Population size and trends within the two populations of Southern Buller'sAlbatross Diomedea bulleri bulleri

The abundance and distribution of Southern Buller's Albatross (Diomedea bul leri bulleri) were investigated at the Solander Islands in February 1996 an d at The Snares in March 1997. The total breeding population of this endemi c subspecies was estimated at 11 502 breeding pairs. At the Solander Island s, a total of 2625 occupied nests was estimated from aerial and ground coun ts in the first accurate census that included all islands in the group. Com parisons with the number of chicks counted on Little Solander Island in 198 5 indicated a possible decrease of 18.7% or no change in the numbers of bre eding pairs during the period 1985-1996. At The Snares, a total of 8242 occ upied nests was counted and a further 635 were estimated on North East Isla nd, Broughton Island, and associated islets and stacks. A comparison with t he numbers of occupied nests counted on North East Island, The Snares, duri ng 1969 and 1992 indicated population increases of 78% and 8% during the pe riods 1969-1992 and 1992-1997, respectively. Differences in the rates of ch ange within The Snares population demonstrate the complexity of population parameters within a single seabird species, thus emphasising the need for c areful formulation of conservation measures. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.