Late in the afternoon, as the sun set over the western boundary of the Diamantina National Park in the far west semi-desert country of Queensland, we observed three Inland Dotterels.
Vehicles of the Birds Queensland September 2013 Bird Atlas Expedition were returning to base along a track from Scotts Tank over Gibber and Mitchell grass plains. When the sun is close to the horizon it reflects off the ruddy-brown stones of the Gibber creating a shiny polished landscape. The grey clay pan and clumps of Mitchell Grass breakup the field of vision to provide near perfect camouflage for birds of this harsh landscape.
The Inland Dotterel’s rusty feathered flanks blend with the Gibber; its grayish upperparts and wings with the clay pan and its white head and lateral black eye stripe with the dry tussocks of Mitchell grass. Inland Dotterels are mainly nocturnal feeders living off small invertebrates and insects. During the day they move little and so are hard to find. Most observers stumble upon an Inland Dotterel in their headlights at night on outback tracks in central Australia.
The three Inland Dotterels, one juvenile and two adults, behaved as some waders do, preferring to move away from us by walking rather than flying. Heads down they walked to stay 40 metres from our advances. They did not rush for the cover of Mitchell grass or scatter in different directions and their pace was steady.
The Inland Dotterel is one of just a few waders that live far from the coast. It is a resident of the inland plains and semi-desert regions of Australia. Seemingly, it rarely needs to be close to water and probably gets what water it may need from plants. It is not regarded as an endangered species primarily because of its vast range and availability of inland habitants. However Geering, Agnew and Harding note in their 2007 ‘Shorebirds of Australia’ that they are the least researched wader in Australia. A more recent search could not find any published work since their classic text.
It is probable that feral cat populations pose a threat to this ground nesting bird. After eggs are laid the parents are known to cover them with soil when leaving the nest. But it is not known if this behavior is to ensure egg temperature control or if it is to act as camouflage from predators. The need for research on this rarely seen inland wader is clearly evident.
Uploaded September 2013
Vehicles of the Birds Queensland September 2013 Bird Atlas Expedition were returning to base along a track from Scotts Tank over Gibber and Mitchell grass plains. When the sun is close to the horizon it reflects off the ruddy-brown stones of the Gibber creating a shiny polished landscape. The grey clay pan and clumps of Mitchell Grass breakup the field of vision to provide near perfect camouflage for birds of this harsh landscape.
The Inland Dotterel’s rusty feathered flanks blend with the Gibber; its grayish upperparts and wings with the clay pan and its white head and lateral black eye stripe with the dry tussocks of Mitchell grass. Inland Dotterels are mainly nocturnal feeders living off small invertebrates and insects. During the day they move little and so are hard to find. Most observers stumble upon an Inland Dotterel in their headlights at night on outback tracks in central Australia.
The three Inland Dotterels, one juvenile and two adults, behaved as some waders do, preferring to move away from us by walking rather than flying. Heads down they walked to stay 40 metres from our advances. They did not rush for the cover of Mitchell grass or scatter in different directions and their pace was steady.
The Inland Dotterel is one of just a few waders that live far from the coast. It is a resident of the inland plains and semi-desert regions of Australia. Seemingly, it rarely needs to be close to water and probably gets what water it may need from plants. It is not regarded as an endangered species primarily because of its vast range and availability of inland habitants. However Geering, Agnew and Harding note in their 2007 ‘Shorebirds of Australia’ that they are the least researched wader in Australia. A more recent search could not find any published work since their classic text.
It is probable that feral cat populations pose a threat to this ground nesting bird. After eggs are laid the parents are known to cover them with soil when leaving the nest. But it is not known if this behavior is to ensure egg temperature control or if it is to act as camouflage from predators. The need for research on this rarely seen inland wader is clearly evident.
Uploaded September 2013