Population counts and monitoring of the breeding cycle of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Cape Hallett and an investigation of the Cape Adare colony

The total size of the breeding population of Adelie penguins at Cape Hallett was determined by counting all the occupied sites at the period when the adult population was near its zenith. The colony was divided into 23 bionomic units and these were checked for egg and chick losses. Nests which had the birds banded and the colony mapped (7) were re-checked to obtain data on partner and nest-site retention during consecutive seasons. Seven colonies were monitored daily to following breeding success including number of birds, number of pairs, number of eggs, chicks, number of eggs that hatch, number of chicks that fledge, etc. All 23 colonies were checked at 2-3 week intervals to avoid losses from human disturbance. General behaviour observations were noted and several smaller subsidary studies were conducted such as chick yolk sac absorption data, this being correlated with the parents brooding and feeding rosters, the effect of climate on breeding success and chick mortality. Population counts were also made of the Adelie penguin colonies at Cape Adare. This colony is climatically and geographically similar with one significant variable being Cape Hallett is inhabited by humans with a science base (now removed). The skuaries at Cape Adare were roughly mapped and the distance between nests was measured. Soil samples were collected from 4 different areas and the site was searched for mites and Collebola. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of penguin stomach contents throughout the breeding season in the 1965-66 season was undertaken to supplement population data from the 1960-61 and 1965-66 seasons data.