Birds Queensland The web site of the Queensland Ornithological Society Inc.

Queensland Wader Study Group

• What are waders?
• How can you help
• What is the Queensland Wader Study Group (QWSG)
• QWSG Membership
• QWSG Contacts

Waders

As autumn approaches, the birds migrate southward. They travel as far as 13000 km, arriving to spend the southern summer on our shores. The smallest of these birds have bodies no larger than a hen's egg, yet they still manage the journey. About 2 million waders migrate to Australia. The south-east corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland is one of the most significant sites in the world for waders. Moreton Bay is also internationally recognized, with more than 40,000 waders arriving during spring and summer.

There are numerous threats to waders in Australia and in other countries of the flyway. In many parts of South-east Asia the birds are hunted and there is widespread habitat loss through coastal reclamation. In Queensland, there is inadequate protection of roost and feeding sites and threats from pollution.

There are international treaties aimed at protecting migratory waders. For example, the Ramsar Convention encourages member countries to conserve and sustainably manage wetlands. Within Queensland, Moreton Bay, Bowling Green Bay (near Townsville), Currawinya Lakes, Shoalwater and Corrio Bays and Great Sandy Strait (incl. Great Sandy Strait, Tin Can Bay, and Tin Can Bay inlet) are listed as Ramsar sites. Wader Study Groups in Australia are working towards the protection of waders by providing scientific information, and advocating both for the preservation and wise management of their habitat

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How can you help?

• Regular counts of waders around Moreton Bay, Cairns, Townsville, Gladstone and other regions. From this the QWSG maintains a wader database for Queensland. This gives us a measure of the abundance of the birds, and will give us early warning signs if the populations are declining.
• Participate in expeditions to interesting sites in Queensland, such as the Great Sandy Straits, to survey wader populations.
• Help lobby for protection of wader habitat. Several areas of international importance for waders have no protection at all.
• Attend or assist with education courses on waders.

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What is the Queensland Wader Study Group (QWSG)

The Queensland Wader Study Group is a voluntary organization.

It was formed to further research on both migratory and resident waders (shorebirds) in Queensland, and to work for their conservation.

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QWSG membership

With your membership you will receive a quarterly newsletter, and be regularly informed of any upcoming events and activities.

Download your application form ( pdf file, 8kb)

Send your application form to:
QWSG Treasurer
PO Box 958
Nightcliff
N.T. 0814

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QWSG contacts

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