by Vojtěch Kubelka

During 20–24 November 2019 a successful ÉLVONAL Shorebird Science Fieldwork Training Camp How to study breeding shorebirds? took place in Cheetham Wetlands near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Smooth running of the course was assured by great logistical support from local team: Mike Weston, Kristal Kostoglou, Laura Tan and reserve rangers. The weather was favourable for most of the time as well and while training participants, we collected first ÉLVONAL data from Australia. We observed mostly courtship behaviour in detail and found dozens of nests at the beginning of incubation suggesting a coming peak in breeding activity for Red-capped Plovers (Charadrius ruficapillus). The exchange of knowledge and experience among participants during the workshop was smooth and productive. It was great, fruitful and stimulating meeting promoting future cooperation within and beyond ÉLVONAL framework.

Photo 1_fieldworkcamp Melbourne
Participants of the ÉLVONAL Shorebird Science Fieldwork Training Camp in Melbourne, from left to right: Vojtěch Kubelka, Mike Weston, Katherine Leung, Kateřina Žohová, Julia Ryeland, Laura Tan, Kristal Kostoglou, Maureen Christie, Steve Johnson and Mitch Burrows. Photo credit: Vojtěch Kubelka.

Photo 2_intro Mike
Detailed introductory presentations about ÉLVONAL project, used field methodologies and local area followed by the first discussions was a good preparation for the subsequent fieldwork. Photo credit: Vojtěch Kubelka.
Photo 3_cage and incubation monitoring
Nest predation is recently very intensive at Cheetham wetlands and only a small proportion of nests would survive until hatching without an effective direct protection with nest cages, successfully adopted by local team during last years. Setting a camera for incubation monitoring next to the protected nest is easier because it can be less camouflaged. Photo credit: Kateřina Žohová
Photo 4_trapping succesful
Mike’s team use walk-in traps for effective catching of adults on the nest. After the setting demonstration, a female was caught on this nest. Photo credit: Vojtěch Kubelka.
Clutch or Red-capped Plovers usually consist of two eggs, can be well exposed as well as hidden under a bush and incubation takes about 30 days.
Melbourne city is spreading quickly. Although the reserve itself is safe and with restricted public access, encompassing new settlements are attracting and supporting more predators which have already penetrated into the reserve causing high predation pressure on eggs and chicks.