Aerial Surveys of Wetland Birds in Eastern Australia

ABSTRACT This summary presents data from aerial surveys of waterbirds in eastern Australia in October 2000, 2001 and 2002. All wetlands with more than 5,000 waterbirds were identifi ed for each year. Six wetlands were identifi ed in 2000: Lake Moondarra, Cuttaburra Channels, Lake Galilee, Lake Hope, Lowbidgee and Lake Yamma Yamma. There were seven of these wetlands in 2001: Lake Barcoorah, The Coorong, Georgina River, Lake Hope, Lake Moondarra, Paroo overfl ow, and Lakes Torquinie-Mumbleberry .There were six wetlands with more than 5,000 waterbirds in 2002: Burdekin River, Diamantina River, Lake Hope, Jack Smith Lake, Menindee Lakes and Lake Moondarra. Wetland area index was slightly above average in 2000, declining to below average in 2001 and continuing to decrease in 2002, the second lowest value on record. Total numbers of waterbirds were below average for all three years, with 2002 the third lowest on record. Breeding index was above average for 2000, declining to below average in 2001 and continuing to decline in 2002, the fourth lowest breeding index on record.