Every spring and summer hundreds of migratory shorebirds gather around the Noosa River mouth to feed and rest. They have flown thousands of kilometres to arrive on Australian shores after leaving their breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere.
Data is important in decision making to protect the diversity and abundance of shorebirds in the estuary.
Capturing data that can support Noosa Shire Council in developing
By tracking data in the estuary, this project has been able to set a benchmark for migratory shorebirds diversity and abundance for the first time.
The report revealed that almost half (18) of the 37 species of migratory shorebirds that traverse the EAFF from the Northern Hemisphere have frequented the estuary, though the abundance of these species has declined 45% over the period.
In 2007, Noosa Council imposed a Restricted Area on the Noosa Northshore to protect important nesting habitat for resident shorebirds.
Collaboration with partners ensures project success on the ground and for the people and communities in the local areas.
Informing and engaging the local community regarding the presence of resident and migratory shorebirds in the Noosa River estuary and to highlight the role the community can play in their conservation.
The work not only protects the area for the benefit of the local community, but also involves the local community in restoration through citizen science.
Migratory shorebirds make up around 5% of Australia’s species of birds and while around 18 species are considered resident or endemic to Australia, another 37 generally migrate each year along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
Shorebirds or “waders” are birds commonly found on coastal shores, including beaches, rocky shores, mudflats, tidal wetlands and lagoons meaning the Noosa River estuary is the perfect location for visiting shorebirds.
The Noosa Integrated Catchment Association released a shorebird report in 2020 titled An analysis of migratory and resident shorebird diversity and abundance in the Noosa River estuary 2005 – 2019. It is the first known longitudinal survey of shorebirds in the Noosa River estuary.
151 surveys were conducted over a 14-year period between October 2005 to October 2019 with funding and technical support provided by the Noosa Shire Council under the Community Environment Grants Program 2019. The program is still running to this day.
The Noosa River estuary is one of around 150 sites located throughout Australia that comprise the National Shorebird Monitoring Program, coordinated by BirdLife Australia. The aim of the program is to understand and detect national population trends and discover what is driving population changes.
The report was designed to understand the long-term trends in shorebird biodiversity and abundance in the Noosa River estuary and for comparison against trends observed in other areas of Australia and across the EAAF.
Records were maintained for all species of birds observed within the survey area including shorebirds, water birds, wading birds, gulls, terns and raptors.
Some of the resident and migratory shorebirds found in the Noosa River estuary are critically endangered so being able to track and monitor trends is vital to the conservation of these populations.
The shorebird program is run by volunteers from the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association with funding and technical support from Noosa Shire Council. Healthy Land & Water are long-time supporters of the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association..
Healthy Land & Water
Level 11, 240 Queen St
GPO Box 735
MEANJIN (BRISBANE)
QLD 4001
Australia
Healthy Land and Water Ltd
ABN 91 115 662 989
