Aerial Surveys of Waders (Aves, Charadriiformes) Along the Coast of Northeastern Australia

Abstract

From 1981 to 1984, aerial surveys along the north-east Australian coast between Cairns in Queensland and Milingimbi in Arnhem Land recorded more than 250 000 migratory wading birds in December and February and up to 60 000 in July and early September, largely in the south-east Gulf of Carpentaria. The pattern of dispersion of waders was similar in both summer and winter. More than 85% in both seasons were found along muddy coastline fringed by mangroves. Waders congregated near the mouths of the rivers with the largest catchments.