Australia lies at the southern end of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of 8 major migratory routes worldwide, and provides important shore, waterway and wetland habitat for roughly 8 million migratory waterbirds that make the long journey to Australia each year.
The journey extends from within the Arctic Circle in Russia and Alaska southwards through East and South-east Asia to Australia and New Zealand encompassing 22 countries. Australia has entered into International Agreements with numerous countries to protect 166 migratory bird species.
National Trust protected lands provide valuable habitat for several listed migratory bird species including the Common Greenshank, Fork-tailed Swift, Red-necked Stint, Common Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and the critically endangered Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit and Great Knot.
Curlew Sandpiper populations have declined by more than 80% in the last 50 years, and seven of Australia’s 37 migratory wader species are near extinction and in urgent need of protection.
Threats to migratory birds in Australia include ongoing human disturbance, habitat loss and degradation from pollution, changes to the water regime and invasive plants.
Learn more about World Migratory Bird Day and how we can Unify our Voices for Bird Conservation: http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
Photo credit: Geoff Taylor
