Numbers, species richness and equitability of coastal birds at Darwin, Northern Territory

Studies of the species richness and equitability were made of coastal birds at Darwin, Northern Territory, following censusing. A general decrease in numbers and species richness of indigneous and palaearctic migrants occurred in the wet season. Equitability values were depressed at the beginning of the wet season indicating an ecologically disturbed situation Freshwater discharge and its complex mixing patterns in neritic and estuarine water may be responsible for such a disturbance through its effects on the bird's food supply.