Shorebirds

ROEBUCK BAY has long been recognized as an internationally important place for migratory shorebirds. These small to medium-sized birds (sandpipers, plovers and allies) nest in the northern hemisphere and migrate annually to non-breeding sites such as Roebuck Bay. Australia has ratified international conservation initiatives such as the Ramsar Convention and treaties with Japan, China and Republic of Korea.  This means that Australia has a legal obligation to protect migratory shorebirds and their habitats.

Roebuck Bay’s mudflats range in texture from fine silts to sandy banks and provide a home for an amazingly wide range of invertebrates, which in turn feed at least 29 different species of shorebirds with various bill sizes and shapes and feeding techniques. Marine worms are soft and easy to swallow whilst other prey require specialist skills to eat. A good example of this is the Great Knot which eats bivalves, swallowing them whole and grinding up the shells in a very strong gizzard to extract the soft flesh.

When the tide is high it covers the mudflats meaning the birds cannot feed. They are forced to find sandy bays and rocky outcrops to roost (rest) on until the tide recedes once again exposing the rich and plentiful food supply.

Disturbing roosts threatens shorebirds

THE ROOST SITES in Roebuck bay are very important as they have been identified as the only daylight roosting option available for shorebirds in the north of the bay. While the birds are roosting they are very prone to disturbance from birds of prey such as the Brahminy Kite and human influences such as driving on the beach and uncontrolled dogs.

Shorebird migration range on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Press image to enlarge.

If high levels of disturbance are experienced by shorebirds at their roost sites it can have a bad effect on their welfare. The danger that birds face is how to accumulate fat that they need to moult and grow new feathers and more importantly to make the huge migration to areas such as the Yellow Sea in China some 6,000 km away. They need to increase their body weight by some 55 – 85 % and will use the stored fat to fuel their flight to the next rich food supply – the Yellow Sea – where they will again refuel for their flight to the breeding grounds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. If the birds are constantly disturbed at high tide roosts they use up precious fat reserves which reduce the chances of successful migration. If they cannot make the journey there will be no chicks and over time the population will decline.

Research, education & conservation

Chris Hassell with an Endangered Asian Dowitcher. © 2008 Chris Hassell.

THE BROOME BIRD OBSERVATORY was established to work for the conservation of migratory shorebirds, which visit Roebuck Bay along with the many endemic birds of Broome.  The Observatory is involved in international shorebird migration research and was recently involved in fitting satellite transmitters to twelve Bar-tailed Godwits. They departed in April for the Yellow Sea, spending approximately six weeks there feeding before departing for their breeding grounds in Siberia. The journey was followed back to Roebuck bay when they arrived in September/October.

Want to get involved in shorebird monitoring – click here for the dates and details…

Migratory Shorebird study results released

Read Chris Hassell’s latest report on his work with the Global Flyway Network on Migratory Shorebirds in Bohai Bay, Northern China during April May 2010. The GFN report of the field work in Bohai Bay, Northern China during April and May 2010 is now up on the Global Flyway Network site »

Peak scientific publication to use data from GFN study

There will also be a scientific paper published in the next volume of “Emu-Austral Ornithology” using the data from Chris Hassell’s 2009 visit and the data from Yan Hong Yan. This report highlights the pressures that the migratory birds are facing during their stopover periods in the Yellow Sea. It is rather depressing reading (but interesting I hope!) If you go to the front page of the website there is a blue box on the left hand side and it is the bottom item in there or open the report here »

How can you help to support these birds?

The answer is simple, when you visit the bay, please:

• watch the birds from the tops of the coastal cliffs
• avoid walking too close or through flocks of roosting birds
• keep your dog on a leash well away from the shorebirds, and
• do not drive on the beach.

A Bar-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage. © 2004 Adrian Boyle.

Ideally situated on the shores of Roebuck Bay, Broome Bird Observatory has access to thousands of migratory shorebirds visiting the region. Visitors learn the amazing story of these birds and witness some of the great sights in nature: vast roosting flocks on beautiful beaches during high tide; thousands foraging on the mudflats as the tide falls; stunning breeding plumage of pre-migratory flocks in March, and breathtaking departures for Asia in March/April each year. In addition to accommodating tourists and nature enthusiasts, the Observatory offers a base from which scientists, researchers and students have easy access to the bay.

If you wish to view Roebuck Bay’s migratory shorebirds contact Broome Bird Observatory »

P +61 8 9193 5600 (international)
P 08 9193 5600 (within Australia)
bbo@birdsaustralia.com.au

• View a list of birds in the region »

• Want a mini magazine on shorebirds for your children that explains the incredible migration of shorebirds?

  Contact shorebirds@birdlife.org.au for a free copy or contact Birdlife for a larger consignment for your school.