Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Black Duck at a saline habitat in Victoria

Abstract

Details of changes in numbers of Chestnut Teal Anas castanea, Grey Teal A. gibberifrons and Pacific Black Duck A. superciliosa within a study area in Corner Inlet, Victoria are given. Whilst a few Black Duck were seen occasionally, Chestnut Teal showed a regular movement into the area in October or November and maximum numbers were seen from April to June. It is suggested that they move into the area following breeding and disperse from it to breed. Peak counts of Grey Teal were more variable, but both species left the area, following heavy local rain, and were either absent or scarce between July and October.

Activities of the three species were governed by the tide. Though few Pacific Black Duck were seen feeding in the study area, Chestnut and Grey Teal fed on mud flats there as they became available and rested on land, or water, towards and following high water. Teal used the permanent freshwater soaks for drinking, thus ameliorating the effects of salt taken in with food (mainly molluscs, particularly Glossaulax sordidus, polychaetes and other marine invertebrates).

Saline areas, such as Corner Inlet, holding relatively large numbers of waterfowl in non-breeding seasons are apparently few in Victoria. Since they may represent habitat of importance, particularly to Chestnut Teal, development of them requires consideration of waterfowl requirements.