Cover Letter, DA Form 1, Plans, Owners Consent, Coastal Environment Assessment · OPW21/0049

•            Amongst shorebird species, total numbers rarely exceeded 200 individuals or less than 10% of
             total birds observed in any given survey;

•            Between the early and later years, migratory shorebird numbers declined 45% on average, whilst
             resident shorebird numbers increased around 12%. Overall shorebird numbers declined 30%;

•            Amongst shorebird species (where numbers were sufficient to permit trend analysis), the
             populations of 9 of 16 species declined. Only the Red-Capped Plover increased in abundance
             during the survey period. Numbers of the remaining 6 species were broadly stable;

•            Concerningly, 8 of 11 species of migratory shorebird including the Bar-Tailed Godwit 9, Far
             Eastern Curlew and Curlew Sandpiper species saw numbers decline, in some cases
             precipitously;

•            Inward and outbound migration patterns remained largely unchanged with arrivals peaking in
             October-November and departures peaking in March – April. However, the frequency of “over-
             wintering”, where migratory species remain in the estuary year-round, declined; and

•            Breeding behavior amongst shorebirds in the estuary was limited to pairs of three resident
             species, the Beach Stone Curlew, Australian Pied Oystercatcher and Red Capped Plover.
             Amongst those only the later was observed to have successfully reared chicks with the estuary.

To the extent that the small data set here permitted, comparison of the results was made to empirical
research on shorebird population trends across Australia and the EAAF. These trends indicate similarities
between changes in shorebird numbers in the Noosa River estuary and those transiting the EAAF.

Finally, and as a general guide to the estuary’s significance, a comparison has been made of the survey
results for all shorebird species observed in the Noosa River estuary to international and national
RAMSAR conservation thresholds using revised population parameters.

                                                                                                            A pair of Double-Banded
                                                                                                            Plovers (Charadrius bicinctus)
                                                                                                            at rest in the estuary.

                                                                                                            Unique     amongst     migratory
                                                                                                            species, the Double-Banded
                                                                                                            Plover traverses along an east-
                                                                                                            west axis between its summer
                                                                                                            breeding grounds in New
                                                                                                            Zealand and winter foraging
                                                                                                            sites    along   the    eastern
                                                                                                            seaboard of Australia.

                                                                                                            The species is considered
                                                                                                            secure in Australia and has
                                                                                                            been observed in the estuary in
                                                                                                            all but one of the last 14 years.

                                                                                                            Credit: Bob Inglis.




9
    Common name only for sub-specie Nunivak (or West Alaskan) Bar-Tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica baueri)

Noosa River – Shorebird Survey Report 2019                                                                                          Page 5