Vagrant birds ashore at the Prince Edward Islands, southern Indian Ocean, from 1987 to 2009

Abstract

Vagrant birds recorded ashore at Marion Island and Prince Edward Island from 1987 to 2009 are documented. In total, 101 observations (including multiple sightings of potentially the same individual) of 29 species were made. Palaearctic and Holarctic migrants (17 species), African species (n = 6) and pelagic species with a predominantly Southern Ocean distribution (n = 6) were observed. The number of observations peaked during the austral autumn, which corresponded to  both the northward migration of Palaearctic species and maximum observer effort. Ruddy turnstones Arenaria interpres, barn swallows Hirundo rustica, common house-martins Delichon urbicum and cattle egrets Bubulcus ibis were most frequently observed; ruddy turnstones and common house-martins apparently increasing in occurrence over the past two decades.

Keywords: avian; Marion Island; Palaearctic migrants; sub-Antarctic, vagrant

African Journal of Marine Science 2009, 31(3): 445–450