TRENDS OF SHOREBIRDS IN CORNER INLET, VICTORIA, 1982-2011

摘要: Corner Inlet, Victoria, provides habitat for one of the largest and most diverse assemblages shorebirds in southern Australia. Systematic counting commenced 1981 has continued, uninterrupted, to present (2011). Standardised counts, along fixed boat routes, indicate that numbers summer all species combined have declined by 23% over 30 year count period, from typically 35-40,000 earlier years 25-30,000 recent times. Ten - Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, Red Knot Calidris canutus, Great tenuirostris, Sandpiper ferruginea, Sharp-tailed Calidus acuminata, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Greater Sand Charadrius leschenaulti, Lesser C. mongolus declined, while Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus, increased. Numbers five other migratory -Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Whimbrel phaepus, Red-necked Stint ruficollis, Sanderling alba Double-banded bicinctus resident, species, Australian Pied longirostris not shown any significant change. Estimated declines abundance individual ranged 47% 95%. In contrast there was a increase Oystercatchers between 1.5 fold (winter) 3.5 (summer). counted varied widely years, likely due combination annual variation demographic parameters, possibly detection rates. The cause longterm changes at Inlet is certain, but destruction staging areas, notably Yellow Sea regions China Korea, suggested as main contributor with related adult survival rates more mechanism than breeding success. Interestingly, several were pronounced or two years. This study emphasises benefit using same route observers long periods identify trends abundance.