More than fifty species of shorebirds occur regularly in
Australia and about one third of all Australian shorebirds are visitors. These
long distance migrants travel from breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere,
their return flight being an amazing 20,000km – 30,000 km. Some 40,000
migratory birds, from as far away as Alaska and Asia, have been recorded
visiting Noosa during peak migration times in February and early March in years
past.
Jill Dening and her team of volunteers have conducted
surveys of the local bird population for ten years now. “The data collected
over that time is sufficient to reveal some interesting population trends” she
says. The team’s work covers all birds that use the Noosa estuary with a particular
focus on shorebirds and terns, both migratory and resident. Ms Dening will be
guest speaker at Friday Environment Forum on February 19 where she will share
the results of her long term study.
“Sadly, most species of shorebirds in the East
Asian/Australasian Flyway are suffering astonishing population crashes”, she
observes. It is thought that the main problem occurs in the Yellow Sea, which
has vast intertidal mudflats, used by migratory birds to fatten up on both
their northerly and southerly journeys. Massive land reclamation in that area
is causing feeding grounds to contract so that many birds do not complete their
journey safely.
Because shorebird roost sites occur near to feeding areas on
mudflats, beaches and freshwater wetlands, it is important that the birds
remain relatively undisturbed. These astonishing migrants must increase their
body weight by approximately seventy percent in order to gain strength to
undertake their arduous journey. Thanks to the recommendation of Jill Dening’s
team, some Noosa North Shore beach areas are now closed to vehicles and other
disturbances. This has resulted in well populated and safe roosting areas.
To hear more about this remarkable ten year study, you are
invited to join the audience at Noosa Parks Association’s Environment Centre, 5
Wallace Drive, Noosaville. Coffee is on offer from 10 am and Friday Environment
Forum begins at 10.30 am. To enjoy the birds of Wallace Park, meet Valda in the
car park at 8.30 am. All welcome.
More at www.noosaparks.org.au
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| photo by Shanna Bignell |
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