Western Port Welcomes Waterbirds - Newsletter

The second newsletter has been published and can be downloaded by clicking here

An extract from the newsletter is provided below.

Project Background

Western Port Welcomes Waterbirds is a Caring for our Country funded project. It involves a partnership between the Central Coastal Board, the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (Department of Sustainability and Environment) and Bird Observation and Conservation Australia (BOCA). The project aims to provide evidence-based information on the waterbird key high tide roosts and feeding areas in Western Port, the threats operating at those sites and recommendations for improved management of habitats.

Past trends in waterbird populations

The majority of waterbird species that occur regularly in the bay are declining, either since the commencement of the Western Port survey in 1973 or in the last 13 years of reduced rainfall (1997 -2009). This includes common species like Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant and Pacific Black Duck, but also less common species (Victorian-listed threatened species) like Eastern Curlew and Little Tern.

Site of importance to waterbirds

An analysis of site importance indicated that Bunyip River / Yallock Creek, in the north-eastern part of the bay, was the most important site for waterbirds. This was closely followed by Stockyard Point (Jam Jerrup), then Reef Island and Barrallier Island. The least important sites were found to be those that coincided with the greatest amount of coastal development like Hastings, Warneet and Tooradin.

Use of high-tide sites by shorebirds

Data from shorebird capture and monitoring activities conducted by the Victorian Wader Study Group were analysed to elucidate movement patterns within the bay. Two species were captured in sufficient numbers for this analysis: Red-necked Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. Movements of adult birds within a single month indicated that birds used sites in the northern part of the bay interchangeably. Their daily choice of high-tide site is probably influenced by tides and prevailing weather conditions.

Mapping of key waterbird habitat

In consultation with a number of community members (which included BOCA Western Port counters), high-tide sites were mapped to reflect their known extent (either previously or currently). Existing Birds Australia count area mapping served as an excellent baseline (available at http://www.shorebirds.org.au/counting-shorebirds/sites-maps). Important local feeding areas, determined from opportunistic field surveys and in conversation with counters, were also mapped. Birds Australia mapping of available intertidal feeding areas was also included. An example of the new mapping at 2 sites is shown above and right. The light blue colour shows high tide roosts and the orange colour shows important local feeding areas.