The importance of Hutt Lagoon and fossil river estuaries to shorebirds in mid Western Australia

Abstract

Little is known about the dynamics of the shorebird populations of the mid Western Australian coastline between Kalbarri and Geraldton, as this area is remote and sparsely populated. We surveyed shorebirds at several sites in this region, including fossil river estuaries from intermittent rivers (Hutt, Bowes and Greenough Rivers) and wetlands on the western shoreline of Hutt Lagoon and around Port Gregory. Totals of 21 migratory shorebird species and 9 Australian-breeding shorebird species were recorded from 64 visits in 2006–2010 and 87 visits in 2017–2018. The highest counts related to Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus (652), Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus (300) and Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (300). The highest numbers of most species were recorded at Hutt Lagoon and associated semi-permanent wetlands near Port Gregory, with mean counts in 2017–2018 of 109 migratory shorebirds (mainly Red-necked Stints) and 227 Australian-breeding shorebirds (mainly Banded Stilts), from the accessible part of that wetland system. This shows the importance of such wetlands in providing shorebird habitat in the region. None of the wetlands met criteria for international importance.