Quantifying Wading Bird Activity in Drying Wetlands Using Time Lapse Imagery

The purpose of this research was to quantify wading
bird hourly and daily foraging activity in a drying
wetland. We sought to determine the hours of peak
activity and identify water depths that facilitate high
foraging activity. Our results indicated that 56% of
daily activity occurred between 0600 – 0800 h and
>95% of the daily activity was found in images taken
between 0600 and 1400 h. The wading bird activity
showed little variation and no obvious correlation with
water depth fluctuations (highest recorded density =
2.1 birds/ha at 14.9 cm depth; lowest recorded density
= 0.05 birds/ha at 35.1 cm depth). The wading bird
activity occurring between 0600 – 1400 h accounts
for >95% of daily activity. We conclude that a study of
water depth and average wading bird density earlier
in the nesting season is needed for a clearer effect of
water depth on wading bird foraging activity.