The Effect of a Major Rainfall Event on Hooded Plovers on a Salt-lake in Western Australia

Abstract

Rainfall, and associated flooding, is thought to influence the movements and breeding of wading birds in the interior of Australia. We describe opportunistic data collected before, during and after ex-cyclone Bobby passed over a salt-lake in south-western Australia in February 1995. Rainfall influenced a range of habitat variables: water levels increased, water temperature dropped and pH increased. The substrate became harder and cooler after rain. Hooded Plovers that were at the lake were forced to forage in higher densities, although their numbers did not decline immediately after the rain. Rainfall effected their foraging behaviour; during and after the rain success rate was above pre-rain levels. Other behaviours (aggression, drinking, bathing) are described. Lake Gore is the single most significant site for Hooded Plovers yet discovered and nothing has been previously published on the general and foraging ecology of this rare species on salt-lake habitats.