WADER POPULATIONS (CHARADRII) OF THE MARINE LITTORAL OF THE CAPE PENINSULA, SOUTH AFRICA

Summary

Pringle, J. S. & Cooper, J. 1977. Wader populations (Charadrii) of the marine littoral of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Ostrich 48: 98–105.

Waders (Charadrii) were counted regularly on two stretches of coastline, totalling 5,6 km, on the Cape Peninsula from January 1975 to July 1976. Eight Palaearctic species and seven indigenous species were observed. Arrival of migrants extended from mid-August to January. Autumn departure of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea occurred approximately six weeks before departure of Sanderlings C. albu. No overwintering populations of migrant waders were observed. Information is presented which suggests that overwintering Turnstones Arenaria interpres, but not Sanderlings, Maycongregate at a sheltered coastal wetland. Observations of marked birds suggest that individual Sanderlings regularly use particular feeding localities. Populations of indigenous waders showed little seasonal variation in numbers, Flocking was observed in winter.