Authors: MÚRIAS, T., CABRAL, J. A., LOPES, R. and MARQUES, J. C.
Published: Volume 44(1), June 1997. Pages 79-91.
Language: English
Keywords: assemblage description, Mondego estuary, Portugal, use of habitat and waders.
Summary:
From October 1993 to October 1994 a study was carried out in the Mondego estuary (west Portugal) in order to characterise the patterns of occurrence and use of habitats by waders. An accumulated total of about 14000 birds distributed over 17 species was recorded. The winter was the most important season of occurrence, although many birds were also present during the migratory periods, especially in spring (April and May). Mudflats were the prefered feeding areas for most species, but nearly all used the "salinas" as complementary feeding areas (only two species did not fed at all in this habitat). Marked seasonal differences were observed in the use of "salinas". Only 15% of the total population of all species occurred there in winter. Conversely, 65% used the habitat during summer, while during the migratory passages of spring and autumn we recorded intermediate but similar values (24% and 26%, respectively). The winter wader assemblage in the Mondego estuary are similar to those of the Atlantic estuaries of the western Portuguese Atlantic coast (excluding the Tagus), but it was different from those of the Algarve coast. Some possible explanations for the differences found among the main Portuguese estuaries are presented and discussed. Overall, the importance of the wader assemblages in the Mondego estuary seems to have been somewhat under-estimated until now.
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