In 2003-5 - GSS shorebird roost mapping report Mar 05.pdf and 2005-2007-BRMG Roost mapping Project Report Final.pdf surveys by the Queensland Wader Study Group identified 141 critical high tide roosts and 29 resident nesting locations for migratory and resident waders / shorebirds along the Burnett Mary coast.  The total population of shorebirds for the region was in excess of 28,000 birds of 31 species including internationally significant numbers of Eastern Curlew, Grey-tailed Tattler and Red-capped Plover and nationally significant numbers of Whimbrel and Grey Plover.

 

For each roost site, major threats were also identified such as habitat loss, human disturbance and predation from feral animals/pets and the sites ranked to prioritise roosts for management intervention and intervention type.

 

Feathering the Future of Burnett Mary Shorebirds FeatheringFutureBurnettMaryShorebirds_ResearchReport20080815.pdf was first initiated in 2007 as a pilot on behalf of the Burnett Mary Regional Group by Dr Ashley Bunce and Dr Tamara van Polanen Petel of Central Queensland University.

 

Under our Community Coastcare activity it is proposed to carry out Feathering the Future activities throughout the Burnett Mary region, targeting key threats at individual high priority roost and nesting locations. 

Activities conducted under this project will include: Temporary Beach Closures (where appropriate) during critical life cycle phases such as migratory bird arrival, nesting and bird departure, erection of permanent interpretative signs to provide information on local shorebirds, education initiatives such as Dog Walkers' Breakfasts with coastal communities, a postcard design competition for schools and information and planning sessions for regional councils. 

The project will also undertake three shorebird counts at selected sites in both the summer and winter (resident) counts during the 2009-10 migratory shorebird season providing additional information on the status of these species.

With all this activity planned, we’re going to need some help and would like to recognise some of the local experts in our region by nominating them as Shorebird Ambassadors. 

 

For more information on Feathering the Future or Shorebird Ambassadors, please contact Sue Sargent on (07) 4181 2999 or sue.sargent@bmrg.org.au


Photo reproduced courtesy of Chris Barnes.

 

 

 

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