I received this from the <seabird at uct.ac.za> mailing list and thought it
might be of interest for those planning to take pelagic trips this winter.
The possibilities are quite remote, but you never know! Maybe the dye is
toxic and will impair their navigation abilities sending them into the
northeastern Pacific.

>This austral summer, if anyone observes colour-dyed albatrosses,
>please read one for full details.

>During November 1995, scientists from the National Institute of Water
>& Atmospheric Research (NIWA), New Zealand, colour dyed albatrosses
>breeding on Campbell Island.

>All birds were dyed on the breast and rump. The color will remain on
>the birds until they moult, mid 1996. This programme is part of our
>study of the foraging ecology of albatrosses.

>Birds dyed were: 1000 NZ Black-browed Albatrosses (yellow-orange)
700 Grey-headed Albatrosses (pink-red)

>Buller's Albatrosses from the Snares and Solander Islands will be
>dyed during February/March 1996, colours yet to be decided, but will
>differ from those already used on Campbell Island birds.

>We need help with gathering observations of these birds at sea, so
>please send us any records detailing:

>Vessel name, position, time, date, dye colour, species (if possible),
>number of dyed birds seen on each occasion, observer name and
>address.

>Please send reports directly to: Susan Waugh, NIWA, P.O. Box 8602,
>Christchurch, New Zealand. Fax: +64 3 348 5548; Email:
>waughs at chch.niwa.cri.nz