• Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore announced Sister Sites

        Photo shows the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site in Hong Kong (left) and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore (right) In line with World Migratory Bird Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of Hong Kong S.A.R., the National Parks Board of Singapore, the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong and the World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the conservation of migratory waterbirds on 12 May, 2023. This MoU establishes the Sister Sites between the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site (Flyway Network Site EAAF 003) in Hong Kong S.A.R. and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (Flyway Network Site EAAF 073) in Singapore following the Sister Site Programme of East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership. This is the first Sister Site Agreement of EAAFP since the adoption of Guidelines for the EAAFP Sister Site Program during the 11th Meeting of Partners (MOP11). The Sister Site Agreement showcased collaboration among government agencies and NGOs.  Areas of cooperation include mutual assistance in the continuous development and management of the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. In addition, the MoU signing parties involved will initiate collaboration in research on migratory shorebirds, exchange of expertise and training on the management of wetland habitats, and promotion of the sites. Dr Leung Siu-fai, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation said, “Tomorrow is World Migratory Bird Day which aims to raise awareness on the conservation of migratory birds and the wetland habitats they depend on. The conservation of migratory birds especially requires collaboration across the region. The MoU demonstrates that Hong Kong and Singapore are committed to the conservation of wetlands and migratory waterbirds through closer collaboration.” Ms Nicole Wong, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong said, “WWF-Hong Kong has been managing Mai Po Nature Reserve in collaboration with AFCD since 1983. The MoU with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve lays the foundations for a future partnership that will improve the management of both wetlands, allow for the exchange of expertise and knowledge, and secure an integrated network of wetland ecosystems for migratory shorebirds.” Dr. Leong Chee Chiew, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation and Executive Director, National Parks, Gardens and Nature Reserves of the National Parks Board of Singapore said, “International cooperation is key to supporting migratory shorebirds as they require multiple refuelling stops on their long-distance travels to roost and feed. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Mai Po Inner Deep Bay serve as two important sites along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This MoU will strengthen the partnership between the two wetlands, and the National Parks Board will continue building cross-border collaboration on the conservation of wetland sites to protect these shorebirds and their habitats.” "WWF-Singapore recognises the significance of both these wetlands for migratory birds. This transnational collaboration between NParks, AFCD, WWF-Hong Kong and WWF-Singapore will enable more opportunities for protection and conservation work. We also look forward to amplifying the conservation efforts of habitats and species in these wetlands through our upcoming contribution to educational programmes in Singapore," said Mr. R. Raghunathan, CEO of WWF-Singapore. Learn more about: Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site (Flyway Network Site EAAF 003) in Hong Kong S.A.R. (here) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore (Flyway Network Site EAAF 073) (here) EAAFP Sister Site Program (here) Read the original news release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/12/P2023051200276.htm https://www.wwf.org.hk/en/?25563/Mai-Po-and-Sungei-Buloh-establish-Sister-Wetlands


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  • World Migratory Bird Day 2023 highlights impact of the growing water crisis on migratory birds

    BOULDER/BONN/INCHEON, 13 May 2023 – Water and its importance to migratory birds – and the increasing threats to both water quality and quantity -  is the focus of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. Activities to mark the campaign will be held globally on two peak days in May and October under the theme “Water: Sustaining Bird Life” Water is fundamental to sustaining life on our planet. Migratory birds rely on water and its associated habitats—lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, swamps, marshes, and coastal wetlands—for breeding, resting, refueling during migration, and wintering. Yet increasing human demand for water, along with climate change, pollution, and other factors, are threatening these precious aquatic ecosystems. Headlines around the world are sounding alarm: 35 percent of the world’s wetlands, critical to migratory birds, have been lost in the last 50 years. Utah’s Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and used by more than a million shorebirds, is in danger of disappearing within five years. Across the Amur-Heilong Basin in Asia, climate change is amplifying the impact of habitat destruction by depleting natural water systems and depriving migratory birds of vital breeding and stopover site.  These sobering examples go hand-in-hand with recent reports that reveal that 48 percent of bird species worldwide are undergoing population declines. Another poignant example is that of the Aral Sea shared by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.  Once the fourth-largest lake in the world,  it is widely regarded as one of the planet’s worst water-related environmental disasters. Soviet-era irrigation projects almost completely dried up the lake, which led to the loss of livelihoods for fishermen and farmers and the deterioration of public health due to toxic dust and reduced access to clean water.  The impact has been severe for the communities around the lake, but also for migratory birds, which lost important food sources and a critically important stopover point on their journey. Another example is the Sahel, a vast semi-arid region in Africa: Prolonged periods of drought, deforestation, and overgrazing in the Sahel have led to the degradation of the soil and loss of vegetation, threatening the survival of both the local human population and wildlife, including migratory birds. Lake Chad, one of the largest water bodies in Africa in 1960, lost 90 % of its area, depleting water resources for local communities and also for many migratory birds. World Migratory Bird Day serves as an international call to action for the protection of migratory birds, whose ranges often span multiple countries, and are facing many different threats worldwide. The annual campaign is organized by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), Environment for the Americas (EFTA), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP). World Migratory Bird Day 2023 will be officially held on 13 May and 14 October. The two days of World Migratory Bird Day reflect the cyclical nature of bird migration as well as the fact that there are varying peak migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres. Events to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of water will take place all over the world including in local parks, nature centers, museums, libraries, schools, and other locations on these peak days and throughout the year. To learn more about this year’s World Migratory Bird Day campaign and actions to take, visit www.worldmigratorybirdday.org  and EAAFP WMBD 2023 webpage: https://www.eaaflyway.net/world-migratory-bird-day-2023/ Also, please have a look of the Campaign Strategy for promoting World Migratory Bird Day, click [here]. For more resources, visit the Trello Board [here]. Message from the Partners of World Migratory Bird Day    Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) “Water is essential for people as well as for migratory birds and other wild species of animals. Yet around the world, the availability and quality of water is under enormous pressure, with deeply concerning implications.  The looming global water crisis requires urgent action by governments, businesses, local communities as well as individuals. Because migratory birds cross national borders and even continents, international cooperation is essential to ensure that actions are taken to conserve and restore important habitat for migratory birds, and to address the drivers of water loss, pollution, and climate change,” said Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).     African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) “The water crisis recently highlighted by the UN 2023 Water Conference also has a tremendous impact on migratory birds. In the Sahel in particular, many wetlands on which migratory waterbirds rely during the non-breeding period are shrinking. Water is a vital resource for all, local communities as well as birds. By reducing our consumption, combatting climate change, and managing wetlands wiser, we can improve the situation,” said Dr. Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).   Environment for the Americas (EFTA) “World Migratory Bird Day 2023 spotlights the vital role that water plays in the survival of our shared birds. The focal species illustrated on the campaign poster depict the intricate bond each bird shares with water. The diminutive Rufous Hummingbird thrives on nectar-producing flowers that rely on water for their blooms, and the Dickcissel scours the grasslands for seeds that hold the moisture they need. White Pelicans and Ospreys seek their prey in freshwater lakes, while the magnificent Wandering Albatross and Atlantic Puffin remain at sea. WMBD is an opportunity to unify our voices for the conservation of migratory birds and to celebrate their spectacular journeys,” said Dr. Susan Bonfield, Executive Director at Environment for the Americas (EFTA).   East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) “This year's WMBD theme serves as a vital reminder of the linkage of migratory birds to the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems and conserving wetlands. As birds such as threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Dalmatian Pelican, and Sarus Crane migrate, they rely heavily on wetlands for survival. We must take urgent actions and collaborate at all levels, from citizens to among governments, to tackle the problems of saving water and aquatic ecosystem, and ensure that migratory birds continue to thrive.” Ms. Yeounhee Ahn, Deputy Executive of East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP).  


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  • EAAFP MOP11 – 4th Notification to Partners

    With regards to the continuing COVID-19 global pandemic situation, international travel measures and restrictions imposed in many Partner countries, the Australian Government and BirdLife Australia have proposed revised dates regarding the hosting of MoP11 to the 12th -17th March, 2023 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The EAAFP Management Committee has accepted the generous hosting offer from the Australian co-hosts. The Management Committee also endorsed the Secretariat organizing a series of webinars to increase dialogue with and between Partners. This is also an opportunity for Partners to be briefed on important issues to be tabled for consideration at MoP11, including Activities of the Secretariat; Draft Guidelines for National/Site Partnerships and Sister Site Programme; Migratory Waterbird Conservation Status Review; Update on the ADB Regional Flyway Initiative; Briefing on the proposed Partner Reporting Template for MoP 11, etc. The webinars are proposed for June, 2022. Further notification and details will be announced in due course. The EAAFP Secretariat regrets any inconvenience caused by the postponement of MoP. The Secretariat will continue its work and update Partners, Working Groups and Task Forces on issues and the proposed decision papers related to MoP11 via email, the MoP11 webpage , and social media channels. Please feel free to contact the Secretariat at secretariat@eaaflyway.net for any relevant inquiries.


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  • Learn about Migratory Shorebirds with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve!

    Shorebird migration is one of Nature’s most enigmatic phenomena. To increase awareness and understanding on these amazing birds, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve created ‘Shorebird Migration’, an educational video that…


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  • Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force meeting 2021

    Drafted by The Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force The Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force of The East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) completed a two-days online meeting between 24 and 25 November…


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  • An uncertain time ahead for migratory waterbirds in South-east Asia

    Sandwiched between the land masses of East Asia and Australia, South-east Asia lies near the geographical heart of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, an important migratory corridor used…


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  • Official Launching of Regional Flyway Initiative

    On 14th October, The East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and BirdLife International today launched the Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI), a long-term…


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  • Researchers discover how migratory shorebirds travelling from Southeast Asia cross the Himalayas to breeding grounds in China and Russia

    Singapore revealed to be at the intersection of the Central Asian Flyway and East Asian-Australasian Flyway These new insights give researchers, policymakers and conservation biologists a more robust…


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  • From Birthday to Bird day! – Celebrating Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s 25th Anniversary, World Migratory Bird Day, and the addition of Mandai Mangrove and Mudflats in 2018

    In conjunction with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s 25th Anniversary, the Reserve kicked off its year-long celebrations on World Wetlands Day, culminating with Welcome Waders! From 7 to 13 October…


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  • Celebrating World Wetlands Day 2019 at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve!

    Wetlands support a diverse range of wildlife and are important habitats that provide water, food and shelter for the animals. They also serve as crucial stopover sites for migratory…


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