Is salt stress a problem for waders wintering on the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania?

Knots Calidris canutus and sanderlings C. alba were used in cage experiments in which water and food consumption were measured under different salt regimes. Food consumption decreased and water consumption increased after changing the water provided from fresh to salt. Knots have the capability of adapting to salt water. Swallowing of adherent water with the prey, as well as evaporative cooling in heat stressed birds, might increase salt stress. -from Authors