Seabirds found dead in New Zealand in 1964

During 1964, 45 members patrolled a total of 988 miles of coast and found 1,236 dead seabirds of 44 species. Mortality was highest in January and November, especially on some coasts exposed to westerly winds which were vigorous and prolonged in those months; on eastern coasts mortality was low throughout the year. There were no major wrecks. Fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) and sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) were, typically, the most abundant species, especially on western beaches of the North Island in November. Unusual species included silver-grey fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), black-winged petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca nigripennis), sooty tern (Sterna fuscata) and little whimbrei (Numenius minutus).