This was the second year in which the PNGBS had participated in the Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC). The AWC is co-ordinated by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) and Asian Wetlands Bureau (AWB) with the aim of gathering information on the mid-winter (January) waterfowl populations at wetlands throughout Asia (Scott & Rose 1989). Twenty-eight countries had participated in 1990, recording more than 200 species at 1476 sites (Perennou, Rose & Poole 1990) including, for the first time, PNG where 59 species were recorded at 8 sites (52 species at 7 sites in the Port Moresby area, Hicks 1991). The avifauna of PNG is more akin to that of Australia than Asia, although PNG was included in the Directory of Asian Wetlands (DAW) (Scott 1989). January is not the best month to conduct a census of waterfowl in the Port Moresby area, as it is the height of the wet season. As a consequence the area of wetland is greatly increased as the floodplains become inundated and access to some sites becomes impossible. As the waterfowl become dispersed over a greater area, numbers at accessible sites are reduced.
Between 6 January 1991 and 3 February 1991, six members of the PNGBS (Helen Fortune, Will Glynn, Roger Hicks, Andrew Hicks, Prakash and Shobha Srinivasen) visited nine wetland sites in the Port Moresby area, six of which are included in the DAW. All sites visited for the 1990 AWC were also visited in 1991, with the exception of Hisiu Beach. Access to this site was impossible because the bridge at Hisiu mangroves had been washed away. Three new sites were included; the Oxbow at Veikabu and the Pacific Adventist College (PAC) campus and Kobibi Swamp, alongside the Magi Highway (c. 40 km south-east of Port Moresby). Each of theses sites, with the exception of Kobibi Swamp, had been regularly visited by members of the PNGBS over the previous five years.
Between 6 January 1991 and 3 February 1991, six members of the PNGBS (Helen Fortune, Will Glynn, Roger Hicks, Andrew Hicks, Prakash and Shobha Srinivasen) visited nine wetland sites in the Port Moresby area, six of which are included in the DAW. All sites visited for the 1990 AWC were also visited in 1991, with the exception of Hisiu Beach. Access to this site was impossible because the bridge at Hisiu mangroves had been washed away. Three new sites were included; the Oxbow at Veikabu and the Pacific Adventist College (PAC) campus and Kobibi Swamp, alongside the Magi Highway (c. 40 km south-east of Port Moresby). Each of theses sites, with the exception of Kobibi Swamp, had been regularly visited by members of the PNGBS over the previous five years.
At sites covered in both 1990 and 1991 numbers of species and birds were lower in 1991. Thirty-eight species were recorded in 1991 (c.f. 52 species in 1990, Hicks 1991). Several factors contributed to the lower totals. The preceding year had been wetter than usual with record rainfall in June and September 1990, as a result the flooding was more extensive in 1991 than 1990 and wildfowl were more widely dispersed. Two wetlands had become infested with exotic water weeds. Lakes Bunu and Iaraguma are infested with Salvinia. Although the weed appears to be dying out on Lake Iaraguma, there was more open water in 1991, it does not appear to be attractive to birds. Lake Bunu has become infected more recently and now has little open water, causing reduced numbers of (visible) waterfowl. Moitaka settling ponds, and the nearby Waigani Swamp, are being overgrown with water hyacinth Eichornia crassipes. It was first noted in September 1990 and by the time of the AWC covered 2.5 ha (25%) of the largest pond. (This had increased to 50% of the ponds' area by the end of February 1991). The city council are attempting to clear the weed, but with little success. Disturbance by the weed-clearers probably reduced bird numbers at the settling ponds. Fisherman were present at Hisiu Lagoon on the day of the AWC, which probably explains the reduced count at this site.
The following observations were of interest for the Port Moresby area. All species of egret were noted in breeding plumage, including 18 Cattle Egrets at Kanosia Lagoon. Australasian Grebes were in breeding plumage at all sites where recorded but breeding was only confirmed at one, on the PAC settling ponds. A single Australian White-eyed Duck and Garganey were seen at Kanosia Lagoon where there were also 14 Wood Sandpipers (and 10 Red-rumped Swallows and five Barn Swallows). The best selection of waders was at Hisiu Lagoon where there were 18 Greenshank, 11 Marsh Sandpiper and 44 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers plus two White-headed Shelduck and four Sacred Ibis.
Hicks, R.K. 1991. Asian Waterfowl Census : Port Moresby Area 1991. Muruk 5: 8-11.
Perennou, C., P. Rose & C. Poole. 1990. Asian Waterfowl Census 1990. IWRB, Slimbridge, U.K.
Scott, D.A. (ed). 1989. A Directory of Asian Wetlands. IUCN.
Scott, D.A. & P. Rose 1989. Asian Waterfowl Census 1989. IWRB, Slimbridge, U.K.
