THE EFFECT OF INVESTIGATORS ON THE BREEDING SUCCESS OF ROYAL, EUDYPTES SCHLEGELI, AND ROCKHOPPER PENGUINS, E-CHRYSOCOME, AT MACQUARIE ISLAND

The impact on reproductive success of investigators studying the breed ing biology of royal and rockhopper penguins was assessed. Control and experimental transects were established in a colony of each species a nd the number of active nests, from egg laying to creche stage, were c ompared. Experimental nests were those used in breeding biology work, where birds were measured and banded, and nest checks were carried out at least once per week. Control nests were in equivalent locations bu t birds were not handled, and no contact was made with the nests once breeding had begun. There were no significant differences in the numbe r of active nests between the control and experimental transects (and, therefore, breeding success) in either species. It is concluded that, provided care is taken when working with these species, no impacts on the short-term (up to creche stage, in one breeding season) breeding success of these populations will occur.