Hooded Plover Surveys

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The Hooded Plover summer 2006 survey was held on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February. The success of these surveys is often determined by the preceding weather patterns and this year was no exception. Severe tropical cyclone Clare crossed the Pilbara coast on Monday 9 January. The remains of cyclone Clare continued to move south, producing heavy rain and some flooding through inland parts and the south-west land division. Flooding was particularly significant in the area around Lake Grace in the Great Southern district where 224 mm of rain was recorded in a 24-hour period on the 12-13 January. The high water levels at lakes and inlets were still evident at the time of this survey.

A wet winter and the coolest summer for the last 50 years were contributing factors to many lakes remaining full. The lakes to the south of the Stirling Ranges were all flooded with no access and no available beaches for waders. The lower count at Yalgorup National Park was perhaps the result of above average winter and January rains, resulting in high water levels and flooded beaches for some months. Coastal lakes around Esperance were reported as full with little beach around them. Reports from Lake Kwornicup mentioned the highest water level seen, with 80% of the lake covered by shallow water. Lake Chillinup and Lake Quarderwardup also had high water levels. Stokes Inlet could not be surveyed because of flooding. High water levels have existed for years at Lake Gore that had little or no beach. The Hooded Plover survey was mentioned in the Esperance Express, Albany Advertiser and Augusta-Margaret River Mail, thanks to the promotional efforts of our regional volunteers.

Survey Results
This year's survey was very successful with the highest count of Hooded Plovers recorded since 2002. However the percentage of juveniles was lower than the previous two years (Table 1).

Table 1: A comparison of the data collected over summer surveys from 2002 to 2006

No Hooded Plover observations were reported around the Perth metropolitan area or the Peel Inlet. Yalgorup National Park had lower numbers than usual, which was attributed to the lake's high water levels. Population numbers remained stable on the Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste beaches despite increased pressures from people, dogs and vehicles. For example, in 2003, 45 Hooded Plovers were seen, in 2004 there were 21, 2005 18 and 2006 23. A high concentration of Hooded Plovers was found on the near coastal farmland lakes between Jerdacuttup Lakes and Young River Station. Hooded Plovers were identified in this area during the Common Starling survey held in November 2005. The beaches to the west of Esperance and the lakes to the north of Esperance produced some good counts. Flocks of Hooded Plover were mentioned at some inland sites, for example, Bennetts Lake (23) and Benji Benjenup Lake (47). Breeding results were recorded near Munglinup, Cape Arid and Gracetown.

Note: HPMR = Hooded Plover Management Region

Table 2: Locations and results of the summer 2006 survey of Hooded Plovers.

Interesting observations and anecdotes recorded during the survey are listed:

• At Lake Shaster Farm (site 4) Hooded Plovers were observed along the lake edge sheltering and foraging in and through dead flora.
• Near Mason Bay Hooded Plovers were seen resting on a limestone mould 5 m from water.
• Hooded Plovers were sighted at Lake Jebarjub which was described as a lake with a grey sandy-clay beach covered in a hairlike matting of water weed and pink shell-grit gastropods.
• Hooded Plovers at Gracetown were seen feeding on a limestone reef, adjoining the beach at low tide.
• At Fourth Beach, Esperance, Hooded Plovers were seen feeding on exposed reef at the water�s edge.
• Hooded Plovers were found with Red-necked Stints at a lake to the west of Barkers Inlet.
• Along the south coastal stretch between Parry's Beach and Boat Harbour the seven Hooded Plovers sighted in adult plumage were reported as having yellow coloured legs.
• Hooded Plovers were found at the southern end of Benje-Benjenup Lake on sandy clay soil among old stumps.
• At Hassell Beach Hooded Plovers were feeding along a fresh water stream, still running but that disappeared into the sand about 500 m from the sea.
• Hooded Plovers were seen making a nest cup at Hassell Beach on 23 January 2006.
• A big ocean swell made beach surveying difficult east of Windy Harbour.

Conservation threats
The main conservation threats identified at beaches were people, dogs, four wheel drive vehicles and cats. There were some reports of vehicles on beaches driving straight through flocks of roosting birds. Many vehicles on the beach were driving along the front of the dunes. At inland lakes foxes were identified as the main threat.

Acknowledgements
This year's participation rate was high and I thank everyone for their valuable time and contributions. The following individuals and organisations are acknowledged and thanked.

We received assistance from Pemberton Discovery Tours.
Christine Wilder completed her annual trek along the south coast from Augusta to Broke Inlet.
Birds Australia members made an enormous contribution.
A special word of thanks for the Hooded Plover regional coordinators who organised the volunteers in their districts: Dick Rule (Yalgorup), Tony France (Myalup), Natalie Dillon (Margaret River), David Edmonds (Walpole), Tina Smith (Denmark), Anne Bondin (Albany), Anne Gadsby (Bremer Bay) and Ken Read (Esperance).
Suzanne Mather, Frank O'Connor, Stewart Houghton, Stella Stewart-Wynne, Joyce and David Ballard and Phyllis Bentley for their south coast field trip.
The members of the Hooded Plover sub-committee: Kate Creed, Stewart Houghton, John Lauri and Trevor Stoneman.
The support and assistance received each year from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and their staff, in particular Allan Rose at Cape Arid National Park, Garry Carr at Fitzgerald River National Park and the many other national park rangers who assisted.

Marcus Singor
Chairperson, Hooded Plover Sub-Committee