On Landcarer for each day of the #CoastcareWeek22, we're highlighting different marine issues and topics! Today we're talking about Migratory Shorebirds!
Australian coastal and freshwater wetlands host around two million visiting migratory shorebirds that come here from Arctic regions during the non-breeding season to feed each year! From September, over thirty-six species arrive after a grueling 13,000km flight.
From October to March if you visit any coastal wetland or intertidal area you might be able to see these amazing little birds-Greater Sand Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwits, Red-necked Stints and Eastern Curlew feeding on exposed sand flats at low tide. If you were in Roebuck Bay in March you could expect to see thousands of migratory shorebirds feeding or resting close to shore.
But don't get too close! Shorebirds don't like to be disturbed by humans or dogs when they are trying to feed and rest.
By March, the birds that have previously dispersed across the country return to their staging areas, forming large flocks and feeding almost around the clock to accumulate energy reserves for their northward migration.
Of the more than 50 shorebird species most regularly observed in Australia, about a third are considered resident species and the remainder are migrants. These migratory shorebirds spend each summer in Australia feeding and readying themselves for the flight to the Arctic Circle for the breeding season. They range in size from the red-necked stint weighing less than 30 grams up to the eastern curlew which can weigh a kilogram.
But where are they flying from?
Migratory shorebirds breed in the northern summer in the Arctic tundra of Russia and Alaska and other northern hemisphere locations such as Mongolia and northern China.
When the young are just six weeks old, most of the parents leave on their journey to the southern hemisphere. The chicks must feed and grow quickly so they can fly south when they are about eight weeks old, to avoid freezing as the snow and icy Arctic winds set in.
Once they set off on their six to eight week journey to their non breeding areas in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, the migratory shorebirds fly nonstop for days at a time before landing to rest.
Is there a direct flight?
More reliable than Qantas and Jetstar, The East Asian-Australasian Flyway is their direct pathway between the Arctic and Australia.
In the face of ever-increasing human development and loss of habitat some migratory shorebird populations along the EAAF are decreasing, such as the critically endangered Eastern Curlew and Great Knot.
To ensure the survival of healthy flyway populations it is critical that important migratory shorebird feeding and staging areas along the flyway are protected from threats such as habitat loss and modification from urban, industrial and agricultural development, pollution, weeds, invasive species and water regulation.
Even so, shorebirds still face significant threats! Especially where coastal areas are near large human populations and where people use these areas for recreation and exercise, and to walk their dogs.
The main threat is human disturbance, albeit often unintentional, with many people surprised to find that their actions can have impacts on the ability of shorebirds to find sufficient food, to migrate and ultimately even their breeding success.
Here are a few tips for walking lightly in the tidal zones of our shorebird's feeding areas:
- Before you step 'into' a mudflat or sandbank where there are shorebirds, look at where they are feeding and avoid the birds and the feeding areas as much as possible.
- Visit tidal areas when the tide is at its lowest and keep away from the tide line. This gives the birds and you space to spread out and avoid each other.
- Never walk through a shorebird roost at high tide. This is where the birds rest safely and wait for the next low tide. It is where they are most vulnerable, particularly on spring high tides when they are clustered together in greater densities.
- If you get too close to a shorebird and it flies away, remember to stay further away next time.
- Remember that you won' t be the only person walking through an intertidal area. Others have come before you and more will come after you. If everyone disturbs the waders when they are feeding, the cumulative effect over time could stop them from breeding.
- Dogs should be kept on a lead. This is a legal requirement in many areas. If your dog needs lots of exercise check if you have an off-leash dog park nearby.
Remember, you have a choice where you walk when you visit shorebird feeding sites. Shorebirds need to be where they can find food. Give them room to feed and let them prepare for the long journey north. Your consideration combined with their 'ancient faith and present courage' will help them get there.
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR SHOREBIRDS THIS #CoastcareWeek22 !
NaturallyGC Birds of the Broadwater Spotting Field Trip (Ages 12+) - Dec 10th 7:30am-9amJoin us onboard a Hopo vessel as we cruise down the Broadwater in search of local and migratory bird species. We will travel past the banks of Curlew Island and Wave Break Island, which are important roosting and feeding sites for listed migratory shorebirds!
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Identification & Recording of Coastal Birds for Bushwalkers (WEBINAR) - Dec 15th 6:30pm-8pm
BirdLife Australia's Coastal Birds team is training and encouraging bushwalkers to record incidental sightings of Hooded Plovers and Eastern Ground Parrots, two key coastal birds, along remote areas of VIC Coastline. Learn about/how to conservation work to help coastal birds; Hooded Plover & Eastern Ground Parrot ecology and behaviour; recording observations on Birdata. Read more
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