DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBERS OF COASTAL WADERS (CHARADRII) IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA, SUMMER 1975–76

Abstract

Summary Summers, R. W., Cooper, J. & Pringle, J. S. 1970. Distribution and numbers of coastal waders (Charadrii) in the southwestern Cape, South Africa, summer 1975–76. Ostrich 48: 85–97. A survey of the distribution and numbers of waders (suborder Charadrii) in the coastal regions of the southwestern Cape was conducted from November 1975 to February 1976. Forty-four coastal wetlands and 49 sections of coastline were visited between the Olifants and Groot-Brak rivers. The estimated total wader population was 119 008 of which 102 841 (86,4%) were Palaearctic migrants. Langebaan Lagoon and the Berg estuary supported the largest numbers. The Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea and Sanderling Calidris alba were the most numerous species. The abundance of waders was greater on west coast shores than along the south coast.