The West Coast National Park located along the west coast of South Africa is known for its incredible diversity of bird species. The park contains a variety of habitats including lagoons, estuaries, wetlands, beaches and rocky shores which provide ideal conditions for numerous wading birds. Waders, also known as shorebirds, are a group of birds that wade in shallow water in search of food like aquatic invertebrates, fish and plant material. Some of the key wader species found in the West Coast National Park include plovers, oystercatchers, stilts, avocets, sandpipers and more. Read on to learn more about the different types of waders that inhabit this unique coastal park.
Plovers
Plovers are a type of wading bird belonging to the family Charadriidae. There are several different plover species found along the coastline of the West Coast National Park. Some of the plovers found here include:
- Blacksmith Lapwing – A striking black and white plover with a long black bill and red legs. It is typically seen singly or in pairs.
- Crowned Lapwing – A distinctively patterned plover with a black crown, white face and brown back. Often seen in family groups.
- Kittlitz’s Plover – A small sand plover with a black bill, grey legs and a white eye-ring. Forages singly on wet mud.
- Three-banded Plover – True to its name, this plover has three black bands across its white breast. It runs quickly on tidal flats.
- White-fronted Plover – Adults have a white forehead and underparts, with a brown back and wings. Juveniles are brown overall.
Plovers skim the surface of shallow water or wet mud flats with their bills to catch small invertebrates like worms, molluscs, crustaceans and insects. They nest on open sandy or gravelly areas, often lining their nests with bits of shell or pebbles. Plovers are highly territorial during breeding season.
Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers are large and noisy waders in the family Haematopodidae, known for their long, bright red bills used for prying open molluscs. Two oystercatcher species occur in the West Coast National Park:
African Black Oystercatcher – A striking all-black oystercatcher with bright red bill, eyes and legs. It makes loud piping calls. Often seen in pairs or small flocks.
Sooty Oystercatcher – A bit smaller with more brownish-black plumage. It has a duller bill and eyes. Tends to be quieter than the African Black.
Oystercatchers use their powerful bills to pry open and eat mussels, limpets, chitons and other bivalves. At low tide, they patrol the exposed rocky intertidal zone looking for prey. They also forage on sandy beaches, tidal flats and estuaries. Oystercatchers are monogamous, mating for life. Their nests are shallow scrapes lined with bits of shell, driftwood or seaweed.
Stilts
Stilts are elegant, long-legged waders belonging to the genus Himantopus. Two stilt species occur in the West Coast National Park:
Black-winged Stilt – A very thin, black and white wader with extremely long, pink legs and a long, fine black bill. As the name suggests, it has mostly black wings with white along the trailing edge.
Pied Stilt – Slightly smaller than the black-winged, this stilt is more boldly patterned in black and white. Its bill is black with a small yellow tip.
Stilts use a scythe-like motion to sweep their long bills back and forth through shallow water to catch small fish, molluscs, aquatic insects and other prey. Their incredibly long legs allow them to wade through deeper water than most other waders. During breeding season, stilts perform elaborate courtship displays and defend temporary wetland territories.
Avocets
Avocets belong to the genus Recurvirostra, which refers to their slender, upcurved bills. Only one avocet species is found in the West Coast National Park:
Pied Avocet – A large black and white wader with a thin, pale, upturned bill and blue-grey legs. It sweeps its bill from side to side when feeding in shallow brackish or saline waters.
The pied avocet uses tactile foraging – it swings its bill through the water, snapping it shut when it contacts prey like brine shrimp or small crabs. Avocets sometimes forage cooperatively in small groups, rounding up fish into shallow water. They nest on open gravel or sandy areas near water.
Sandpipers
Sandpipers comprise the large family Scolopacidae, with numerous species worldwide. Various sandpiper species can be found foraging on the wetlands, mudflats and sandy beaches of the West Coast National Park, including:
Common Sandpiper – A small, streaky brown sandpiper with yellowish legs that bobs its tail habitually. It breeds in the northern hemisphere and migrates down to Africa for the winter.
Ruddy Turnstone – Stocky and short-billed with black, white and ruddy plumage. It flips over stones and debris looking for prey. Named for this feeding behavior.
Curlew Sandpiper – A small, long-billed sandpiper with a downcurved bill and reddish underparts during breeding season. One of the most common migratory shorebirds seen in the park.
Little Stint – Among the smallest of the sandpipers, it has a short, straight black bill and summer plumage features rufous coloration. Forages on wet mud in large flocks.
Sandpipers generally have slender bills adapted to probing into mud or sand to catch worms, molluscs and other small invertebrates. cryptic, often with streaks and mottling to help them camouflage on shorelines. They can be seen darting around the water’s edge chasing receding waves to pick up exposed prey.
Other Waders
Beyond the main groups already covered, the West Coast National Park hosts a few additional wading bird species including:
- Black-winged Stilt – As the name suggests, this very long-legged wader has mostly black wings contrasting with white along the back edge. It sweeps its bill through water to catch small fish.
- Marsh Sandpiper – A freshwater wader with greenish legs, a finely pointed bill, and white V-shaped markings on its back. Forages on mudflats and along lake shores.
- Wood Sandpiper – This small wader has blurry brown speckling on white underparts. It bobs rear up and down while walking. Favors muddy pools and stream edges.
This covers some of the major wader groups and species that can be found within the diverse wetland, estuarine and coastal habitats of the West Coast National Park. Watching waders probe the mudflats or chase receding waves along the shoreline provides a glimpse into the busyness of life beneath the water’s surface. Their specialized bills allow each type of wader to gain access to specific niches and food sources.
Habitats Supporting Waders
The West Coast National Park stretches across a variety of habitats that provide ideal feeding and nesting conditions for waders. Key habitats supporting wader populations in the park include:
Estuaries – The park contains several estuaries, where freshwater rivers meet the sea. The mixing of fresh and saltwater creates brackish waters that support molluscs, crabs, shrimp and fish on which many waders feed. Estuary mudflats also harbor marine worms and other invertebrates.
Lagoons – Shallow saltwater lagoons along the coast are protected from the waves and tidal flow of the open ocean. Lagoons have muddy bottoms rich in organic matter, supporting large populations of snails, worms, crustaceans and other prey.
Tidal Flats – Intertidal areas that are submerged at high tide but become muddy or sandy flats when the tide goes out provide important foraging areas for waders to hunt for marine invertebrates.
Salt Marshes – These grassy wetlands regularly flooded by the tides are home to clams, crabs and fish within the muddy substrate. Waders probe the mud and grassy waters.
Beaches – Ocean shorelines with surf washing over intertidal sands harbor populations of mole crabs, marine worms, kelp flies and other prey that probing waders consume.
Rocky Shores – The park’s rocky intertidal zones exposed at low tide are rich with limpets, mussels, barnacles and other shellfish that oystercatchers and other specialized waders pry open.
This diversity of coastal and wetland habitats gives rise to the West Coast National Park’s outstanding wader populations and diversity. Protecting these ecosystems is crucial for ensuring these specialized birds have access to the unique food sources and nesting sites they require.
Threats and Conservation
Although the West Coast National Park provides refuge for impressive numbers of waders, some threats to these birds exist:
– Habitat loss from human development – Draining or filling of wetlands eliminates crucial habitat.
– Pollution – Nutrient runoff, oil spills, and plastics impact water and sediment quality.
– Disturbance – Beach recreation, vehicles, boats, and aircraft can all disrupt feeding and nesting.
– Overharvesting shellfish and other marine resources reduces prey availability.
– Climate change – Rising sea levels, increasing storms, and altered rainfall patterns degrade habitats.
Careful management is needed to protect the coastal ecosystems on which these resident and migratory waders rely. Actions like restricting vehicle traffic, implementing climate-wise conservation plans, and monitoring water quality aim to safeguard their habitat. Ongoing research, population surveys, and community education also raise awareness about the importance of waders. With thoughtful stewardship of this precious environment, the incredible diversity of waders in the West Coast National Park will hopefully continue thriving for generations to come.
Conclusion
The West Coast National Park provides vital habitat for a rich diversity of wading birds that fill an array of ecological niches. Plovers, oystercatchers, stilts, avocets, sandpipers and more can be observed busily foraging along the shores and wetlands of this special coastal protected area. The abundance of food sources like crabs, molluscs, worms, fish and insect larvae allow these specialized waders to take advantage of the lush estuaries, lagoons, tidal flats, beaches and rocky intertidal zones. Careful conservation management is crucial for ensuring the continuation of appropriate feeding and nesting conditions. When visiting this park, take a moment to appreciate the wonder of watching flocks of elegant waders probing the mudflats or chasing waves, generations after generation. Their animated presence is a constant reminder of the wealth of life harbored along this wild and beautiful stretch of the South African west coast.
