Adelaide’s bird sanctuary joins global flock

 11 January 2017
Department of Environment,
Water and Natural Resources of Government of South Australia

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Red Necked Stints flying, Thompson Beach SA © M Strokes

Adelaide’s International Bird Sanctuary [EAAF 131] has been officially declared part of the global East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network, strengthening the site’s significance in bird conservation.

The East Asian-Australasian Flyway is one of the world’s great bird migration flight paths. It encompasses 22 countries and is used by more than five million migratory birds a year with 27,000 calling Adelaide’s bird sanctuary home during the warmer months.

Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Bird Sanctuary spokesperson Arkellah Irving said the official induction of the bird sanctuary as the 131st East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network site ensures a globally cooperative effort to conserve South Australia’s shorebirds.

“The bird sanctuary supports critical populations of globally endangered shorebirds including the Red Knot, Great Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit and the Eastern Curlew.

“The Flyway Network inclusion bestows national and international recognition on the site and creates opportunities for local research and funding towards the conservation of birds.

“The bird sanctuary is the second globally significant South Australian site to be included in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network. The first was Coorong, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert site [EAAF 016] which was declared in 1996.”

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Thompson Beach within the bird sanctuary © Adelaide Int Bird Sanctuary

The bird sanctuary spans more than 60 kilometres of Adelaide’s northern coastline, from the Barker Inlet to the township of Parham. The northern section, between Port Gawler and Parham, was proclaimed a national park in October 2016.

East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partners Chief Executive Spike Millington said many of the bird sanctuary’s migratory shorebirds undergo long journeys throughout the Flyway and it’s hoped stronger linkages will be established between the bird sanctuary and some of the other Network sites.

“I would like to congratulate the South Australian Government for nominating the bird sanctuary and also site managers, local landowners and stakeholders for their continued efforts to raise awareness and conserve migratory waterbirds for the benefit of South Australia and the 21 other countries of the Flyway.”

A meeting of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network Partners was held in Singapore today to officially induct the bird sanctuary in the Network.

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Original article: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Home/Full-newsevents-listing/News-Events-Listing/170111-AIBS-joins-global-flock

 

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