Distribution and abundance of snow petrels Pagodroma nivea in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Olivier, F, Lee, AV, Woehler, E
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer-Verlag 2004
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Ecological Applications; Landscape Ecology; Antarctic; Australian Antarctic Territory; East Antarctica; Nivea; Windmill Islands; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Biology; Snow Petrel; Snow Petrels
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0595-3; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/32184

In light of a paucity of available data on snow-petrel breeding areas and population sizes in the Australian Antarctic Territory, we undertook a systematic regional survey in the Windmill Islands during the 2002/ 2003 summer. Snow petrels were found breeding at most ice-free localities at varying densities. A total of 4,034 active snow-petrel nests were located; 83% of these active nests were located in the southern half of the survey area. Based on the surveys, we provide distribution maps of nesting areas at a regional scale and estimate the total breeding population at approximately 12,200 pairs. Springer-Verlag 2004.