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George Archibald visits Cheorwon, Republic of Korea, for the sake of the Cranes and the people in the Land of the Morning Calm:
George Archibald at the EAAFP Secretariat office © Minseon Kim
Geroge Archibold made his visit to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) from September 26 through October 5 and fulfilled his journey with lectures, meetings, field trips, and the media to shared with many – from farmers to leaders – the importance of the conservation of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the bordering Civilian Controlled Zone (CCZ), both vital to the welfare of one-third of the world’s Red-crowned Cranes (1,000) and two-thirds of the White-naped Crane (5,000). Delivering five lectures, he shared images and impressions of changes in and near the DMZ over the past 38 years, as well as describing ICF’s recent work in North Korea to help restore the Anbyon Plain as a safe wintering site for Red-crowned Cranes. These were glimpses into a forbidden and mysterious land little known to South Koreans. His dream is eventually all Koreans can work together on the conservation of these special birds that are symbols of long life and good fortune in the Land of the Morning Calm. If you are interested in a full story on his trip and his lifelong dedication to Cranes in Cheorwon, please read the original article is written by George Archibald, “In the Land of the Morning Calm.”[29/11/11]
International Internships in Conservation at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in the US:
Four-month International Internships in raptor conservation science consist of exposure to and training in all aspects of Hawk mountain Sanctuary conservation, including science, education, and conservation focused on migratory raptors, environmental survey and monitoring, data management, land management, ecotourism, membership programs and fundraising, and the use of volunteer resources. Interns work shoulder-to-shoulder with professional mentors, and each intern completes a collaborative project while at the Sanctuary.
International interns receive free housing at the Sanctuary's Acopian Center for Conservation Learning and a monthly stipend of $600. These internships are offered in Autumn (5 August - 5 December) and Spring (5 March - 5 July) only. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, college graduates, and others interested in careers in raptor conservation. Applicants must speak English, have at least two years of college course work, and exhibit a willingness and ability to interact with the public. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Internships in Conservation Science Application Form can be downloaded from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association website. [10/11/11]
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Send inquiries for application materials to:
Dr. Keith L. Bildstein at
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association website. (http://www.hawkmountain.org/)
Acopian Center for Conservation Learning
410 Summer Valley Road Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania 17961 USA
Phone: 570.943.3411 Fax: 570.943.2284
Education Training Workshop in China for Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation:
Participants of the education training workshop in Xiao Yan Kou, Rudong in Jiangsu Province wearing masks of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. © Vivian Fu Press image for enlargement.
Demonstration of environmental education activities in the field at Minjiang Estuary. © Vivian Fu Press image for enlargement.
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (winter plumage) © BirdLife International Press image for enlargement.
Earlier this year, BirdLife's China Programme (a joint initiative of Hong Kong Bird Watching Society and the BirdLife Asia Division) started to work with Wild Bird Society of Shanghai and Fujian Bird Watching Society on a project 'Saving Spoony's Chinese Wetlands' which is funded by Disney's Friends for Change. Education activities to raise awareness of conserving the wetlands and SBS formed a large part of this project. Therefore, two training workshops on interpretation and ducation were organised between 20th and 28th August, 2011, to equip volunteers and teachers who will help promoting inter-tidal wetland conservation in Rudong and Minjiang Estuary.
The tainers of the workshop were Barrie Cooper from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Simba Chan from BirdLife International Asia Division, Fion Cheung and Yamme Leung from WWF Hong Kong. Fifty-six volunteers from birdwatching societies and universities as well as teachers from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Fujian and Zhejiang attended the four day workshop in Rudong. In Fuzhou, 35 teachers and volunteers of Fujian Bird Watching Society participated in the two day workshop. They were trained on interpretation, education, event organising and communication skills relating to SBS and wetland conservation work. To read on, please find page 10 from the following link. BirdLife Asia Newsletter #36.[10/11/11]
Census finds unexpected fall in Black-faced Spoonbill numbers:
Black-faced Spoonbill at nest © 2011 Partnership for EAAF Press image for enlargement.
The 2011 International Black-faced Spoonbill Census has found a large decrease in the known wintering populations since last year's census. Overall numbers fell from 2,347 birds in January 2010 to 1,848 in January 2011, a decline of 21%. Black-faced Spoonbill is currently considered as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It was downlisted from Critically Endangered in 2000.As in previous years, the biggest wintering population was recorded in Taiwan, but it was here too that the largest drop in numbers was seen, from 1280 in 2010 to 843 (34%).The second most important wintering area, China's Deep Bay (including both Hong Kong and Shenzhen) saw numbers fall from 462 to 411. Although numbers have improved dramatically from the known global population of 300 in 1993, the abrupt fall in this winter's counts emphasizes that this species is still at risk of extinction. Habitat destruction and degradation are still the main threats to the Black-faced Spoonbill. Many coastal wetland areas in this region are being destroyed for development (for example, in Hainan, Macao and Korea). The original article can be found here.[10/11/11]
Provision to protect the shorebird roosting areas in the Manukau Harbour submitted to Auckland Council, New Zealand:
Auckland the largest City in New Zealand is located on the northern shores of the Manukau Harbour. This harbour is the feeding ground for approximately 26,000 migratory shorebirds, the largest concentration of these birds in New Zealand. As the City grows housing and industries are being established around the shoreline of the harbour. David Lawrie from the Miranda Naturalists' Trust has been lodging submissions with the Council to remind them of the vulnerability of the shorebird roosting areas. The planning documents make provision to protect the intertidal areas, which are the feeding grounds for the birds. However, due to the growth of the City there are only 5 remaining high tide roosting areas still available. The submissions are to ensure that these areas are protected from any adjacent development or increase in access by humans that would lead to disturbance during the high tide period. Often Local Government Officials forget that the most critical and vulnerable period for wading birds is during the time of high tide when they are concentrated onto relatively small areas. It is critical that these areas are identified and protected from disturbance. [Original article provided by David Lawrie, Miranda Naturalists’ Trust](709KB) [07/11/11]
A third of the global population of one of the planet’s rarest species, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, discovered at threatened site in China:
The flocks of Spoon-billed Sandpiper in the Rudong mudflats, China
© Tong Menxiu Press image for enlargement.
Spoon-billed Sandpipers in the Rudong mudflats, China
© Tong Menxiu Press image for enlargement.
A record 103 birds were recorded at a new site in the Rudong mudflats in China [last week]. The estimated total number of spoon-billed sandpipers is thought to be less than 300 adults, meaning the site is depended upon as a stopover for about a third of the world’s population. However, plans to redevelop the site mean it may soon cease to exist, plunging the birds’ future into further danger. Members of the Shanghai Wild Bird Society (SWBS) were responsible for the find and have been financially supported by the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP).
Tong Menxui from the SBWS discovered the unusually high numbers over a series of days, peaking at 103 on the 12 October including a count of over 50 birds at a previously unknown site in the vast mudflats. He said: “The sudden cold spell and bad weather might have triggered the birds to stop migrating further so the birds are assembling on Rudong before crossing larger distances. Among the flocks were only two juveniles, which are known to migrate separately and usually later. We intend to continue to monitor the site for more birds passing through over the coming days and weeks.”
To read more, original article can be found here [04/11/11]
Major study of shorebird flyway populations gets underway:
A new project led by the University of Queensland's Dr Richard Fuller is aiming to measure the size of the declines in shorebird populations throughout the East–Asian Australasian Flyway. Recent analysis by UQ scientists discovered that some species spending the non-breeding season in south-east Queensland have declined by up to 70% in the past 20 years (Wilson et al. in press). This new project will further try to understand what is driving declines in shorebirds, and what we can do to reverse it. The work is co-funded by a Linkage grant from the Australian Research Council, State and Federal environment departments, and the Queensland Wader Study Group. Not long after the project got underway, Andrew Geering (Chair, Queensland Wader Study Group) presented our work on migratory shorebirds to Bruce Miller, the Australian Ambassador Designate to Japan when he visited the University of Queensland on July 14th. We are happy to report that growing numbers of people are showing interest in the plight of migratory shorebirds, including Ambassador Miller. To learn more visit www.fullerlab.org [10/08/11]
First Spoon-billed Sandpiper chicks hatch in captivity:
The first Spoon-billed Sandpiper chicks have hatched in a captive breeding scheme to bring the bird back from the brink of extinction. Conservationists said 17 chicks have hatched from eggs taken from breeding grounds in Chukotka, in the far east of Russia, in an emergency bid to establish a captive population for eventual release to the wild. The team of experts led by staff at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Birds Russia is attempting to save the critically endangered sandpiper, one of the world's rarest birds, whose numbers had fallen to an estimated 120-200 pairs in the wild by 2009. [29/07/11]
Wetland Link International, Wetland Centre Exchange Programme:
Working with the Ramsar Secretariat, Wetland Link International (WLI) is developing a programme of exchange visits, to develop staff ability and experience. If you are interested in either hosting a colleague from another centre, or you would like to spend some time at another centre, please contact Chris Rostron of WLI at WLI hopes that people will spend up to a month at another centre. [29/07/11]
2012 Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia Wetland Fund (RRC-EA WF) now open; closing on 10 August 2011:
The RRC-EA Wetland Fund is open to those activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of wetlands in Eastern and South-eastern Asia. Due to scheduling issues, the deadline is 10 August 2011. All project proposals must be endorsed and submitted by the Ramsar Administrative Authority in each eligible Contracting Party. For more detailed instructions, please contact Mr. Maurice Lineman of RRC-EA if you have any questions. [29/07/11]
International Symposium on Black-faced Spoonbill held in Ganghwa, South Korea:
Participants at the Korea-Japan Symposium for conserving the Black-faced Spoonbill, May 2011 © Ganghwa Tidal Flat Center Press image for enlargement.
On 16-17 May 2011, the Korea-Japan Symposium for conserving the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and developing networks was held in Ganghwa in South Korea, as follow-up to the Korea-Taiwan Symposium last year. The event was hosted by Ganghwa Tidal Flat Center and Ganghwa County Office. To encourage conservation activities for the threatened Black-faced Spoonbill, presentations containing biological and ecological features of the endangered spoonbill in breeding and wintering areas, its migration and international cooperation, CEPA activities and successful management of artificial habitat, were delivered to more than 60 participants. Korea is the main place where Black-faced Spoonbills breed and participants were captivated by watching the breeding spoonbills during a field trip to Namdong Reservoir in Songdo, where unusually close viewing was possible. [25/05/11]
SISTER WETLAND AFFILIATIONS PROGRAMME 2010:
Students doing their part in conservation work at Sungei Buloh
© Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
To commemorate the International Year of Biodiversity, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve organised the Sister Wetland Affiliations Programme (SWAP 2010). Through SWAP 2010, sister wetlands and sister schools in the East Asian Australasian region came together in a collaboration for the conservation of wetlands and the protection of migratory shorebirds. Students from 3 local schools, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, Pei Cai Secondary School and River Valley High School, interacted and exchanged information on their respective local wetlands with students from a Japanese School, Mishima High School. As of Dec 2010, there were 12 project works from these 4 schools and 1,200 web viewing hits for their works. On 7-8 Dec, the local students had the opportunity to meet face to face with students from Mishima High school. Together with Sungei Buloh volunteers and staff, the local students played host to 320 Japanese students on this 2-day programme and showed them around the wetland reserve in Singapore. Students from both countries also created their very own art impressions of their wetlands in commemoration of this programme and partnership. For more information on SWAP 2010, please visit here. [23/02/11]
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve's new 'wireless' trail:
Open for the first time to the public, the free wireless trail using ColorCode enables visitors holding mobile devices with cameras and Internet connection (such as smartphones) to learn about the flora and fauna at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Visitors to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore on 12 Feb had the opportunity to learn about mangrove biodiversity through interactive media using their mobile devices with the launch of a free wireless trail using the trademarked ColorCode technology. They were also treated to a special exhibition and guided walks on mangrove forests. The event - organised by the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, National Parks Board (NParks) in celebration of World Wetlands Day help enhance visitor experience to the Reserve - help highlight the importance of mangrove forests. Open for the first time to the public, the free wireless trail using ColorCode enables visitors holding mobile devices with cameras and Internet connection (such as smartphones) to learn about the flora and fauna at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The exhibition - sponsored by HSBC - is open to the public until September 2011. More talks and guided walks at the reserve will be organised throughout 2011. For more information, go to www.nparks.gov.sg, Original article can be found here. [23/02/11]
The State of New Zealand's Birds 2009:
Conservation for Migrant Birds A report on migrant birds has been published by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand in September 2010 as part of its commitment to assist the conservation and management of birds by providing information, from which sound management decisions can be derived. The report emphasizes that international cooperation is required to strengthen the network of habitats for migratory birds because habitat loss along the flyway has been identified as a major threat to Northern Hemisphere shorebirds which spend the non-breeding season in New Zealand. It also encourages the New Zealand government to join the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership as to extend its involvement in international collaboration to conserve migratory waterbirds and their habitats. It includes key findings regarding potential impacts of climate change on migratory birds from loss of feeding and breeding grounds and high tide roosts, as well as potentially affecting migration routes due to changes in weather patterns. The report can be downloaded at the website. [10/11/10]
New publication: State of the World’s Waterbirds: Mass declines in Asia, recovery in North America and Europe:
A new publication of Wetlands International illustrates that waterbirds are not doing well. Of all populations, 44% are declining. Species in Asia are in serious trouble due to the rapid loss of wetland areas driven by economic developments, and very many populations in Africa and South America are also declining. There is also good news: in regions with strong conservation legislation (North America, Europe and Oceania), many populations are recovering. This colourful publication is based on survey work coordinated in over 100 countries and at continental scales under the International Waterbird Census. The majority of the 900 waterbird species of our planet have been investigated. These investigations have been combined with other scientific sources to provide the basis for the Waterbird Population Estimates (WPE) series of publications. A new analysis has tracked changes of population estimates for waterbird species over the four editions of the WPE to produce a global picture on status and trends. The book will be launched at the Side Event on the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership on 21 October 2010 at the Convention on Biological Diversity meeting in Nagoya, Japan. It is also downloadable from here. [20/10/10]
Call for applications to the Asian Waterbird Conservation Fund:
The 'Asian Waterbird Conservation Fund' has been established to provide financial support to projects at sites of importance for migratory waterbirds in the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. Cathay Pacific placed an initial donation of HK$500,000 (approx. US$65,000) into the Fund which is administered by WWF Hong Kong. At present, the maximum amount that can be applied for each project shall not exceed US$4,000. Eleven projects have been funded since the first round of applications in June 2006. You may visit the website for details. There will be a single call for applications to the Fund each year with the deadline currently being 31 October 2010. For the application form and further information, please check here or contact the AWCF Secretariat by e-mail . [14/09/10]
International Forum on Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation in Fujin, China:
The International Forum on Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation was held in Fujin, Heilongjiang, China on 14-15 August 2010. It was hosted at Sanjiang Wetland Education Center by Wetlands International China and the State Forestry Administration (SFA). National participants were from the Wetland Management Conservation Office of the SFA, the Forestry Department of Heilongjiang Province, Fujin City Mayor and staff, and managers of National Nature Reserves in Heilongjiang Province. International participants were from Wetlands International – Malaysia, Global Environment Center, IUCN China Office, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone, the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat and two Korean local government officials from Goyang City and Changnyeong County. Presentations included understanding of wetland functions including theoretical research on wetland conservation, impact analysis of wetland functions and good managerial practices within National Nature Reserves. The Communication Officer of the EAAFP organized a side meeting with Network Site managers in Heilongjiang to discuss current issues of network sites in China and sister site arrangements between China and Korea. [27/08/10]
The 2010 Asia conference of Wetland Link International will take place on 22-25 November:
The 2010 Asia conference of Wetland Link International will take place on 22-25 November hosted by the Malaysia Nature Society and supported by the Malaysia Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment. The conference is aimed at those working on engagement and education activities at wetlands, and follows themes of wetlands and people, involving the private sector, interpreting wetland science and evaluation of CEPA methods. You can find more details at here. EAAFP Partners please note that several waterbird-related events have been scheduled in our Flyway for the last week of November 2010 and in adjacent weeks. [25/08/10]
WWF-Hong Kong, Using Mobile Technology for Environmental Education in Schools:
Copyright 2010 WWF Hong Kong.
To mark the World Migratory Bird Day 2010, WWF-Hong Kong organized one of its ten training courses using IT for environmental education. WWF brought conservation and mobile devices together at the Mai Po Nature Reserve to increase educational awareness. Particularly, primary school teachers experienced using a range of mobile technologies. The main focus of the training was the use of mobile technology in the nature reserve, from touch-screen netbooks to digital cameras and internet resources, to assist and inspire teachers to understand and get involved in conservation issues. Increasing interactive activities such as using hand-held devices to calculate bird populations, carrying out experiments with portable digital microscopes, or using webcams to record experiences will bring students closer to the natural environment and further engage them in wildlife protection efforts. WWF will offer another programme to secondary school teachers in September 2010. [30/06/10] Learn more about WWF’s education programme
Workshops on strategic directions for flyway activities:
The Africa-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) celebrated its 15th anniversary on 14-15 June 2010 at The Hague, The Netherlands. A major part of this event was six workshops on aspects of AEWA work, to review achievement and challenges and recommend strategic directions for coming years. The EAAFP’s Chief Executive participated in the event and presented an overview of the EAAF Flyway Site Network, which involves informal stand-alone designations of importance. A high point of the event was launch of the Critical Site Network Tool, a sophisticated interactive database that gives access to waterbird and management data and maps of important sites, for three flyways. This tool and other experiences from AEWA will be helpful to further development of the Partnership for the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. Further exchange of experience and knowledge, to guide flyway conservation generally, will occur at a global flyways workshop slated for late November 2010, in the Republic of Korea. [23/06/10] Go to AEWA Press Release (14 June 2010)
International Workshop on Conservation of Cranes:
During 28 May to 3 June, an international workshop on conservation of cranes was held at Muraviovka Park, Amur region, in the Russian Far East. It was organised by the International Crane Foundation and Muraviovka Park for Sustainable Land Use (a private venture), in cooperation with the Wetlands International – IUCN Crane Specialist Group and the Amur Regional Government. The meeting enabled sharing of experience from 13 countries (33 participants) across all continents in which cranes occur, especially in relation to interactions of cranes and agriculture (including issues of artificial feeding) and impacts of water supply and climate change on crane survival. Through workshop sessions the participants established outlines and work-plans for production of publications on these broad topics. Discussion on strategic directions for the Specialist Group was also conducted and participants gained firsthand experience of the Park’s floodplain wetlands, nesting cranes and storks, and present management issues typical of such habitats in the Amur region. Public ceremonies at the Park and in Blagoveshchensk city drew attention to management of the Park and cranes/waterbirds generally, with encouraging indications of government and community support. [23/06/10]
Outcomes and activities of The Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Team:
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Team (SBS RT) lead by Christoph Zockler has recently released a special paper summarizing the hunting threat in Myanmar. During the Fourth Meeting of Partners of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partership, Feb 2010, SBS RT was welcomed by the Partnership and could become a species task force under the EAAFP in close consultation with CMS and the EAAFP Shorebird Working Group. The 8th SBS RT meeting is planed to be held together with the Fifth Meeting of Partners in December 2010.[16/06/10]
Download paper: Hunting in Myanmar is probably the main cause of the decline of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmeus
Download Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Team News Bulletin No. 4 (May 2010)
Loss of attention to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza:
The Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds expressed its concerns on shrinking attention and support to study of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. The task force is jointly led by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) with 15 international collaborating bodies offering experts on avian influenza including five EAAFP Partners. Experts highlighted that there are multiple countries that are endemic with HPAI H5N1 (most in east and south Asia), and there continue to be new outbreaks occurring across Eurasia demonstrating that while attention may have been distracted by other issues, the core problem is still present. The lack of media attention and global complacency has resulted in a significant decline in funding to support efforts to fight HPAI H5N1 and this may have important implications in the future. Please refer to the news article linked below. [21/04/10]
Go to FAO news release: On the trail of avian influenza (23 March 2010)
Amazing travel distance and routes of Ruddy Turnstones discovered:
Researchers from Australia have discovered amazing travel distances and routes of Ruddy Turnstones by tracking their journeys with light-sensor geolocators. Fascinated by their findings, they attached geolocators to another 60 Ruddy Turnstones in Australia and are waiting for a further exciting result in season 2010-11. Please download Birds Australia E-News of April 2010 and visit the independent website for detailed information about their interesting results! [14/04/10]
Download Birds Australia E-News of April 2010
Go to see the Independent E-News of 12 April.
New waterbird publication, Status of Waterbirds in Asia
Wetlands International has gathered the results of twenty years of waterbird monitoring in Asia in the new publication entitled Status of Waterbirds in Asia - Results of the Asian Waterbird Census: 1987-2007. The results of the analysis in Status of Waterbirds in Asia include information on waterbird numbers at a large variety of sites designated under various international and national instruments. The publication highlights the value of long term monitoring of waterbirds and wetlands, and the need for strengthening national networks of thousands of volunteers who collect the necessary data. [24/03/10]
Download Status of Waterbirds in Asia - Results of the Asian Waterbird Census: 1987-2007
New International Action Plans
BirdLife International, supported by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), has compiled International Action Plans for three highly threatened waterbirds in Asia: Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Chinese Crested Tern, and Black-faced Spoonbill. The action plans for the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) and Chinese Crested Tern (Sterna bernsteini) were launched at the fourth meeting of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership on 23 February 2010. [24/03/10]
Download CMS Species Action Plans
Promotion of World Migratory Bird Day, 8-9 May 2010
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 and is coordinated by the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). It is an annual global awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. This year’s theme is “Save migratory birds in crisis – every species counts!” The event is closely linked to the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) declared by the United Nations for 2010. The East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership has recently become a Partner of WMBD. [24/03/10]
Go to the World Migratory Bird Day 2010 Website
BirdLife International News Release
Black-faced Spoonbill numbers up again as Action Plans are launched. [05/3/10] More »
Wetland International News Release
Numbers of waterbirds in Asia are rapidly declining. [12/3/10] More »
AEWA News Release
The World Migratory Bird Day 2010 focuses on globally threatened migratory birds. [16/3/10] More »