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The Journal for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Number

The Journal for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Number

The JournalStilt for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway

AWSG Number 72 • November 2018 Australasian Studies Group Ph: (03) 5327 9952. Email: [email protected] Conservation Officer: Dan Weller, Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Vic, 3053, . Ph: (03) 9347 0757. Email: [email protected]

STATE CONSERVATION OFFICERS QUEENSLAND Sandra Harding, 336 Prout Road, Burbank QLD 4156 Email: [email protected] NEW SOUTH WALES Joan Dawes, Stilt Ph: 02 9664 2546. Email: [email protected] ISSN 0726-1888 TASMANIA © AWSG Eric Woehler, (South Tas), 37 Parliament St, Sandy Bay Tas 7005. Ph: (03) 6223 1980. Email: [email protected] Ralph Cooper (North Tas), 7 Beach Rd, Legana Tas 7277. MISSION STATEMENT Ph: (03) 6330 1255. Email: [email protected] SOUTH AUSTRALIA To ensure the future of and their in Australia Paul Wainwright, PO Box 255, Balhannah SA 5242 through research and conservation programmes and to Ph: 0429 678 475. Email: [email protected] encourage and assist similar programmes in the rest of the VICTORIA East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Doris Graham, 14 Falconer St, Fitzroy Vic 3068. OBJECTIVES Ph (03): 9482 2112. Email: [email protected] WESTERN AUSTRALIA . Monitor wader populations through a programme of Bill Rutherford (South WA – cutoff Onslow), 199 Daglish St, counting and banding in order to collect data on changes Wembly, Perth, WA 6014. Email: @iinet.net.au on a local, national and international basis. Chris Hassell (North WA – cutoff Onslow), Global Flyway . Study the migrations of waders through a programme of Network PO Box 3089, Broome, WA 6725. Ph: (08) 9192 counting, banding, colour flagging, collection of 8585 or 0408 954 655. Email: @wn.com.au biometric data and use of appropriate scientific instruments. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES . Instigate and encourage other scientific studies of waders such as feeding and breeding studies. NEW ZEALAND . Communicate the results of these studies to a wide North Island: audience through its journal Stilt and membership Adrian Riegen, 213 Forest Hill Rd, Waiatarua, Auckland 0612, newsletter the , other journals, the internet, the NEW ZEALAND. media, conferences and lectures. Ph: (09) 814 9741. Email: [email protected] . Formulate and promote policies for the conservation of South Island: waders and their , and to make available Rob Schuckard, 4351 Croisilles French Pass Rd RD3, French information to local and national governmental Pass 7139, NEW ZEALAND. conservation bodies and other organisations to Ph: 3576 5371. Email: [email protected] encourage and assist them in pursuing this objective. OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS . Actively participate in flyway wide and international forums to promote sound conservation policies for Maureen Christie, Joris Driessen, Chris Hassell, Marcel Klaassen, waders. Grace Maglio, Clive Minton, Adrian Riegen and Inka Veltheim. . Encourage and promote the involvement of a large band of amateurs, as well as professionals, to achieve these MEMBERSHIP OF THE AUSTRALASIAN WADER objectives. STUDIES GROUP Membership of the AWSG is open to anyone interested in the OFFICE BEARERS conservation and research of waders (shorebirds) in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Members receive the twice yearly Chair & International Liaison Officer: Doug Watkins, bulletin Stilt, and the quarterly newsletter Tattler. 99 MacKellar Cr, Cook, 2614, ACT, AUSTRALIA. Please direct all membership enquiries to the Membership Email: [email protected] Manager at BirdLife Australia, Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester St, Vice Chair: Phil Straw, P.O. Box 2006, Rockdale Delivery Carlton Vic 3053, AUSTRALIA. Centre NSW 2216, AUSTRALIA. Phone and fax: (02) Ph: 1300 730 075, fax: (03) 9347 9323 9597 7765. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Chair of Scientific Committee: Danny Rogers 68, Ryans Annual Subscriptions: Australia & New Zealand A$40.00 Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095, AUSTRALIA. Overseas A$40.00 Ph: (03) 8418 0002. Email: [email protected] Institutions A$40.00 Editor: Greg Kerr, 20 Morgan Street, Port Lincoln, SA 5606, AUSTRALIA. Published in November 2018 Ph: +61 (0)8 8683 4454. Email: [email protected] Secretary: Alison Russell-French, PO Box 1045 Canberra ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA. Email: [email protected] Treasurer: Birgita Hansen, Federation University Australia, PO Box 663, Ballarat, Vic 3353. AUSTRALIA. Stilt 72 (2018): 1

TREASURER'S REPORT FOR 2017 A difference of $11 743.86 exists between the balance carried forward from 2016 and the opening balance for 2017. This was caused by an internal balance correction to align AWSG and BLA records. At the end of 2017, pending invoices to DPaW for MYSMA amounted to $13 636.36 (Income). The balance of $38 601.48 carried forward at 31 December 2017 includes commitments for purchase of satellite transmitters $12 500 and a contribution of $10 000 to the Global Flyway Network. (Expenses)

Australasian Wader Studies Group Income and Expenses 1 January 2017 - 31 December 2017 INCOME EXPENSES Item 2017 2016 Item 2017 2016 $ $ $ $ Balance brought forward 47 528.09 54 027.52 Printing 2814.00 2789.30 Subscriptions 9685.98 8337.43 Postage/courier 2304.94 3789.22 Contracts - State Govts. 27 273.95 23 328.47 Surveys/reports/monitoring 44 570.57 11 429.83 Contracts - Other 0.00 Travel/accommodation/meals 8441.45 8197.43 Donations 39 460.00 8728.00 Conferences 297.29 Conference/meetings 0.00 Donations 500.00 Other income 2239.62 1383.31 Equipment/consumables 22 500.00 8000.00 Consultant fees 2574.00 Other expenses 4083.91 1827.00

Total income 78 659.55 41 777.21 Total expenses 87 586.16 36 532.78 Total accumulated funds 126 187.64 95 804.73 126 187.64 147 160.24 Balance carried forward 38 601.48 59 271.95

Membership statistics: Membership at the end of the year was: 2017 2016 Australia/New Zealand 245 231 Overseas (excl. NZ) 13 16 Institutions 5 12 Complimentary 53 77 Total 316 336

This summary of income and expenses for the past year is not an audited statement. It has been prepared for the information of AWSG members from records of transactions provided by BirdLife Australia relating to the Australasian Wader Studies Group. The AWSG is a special interest group of BirdLife Australia and members who wish to see the audited accounts of BirdLife Australia should refer to the Concise Financial Report included in the BirdLife Australia Annual Report 2015.

1 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

THE MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS OF GREY-TAILED TATTLER BREVIPES FROM MORETON BAY, SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND

JONATHAN T. COLEMAN1, DAVID A. MILTON2 AND HITOSHI AKUTSU3

1 22 Parker Street, Shailer Park, QLD, 4128, AUSTRALIA (Corresponding Author) Email: [email protected] 2 336 Prout Road, Burbank, QLD, 4156, AUSTRALIA. 3Hitoshi Akutsu, 3-23-15 Fijusaki Narashino Chiba, JAPAN.

Between September 2006 and December 2016, a total of 553 Grey-tailed Tattler were caught in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia and fitted with green, engraved leg flags facilitating identification of individuals in the field. Over the period of the study this has resulted in 2905 individual resightings within Moreton Bay and a further 76 resightings further afield, of which 70 were in Japan. Between 2011 and 2013, 41 geolocators were also fitted to obtain more detailed data on the migratory behaviour of this . Three of these were retrieved and provided data on the timing, speed and individual variability in migration, as well as information on staging and breeding areas. Data from the three geolocators demonstrated that all three migrated to staging grounds in Japan before moving north to breed in Northern Kamchatka or Southern Chukotka. One had an additional staging period in the northern and all three birds arrived on the breeding grounds within three days of each other. Southward migrants took a more easterly and direct route back to their Australian non-breeding areas.

INTRODUCTION 2006). Other studies into the migration of this species have shown that eastern birds are significantly heavier at The Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes is a medium departure than western birds (Branson et al. 2010). Since sized wading bird of the Tringinae and is found 2006, in Queensland, leg flags have been engraved with throughout coastal Australia in the non-breeding season unique codes allowing individuals to be identified from (Austral summer), migrating north to breeding their leg flags both on migration and on their non- grounds in the northern hemisphere summer (Higgins and breeding grounds. This has allowed site fidelity both Davies 1996). The world population was estimated at within and between years to be studied. Grey-tailed approximately 50 000 (Bamford et al. 2008) but has Tattlers demonstrate high fidelity to feeding and roosting recently been revised upwards to an estimated population sites with individuals generally using the same sites both of 70 000 (Hansen et al. 2016). Ninety percent of the within and between non-breeding seasons (Coleman and Grey-tailed Tattler population spends the non-breeding Milton 2012). season in Australia (Bamford et al. 2008). Of these, there Despite advances in knowledge from leg flag are estimates of up to 22 000 individuals occurring in sightings there are some limitations, particularly in Moreton Bay (Thompson 1993) making the site highly observer rate biases, due to differences in human significant for this species. population densities and interest in shorebird matters Between November 1960 and March 2018, a total of throughout the flyway. As a result, there have been only 10 591 Grey-tailed Tattler were banded in Australia with two leg flag sightings of the Grey-tailed Tattler on the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme bands (ABBBS breeding grounds (Minton et al. 2006). 2018) resulting in 1515 recoveries of Australian-banded Tracking studies can offer important complementary birds. The maximum movement recorded from banding insights by helping to overcome biases and gaps in the data relates to an individual banded in New South Wales location of resightings. Satellite telemetry has been used in April 1974 and recovered in far-eastern Russia in July in some species (Driscoll and Ueta 2002) but the weight 1976, a movement of 10 818 km north. Banding data have of the equipment has limited its use to larger species. also provided insights into longevity with an individual Transmitter weights have recently been significantly banded in Western Australia in 1982 and recaptured 19 reduced due to reductions in battery size. New advances years later at the same location. However, with only a in surgical implantation of the devices to reduce potential 12.2% recovery rate and the need to recapture birds to aerodynamic impacts (Gill et al 2009) have also allowed identify them, information provided through banding smaller species to be studied. However, transmitter alone has been useful, but sparse and slow to collect. weight remains a limiting factor for research on many Data collected for Australian plain leg-flagged species. shorebirds, including the Grey-tailed Tattler, has been Light level geolocator technology by contrast, has summarised in Minton et al. (2006). These leg flag been used on for many years and more recently sightings demonstrate that birds from Queensland has been applicable for birds as small as 18 g due to the migrate north to staging areas in Japan whereas birds smaller size and weight of the devices (Stutchbury et al. from north-western Australia, although also reaching 2009, Scandolara et al. 2014). The Victorian Wader Japan, generally migrate further west via Korea and Study Group trialled their use with initial success on the and breed further west in (Minton et al. Arenaria interpres (Minton et al. 2010)

2 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

and soon afterwards with the Greater Sand which was placed on the left tarsus along with a green leschenaultii (Minton et al. 2011). This was engraved leg flag placed on the right tibia. Those birds followed by tracking of Far-eastern Numenius selected for geolocator attachment also received a yellow madagascariensis and Calidris alba (Minton leg flag with the pre-attached geolocator which was et al. 2013, Lisovski et al. 2016) and now continued placed on the left tibia. Returning birds were caught using annual use of geolocators to monitor Ruddy Turnstone. cannon nets and the flag with geolocator removed in the Considering tracker size, weight and cost constraints field. The metal band and green engraved flag were left we used geolocators to gain a detailed understanding of on the bird to allow further observations of the individual. the migration routes and staging grounds of Grey-tailed Birds were also aged on characteristics and body Tattlers captured during the non-breeding season in mass was recorded, to the nearest gram. Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Australia. The paper summarises Twenty-One BasTrak geolocators were fitted between findings to date, using leg flags and then demonstrates the 20th March and the 2nd May 2011 with birds in how geolocators have provided additional relevant data breeding plumage and with a body mass greater than 120 on this species. g targeted for deployment. This was to maximise the chance of placing the geolocators on individuals likely to METHODS migrate, rather than inadvertently targeting sub-adults or birds in poorer condition more likely to defer migration Since 2006, Grey-tailed Tattlers have been caught in and remain within Australia. A further twenty Integio Moreton Bay using mist and cannon nets and all birds devices were fitted to adult birds between the 16th caught have been banded and leg flagged with December 2012 and the 16th March 2013 to provide individually engraved flags. This has facilitated the further returns for analysis because of a low return rate identification of individual birds. Resightings of birds via from the 2011 birds. their leg flag combinations have been made by observers For retrieved geolocators, light value data were at roost sites, during monthly coordinated counts and by downloaded using the BasTrak software (none of the ad hoc observations of birds both locally on feeding and Integio units were recovered) and the data validated using pre-roost sites and on migration. While Moreton Bay the TransEdit and Bird Tracker software to remove resightings are collected on a regular basis from high tide incomplete or spurious data records. Source, destination roost sites, resightings away from Moreton Bay rely on and staging areas, along with approximate arrival and inconsistent recorder effort. departure dates were then plotted using Google Earth In addition to banding, high tide roosts in Moreton with separate maps created for each individual Bay were counted by Queensland Wader Study Group recaptured. Approximate flight speeds were also volunteers in each month of the study period, with totals calculated using the geolocator locations and timestamps for each species recorded by location. Because all roost at the start and end of migratory legs. sites were not counted every month, the count data were In addition to location data, the appearance of summarised by taking the mean number of Grey-tailed alternating light and dark signals, occurring while on the Tattlers counted across all roost sites surveyed for that breeding grounds was interpreted as geolocator shading, month. during incubation. This followed the method used by For the geolocator work, birds were caught using mist Gosbell et al. (2012) where shading periods of greater and cannon nets at Manly Boat Harbour, Queensland, than two hours, noted over a 12-hour period, were used to Australia (-27°27'12.67"S, 153°11'40.07"E) for banding indicate that incubation was occurring and less regular and geolocator attachment between March and May 2011 shading periods of 30 minutes duration or less to indicate and between December 2012 and March 2013. Birds brooding of young. developing breeding plumage in those catches were selected for geolocator attachment. Twenty-one RESULTS geolocators were attached in 2011 and a further 20 in 2012/13. Geolocators in the first batch were MK10 Pre-migration Weight Gain and Departure Dates

Bastrak units, supplied by the British Antarctic Survey, Between September 2006 and December 2016, 553 Grey- with the later batch of Intigeo W65A9RJ devices supplied tailed Tattlers were caught, banded and weighed in by Migrate Technology Ltd. Units weighed 1.1 g and Moreton Bay with 64 of those individuals recaptured at were attached to yellow leg flags to aid recapture efforts some point between September 2006 and December when birds returned in the following season. 2016. A plot of mean mass by month, for all adult birds Geolocators were tied to the leg flag with caught between the months of February and June showed monofilament line and then glued to the flag using a that birds started to increase body mass from February, solvent cement. The geolocators were then activated and reaching a peak mean mass of 141.2 g during late April left in an elevated open space for one week to allow (Figure 1). By June, body mass had reduced to a mean of accurate placement and identify any need for 105.0 g, corresponding to the early February body mass recalibration of location data on later download. The of 104.6 g, before the weight gain period in the species. exact date and time of activation for each device was also Mean count data for each month of the year shows a recorded as a baseline time stamp for the data collected. peak in Grey-tailed Tattler number in April, with numbers All birds caught were fitted with a metal bird band dropping sharply to a low in May. This decrease in mean issued by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme, numbers at roost sites between April and May

3 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

corresponds with the period of maximum recorded body at Corner Inlet, Victoria (-38° 47' 16.27"S, 146° 19' mass for this species. 55.83"E). This individual was banded at Manly in August 2012, recaptured at Corner Inlet in October that year, Results of Leg Flag Resightings 1407 km to the south, and not seen since then. The 553 individuals captured to date have resulted in a Resightings within Japan were distributed throughout total of 2981 resightings of individually leg flagged birds the south and centre of the country with only six up to 31st December 2016. Of these 2905 (97.8%) of resightings north of Tokyo (Figure 2). All resightings resightings were within Moreton Bay. except for the six northern resightings were on the Of the 76 birds recorded away from Moreton Bay, 70 southward facing coastline of the country. were seen overseas and all in Japan. The remainder were Japanese resightings occurred between April and resighted on the east coast of Australia (Table 1). Four of September with the earliest resighting on the 18th April the six birds recorded elsewhere in Australia were and the latest on the 12th September. Two peaks in recorded in August and September at coastal locations to resightings occurred with 49 (70%) of all resightings in the north of Moreton Bay. Two exceptions were an May and a second smaller peak in August with 11 individual banded in March 2008 at Manly and recorded (15.7%) of resightings recorded in this month. The lowest at Boonooroo (-25° 40' 12.89"S, 152° 53' 39.25"E), 202 number of resightings during the April to September km north of Manly on the 8th February 2009, but was at resighting period was in June, when only 1 (1.4%) Manly again on the 22nd February 2009 and one bird seen resighting was recorded (Figure 1).

Table 1: Resightings of Grey-tailed Tattlers seen within Australia at locations other than Moreton Bay between September 2006 and December 2016.

Leg Banding Banding Resighting Resighting Location Distance Notes Flag Date Location Date (km) HD 07/03/2008 Manly 08/02/2009 Boonooroo, QLD 202 km Next seen 22/02/2009 (-25°40'12.89"S, 152°53'39.25"E) NNW in Moreton Bay AMC 25/08/2012 Manly 12/10/2012 Corner Inlet, VIC 1407 km No other sightings (-38°47'16.27"S, 146°19'55.83"E) SW KC 02/10/2011 Manly 03/08/2012 Cairns, QLD 1380 km Seen twice in (-16°53'53.11"S, 145°46'3.90"E) NW 2013/2014 season in Moreton Bay EU 26/10/2007 Manly 07/09/2008 Cairns, QLD 1380 km Seen in Moreton bay (-16°53'53.11"S, 145°46'3.90"E) NW 2007/2008 and 2009/2010 seasons JU 11/09/2010 Manly 04/09/2012 Poinsiana, QLD 808 km Seen in Moreton Bay (-20°53'59.31"S, 148°58'6.98"E) NNW 2016/2017 season ABS 12/02/2012 Manly 26/08/2014 Innisfail, QLD 1300 km Seen in Moreton Bay (-17°31'33.67"S, 146°2'45.20"E) NNW in 2012/2013 and 2014/2015 seasons

250 60

200 50

40 150 30 100 20 50 10 Number of Resightings in Japan 0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Mean Count and monthly body mass (g) Number recorded in Japan Mean Count Mean Weight (g)

Figure 1: Mean monthly roost counts (solid line), mean monthly body mass in grams (dashed line) and number of records each month in Japan for Grey-tailed Tattlers caught in Moreton Bay between February and June from 2006-2016.

4 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

Northward Migration and Staging Sites

Of the 41 tattlers with geolocators, 15 (36.6%) were not seen again, with the remaining 26 birds seen in subsequent non-breeding seasons in Moreton Bay. Despite this, only three of the BasTrak devices and none of the Integio devices were recovered. The migration routes and staging areas for those three birds are shown in Figure 3. All three birds spent time in southern or central Japan on northward migration, over 7000 km from their non-breeding grounds, with a mean stopover time of 15.7 days (range 11-19 days). All three birds were also recorded during the breeding season in northern Kamchatka, over 9700 km north of their capture site at Manly (Figure 3). While two of the birds (C5 and B3) flew direct from Australia to Japan where they spent time before moving to the breeding grounds, one bird (A6) took a more westerly migration route and spent 12 days at an additional staging location in the Northern Philippines. This is an approximate distance from Moreton Bay of

5700 km, which was followed by a further 2000 km flight to Southern Japan where the bird spent another 11 days Figure 2: Resighting locations within Japan of Grey-tailed before moving to the breeding grounds in Kamchatka, Tattlers banded in Moreton Bay between September 2006 and Russia (Figure 3). The same bird commenced migration December 2016. from Australia in May (last record in Brisbane 4th May) with the other two (C5 and B3) last recorded in Moreton rd th Bay on May 3 and 4 respectively, coinciding with the C5 timing of heaviest pre-migration weight (Figure 1). Northward migration took 28 (C5) and 32 days (B3) for the two birds that flew direct to Japan from Moreton Bay, while A6 took 33 days to complete the migration B3 from Moreton Bay to far-eastern Russia. Despite the differences in migratory route all three birds arrived on the breeding grounds within three days of each other, A6 arriving on the 5th (C5), 6th (B3) and 7th June (A6). The presence of light and dark periods in the 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 geolocator outputs indicated that all three birds incubated Days from June 1st eggs while on the breeding grounds (Figure 4). Incubation Arrival and pre-nesting period Incubation Post-nesting period to departure commenced 6, 13 and 18 days after arrival on the breeding grounds with two birds incubating eggs for 23 Figure 4: Breeding activity for all three Grey-tailed tattlers st th and 24 days respectively and one bird (C5) only from 1 June to 5 September 2011 when the last of the three incubating for 10 days. birds left the breeding grounds

5 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

Southward Migration and Staging Sites DISCUSSION

The three birds remained in far-eastern Russia for 52 days As for many other migratory species, banding and (A6), 45 days (C5) and 91 days (B3) with last recorded flagging methods have provided significant information dates being 29th July, 17th August and 5th September on the migration and local movements of the Grey-tailed respectively. Tattler (Minton et al. 2006, Branson et al. 2010, Coleman Southward migration was more easterly than and Milton 2012). In our study, combining geolocator, northward migration with two birds flying almost due counting and leg-flagging data has provided additional south to Australia, one (B3) completing the journey in 27 insights into the migration of this species. The data days, with a 2-day stopover in the mid Pacific island of collected in our study show that peak mean body mass, in Guam and the second taking 66 days with a period of 27 late April and early May, correlates with departure dates days in southern Kamchatka pre- migration, a brief 2-day determined through analysis of geolocator recordings. stopover, again in Guam region and a final stopover in This correlation between departure date and maximum New Guinea of approximately 24 days. achievable body mass for individuals is presumably a The third bird (A6), which was also the bird that mechanism to ensure maximum resources for the first migrated north via the Philippines, returned via Japan migration leg, which both flag sightings and geolocator where it spent 19 days before reaching Australia with a data indicate often involves a non-stop flight to Japan for further 11-day stopover in New Guinea completing return most individuals (Minton et al. 2006; this study). migration in 38 days (Figure 3). Unlike northward However, the geolocator data have provided migration where all the birds arrived in far-eastern Russia additional insights into migration that were unknown within three days of each other, arrival time back in from leg flag resightings. Northward migration data have Moreton Bay on southward migration was spread over a confirmed the traditional non-stop flight to Japan, 27-day period from the 5th September to the 2nd October suggested by the leg flag data but have also highlighted 2011. the potential variability in individual routes with birds in Migration Speed this study moving north on a broad front extending

Assuming a direct flight path between the non-breeding, between the Philippines and Micronesia. Lisovski et al. staging and breeding locations the two birds flying direct (2016) performed a similar comparison between leg flag to Japan, prior to reaching their breeding grounds resightings and geolocator results for the Sanderling and travelled a total distance of approximately 11 000 km on also recorded variability between individual migration Northward migration in 32 and 28 days respectively (B3 tracks as well as identifying new locations and important and C5). The third individual, A6 took 33 days to travel data on the usage of staging during migration. Their study 11 700 km. The three birds therefore demonstrated an also highlighted that many locations used by migrating overall migration speed of 14.3 km.hr-1 (B3), 15.8 km.hr- shorebirds are underestimated in their importance 1 (C5) and 14.8 km.hr-1 (A6) for the entire migration north emphasising how valuable these tracking technologies from Moreton Bay to far-eastern Russia and travelling on are in establishing data that can be used in the average between 343 and 393 km.day-1 (Mean: 15 km.hr- conservation of these species. 1, SE: 0.4 km.hr-1). All individuals stopped over for several days in Japan, Flight speed on the main non-stop northward presumably as a mechanism for birds to regain body migration legs was estimated separately with northward condition before the shorter movement to the breeding migration from Manly to Japan, approximately 7000 km grounds. The individuals studied all spent the breeding taking 6 and 7 days respectively for B3 and C5. This was season in the north Kamchatka region and irrespective of an estimated flight speed of approximately 49 km.hr-1 for departure date or staging periods arrived on the breeding B3 and 42 km.hr-1 for C5. This demonstrated that on non- grounds within a few days of each other. The breeding stop migration legs birds can travel between 1166 and location of these birds is also consistent with existing 1000 km.day-1. The journey from Japan to far-eastern knowledge of Grey-tailed Tattler breeding range and Russia was slower and more variable with B3 averaging confirms breeding on the Kamchatka Peninsula (Higgins 307 km.day-1 (13 km.hr-1) and C5 averaging 800 km.day- and Davies 1996). 1 (33 km.hr-1). The data collected also provided insights into The bird travelling via the Philippines (A6) averaged breeding in this species with two birds incubating eggs 38 km.hr-1 between Moreton Bay and the Philippines, for 23 and 24 days respectively and presumably hatching travelling 917 km.day-1. The journey between the young as both geolocator outputs showed continued but Philippines and Japan was much slower with the bird significantly reduced light and dark periods, which may averaging 28 km.hr-1 and travelling approximately 667 indicate brooding of small young. The bird that only km.day-1. The c. 4000 km journey from Japan to far- incubated for 10 days, presumably failed to hatch eggs eastern Russia was faster with the bird averaging 800 and was the first bird to leave the breeding grounds, km.day-1 or 33 km.hr-1. indicating that failed breeders may be the first to Due to issues in accurately calculating latitude on commence southward migration. southward migration caused by the impacts of the The geolocators also provided an opportunity to Autumnal equinox on the accuracy of the location establish approximate flight speeds with birds recorded -1 estimation, an assessment of migration speed was not travelling at between 38 and 49 km.hr on their initial attempted for birds on southward migration. non-stop flights to Japan and the Philippines and mean

6 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

speeds of 14.3 to 15.8 km.hr-1 over the whole migration ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS journey. Migratory speed in shorebirds has been linked with size, smaller birds migrating more quickly than The Queensland Wader Study Group, Port of Brisbane larger species (Zhao et al. 2017a). Similar mean flight Pty Ltd, the Wild Bird Society of Japan – Chiba and the speeds for the entire northward migration were NPO Yacho Chiba provided the funding that made this calculated, using geolocator data, for a number of other project possible and we are grateful to all four shorebird species (Zhao et al. 2017b) with Grey-tailed organisations for their financial support. Tattler migrating faster than the larger The Queensland Wader Study Group also provided a Calidris tenuirostris and Far-eastern Curlew Numenius pool of willing volunteers who helped and continue to madagascariensis but more slowly than the smaller help catch shorebirds. For one of the catches members of Sanderling Calidris alba supporting the hypothesis that the Wild Bird Society of Japan – Chiba and the body size is negatively correlated with migration speed. Yatsuhigata Nature Observation Centre attended and This was also the same for the initial non-stop migration helped with catching of the study birds. Without the help leg with Minton et al. (2010) calculating a flight speed of of these volunteers no fieldwork would have been 50-55 km.hr-1 in the smaller Ruddy Turnstone, compared possible and although too numerous to mention everyone to the estimated speed of 38-49 km.hr-1 for the Grey-tailed involved, the authors express their sincere appreciation Tattlers in this study. for the support and hard work, often under long, arduous Southward migration has remained largely unknown field conditions. for Queensland Grey-tailed Tattlers until this study. Finally, the principal author would like to take this Given the routes and speed of the three tracked birds it is opportunity to highlight the role of the late David Milton unsurprising that leg-flagging did not provide us with this in this study. David’s considerable contribution to information earlier. Birds migrated southwards directly to shorebird research and conservation in the flyway and his Moreton Bay with only limited, short-term stopovers in passion for all things shorebird will be sadly missed by the mid-Pacific where birds would be unlikely to be all of us. observed in those brief periods. Two of the three birds also spent time in New Guinea on southward migration, REFERENCES indicating that there may be important staging sites in that Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme – ABBBS 2018. region. A more easterly southward migration for two of http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- the three birds is consistent with similar observations in bin/biodiversity/abbbs/abbbs-search.pl some individuals of other wader species such as the Bamford M., D. Watkins, W. Bancroft, G. Tischler & J. Ruddy Turnstone (Minton et al. 2010) and Bar-tailed Wahl 2008. Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - (Battley et al. 2012) and highlights the value of Australasian Flyway: Population estimates and observer-independent methods of monitoring movements internationally important sites. [Online]. Canberra, ACT: of birds. Only one of the three birds returned south via a Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Wetlands International-Oceania. Available from: staging site in Japan, the rest moved rapidly with very http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/migratory/pu brief stopovers. This differs from previous studies that blications/shorebirds-east-asia.html. suggested most birds staged in Japan on southern Battley, P. F., N. Warnock, T. L. Tibbitts, R. E. Gill, T. migration (Higgins and Davies 1996). Return dates, Piersma, C. J. Hassell, D. Douglas, C. Mulcahy, D. M. unlike Arctic arrival dates were more variable, suggesting Gartrell, B. D. Schuckard, R. Melville & A. C. Riegen that arrival times are less important when arriving on the 2012. Contrasting extreme long-distance migration non-breeding grounds. patterns in bar-tailed Limosa lapponica. Journal Despite 26 geolocator marked birds (63.4%) returning of Avian Biology, 43:21–32. doi:10.1111/j.1600- to Moreton Bay in the following season only three of the 048X.2011.05473.x Branson N.J.B.A., S. Yoshimitsu, C.Y. Chiang & C.D.T. birds carrying geolocators (7%) were recaptured. The Minton 2010. Movements of grey-tailed tattlers and terek return rate of 63.4% for the geolocator birds was like that in the East Asian/Australasian flyway. Stilt recorded by Coleman and Milton (2012) where 69% of 57:50-58 leg flagged Grey-tailed Tattlers were recorded at the same Coleman J.T. & D.A. Milton 2012. Feeding and roost site roost site in the following non-breeding season. The low fidelity of two migratory shorebirds in Moreton Bay, recapture rate was a result of environmental factors South-Eastern Queensland, Australia. The Sunbird influencing the roost site and impacting recapture 42(2):41-51 capability. Repairs to the roost site following storm Driscoll, P.V. & M. Ueta 2002 The migration route and damage resulted in Grey-tailed Tattlers roosting on a new behaviour of eastern Numenius madagascariensis. Ibis 144:E119-E130. rock wall and not the open areas of the roost. This Gill, R.E., T.L. Tibbitts, D.C. Douglas, C.M. Handel, D.M. prevented the use of cannon-nets for targeted recaptures Mulcahy, J.C. Gottschalck, N. Warnock, B.J. and few Grey-tailed Tattlers have been caught at this site McCaffery, P.F. Battley & T. Piersma 2009. Extreme since the damage to the site. This highlights that the endurance flights by land birds crossing the Pacific ; factors impacting geolocator retrieval need to be ecological corridor rather than barrier? Procedures of the considered carefully when planning geolocator studies to Royal Society B. 276:447-457. maximise recapture potential.

7 Stilt 72 (2018): 2-8 Migratory Movements of Grey-tailed Tattler from Moreton Bay, SE Queensland

Gosbell, K., C. Minton & J. Fox 2012. Geolocators reveal interpres and Greater Sandplovers Charadrius incubation and re-nesting characteristics of Ruddy leschenaultii in the East Asian-Australasia Flyway reveal Arenaria interpres and Eastern Curlews widely different migration strategies, Wader Study Group Numenius madagascariensis. Wader Study Group Bulletin. Bulletin. 118:87-96. 1193:160–171. Minton, C., K. Gosbell, P. Johns, M. Christie, M. Klaassen, Hansen, B.D., R.A. Fuller, D. Watkins, D.I. Rogers, R.S. C. Hassell, A. Boyle, R. Jessop & J. Fox 2013. New Clemens, M. Newman, E.J. Woehler & D.R. Weller insights from geolocators deployed on waders in Australia. 2016. Revision of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Wader Study Group Bulletin. 120:37-46. Population Estimates for 37 listed Migratory Shorebird Scandolara, C., D. Rubolini, R. Ambrosini, M. Caprioli, S. Species. Unpublished report for the Department of the Hahn, F. Liechti, A. Romano, M. Romano, B. Sicurella Environment. BirdLife Australia, Melbourne. & N. Saino 2014. Impact of miniaturized geolocators on Higgins, P.J. & S.J.J.F. Davies, Eds. 1996. Handbook of barn swallow Hirundo rustica fitness traits. Journal of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 3: Avian Biology. 45:417-423. to Pigeons. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Stutchbury J.M., S.A. Tarof, T. Done, M. Gow, P.M. Lisovski, S., K. Gosbell, M. Christie, B.J. Hoye, M. Kramer, J. Tautin, J.W. Fox & V. Afanasyev 2009. Klaassen, I.D. Stewart, A.J. Taysom & C. Minton 2016. Tracking long distance songbird migration by using Movement patterns of Sanderling (Calidris alba) in the geolocators. Science. 323:896. East Asian-Australasian Flyway and a comparison of Thompson, J.J. 1993. Patterns of shorebird abundance in methods for identification of crucial areas for conservation, eastern Moreton Bay, Queensland. Wildlife Research. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 116(2):168-177, DOI: 20:193–201. 10.1071/MU15042 Zhao, M., M. Christie, J.T. Coleman, C. Hassell, K. Minton, C.D.T., J. Wahl, R. Jessop, C. Hassell, P. Collins & Gosbell, S. Lisovski, C. Minton & M. Klaassen 2017a. H. Gibbs. 2006. Migration routes of waders which spend Body size shapes inter-specific migratory behaviour: the non-breeding season in Australia. Stilt. 50:135-157. evidence from individual tracks of long-distance migratory Minton, C., K. Gosbell, P. Johns, M. Christie, J.W. Fox & shorebirds. Journal of Avian Biology. 48:01–11 V. Afanasyev 2010. Initial results from light level Zhao, M., M. Christie, J.T. Coleman, C. Hassell, K. geolocator trials on Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Gosbell, S. Lisovski, C. Minton & M. Klaassen 2017b. reveal unexpected migration route. Wader Study Group Time versus energy minimization migration strategy varies Bulletin. 117:9–14. with body size and season in long-distance migratory Minton C., K. Gosbell, P. Johns, M. Christie, M. Klaassen, shorebirds. Movement Ecology. 5:23 DOI 10.1186/s40462- C. Hassell, A. Boyle, R. Jessop & J. Fox 2011. 017-0114-0 Geolocator studies on Ruddy Turnstones Arenaria

8 Stilt 72 (2018): 9-14 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka

WADERS SOUTHWARD MIGRATION STUDIES ON WEST KAMCHATKA

YURI GERASIMOV1, IVAN TIUNOV2, ALEXANDER MATSYNA3, HIROSHI TOMIDA4 AND RIMMA BUKHALOVA1

1 Kamchatka Branch of Pacific Institute of Geography (KB PIG) FED RAS, Partizanskaya str., 6, Petropavlovsk- Kamchatsky 683000, RUSSIA. Email: [email protected] 2 Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia terrestrial biodiversity, FEB RAS, 100 anniversary of Vladivostok av., 159, Vladivostok 690022, RUSSIA. 3 Ecological Center “Dront”, Nizhniy P.O. Box 631, Nizhniy Novgorod 603000, RUSSIA. 4 Manko Water Birds and Wetland Center 982-Tomigusuku, Tomigusuku city, Okinawa Prefecture, JAPAN.

Survey of southward migration of waders was undertaken along the western coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Field work was carried out on Vorovskaya River Lagoon on 18-27 July, 6-30 August and 7-30 September 2014. Only the southern part of the 40 km long and 1–1.5 km wide lagoon between Ustyevoe Village and the mouth of the river (54º 11' N; 155º 49' E) was surveyed. The length of the shoreline studied was approximately 5 km. Mudflats were surveyed daily during low tide with observation of visible migration with counting of flying birds. Birds were caught with mist nets and 3060 banded and flagged. Searches were carried out for flagged waders. Fifty-five mudflat counts of waders during low tide were conducted, 30 species of waders were recorded. A maximum daily total of 12 000 waders was counted on 6 August; the mean daily count over 55 survey days was 5600 individuals. The international significance of the Vorovskaya River Lagoon has been confirmed for eight wader species: Mongolian Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Spoon-billed , Red-necked Stint, , Great Knot, Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS worked on two different parts of the lagoon. Observers scanned for flagged waders during counting. Passing Study Area migration was conducted with counting of species which The West Kamchatka plain stretches along the Sea of typically do not stop on mudflats of the study area. Okhotsk coast for 800 km and has a width up to 80–100 The banding and flagging of waders captured with six km in the central part. All significant rivers of the West mist nets was conducted 6-29 August and 7-29 Kamchatka coast have estuaries or lagoons in the mouth. September. Standard metal rings were attached for all The Bolshaya Vorovskaya River is 167 km long and has birds caught and black over yellow plastic flags were a catchment of 3660 km2. It is a 40 km long 0.5–1.5 km attached on the right legs for most birds. Birds caught at wide sea water lagoon. The mouth of the lagoon is located the end of August were not flagged. A proportion of birds 54° 15′ 16″ N; 155° 48′ 8″ E. The maximum tidal range caught were weighed and measured (unpublished data). is about 5 m. At low tide, large sandy beaches and mudflats are exposed providing important feeding areas RESULTS for shorebirds during migration. The lagoon is separated A maximum daily count of 12 000 waders was recorded from the Sea of Okhotsk by a 0.3–0.4 km wide sand spit. on 9 August, and the mean daily count for 55 days was From July to the end of October, the coastal tundra has 5600 individuals (Table 1). large quantities of different kinds of berries: Rubus Thirty species of waders were recorded during the chamaemorus, Rubus arcticus, Vaccinium uliginosum, surveys: Lonicera kamtschatica, Empetrum sibiricum, Vaccinium vitisedaea, Oxycoccus palustris, and Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola was rare. One bird (in Chamaepericlymenum suecicum. breeding plumage) was recorded on mudflats on 6 The investigations were carried out in the southern August. This individual was observed almost every part of Vorovskaya River Lagoon over three separate day till 17 August. Between 18–30 August this periods:18–27 July 2014, 6–30 August 2014 and 7–30 species was not observed. During September single September 2014. A field camp was located on a sand spit moulting Grey were occasionally observed near the southern end of the lagoon and 2 km from during mudflat counts. Passing migration was also not Ustyevoe Village (54º 11' N; 155º 49' E). recorded in study area. Field work included daily counting of waders on Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva was uncommon. mudflats, observation of visible migration with counting Few birds were seen on mudflats, except 29 August, of waders flying past, banding and flagging, and scanning when a flock of 14 was counted. Pacific Golden for flagged waders. As it was not possible to cross the Plover were seldom recorded overflying the area in river mouth, only the southern 5–6 km of the lagoon was July. During August and September single birds and surveyed. In total, 55 mudflat counts of waders during small groups were seen flying over the lagoon to the low tide were undertaken. Typically, two observers south, most active migration was observed on 11, 21

9 Stilt 72 (2018): 9-14 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka

and 26 August. The total number of Pacific Golden Table 1. Wader counts on mudflats of Vorovskaya River Plover migrating in the study area was approximately Lagoon in July – September 2014. a hundred individuals. July August September Species Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula was rare. One adult Max Mean Max Mean Max Mean bird was recorded on 19 July, two on 6 August and a Grey Plover 14 1.0 1 0.3 juvenile on 13 August. Pacific Golden Plover 2 0.2 2 0.2 (Mongolian Plover) Charadrius Ringed Plover 2 0.1 mongolus was abundant. During July, migration of Lesser Sand Plover 102 76.0 1297 295.6 623 187.9 adult birds in breeding plumage took place and each Ruddy Turnstone 3 0.9 183 41.6 11 0.9 day between 43 and 102 individuals were counted on Eurasian Oystercatcher 5 1.3 6 1.7 2 0.1 1 0.2 2 0.1 the mudflats. During 6–26 August up to 170 Lesser 3 0.6 7 1.0 1 0.1 Sand Plovers were feeding on mudflats each day. 1 0.2 6 0.3 Both adult and juvenile were recorded. On 24–29 Gray-Tailed Tattler 19 4.6 6 2.8 2 0.2 August the number of birds increased rapidly (Figure 4 0.7 1). During low tide all birds were feeding on mudflats, 6 0.8 during high tide they rested on sand beaches on the Red-necked 2 0.4 1 0.1 sea side of the spit. Maximum count of 1297 Spoon-billed Sandpiper 3 1.0 1.0 0.1 individuals were made on 29 August, representing 10 Red-necked Stint 2242 1481.1 4280 2270 1058 330.7 % of subspecies C. m. stegmanni population. The 1% Long-Toed Stint 5 1.2 1 0.1 level criterion was exceeded on 22 days, and the Temminck's Stint 3 0.4 0.25% level was exceeded during an additional 22 Dunlin 3177 1624.2 9697 5365.7 4014 2261.5 Great Knot 2247 993.2 640 124.5 5 0.5 days. 66 31.4 30 9.9 1 0.0 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres was common on 10 3.8 5 0.9 mudflats. Migration took place mainly during August Sanderling 9 1.0 (Figure 2). During the first half of this month, only Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 0.1 adult birds without signs of visible moulting were 1 1.0 seen from a distance. Three juvenile birds in flock of Eastern Curlew 8 3.2 13 1.5 Whimbrel 153 42.6 1287 206.0 125 adult birds were seen on 13 August. Few juvenile Black-tailed Godwit 1162 723.8 663 207.0 9 0.4 birds were observed. A maximum 183 (0.6% of Bar-tailed Godwit 64 16.9 9 1.5 85 6.1 population number) Ruddy Turnstone were observed Short-billed 25 1.3 on August 11. The 0.25 % criterion was exceeded Total 6936 4769.4 11 999 8530.7 4350 2664.4 during four counts.

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Number 400 200 0 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 28 30 Dates of July - September

Figure 1. Daily count of Lesser Sand Plover on mudflats. 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 Number 60 40 20 0 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 28 30 Dates of July - September Figure 2. Daily count of Ruddy Turnstone on mudflats.

10 Stilt 72 (2018): 9-14 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus is a and was completely absent in September. Based on rare breeding species in the study area. In July the calls the minimum estimated number of migrated behaviour of two pair on the top of the spit indicated Terek Sandpipers was 2–15 per night when weather chicks were around. Bolshaya Vorovskaya River Spit was good. is the most southern breeding point for this species on Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus was Kamchatka. During August three to six Eurasian common on the sea. Sometimes small flying flocks Oystercatchers were observed on most days. During were observed to the south along the sea coast. On 20 September, recorded only twice: two birds were seen July two birds stopped on the lagoon. on 9 September and one bird – on 18 September. Ruff Philomachus pugnax was rare. Single birds were During the study no birds were seen arriving or flying recorded on the sand spit on 25 and 30 August. over. Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus was Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola was rare on mudflat rare. This species was regularly feeding on mudflats (was recorded only twice), but quite common in from 11 August until 21 September. During the first passing migration during July – August, especially on 20 days of August feeding birds were observed almost 11–21 August when up to 30 Wood Sandpipers per every day. Between 20 and 28 August two feeding day (minimum estimation) were recorded flying Spoon-Billed Sandpipers, and 24 August three birds south. were recorded. During September (observation period Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia was uncommon was 9–30 September) Spoon-Billed Sandpipers were in mudflat counts. In the middle of August up to seven recorded three times on 12, 17 and 21 September. birds were recorded during one count on mudflat. In Seven Spoon-Billed Sandpipers were caught during the next month, only one bird on 21 September. the mistnetting period from 6 August till 29 Greenshank was common in passing migration from September (one bird on 20 August, two birds on 21 8 to 28 August. A maximum of 25 birds were recorded August, one bird on 24 August, two birds on 29 in one day. Migration activity was low in September August and one bird on 21 September. All birds were with the last bird seen on 21 September. juvenile. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus was rare on Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis was the second most mudflat as well as in passing migration. A single bird abundant species on mudflats. In July we counted was observed on 25 July. The last observation was of between 733-2210 Red-necked Stint per day (Figure a single bird on 12 September. Flocks of six birds 3). All, or almost all, were adults. However, four were observed on 28 August. juveniles were recorded in first day of our works on Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa (Heteroscelus) brevipes was 19 July. uncommon on mudflats and common in passing After 6 August almost all Red-necked Stints migration. One to six birds were observed on mudflats observed were juveniles. Maximum count of 4280 almost every day during July and August; maximum individuals was made on 16 August (1.4% of 19 birds on 24 July. Grey-tailed Tattlers were population). In total the 1 % criterion level was recorded on mudflats on 25–26 September (two and exceeded on four days, and 0.25 % level was two birds). Active passing migration was observed on exceeded on an additional 29 days. most days around the end of July and August, with no From 19 August on calm evenings before sunset activity during September. Registration by calls of the start of night migration of Red-necked Stints to some flying flocks with total number of tens Sakhalin in flocks of 9–30 individuals were observed. individuals was common, birds were flying mainly All started from mudflats near camp, made some after sunset. Peak migration was 27 July (50 birds circles gradually rising and departed in the western flying past) and 24 August (87 birds). Grey-tailed direction. Migration sometimes continued at night. In Tattler were typically recorded feeding and resting on September migration of Red-necked Stints continued riverbanks. More active migration of this species but was less active. The final flock was recorded on takes place inland from the seacoast and not 26 September. detectable from the field site. Long-Toed Stint Calidris subminuta was rare on Common Sandpiper hypoleucos was uncommon mudflats and abundant on night passing migration. on mudflats and common in passing migration. Birds We recorded transient birds between 24 July and 8 were observed on mudflats only during eight days September. Long-toed Stints migrated only on still between 10 and 28 August. Maximum number – four nights, birds flew from inland to sea in the direction individuals on 27 August. Active passing migration of Sakhalin Island. Active migration took place on the took place during July and August. Birds were flying night of 27/28 July. Calls of birds were heard almost mainly at night. Most active migration was observed all night. At least hundreds of birds were flying past. on 17 and 28 August (20–30 individuals per night). Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii was uncommon. During the third observation period Common One to three birds were observed on mudflats on 13– Sandpiper were observed once – one bird was flying 28 August during seven counts. Passing migration past 12 September. was not recorded. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus was common on Dunlin Calidris alpina is breeding species in studied area passing migration and few birds stopped on mudflats. as well as all Kamchatka coasts. On southward Active migration took place during July and August migration it was the most abundant species. During

11 Stilt 72 (2018): 9-14 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka

July migration of adults took place. At the same time maximum of 2247 individuals (0.8% of population juvenile Dunlin, obviously reared nearby, gradually number) were counted on 24 July. Criterion of 0.25 % appeared on the lagoon. They kept separate from level was exceeded for 3 days. During 6–11 August migrating flocks of adults and formed separate migration of adult birds continued. One flock of 72 groups. On 23 July the first arrival of migrated Great Knots contained only four juveniles, another juveniles was recorded in our area. flock of 151 birds had only five juveniles. During this Juveniles constituted more than 90 % of period signs of moulting in adult birds were visible. from 6 August. The number of Dunlins in August was After 12 August we recorded not more than 30, much higher than in July (Figure 4). Maximum daily mainly moulted, adult Great Knots per day (Figure 5). count reached 9697 individuals on 9 August (1.0% of Migration of juvenile birds was almost absent in our flyway population). The 0.25 % level was exceeded area. A final flock of five Great Knot was recorded on during 35 other days. mudflats on 13 September. The start of night migration of Dunlins to Sakhalin Red Knot Calidris canutus was common in July and occurred nearby our camp. It was much more active August. In July up to 66 adult birds per day were than for Red-necked Stint. Especially active migration recorded. The August number was lower and juvenile before sunset we registered on 19, 24 and 26 August. birds were common. Eight juvenile and eight adult On 24 August 24 departure flocks of Dunlin from 12– birds were recorded in one flock on 7 August. The 200 birds were recorded each during less than one final flock from of six Red Knots was recorded on 8 hour. Migration sometimes continued at night. August and one birds was caught in the mist net on 21 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris was abundant in July September. and early August during adult migration. In the first Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri was common during survey period, only adult birds were observed. A daily August and uncommon during September. During

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Figure 3. Daily count of Red-necked Stint on mudflats.

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Figure 5. Daily count of Great Knot on mudflats.

12 Stilt 72 (2018): 9-14 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka

August this species was observed on mudflats almost Kamchatka coast (Gerasimov, Gerasimov, 2002). every day with a maximum of up to 10 birds per day Mudflats are not the main feeding place for between 21–25 August. The number of Western Whimbrels. They prefer feeding on berries on the Sandpipers stopping in the lagoon is probably much tundra located to east from Vorovskaya River Lagoon. higher as this species is difficult to distinguish from During late July and August flocks of Whimbrels Red-necked Stint from a distance. Western were seen flying to this site. In the evening of 7 Sandpipers composed 1.1 % in catching of small August some flocks of Whimbrel (total 1500 shorebirds, but only 0.004 % in counting on mudflats. individuals) flew simultaneously. some Whimbrels Sanderling Calidris alba is a late migrated species. It were feeding on mudflats every day until the end of was absent in studied area during July and August and August (Figure 6). Maximum daily count was 19 common from 13 September. A maximum of nine August (1287 – 2.3% of population number). That day birds were counted on 14 September. Migration of low tide was at night and flocks of Whimbrels arrived Sanderling continued on Kamchatka till the end of for roosting nearby our camp. In total 1% criterion October. level was exceeded on one day, and the 0.25 % level Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus were rare was exceeded during 12 additional days. on mudflats, only two single birds were recorded on More significant numbers of Whimbrel were 24 and 30 August. Numbers of Broad-billed recorded in visible migration. In total more than 32 Sandpipers stopped in the lagoon could be at least 000 Whimbrel migrated nearby to our observation some tens more than recorded because of difficulty of point. Peak migration was observed in the afternoon definition of this species from a distance. of 25 August when 28 000 Whimbrels were flying Common Snipe gallinago migrate at night and past the study site over 5 hours. The 30 largest flocks never stopped on mudflats in the study area. Some contained 500-1100 individuals each. This number is were recorded flying past birds by calls. A few single equal to 51% of the estimated total population resting birds were observed on the sandspit. migrating on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Numenius madagascariensis is a Total number of Whimbrel migrating in the study area breeding species in adjacent tundra. It was common was over 35 000 individuals. on mudflats as well as in transient migration. During Black-Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa were numerous in July and August, feeding birds were recorded July during adult migration and common in August regularly on mudflats, maximum 13 individuals – 10 during juvenile migration (Figure 7). Maximum count August. Active transient migration took place 2–29 was made on 20 July and reached 1162 adult August, with maximum 13–15 August (11–15 birds individuals (0.8% of population number). During per day). All birds were flying in the southwest migration of juvenile birds’ peak number – 663 birds direction. (0.5 % of population number) – was registered on 9 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus is one of the most August. The 0.25 % criterion level was exceeded numerous species in the study area and the West during 14 days in July-August. Except when feeding

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Number 400 200 0 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 28 30 Dates of July - September Figure 6. Daily count of Whimbrel on mudflats.

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Number 400 200 0 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 28 30 Dates of July - September

Figure 7. Daily count of Black-tailed Godwit on mudflats and sand spit.

13 Stilt 72 (2018): 9-14 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka

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Figure 8. Daily catching of waders (all species together).

on mudflat, Black-Tailed Godwits often fed on tide, 3206–6936 individuals per day were counted from berries. Migration was finished in early September; a 17 species. Most numerous were Dunlin 849–3177 per final single bird was observed 11 September. day, Great Knot 178–2247, Red-necked Stint 733–2244 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica were common. In and Black-tailed Godwits 148–1162. There were also the first survey period, daily maximum number of significant numbers of adult Lesser Sand Plovers 43–102 birds reached 64 adults on 19 July. During August and Red Knots 66. Bar-tailed Godwits were observed regularly, but not When returning for the second surveillance period on more than nine birds in one day. Peak juvenile 6 August, the situation had changed as migration of adult migration was noted on 11 September when 85 birds birds had mainly finished and migration of juvenile birds were on the lagoon. Final flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits started. The total number of waders increased in August (4, 5 and 6 birds) were observed on mudflats on 23 for most species except for Great Knot, Red Knot and September. Black-tailed Godwit. Migration of juvenile birds for these Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus was three species was less intensive than migration of adult common, but for a short period – from 28 August till birds. 8 September. Maximum number of 25 individuals, The international significance of Vorovskaya River including a flock of 17 birds were counted on 29 Lagoon has been confirmed for eight wader species August. (including five species, during adult migration in July): Mongolian Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Spoon-billed From 8 August till 28 September we banded and Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Dunlin, Great Knot, flagged 3060 waders (Figure 8), including 1922 Dunlins, Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit. 915 Red-necked Stints, 92 Mongolian Plovers, 35 Red Knots, 32 Western Sandpipers, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 14 Gray-tailed Tattlers, 9 Gray Knots, 6 Spoon-Billed The project has been executed with financial support of Sandpipers, 4 Ruddy Turnstones, 3 Common Sandpipers, RSPB through BirdsRussia and Asian Waterbird 3 Long-Toed Stints, 3 Common , 2 Temminck's Conservation Fund, WWF Hong-Kong. Thank you to the Stints, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Terek Sandpiper, 1 Broad-billed editor for assistance in reviewing the manuscript. Sandpiper.

REFERENCES DISCUSSION Gerasimov Yu. N. & N. N. Gerasimov 2002. Whimbrel Migration of adult waders took place during first Numenius phaeopus on Kamchatka, Russia Stilt 41:8-54. surveillance period in July. On 19–27 July during low

14 Stilt 72 (2018): 15-20 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2017

COASTAL SHOREBIRD SURVEY IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH PYONGAN, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, APRIL 2017

ADRIAN RIEGEN1, DAVID S. MELVILLE2, WENDY HARE3, NIGEL MILIUS3, HONG CHOL KO, SONG I JU, HYO SONG HONG, SONG HO KIM AND CHUNG SONG RI4

1231 Forest Hill Rd, Waiatarua, Auckland 0612, NEW ZEALAND. Email: [email protected] 2 1261 Dovedale Road, RD2 Wakefield, Nelson 7096, NEW ZEALAND. 3930 Purangi Rd, RD 1, Whitianga, 3591, NEW ZEALAND. 4Nature Conservation Union of Korea, Kwangbok No.1 Dong, P.O Box 220-93-7-24 Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC of KOREA.

INTRODUCTION Sites from Northwest to Southeast

Jangsong-ku (39° 43.8' N - 124° 33.7' E) and Lihwa-ri The Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay are vital staging areas for A seawall has been built to create some large shorebirds during migrations between southern non- aquaculture ponds covering >13 km2, but there are breeding grounds and breeding grounds in north Asia and also shallow lagoons with islands covering on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). approximately 1 km2. These shallow lagoons are Since the 1990s, the distribution and abundance of suitable high tide roosts for shorebirds. There is also shorebirds along the coasts of China and a small set of old, mostly disused, salt extraction have been well documented, particularly on northward ponds. migration (Bai et al. 2015, Barter 2002, Conklin et al. Ansan-ri (39° 42.4’ N - 124° 49.0' E) 2014, Riegen et al. 2014) but less is known about A 15km long seawall completed in 2016, running shorebirds on the Yellow Sea coast of the Democratic roughly northwest southeast, has enclosed an area of People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The first >35 km2 of mudflats. A large part of this enclosed area coordinated counts of shorebirds using tidal areas of the still had large exposed mudflats at the time of our visit West Sea (as the Yellow Sea is known in the DPRK) were and the water level was controlled by sluice gates. undertaken in 2009 (Riegen et al. 2009). Smaller internal walls were under construction during In 2015 the Nature Conservation Union of Korea our visit and it is unclear how much suitable shorebird (NCUK) and Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists' Trust habitat will remain once this new development is (PMNT) initiated a programme to survey shorebirds completed. However, outside the seawall there are along the West Sea coast. The first of these surveys was still extensive mudflats. Many of the shorebirds undertaken along the coast of Onchon County in April counted were at least 1 km distant inside the seawall. 2015, where three areas were surveyed (Riegen et al. Sokhwa-ri (39° 39.9’ N - 124° 53.5’E) 2016a). In April 2016 we returned to Mundok, the site of There are two parts to this count area, with the larger the 2009 survey and then surveyed other parts of the part being at the southeast end of the Ansan-ri North and South Pyongan coast (Riegen et al. 2016b). Here we report on the fourth survey, conducted in April 2017 in North Pyongan Province and a brief survey of Zhongak-ku (38° 43.6’ N - 125° 11.4’ E) in the Onchon County, which we had surveyed in April 2015. We visited Zhongak-ku to introduce NCUK staff to shorebird banding using mist nets. While banding was the principal objective, we used the opportunity to survey Zhongak-ku again and on this occasion, we were able to cover a larger area than was possible in 2015.

METHODS

Survey Sites

The 2017 North Pyongan survey was undertaken along the coast between Cholsan and Gwaksan (approximately 39o N 124o E to 39° N 125° E, Figure 1). Counts were made at nine locations along the coast. The mudflats appeared to be of generally firm sediments and extended several kilometres offshore at low tide. There are some recently built seawalls, one of

which is some 15 km long. Most of the enclosed areas behind these walls have been flooded or partially flooded Figure 1: Map of DPRK and Pyongan coast. Circles show for aquaculture. approximate areas counted.

15 Stilt 72 (2018): 15-20 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2017

development. Again, many of the birds counted here used by the Ramsar Convention. Dunlin Calidris alpina were at least 1 km distant. The second area is a series was the most abundant with 1235. The only other species of small salt extraction ponds. over 500 was the Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Komiyang-ri (39° 34.3' N - 125° 3.7’ E) with 592, which exceed the EAAF Site Network 0.25% This site consisted of a large aquaculture pond behind staging site threshold. the seawall, up to 3 km long and 1 km wide. In one North Pyongan Province corner an enclosed area of shallow pools, firm mudflat sloping gently into the pools, some rough vegetation The nine sites counted can be considered as three distinct and reedbeds covering approximately 15 ha, created areas, Jangsong-ku and Lihwa-ri in the northwest, Ansan- excellent habitat for roosting shorebird and migrant ri and Sokhwa-ri in the central area and in the southeast passerines. Four shorebird species were preparing to Komiyang-ri and Chongtae-ri. In total 35 543 shorebirds nest there: Far Eastern Oystercatcher Haematopus of 30 species were counted. Dunlin dominated with 25 [ostralegus] osculans; Kentish Plover Charadrius 140 followed by Far Eastern Curlew 6033, Bar-tailed alexandrinus; Little Ringed Plover Charadrius Godwit Limosa lapponica 1303, Grey Plover Pluvialis dubius; and Tringa totanus (seen squatarola 1099, Common Greenshank 722 and copulating). Beyond the seawall, mudflats extended Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 514. Together, these six almost to the horizon at low tide. species accounted for 97% of all birds counted. Chongtae-ri (39° 34.7’ N - 125° 10.2’ E) At Jangsong-ku and Lihwa-ri 1022 Far Eastern A small reed fringed bay with no obvious high tide Curlew, were most significant, representing 3% of the roost site. But, mud was exposed early on the EAAF population, followed by Dunlin with 5710, Bar- dropping tide and Far Eastern Curlew Numenius tailed Godwit 884 and Common Greenshank 318. All met madagascariensis, arrived and fed along the receding the EAAF Site Network 0.25% staging site threshold. tide line. Ansan-ri and Sokhwa-ri was the largest area and had the highest number of birds. Dunlin 13 770, 1.5% of the Survey Methods Flyway population, Far Eastern Curlew 4348, (13.5%) The survey was undertaken during high spring tides from and Grey Plover 904 (EAAF population estimate 104 000 24-30 April 2017. We use predicted tides for Unmu Do so almost 1%). (an island 20 km due west of Mundok, 39° 25' N - 125° Table 1. Shorebird counts for Zhongak-ku 24-25 April 2017. 07' E), which ranged from 6.0 m on 23 April to 7.7 m on 30 April. The spring tides were chosen as we hoped that 24 April 25 April no mud would remain exposed outside the seawalls and Species Total Zhongak-ku Zhongak-ku all birds would have to move inland, thus facilitating East Ponds West Ponds counting. We spent three nights mist netting shorebirds in Far Eastern Oystercatcher Haematopus 76 64 12 [ostralegus] osculans the reclamation at Zhongak-ku in Onchon County, which Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 1 1 we had surveyed in 2015 (Riegen et al. 2016a). We used Black-winged Stilt Himantopus 57 28 29 this opportunity to survey Zhongak-ku again on 24-25 himantopus April. After this we moved to North Pyongan Province Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 2 2 and surveyed there from 27-30 April. The weather at Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 9 5 4 Kentish Plover Charadrius 41 9 32 Zhongak-ku was fine but very windy and the weather at alexandrinus North Pyongan was mostly fine and dry with generally Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius 29 9 20 good viewing conditions, although the air was quite hazy mongolus at times. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 28 28 The NCUK team had identified areas where Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 206 206 shorebirds had been seen prior to our arrival and each day Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 295 285 10 Numenius arquata 2 2 we travelled to one or more of these sites. We tried to Far Eastern Curlew Numenius 37 37 arrive at least two hours before high tide in the hope of madagascariensis seeing birds leaving the mudflats and observing where Curlew sp 235 235 they went to roost, as once landed they can be difficult to Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 2 1 1 locate. This worked well most days and we are reasonably Common Redshank Tringa totanus 10 4 6 confident we did not miss birds in the areas we surveyed. Tringa stagnatilis 12 6 6 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 592 180 412 We are also confident that none of the sites overlapped Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 2 2 and so the chances of double counting were minimised. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 1 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 7 5 2 RESULTS Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 112 112 Red Knot Calidris canutus 3 3 These results are presented in two parts, Zhongak-ku in Sanderling Calidris alba 1 1 Onchon County on 24-25 April (Table 1) and North Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficolls 180 41 139 Pyongan Province from 27-30 April (Table 2). Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris 6 3 3 accuminata Zhongak-ku Dunlin Calidris alpina 1235 971 264 TOTALS 3181 1845 1336 A total of 3181 shorebirds of 25 species were counted at this site but none exceeded the 1% population criterion

16 Stilt 72 (2018): 15-20 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2017

TableWaterbirds 2. Shorebird counts for North Pyongan 27-30 April 2017

27 April 27 April 28 April 30 April 30 April 30 April Species Total Lihwa-ri Jangsong-ku Ansan-ri Sokhwa-ri Komiyang-ri Chongtae-ri Combined Combined Combined Far Eastern Oystercatcher Haematopus [ostralegus] osculans 27 8 6 4 1 6 2 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 1099 56 158 746 122 17 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 4 1 1 2 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 11 3 6 2 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 94 54 38 2 Swinhoes Snipe Gallinago megala 1 1 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1 1 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 73 7 66 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 1303 326 558 51 86 268 14 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 514 15 286 40 131 42 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 68 1 30 6 31 Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis 6033 1022 1763 2585 323 340 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 9 1 8 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 19 12 1 6 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 1 1 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 722 298 20 344 41 19 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 21 21 10 Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes 1 1 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 65 1 51 13 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 3 1 1 1 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 3 3 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 251 169 72 10 Sanderling Calidris alba 1 1 Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficolls 40 10 30 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris accuminata 11 3 2 6 Calidris ferruginea 1 1 Dunlin Calidris alpina 25 140 210 5500 4570 9200 5660 Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus 2 2 TOTALS 35 527 856 7426 6863 13 137 6791 454

Table 3. Incidental waterbird counts at shorebird count sites 24-30 April 2017.

24-25 April 27 April 28 April 28 April 30 April 30 April 27 April Species Total Zhongak- Jangsong Ansan-ri Sokhwa-ri Komiyang- Chongtae Lihwa-ri ku -ku All sites All sites ri -ri Brent Goose Branta bernicla 1 1 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 688 460 53 33 69 52 21 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 18 12 6 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 4 4 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 30 30 Greater Scaup Aythya marila 585 556 1 28 Garganey Spatula querquedula 158 7 151 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata 16 2 14 Gadwall Mareca strepera 4 4 Mallard Anas platyrhychos 4 4 Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 446 15 20 86 200 112 13 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 20 1 19 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 6 2 4 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 40 23 1 3 10 3 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 24 4 16 4 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 6 6 Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor 7 7 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1 1 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 7 1 2 4 Great White Egret Ardea alba 1 1 Common Coot Fulica atra 1 1 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 1 Saunders's Saundersilarus saundersi 14 7 3 2 2 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 1897 1075 800 22 Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 225 6 43 161 15 Mew Gull Larus canus 3 3 Mongolian Gull Larus mongolicus 28 10 10 6 2 Little Tern Sternula albifrons 29 17 5 5 2 TOTALS 4264 1066 1210 960 199 257 535 37

17 Stilt 72 (2018): 15-20 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2017

Komiyang-ri and Chongtae-ri was dominated by Zealand’s Department of Conservation to use New Dunlin 5660, which met the EAAF 0.25% threshold and Zealand National Bird Banding Scheme metal bird bands. Far Eastern Curlew 663 with 2% of the Flyway The flag combination of orange over white with the white population. flag engraved with an alpha-numeric code was allocated While counting shorebirds, the opportunity arose to count to DPRK. other waterbirds, but this was not a priority and so the list Based on sites we had visited during previous surveys is not exhaustive. The totals are shown in Table 3. a few likely locations for night mist netting were selected. Zhongak-ku was chosen as the most suitable site Colour-banded and Flagged Birds logistically, because we were able to stay at the Fewer banded birds were seen this year compared to aquaculture farm management station just a few hundred previous surveys, mainly due to most of the birds being metres from the proposed catching sites, rather than drive observed at a distance where flags were difficult to see. for several hours to and from a hotel. Also, Far Eastern Curlew and Dunlin made up a large Three nights were scheduled for mist netting, but proportion of the birds seen and less of these species have conditions were not ideal with very strong winds on the been banded, compared to species like Great Knot and first two nights. Several mist nets were set up in the Bar-tailed Godwit. Our best opportunities were in the shallow waters of the reclamation where birds were seen shallow ponds at Zhongak-ku on 25-26 April. On 25 roosting during the day. Unfortunately, although the high April a Great Knot with black over white flags from tides were after dark they were early in the evening, Chongming Dongtan, Shanghai, China was seen. Only which meant the birds were already in the ponds before three Red Knot were seen, but one had an orange flag dark. Ideally, we would have hoped to catch birds as they from Victoria, Australia, and a Terek Sandpiper with flew in from the mudflats after dark. black over yellow flags from Kamchatka, Russia was also On the first night a single Kentish Plover of a local seen. On 26 April a white flagged Bar-tailed Godwit breeding pair was caught and as far as we are aware this ZWA was seen, which was banded at Miranda, New was the first bird to be officially banded in the DPRK. Zealand as a probable two-year-old in December 2016. It The second night was less productive, but on the third was last seen at Miranda on 6 March 2017. If it was only night with nets set in a different area of the ponds we had a two-year-old when banded, then it was migrating in its a little more success. The nets were set in water less than third year. Two Dunlins with black over yellow and one 100 mm deep where birds had roosted in the morning. A with yellow over black flags, all from Kamchatka were Bluetooth speaker playing loops of shorebird calls from a seen. A Bar-tailed Godwit and another Great Knot with cell phone was placed in a dry bag on a mist net pole in black over white flags from Chongming Dongtan and a the hope this would attract birds to the nets. How useful yellow flagged Bar-tailed Godwit JWK were also seen. the recording was is hard to determine, but six Whimbrels JWK was banded in Roebuck Bay, NW Australia on 4 were caught on the final night and were fitted with metal April 2011 and seen there ten times prior to this sighting. bands and flags. This exercise at least allowed the NCUK Finally, a colour-banded Bar-tailed Godwit 4BYRY, with team to handle some shorebirds and get a better what looked like a yellow flag but was likely a stained understanding generally of what is involved in bird white one from New Zealand. banding. We are not sure whether more banding will be undertaken in the coming years or whether a national bird DISCUSSION banding scheme will be established in the DPRK. On the morning of 27 April one of the Korean flagged Based on current population estimates (Wetlands Whimbrel was seen, but not close enough to read the International 2018), all three North Pyongan areas visited code. The banded Kentish Plover was also seen at its nest. in 2017 met the Ramsar 1% criterion for Far Eastern Curlew with more than 18% of the world population counted. Ansan-ri and Sokhwa-ri were supporting 13.5% ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of the population. With ongoing coastal developments, it The Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists' Trust and Nature is uncertain whether this area will continue to support Conservation Union of Korea wish to thank Fonterra and such numbers. Regular monitoring of this site will be the New Zealand Department of Conservation, for valuable in determining the long-term importance of the funding the 2017 survey through their joint Living Water area. The Ansan-ri area also supported 1.5% of the Dunlin project. Phil Battley, Chris Hassell and Joris Driessen population. kindly provided banding details of individually marked Jangsong-ku and Komiyang-ri met the EAAF Site birds. Network 0.25% staging site threshold for Dunlin, while Jangsong-ku also met the 1% threshold for Bar-tailed REFERENCES Godwit and Common Greenshank. Bai, Q.Q., J.Z. Chen, Z.H. Chen, G.T. Dong, J.T. Dong, Shorebird banding W.X. Dong, Y.Q. Fu, Y.X. Han, G. Lu, J. Li, Y. Liu, Z.

The NCUK had shown interest in starting a shorebird Lin, D.R. Meng, J. Martinez, G.H. Ni, K. Shan, R.J. banding scheme, to learn more about the birds and their Sun, S.X. Tian, F.Q. Wang, Z.W. Xu, R.D. Yu, J. Yang, Z.G. Yang, L. Zhang, M. Zhang & X.W. Zeng 2015. movements. However, the DPRK does not have any bird Identification of coastal wetlands of international banding schemes and so permission was granted by New importance for waterbirds: a review of China Coastal

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Waterbird Surveys 2005–2013. Avian Research 6, 12. Riegen, A.C., G.R. Vaughan & K.G. Rogers 2014. Yalu doi:10.1186/s40657-015-0021-2. Jiang Estuary Shorebird Survey Report 1999 – 2010. Yalu Barter, M.A. 2002. Shorebirds of the Yellow Sea – Jiang Estuary Wetland National Nature Reserve, China and Importance, threats and . Wetlands Miranda Naturalists’ Trust, New Zealand. International Global Series 9, International Wader Studies Riegen, A., D.S. Melville, K. Woodley, S.I. Ju, S.H. Kim, 12, Canberra, Australia. S.I Pak & U. Pak 2016a. Shorebird survey of the Onchon Conklin, J.R., Y.I. Verkuil & B.R. Smith 2014. Prioritizing County coast of the Democratic People’ Republic of Korea migratory shorebirds for conservation action on the East May 2015. Stilt 68:39-44. Asian-Australasian Flyway. WWF-Hong Kong, Hong Riegen, A., D.S. Melville, K. Woodley, B. Postill, S.I. Ju, Kong. H.S. Hong, S.H. Kim & U. Pak 2016b. Coastal Shorebird Riegen, A., D. Lawrie, A. Habraken, T.G. Ri & J.H. Chon survey in the Provinces of North and South Pyongan, the 2009. Report of the first shorebird survey at Mundok, Democratic People’ Republic of Korea April 2016. Stilt North Korea by Miranda Naturalists' Trust and Korean 69-70:37-43. Natural Environment Conservation Fund. 26–29 April Wetlands International 2018. Waterbird population 2009. Stilt 56:32-36. estimates. http://wpe.wetlands.org (accessed 20/06/2018).

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Appendix 1. List of shorebirds and waterbirds recorded during the coastal survey 24-30 April 2017. English Common Name Scientific Name Korean Common Name Korean English Common Name Far Eastern Oystercatcher Haematopus [ostralegus] osculans 까치도요 Kkachidoyo Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Dwitbuijongdarimulttesae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Jangdarimuttesae Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Geomeun-gaseummulttesae Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 검은배도요 Komunbaedoyo Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 알도요 Aldoyo Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 흰가슴알도요 Huingasumaldoyo Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 왕눈도요 Wangnundoyo Swinhoes Snipe Gallinago megala Kkakdoyosachon Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Kkakdoyo Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 검은꼬리도요 Komunkkoridoyo Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 큰됫부리도요 Kundaetburidoyo Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 밭도요 Batdoyo Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 마도요 Madoyo Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis 알락꼬리마도요 Allakkkoridoyo Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 학도요 Hakdoyo Common Redshank Tringa totanus 붉은발도요 Bulunbatdoyo Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Soecheong-daridoyo Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 청다리도요 Chengdaridoyo Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 알락도요 Allakdoyo Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes Norangbaldoyo Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 됫부리도요 Daetburidoyo Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 민물도요 Minmuldoyo Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 꼬까도요 Kkoggadoyo Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 붉은어깨도요 Buluneggaedoyo Red Knot Calidris canutus 붉은배도요 Bulunbaedoyo Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 좀도요 Jomdoyo Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris accuminata 메추리도요 Mechuridoyo Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Bulgean-gaetdoyo Dunlin Calidris alpina 갯도요 Gaetdoyo Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus Songgotburidoyo WATERBIRDS Brent Goose Branta bernicla Heukgireogi Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 바다비오리 Badabiori Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 꽃진경이 Kotjingyongi Common Pochard Aythya ferina Huinjukji Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Daenggihuinjukji Greater Scaup Aythya marila 붉은꼭두오리 Bulunkkokduori Garganey Spatula querquedula 알락발구지 Allagbalguji Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Neopjeokburi Gadwall Mareca strepera 알락오리 Allagori Mallard Anas platyrhychos 청동오리 Cheongdung oli Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 검독오리 Kemdokori Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 반달오리 Bandalori Northern Pintail Anas acuta 가창오리 Gachangori Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 농병아리 Nongbyongari Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 뿔농병아리 Bulnongbyongari Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 누른뺨저어새 Nurunpyamjeoeosae Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor 검은머리저어새 Jeo-eosae Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nyticorax Hae-oragi Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 왜가리 Whaegari Great White Egret Ardea alba 대백로 Huin baeglo Common Coot Fulica atra 큰물닭 Kunmuldak Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Soemuldak Saunders’s Gull Saundersilarus saundersi 검은머리갈매기 Geomeunmeorigalmaegi Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 붉은부리갈매기 Bulunburigalmaegi Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 검은꼬리갈매기 Kemunkkorigalmaegi Mew Gull Larus canus Galmaegi Mongolian Gull Larus mongolicus Little Tern Sternula albifrons 쇠갈매기 Saegalmaegi

20 Stilt 72 (2018): 21-26 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2018

COASTAL SHOREBIRD SURVEY IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH PYONGAN, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, APRIL 2018

ADRIAN RIEGEN1, DAVID S. MELVILLE2, KEITH WOODLEY3, SONG IL RI, SONG I JU, CHOL JU RI, HYANG KIM JI AND CHUNG SONG RI4

1231 Forest Hill Rd, Waiatarua, Auckland 0612, NEW ZEALAND. Email: [email protected] 2 1261 Dovedale Road, RD2 Wakefield, Nelson 7096, NEW ZEALAND. 3 Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, RD 3 Pokeno, NEW ZEALAND. 4Nature Conservation Union of Korea, KwangbokNo.1Dong, P.O Box 220-93-7-24, Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA.

INTRODUCTION

The Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay are vital staging areas for shorebirds during migrations between southern non- breeding areas and breeding grounds in north Asia and Alaska on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Since the 1990s, the distribution and abundance of shorebirds along the coasts of China and South Korea have become relatively well known, especially on northward migration (Bai et al. 2015, Barter 2002, Conklin et al. 2014, Riegen et al. 2014) but much less is known about shorebirds on the Yellow Sea coast of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK); the first coordinated counts of shorebirds on the West Sea (as the Yellow Sea is known in the DPRK) were undertaken in 2009 (Riegen et al. 2009).

In 2015 the Nature Conservation Union of Korea (NCUK) and Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists' Trust Figure 1. Map of DPRK showing Sindo and the Amrok coast. (PMNT) initiated a programme to survey shorebirds Three polygons show the areas counted. along the West Sea coast. Four surveys have been Sites on Sindo undertaken: Onchon County in April 2015 (Riegen et al. 2016a), North and South Pyongan Provinces in April Elephant Island Bay - Sindo (39° 48' N - 124° 11' E) and 2016 (Riegen et al. 2016b) and North Pyongan Province East Bay (39° 48' N - 124° 15' E) in April 2017 (Riegen et al. 2018). Here we report on the These two sites are about 6 km apart, lying south and east survey conducted in April 2018 in North Pyongan of Sindo town. We gave them these names, as they did Province. not appear to have local names (Figure 2). The mudflats of East Bay extend only about one km out to the Amrok METHODS River but at Elephant Island Bay they extend at least 8 km south, located between the main channel of the Amrok Survey Sites River to the east and the smaller west branch of the The 2018 North Pyongan survey was undertaken around Amrok River. It appeared that the mud was quite firm at the island of Sindo (approximately 39o 48’ N - 124o 12’ both sites and was heavily pockmarked with crab holes. E), which lies close to the west bank of the Amrok (Yalu) The mud at East Bay reached an old seawall with very River, which is the boundary between DPRK and China. little vegetation, but behind the wall was a large lagoon The Yalu Jiang National Nature Reserve (NNR), (c. 75 ha) with extensive reedbeds, which previous had Liaoning, China, lies some 7 km to the west of Sindo been a tidal channel (closed prior to 1999). The northern (Figure 1). Counts were made at three sites on Sindo fringes of Elephant Island Bay close to the seawall have followed by a survey in an area of coastal reedbeds on the expansive patches of reeds (Phragmites sp.) some of mainland side of the Amrok River in Ryongchon County, which extend some 200-300 m into the bay (Figure 3). DPRK. The NCUK team had previously visited Sindo There was a small area (c. 7 ha) of saltpans, but the only during southward migration in September 2017 and shorebirds seen there were Little Ringed Plover and identified areas suitable for shorebird counting. . The burnt-off reedbed stubble appeared Sindo is an island approximately 16 km long, and up to provide suitable roosting areas, particularly for curlews to 6 km wide. At the northern end it is separated from Numenius spp., with little sign of human activity and China by a c. 150 m wide tidal channel. Large reedbeds good lines of sight. However, no waders were seen to use (Phragmites sp.), managed for paper production, cover these areas at high tide. the northern two thirds of the island. The hilly ground in the south is cultivated with a range of crops.

21 Stilt 72 (2018): 21-26 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2018

Ryongchon Reedbeds (39° 52' N - 124° 21' E) This area had extensive tidal reedbeds extended approximately 3 km offshore and covered approximately 14 km2. The area to the east of the reedbeds had been reclaimed for agriculture some time before 1999. Shorebirds were roosting on mudbanks along a large tidal creek that flowed through the reeds. Tidal flats appear to extend some 2 km beyond the reeds at low tide.

Survey Methods

The survey was undertaken between 18-22 April 2018 during high spring tides to ensure that shorebirds were

Figure 2. Elephant Island with Dandong Port in the concentrated for ease of counting. Predicted tides for background. Dalu Dao, an island along the Yalu Jiang coast of China, (39°45' N - 123°43' E), were used (www.pangolin.co.nz). During the survey the predicted tide heights were 6.1 m on 18 April, down to 5.5 m on 22 April. The air was clear an all days affording very good visibility. We stayed in the village of Sindo, at the south of the island, within 20 minutes drive of all sites surveyed. After the counts on Sindo we relocated back to the town of Sinuiju on the mainland and travelled from there to the Ryongchon coast on 21 April. Permission was not granted to visit a potential site in Yomju County, however the reedbeds at Ryongchon were unlike any habitat we had encountered elsewhere in the DPRK. Shorebirds

Figure 3. Elephant Island Bay showing reedbeds on the were seen roosting on mudbanks along a tidal creek that mudflats and the wader flock with incoming tide. flowed through the reeds which was only accessible by boat. Due to the shallow water, we were unable to stay The third site visited on Sindo was approximately half long, but did reach the outer margin of the reedbeds. way along the east side of the island, opposite Wihwado. This island is used by large numbers of Swan Geese RESULTS Anser cygnoides during migration from eastern (Batbayar et al. 2011). The mud on this stretch of the A total of 22 816 individuals of 19 shorebird species were coast was much softer with no signs of crabs and almost counted (Table 1). Three species, Bar-tailed Godwit no shorebirds. Limosa lapponica, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata

Table 1. Shorebird counts for 18-21 April 2018.

19-20 April 20 April 21 April 18 April Species Total Elephant East Ryongchon East Bay Island Bay Shore Reedbeds Far Eastern Oystercatcher Haematopus 7 6 1 [ostralegus] osculans Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 593 139 452 2 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 6 6 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 46 35 8 1 2 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 13 053 53 13 000 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 68 3 5 60 Eurasian Curlew* Numenius arquata 2697 690 2000 7 Far Eastern Curlew* Numenius madagascariensis 3895 700 3000 195 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 7 2 3 2 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 11 6 1 4 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 1 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 1 1 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 1 1 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 1 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2 2 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 512 10 500 2 Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 3 3 Dunlin Calidris alpina 1910 330 1500 80 Snipe Sp. Gallinago sp. 2 2 TOTALS 22 816 1974 20 485 10 347

Note: *Combined total numbers of both curlews are correct but number of each species is estimated and based on observations of samples of birds in flight.

22 Stilt 72 (2018): 21-26 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2018

and Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, Table 2. Incidental waterbird counts at shorebird count occurred in numbers more than the 1% population sites 18-21 April 2018. criterion used by the Ramsar Convention to identify 21 19-20 internationally important sites. In addition, 1910 Dunlin 18 20 April April Calidris alpina were counted and together, these four April April Ryon Species Total Elephant species accounted for 94.5% of the total shorebirds East East gchon Island Bay Shore Reed recorded. Only two other species had counts in the Bay hundreds, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (593) and beds Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris (510). Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 106 103 3 The 13 053 Bar-tailed Godwit amount to some 4.7% Eurasian Wigeon of the estimated combined flyway population of the Mareca penelope 5 5 menzbieri and baueri subspecies (Wetlands International Garganey 2018). Elephant Island Bay had the highest number of Spatula querquedula 1 1 waders counted at one site in DPRK (20 226) in the past Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata 25 25 three years of surveys, however species diversity was Eastern Spot-billed Duck quite low with just 16 species recorded on 19 April. Anas zonorhyncha 112 102 10 Many crabs (species not identified) inhabited Mallard Elephant Island and East Bays, which would provide Anas platyrhychos 1 1 ideal food for the numerous Far Eastern Curlew and Common Teal Eurasian Curlew. A few Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Anas crecca 1 1 Little Grebe were present, but their numbers could be expected to rise Tachybaptus ruficollis 20 20 a week or so later as their migration tends to be slightly Grey Heron later than the curlews (Riegen et al. 2014). The curlews Ardea cinerea 7 5 1 1 dominated East Bay but were outnumbered by Bar-tailed Purple Heron Godwit in Elephant Island Bay, where Dunlin were the Ardea purpurea 1 1 next most numerous species. High tide forced the curlews Great White Egret Ardea alba 2 2 off East Bay on 18 April and they flew south, either to a Common Coot bay we did not visit or possibly to Elephant Island Bay. Fulica atra 8 8 However, on 19 April we did not see curlews arriving at Black-tailed Gull Elephant Bay from the direction of East Bay, but they Larus crassirostris 9 4 5 may have been missed because of the distance of some ‘Herring' type - Gull Larus [agentatus] 585 380 200 birds (more than 1 km). Black-headed Gull Observations in the period 2004-2007 at Yalu Jiang, Chroicocephalus revealed waders moving to Sindo to roost at high tide. ridibundus 642 200 400 4 38 However, since the 40 km2 Dandong Port has been Saunders's Gull constructed (2006), there appears to be less movement Saundersilarus saundersi 9 2 7 between the two sites. In 2018 we had a small team Little Tern Sternula albifrons 22 18 4 counting and observing wader movements at the eastern Gull sp. Unidentified 1,068 1,068 end of the Yalu Jiang NNR, trying to detect any TOTALS 2624 1946 620 15 43 movement across the border while at the same time we were on Sindo looking for birds arriving from Yalu Jiang at high tide. No obvious movements, in either direction in different flocks several hours apart (J. Conklin Pers. were detected. The new port may indeed form a partial Comm.). Four of the Bar-tailed Godwits were banded at barrier to wader movements between Yalu Jiang and Pūkorokoro Miranda, New Zealand on the same day in Sindo. November 2009 and all have only been re-sighted at Pūkorokoro Miranda prior to these sightings. Two Bar- Waterbirds tailed Godwits seen at Sindo had previously been

While counting shorebirds, the opportunity arose to count recorded from other staging sites in the Yellow Sea in other waterbirds but this was not a priority and so the list previous years. Bar-tailed Godwits usually show a high is not exhaustive and there was not time to identify all the degree of site faithfulness to both non-breeding (Battley possible gull species and sub-species. The totals are et al. 2011) and staging areas (A. Riegen & P.F. Battley shown in Table 2. unpublished), thus the possible movement of these birds to a different staging site is noteworthy. Colour banded and flagged birds In addition to birds that were individually identifiable,

Waders were tightly packed at Elephant Island Bay, but we saw at least 24 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Great Knot, we were able to approach within 30 m of the birds at times three Grey Plover and one Far Eastern Curlew with on 19 and 20 April and recorded at least 60 colour-banded geographic cohort markers, the latter was from NW and flagged birds. Details of birds that were identified Australia but too distant to read the engraved flag. One individually are given in Table 3. Of note are two Bar- Grey Plover was banded in Thailand, and two at tailed Godwits that had departed on migration from the Chongming Dongtan, Shanghai, China [one of these Manawatu Estuary, New Zealand on 17 March 2018, but appeared to be black/orange, which is the code for Java

23 Stilt 72 (2018): 21-26 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2018

and Bali, Indonesia, but no Grey Plovers have been Curlew (12.5%) and Eurasian Curlew (2.6%), while marked there (Iwan Londo in litt.) so it seems likely that Dunlin met the EAAF Site Network 0.25% staging site it was a discoloured black/white]. One Great Knot was threshold. marked in SE Queensland, two Chongming Dongtan, one Yalu Jiang NNR has been recognised as an important Thailand and the others in NW Australia. The Bar-tailed staging stronghold for Great Knots for many years (Choi Godwits came from seven banding regions in New et al. 2015) and large numbers had occasionally been seen Zealand, Australia and China. Of the Bar-tailed Godwit (from China) roosting on Sindo (DSM unpublished). The marked in New Zealand, 11 had engraved flags and seven fact that we only recorded 512 may be associated with a were colour banded. The rest were either plain flags or dramatic, and continuing, decline in suitable prey flag / band combinations, but not fully identified. One (principally small bivalves) that has been recorded on the colour-banded and one engraved flagged Bar-tailed Chinese side of the Amrok River at Yalu Jiang NNR Godwit from NW Australia were also seen, the codes (Zhang et al. 2018) – the cause/s of this decline are could not be fully identified. One engraved flagged Bar- unknown, but may also have impacted tidal flats on the tailed Godwit from SE Queensland and six engraved flags DPRK side of the river. from Victoria were identified. There was also one flagged Sindo Island and the reedbeds of Ryongchon do not Bar-tailed Godwit from the Bohai, China and one from appear to be under imminent threat from development or Yalu Jiang, China. over exploitation of natural resources, particularly Sindo Island where we saw no signs of human activity on the DISCUSSION mudflats. It is not known whether there are plans for coastal development at the sites surveyed but it is hoped Sindo meets the Ramsar 1% criterion for the EAAF that the results of our surveys will be used to inform populations of Bar-tailed Godwit (4.7%), Far Eastern future decision making. In 2018, DPRK became a Party

Table 3. Leg flag and colour band sightings 19-20 April 2018 of individually identified birds.

Species Code* Banding region Flag Banding Notes colour date Bar-tailed Godwit AVC Moreton Bay, QLD, AUS Green 29.12.12 Seen in Moreton Bay, AUS 24 times Bar-tailed Godwit AZT Pūkorokoro Miranda (PM), NZL White 21.11.09 Seen at Pūkorokoro Miranda (PM), NZL 21 times Bar-tailed Godwit AZV Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 21.11.09 Seen at PM, NZL 5 times Bar-tailed Godwit BDA Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 21.11.09 Seen at PM, NZL 36 times Bar-tailed Godwit BDM Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 21.11.09 Seen at PM, NZL 74 times Bar-tailed Godwit BMC Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 28.12.14 Seen at PM, NZL 12 times and at Yalu Jiang, CHN 22.03.15 and 25.04.16 Bar-tailed Godwit BMK Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 28.12.14 Seen at PM, NZL 7 times Bar-tailed Godwit BPD Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 14.03.09 Seen at PM, NZL 19 times Bar-tailed Godwit ZMK Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 26.01.12 Seen at PM, NZL 4 times Bar-tailed Godwit ZPN Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 26.01.12 Seen at PM, NZL 21 times and 3 times at Shuangtaizi NNR, CHN in April 2014 Bar-tailed Godwit ZWZ Pūkorokoro Miranda, NZL White 17.12.16 Seen at PM, NZL twice Bar-tailed Godwit 3YYBR Farewell Spit, NZL White 02.02.06 Seen at Farewell Spit, NZL 22 times and at Yalu Jiang, CHN April 2009-2012 and in October 2011 at the Hunter Estuary NSW, AUS Bar-tailed Godwit 6RYRY Foxton Beach, NZL White 11.02.13 Seen at Foxton, NZL many times Bar-tailed Godwit 6WRYB Foxton Beach, NZL White 29.01.14 Seen at Foxton, NZL many times and migrated on 17.03.18 Bar-tailed Godwit 6WRYY Foxton Beach, NZL White 19.11.13 Seen at Foxton, NZL many times and migrated on 17.03.18 Bar-tailed Godwit 1BBWY Awarua Bay, South Island, NZL White 26.10.04 Seen at Awarua Bay, NZL 13 times and ROK on 28.03.08 Bar-tailed Godwit 3BRBY Catlin Lake, South Island, NZL Red 04.02.14 Seen many times at Catlin Lake, NZL Bar-tailed Godwit 3BYYR Catlin Lake, South Island, NZL Red 23.10.14 Seen many times at Catlin Lake, NZL Bar-tailed Godwit AJC Barwon Heads, VIC, AUS Orange 25.01.12 Seen in Whangarei and Kaipara Harbours NZL from 04.03.15 - 27.02.17 Bar-tailed Godwit CA Corner Inlet, VIC Orange 26.06.12 Seen once Aphaedo, Mokpo, ROK 08.04.12 and Victoria. AUS 13.11.16 Bar-tailed Godwit CPD Rhyll, Phillip Is. VIC, AUS Orange 26.01.15 Seen once at Rhyll, AUS Bar-tailed Godwit CPW Corner Inlet, VIC, AUS Orange 17.06.15 No resighting information available Bar-tailed Godwit 3RLRY NW Australia, AUS Yellow 08.09.12 Seen many times in NW Australia but this is the first overseas sighting Bar-tailed Godwit KBP NW Australia, AUS Yellow 23.02.15 First sighting since banding Great Knot ZAB NW Australia, AUS Yellow 08.11.13 First sighting since banding

*Two and three letter codes are letters engraved on flags. Four letter codes preceded by a number are colour banded birds where the number denotes the position of the flag (Battley et al. 2011) and B = blue, L = pale green, R = red, W = white, and Y = yellow.

24 Stilt 72 (2018): 21-26 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2018

to the Ramsar Convention and joined the East Asian- New Zealand. Science for Conservation 315. Department Australasian Flyway Partnership, two very important of Conservation, Wellington. steps towards joining flyway efforts to protecting Choi, C.Y., P.F. Battley, M.A. Potter, K.G. Rogers, & Z.J. shorebird habitats. The surveys to date, and the final one Ma 2015. The importance of Yalu Jiang coastal wetland in the north Yellow Sea to Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa in this project planned for 2019, are providing valuable lapponica and Great Knots Calidristenuirostris during data to assist in identifying those parts of the DPRK coast northward migration. Bird Conservation International that are nationally and internationally important for 25:53-70. shorebirds, and to inform decision making on how the Conklin, J.R., Y.I. Verkuil & B.R. Smith 2014. Prioritizing sites can be conserved and their habitats protected and migratory shorebirds for conservation action on the East potentially enhanced. Asian-Australasian Flyway. WWF-Hong Kong, Hong Kong. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Riegen, A., D. Lawrie, A. Habraken, T.G. Ri, & J.H. Chon 2009. Report of the first shorebird survey at Mundok, The Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalists' Trust and Nature North Korea by Miranda Naturalists' Trust and Korean Natural Environment Conservation Fund. 26–29 April Conservation Union of Korea wish to thank Fonterra and 2009. Stilt 56:32-36. the New Zealand Department of Conservation, for Riegen, A.C., G.R. Vaughan & K.G. Rogers 2014. Yalu partially funding the 2018 survey through their joint Jiang Estuary Shorebird Survey Report 1999 – 2010. Yalu Living Water project. Chris Hassell, Phil Battley, Jon Jiang Estuary Wetland National Nature Reserve, China Colman, Iwan Londo and Joris Driessen kindly provided and Miranda Naturalists’ Trust, New Zealand. details of marked birds. Riegen, A., D.S. Melville, K. Woodley, S.I. Ju, S.H. Kim, S.I Pak and U. Pak 2016a. Shorebird survey of the REFERENCES Onchon County coast of the Democratic People’ Republic of Korea May 2015. Stilt 68:39-44. Bai, Q. Q., J.Z. Chen, Z.H. Chen, G.T. Dong, J.T. Dong, Riegen, A., D.S. Melville, K. Woodley, B. Postill, S.I. Ju, W.X. Dong, Y.Q. Fu, Y.X. Han, G. Lu, J. Li, Y. Liu, Z. H.S. Hong, S.H. Kim, and U. Pak 2016b. Coastal Lin, D.R. Meng, J. Martinez, G.H. Ni, K. Shan, R.J. Shorebird survey in the Provinces of North and South Sun, S.X. Tian, F.Q. Wang, Z.W. Xu, R.D. Yu, J. Yang, Pyongan, the Democratic People’ Republic of Korea, April Z.G. Yang, L. Zhang, M. Zhang, & X.W. Zeng 2015. 2016. Stilt 69-70:37-43. Identification of coastal wetlands of international Riegen, A., D.S. Melville, W. Hare, N. Milius, C.K. Hong, importance for waterbirds: a review of China Coastal S.I. Ju, H.S. Hong, S.H. Kim, and C.S. Ri 2018. Coastal Waterbird Surveys 2005–2013. Avian Research 6, 12. shorebird survey in the province of North Pyongan, doi:10.1186/s40657-015-0021-2 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, April 2017. Stilt Barter, M.A. 2002. Shorebirds of the Yellow Sea – 72. Importance, threats and conservation status. Wetlands Wetlands International 2018. Waterbird population International Global Series 9, International Wader Studies estimates. http://wpe.wetlands.org (accessed 30/06/2018). 12, Canberra, Australia. Zhang, S.D., Z.J. Ma, C.Y. Choi, H.B. Peng, Q.Q. Bai, Batbayar, N., J.Y. Takekawa, S.H. Newman, D.J. Prosser, W.L. Liu, K. Tan, D.S. Melville, P. He, Y.C. Chan, J. T. Natsagdorj & X.M. Xiao 2011. Migration strategies of van Gils & T. Piersma In press. Persistent use of a Swan Geese Anser cygnoides from northeastern Mongolia. shorebird staging site in the Yellow Sea despite severe Wildfowl 61:90-109. declines in food resources implies a lack of alternatives. Battley, P.F., R. Schuckard & D.S. Melville 2011. Bird Conservation International 1-15. Movements of Bar-tailed Godwits and Red Knots within doi:10.1017/S0959270917000430.

25 Stilt 72 (2018): 21-26 DPRK Shorebird survey April 2018

Appendix 1. List of shorebirds and waterbirds recorded during the coastal survey 18-21 April 2018.

Korean Common Korean English Common English Common Name Scientific Name Name Name Far Eastern Oystercatcher Haematopus [ostralegus] osculans 까치도요 Kkachidoyo Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 검은배도요 Komunbaedoyo Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 알도요 Aldoyo Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 흰가슴알도요 Huingasumaldoyo Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 큰됫부리도요 Kundaetburidoyo Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 밭도요 Batdoyo Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 마도요 Madoyo Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis 알락꼬리마도요 Allakkkoridoyo Common Redshank Tringa totanus 붉은발도요 Bulunbatdoyo Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 청다리도요 Chengdaridoyo Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 알락도요 Allakdoyo Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Ppikppikdoyo Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 됫부리도요 Daetburidoyo Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 민물도요 Minmuldoyo Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 꼬까도요 Kkoggadoyo Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 붉은어깨도요 Buluneggaedoyo Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 좀도요 Jomdoyo Dunlin Calidris alpina 갯도요 Gaetdoyo WATERBIRDS

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 꽃진경이 Kotjingyongi Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope 알숭오리 Allsungor Garganey Spatula querquedula 알락발구지 Allagbalguji Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Neopjeokburi Eastern Spot billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 검독오리 Kemdokori Mallard Anas platyrhychos 청동오리 Cheongdung oli Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 반달오리 Bandalori Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 농병아리 Nongbyongari Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 왜가리 Whaegari Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 자지왜가리 Zajiwhaegari Great White Egret Ardea alba 대백로 Huin baeglo Common Coot Fulica atra 큰물닭 Kunmuldak Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 검은꼬리갈매기 Kemunkkorigalmaegi Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 붉은부리갈매기 Bulunburigalmaegi Saunders’s Gull Saundersilarus saundersi 검은머리갈매기 Geomeunmeorigalmaegi Little Tern Sternula albifrons 쇠갈매기 Saegalmaegi

26 Stilt 72 (2018): 27-32 Shorebirds at the Coast of West Sumatra Province

SHOREBIRD SURVEYS AT THE COAST OF WEST SUMATRA PROVINCE, INDONESIA: 2017-2018

MUHAMMAD N. JANRA1, AHMAD MURSYID2, AADREAN1, GUSMARDI INDRA3, MUHAMMAD RINGGA1 AND MUHAMMAD IKHSAN1

1Biology Department, Andalas University, Jalan Kampus Unand Limau Manis Pauh Padang, Sumatera Barat, 25163, INDONESIA. Email: [email protected] 2 Graduate School at Andalas University, Jalan Kampus Unand Limau Manis Pauh Padang, Sumatera Barat, 25163, INDONESIA. 3Faculty of Science and Technology, Muhammadiyah University of West Sumatra, Jalan Pasir Kandang No. 4, Sumatera Barat, 25172, INDONESIA.

This paper reports the result of shorebird surveys at four sites on the coastline of West Sumatra Province, Indonesia between 2017-2018. In general, the west coast of Sumatra is less known for its shorebirds than the east coastline which is the main part of East Asian Australasian migration flyway, hence the observation on shorebirds from this area is limited. We recorded twelve shorebird species, including Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Little Tern, Common Sandpipers, Greater Sand Plovers and White-winged Terns. We present historical record of shorebirds from West Sumatra Province, to highlight the significance of our finding in this area for the migration of shorebirds.

INTRODUCTION Except for the summary of historical observations by Marlee & Voous (1988) and a systematic survey 2 Sumatra, with its 476 000 km area and associated conducted on the north-western tip of Sumatra by coastline, provides various aquatic habitats for shorebirds Crossland (2000), the remaining west coastline of and stopover points and non-breeding ground for many Sumatra still lack information on shorebirds. This paper migrant species in East Asia Australia flyway (EAAF) summarizes surveys of several sites along the coastline of (Lane 1987, Milton 2003, Crossland et al. 2006). During West Sumatra Province made in May and October 2017 winter, the east coastline of Sumatra, including its and January 2018. satellites, accommodates many migrating shorebirds (Crossland & Sinambela 2005, Crossland et al. 2006, METHODS Crossland et al. 2012, Iqbal et al. 2012). The east coastline of Sumatra is characterized by wide intertidal A series of surveys were conducted between May 2017 mudflat and rich food source, which may become the and April 2018 along the coastline of West Sumatra major influential factor for migrating shorebirds to Province (Figure 1). Pulau Panjang in West Pasaman choose this route (Whitten et al. 2000, Brown & Sherry Regency (0° 11' 7.41'' N, 99° 18' 31.44'' E) was visited by 2006). On the other hand, the west coastline of Sumatra MNJ and MR on 19-22 May 2017. The second site, Tiku is characterized by steep terrain associated with the Bukit Beach in Agam Regency (0° 24' 18.81'' S, 99° 55' 32.06'' Barisan mountain chain, surf zones and limited intertidal E) was visited on two separate occasion; on 8 October surface. These conditions are less favorable for sheltering 2017 by AM and on 13 January 2018 by MNJ and MI. shorebirds (Ripley 1944, Crossland et al. 2006). The third site, Pasir Jambak Beach in Padang City (0° 49'

Figure 1. Map of survey sites along the coastline of West Sumatra Province.

27 Stilt 72 (2018): 27-32 Shorebirds at the Coast of West Sumatra Province

The survey in Panjang Island was an off-migrating season survey, while other surveys were made within the migratory season for the shorebirds. We assume that it was the reason for observing only resident shorebirds. At each site we recorded and counted the individual of shorebirds sighted, following the procedure outlined in Howes et al. (2003). Photographs were taken to further confirm species identification. The shorebird inventory from this study was then compared with historical records of shorebirds from West Sumatra Province and other provinces in Sumatra.

Figure 2. Intertidal embayment in Gasan Gadang Beach, RESULTS Regency of Padang Pariaman. The sea is on the left. Twelve shorebird species were recorded in total (Table 25.05'' S, 100° 17' 56.17''E), was visited on 6 and 7 1). Seven species, including four species of terns, were January 2018 by MNJ and MI. The last site, Gasan recorded in Tiku Beach, followed by six species in Gasan Gadang Beach in Padang Pariaman Regency (0° 26' Gadang Beach. In Panjang Island, we only recorded 45.28'' S, 99° 58' 38.04'' E), was visited twice on 13 and resident Black-napped Tern, while Common Sandpiper 20 January 2018 by MNJ, MI and GI (Figure 2). A male and Greater Painted Snipe were the only shorebird Greater Painted Snipe was captured by a local farmer in recorded in Pasir Jambak Beach and Andalas University adjacent to Andalas University’s Limau Manis complex respectively. We summarized our shorebird observation (0o 55’ 50.57” S, 100o 25’ 23.64” E) on 30 April 2018 and into following annotated list, along with historical records handed to MNJ before released on the next day, hence it of shorebirds within the boundary of West Sumatra also included into the species inventory. Province (including its prominent satellite islands). We Panjang Island, located around one kilometer offshore followed Eaton et al. (2016) for shorebird , of Air Bangis Port in West Pasaman Regency, was the while species sequence arrangement was referred to only island site in this survey. The island is populated Sukmantoro et al. (2007). with one third converted into human settlement. The other Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula bengalensis three sites shared similar characters; the inlet point between the river mouth and the sea, narrow sandy A male was captured on the evening of 30 April 2018 beaches bordering with village or agricultural area, and after flew into a resident house amidst the paddy field, with or without mudflat surface. There is an intertidal one kilometer before the main gate of Andalas University embayment located slightly inland in Gasan Gadang (or approximately 15 kms east of the coastline). The bird Beach (Figure 2), resulted from the restoration of estuary was then handed over to MNJ on the next day and banded area. The embayment was created when the curving with numbered ring from Indonesian Birdbanding portion of Gasan River was cut to shorten the meeting Scheme before released. This was the second record of between fresh and sea water. While Gasan Gadang Beach this species around this site after a female was spotted in and Pasir Jambak Beach were bordered with nipah palm swampy grass field inside the campus complex of swamp formation, Tiku Beach is mostly barren sandy Andalas University, Limau Manis c. 2000 (MNJ, Pers. beach and mudlat, bordering with human settlement. No Obs.). Holmes (1996) listed this species from Maninjau, mangrove vegetation was observed in these three sites. 72 km north from Padang City, the capitol of West The Greater Painted Snipe was captured in a harvesting Sumatra Province. Marle & Voous (1988) noted that this paddy field, approximately 15 kms from the nearest species occurs throughout and breeds in Sumatra, shore. preferring swamps and rice fields in lowland area. del

Table 1. Maximum counting on shorebirds during 2017-2018 survey at the coastline of West Sumatra.

Location Relative English Name Panjang Tiku Gasan Pasir Andalas Total abundance Island Jambak Univ. Greater Painted Snipe* 1 1 (0.4%) Grey Plover 5 5 (2.2%) 13 29 42 (18.6%) Whimbrel 10 10 (4.4%) Black-tailed Godwit 6 6 (2.6%) Terek Sandpiper 5 7 12 (5.3%) Common Sandpiper* 20 14 9 43 (18.9%) White-winged Tern* 75+ 75+ (33.1%) Common Tern* 15+ 15+ (6.7%) Black-napped Tern* 2 2 (0.8%) Little Tern* 6 6 (2.6%) Lesser Crested Tern 10 10 (4.4%) Total Species 1 7 6 1 1 227 (100%)

Asterisk (*) noted that the species previously recorded at or near the coastline of West Sumatra Province.

28 Stilt 72 (2018): 27-32 Shorebirds at the Coast of West Sumatra Province

Hoyo et al. (1996) stated that this bird is uncommon in many parts of Southeast Asia with its population states remain uncertain due to its secretive and cryptical behavior.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (Figure 3)

Five were observed separately at Gasan Gadang Beach while feeding in the shallow water or the water edge. On 13 January 2018 five were in vicinity in the shallow of the intertidal marsh swamp. This species was previously recorded on 22 August 1983 and 3-9 September 1982 from Siberut, Mentawai Island (Marle & Voous, 1988). There is no mainland record for West Sumatra Province. Figure 3. An individual Grey Plover in non-breeding plumage Greater Sand Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultia

Thirteen were observed at Tiku Beach, feeding on sandy mudflat, alone, in small group or in mixed group with Terek Sandpipers. This species was more common at Gasan Gadang Beach, where around 29 formed small groups scattered around the site. It was previously reported from unspecified part of Mentawai Islands on 1926 and 1929 (Marle & Voous, 1988). Ripley (1944) listed this species from Sipora Island, albeit was considered as a new record for Siberut Island when observed later in September 1982 (Holmes 1996). del

Hoyo et al. (1996) mentioned that race leschenaulti as the Figure 4. Four Whimbrels, out of total ten individuals, only race migrates to Southeast Asia. No published report seen during the first visit at Gasan Gadang Beach. from the mainland of West Sumatra Province.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (Figure 4)

Ten birds were observed only at Gasan Gadang Beach during our first visit on 13 January 2018, while during the second visit we counted seven individuals. The birds flocked together with Black-tailed Godwits in these two encounters. Marle and Voous (1988) reported this species in the same year (and probably from the same locality in Mentawai Island) with the record of Greater Sand Plover in this area (see above). As far as we know, there is no record for this species from the west coastline Sumatra. There is a possibility that these individuals were Figure 5. Small flock of Black-tailed Godwit at Gasan overstaying non-breeders, as all one-year old birds Gadang Beach remain in non-breeding ground all year (del Hoyo et al. recorded. Seven were feeding separately at Gasan 1996). Gadang Beach. Marle & Voous (1988) noted this species Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (Figure 5) as common in Siberut of Mentawai Islands, with records As for Whimbrel, this species was only observed in between 1980 and 1985. MacKinnon et al. (2000) noted Gasan Gadang Beach at the same time. At least five that this species is common visitor in coastline of Great individuals feeding in a loose group with Whimbrels or Sunda, however Marle & Voous (1988) had no record of Grey Plovers in the shallow embayment. In our second this species from the west coast of Sumatra. visit, seven birds were initially observed feeding in mixed Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos flock with Whimbrel. This species was recorded as visitor This species was widespread in three of our survey sites, at Siberut Island on August 1985, although it might but it was not numerous. It was the only shorebird found unofficially be previously recorded (Holmes 1994). in Pasir Jambak Beach with nine individuals. In Tiku Marle and Voous (1988) did not record this species from Beach, we estimated around 20 feeding separately and the west shoreline of Sumatra. del Hoyo et al. (1996) another 14 in Gasan Gadang Beach. A very common mentioned race melanuroides of this species migrates to resident, but not abundant, shorebird almost year-round Southeast Asia, where Sumatra was used as its staging (MacKinnon et al. 2000). It was also reported the from area on the way to Australia. west offshore islands of Sumatra (Marle & Voous 1988). Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus One or two individuals were observed several times at the A single individual was observed feeding among a loose populated area of Bakali River, 0o 55’ 49” S 100o 21’ 57” flock of Greater Sand Plovers at the mudflat of Tiku E, 2 kms from the coast of Padang City (MNJ, Pers. Beach on the morning 13 January 2018. Later, five were Obs.).

29 Stilt 72 (2018): 27-32 Shorebirds at the Coast of West Sumatra Province

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

The most abundant bird observed in our survey, with Ten joined the tern mix-flock at Tiku Beach on 8 October more than 75 on 8 October 2017 at Tiku Beach. The 2017. Orange bill helps differentiated this species from gregarious flock of at least four species of tern (Figure 6) the Great Crested Tern or Chinese Great Tern. This bird was only observed during this visit, with White-winged was recorded offshore of Padang City on 1863 and 1878, Tern the dominant species. It was identified through its and at Siberut of Mentawai Islands on 5 September 1982 black “headphone” ear-cover and white forehead (Eaton (Marle & Voous, 1988). del Hoyo et al. (1996) did not et al. 2016). The species is much less common in west specifically mention Sumatra or Southeast Asia as its coastline than in the east, with an inland record on 3 range. However, it may be race torresii which migrates November 1981 from 400 m altitude in Singkarak valley from Persian Gulf to North Australia that stages along the of West Sumatra (Marle & Voous, 1988). del Hoyo et al. coastline of Sumatra and Java. (1996) note that Indonesia is the staging area for its migration from Central and East Asia to Australia and DISCUSSION New Zealand. This survey recorded and counted small numbers of seven shorebird and five tern species, where ten species were known as migrants in Sumatra. Six out of the twelve species observed in current study were previously recorded at or near the coastline of West Sumatra Province (see Table 1). The most abundant shorebird was the White-winged Tern (>75). Followed by Common Sandpiper (43) and Greater Sand Plover (42). The next most abundant species were Common Tern (15), Whimbrel and Lesser Crested Tern (each with 10 individuals). The counts for these shorebirds are much less than what have been observed at the east coastline of Sumatra with over a thousand birds observed during the Figure 6. Mixed species flock of four tern species observed at Tiku Beach migratory season (del Hoyo et al. 1996). A count of 42 800 individuals of Black-tailed Godwit was recorded at Common Tern Sterna hirundo the coastline of Jambi and South Sumatra Province Around 15 individuals in non-breeding plumage in a (Danielson & Skov 1989). mixed-flocking with other terns in Tiku Beach on 8 Previously, 27 shorebird species have been recorded October 2017. There were two records from West within the boundary of West Sumatra Province (Table 2) Sumatra; at the shore of Padang City on 23 August 1983 (Ripley 1944, Marle & Voous 1988, Holmes 1996, Kemp and a flock of around 200 at Siberut of Mentawai Islands 2000). These records were mostly made at the offshore on 25 August 1985 (Marle & Voous, 1988). The non- satellites of this province, such as Sipora, Siberut and breeders in Southeast Asia (including Indonesia) are Pagai Islands. This study shows that some, if not all, of identified to be from race longipennis (del Hoyo et al. these shorebirds use the west coastline as well. The 1996). current study listed 12 species, which is 40% of shorebird species ever recorded for West Sumatra Province. A Black-napped Tern Sterna sumatrana previous study (Crossland 2000) of the north-western Two flying near the south beach of Panjang Island on 22 coastal tip of Sumatra recorded 12 species of plover and May 2017. Previously, the flock of tens to hundreds of sandpiper; all, except Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola this resident tern was recorded on 18 June 1981 from off falcinellus, have been historically recorded in West shore of Padang City, in addition to three previous Sumatra Province. Four species from the Crossland records from Sipora and Siberut in Mentawai Islands, (2000) list, namely Grey Plover, Greater Sand Plover, respectively on 1979 and 1982 (Marle & Voous 1988). Terek Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper are also Ripley (1944) listed this species as resident in west recorded in the current study. Sumatra islands, as its eggs and juveniles were sampled In Sumatra, the main concentration of shorebirds from several localities therein. occurs along the east coast (Crossland et al. 2006), Little Tern Sternula albifrons providing ideal habitat for many species (e.g. Crossland

Six birds were observed at Tiku Beach on 8 October & Sitorus 2011, Crossland & Sitorus 2014, Iqbal et al. 2017, aggregated within the mixed tern species flock. In 2014, Setiawan et al. 2016). While shorebirds occur in west coast of West Sumatra, this species was recorded at lower numbers along the west coastline, it still promises Siberut Island on 25 August 1985 (Marle & Voous 1988). the possibilities for new sighting records. An example of del Hoyo et al. (1996) detailed two races pusilla and this is the observation of first Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa sinensis which possibly pass Sumatra during their brevipes at Panjang Beach, west coast of Bengkulu migration. The first race migrates through the islands off Province (Rahmansyah & Iqbal 2015). More surveys Sumatra and Java, while the later are commonly observed should be undertaken along the west coast to cover throughout the seas between Sumatra and Malaysia on information gaps for its shorebirds, despite the migration to Phillippines. unfavorable factors such as limited supporting shorebird

30 Stilt 72 (2018): 27-32 Shorebirds at the Coast of West Sumatra Province

Table 2. Annotated checklist of shorebirds from the Ferri Atmaja and members of KCA-LH Rafflesia FMIPA coastline and satellites of West Sumatra. Universitas Andalas who helped with the surveys and logistics in each study site. We thank Program Bantuan Source Ripley Marle & Holmes Kemp This Seminar National of Andalas University 2017 and English Name (1944) Voous (1996) (2000) study Fundamental Research Scheme (contract no. (1988) (2018) 27/UN.16.17/PP.RD/LPPM/2018) which made this study Greater Painted x x possible through its financial support. Thanks to the Snipe editor for advice and help with improving this Grey Plover x x manuscript. Pacific Golden x x Plover Little Ringed Plover x REFERENCES

Malaysian Plover x x Lesser Sand Plover x Brown, D.R. & T.W. Sherry 2006. Food supply controls the body condition of a migrant bird wintering in the tropics. Greater Sand Plover x x x x Oecologia 149:22-32. Whimbrel x x x . 2000. Notes on the waders wintering at three Eurasian Curlew x x Crossland, A.C Black-tailed Godwit x x sites at the North-Western tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. Stilt Bar-tailed Godwit x 36:4-6. Common Redshank x Crossland, A.C. & A.W. Sitorus 2011. First records of Marsh Sandpiper x Spotted Redshanks (Tringa erythropus) in northern Common x Sumatra, Indonesia. Stilt 59:53-54. Greenshank Crossland, A.C. & A.W. Sitorus 2014. Recent observation of Green Sandpiper x White-faced Plover Charadrius dealbatus and three other Wood Sandpiper x x small plovers on the east coast of North Sumatra Province, Terek Sandpiper x x Indonesia. Stilt 65:29-35. Common Sandpiper x x x Crossland, A.C., L. Lubis, S.A. Sinambela, A.S. Sitorus & Grey-tailed Tattler x A. Muis 2012. Observations of shorebirds along the Deli- Ruddy Turnstone x Serdang coast, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia: 1995- Pin-tailed Snipe x x 2006. Stilt 60:37-44. Great Knot x Sanderling x Crossland, A.C. & S.A. Sinambela 2005. An initial assessment of the migratory wader community found on Rufous-necked Stint x Batam Island, Riau Archipelagi, Western Indonesia. Stilt Curlew Sandpiper x 48:19-21. White-headed Stilt x Beach Stone-curlew x Crossland, A.C., S.A. Sinambela, A.S. Sitorus & A.W. Oriental Pranticole x x x x Sitorus 2006. An overview of the status and abundance of Pomarine Skua x migratory waders in Sumatra, Indonesia. Stilt 50:90-95. Sabine’s Gull x Danielsen, F. & H. Skov 1989. The importance of South-east White-winged Tern x x x Sumatra as a summering area for non-breeding waders, Gull-billed Tern x especially the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica. Stilt Common Tern x x 14:40-42. Black-napped Tern x x del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (Eds). 1996. Handbook Bridled Tern x of the Birds of the World. Vol. 3. Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx Little Tern x x Edicions, Barcelona. Swift Tern x Eaton, J.A., S. van Balen, N.W. Brickle & F.E. Rheindt Lesser Crested Tern x x 2016. Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago. Greater Sundas Total species 6 30 5 10 12 and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Holmes, D.A. 1994. A review of the land birds of the West habitat s, as well as the lack of enthusiasm for shorebird Sumatran Islands. Kukila 7(1):28-46. study in the mainland of West Sumatra. Holmes, D.A. 1996. Sumatra bird report. Kukila 8:9-56. This study fills a gap in our knowledge about wader Howes, J., D. Bakewell & Y.R. Noor 2003. Panduan Studi distribution along the west coast of Sumatra. More data Burung Pantai. Wetlands International – Indonesia are required to establish the total shorebird species and Programme, Bogor. Indonesia. their population in this area. As this study was conducted Iqbal, M., D. Irawan & F. Takari 2014. First record of Grey- tailed Tattler Heteroscelus (Tringa) brevipes in East irregularly and did not include the southern portion of the Sumatra, Indonesia. Wader Study Group Bulletin 121:49- west coast of West Sumatra Province, it was difficult to 50. determine the fluctuation of shorebird passage through Iqbal, M., D. Priatna & R. Dedi 2012. Notes on the early this area. Regular and more extensive surveys will help to northward migration of Sumatran waders on the East coast reveal the potential of the study sites for shorebirds as of Jambi Province, Indonesia, in 2011. Stilt 61:45-50. well as to confirm the overstaying species. Kemp, N. 2000. The birds of Siberut, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra. Kukila 11:73-96. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Lane, B. 1987. Shorebirds in Australia. RAOU. Nelson Publishers Melbourne, Australia. We are indebted to Bas van Ballen, Muhammad Iqbal, MacKinnon J, K. Phillips & S. van Balen 2010. Burung- Hasri Abdillah, Iwan Londo, Fransisca Noni for their Burung di Sumatera, Jawa, bali dan Kalimantan. assistance in identifying some shorebirds. Thanks also to Puslitbang Biologi-LIPI, Bogor. [in Bahasa]

31 Stilt 72 (2018): 27-32 Shorebirds at the Coast of West Sumatra Province

Marle, J.G. & K.H. Voous 1988. The Birds of Sumatra: An Ripley, S.D. 1944. The bird fauna of the West Sumatran Annotated Checklist. British Ornithologists' Union, Tring Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (UK). 94(8):307-430. Milton, D. 2003. Threatened shorebird species of the East Setiawan, D., H. Marisa & M. Iqbal 2016. A note on the Asian-Australian flyway: significance for Australian wader shorebirds of the Tanjung Putus wetlands, Indralaya, South study groups. Wader Study Group 100:105-110. Sumatra, Indonesia. Stilt 68:22-24. Rahmansyah, R. & M. Iqbal 2015. First record of Grey- Sukmantoro, W., M. Irham, W. Novarino, F. Hasudungan, tailed Tattler Tringa (Heteroscelus) brevipes in mainland N. Kemp & M. Muchtar 2007. Daftar Burung Indonesia Sumatra, Indonesia. Stilt 67:31-32. No. 2. Indonesian Ornithologists’ Union. Bogor. Whitten, T., S.J. Damanik & N. Hisyam 2000. The Ecology of Sumatra. Periplus, Hong Kong.

32 Stilt 72 (2018): 33-35 Pied Oystercatchers foraging in grasslands and roosting on roads in SA

OBSERVATIONS ON AUSTRALIAN PIED OYSTERCATCHERS FORAGING IN GRASSLANDS AND ROOSTING ON ROADS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

G. KEITH JONES1, DAVID POTTER2, KEITH EVANS3

1Sillago Research Pty Ltd, 25 Coppin Street, Glengowrie, South Australia, 5044, AUSTRALIA. Email: [email protected] 2 Island Beach Rd, Island Beach, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, 5222, AUSTRALIA. 38 Gosse Cr, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, 5223, AUSTRALIA.

Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris South Australia. We suggest a link between these generally inhabit the coastal dunes, estuaries and beaches occurrences, storm-driven high tidal levels and the of Australia, and such habitats are used for spring / locations of their nearest and usual high tidal roosting summer nesting, the rearing of their young as well as areas. Our observations are mainly confined to the SE foraging and roosting by non-breeding flocks often Fleurieu coast (Jones 2016), and the NE bays of during the wetter winter months (Taylor et al. 2014). Kangaroo Island, although sightings on SW Yorke When they opportunistically inhabit intertidal areas, they Peninsula (Port Turton) and western Eyre Peninsula (Port forage for bivalves (pipis, cockles and mussels), small Kenny) are also included (Figures1a & b, Table 1). Since gastropods and / polychaete worms (Taylor et al. 2011, trained volunteers have undertaken monthly counts 2014). This habitat dependency contrasts with their more at sites in the first two regions, recording bird numbers, habitat diverse counterpart species of the Northern observing their behaviour and collecting environmental Hemisphere, the Eurasian Oystercatcher H. ostralegus (weather, tides, presence of beach wrack) information. Of and in New Zealand, the Pied Oystercatcher H. finschi, the ten SE Fleurieu sites visited regularly between June which both breed and forage inland, around the edges of 2011 and March 2018, neither pairs nor flocks of H. rivers, lakes and on farm-land as well as over-wintering longirostris were observed foraging in adjacent on the edge of estuaries and sheltered bays (Holden & grasslands or roosting on roadways. Of the 14 sites visited Cleeves 2014; Sagar & Veitch 2014, respectively). This on Kangaroo Island, five were where birds were seen to difference is thought to be due to the drier inland forage in grasslands or roost on roads, and we recorded Australian habitat which is not conducive to rearing the six occasions (8.5%) out of a total of 71 visits to these young of H. longirostris (Taylor et al. 2014). However, sites, when this occurred. We conclude that these events the movement behaviours of the three species show some are relatively uncommon, and the only times when this similarity, as, when wintering as large roosting flocks, behaviour was observed, it was accompanied by strong they can be forced off coastal sites, at times of storm- storm conditions, extremely high tides and generally wet enhanced high tides, and consequently, make use of weather. Also, the sightings occurred only a short nearby grasslands or sports fields (H. ostralegus, distance (up to 0.8 km) away from the nearest high tidal Heppleston (1971); H. finschi, Sagar & Veitch (2014); H. roosting sites (Cape Rouge, Beatrice Point and Swan longirostris, Minton (1998, 1999), Fletcher & Newman Crossing, Kangaroo Island (see Table 1 and Figures 2 a – (2010)), where they forage for earthworms and . c)). Our observations concur with those of Baxter (2015), Also, in SE Tasmania, Higgs (2015) and Newman (2015a also on Kangaroo Island, who reported that H. & b) observed that if such unfavourable conditions longirostris foraged in winter coastal pastures on insects, occurred during their spring / summer nesting season, larvae and earthworms, and more rarely, around the edges nesting birds and non-breeding roosting flocks are forced of inland saline lakes. The other two sightings on the to move to grasslands and hillsides to forage, or adjacent mainland at Port Turton and Port Kenny were from roads to roost, resulting in road-kills. opportunistic reports, so, we cannot comment on how Here, we report on several occurrences of H. common this behaviour is at these sites. Although, both longirostris foraging in grasslands, watered recreational behaviours also occurred at times of high tides and storm areas, as well as roosting on roadways around coastal conditions.

South Australia

Port Kenny

Port Turton

NE Kangaroo Is. a. b.

Figure 1. Map of Locations where H. longirostris were observed feeding in grasslands in South Australia. A: South Australia, B: NE Kangaroo Island.

33 Stilt 72 (2018): 33-35 Pied Oystercatchers foraging in grasslands and roosting on roads in SA

Table 1: Observations of Haematopus longirostris foraging in grasslands, watered recreational areas and roosting on roads in South Australia.

Date Site Observations of H. Environmental Nearest known high tidal longirostris conditions roosting area and distance 14 & 22 July, 2015 Christmas Cove, KI 1 pair foraging on Incoming tide, light Unknown nearest roosting (-35.719oS, 137.935oE). earthworms on watered sw winds on July 14 area. grass, adjacent to boat and strong nw winds ramp. on July 22. 22 July, 2015 Swan Crossing, south of American 20 birds foraging in High tide, adjacent Samphire beds, nw Pelican River township, KI (Figure 2a) (- grazed land. samphire beds partly Lagoon, 100 m. 35.791oS, 137.757oE). inundated, strong sw winds. 18 June, 2015 North Cape, KI 12 birds foraging in Flood tide, strong n Cape Rouge, 0.8 km, south. (-35.578oS, 137.629oE). grazed land. wind. 20 May, 2016 Reeves Point Reserve, KI (Figure ~ 60 birds foraging in Flood tide, strong n Beatrice Point, 100 m. 2b) (-35.642oS, 137.640oE). grass. wind. 22 May, 2016 Road adjacent to Bay of Shoals 20 birds roosting on Flood tide, storm Beatrice Point, 400 m. east. Boat Ramp (Figure 2 d) road. conditions. (-35.603oS, 137.635oE). 2 October, 2016 Port Turton, sw YP (Figure 2c) 1 pair foraging on Flood tide, strong n Samphire beds at Hardwicke (-34.938oS,137.353oE). watered grass, Caravan winds. Bay, 1 km east. Park. 17 August, 2017 Port Kenny, adjacent to Flinders 8 birds foraging in damp Flood tide, wet, w Unknown nearest roosting Highway, w EP (-33.160oS, grassed area, adjacent to winds. area. Nearest coast is 100 m. 134.684oE). highway. west on Venus Bay.

During winter months, and especially during very (H. finschi and H. unicolor) are known to regularly cold weather, energy demand for Eurasian Oystercatchers inhabit South Island coastal grasslands during autumn H. ostralegus increases (Stillman et al. 2001), and higher and winter at all stages of tides (Crossland 1993). These bird mortality can be expected if the birds do not have birds shift considerable foraging effort from the intertidal access to food at this time. Similarly, when they have areas to these grasslands as grassland food (earthworms been forced to abandon their high tidal roosting sites, the and insects) is more accessible to their probing bills, than observation of H. longirostris foraging in nearby deeper burrowing shellfish of intertidal areas (A.C. grasslands, suggests that these birds may also be in brief Crossland, Pers. Comm.). periods of energy debt. Other species of Oystercatchers Finally, at times of storm-driven extremely high tides more often use grasslands during autumn and winter. In near the Bay of Shoals Boat Ramp on Kangaroo Island, NE Scotland, H. ostralegus are regularly forced to over- we observed small flocks roosting on the road adjacent to winter on farm lands, where more adequate food is their usual high tidal roosting site at Beatrice Point available when nearby food sources are less accessible (Figure 2d). These observations are similar to those near the coastal roosting sites (Heppleston 1971). recorded in SE Tasmania, where road-kills have been Similarly, in New Zealand, both species of Oystercatcher reported (Newman 2015a & b). We observed H.

Photo: K.Jones Photo:K. Evans a. b.

Photo: D. Potter Photo: K.Jones c. d.

Figures 2 A - D: Australian Pied Oystercatchers foraging in grassed areas at A) Swan Crossing, KI, B) Reeves Point Reserve, KI, C) Port Turton, SW Yorke Peninsula, and D) roosting on roadway adjacent to Bay of Shoals Boat Ramp, KI.

34 Stilt 72 (2018): 33-35 Pied Oystercatchers foraging in grasslands and roosting on roads in SA

longirostris foraging amongst grass growing adjacent to Higgs, T. 2015. A rare find on the Swansea Oval. Yellow the roads at the Bay of Shoals Boat Ramp, Reeves Point Throat, Birdlife Tasmania Newsletter 80:5. Holden, P. & T. Cleeves 2014. Oystercatcher Haematopus Reserve, Christmas Cove on Kangaroo Island and at Port th Kenny on Eyre Peninsula. With predicted increasing ostralegus. In: RSPB Handbook of British Birds, 4 Edition. Bloomsbury Publ. London. p116-117. numbers of visitors to Kangaroo Island (Greenhill Jones, G.K. 2016. Changes in distribution and abundance of Research & Planning 2017), the need to manage these Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers on highly temporary roosting and foraging sites should be disturbed beaches of SE Fleurieu coast, South Australia. considered. Stilt 68:31-39. Minton, C. 1998. Pied Oystercatchers feeding on golf course. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Stilt 33:37. Minton, C. 1999. More on Pied Oystercatcher feeding on golf We would like to thank the additional volunteers; Peter course. Stilt 34:30. Hastwell, Graeme and Cheryl Casey and Jean Turner who Newman, M. 2015a. Why incubating Oystercatchers dice with monitored the birds on Kangaroo Island and to Petra death at Lauderdale. Yellow Throat. Birdlife Tasmania Hanke for drawing our attention to the sighting at Port Newsletter 84:7-8. Kenny by Tiffany Mason. Also, to two anonymous Newman, M. 2015b. High Tide Roosts and Nest Sites: South reviewers and A.C. Crossland for their comments and Arm Shorebirds run out of options. Tasmanian Bird Report additional references to the draft manuscript, we are 37:8-9. Sagar, P. & D. Veitch 2014. Conservation Assessment of the grateful. South Island Oystercatcher Haematopus finschi.

International Wader Studies 20:155-160. REFERENCES Stillman, R.A., J.D. Goss-Custard, A.D. West, S.E.A. le V.

Baxter, C. 2015. Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus dit, Durell, S. McGorty, L.W.G. Caldow, K.J. Norris, longirostris). In: Birds of Kangaroo Island. A I.G. Johnstone, B.J. Ens, J. Van der Meer & P. Triplet Photographic Field Guide. ATF Press. Adelaide. p. 234- 2001. Predicting shorebird mortality and population size 235. under different regimes of shellfishery management. Crossland, A.C. 1993. Birdlife of the Avon-Heathcote Journal of Applied Ecology 38(4):857-868. Estuaries and Rivers, and their margins. Canterbury Taylor, I., M. Newman, P. Park, B. Hansen, C.D.T. Minton, Conservancy Technical Report Series No. 6. Dept. of A. Harrison & J. Jessop 2014. Conservation Assessment Conservation, Christchurch. of Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus Heppleston, P.B. 1971. Feeding ecology of oystercatchers in longirostris). International Wader Studies 20:116-128. winter in northern Scotland. Journal of Ecology Greenhill Research and Planning 2017. TOMM (Tourism 40:651-672. Optimisation Management Model) KI Committee Residents Survey 2016/17. Final Report, 77 pp. Page 6.

35 Stilt 72 (2018): 36-38 Bill deformities in Oystercatchers in NSW

BILL DEFORMITIES IN TWO AUSTRALIAN PIED OYSTERCATCHERS HAEMATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS IN BOTANY BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES

MATTHEW MO

New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Woodbridge Rd., Menangle, 2568 NSW, AUSTRALIA. Email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION the tip, such that both tips of the bill were splayed apart. During the first observation, Oystercatcher 1 was moving Two species of oystercatcher, the Australian Pied between the sand dunes and the breakers quite actively. It Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris and the Sooty was located at this site on at least four further occasions Oystercatcher H. fuliginosus are resident in Australia (W.A. Hewson, Pers. Comm.). Although Oystercatcher 1 (Stuart 2010; Hansen et al. 2014). The endemic was never observed feeding, it never appeared to be Australian Pied Oystercatcher is listed as Endangered emaciated. under Schedule 1 of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. A key concern is their breeding habitat, which Oystercatcher 2 are beaches, estuaries and inlets, being frequently On 16 June 2016, an adult female oystercatcher with disturbed by human activities (Owner & Rohweder 2003; slightly crossed mandibles was photographed (Figure 3). Harrison 2005). Prey availability is also impacted by The deformity in this individual was less noticeable than commercial over-harvesting of Pipis Donax deltoides and destruction of macroinvertebrates from beach recreation activities, such as four-wheel driving (Schlacher et al. 2008a, b). Observations of bill deformities in birds are not uncommon (e.g. Rintoul 2005; Jones et al. 2015). Pomeroy (1962) suggested that bill deformities occur in fewer than 0.5% of wild birds, which has since been followed by other studies (e.g. Sogge & Paxton 2000; Handel et al. 2010). Being listed as Endangered, any potential impacts on a local population or on individuals’ health in Australian Pied Oystercatchers would be concerning. Here, I report two cases of bill deformities, recorded during a broader study on shorebirds.

METHODS

Observations on Australian Pied Oystercatchers were made as part of a shorebird study in various parts of the Sydney region from 2014 to the present. Botany Bay (Figure 1) is an enclosed embayment located 18 km south of the Sydney CBD. Intense developmental pressure has been a major concern for the continuation of this site as a prime shorebird location (Keast 1995; Whitfield 2011). Australian Pied Oystercatcher abundance in Botany Bay Figure 1. Map of Botany Bay showing where Australian Pied has increased since 1973 (Pegler 1997), with a record Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris with bill deformities were observed. count of 26 in 1987 (Cooper 1991). Banding records indicate that individuals observed here may originate from areas as far as Victoria (Murray 1994).

RESULTS

Two separate birds exhibiting noticeable bill deformities were located on a beach at Sans Souci near the northern end of the Captain Cook Bridge (Figure 1).

Oystercatcher 1

On 30 October 2015, a lone individual with a bill deformity was observed (Figure 2). The upper mandible was upcurved and slightly offset laterally to the left-hand Figure 2. Lateral view of bill deformity in Oystercatcher 1. side of the bird. The lower mandible was downcurved at

36 Stilt 72 (2018): 36-38 Bill deformities in Oystercatchers in NSW

Oystercatcher 1 and was difficult to notice in plain sight from a distance. The mandibles were offset laterally approximately 3 mm from the tip so that the upper and lower mandibles did not align together completely. The bill deformity was quite apparent as the bird preened (Figure 4), potentially limiting its preening function as the tips of the mandibles did not provide maximum contact. Unlike Oystercatcher 1, Oystercatcher 2 was accompanied closely by a second bird, presumably its mate (Figure 5). During the observation period, it foraged in shallow beach runoff for 23 min, but did not successfully obtain prey (Figure 6). At no time did

Oystercatcher 2 appear to be emaciated. Figure 3. Lateral view of bill deformity in Oystercatcher 2. Photo, M. Mo. DISCUSSION

Although these observations only involve two individuals, this may indicate a problem if the population in Botany Bay were fewer than 26 (Cooper 1991). That would translate to deformities in 8% of the local population. I am not aware of any subsequent or recent attempts to quantify the local population. Previous research on bill deformities in oystercatchers indicate that growth and abrasion rates vary between individuals and are heavily influenced by dietary factors and feeding technique (Hulscher 1984; Rutten et al. 2006). The deformities described here are more concerning because they have involved bill curvature or splaying, as opposed Figure 4. Bill deformity in Oystercatcher 2 shown as the bird to fracture of part of the mandible. preens. Photo, M. Mo. Bill deformities may impact on foraging performance, potentially compromising nutritional status (Van Hemert & Handel 2010) and leading to mortality (Casaux 2004; Marti et al. 2008). Notably, neither oystercatcher reported here appeared to be emaciated during the brief periods of observation. Although the deformity in Oystercatcher 1 was more severe than that of Oystercatcher 2, the individual was observed on several occasions. This suggests that Oystercatcher 1 was quite capable of surviving despite its apparent impairment. Oystercatcher 2 was assumed to be part of a breeding pair, which provides some indication that bill deformities do not necessarily exclude oystercatchers from finding a partner Figure 5. Oystercatcher 2 with a second bird that is and breeding. Many authors have suggested exposure to presumably its mate. Photo, M. Mo. pollutants as a cause for bill deformities, particularly heavy metals and organic pollutants (e.g. Kylin 2005; Cohen-Barnhouse et al. 2011). Other explanations include genetic causes, dietary deficiencies, impacts of parasites and disease (Buckle et al. 2014; Handel & Van Hemert 2015). Crossed mandibles, which were seen in Oystercatcher 2, are a relatively common deformity recorded in a wide range of birds (Jones et al. 2015; Gorosito et al. 2016).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank W. Ashley Hewson for providing his observations. Comments from two anonymous referees Figure 6. Oystercatcher 2 foraging in shallow beach runoff. improved the manuscript. Photo, M. Mo.

37 Stilt 72 (2018): 36-38 Bill deformities in Oystercatchers in NSW

REFERENCES Keast, A. 1995. Seasonal occurrences and abundances of six common migratory waders in Botany Bay, 1942-1966, a Buckle, K.N., M.J. Young & M.R. Alley 2014. documentation and analysis of Arnold McGill's long-term Investigation of an outbreak of craniofacial deformity in data set. Australian Zoologist 30:34-38. Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) chicks. New Kylin, H. 2005. Juvenile Black-legged Kittiwakes Rissa Zealand Veterinary Journal 62:250-257. tridactyla with deformed bills and clubfeet in the Barents Casaux, R. 2004. deformation in a chick Antarctic Shag Sea. Ornis Svecica 15:149-152. Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis. Marine Ornithology Marti, J.M., P.J. Bellagamba & N.R. Coria 2008. Beak 32:109-110. deformation in a Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes Cohen-Barnhouse, A.M., M.J. Zwiernik, J.E. Link, S.D. giganteus chick. Marine Ornithology 36:195-196. Fitzgerald, S.W. Kennedy, J.P. Giesy, S. Wiseman, P.D. Murray, M.D. 1994. Recovery roundup. Corella 18:163-164. Jones, J.L. Newsted, D. Kay & S.J. Bursian 2011. Owner, D. & D.A. Rohweder 2003. Distribution and habitat Developmental and posthatch effects of in ovo exposure to of Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris) 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 2,3,4,7,8-PECDF, and 2,3,7,8-TCDF in inhabiting ocean beaches in northern New South Wales. Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica), Common Pheasant Emu 103:163-169. (Phasianus colchicus), and White Leghorn Chicken Pegler, J.M. 1997. Intertidal waders at Botany Bay – a fifty (Gallus gallus domesticus) embryos. Environmental year retrospective. Wetlands (Australia) 16:25-32 Toxicology and Chemistry 30:1659-1668. Pomeroy, D.E. 1962. Birds with abnormal bills. British Birds Cooper, R.M. 1991. 1987 NSW Bird Report. Australian Birds 55:49-72. 24:56. Rintoul, D.A. 2005. Beak deformity in a Brown-headed Gorosito, C.A., H. Gonda, & V.R. Cueto 2016. Beak Cowbird, with notes on causes of beak deformities in deformities in north Patagonian birds. Ornitología birds. Kansas Ornithological Society Bulletin 56:29-32. Neotropical 27:289-295. Rutten, A.L., K. Oosterbeek, B.J. Ens & S. Verhulst 2006. Handel, C.M. & C.R. Van Hemert 2015. Environmental Optimal foraging on perilous prey: risk of bill damage contaminants and chromosomal damage associated with reduces optimal prey size in oystercatchers. Behavioral beak deformities in a resident North American passerine. Ecology 17:297-302. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 34:314-327. Schlacher, T.A., L.M.C. Thompson & S.J. Walker 2008a. Handel, C.M., L.M. Pajot, S.M. Matsuoka, C.V. Hemert, J. Mortalities caused by off-road vehicles (ORVs) to a key Terenzi, S.L. Talbot, D.M. Mulcahy, C.U. Meteyer & member of sandy beach assemblages, the Surf Clam K.A. Trust 2010. Epizootic of beak deformities among Donax deltoides. Hydrobiologia 610:345-350. wild birds in Alaska: an emerging disease in North Schlacher, T.A., D. Richardson & I. McLean 2008b. America? Auk 127:882-898. Impacts of off-road vehicles (ORVs) on macrobenthic Hansen, B.D., C.D.T. Minton, A.E. Harrison & R. Jessop assemblages on sandy beaches. Environmental 2014. Conservation assessment of the Sooty Oystercatcher Management 41:878-892. Haematopus fuliginosus. International Wader Studies Sogge, M.K. & E.H. Paxton 2000. A summary of observed 20:161–172. physical deformities in the Willow Flycatcher: 1996-2000. Harrison, A. 2005. The impact of recreation on shorebirds at Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, South Ballina Beach, spring 2005. Report for NSW Flagstaff, Arizona. Department of Lands, North Coast Region. National Stuart, A. 2010. Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, NSW. longirostris in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Hulscher, J.B. 1984. Growth and abrasion of the oystercatcher Australia. Stilt 57:18-20. bill in relation to dietary switches. Netherlands Journal of Van Hemert, C. & C.M. Handel 2010. Beak deformities in Zoology 35:124-154. Northwestern Crows: evidence of a multispecies epizootic. Jones, C.W., M.M. Risi, W. Kuntz, P.G. Ryan, A. Auk 127:746-751. Steinfurth & A.L. Bond 2015. Bill deformities in Whitfield, R. 2011. Taren Point Shorebird Reserve. penguins (Spheniscidae): a global review. Marine Australasian Parks and Leisure 14:11-12. Ornithology 43:207-209.

38 Stilt 72 (2018): 39-41 Javan Plover nesting amongst crop cultivations

JAVAN PLOVER CHARADRIUS JAVANICUS NESTING AMONGST CROP CULTIVATIONS

ANDREW C. CROSSLAND1*AND ARI. W. SITORUS2

142 Lignite Drive, Rolleston, Canterbury 7614, NEW ZEALAND. *Email: [email protected] 2Jalan M. Abbas / Semnanjung No. 26, Tanjung Balai Asahan, Sumatera-Utara, INDONESIA.

INTRODUCTION relatively recent origin and some extended well out into the open mudflat area (Figure 2). Local people advised Recent research on the Javan Plover Charadrius that Kali Progo river and estuary had received substantial javanicus has improved our knowledge of the taxonomic plugs of sediment following the 2010 eruptions of the status, distribution, conservation threats, habitat Mount Merapi volcano and these cultivations were local requirements and breeding biology of this species attempts to claim some of the silted riverbed as new (Centurioni 2010; Taufiqurrahman & Subekti 2013; Iqbal agricultural land. 2013a, 2013b; Crossland et al. 2014; Kholil 2014; Febrianto et al. 2016; Ashari & Astuti 2017). Javan Plovers have recently been found nesting in a range of Kali Progo Riverbed coastal habitats including sandy beaches and sand spits, the margins of tidal estuaries, the dry beds and embankments of aquaculture ponds, coastal land Javan Plover reclamations and areas of dry saline open ground. The nest site species is also reported to utilise inland habitats for breeding, including the shores of rivers and lakes, New cultivations on muddy river marshes, dry plains and savannahs (del Hoyo et al. 1996; Kali Progo Estuary Febrianto et al. 2016). Breeding behaviour (courtship, nest-building, nesting and chick-rearing) has been recorded in both wet and dry seasons, covering all months of the year except April (Taufiqurrahman & Subekti Figure 1. Kali Progo estuary and lower river, Java, Indonesia. 2013). In this note we report an additional nesting habitat Google image taken on 24 August 2012, three days before – amongst young crop cultivations on the edge of a observations reported in this paper. Javan Plover nest site indicated by circle. (Map data © Google Earth 2018) riverbed.

OBSERVATIONS

On 21 August 2012 we visited the Kali Progo estuary and lower river (07°58'53" S, 110°12'33" E). at Pantai Trisik - a well-known wader site on the central south coast of Java near Yogyakarta (Tampubolon 2010; Taufiqurrahman et al. 2010; Assiddiqi et al. 2014). We visited at low tide and undertook a census of Javan Plover, finding 56 birds in pairs and small groups. These were scattered over a range of habitats including sandy beach, estuarine mudflats, short coastal grassland, and muddy / stony islands and riverbank in the lower 1.5 km of the river above the delta. Many plovers appeared to be Figure 2. Example of new crop cultivations on the Kali Progo holding territories, fighting regularly between themselves riverbed immediately upstream of the estuary. and exhibiting distraction behaviours. We returned a week later on 27 August 2012, this time As we walked through and around the cultivations we near high tide. Much of the mudflats in the delta were flushed several bird species that were either feeding or under water and plovers were concentrated either on the nesting within them. These including Paddyfield Pipit sand spit and beach at the estuary or on muddy / stony Anthus rufulus, Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, river islands upstream (Figure 1). We counted 64 Javan Savannah Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis (one nest found, Plover, including one pair with two half-grown chicks on containing an egg), Small Buttonquail Turnix sylvatica, a small sandy island near the eastern sand spit. Some and a pair of Javan Plover. When we approached the plovers were also present along the riverbanks, which plovers, they called repeatedly and performed distraction comprised both wide, flat areas of sand, mud or stones, displays and quickly moved away, out of the cultivated and areas of garden plots containing various crops area into open ground. We retreated and hid behind cover including chillies, sugar cane, rice and other locally and watched the birds. After a few minutes the female grown species. Most of these cultivations appeared of began to make a cautious, yet purposeful move back into

39 Stilt 72 (2018): 39-41 Javan Plover nesting amongst crop cultivations

the cultivations (Figure 3). She continued approximately DISCUSSION 20 m into a garden patch laid out in parallel rows of relatively young sugarcane-like plants and was seen to This observation makes a small addition to our settle on a nest positioned within the lee of a piece of dead knowledge of Javan Plover breeding ecology as it appears palm frond (Figure 4). We waited a few minutes then to be the first time that nesting amongst crop cultivations walked over to the nest, taking photos and making notes has been documented. Generally, this species is known to of the habitat and nest site characteristics. The nest nest on bare substrate in open areas such as sandy contained a single egg and comprised a simple unlined beaches, estuary margins and the banks and dry beds of scrape in the sand. It was positioned c.15 cm from the fish ponds (Taufiqurrahman & Subekti 2013; Crossland dead palm frond in an open area amongst sparse crops and et al. 2014; Febrianto et al. 2016). Although the weeds. We retreated to cover and watched the pair for 30 surrounding vegetation was low (10-25 cm high) with min, over which time both the male and female took a plants sufficiently well-spaced to give a sense of turn each at incubating. openness, there was no evidence of recent digging suggesting that the birds had placed their nest amongst the cultivation and it wasn’t a case of gardeners unknowingly planting crops around a plover nest. Centurioni (2010) reported that Javan Plovers readily utilise beach plants such as Spinifex longifolius as cover when they perceive danger, but no-one seems to have previously reported them nesting amongst vegetation that is substantially taller than the birds and their nest. Centurioni (2010) did however find that abundance of Javan Plovers was higher on beaches with some ground vegetation present when compared to beaches with none. This preference was also reported in a study of Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii breeding on tropical beaches

and coastal lagoons in Southern Thailand (Yasue & Figure 3. Female Javan Plover re-enters crop cultivations on Dearden 2006). They found that Malaysian Plovers used her way back to her nest. beaches with a low percentage cover of ground vegetation, and beaches backed by vegetation of medium height (0.5 – 5 m). These preferences seemed to be related to the use of vegetation as safe foraging and hiding environments for unfledged chicks rather than as preferred habitat for nest sites. The purpose of this short note is to make observers aware that habitat preferences of Javan Plover may be wider than previously documented. We encourage others to report behaviours and aspects of ecology that may expand our understanding of this species.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Sule Sinambela and Andi Sitorus for encouraging the publication of this note, and thanks to the editor and anonymous referee for advice and help with improving this manuscript.

REFERENCES

Ashari, H. & D. Astuti 2017. Study on phylogenetic status of Javan Plover bird (Charadrius, , ) through DNA barcoding analysis. Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education 9(1):49-57. Assiddiqi, Z., S.Y. Azizah, L. Nazar, A.F. Rohmah, N. Rahmawan & H. Azmi 2014. First Indonesian record of Calidris melanotos. Kukila 17(2):56- 58. Centurioni, P. 2010. Habitat requirements and population size

of the Javan plover Charadrius javanicus (Aves,

Figure 4. Javan Plover nest containing one egg (foreground) Charadriidae) on Java, Indonesia. Vienna Univ. (unpubl.). amongst crops and weeds.

40 Stilt 72 (2018): 39-41 Javan Plover nesting amongst crop cultivations

Crossland, A.C., A.W. Sitorus & A.S. Sitorus 2014. Land Kholil, I. 2014. Predation of Javan Plover Charadrius use change impacts shorebird habitat at an important site javanicus by Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus in Pantai for Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus and Sanderling Trisik, Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. Stilt 65:36-37. Calidris alba in Java, Indonesia. Stilt 66:30-36. Tampubolon, A.M. 2010. Records of Australian Pratincole Del Hoyo, J., A. Elliot & J. Sargatal (Eds). 1996. Handbook Stiltia isabella at Pantai Trisik,Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Stilt of the Birds of the World. Vol 3: Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx 61: 57-58. Edicions, Barcelona. Taufiqurrahman, I., A.M. Tampubolon, H. Subekti & H. Febrianto, I., Ciptodwihandono & F.N. Tritaningtyas 2016. Z. Ulya 2010. Pantai Trisik, Yogyakarta: Another Behaviour of breeding Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus internationally important site for Sanderling Calidris alba at Wonorejo fish ponds, Indonesia. Stilt 69-70:77-78. in Indonesia. Stilt 58:57-62. Iqbal, M., I Taufiqurrahman, K. Yordan & B. van Balen Taufiqurrahman, I. & H. Subekti 2013. Distraction 2013a. The distribution, abundance and conservation status behaviour of breeding Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus. of the Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus. Wader Study Kukila 17:17-21. Group Bulletin 120(1):75-79. Yasue, M & P. Dearden 2006. The potential impact of Iqbal, M., I Taufiqurrahman, M. Gilfedder & K. Baskoro tourism development on habitat availability and 2013b. Field Identification of Javan Plover Charadrius productivity of Malaysian Plovers (Charadrius peronii). javanicus. Wader Study Group Bulletin 120(2):96-101. Journal of Applied Ecology 43:978–989.

41 Stilt 72 (2018): 42-44 Recent records of Terek Sandpiper in the

RECENT RECORDS OF TEREK SANDPIPER XENUS CINEREUS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

SCOTT BUTCHER1, ANDREW C. CROSSLAND2*, NIALL D. MUGAN3, PHILIP CRUTCHLEY4 & JEREMIAH KAKE5

1 Pacific Planning and Community Development Solutions, 62A Rockinghorse Road, Southshore, Christchurch 8062, NEW ZEALAND. 2 Limnodromus International, 42 Lignite Drive, Rolleston, Canterbury 7614, NEW ZEALAND. *Email: [email protected] 3Keystone Ecology, 326 Halswell Rd, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, NEW ZEALAND. 4Regional Parks Team, Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council, PO Box 73014, Christchurch 8054, NEW ZEALAND. 5Taroniara Primary School, Nggela Sule, Central Province, C/O Anglican Church of Melanesia, P.O. Box 19, , SOLOMON ISLANDS.

The Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus breeds across The first and second new records were made by S. northern Eurasia and spends the non-breeding season on Butcher at "The Creek", a small wetland located beside coastal habitats from southern and eastern Africa, through the airstrip at (6°42.34' S, 156°23.46' E), south and south-east Asia to New Guinea and Australia northern (Table 1). This 5.5 ha (del Hoyo 1996; Bamford et al. 2008; Branson et al. freshwater wetland supports up to 120 waders during 2010). It is a scarce passage migrant to various parts of peak migration passage periods (Butcher et al. 2015; S. Micronesia and a vagrant to both Melanesia and Butcher Unpubl. Data) and single Terek Sandpipers were , including New Zealand (Pratt et al. 1987; Gill recorded during southward migration on 1 October 2011 et al. 2010; van Perlo 2011; Dutson 2011). and almost a year later on 12 September 2012. The third Prior to 2011 there was only one historical record of recent record was made on 20 October 2014 at Terek Sandpiper for the Solomon Islands, dating from the Kerechikapa Island (7°27.58' S, 158°01.54' E) in the 1950s. This sole record was by French (1957) who listed Arnavon group (Isabel Province). This involved two birds 19 wader species for the Three Sisters Islands (10°15.41' observed by members of a Heritage Expeditions tour S, 161°58.32 'E) in the San Cristobal Group (- party (Tarburton 2014a). The Terek Sandpipers were Ulawa Province) and reported that Terek Sandpiper was feeding on a mangrove-lined lagoon at low tide with a a common summer migrant. Neither Doughty (1999) nor mix of c.50 other waders. The eBird report notes that Dutson (2011) in their respective field guides covering many in the bird-watching group were familiar with Melanesian birds cited this record or included Terek Terek Sandpiper and “excellent scope views were Sandpiper as a recognised species for the Solomon obtained from 40 yards” (D. Gemmill per eBird 2018a; Islands. However, Tarburton (2014a, 2014b) did D. Gemmill Pers. Comm.). This was followed by a acknowledge the record and restored the species to the sighting of one bird at Lake Kolaoka (9°06.39' S, Solomon Island list. In this short communication we 160°20.32' E), Nggela Pile Island in the Florida group report that after an interval of over 50 years the Terek (Central Province) on 27 February 2015 (Crossland et al. Sandpiper has again been observed in the Solomons, and 2016). we review recent records between 2011 and 2017. These Subsequently, there have been several reports lodged records either derive from our own field observations, or on eBird including two birds amongst a congregation of are reports posted on eBird for which we have 230+ waders at Namare (10°45.37’ S, 162°16.47' E) at subsequently confirmed veracity via direct the north-western side of Star Harbour, Makira/San communication with the eBird reviewer (P. Scofield Pers. Christobel Island (Makira-Ulawa Province) on 5 Comm.) and with the original observers. February 2016 (J.C. Mittermeier per eBird 2018b;

Table 1. Records of Terek Sandpiper in the Solomon Islands from 2014 onwards.

Date Location Number Supporting evidence Observer/s 1-Oct-11 The Creek, Taro Is, Choiseul Province 1 Close views by experienced observer S. Butcher 12-Sep-12 The Creek, Taro Is, Choiseul Province 1 Close views by experienced observer S. Butcher 20-Oct-14 Kerechikapa Is, Arnavon Group, Isabel 2 40 yard scope views by several D. Gemmil, A.Walleyn et al. Province experienced observers 27-Feb-15 Lake Kolaoka, Nggele Pile Is, Central 1 <50 m scope views by experienced S. Butcher, A. Crossland, N. Province observers Mugan, P. Crutchley 5-Feb-16 Namare, Makira Province 2 Photographed and seen well by J.C.Mittermeier experienced observer 26-Oct-16 Is, Arnavon Group, Isabel 3 400 m scope views by experienced K. Cowton, L. Gywnn, C. Province observers Dippo 20-Oct-17 Sikopo Is, Arnavon Group, Isabel 1 Photographed and seen well by S. Lorenz Province experienced observer 25-Nov-17 The Creek, Taro Is, Choiseul Province 1 Close views by experienced observer S. Butcher

42 Stilt 72 (2018): 42-44 Recent records of Terek Sandpiper in the Solomon Islands

Mittermeier et al. 2018), and two observations on Sikopo Island (7°26.53' S, 157°58.53' E) in the Arnavon Group - three birds on 26 October 2016 (K. Cowton & C. Dippo per eBird 2018c) and one bird on 20 October 2017 (S. Lorenz per eBird 2018d). We sought verification of all these records directly with the observers and received confirmation that the birds were seen by experienced ornithologists (either researchers or birding guides and their clients), and in the case of the Namare and 2017 Sikopo Island records, photos were taken confirming identification. In addition, guides from Heritage Tours advise that they’ve seen 2-3 Terek Sandpipers annually in recent years on the Arnavon Islands, but they’ve not yet recorded the species elsewhere in the Solomons (A. Walleyn Pers. Comm.). The most recent report is of a single bird seen once again on Taro Island (Choiseul Province) on 25 November 2017 (S. Butcher Pers. Obs.). Figure 1. Locations where Terek Sandpipers have been In summary, there have been eight verified recent observed in the Solomon Islands 2011-2017. sightings of Terek Sandpiper in the Solomon Islands REFERENCES between 2011 and 2017. These have involved 12 birds from five locations from the northern (Taro, Kerechikapa, Bamford, M., D. Watkins, W. Bancroft, G. Tischler & J. Sikopo), central (Ngella Pile) and southern (Makira) parts Wahl 2008. Migratory shorebirds of the East Asian- of the country. Dates when the species has been observed Australasian Flyway: population estimates and include the southward migration period (records in internationally important sites. Wetlands International – September and October x3) and the non-breeding period Oceania, Kuala Lumpur. Branson, N.J.B.A., Y. Shigeta, C.Y. Chiang, & C.D.T. (records in late November, January and February x2). Minton 2010. Movements of Grey-tailed Tattlers and Although sparse, these records suggest that Terek Terek Sandpipers in the East Asian/Australasian Flyway. Sandpiper probably occurs annually in the Solomon Stilt 57:50-58. Islands and should be considered both a scarce passage Butcher, S.C., N.D. Mugan, P. Crutchley, A.C. Crossland migrant and a scarce non-breeding visitor to the country. & J. Kake 2015. First records of Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa As with several other Asiatic-breeding wader species, stagnatilis) in the Solomon Islands. Notornis 62:233-236. including Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatillis, Common Crossland, A.C., S. Butcher, P. Crutchley, N.D. Mugan & Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper J. Kake 2016. A survey of waders on part of Calidris acuminata, Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis and The Florida Group, Solomon Islands. Stilt 69-70:47- 55. and Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus (Butcher et del Hoyo, J., A. Elliot & J. Sargatal (Eds.) 1996. Handbook al. 2015; Crossland et al. 2016), the annual occurrence of of the Birds of the World: Hoatzin to auks. Birdlife Terek Sandpipers is further evidence that the Solomon International and Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Islands are located within an overlap zone between the Doughty, C. 1999. The Birds of the Solomons, Vanuatu and East Asian-Australasian Flyway and the West Pacific New Caledonia. Christopher Helm, London. Flyway. Dutson, G. 2011. Birds of Melanesia: Bismarcks, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Princeton University Press, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS New Jersey. eBird 2018a. Kerechikapa Island, Arnavon Islands, Isabel, Grateful thanks to the Jeremiah Kake for facilitating and eBird Field Checklist. Available at hosting our expedition to Nggela Pile Island, and to ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S20463750. Selwyn Mapuli, Premier of Central Provincial eBird 2018b. Namare, Makira-Ulawa eBird Field Checklist. Available at ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S28000577 Government for transport assistance and introductions on eBird 2018c. Arnavon Islands Nature Conservancy Hawksbill Nggela Pile. SB would like to acknowledge the help of Turtles, Isabel, SB, eBird Field Checklist. Available at Nigo Kiloe and Paul Pitanoe for assisting with monitoring ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33249713. of “The Creek” on Taro, Choiseul. Thanks to John eBird 2018c. Arnavon Islands, SB, eBird Field Checklist. Mittermeier, Daphne Gemmill, Keith Cowton, Stephan Available at ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40251323. Lorenz and Adam Walleyn for listing their sightings on French, W. 1957. Correspondence: Birds of the Solomon eBird and for generously responding to our enquiries Islands. Ibis 99:126-127. seeking confirmation of the veracity of their records. Gill, B.J. (Convener), B.D. Bell, G.K. Chambers, D.G. Thanks also to Paul Scofield, eBird reviewer for the Medway, R.L. Palma, R.P. Scofield, A.J.D. Tennyson & T.H. Worthy 2010. Checklist of the Birds of New Solomon Islands, for confirming the appropriate vetting Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross of records and for assisting us to contact observers. Many Dependency, Antarctica. 4th edition. Te Papa Press, thanks also to the editor and anonymous referees for Wellington. constructive comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

43 Stilt 72 (2018): 42-44 Recent records of Terek Sandpiper in the Solomon Islands

Mittermeier, J.C., G. Dutson, R.E. James, T.E. Davies, R. Tarburton, M.K. 2014b. Three Sisters Islands bird checklist Tako & J.A.C. Uy 2018. The avifauna of Makira (San (Malaupaina, Malaulalo & Eliiti), San Cristobal Group, Cristobal), Solomon Islands. The Wilson Journal of Solomon Islands. Available at Ornithology 130: 235-255. http://birdsofmelanesia.net/solomons8.html/threesisters.pdf Pratt, H.D., P.L. Bruner & D.G. Berrett 1987. The Birds of (accessed on 11 January 2018). Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Van Perlo, B. 2011. Birds of Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Press, New Jersey. Central and West Pacific. Princeton University Press, New Tarburton, M.K. 2014a. Birds of Melanesia. Available at Jersey. http://birdsofmelanesia.net/birdsofmelanesia.pdf (accessed on 11 January 2018).

44 Stilt 72 (2018): 45-48 Far Eastern Curlew status in Mongolia

STATUS OF FAR EASTERN CURLEW NUMENIUS MADAGASCARIENSIS IN MONGOLIA

GOMBOBAATAR SUNDEV1 AND DAVID S. MELVILLE2

1National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society, Ulaanbaatar 210646A, PO Box 537, MONGOLIA. Email: [email protected]; [email protected] 21261 Dovedale Road, RD 2 Wakefield, Nelson 7096, NEW ZEALAND. Email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION Interestingly, at a regional scale Far Eastern Curlew is listed as ‘Least Concern’ (Gombobaatar & Monks 2011) The Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, and thus currently there is no conservation action plan for endemic to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, is the species in Mongolia (Gombobaatar 2011). Whilst suffering the greatest rate of population decline of any Gombobaatar & Monks (2011) list a wide range of wader in the Flyway (Studds et al. 2017) and is currently potential threats to the species, ranging from habitat loss assessed by IUCN as ‘Endangered’ (IUCN 2018). As a and degradation, to accidental mortality and human result, there is growing interest in the species and disturbance, they note that 7.1% of the species’ range in measures to promote its conservation. Sound Mongolia is within protected areas. conservation planning requires reliable information, thus There are no confirmed breeding records for Far it is a matter of concern that several recent publications Eastern Curlew in Mongolia (Fomin & Bold 1991; have stated that the Far Eastern Curlew breeds in Dawaa et al. 1994; Tseveenmyadag et al. 2000; Mongolia when, to date, there is no evidence of this. Here Delgermaa et al. 2004; Gombobaatar et al. 2008; we review published information and summarise current Gombobaatar and Monks 2011). knowledge about the occurrence of the Far Eastern Curlew in Mongolia and adjacent areas of China to Recent references to breeding in Mongolia provide a firm foundation for future work. The ‘Conservation Advice’ provided to the Australian Environment Minister (Australian Government 2015) DISCUSSION summarised information concerning the species and stated that the Far Eastern Curlew ‘also breeds in Current status of Far Eastern Curlew in Mongolia Mongolia’, but provided no reference for this statement. The status of the Far Eastern Curlew was reviewed by The draft Conservation Action Plan for the Far Eastern Gombobaatar & Monks (2011), who state that ‘This is a Curlew (Australian Government 2016) stated ‘It breeds passage migrant in Mongolia. The species passes through in…. Mongolia…’, again with no supporting reference. Mongolia (major population through Eastern Mongolia) This statement was subsequently corrected, following by late April-early May (on spring [northward] input from the current authors, in the final plan (Anon. migration) and late August-early September (on autumn 2017). [southward] migration), depending on food availability BirdLife International (2018) state that Far Eastern and weather conditions. One to five birds together with Curlew breeds ‘in north-eastern Mongolia’, giving del Eurasian Numenius arquata and Numenius Hoyo et al. (1996) as the reference. van Gils & Wiersma minutus flocks rest and roost on lake shores, river banks, (in del Hoyo et al. 1996) include ’NE Mongolia’ in the water edge of large pools and marshes and feed in river range of Far Eastern Curlew, but it is unclear whether the valley and dry steppe in Mongolia’. They describe the authors intended that this is should be interpreted as distribution as: ‘This species migrates across lake shores, meaning that the species breeds there. The distribution river banks and dry steppe in the valleys of Ögii Lake map that accompanied the 2017 version of the IUCN Red (Khangai Mountain Range); Tuul, Orkhon, Selenge, List species account showed areas in eastern and northern Onon, and Balj Rivers (Hentii Mountain Range); Herlen Mongolia as within the ‘extant breeding’ range. However, and Ulz River basins (Middle Khalkh Steppe and Mongol the distribution maps provided with the 2018 BirdLife Daguur Steppe); Khalkh, Nömrög Rivers and Buir, Data Zone Fact Sheet Shavar, Tashgain Tavan Lakes (Buir Lake-Khalkh River- (http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/far- Khyangan region); Böönstsagaan, Orog, and Taatsyn eastern-curlew-numenius-madagascariensis/distribution) Tsagaan Lakes (Valley of the Lakes) (Fomin & Bold and as part of the IUCN Red List 1991; Dawaa et al. 1994; Ostapenko et al. 1980; (http://maps.iucnredlist.org/map.html?id=22693199 ) Tseveenmyadag et al. 2000; Delgermaa et al. 2004; show these same areas as being ‘passage’, presumably Tseveenmyadag & Bold 2005; Gombobaatar et al. indicating that these are areas used by birds on migration. 2008)’. Two were seen at Tashgain Tavan lakes, Dornod Conklin et al. (2014) include ‘northeast Mongolia’ in on 29 June 2012 (Trimble 2012), but there was no their description of the breeding range, but their map indication that they were breeding (Jeremiah Trimble in excludes all of Mongolia and much of Nei Mongol (Inner litt.). Mongolia), China.

45 Stilt 72 (2018): 45-48 Far Eastern Curlew status in Mongolia

The distribution map used by Hansen et al. (2016) to Vaurie (1964), summarising the avifauna of estimate the potential breeding population of Far Eastern Mongolia, recorded ‘Status uncertain but recorded from Curlew shows the breeding range extending across the Buir Nor [Lake] on August 26 and probably only a three eastern provinces of Mongolia - Dornod, Hentii and migrant’. In his review of the Palearctic non- Suhbaatar (Hansen et al. 2016, Fig. 3.23). The map is passeriformes (Vaurie 1965) he noted: ‘Breeding range based on ‘breeding distribution shape files…obtained very poorly known but presumably [emphasis added] from BirdLife International and NatureServe (2015)’. eastern Siberia from the upper Nizhnyaya Tunguska north However, Hansen et al. (2016) note that: ‘The breeding to 64oN. Lat., and the Vilyui River, eastward to the coast range polygon for each species was modified where of the sea of Okhotsk north to about 61o, and Kamchatka, necessary to cover the area of the breeding distribution southward to Transbaicalia [Transbaikalia], northeastern falling within the EAAF for each species, based on Mongolia, northern (and perhaps central) Manchuria, and literature review (most notably Lappo et al. 2012) [who Ussuriland, but to my knowledge, the only region within do not include Far Eastern Curlew], and also through this range from where it has been reported as breeding are consultation with experts’. Furthermore, for species that the valley of the Karaga River in northeastern ‘depend specifically on wetlands for breeding’ [including Kamchatka, Manchuria, and the valley of the Ussuri’. Far Eastern Curlew] only those areas ‘in close proximity Thus, neither Kozlova nor Vaurie provide evidence of to wetlands’ were included in the calculation of the area breeding in Mongolia. of the breeding range. Thus, the source of information for Higgins and Davies (1996), note: ‘Breed Russia and the final map is uncertain. Hanson et al. (2016) estimated ne. China but distribution poorly known.... Not known to the total population as 34,862 ‘based on breeding range breed in n. Mongolia (Dement’ev & Gladkov 1951; and density’, however the inclusion of areas in Mongolia Étchécopar & Hüe 1978; AOU 1983; P.S. Tomkovich)’ will have resulted in some inflation of the estimated however, the references quoted differ in the information breeding population. provided. Thus, Dement’ev & Gladkov ([1951] 1969) state ‘Not recorded in Mongolia’, while Étchécopar & Historical Perspective Hüe (1978) question whether it breeds in Mongolia, noting ‘A été observé près du Buir Nor un 26 août’. The It is worth considering the origin of the notion that Far AOU (1998) however, includes ‘northern Mongolia’ in Eastern Curlew breeds in Mongolia. Kozlova (1932) the breeding distribution, but provides no supporting noted that ‘According to Mollesson, it breeds in South- material. Bamford et al. (2008) state ‘It breeds in eastern West Transbaikalia and the adjoining parts of Northern Russia and north-east China’, however, somewhat Mongolia…. In the summer of 1928 Tugarinov recorded confusingly, the breeding range shown in their figure it on Lake Buir-nor [Buir Nuur/Lake] in North-East 4.17a includes northeast Mongolia (). To Mongolia. Notwithstanding these records, there appears further confound matters, Minton et al. (2011) include a to be no well authenticated instance of the breeding of this figure ‘after Bamford et al. 2008’ which shows the species in the localities mentioned above…. I never met breeding range including eastern Nei Mongol but with it during my travels through Northern Mongolia’. stopping at the Mongolian border.

Figure 1. Locations where Far Eastern Curlews Numenius madagascariensis have been recorded apparently breeding [star] in Nei Mongol [], China, and have been recorded in June / July in eastern Mongolia and Nei Mongol [triangle].

46 Stilt 72 (2018): 45-48 Far Eastern Curlew status in Mongolia

Status in Northeast China Townsend and Paul Holt kindly shared details of their

Xu (2007) records Far Eastern Curlew summering in the observations in Nei Mongol, and Jeremiah Trimble his northern part of the Greater Xing’an Mountains, Ergun, record from Mongolia. Amanda Lilleyman, Charles Hulun Buir, in northeast Nei Mongol, and notes that Darwin University, Australia generously allowed us to breeding occurs between May and July. There is a refer to her Australian National Environment Science recovery in this area, at Wuerqihan, Hulun Buir, (Figure Programme project satellite tracking Far Eastern 1) of a bird banded in Victoria, Australia (Zhang & Yang Curlews. 1997, Minton et al. 2011); this bird was recovered on 4 May and so may still have been on migration. There are, REFERENCES however several recent (2017 and 2018) records between American Ornithologists’ Union 1998. Check-list of North mid-June and early July in the Wuerqihan area of birds American birds. 7th. Edition. American Ornithologists’ that appeared to be breeding, including one of a bird Union, Washington, D.C. displaying (Terry Townsend in litt., Paul Holt in litt.). Anon. 2017. International single species action plan for the There is one record of a male marked with a conservation of Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius geolocator (EC24 in Figure 1) that was tracked from madagascariensis) East Asian-Australasian Flyway Victoria, Australia to an area in Nei Mongol, west of Partnership. Qiqihar (Ken Gosbell in litt.), where it stayed from 20 Australian Government 2015. Conservation advice – Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew. April to 16 June (Minton et al. 2013). During this period, http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/sp it appeared to incubate for a period of 11 days, which ecies/pubs/847-conservation-advice.pdf indicates it was unsuccessful (Gosbell et al. 2012). This Australian Government 2016. International single species area is some 100-200 km from the Mongolian district of action plan for the conservation of Far-Eastern Curlew Dornod. (Numenius madagascariensis) – draft. Department of the There are several records of Far Eastern Curlews at Environment, Canberra. Hulun Nur, in Nei Mongol in July (Wang & So 2003, Bamford, M., D. Watkins, W. Bancroft, G. Tischler & J. Liao 2017) but it is possible that at least some of these Wahl 2008. Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - might refer to non-breeding birds, or failed breeders. Australasian Flyway; Population Estimates and Internationally Important Sites. Wetlands International - Recent satellite tracking has revealed one sub-adult bird Oceania. Canberra, Australia. that migrated late from Australia and then ranged widely BirdLife International 2018. Species factsheet: Numenius across a large area of potential breeding range, including madagascariensis. Nei Mongol, without settling (Amanda Lilleyman in litt.). http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/far-eastern- The Great Xing’an Mountains are rich in wetlands; curlew-numenius-madagascariensis/text (downloaded 1 those in the north mostly in forest areas, while those in July 2018). the south are more open areas. Model studies suggest that Conklin, J.R., Y.I. Verkuil & B.R. Smith 2014. Prioritizing there could be a 30% reduction in wetland area by 2050 migratory shorebirds for conservation action in the East because of climate change (Liu et al. 2011). Far Eastern Asian-Australasian Flyway. WWF Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Curlew also breeds further east, in Heilongjiang Province Dawaa, N., W.D. Busching, D. Sumijaa, A. Bold & R. some 1000 km from the Mongolian border, in particular Samijaa 1994. Checklist of birds and mammals. Vol 1. the Sanjiang Plain (Ma 1992), where there has been Vogel Naumann-Museum, Kothen. [in German and extensive conversion of wetlands to farmland – the area Mongolian]. of wetland decreasing 77% between 1954-2005 (Wang et Delgermaa, B., D. Sumiya, & S. Gombobaatar 2004. al. 2011). Research and conservation of waterbirds and shorebirds in The fact that at least some Far Eastern Curlews breed Mogol Daguur Strictly Protected Area, Mongolia. MSc in China quite close to the Mongolia border suggests that thesis at the National University of Mongolia, Ulanbaatar. the species may, at least occasionally, breed in the eastern Dement’ev, G.P. & N.A. Gladkov 1969. Birds of the Soviet Union Vol. III. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, most area of Mongolia. Jerusalem. [1951 original Russian text].

Étchécopar, R.D. & F. Hüe 1978. Les oiseaux de Chine de CONCLUSION Mongolie et de Corée – non-passereaux. Les Éditions du

Pacifique, Papeete, Tahiti. The breeding range of the Far Eastern Curlew remains Fomin, V.E. & A. Bold 1991. Catalogue of the birds of the rather poorly known. Despite a number of recent Mongolian People’s Republic. Nauka, Moscow. [in publications stating that it breeds in Mongolia, there are Russian]. no confirmed records. There is a need for further field Gombobaatar, S., G. Scheiffarth, R. Yosef, C. Ketzenberg surveys during both the migrating and breeding seasons & C. Uuganbayar 2008. Waders in Mongolia: Present to determine the distribution and status of this endangered and future research and conservation. Wader Study Group species, especially in Mongolia and adjacent areas of Bulletin 115:211-212. China and Russia. Gombobaatar, S. (compiler) 2011. Summary conservation action plans for Mongolian birds. Regional Red List Series 8. Zoological Society of London, London; National ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaator; Mongolian

Ornithological Society, Ulaanbaator. We thank Katherine Leung and Chi-Yeung Choi for http://zslsites.org/assets/nrl/Summary_Conservation_Actio assistance with translations of Chinese literature. Terry n_Plans_for_Mongolian_Birds_NP_Original.pdf

47 Stilt 72 (2018): 45-48 Far Eastern Curlew status in Mongolia

Gombobaatar, S. & E.M. Monks (compilers) 2011. insights from geolocators deployed on waders in Australia. Mongolian Red List of birds. Regional Red List Series 7. Wader Study Group Bulletin 120:37-46. Zoological Society of London, London; National Ostapenko, V.A., B.M. Gavrilov, V.E. Fomin, A. Bold & N. University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaator; Mongolian Tseveenmyadag 1980. Occurrence, territoriality and other Ornithological Society, Ulaanbaator. behaviours of waders in Mongolia. Ornithologia 14:195- http://zslsites.org/assets/nrl/Mongolian_Red_List_for_Bird 196 [in Russian]. s.pdf Studds, C.E., B.E. Kendall, H.B. Wilson, D.I. Rogers, R.S. Gosbell, K., C. Minton & J. Fox 2011. Geolocators reveal Clemens, N.J. Murray, K. Gosbell, C.J. Hassell, R. incubation and re-nesting characteristics of Ruddy Jessop, D.S. Melville, D.A. Milton, C.D.T. Minton, H.P. Turnstone Arenaria interpres and Eastern Curlews Possingham, A.C. Riegen, P. Straw, E.J. Woehler & Numenius madagascariensis. Wader Study Group Bulletin R.A. Fuller 2017. Rapid population decline in migratory 119:160-171. shorebirds relying on Yellow Sea mudflats as stopover Hansen, B.D., R.A. Fuller, D. Watkins, D.I. Rogers, R.S. sites. Nature Communications 8:14895. DOI: Clemens, M. Newman, E.J. Woehler, & D.R. Weller 10.1038/ncomms14895 2016. Revision of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Trimble, J. 2012. eBird checklist 29 June 2012, S19980491, population estimates for 37 listed migratory shorebird Tash Gain Lake, Dornod, MN. species. Unpublished report for the Department of the https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S19980491 (Downloaded 1 Environment. BirdLife Australia, Melbourne. July 2018). Higgins, P.J. & S.J.J.F. Davies (Eds) 1996. Handbook of Tseveenmyadag, N., A. Bold, B.E. Fomin & B.A. Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 3. Ostapenko 2000. Birds in Onon, Ulz and Khalkh River Snipes to Pigeons. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. basin. Scientific Proceedings of the Institute of Biology of IUCN 2018. Numenius madagascariensis. The IUCN Red List the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 22:153-161 [in of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3 Mongolian]. www.iucnredlist.org. (downloaded on 2 July 2018). Tseveenmyadag, N. & A. Bold 2005. Birds of Ugii Laker and Kozlova, E.V. 1932. The birds of South-West Transbaikalia, surrounding areas. Birds, Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Mongolia, and Central Gobi. Part III. Ibis Mongolia 2:33-40 [in Mongolian]. 74:567-596. van Gils, J. & P. Wiersma. 1996. Scolopacidae in: del Hoyo, Lappo, E.G., P.P. Tomkovich & E.E. Syroechkovskiy 2012. J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal. (Eds). Handbook of Birds of the Atlas of breeding waders in the Russian Arctic. Publishing World. Vol. 3. Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx Edicions, House OOO UF Ofsetnaya Pechat, Moscow. Barcelona. Liao, P.T. 2017. eBird checklist 23 July 2017, S40743972, Vaurie, C. 1964. A survey of the birds of Mongolia. Bulletin Dalai Lake, Nei Mongol, CN. of the American Museum of Natural History 127:103-144. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S40743972 (downloaded 1 Vaurie, C. 1965. The birds of the Palearctic fauna: Non- July 2018) passeriformes. Witherby, London. Liu, H.J., R.C. Bu, J.T. Liu, W.F. Leng, Y.M. Hu, L.B. Wang, T.H. & S. So 2003. Waterbirds spending the boreal Yang & H.T. Liu 2011. Predicting the wetland summer at Dalai Nur National Nature Reserve, Inner distributions under climate warming in the Great Xing’an Mongolia, China. Oriental Bird Club Bulletin 38:58-65. Mountains, northeastern China. Ecological Research Wang, Z.M., K.S. Song, W.H. Ma, C.Y. Ren, B. Zhang, 26:605-613. D.W. Liu, J.M. Chen & C.C. Song 2011. Loss and Ma, J.Z. (Ed) 1992.The avifauna of Heilongjiang. China fragmentation of marshes in the Sanjiang Plain, northeast Forestry Publishing House, Beijing. [in Chinese]. China, 1954-2005. Wetlands 31:945-954. Minton, C., R. Jessop, P. Collins & R. Standen. 2011. The Xu, R.G. (editor) 2007. Fauna Inner Mongolia. Vol. 3. Aves migration of Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis non-passeriformes. Inner Mongolia University Press, to and from Australia. Stilt 59:6-16. Hohhot. [in Chinese]. Minton, C., K. Gosbell, P. Johns, M. Christie, M. Klaassen, Zhang, F.Y. & R.L. Yang. 1997. research of C. Hassell, A. Boyle, R. Jessop & J. Fox 2013. New China. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing. [in Chinese]

48 Stilt 72 (2018): 49-50 Pectoral Sandpiper on the Mentawai Islands

PECTORAL SANDPIPER CALIDRIS MELANOTOS ON SIBERUT, MENTAWAI ISLANDS, THE FIRST RECORD FOR SUMATRA, INDONESIA

IMAM TAUFIQURRAHMAN1, ISMAEL SAUMANUK2 & ARIF SETIAWAN3

1 Yayasan Kutilang Indonesia, Kompleks UPT Taman Kuliner Condongcatur Blok K1-K3 Jl. Anggajaya III Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman Yogyakarta 55283, INDONESIA. Email: [email protected] 2 Puro 2, Muntei village, Siberut Selatan subdistrict, Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatra, INDONESIA. 3SwaraOwa, Plosokuning 4 no 85, Minomartani, Nganglik, Sleman, Yogyakarta, 55281, INDONESIA.

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos is a rare migrant dark brown crown, darker than its hind-neck – although in Indonesia and has only been recorded recently at two this might be the result of the poor light condition – with locations. The first location is Pantai Trisik, Yogyakarta, whitish supercilium extending behind the eye. The Java, on 12 October 2012 (Assiddiqi et al. 2014). After upperparts were dark brown, with striking black and the first sighting, there were further records of the brown pattern, whitish underparts, and brown streaked species from the area during 2013 and 2014 consisting neck. of one to two birds (Bionic Bird Club Unpub. Data). From views in the field and the photograph, the bird The only other location for the species is Serangan was either a Sharp-tailed C. acuminata or a Pectoral Island, Bali, where a single bird was observed on 19 Sandpiper. Unfortunately, neither during the sighting or August 2015 (Jones & Trainor 2016). in the photograph, are the straight pectoral band or the On 21 September 2017, we visited Muara Siberut streaked under-tail coverts visible that would have (01° 35.968’ S, 99° 13.036’ E), an estuary located on the distinguished this bird from Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. east coast of Siberut Island, Mentawai Islands, West Other species that can be confused are Ruff C. pugnax Sumatra, Indonesia. At around 5.30 pm, we saw an and Long-toed Stint C. subminuta, however both could unfamiliar medium-sized shorebird that appeared be ruled out on the basis on their significantly-different slightly bigger than Common Sandpiper Actitis size. Discussion with experts and members of Bionic hypoleucos, but smaller than Oriental Pratincole Bird Study Club whom are experienced with Pectoral Glareola maldivarum that was observed nearby. The Sandpiper, underpinned the bird’s identification. This bird was standing on pieces of twigs and trash deposited confirmed the bird as a Pectoral Sandpiper, mainly along the sand beach. The sighting was only for a few based on its rather decurved and proportionally long, seconds before the bird flew off out of sight. and yellowish based-bill. Fortunately, a photograph was secured during the Our finding constitutes the first record for Siberut, sighting (Figure1). and Sumatra as a whole (Adhikerana 1994, Kemp 2000, The bill was slightly down-curved, rather pointed, Iqbal et al. 2013). Close to Indonesia, the species is and slightly longer than its head in proportion. Although uncommon but regularly recorded in New Guinea the light conditions were poor, the bill was yellowish at (Bishop 2006) and once recorded in Timor Leste the base and dark at the edge (Figure 1). The bird had a (Trainor 2005).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Visit to Siberut Island is a part of the work on the conservation of Kloss’s Gibbon by SwaraOwa, funded by Wildlife Reserve Singapore, in which we are very thankful. Special thanks to Franky Sabattilat as the boatman and Damianus Tateburuk and his family for their warm acceptance during our stay in the Uma. We are grateful also to Muhammad Iqbal, Christoph Zockler, and to members of Kelompok Pengamat Burung Bionic of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (Bionic Bird Study Club), (alphabetically): Ahmad Syaiful Abid, Andri Nugroho, Mas Kir, Panji Gusti Akbar, Surya Purnama, Waskito Kukuh Wibowo, and Zulqarnain Assiddiqi for the constructive discussion

that confirming the species identification. We Figure 1. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos on Muara acknowledge Dr Greg Kerr and two anonymous Siberut, Siberut Island, showing its slightly down-curved and reviewers for their assistance and constructive rather long bill, 21 September 2017. Photograph Imam comments on the original manuscript. Taufiqurrahman.

49 Stilt 72 (2018): 49-50 Pectoral Sandpiper on the Mentawai Islands

REFERENCES Iqbal, M., H. Abdillah, A.Nurza, T.Wahyudi, Giyanto & M. Iqbal 2013. A review of new and noteworthy shorebird Adhikerana, A.S. 1994. Observation on the avifauna of records in Sumatra, Indonesia, during 2001–2011. Wader Siberut Island, 1992-1994. Treubia 31(1):11-24. Study Group Bulletin 120(2):85-95. Assiddiqi, Z., S.Y. Azizah, L. Nazar, A.F. Rohmah, N. Jones, S. & C.R. Trainor 2016. First record of Pectoral Rahmawan & H. Azmi 2014. First Indonesian record of Sandpiper Calidris melanotus for Bali Island, Indonesia, at Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Kukila 17(2):56- Serangan Island in Benoa Bay. Wader Study 123(1): 1-3. 58. Kemp, N. 2000. The birds of Siberut, Mentawai Islands, West Bishop, K.D. 2006. Shorebirds in New Guinea: their status, Sumatra. Kukila 11:73-96. conservation and distribution. Stilt 50:103-134. Trainor, C.R. 2005. Waterbirds and coastal seabirds of Timor Leste (East Timor): status and distribution from surveys in August 2002–December 2004. Forktail 21:61-78.

50 Stilt 72 (2018): 51-54 Whimbrel takes action to avoid cyclone impact

WHIMBREL TAKES ACTION TO AVOID IMPACT OF CYCLONE CLIVE MINTON1, CHRIS HASSELL2 AND KATHERINE LEUNG3 1 165 Dalgetty Road, Beaumaris, VIC 3193, AUSTRALIA Email: [email protected] 2 P.O. Box 3089, Broome, WA 6725, AUSTRALIA 3 Mai Po Nature Reserve, HONG KONG

INTRODUCTION Narwad et al. 2014). However, waders were not involved in this event. Birds’ lives and actions are strongly influenced by Cyclones regularly make landfall on the northern weather conditions. At times they appear to read the signs Australian coast, mostly in the December to March period of future events and sometimes react in a way that lessens (BOM, 2018). Damaging winds of over 100 km.hr-1 are potential adverse impacts e.g. flying away in advance of associated with most cyclones and heavy rain (with severe wintry weather in the Northern Hemisphere localized falls greater than 100-200 mm in a 24-hour (Newton 2007). Major backtracking movements of period), also usually accompany them. But with only 5- migrant Golden-winged warblers (Vermivora 10 such cyclone events occurring annually in Australia chrysoptera) in the face of severe tornado threats has also their frequency at any location is not high. been recorded (Streby et al. 2015). However, the This note reports the apparent avoidance action taken interpretation of the geolocator data on which this by a satellite transmitter-tagged Whimbrel Numenius conclusion was based has been questioned (Lisovski et al. phaeopus to a cyclone at Eighty Mile Beach in North- 2018). western Australia (NWA). Waders are vulnerable to severe weather events as they live in very exposed habitats. In many instances, OBSERVATIONS birds can do little to avoid or ameliorate the effects of variations in weather conditions, particularly extreme Weather (Bureau of Meteorology, 2018a) events, but on some occasions effective evasive action The 2017/18 wet season in NWA was unusual in several can be taken. ways. It started on time at the end of December 2017, but Being caught in adverse weather events can have events were much more centred at or closer to Broome disastrous consequences for birds. Severe winter weather than in most years. The first three severe weather events has quite often been the cause of wader deaths (Dobinson (two cyclones and a tropical low), all impacted Broome, and Richards 1964, Clarke, 2009). Heavy mortality of but only one caused major wind damage. This was the waders – over 100 birds of seven species, including 36 tropical low, which occurred on 27-31 January 2018. Red-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis and 31 Bar-tailed Heavy rain was the main feature of this tropical low, with Godwits Limosa lapponica – was caused by huge 697 mm falling in the five-day period. Another 474 mm hailstones from a thunderstorm in southeast Queensland fell on 17-18 February 2018 as the third storm on 9 December 1982 (Walter Boles, Pers. Comm.). An transformed from a tropical low into a category two even greater bird toll occurred in Maharashtra, India, cyclone and then came ashore. By the end of this, 1503 when at least 62 000 birds were killed by hailstones mm of rain had been recorded in Broome in the 49 days between the end of February and May in 2014 (Sujit, since the start of 2018.

Figure 1: Whimbrel LA’s location from 12 Feb 2017 to 16 Feb 2018. Cyclone movement Bureau of Meteorology (2018a).

51 Stilt 72 (2018): 51-54 Whimbrel takes action to avoid cyclone impact

The third storm, a cyclone which was named Kelvin, struck. Fortunately, they were still able to monitor crossed the NWA coast at 80 Mile Beach and passed over transmissions from a 5 g Microwave Telemetry platform Anna Plains Station (19°15’ S 121°29’ E, a cattle station transmitter terminal (PTT), which had been placed on a of 400 000 ha abutting the northern 100 km of Eighty Whimbrel at Eighty Mile Beach a year earlier. Mile Beach), between 06:00 and 08:00 on 18 February This transmitter had been originally deployed on 12 2018 (Figure 1). It had a central pressure of 974 hPa and February 2017 on an age category ‘2’ (second year of life) winds that gusted to 155 km.hr-1, with sustained wind Whimbrel at a location of 19° 29’ S, 121° 10’ E, 41 km speeds of 110 km.hr-1. The strongest winds were mainly south of the Anna Plains Station entrance to Eighty Mile from the north, after the passage of the central eye of the Beach. This bird (carrying yellow engraved flag LA) had cyclone. A total of 260 mm of rain fell at Anna Plains remained close to this location (±20 kms) throughout the Station over a 36-hr period. last 12 months, having not migrated back to the northern Weather conditions near to the cyclone path are hemisphere. Another two adult (age category 3+) shown by rainfall recorded at Mandora Station: 284 mm Whimbrel, given PTTs in NWA in early 2017, had on 17/18 February, split almost equally between the two migrated to their Siberian breeding grounds. Whimbrels days. There was only 1.4 mm on 16 February and 0.4 mm normally do not return to their breeding grounds until the on 19 February. At Bidyanga Station the next station end of their third year of life i.e. when they are three years north of Anna Plains: 286 mm of rain fell on 17 February; old (AWSG Unpublished Data, Ch 10 Rogers 2006). no data are available for 18 February and a further 96 mm The PTT was on a cycle programmed to send signals fell on 19 February. In contrast for the de Grey, Pardoo for 10 hrs then to be silent for the next 48 hrs. At 22:00 Station (near to where the Whimbrel moved during the on 16 February 2018 the bird was at 19° 32’ S 121° 07’ cyclone), there were 3 mm on 16 February, none on 17 E, a position 51 km south of the Anna Plains entrance and February, no records on 18 February, but 38 mm did fall 10 km south of the Whimbrel’s original banding location on 19 February. (Figure 2). Forty-seven hours later, and some 15 hrs after Wind strengths were also markedly different between the centre of the cyclone passed over Anna Plains Station, the locations. The average wind speeds in the period 16- the Whimbrel was 157 km further south at 20° 03’ S 119° 19 February (inclusive) at Mandora Station ranged from 43’ E. This is in the estuary of the de Grey River and 19 km.hr-1 to 41 km.hr-1. In contrast in Pardoo winds were about 20 km south of Cape Keraudren, the southern limit relatively light, averaging between 4-11 km.hr-1 in the of Eighty Mile Beach. However, at the end of this period 16-19 February, though there were no records for transmission cycle 8 hrs later, and only 22 hrs after the 18 February. cyclone had passed over Anna Plains Station, the bird was The weather data available supports the conclusion already on its way back to its original location having that the weather conditions were much better at the moved 60 km north to 19° 46’ S 120° 11’ E. By the time location where the Whimbrel moved to than they were at of its next transmission at 04:00 on 21 February 2018, the the location where it had previously been inhabiting. bird was back at the same location it had been at just prior to the cyclone’s arrival (i.e. 51 km south of the Anna Avoidance Behaviour by a Satellite-tagged Wader Plains entrance). The AWSG were holding their annual NW Australia DISCUSSION Wader and Tern Expedition at this time and the team of 32 people was forced to evacuate to Broome from their Whimbrel LA appears to have made a deliberate well- base at Anna Plains Station, 36 hrs before the cyclone timed significant movement (at least 157 km), outside its

Figure 2: Whimbrel LA’s movement before and after ’s passage. Cyclone movement Bureau of Meteorology (2018a).

52 Stilt 72 (2018): 51-54 Whimbrel takes action to avoid cyclone impact normal range. This movement would have reduced the on the north side of Darwin Harbour until after the effects (wind and rain) of the category two cyclone. It cyclone had passed over Darwin at 10:00 on March 17, spent no more than 5 days away (probably only 2-3 days), 2018. That evening it returned to roost at its usual location returning rapidly to its regularly used area immediately in one of the lagoons on East Arm Wharf. Next day it had after the cyclone passed. The data show how well the bird returned to its normal feeding location on the mudflats in appears to have been able to time its movements in this area (A. Lilleyman, Pers Comm.). relation to the movement of the cyclone itself. It was a fortunate coincidence that there was a Whimbrel already CONCLUSION carrying a PTT located so close to the path of the cyclone. The journey it made would have taken only 2 to 3 hrs as The observed movements of the Whimbrel in association a direct flight under normal conditions. The weather with an approaching cyclone suggests that we should conditions at the location it moved to (200 km from the attempt to monitor similar situations whenever possible cyclone’s track), would have been much less windy and in the future. More frequent and stronger cyclones are would not have included the abnormal rainfall which expected because of climate change. Further data will occurred at its original location around 50 km from the depend on wader populations in cyclone-prone areas cyclone’s track. Additionally, the estuary which the carrying satellite transmitters at the time of a cyclone Whimbrel moved to appears to be lined with mangrove occurring. It may be necessary to deliberately deploy forests, which provide more protection than exposed satellite transmitters annually in cyclone-prone areas to coastal areas. achieve this. The use of mangrove forests by waders for This raises a question: If there were advantages to the shelter from some extreme weather events is an Whimbrel in making this special movement how many observation and should also be further investigated. other waders made similar movements? It is perhaps fortunate that the NWA coast, which is particularly prone ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to cyclone landfall, also offers much potential 'room for All members of the AWSG NWA 2017 and NWA 2018 manoeuvre' for waders, with some 400 km of extensive Expeditions are greatly thanked for their efforts in the tidal flats and beaches from Roebuck Bay to at least the field. Grace Maglio is particularly thanked for her de Grey Estuary. It is also of interest that the Whimbrel involvement in constructing the leg-loop harnesses for returned to its original site so soon after the cyclone the PTTs and in helping to deploy these units on the passed, raising the possibility that it could detect cues that Whimbrel and other species. Danny Rogers is thanked for informed it that it was safe to return. making useful comments on the manuscript and for These observations contrast with the lack of providing references. Marcel Klaassen and Simeon movement of a Far Eastern Curlew Numenius Lisovski also provided valuable references and madagascariensis which spent the non-breeding season comments. The Global Flyway Network is thanked for in Darwin Harbour, , in 2017/18. An making Chris Hassell available via The Spinoza Prize to extremely strong cyclone (Cyclone Marcus) (Figure 3) Theunis Piersma. Amanda Lilleyman is greatly thanked passed right over the area where this bird spent most of for the provision of information on the behaviours of Far its time feeding and roosting. Although the cyclone was Eastern Curlews in a cyclone near Darwin and for useful at this stage classed as category two, with wind speeds -1 comments on the manuscript. Thanks to the editor and reaching 120-130 km.hr , the PTT record did not show one anonymous reviewer for valuable comments and any indication of the bird moving away. Instead the revision. Curlew remained in the marshes in the mangrove forest

Figure 3. Track of Cyclone Marcus in relation to Darwin Harbour habitats used by Far Eastern Curlew 01. Image credit: Amanda Lilleyman. Cyclone movement (dashed line) Bureau of Meteorology (2018b).

53 Stilt 72 (2018): 51-54 Whimbrel takes action to avoid cyclone impact

REFERENCES Lisovski, S., H. Schmaljohann, E.S. Bridge, S. Bauer, A. Farnsworth, S.A. Gauthreaux, S. Hahn, M.T. Bureau of Meteorology 2018a. Darwin, Northern Territory Hallworth, C.M. Hewson, J.F. Kelly & F. Liechti 2018. March 2018 Daily Weather Observations, viewed 12th of Inherent limits of light-level geolocation may lead to over- April 2018, interpretation. Current Biology 28(3):R99-R100. Sawdekar, & P. Ingale 2014. Mass mortality of wildlife Bureau of Meteorology 2018b. Severe due to hailstorms in Maharashtra, India. Bird Populations Marcus Northern Territory Regional Office, viewed 12th of 13:28-35. April 2018, Newton, I. 2007. The Migration Ecology of Birds. Academic Rogers, D. 2006. Hidden costs: challenges faced by migratory Clark J.A. 2009. Selective mortality of waders during severe shorebirds living on intertidal flats. PhD thesis, Charles weather Bird Study 56(1):96-102 Sturt University. Albury, Australia. Dobinson, H.M. & A.J. Richards 1964. The effects of the Streby, H.M., G.R. Kramer, S.M. Peterson, J.A. Lehman, severe winter of 1962/63 on birds in Britain. British Birds D.A Buehler & D.E. Andersen 2015. Tornadic storm 57:373–434. avoidance behavior in breeding songbirds. Current Biology 25(1):98-102.

54 Stilt 72 (2018): 55 Importance of Beach-wrack for migratory shorebirds

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEACH-WRACK FOR MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS JEFF CAMPBELL 22 Lindsay Street, Mount Gambier, South Australia 5290 AUSTRALIA. Email: [email protected]

Pressure to allow an increase in beach wrack harvesting every five minutes over a one-hour period. During this on the coastline of the Lower South East of South time the number of birds of one or two selected species, Australia, has led to a need to quantify the importance of depending on the numbers present, using either beach beach-cast seagrass and marine algae (beach wrack) as wrack or adjacent sand was noted and at the same time habitat for shorebirds. Although anecdotally it is well the activity of each bird, either feeding or roosting, was known that the presence of beach wrack and its also recorded. A standardised recording sheet was used commensal organisms is of great importance for feeding for each survey. Variables such as time started and and roosting for shorebirds and some studies (e.g. finished, wind and weather, number of birds in flock at Campbell & Anderson 2007, Cuttriss et al. 2015, Duong start and finish of the survey, and location were recorded 2008, Orr 2013) examine this, there have been few, if any, on the survey sheet. studies in Australia which describe the fact in a Three species were observed, Ruddy Turnstone demonstratable and systematic way, using an easily Arenaria interpres, Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis repeatable method. In order to overcome this deficiency and Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea. These species are a simple observational method of quantifying the use of regularly encountered on the beaches of the Lower South habitat containing beach wrack as against bare, or almost East of South Australia in small to large flocks (Christie bare, areas for feeding and roosting was developed. & Jessop 2007). The results of six surveys are shown in Counts were conducted in an estimated 20 m section of Tables 1 to 6. In all cases the number of birds were beach containing both beach wrack and bare, or almost significantly higher (Student’s two-tailed T-tests) in bare, sand areas. The survey consisted of 12 counts, one beach wrack than on sand.

Table 1. Ruddy Turnstone count, Danger Table 3. Ruddy Turnstone count, Table 5. Red-necked Stint count, Danger Point 16/09/2017 (Student’s T-test, t = Blackfellows Caves 17/01/2018 (Student’s Point 21/10/2017 (Student’s T-test, t = 4.695, 48 df, P<0.05). T-test, t = 5.028, 48 df, P<0.05). 2.456, 48 df, P<0.05).

Wrack Sand Wrack Sand Wrack Sand Mean 22.41 0.54 Mean 19.29 0.00 Mean 14.46 5.38 SD 22.30 1.35 SD 18.40 0.00 SD 16.23 7.15 Minimum 0 0 Minimum 0 0 Minimum 0 0 Maximum 48 6 Maximum 42 0 Maximum 65 25 N 24 24 N 24 24 N 24 24

Table 2. Ruddy Turnstone count, Danger Table 4. Red-necked Stint count, Danger Table 6. Curlew Sandpiper count, Point 17/10/2017 (Student’s T-test, t = Point 16/09/2018 (Student’s T-test, t = Danger Point 21/10/2017 (Student’s T- 4.500, 48 df, P<0.05). 5.559, 48 df, P<0.05). test, t = 4.227, 48 df, P<0.05).

Wrack Sand Wrack Sand Wrack Sand Mean 18.46 4.13 Mean 45.88 0.71 Mean 5.13 0.54 SD 14.44 4.96 SD 38.94 1.40 SD 5.01 1.14 Minimum 0 0 Minimum 0 0 Minimum 0 0 Maximum 45 15 Maximum 90 5 Maximum 14 5 N 24 24 N 24 24 N 24 24

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Christie, M. & R. Jessop 2007. Shorebirds on the beaches of the Limestone Coast in the South East of South Australia. Thanks to Danny Rogers for initial advice on this project Part B: Shorebird sites of the Limestone Coast South and for assistance with statistical presentation. Thanks Australia. A report prepared by the Friends of Shorebirds also to Ross Anderson and Maureen Christie for initial SE for the Shorebird Conservation Project/WWF advice on the project. Australia. Cutriss, A., G. Maguire, G. Ehmke & M. Weston 2015. REFERENCES Breeding habitat selection in an obligate beach bird: attest of the food resource hypothesis. Marine and Freshwater Campbell, J. & R. Anderson 2007. Shorebirds on the Research. 66:841-846. beaches of the Limestone Coast in the South East of South Duong, H.S. 2008. Investigating the ecological implications of Australia. Part A: Shorebird disturbance on the beaches of wrack removal on South Australian sandy beaches. the Limestone Coast, 2006-2007. A report prepared by the Honours thesis, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Friends of Shorebirds SE for the Shorebird Conservation Australia. Project/WWF Australia. Orr, K.K. 2013. Predicting the ecosystem effects of harvesting beach-cast kelp for biofuel. PhD dissertation, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.

55 Stilt 72 (2018): 56-61 VWSG King Island Trip 2018

VWSG KING ISLAND TRIP 17-26 MARCH 2018 CLIVE MINTON1, ROBYN ATKINSON2, KATHERINE LEUNG3 AND ROB PATRICK4 1165 Dalgetty Road, Beaumaris, Victoria 3193, AUSTRALIA. Email: [email protected] 231 Princess St, Drysdale, Victoria, 3222, AUSTRALIA. 3Mai Po Nature Reserve, HONG KONG. 454 Myers Drive, Shoreham, Victoria, 3196, AUSTRALIA.

The Victorian Wader Studies Group (VWSG) has been retrieving old geolocators. The total number of birds visiting King Island once or twice per year since March caught was 160, including 149 Ruddy Turnstone and 2007. The prime interest has been the Ruddy Turnstone small numbers of Double-banded Plover (9), Red-capped population which spends its non-breeding season there. Plover (1) and Sooty Oystercatcher (1) (Table 2b). This is the 12th year and 20th visit of this long-term study. This visit brings the total number of Ruddy Turnstone The team of nine members visited King Island on 17-26 caught on King Island since VWSG’s first visit in 2007 March 2018 to achieve the following objectives: to 3401 individuals (with 122 individuals of other species • carry out a population count of Ruddy Turnstone on of wader caught) (Table 3). A total of 118 catches have the complete west coast of the island; been made with an mean catch size of 30 birds. • evaluate the breeding success of Ruddy Turnstone Table 4 gives a breakdown of all catches made on in the 2017 Arctic breeding season by measuring the King Island since the first visit in March 2007. percentages of juveniles in catches; Percentage Juveniles • deploy and retrieve geolocators on Ruddy A very low number of juveniles was recorded in the Turnstone; and catches in this visit. There were only four juveniles • facilitate Deakin University’s research project on among the total of 149 birds caught (2.7%) indicating a sampling of birds for the presence of avian diseases. poor breeding season for the King Island Ruddy RESULTS Turnstone in the Arctic summer in 2017. This follows the highest number of juveniles recorded in the previous year Population Count (31.0%). A population count was carried out on the first day (17 Table 5 gives the percentage of juveniles over the past March) during high tide as soon as the team arrived. All 12 years. Only data from the February / March / early known sites along the west coast of the island at which April visits are included because it is thought that there Ruddy Turnstone are regularly present were visited. The are still a small number of juvenile birds on migration total count was 689 individuals. Detailed results of the through King Island, to Tasmanian and New Zealand counts since 2008 are shown in Table 1A. non-breeding areas, in November / December. The mean Although the total number of birds this year dropped juvenile percentage for 12 years of the study was 12.3%. relative to the very high count of 853 birds in March / Ruddy Turnstone is a species subject to wide April 2017, it is still a reasonably high number (second fluctuations in breeding success (Figure 2). In the 12 highest since 2010). The number of birds in the northern years of the study there have been two exceptionally good part was the highest since 2010, contributing 22% of the breeding seasons (the Arctic breeding seasons of 2013 total count, while the number in the southern part was the and 2016) and five years of almost complete breeding lowest in the last five years. The count in the central part failure (the Arctic summers of 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015 remained like previous years, comprising 50% of the total and 2017). count. This extreme variation in breeding success may be It appears that the reduction in population in the early related to the Ruddy Turnstone breeding in the higher years of the study may have ceased with recovery arctic regions of northern Siberia. Geolocator data have following the good Arctic breeding season in 2016 shown that the New Siberian Islands are the centre of the (Figure 1). breeding area of the Turnstones which spend the non- The Turnstone population is also counted when visits breeding season in south-east Australia (VWSG are made to King Island in November-December (Table unpublished data and Simeon Lisovski, Pers. Comm.). 1B). Sex Ratios Catching All Turnstones caught in the March / April period have Despite the challenges from the “typical” King Island assumed enough breeding plumage for their sex to be weather of strong winds and rain, nine catches were made determined (because, unlike many waders, there is a on all eight scheduled catching days during the trip. marked difference in breeding plumage between males Catches were made at eight locations across the northern, and females in Turnstone). In two years when catches central and southern part of the west coast of the island were made in February, sexes were determined by DNA with catch size between 5-41 birds (Table 2a). Even analysis of blood samples. This work is still in progress, though a few catches were small, with less than 10 birds, and the information will be added to the table in due most of them were still valuable catches in terms of course.

56 Stilt 72 (2018): 56-61 VWSG King Island Trip 2018

Figure 1: Population change in Ruddy Turnstone on King Figure 2: Percentage of juveniles in Turnstone catches on Island’s west coast. King Island in Feb-Apr period 2007 to 2018.

Table 1a: Counts of Ruddy Turnstone on the west coast of King Island: Feb/Mar/Apr Mar/ Mar/ Mar/ Mar- Mar- Apr- Apr- Mar- Feb- Feb- Mar- Location 1985* Apr Apr Apr 08 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 09 13 17 The Springs - n.c. n.c. 45 50 20 26 28 23 24 30 50 Whistler Point 106 55 40 4 0 0 0 0 42 2 45 180 Duck Bay, Green Island Point, South Whistler 260 95 115 70 35 70 35 60 53 71 55 Northern part TOTAL 366 180 150 200 124 55 96 63 83 119 103 150 Unlucky Bay 20 n.c. 20 10 48 15 25 15 19 1 40 28 South Porky 28 n.c. 40 0 9 40 25 0 38 35 70 65 Manuka – North (Whalebone) - 65 15 60 35 30 60 63 33 60 32 Manuka - Central 67 220 68 150 50 50 70 50 84 58 54 36 Manuka - South - 67 10 45 35 65 40 24 6 55 39 Dirty Bay - n.c. 22 30 13 n.c. 0 n.c. 0 0 0 8 Currie Harbour - 14 25 15 0 20 26 0 0 39 30 114 Currie Golf Course (Burgess Bay) 330 96 90 85 30 75 42 66 65 25 64 Dripping Wells - 40 40 65 62 40 75 45 30 65 60 50 Central part TOTAL 445 374 432 395 387 245 385 278 324 263 403 352 Seal Bay - 20 n.c. 60 n.c. n.c. 12 43 77 56 68 5 Surprise Bay (including Denby Beach) - 187 80 105 75 70 80 106 71 90 116 43 Stokes Point to Surprise Bay - 40 110 70 25 12 52 66 29 91 67 70 Stokes Point - 90 20 30 50 60 62 49 40 72 72 Southern part TOTAL 0 277 210 295 175 145 164 263 263 215 347 187 TOTAL 811 831 792 890 686 445 645 604 670 597 853 689 Count by D. B. Whitchurch. n.c. = no count.

Table 1b: Counts of Ruddy Turnstone on the west coast of King Island: Nov/Dec

*

Location 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Dec Dec Dec Dec 08 Dec- 1985 Nov/ Nov/ Nov/ Nov- Nov- Nov- Nov- The Springs - - 61 - 55 3 25 28 45 Whistler Point 106 - 0 - 36 112 95 71** 80 Duck Bay, Green Island Point, South Whistler 260 - 130 - Northern part TOTAL 366 - 191 - 91 146 120 99 125 Unlucky Bay 20 - 60 - 11 20 13 0 60 South Porky 28 - 0 - 37 20 0 5 8 Manuka – North (Whalebone) - - 5 - 35 27 Manuka - Central 67 - 60 - 88 145 127 50 25 Manuka - South - - 0 - 13 25 Currie Harbour - - 0 - n.c. n.c. n.c. 0 0 Currie Golf Course (Burgess Bay) 330 - 35 - 69 80 90 69 80 Dripping Wells - - 90 - 60 55 60 60 70 Central part TOTAL 445 - 250 - 265 320 290 232 295 Seal Bay/Black Point - - 200 - n.c. n.c. 150 27 18 Surprise Bay (including Denby Beach) - - 12 - 125 182 1 113 55 Stokes Point to Surprise Bay - - 67 - 32 32 10 0 6 Stokes Point - - 0 - 33 74 60 30 65 Southern part TOTAL 0 - 279 - 190 288 221 170 144 TOTAL 811 413*** 720 608*** 546 754 631 501 564

* Count data by D.B. Whitchurch. **+ 48 at Bungaroo. ***No details available. n.c. = no count.

57 Stilt 72 (2018): 56-61 VWSG King Island Trip 2018

Table 2a: VWSG Catch Details: King Island Visit 17-26 March 2018 Number % % Date Location Species New Retrap Total Male Female Mean weight Juv Juv Male 18 Mar 18 Burgess Bay Ruddy Turnstone 2 9 11 0 - 4 7 36.4 156.9 g (n=11) (1 geo retrieved, Double-banded Plover 0 1 1 0 - 9 deployed) TOTAL 2 10 12 Currie Harbour 155.4 g (n=18, 1 juv. 19 Mar 18 Ruddy Turnstone 14 5 19 1 5.3 9 9 50.0 (16 geos deployed) excluded) South Manuka 20 Mar 18 Ruddy Turnstone 3 5 8 0 - 2 6 25.0 158.5 g (n=8) (8 geos deployed) 139.0 g (n=31, 2 21 Mar 18 North Manuka Ruddy Turnstone 18 15 33 1 3.0 16 16 50.0 birds excluded) (5 geos retrieved, Double-banded Plover 7 0 7 0 - 9 deployed) Red-capped Plover 1 0 1 1 100.0 TOTAL 26 15 41 22 Mar 18 Dripping Wells Ruddy Turnstone 2 4 6 0 - 4 2 66.7 137.8 g (n=6) (2 geos retrieved) Double-banded Plover 1 0 1 0 - TOTAL 3 4 7 158.4 g (n=22, 2 23 Mar 18 Stokes Point Ruddy Turnstone 16 8 24 1 4.2 10 13 43.5 birds excluded) 24 Mar 18 North Manuka Ruddy Turnstone 3 2 5 0 - 0 5 0.0% 145.6 g (n=5) Central Manuka 24 Mar 18 Ruddy Turnstone 5 9 14 0 - 4 10 28.6 159.8 g (n=14) (2 geos retrieved) 163.2 g (n=28, 1 juv. 25 Mar 18 Whistler Point Ruddy Turnstone 24 5 29 1 3.4 10 18 35.7 excluded) Sooty Oystercatcher 1 0 1 1 100.0 TOTAL 25 5 30

Table 2b: Catch Totals for King Island 17-26 March 2018. Nine catches, 42 geolocators deployed, 10 (old) geolocators retrieved, (59 ♂ 86 ♀) 41% males Species New Retrap Total (Juv) %Juv Ruddy Turnstone 87 62 149 4 2.7 Double-banded Plover 8 1 9 0 - Red-capped Plover 1 0 1 1 100 Sooty Oystercatcher 1 0 1 1 100 TOTAL 97 63 160

Table 3: Catches on King Island 2007-2018 Total Turnstone Total birds Date of visit Catches caught caught March 2007 7 241 307 March 2008 8 419 434 March-April 2009 6 223 223 March 2010 8 211 217 November 2010 3 72 72 April 2011 8 197 211 November-December 2011 3 115 117 April 2012 7 118 118 November 2012 5 133 133 March-April 2013 10 255 285 November 2013 2 54 55 March 2014 6 173 181 November-December 2014 6* 146 150 February 2015 5* 119 154 November-December 2015 5 120 158 February 2016 4 75 79 November 2016 4 113 114 March-April 2017 7 216 227 December 2017 5 123 128 March 2018 9 149 160 12 years (20 visits) TOTAL 118 3401 3523 Mean individual catch size: 29 30 Mean catch total per visit: 170 176 *Excludes 2 catches of Silver . 20 visits - 12 in February-April - 8 in November-December

58 Stilt 72 (2018): 56-61 VWSG King Island Trip 2018

Table 4: Individual catch totals, by species, King Island, March 2007 – March 2018 Number Date Species New Retrap TOTAL Juv. % Juv of catches 18 - 25 Mar 2007 7 Ruddy Turnstone 230 11 241 0 0.0 Red-necked Stint 58 2 60 17 28.3 Double-banded Plover 5 0 5 1 20.0 Red-capped Plover 1 0 1 0 0.0 7 - 15 Mar 2008 8 Ruddy Turnstone 354 65 419 75 17.9 Double-banded Plover 7 0 7 0 0.0 Pied Oystercatcher 0 2 2 0 0.0 Oystercatcher (not banded) 6 26 Mar - 2 Apr 2009 6 Ruddy Turnstone 124 99 223 0 0.0 16 - 23 Mar 2010 8 Ruddy Turnstone 123 88 211 30 14.2 Double-banded Plover 5 0 5 4 80.0 Sooty Oystercatcher 1 0 1 1 100.0 26 Nov - 2 Dec 2010 3 Ruddy Turnstone 72 4 - 12 Apr 2011 8 Ruddy Turnstone 122 75 197 29 14.7 Double-banded Plover 8 0 8 3 37.5 Red-necked Stint 2 0 2 0 0.0 Hooded Plover 2 0 2 0 0.0 Red-capped Plover 2 0 2 0 0.0 27 Nov - 2 Dec 2011 3 Ruddy Turnstone 49 66 115 11 9.6 Other waders 2 6 - 14 Apr 2012 7 Ruddy Turnstone 65 53 118 18 15.3 14 - 22 Nov 2012 5 Ruddy Turnstone 133 27 Mar - 4 Apr 2013 10 Ruddy Turnstone 125 130 255 3 1.2 Double-banded Plover 17 1 18 3 16.7 Red-necked Stint 6 0 6 3 50.0 Pied Oystercatcher 3 0 3 3 100.0 Red-capped Plover 2 0 2 0 0.0 Sooty Oystercatcher 1 0 1 0 0.0 18 - 24 Nov 2013 2 Ruddy Turnstone 54 Other waders 1 17 - 25 Mar 2014 6 Ruddy Turnstone 81 92 173 53 30.6 Other waders 8 23 Nov - 1 Dec 2014 6 Ruddy Turnstone 76 70 146 25 17.1 Pied Oystercatcher 3 0 3 0 0.0 Red-capped Plover 1 0 1 0 0.0 7 - 16 Feb 2015 5 Ruddy Turnstone 56 63 119 16 13.4 Red-necked Stint 31 7 22.6 Pied Oystercatcher 4 0 0.0 26 Nov - 3 Dec 2015 5 Ruddy Turnstone 53 67 120 2 1.7 Red-necked Stint 14 3 17 2 11.8 Pied Oystercatcher 15 2 17 0 0.0 Sooty Oystercatcher 2 0 2 0 0.0 Pacific Golden Plover 2 0 2 0 0.0 10 - 17 Feb 2016 4 Ruddy Turnstone 27 48 75 1 1.3 Red-necked Stint 2 1 3 0 0.0 Red-capped Plover 1 0 1 0 0.0 15 - 24 Nov 2016 4 Ruddy Turnstone 113 Pied Oystercatcher 1 28 Mar - 6 Apr 2017 7 Ruddy Turnstone 125 91 216 67 31.0 Hooded Plover 8 0 8 1 12.5 Pied Oystercatcher 2 0 2 0 0.0 Sooty Oystercatcher 1 0 1 0 0.0 4 - 13 Dec 2017 5 Ruddy Turnstone 61 62 123 7 5.7 Pied Oystercatcher 5 0 5 0 0.0 17 - 26 Mar 2018 9 Ruddy Turnstone 87 62 149 4 2.7 Double-banded Plover 8 1 9 0 0.0 Red-capped Plover 1 0 1 1 100.0 Sooty Oystercatcher 1 0 1 1 100.0

59 Stilt 72 (2018): 56-61 VWSG King Island Trip 2018

Except for the first two years, there has been slightly except for two much lower mean weights at Dripping fewer male birds in catch samples (Table 6A). Table 6B Wells (137.8 g, n=6) and at North Manuka (139.9 g, n=38 gives a breakdown of the male / female ratios at each of from two combined catches). the locations sampled each year. In most years the mean weights at the different Weights locations were similar (Table 7). However, clearly During the March 2018 visit the weights of adult Ruddy standing out in the figures are the lower weights for North Turnstone for each catch averaged between 155-163 g, Manuka in six of the ten years sampled. The reason for

Table 5: Juvenile proportions in Turnstone catches on King Table 6a: Sex ratios of Turnstone catches on King Island in Island in Feb-Apr period each year 2007 to 2018 Feb-Apr period 2007 to 2018 Year New Retrap Total Juv % Juv Year Male Female Total adult % Male 2007 230 11 241 0 0.0 2007 125 116 241 51.9 2008 354 65 419 75 17.9 2008 181 163 344 52.6 2009 124 99 223 0 0.0 2009 103 120 223 46.2 2010 123 88 211 30 14.2 2010 90 91 181 49.7 2011 122 75 197 29 14.7 2011 80 88 168 47.6 2012 65 53 118 18 15.3 2012 43 57 100 43.0 2013 125 130 255 3 1.2 2013 118 134 252 46.8 2014 81 92 173 53 30.6 2014 46 74 120 38.3 2015 56 63 119 16 13.4 2015 Not yet available 2016 27 48 75 1 1.3 2016 Not yet available 2017 125 91 216 67 31.0 2017 70 79 149 47.0 2018 87 62 149 4 2.7 2018 59 86 145 40.7 TOTAL 1519 877 2396 296 12.3

Note: Only includes Feb/Mar/April catches, not Nov/Dec catches. Poor Arctic breeding years were 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2017. Very good Arctic breeding years were 2013 and 2016.

Table 6b: Percentage of male Turnstone in catches at various locations on King Island, 2007 to 2018. -11 -11 -12 - 09 09 - 13 - 17 - Mar/ Mar/ Mar/ Mar/ Mar/ Apr Apr Mar-07 Mar-07 Mar-08 Mar-10 Mar-14 Mar-18 Location Apr Apr Apr Comments The Springs 54.5% Trough Bay 16.0% Whistler Point 35.4% 35.7% Whistler Point (South) 48.4% 56.8% 51.4% 33.3% 48.7% Porky Beach 50.0% 41.2% 52.9% Manuka (North) 70.0% 57.1% 56.0% 71.4% 50.0% 38.5% 50.0% 38.9% 30.8% 43.2% Initially high% ♂ Manuka (Central) 42.3% 63.6% 60.4% 44.0% 57.1% 35.0% 30.1% 0% 28.8% Recently Low% ♂ Manuka (South) 46.9% 45.5% 31.8% 40.0% 54.5% 25.0% Low% ♂ Currie Harbour 47.4% 50.0% Currie (Burgess Bay) 53.6% 59.5% 39.0% 41.9% 46.2% 43.3% 39.3% 36.4% Low % ♂ in recent years Dripping Wells 60.0% 43.5% 55.6% 55.5% 66.7% High% ♂ Surprise Bay 51.2% 66.2% 57.1% 73.7% 33.3% 65.0% 47.6% 52.9% High% ♂ Stokes Point 34.2% 27.3% 26.7% 35.3% 37.0% 36.7% 43.5% Low% ♂ Overall (% Male) 51.9% 52.6% 46.2% 49.7% 47.6% 43% 46.8% 38.3% 47.0% 40.7% Decline in % ♂

Table 7: Mean weights (g) of adult Turnstones in each catch (Mar/Apr only) on King Island, 2007 to 2018. Location Mar-07 Mar-08 Mar/Apr09 Mar-10 Apr-11 Apr-12 Mar/Apr-13 Mar-14 Mar/Apr17 Mar-18

The Springs 167.3 South Whistler Point 141.6 164.8 144.5 165.5 168.8 Porky Beach 161.5 161.7 154.7 Manuka (North) 151.8 130.4 137.9 115.4 150.3 165.1 164.2 133.7 147.1 139.9 Manuka (Central) 155.8 125.9 121.8 171.1 167.6 155.8 153.0 153.7 159.8 Manuka (South) 150.5 118.5 159.7 169.4 158.2 158.5 Currie Harbour 165.3 155.4 Currie Golf Course 162.6 134.7 154.8 142.0 170.6 166.1 162.9 156.9 (Burgess Bay) Dripping Wells 140.0 160.7 151.7 151.7 137.8 Surprise Bay 150.7 126.9 130.1 160.6 158.7 161.7 152.2 156.3 Trough Bay 141.6 Stokes Point 131.4 167.0 173.0 174.8 147.3 175.1* 158.4

*Highest ever mean weight of any Turnstone sample caught on King Island. Underlined figures are where mean weights are much lower than the mean weights at other locations on that visit to King Island

60 Stilt 72 (2018): 56-61 VWSG King Island Trip 2018 such low mean weights is unclear, but they suggest a FUTURE paucity of food at this location in some years. In contrast, mean weights of over 170 g have been It is hoped that a similar arrangement of two visits each recorded in three different years at Stokes Point (the year, one in Feb/Mar/Apr and one in the Nov/Dec period, south-western tip of King Island). The mean of 175.1 g will be continued to build up long-term valuable data and there on 2 April 2017, is the highest mean weight of any knowledge on the King Island Ruddy Turnstone sample caught on King Island. population. Such long-term data will be increasingly Captures of individual birds twice during a visit does valuable at a time of population change associated with not occur often, particularly because only one catch at habitat changes in the Flyway and climate change. each site is normally made. However, such recaptures The King Island March 2018 Team: have indicted the ballpark rate of weight gain which can Clive Minton, Robyn Atkinson, Rob Patrick, Robert be achieved. One bird put on 10 g in four days and three Bush, Gary Matthews, Bretan Clifford, Michelle Willie, others gained an average of 9 g in three days. These Alice Risely and Katherine Leung. weight gains of c. 3 g.day-1 are only a little bit lower than the Turnstone achieve at their massive migratory stopover in Delaware Bay (eastern USA) in May each year (5-7 g.day-1) (C. Minton, Delaware Bay, unpublished data). Geolocators Ten old geolocators (seven on yellow flags and three on white flags) were retrieved from this visit. Different flag colours for the geolocators are used each year. The three mounted on white flags would have been two or more years old and those on yellow flags one year old. Together with the 16 geolocators retrieved in December 2017, the total number of geolocators retrieved in the 2017-18 season now becomes 26. A total of 42 new geolocators were deployed on this Figure 3: The team departing King Island after a successful 10-day visit (photo: Katherine Leung) visit. Four of these were deployed on birds with geolocators just retrieved so that consecutive migration tracks may now be able to be recorded. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A total of 376 geolocators have now been deployed The VWSG thanks the following people / parties for their on Turnstone on King Island, with 157 retrieved (42%). contribution towards another successful visit (not in Flag sightings particular order): Eighty-three flag sightings were made during the visit. • Members of the field team for making themselves These sightings were recorded during the recce visits, in available for the visit and their financial contribution between catches or back at the house by examining to cover their airfare and daily expenses; photographs in the evening. All sightings are local • Jenny Marshall for kindly making her house available engraved leg flags, involving 79 Ruddy Turnstone and as headquarters for the team; one Sooty Oystercatcher. Sixty-one of these Ruddy • Graeme and Margaret Batey for providing Turnstone individuals were not caught in any of the nine accommodation for three of the team members at their catches and 12 of them are still carrying “old” geolocators house and for considerable help and support in (11 yellow and one white). fieldwork etc.; • Margaret Bennett for providing space at her house for Deakin University Studies on Avian Pathogen field equipment storage; As per other visits in the past years, Deakin University • The King Island Airlines for transporting us and our collected faecal swabs and blood for the presence of avian equipment to / from King Island with great flexibility. diseases (or the antibodies from previous infections). • The Tasmanian Wildlife Authorities for providing Cross analyses have been made with the geolocator data, ethics approvals and research permits’. with several papers already published. • The Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme for providing bands and banding permits

61 Stilt 72 (2018): 62-65 Waterbird breeding success in the 2017 Arctic Summer

WADER BREEDING SUCCESS IN THE 2017 ARCTIC SUMMER, BASED ON JUVENILE RATIOS OF BIRDS WHICH SPEND THE NON-BREEDING SEASON IN AUSTRALIA CLIVE MINTON1, ROZ JESSOP2, CHRIS HASSELL3, ROB PATRICK 4, ROBYN ATKINSON5 AND ILA MARKS6 1 165 Dalgetty Road, Beaumaris, Victoria 3193, AUSTRALIA. Email: [email protected] 2 Phillip Island Nature Park, PO Box 97, Cowes, Victoria, 3922, AUSTRALIA. 3 PO Box 3089, Broome, Western Australia 6735, AUSTRALIA. 4 54 Myers Drive, Shoreham, Victoria, 3196, AUSTRALIA. 5 31 Princess St, Drysdale, Victoria, 3222, AUSTRALIA. 650 Harold St, Thornbury, 3071, AUSTRALIA.

INTRODUCTION catching to three attempts on Eighty Mile Beach (two at 51 km and one at 13 km south of Anna Plains Station) and The populations of waders that breed in the northern six at Roebuck Bay, Broome, mostly at the west end of hemisphere and migrate to spend the northern hemisphere Quarry Beach etc. Birds were aged using the usual winter in south-east Australia or north-west Australia criteria, based on plumage and primary moult. recorded their worst ever breeding season in 2017. This is based on 40 years of annual monitoring in south-east RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Australia (SEA) and 20 years in north-west Australia (NWA). A powerful cyclone greatly reducing the planned The 2017/18 data are presented, in Tables 1-4. These are fieldwork period in February 2018 in NWA and human drawn up in the same format as is previous years, except errors, equipment failure and ‘bad luck’ impinged on our that the mean percentage juveniles in Tables 3 and 4 now fieldwork results in SEA. 2017/18 was probably the year includes the current year. In SEA some of the we ‘had to have’ (especially after we had been so lucky comparative data goes back for 40 years and in NWA with weather conditions in most other recent years) but it comprehensive data have now been collected for the last was certainly a year we’d like to forget! 20 years. With the long-term data sets it is now more Similar fieldwork programmes are carried out in SEA appropriate to compare results with the long-term mean and NWA each year to try to obtain the best estimates we percentage juvenile figures rather than with the median can of the proportion of juveniles of each species in wader figures used in previous reports. populations in Australia during the November-March Despite various practical difficulties, the total number period. In NWA the fieldwork is concentrated into a of birds contributing to our assessment of the success of three-week Expedition (NWA 2018, on this occasion, the 2017 Arctic breeding season was 1802 in SEA and running from 12 February to 6 March 2018). This was 1252 in NWA. Although these are well down on the usual planned to give ten days cannon netting at Eighty Mile ballpark totals of 3-4000 birds in each area, it is still Beach and six days at Roebuck Bay, Broome. A cyclone, enough to give a reasonable estimate of the proportion of which eventually passed straight over our base at Anna juveniles in all except one of the species (Sanderling – Plains Station, beside Eighty Mile Beach, caused us to SEA) monitored annually in the two regions (Tables 1 & return prematurely to Broome after only three days of 2). A total catch of at least 20 individuals is considered fieldwork at Eighty Mile Beach. We were able to resume necessary to give a worthwhile estimate of the percentage catching activities, at Broome, though restricted by of juveniles. torrential rain, making access to some locations The past year is notable not only for its sampling impossible. We thus lost seven out of the ten planned difficulties but also as a year when the breeding success catching days at Eighty Mile Beach and had only six quite of most of the wader populations seems to have been the restricted catching days at Broome. Despite the worst experienced during the study. All eight species in difficulties we were still able to obtain adequate samples NWA which could be assessed were recorded as having of all the main species we monitor annually in NWA and ‘poor’ breeding success in the 2017 Arctic breeding all but one in SEA. season. This is the first time NWA populations have been so uniformly poor in their apparent reproductive success. METHODS Only one of the main species monitored in NWA reached 10% juveniles, and that was Greater Sand Plover, with As usual all birds used in the percentage juvenile 13.2% juveniles in 2017/18 compared with a long-term calculations were caught by cannon netting, mainly at average of 21.7%. high tide roosts on coastal beaches. In SEA this was The outcome for wader populations spending the non- carried out at the usual range of locations along the central breeding season in SEA was almost as bad, with four out coast and bays of Victoria, plus the west coast of King of six species having their 2017 breeding performance Island (Tasmania) and the south-east corner of South classed as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The stand-out exception Australia. In NWA weather disruptions restricted was Sharp-tailed Sandpiper which appears to have had a

62 Stilt 72 (2018): 62-65 Waterbird breeding success in the 2017 Arctic Summer

Table 1. Percentage of juvenile (first year) waders in cannon-net catches in south-east Australia 2017/2018. No. of catches Total Juveniles Long-term mean* Assessment of 2017 Species Large (≥50) Small (<50) caught No. % % juvenile (years) breeding success Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 4 6 946 36 3.8 15.1 (40) Very Poor Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 2 5 259 14 5.4 14.6 (38) Poor Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 0 1 49 10 20.4 21.6 (29) Average Red Knot C. canutus 0 2 21 7 33.3 54.4 (20) Poor Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1 18 345 24 7.0 15.9 (28) Poor Sanderling C. alba 0 1 6 1 - 14.5 (26) - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata 1 2 176 49 27.8 15.9 (34) Very Good

All birds cannon-netted in the period 2th November to 25th March except Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper to end February only and some Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling to early April and one Sanderling catch in late April (2015). *Includes the 2017/2018 figures. Table 2. Percentage of juvenile (first year) waders in cannon-net catches in north-west Australia 2017/2018. No. of catches Total Juveniles Long-term mean* Assessment of 2017 Species Large (>50) Small (<50) caught No. % % juvenile (years) breeding success Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 4 3 661 16 2.6 10.7 (20) Poor Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 2 2 133 4 3.0 10.4 (20) Poor Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis 0 3 73 5 8.1 18.8 (20) Poor Red Knot C. canutus 0 4 74 4 5.4 15.8 (19) Poor Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 1 2 62 5 8.1 17.4 (20) Poor Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 0 3 8 1 (12.5) - - Non-arctic northern migrants Greater Sand Plover Charadrius 1 5 174 23 13.2 21.7 (20) Poor leschenaultii Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 0 3 26 1 3.8 12.5 (19) Poor Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus 0 4 41 3 7.3 18.9 (19) Poor brevipes

All birds cannon-netted in period 1 November to mid-March *Includes the 2017/18 figures Table 3. Percentage of juvenile (first year) birds in wader catches in south-east Australia 1998/1999 to 2017/2018. Year

Mean Species (last

98/99 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 20yrs) Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria 6.2 29 10 9.3 17 6.7 12 28 1.3 19 0.7 19 26 10 2.4 38 17 2.3 28.6 7.0 14.5 interpres Red-necked Stint Calidris 32 23 13 35 13 23 10 7.4 14 10 15 12 20 16 22 17 19 6.0 31.3 3.8 17.0 ruficollis Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 4.1 20 6.8 27 15 15 22 27 4.9 33 10 27 (-) 4 3.3 40 5.1 1.9 47.6 5.4 16.8 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. 11 10 16 7.9 20 39 42 27 12 20 3.6 32 (-) 5 18 19 16 8.9 (-) 27.8 18.6 acuminata Sanderling C. alba 10 13 2.9 10 43 2.7 16 62 0.5 14 2.9 19 21 2 2.8 21 14 6.8 17.5 (-) 15.1 Red Knot C. canutus (2.8) 38 52 69 (92) (86) 29 73 58 (75) (-) (-) 78 68 (-) (95) (100) (100) 90.3 33.3 58.8 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa 41 19 3.6 1.4 16 2.3 38 40 26 56 29 31 10 18 19 45 15 26.7 12.5 20.4 23.5 lapponica

All birds cannon-netted between 15th November and 25th March, except Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper to end February only and some Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling to early April and one Sanderling catch in late April (2015). Averages (for 20 years) exclude figures in brackets (small samples) and include 2017/2018 figures. very good breeding season, with 27.8% juveniles. Bar- also seem to be having a bad period, with three successive tailed Godwit were also classed as having an average poor breeding years. breeding season. This population of Bar-tailed Godwits Overall, it appears that the migratory waders from (subsp. baueri) breeds in Alaska, whereas those in NWA both SEA and NWA have had more than their fair share (subsp. menzbieri) breed in Yakutia, in northern Siberia. of poor breeding results in recent years. In SEA it now In NWA Great Knot seem to be having a particularly means that in two of the last three breeding seasons there bad run of breeding seasons, with 6.6% juveniles only have been very poor breeding outcomes. This is certainly being bettered once in the last seven breeding seasons. not what is needed considering that the wader populations Greater Sand Plovers, which used to reliably have 20- in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are also suffering 30% juveniles in their populations during the non- a severe impact from the reduced food supplies on breeding season, have now had three successive poor migration. This is due to the huge losses of feeding habitat breeding outcomes, with percentage juveniles only 10- in the Yellow Sea caused by extensive land reclamation 13%. In NWA Terek Sandpipers and Grey-tailed Tattlers over the last 30 years.

63 Stilt 72 (2018): 62-65 Waterbird breeding success in the 2017 Arctic Summer

Table 4. Percentage of juvenile (first year) birds in wader catches in north-west Australia 1998/1999 to 2017/2018 Year Mean

Species (last 20yrs) 98/99 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 26 46 15 17 41 10 13 20 21 20 10 17 18 24 15 19 10 11.1 17.2 6.8 18.8 Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 9.3 22 11 19 15 7.4 21 37 11 29 10 35 24 1 1.9 23 18 0.7 40.3 8.1 17.4 Great Knot C. tenuirostris 2.4 4.8 18 5.2 17 16 3.2 12 9.2 12 6 41 24 6 6.6 5 6 5.7 9.0 2.6 10.7 Red Knot C. canutus 3.3 14 9.6 5.4 32 3.2 (12) 57 11 23 12 52 16 8 1.5 8 13 2.7 21.6 5.4 15.8 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 2.0 10 4.8 15 13 9.0 6.7 11 8.5 8 4 28 21 8 7.6 17 5 10.3 11.0 3.0 10.4 Non-arctic northern migrants Greater Sand Plover Charadrius 25 33 22 13 32 24 21 9.5 21 27 27 35 17 19 28 21 20 10.5 12.4 13.2 21.7 leschenaultii Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 12 (0) 8.5 12 11 19 14 13 11 13 15 19 25 5 12 15 12 9.2 5.8 3.8 12.5 Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus 26 (44) 17 17 9.0 14 11 15 28 25 38 24 31 20 18 16 19 8.9 14.5 7.3 18.9 brevipes

All birds cannon-netted in the period 1 November to mid-March. Averages exclude figures in brackets (small samples) but include 2017/2018 figures.

Table 5. Percentage of juvenile (first year) birds in wader catches in south-east Australia in period 1978/79 to 2017/18 Species Mean % juvenile 78/79 Mean % juvenile Long-term mean to 97/98 (years) 98/99 to 17/18 (years) % juvenile (years) Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 13.2 (20) 17.0 (20) 15.1 (40) Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 12.4 (19) 16.8 (19) 14.6 (38) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata 12.8 (16) 18.6 (18) 15.9 (34) Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 19.4* (8) 14.5 (20) 15.9 (28) Sanderling C. alba 13.1 (7) 15.1 (19) 14.5 (26) Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 17.7 (9) 23.4 (20) 21.6 (29) Red Knot C. canutus 50.0 (10) 58.8 (10) 54.4 (20) Averages include 2017/18 figures *10.7 if one exceptional figure of 80 is omitted

Long-term trends CONCLUSION

Despite these poor breeding outcomes in recent years With the 2017 Arctic breeding season being apparently there is an apparent long-term trend of increased average the most unsuccessful since our detailed recording of the percentage juveniles in the wader populations which visit percentage juveniles in Australian wader populations SEA (Table 5). With up to 40 years of data now available began (40 year ago in SEA and 20 years ago in NWA) it on the seven species monitored annually in SEA all but is to be hoped that the 2018 breeding season brings a one had a higher percentage of juveniles in the last 20 marked turn-around in fortunes. The critical events will years (1998/99 to 2017/18) compared with the first 20 mostly take place in the Arctic in June and July 2018, but years (1978/79 to 197/98). Even the exception – Ruddy we will have to wait until the bulk of the wader Turnstone – showed the same pattern if one outlier (80% populations have reached Australia in November / juveniles in 1991/92) is omitted from the calculations. December 2018 before we will really start to have an idea Fuller examination of the data incorporating statistical of 2018 breeding outcomes. Let us hope that there is a tests and plotting trend lines will be carried out. marked improvement to celebrate. Let us also hope for If these preliminary results are genuine, it will be a more conducive catching conditions in the next non- particularly interesting finding. There are several possible breeding season in Australia! explanations. One is that it is an effect of climate change – the small and slow amelioration of the climate on the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS breeding grounds, apparent in an increase in July temperatures, has increased egg hatching success and / or We are extremely grateful to the fieldwork teams of the chick survival rates. Another possible explanation is that Victorian Wader Study Group in SEA and the AWSG the lower populations now present in most wader species NWA 2018 team for all the fieldwork effort they have put are leading to a higher quality of environment for present in to try to obtain the best possible samples for breeding populations on the breeding grounds (and maybe also at season outcome assessments in our wader populations. migration stopovers or in the non-breeding areas). Birds Their perseverance under often unsympathetic weather are therefore breeding, migrating and / or surviving more conditions has been remarkable. successfully than formerly – the process of ‘natural Thanks to the authorities who granted the necessary regulation of animal numbers’ or density dependence. It ethics and banding permits in Victoria, Tasmania, South would be encouraging if we could demonstrate that such Australia and Western Australia are all thanked. processes are now coming into play in the markedly Thanks as well to the editor for valuable comments changing wader environment. and revisions.

64 Stilt 72 (2018): 62-65 Waterbird breeding success in the 2017 Arctic Summer

Financial assistance in NWA by the WA Parks and IWSG Special Publication 17 and Wetlands International Wildlife Department was greatly appreciated. The Global Global Series 18. Flyway Network are thanked for supporting Chris Minton, C., R. Jessop, P. Collins & C. Hassell. 2000. 1999 Hassell. Arctic breeding success from Australian perspective. Arctic Birds 2:19-20. Minton, C., R. Jessop & C. Hassell. 2016. Wader breeding REFERENCES success in the 2015 Arctic summer, based on juvenile Minton, C., R. Jessop, P. Collins & K. Gosbell 2005. ratios of birds which spend the non-breeding season in Monitoring Wader Breeding Productivity by the Australia. Stilt 69/70:91-93 proportion of first year birds in wader populations in S.E. Arctic Birds website: http://www.arcticbirds.net/doc.html Australian non-breeding areas. Pp. 73-85. In: Straw, P. (Ed.) Status and Conservation of Shorebirds in East Asian- Australasian Flyway. Proceedings of the Australian Shorebirds Conference, Canberra, Dec. 2003.

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STILT - INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

Stilt is the journal of the Australasian Wader Studies Group. We welcome manuscripts presenting new information on the waders (shorebirds) of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and nearby parts of the Pacific region from both amateurs and professionals. Authors should send their manuscript by email to the editor at [email protected]. Authors are strongly encouraged to consult these instructions in conjunction with the most recent issue of Stilt when preparing their manuscripts. Authors are asked to carefully check the final typescript for errors and inconsistencies to minimise delays in publication. Authors are also encouraged to seek collegial advice on writing style and English before submitting manuscripts. Material sent to Stilt is assumed to be original and must not have been submitted for publication elsewhere. All authors listed must agree to the publication of the material. Please refer to the Stilt Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement for further information in relation to co-authorship and similar matters. The Publication Ethics statement is available at www.awsg.org.au/stilt. All submissions are subject to peer review. If a revision is requested corresponding authors must submit the revised manuscript by the requested date or seek an extension. Stilt is produced in one issue per year. Suitable material submitted before 1st July will normally be published in the next issue of Stilt in November. Late submissions may be accepted at the editor’s discretion. Submissions should be presented in a Microsoft Word version compatible with Office 2010 (version 14) or later. If authors are unable to access newer versions of Word, then files in .rtf format may be acceptable following liaison with the editor. All contributions, including table and figure captions and references, should be double spaced in 11 pt Times New Roman font. Tables should be in 10 pt Times New Roman. Please refer to the most recent version of Stilt for table styles. If photographs or grayscale images are to be included, please submit images in one of the following formats: jpg, jpeg, tiff, gif, bmp, pdf, pcx or eps. Figures, photos or other graphics exceeding 2 MB in size should be forwarded as separate files, clearly labelled to enable cross-referencing. Please ensure that photographs are of highest possible quality. Poor quality images will not be accepted. Stilt publishes research papers, short communications, reports, book reviews, conference abstracts (usually only from the Australasian Shorebird Conference), notifications of AWSG committee matters and state-wide wader group reports. Research papers and short communications are peer-reviewed, and authors are welcome to suggest one or more suitable reviewers. Other material will usually be edited only, although reports may receive one or more reviews at the editor's discretion.

RESEARCH PAPERS Research papers should document the outcome of original research from wader scientific studies and monitoring of waders. Please note at present, Stilt does not publish keywords. Research papers should contain the following sections:

TITLE - in bold, capitalised type. AUTHORS NAME AND ADDRESS - JOHN SMITH1, STEPHEN BROWN2 AND MAX WELL3 1 1 Main St., Melbourne 3001 Victoria, AUSTRALIA 2 Department of Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia 4068 Qld. AUSTRALIA 3 Birds Singapore, National University, Jurong N4321 SINGAPORE RUNNING TITLE - a short version of the title of approximately 50 characters. ABSTRACT - This will summarise the main findings of the study, preferably in fewer than 200 words. INTRODUCTION - This should be a short section of about half a journal page to “set the scene” and explain to the reader why the study was important. It should end with a clear definition of the aims of the study. METHODS - This will describe the methods used in the study in sufficient detail to enable the work to be repeated. RESULTS - The key findings of the study are provided here. Where feasible, data should be presented in figures and/or tables. DISCUSSION - This section explains the significance of the major results obtained, their relevance to other work, and implications for future research. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - In this section the author(s) should thank others who have contributed to the work. If applicable, ethics committee approvals and funding sources should be detailed. REFERENCES - This section gives details of all the literature cited in the paper. References should be in alphabetic and then chronological order with multi-authored references after single author citations by the same author. Examples of the required format follow: Single author papers: Smith, F.T.H. 1964. Wader observations in southern Victoria, 1962-1963. Australian Bird Watcher 2:70-84. Multi-authored papers: Dann, P., R.H. Loyn & P. Bingham 1994. Ten years of water bird counts in Westernport Victoria 1973-83. II. Waders, gulls and terns. Australian Bird Watcher 15:351-67. Books: Kershaw, K.A. 1964. Quantitative and dynamic ecology. Edward Arnold, London.

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Reports: Noor, Y.R. 1994. A status overview of shore birds in Indonesia. Pp. 178-88. In: Wells, D.R. & T. Mundur. (Eds.) Conservation of migratory water birds and their wetland habitats in the East Asian Australia Flyway. Asian Wetland Bureau, Malaysia. Online material: Dutson G., S. Garnett & C. Gole 2009. Australia’s Important Bird Areas: Key sites for bird conservation. Birds Australia (RAOU) Conservation Statement Number 15. Available at http://www.birdlife.org.au/document/OTHPUB-IBA-supp.pdf (accessed 10 August 2012). TABLES - There should be no lines in the table except at the top and bottom of the table and below the column headings. All tables should be prepared using the word processing table function and included after the Reference section. Please do not produce tables created as lists using tab stops. FIGURES - Figures should be placed after Tables. All maps should have a border, distance scale, reference latitude and longitude and/or inset map to enable readers unfamiliar with the area to locate the site in an atlas. Google Maps and Google Earth images will be accepted but are discouraged as they reproduce poorly in print. Line figures are preferred. At their minimum, Google Earth images should retain the Google trademark device and year of image publication. APPENDICES - Appendices should supplement but not repeat material elsewhere (i.e. in tables and figures). Appendices should be accompanied by a self-explanatory caption. Formatting should follow that for other manuscript components. Stilt does not have the capacity to accommodate Supplementary Material Online.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS These will present material, insufficient for a research paper, on any matters relating to the flyway and the shorebirds in it. They are not usually subdivided like research papers and do not require an abstract. Generally, short communications should be word documents less than six pages 1.5-spaced including all tables, figures and photographs.

REPORTS Reports are intended to provide updates on wader group activities, regular monitoring and related topics. Reports will not usually be subject to peer-review, although the editor and editorial board reserve the right to send reports out for review if they feel another opinion on content is required. Reports should be written in the same style as research papers with the exception that an abstract is not required. Results and Discussion may be combined into a single section “RESULTS AND DISCUSSION”. All other formatting should follow that described under Research Papers.

STILT STYLISTIC MATTERS The terms "summer" and "winter" should be avoided, if possible. Instead, it is recommended that authors use the terminology "breeding" and "non-breeding". If this is not possible, a clear explanation of the month(s) referred to are necessary. East Asian-Australasian Flyway (not East-Asian Australasian Flyway) should be spelt out in full on first mention and then subsequently written as EAAF. Subsequent mention of the EAAF as the flyway should be title case, as in, Flyway. Directions should be lower case and hyphenated, as in "north-west" not "North West". Coordinates should be listed in degrees and minutes, usually with the northing (or southing) first followed by the easting, as in Bagan Serdang (3o 42' N, 98o 50' E).

OTHER MATTERS In general, nomenclature of Australian birds should follow Christidis, L. & W. Boles. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. CSIRO Publishing, Australia. The first reference to a species in the text should have the scientific name in italics after the common name. Where alternative nomenclature is used, the appropriate reference(s) should be clearly cited. For all manuscripts, first level headings should be BOLD and UPPERCASE, second level headings should be Bold and lower case and further subheadings in italics. All measurements must be in the metric system and SI units where appropriate (e.g. mm, km, oC etc). Rates should be recorded as, for example, d-1 rather than /day or per day. Whole numbers one to nine should be spelled out, unless associated with a unit (e.g. 5 g) and numbers 10 onwards given in numerals. Full binomial names should be given on the first occasion a common name for an organism is used. Authors are encouraged to examine previous recent issues of Stilt for examples of the presentation of different types of material. The editor is happy to advise on issues that cannot be so resolved.

67 EDITORIAL TEAM

Editor: Please note: Dr Greg Kerr, 20 Morgan Street, • Views and opinions expressed in Stilt are those of Port Lincoln, SA 5606, AUSTRALIA. the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Ph: +61 (0)8 8683 4454. AWSG or BirdLife Australia. Email: [email protected] • Publication of data in Stilt does not constitute permission for the commercial Tattler Editor: use of those data. All such inquiries should Liz Crawford be directed to the Editor. 17 The Quarterdeck, • The AWSG holds copyright to Stilt. Carey Bay NSW 2283, AUSTRALIA. • The Editorial Team does its best to ensure the Email: [email protected] accuracy of information published in Stilt, but it is

recommended that anyone wishing to cite material Production Editor: within Stilt contact the relevant authors. Nancy Van Nieuwenhove

Email: [email protected] Back Issues: Editorial Board: All back issues are available in PDF format from the AWSG Dr Danny Rogers website . Most volumes are also Email: [email protected] available in print as back issues. Please contact the Secretary Dr Marcel Klaassen ([email protected]) for details of costs and availability. Email: [email protected] Dr Phil Battley Deadlines: Email: [email protected] The closing dates for submission of material is 1st July for Dr Zhijun Ma the November edition. Email: [email protected] Dr Birgita Hansen Extensions to these dates must be discussed with the Email: [email protected] Editor. Contributors of research papers and notes are encouraged to submit well in advance of these dates to allow Regional Literature Compilation: time for refereeing. Other contributors are reminded that they Clinton Schipper will probably have some comments to consider, and possibly 2 Orchard Dve, Croydon Vic 3136, incorporate, at some time after submission. It would be AUSTRALIA. Ph: (03) 9725 3368 appreciated if this could be done promptly.

Website abstracts: Ian Endersby

Stilt 72 - November 2018

Table of Contents

Treasurer's report for 2017 - B. Hansen ………………………………………………………………….. 1

Research The migratory movements of Eastern Australian Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes from Moreton Bay, South-East Queensland – J. T. Coleman, D. A. Milton and H. Akutsu ….…………………… 2-8 Waders Southward migration studies on West Kamchatka – G. Gerasimov, I. Tiunov, A. Matsyna, H. Tomida and R. Bukhalova …………………………………………….……………………………. 9-14 Coastal shorebird survey in the province of North Pyongan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, April 2017 – A. Riegan, D. S. Melville, W. Hare, N. Milius, H. Chol Ko, S. I Ju, H. Song Hong, S. Ho Kim and C. Song Ri…………………………………...………...... 15-20 Coastal shorebird survey in the province of North Pyongan, democratic people’s Republic of Korea, April 2018 – A. Riegan, D. S. Melville, K. Woodley, S. Il Ri, S. I Ju, C. Ju Ri, H. Kim Ji and C. Song Ri……………………………………………………………………………………………… 21-26 Shorebird surveys at the Coast of West Sumatra province, Indonesia: 2017-2018 - M. N. Janra, A. Mursyid, Aadrean, G. Indra, M. Ringga and M. Ikhsan……………………………………………… 27-32

Short Communications Observations on Australian Pied Oystercatchers foraging in grasslands and watered recreational areas in South Australia – K. Jones, D. Potter, K. Evans……………………...... 33-35 Bill deformities in two Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris in Botany Bay, New South Wales – M. Mo ……………………………...... 36-38 Javan plover Charadrius javanicus nesting amongst crop cultivations on a riverbed – A. Crossland and A. Sitorus …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 39-41 Recent records of Terek sandpiper Xenus cinereus in the Solomon Islands – S. Butcher, A. C. Crossland, N. D. Mugan, P. Crutchley and J. Kakes.………………………………………………… 42-44 Status of Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis in Mongolia – G. Sundev and D. S. Melville……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 45-48 Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos on Siberut, Mentawai Islands, the first record for Sumatra, Indonesia – I. Taufiqurrahman, I. Saumanuk and A. Setiawan………………………………………. 49-50 Whimbrel takes action to avoid impact of cyclone – C. Minton, C. Hassell and K. Leung……………… 51-54 The importance of beach-wrack for migratory shorebirds – J. Campbell………………………………... 55

Reports VWSG King Island trip (17-26 March 2018) – C. Minton, R. Atkinson, K. Leung and R. Patrick…….. 56-61 Wader breeding success in the 2017 Arctic Summer, based on juvenile ratios of birds which spend the non-breeding season in Australia. C. Minton, R. Jessop, C. Hassell, R. Patrich, R. Atkinson and I. Marks…………………………………………………………………..……………………….. 62-65

Instructions to Authors…………………………………………………………………………………….. 66-67

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