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The Ruddy Turnstone is a non-breeding visitor to Rottnest. It is a migratory bird which breeds in the high Artic. The largest numbers occur on the Island in spring or summer and some of the immature birds stay all year round. Its feeds on shores covered with stones or weed.
The Ruddy Turnstone forages by flipping over stones and debris with its robust bill and catching the prey hiding underneath. The distinct feeding technique and appearance of the Ruddy Turnstone makes this bird easy to spot.
The edges of the Salt Lakes are its preferred feeding areas, particularly the shores of Government House Lake, Herschell Lake and Serpentine Lake.
These birds also visit most of the beaches and exposed reefs around Island to forage. Rottnest is an important conservation site for these birds as it has lots more suitable feeding sites than the mainland.
