Appendix D_Shorebird_survey_report_Final_Jul20_jans edits

                                                                                                         A pair of Beach stone-curlew
                                                                                                         (Esacus magnitostris) at watch
                                                                                                         in the Noosa River estuary. A
                                                                                                         generally shy and nocturnal
                                                                                                         species the Beach Stone-
                                                                                                         curlew is considered vulnerable
                                                                                                         in Queensland.

                                                                                                         This resident pair of the species
                                                                                                         in the Noosa River estuary are
                                                                                                         not known to have hatched a
                                                                                                         chick during the survey period.

                                                                                                         Credit: Jill Dening.




7. Conservation

Results of the survey confirm a steady, albeit variable decline in numbers of migratory shorebirds visiting
the Noosa River estuary, though resilience in numbers of some resident species of shorebirds. To the
extent the data permits (see Appendix 4), the declines in migratory species reflects similar trends observed
across the EAAF.

Whilst beyond the scope of this report, recent research suggests that environmental influences at a trans-
hemisphere level (EAAF), as opposed to predominantly local factors, are primarily responsible for the
decline in species numbers observed. The loss of intertidal staging habitat in the Yellow Sea “bottleneck”
has been identified as disproportionately responsible for these declines 28, whilst the impact of climate
change on atmospheric and localised sea surface temperatures, ocean acidity and fish stocks is likely also
responsible. At a national level, declines in certain resident shorebird species, particularly species
frequenting inland areas, suggest disruption to wetland systems in Australia may be influential.

Nonetheless, localised influences including loss of roosting and foraging habitat or food sources, changes
in hydrology, predation and disturbance cannot be disregarded. Whilst the largely siliceous-sand based
habitat of the lower Noosa River survey area remained largely unchanged (but for localised movement and
sand replenishment works as described earlier), reduced seagrass and mangrove coverage, ongoing
sedimentation and declines in benthic biodiversity as identified in recent studies may well have contributed
to the declining abundance witnessed in certain species.

Anecdotal evidence of predation including on the sandbanks and islands of the estuary was also observed
and possibly attributable to introduced foxes, cats and dogs present around the estuary.

Disturbance of shorebirds, particularly migratory species, causing resting birds to repeatedly take flight, and
expending significant energy doing so, is possibly a factor in declining abundance given the survey area’s
proximity to urban areas and the high volume of traffic on and around the Noosa River estuary. Human activity,
particularly vehicular traffic on and around dunes, also risked destroying the fragile nests of resident shorebirds.

Indeed, disturbance of shorebirds was observed to occur with increasing frequency despite the access
restrictions imposed by Noosa Shire Council in 2007 to protect areas with the estuary.




28
   The 2006-2008 Saemangeum shorebird monitoring program report (Moores et al, 2008); Threats to the Yellow Sea’s Tidal Wetlands (Murray et
al, 2014).

Noosa River – Shorebird Survey Report 2019                                                                                       Page 18