegeforen70: 679.