Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Van Dijk A.J., De Roder F.E., Marteijn E.L. & Spiekman H. (1990) Summering waders on the Banc d'Arguin Mauritania a census in june 1988. ARDEA 78 (1-2): 145-156
In June 1988 all waders and other waterbirds present in the Parc National du Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, were censused. This was the first time ever the whole area was counted in summer. A total of 372 600 birds were counted (ca. 16% of the number in winter). The lion's share (290 100) were waders (ca. 13% of the winter population of waders). The most abundant species were Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Turnstone, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper and Whimbrel. The distribution of birds over the area in June 1988 was quite similar to the distribution in winter 1980. Of the 45,000 waders checked for moulting flight feathers, 45-97% of the Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone were in wing moult. The majority of species was in winter plumage, but 30-44% of Grey Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin were in summer plumage. The percentage of adult birds was low. Most birds present in summer are obviously one year old, but depending on the species various reasons are given why also appreciable number of older birds might be present in summer on the Banc d'Arguin.


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