Appendix D_Shorebird_survey_report_Final_Jul20_jans edits

                                             Table 4: Survey results by raptor species

  Common name                      EPBC Status           Observation   Seasonal        Last              Recent        Count
                                                         frequency     frequency       observed          peak          trend
  Black Kite                       Secure                 2             1             Aug-19             -              -
  Brahminy Kite                    Secure                 101           14            Sep-19             2              Stable
  Eastern Osprey                   Secure                 84            14            Sep-19             3              Stable
  Nankeen Kestrel                  Secure                 1             1             Mar-09             -              -
  White Bellied Sea Eagle          Secure                 133           15            Sep-19             3              Stable
  Whistling Kite                   Secure                 133           15            Aug-19             4              Stable

Despite the somewhat modest size of the survey area, the diversity of species observed including the
ongoing presence of almost half of the migratory shorebirds common to the EAAF along with numerous
threatened species indicates the high conservation value of the Noosa River estuary.

                                                                                   A mixed group of migratory shorebirds, primarily
                                                                                   Bar-Tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica baueri), at
                                                                                   rest in the Noosa River estuary.

                                                                                   One of two sub-species of Bar-Tailed Godwit to
                                                                                   regularly visit Australia, the Nunivak or West
                                                                                   Alaskan baueri sub-specie pictured here is listed
                                                                                   nationally as vulnerable. The population of Bar-
                                                                                   Tailed Godwit (both sub-species) traversing the
                                                                                   EAAF is estimated at 325,000 individuals.

                                                                                   One of the larger and more abundant of the
                                                                                   migratory shorebirds to visit the Noosa River
                                                                                   estuary, the species was observed in 139 of the
                                                                                   151 surveys conducted.

                                                                                   Credit Jill Dening.




Three Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), foreground
facing camera, in breeding plumage, captured in the
Noosa River amongst Nunivak Bar Tailed Godwit
(Limosa lapponica baueri) and Pied Stilt (Himantopus
leucocephalus) at rear.

One of three species of critically endangered
shorebirds observed in the Noosa River, it migrates
annually to Australia from its breeding grounds in far
northern Siberia.

The EAAF flyway population of the Great Knot is
estimated at 425,000 individuals but it has been
observed only 11 times in 151 surveys in Noosa
River, most recently in October, 2017.

Credit: Allen Briggs.




Noosa River – Shorebird Survey Report 2019                                                                                 Page 12