The distribution and local movements of shorebirds within the Moray Firth

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Section B. Biological Sciences
• Main Authors: Symonds, F. L., Langslow, D. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
• Subjects: General Medicine; Midwinter; Arenaria interpres; Calidris alpina; Calidris canutus; Dunlin; Numenius arquata; Ringed Plover
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0269727000009283; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0269727000009283

Synopsis The shorebird populations of the Moray Firth mudflats were studied between 1981 and 1985. Peak numbers of waders were found in midwinter when the total population may exceed 36,000 birds. More than 1% of the total northwest European population of oystercatchers ( Haematopus osiralegus ), redshank ( Tringa totanus ), bar-tailed godwit ( Limosa tapponica ) and knot ( Calidris canutus ) were recorded. Wildfowl reach peak numbers in October and November (approximately 45,000); numbers decline gradually thereafter as some birds move on to wintering sites elsewhere in Britain. Ringing and colour-marking studies showed that turnstone ( Arenaria interpres ), curlew ( Numenius arquata ), ringed plover ( Charadrius hialicula ), oystercatcher and redshank remained loyal to selected feeding areas within the Moray Firth while bar-tailed godwit, knot and dunlin ( Calidris alpina ) ranged widely throughout the winter. These observations are discussed in relation to the value of the Moray Firth to shorebirds and the problems posed by the reclamation of intertidal habitats and pollution of the intertidal areas.