La Nina weather deadly for seabirds

While recent weather has been uncomfortable for people, spare a thought for New Zealand's seabirds.

The Department of Conservation said "hundreds, if not thousands" of birds are likely to be found dead on beaches over the summer due to the La Nina climate pattern hitting the country this year.

DOC vet Dr Kate McInnes said dead penguins had started turning up on northern beaches a few weeks ago, and deaths are likely to continue throughout the summer across New Zealand.

"It's not just penguins," Dr McInnes said. "All seabirds are struggling to feed their chicks or get into breeding condition as a result of the La Nina climate pattern. It's sad but it's a natural event. It all points to a lack of small fish on which all these species depend to raise their chicks."

Grey-faced petrels, sooty shearwaters and gannets have all been affected.

The La Nina weather event is the biggest event of its type since 1975 and is characterised by stationary anticyclones east of New Zealand, bringing calmer weather in the Spring.

"Calm seas stop the mixing of water columns making it harder for seabirds to find food," says Dr McInnes. "Any seabird that relies on fish will struggle.

"People are going to want to help the seabirds but in the end it's a natural event and there just isn't enough food out there for the chicks to survive."

Dr McInnes advised people finding seabirds to leave them alone this year.

"It's extremely difficult to care for penguins and seabirds when there is no natural food available. Although a tough call, its best to let nature take its course," she said.

"Although seabirds are going to have a bad time over the coming summer months throughout New Zealand, they had excellent breeding the previous summer season so population levels will cope in the longer term."

- NZ Herald staff