August 20, 2011 - NW Australian Shorebird and Tern Expedition
A series of special expeditions has taken place over the years to undertake comprehensive long-term studies of the waders and terns in NW Australia. A further major NW Australia Wader and Tern Expedition will take place from 18th February to 10th March 2012.
A large number of people will be needed if a satisfactory team is to be available throughout this three-week period. Anyone interested in participating in the next expedition are encouraged to participate. For further information see the attached pdf
May 14-15, 2011 - World Migratory Bird Day - “Migrants under threat”
On their epic journeys, often spanning thousands of kilometres, migratory birds cross many borders, linking different countries as well as ecosystems. The annual migration of an estimated 50 billion birds representing around 19% of the world’s 10,000 bird species is one of nature’s great natural wonders. Yet each year, more and more of the natural habitats migratory birds need to complete their journeys either diminish or disappear completely.
The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2011, celebrated around the world on 14-15 May, is ‘ Land use changes from a bird’s-eye view ‘ and it highlights the negative effects human activities are having on migratory birds, their habitats and the planet’s natural environment. The loss, fragmentation and degradation of natural bird habitats is occurring globally and is mainly caused by the pressures resulting from a growing human population.....www.birdlife.org/community/2011/05/migrants-under-threat.html
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus is one of the world’s most unusual birds. The species is listed by the International Union for the Concervation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered on the basis of an extremely small population, estimated at 120-200 hundred pairs, and due to an annual decline of 27%. This means that it is at an extremely high risk of extinction in the next few years. Hunting and habitat loss on the non-breeding grounds, combined with the loss of important intertidal feeding areas during its migration, have all contributed to this precipitous decline.
An International Action Plan for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper has been produced on behalf of BirdLife International and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Along with actions related to habitat protection, site management, awareness raising and education particularly in the non-breeding grounds, the possibility of establishing a captive breeding program was explored. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), British Trust for Ornithology, Birdlife International and Birds Russia have now embarked on an ambitious breeding program. This will entail extensive field operations in Chukotka, in the Russian Far East, in the forthcoming summer of 2011. Ongoing husbandry will be carried out through WWT facilities in the United Kingdom. The cost of this program is very high and, while it is being funded in the short term by RSPB and WWT, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership has invited Partners to provide financial assistance to enable ongoing support and the success of this critical program.
Although this species is not one that we see in Australasia it is, nevertheless, the most iconic wader species in our flyway.
Its current critical conservation situation should be of concern to every shorebird lover wherever they live. Moreover, the problems faced by this species are common to many of the shorebirds that migrate through our flyway. In many ways this is a flagship species that is demonstrating to the world the significant issues that are faced by these long distance migrants.
The Australasian Wader Studies Group of Birds Australia (AWSG) supports this program and invites anyone interested in saving this species to provide financial assistance. Birds Australia have agreed to handle funding at no cost to the project. Donations may be made by cheque, payable to Birds Australia and forwarded to Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia, or by credit card by phone 1300 730 075 or +61 3 9347 0757, or by returning the attached form (please do not make your donation online at the Birds Australia website). Please specify the Spoon-billed Sandpiper fund when making your donation.
May 14-15, 2011 - World Migratory Bird Day - “Land Use Changes from a Bird’s-Eye View”
Imagine the unique perspective migrating birds have of the Earth. Each year they fly thousands of kilometres across entire oceans covering the vast expanse of the planet, its many different climates and landscapes.
This unrivalled view also enables them to notice the dramatic changes that are currently threatening many of our planet’s ecosystems. Each year more and more of the sites migratory birds depend on during their journeys disappear. As these ecosystems change, there is no guarantee that the habitats migratory birds need along their migration path, will be there the next time they return.
While you are reading this article another hectare of shorebird habitat has disappeared in the Yellow Sea! Habitat that is essential for migratory shorebirds stopping to feed on their way from Australia to their breeding grounds in Siberia and Alaska. The AWSG urge you to voice your concern now read more in the attached article "Minutes to Midnight"
February 2, 2011 - Ruddy Turnstone's marathon flight repeated twice
A Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres has completed a 27,000 km round trip migration for the second time, the first time a wader has been tracked with a geolocator on its complete migration in successive years. The data retrieved so far shows that the birds generally start their northward migration with an initial nonstop flight of around 7,600km in six days to Taiwan or adjacent regions.
One of the interesting findings is that after breeding, the return journey shows considerable variation, no two birds following the same route. Some return through Asia while an amazing alternate route has been demonstrated by these new results.
A full story is attached here
February 2, 2011 - Help Conserve Shorebirds in WA and Learn About the International Living Lakes Network
"Addressing the challenges facing migratory shorebirds reaching South-Western Australia"
Migratory shorebirds visit South-Western Australia over summer, travelling thousands of kilometres from their breeding grounds in Russia and Alaska. Some birds stop to feed and “refuel” at wetlands along the way, while others fly non-stop to reach their feeding zones in our wetlands and estuaries. Their population numbers are showing alarming declines, caused in part by loss of habitat sites along the East Asian Australasian Flyway and other threats.
You are invited to the following events to be held at the Centre for Sustainable Living in Denmark WA between 17 and 20 February 2011:
Living Lakes Forum.
WA Migratory Shorebird Conservation Seminar and Forum.
Shorebird Conservation Workshops.
For further information visit www.greenskills.org.au/ws.html
July 5, 2010 - Record number of breeding Banded Stilts after drought-breaking rains
The Banded Stilt is endemic to Australia and is unique among shorebirds in that they: nest colonially, lay white eggs, have white downy chicks and put their young into crèches. They require recently flooded salt lakes when huge numbers of brine shrimps hatch into the water on which to feed. These conditions occurred at Lake Torrens in April this year when 150,000 - 200,000 birds started nesting on a small island. The potential for rearing 200,000 chicks has never been recorded before.
A full story is available is attached here.
March 25, 2010 - Ruddy Turnstone’s marathon flight across the Pacific.
We have already been amazed at the feats of Bar-tailed Godwits tracked by satellite from Australia and New Zealand to their breeding grounds in the high Arctic tundra via the Yellow Sea and non-stop flights between Alaska and New Zealand on their return. Unfortunately the size of the satellite transmitters and the batteries required to power them preclude their use on smaller shorebirds. However a different technology using a 1 gram light-sensor geolocator has enabled researchers from the Australasian Wader Study Group to track the 27,000 km round trip of Ruddy Turnstones from Australia to their Arctic breeding grounds and back via China on their way north and via Kiribati (the Gilbert Islands) on their return trip across the Pacific.
This now opens up the possibility of tracking the migration routes of shorebirds as yet virtually unknown. A full story is available is attached here.
March 23, 2010 - The world’s greatest travellers, migratory shorebirds, are threatened by coal ports and heavy industry.
In China and the Republic of Korea, large-scale land reclamation projects have destroyed almost 50 per cent of tidal flats in the Yellow Sea, mostly in the past 30 years. Sea walls and dykes are built around tidal flats and filled in to extend the coastline. The newly made land is used for houses, factories and infrastructure, to develop industry, expand ports and create energy facilities, including wind farms.
Land reclamation of tidal flats in the Yellow Sea continues. In the Republic of Korea, the Government forecasts that by 2011 approximately 75 per cent of tidal flats will have been reclaimed. The situation in China is no better.
The impact this has had on shorebirds is immense. Of 54 migratory shorebird species that use the Flyway regularly, about 30 are dependent on tidal flats at some time, of these least nine species are in decline. Land reclamation destroys the habitat of migratory shorebirds.
Complete article attached here.
Article courtesy of Ethical Investor
May 1, 2010 - GULLS AND TERNS IN AUSTRALIA
A Scientific Day "Gulls & Terns in Australia" will be held on Phillip Island, Victoria, on 1 May 2010. This event will provide a forum for researchers, managers and those involved/interested in research, conservation and management of gulls and small terns in Australia, in addition to coastal management and conservation issues.
Registrations and submission of abstracts should be sent using the attached registration form.
2010 INTERNATIONAL WADER STUDY GROUP ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The 2010 annual conference and workshops of the International Wader Study Group will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, 2-3 October 2010. Further details and registration can be found on the IWSG website
8th AUSTRALASIAN SHOREBIRD CONFERENCE, 2011
The 8th Australasian Shorebird Conference will be held at a date to be determined in Adelaide, South Australia, with an optional field excursion to the Coorong. The theme for the Conference is yet to be finalised and will be announced closer to the date.