4. SPECIES ACCOUNTS

24 | Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway | 25 24 | Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway

4. SPECIES ACCOUNTS

4.1 Introduction to the Species Ac-counts

The species accounts present the information collected on each species in the East Asian - Australasian Flyway. They follow a common format with information presented in sections as outlined below. The aim of this introduction is to assist the reader to find and interpret the information presented in the species accounts. The species accounts appear in taxonomic order based on Christidis and Boles (1994).

Summary Box

The Summary Box appears at the beginning of each species account and summarises key information on population size. Three values are presented for the EAA Flyway (abbreviated to ‘Flyway’ in the Summary Box):

• Estimate. The Population Estimate for that species in the EAA Flyway, as generated by the process detailed in the Methods section.

• 1% threshold. Derived from the Estimate, this value was used to identify important sites. Counts that exceeded this threshold were considered to be ‘internationally important’. The calculation and use of 1% threshold val-ues are discussed in the Methods section.

• Staging threshold. Also derived from the Population Estimate, this value was used to identify important staging sites during migra-tion periods.

In addition to the three Flyway values, the Sum-mary Box includes a global estimate for each species, derived from the population estimates presented by Delany and Scott (2002).

Population

The Population section provides information on the species, including:

• Whether the species is monotypic, or whether subspecies have been recognised.

• The proportion of the species’ (or subspecies’) population that is thought to migrate via the EAA Flyway.

• A simplified description of the breeding and non-breeding distribution of the species and, where relevant, subspecies.

• The conservation status of the species, where applicable (Birdlife International 2001).

Unless otherwise stated, the information pro-vided in the Population section was sourced from Hayman et al. (1986), Higgins and Davies (1996) and Delany and Scott (2002). In order to

reduce repetition these references are not cited in the Population section.

Data

The Data section provides information as to how our data compare with other sources, and high-lights any major trends that are evident. This section may include:

• A statement that summarises the comparison of our estimate to that of Delany and Scott (2002);

• A statement that summarises the comparison of our estimate to other estimates;

• A rationale to any major changes from the estimates of Delany and Scott (2002);

• Comments on broad trends in the population such as the distribution of the species in the non-breeding period.

Important Sites

This section presents the internationally impor-tant sites for the population across its annual cycle. It highlights the regions within the Flyway which are important for the species. Site-specif-ic maximum counts, and an indication of impor-tance of these sites during the annual cycle, are provided in the Table of Sites of International Importance for each species (see below).

Migration

This section discusses patterns of migration based on the distribution of important sites for each species across the year.

Table of Sites of International Importance

This Table lists internationally important sites for the species. Sites are presented in decreasing order of the maximum count. Explanations of the headings used in the table follow:

Site Code: site number used in the figure show-ing sites of international importance.

Site Name: the site name (in English).

Country: three letter country code.

Max. Count: highest count for the site.

Date: the date that the highest count was made. Occasionally a date of the highest count was not provided in the reference source, in which case ‘NA’ (Not Available) appears in place of a date.

SM: southward migration period.

NB: non-breeding period.

NM: northward migration period.

26 | Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway

B: breeding period.

Ref.: reference cited for maximum count.

A tick mark () under the headings of SM, NB, NM, or B indicates that species counts have exceeded the relevant threshold for international importance at least once during the designated period at this site.

Rows in the table listing sites with counts that only meet the staging criterion are shared

.

Figure(s) of Sites of International Importance

This figure(s) shows the distribution of sites of international importance for that species. Both non-breeding and staging sites are shown (dif-ferentiated by the size of the site marker as defined in the figure key). The numbers adja-cent to site markers refer to the respective site in the Table of Sites of International Importance. The breeding range shown was usually derived from del Hoyo et al. (1996), and other authors in a few cases as cited.

Figure of Non-breeding Distribution

This figure is a map that shows the distribution of a species in the non-breeding period (Decem-ber to February). It is presented only for species for which a “Sum Country Estimate” appears in Table 3.1. Graded shading has been used to indicate the approximate percentage of the Population Estimate that occurs in each country during this period. The percentage range that each shade represents is indicated on the figure key.

Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway | 27 27 | Migratory Shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway

Population

There are three subspecies of the Common Snipe: G. gallinago delicata, G. g. faroeensis and G. g. gallinago. Only G. g. gallinago occurs in the EAA Flyway. G. g. gallinago has a pan-Palaearctic breeding distribution and migrates in the non-breeding period to Africa, and central and south-eastern Asia.

Common SnipeGallinago gallinago

Flyway Estimate: 100 000 – 1 000 000 1% threshold: 1 000 Staging threshold: 250Global Delany and Scott (2002): 5 670 000 – 9 470 000

Figure 4.1 Common Snipe – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.1.

Data

The Common Snipe is infrequently recorded in waterbird surveys because it is cryptic, its preferred habitats of swamps and flooded grass-lands (including ricefields) are under-surveyed, and it is difficult to distinguish in the field from Swinhoe’s, Pin-tailed and Japanese Snipes. Therefore, many counts of these four species must be regarded with caution. Count data were poor and it was not possible to assign the spe-cies a Flyway Population Estimate, so the range proposed by Delany and Scott (2002) has been retained.


Important Sites

Only four sites have been identified that exceed the 1% threshold, with two qualifying counts in Russia (the number from Daursky Nature Reserve being an estimate) and two in China Table 4.1). The Russian counts were from late during northward migration and within, or close to, the breeding range of the species (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The Chinese counts were from the non-breeding period.

No sites exceeded the staging threshold.

Table 4.1 Common Snipe - sites of international importanceSite

Code Site Country Max Count Date SM NB NM B Ref.

335 Daursky Nature Reserve RUS 30,000 1/06/1995 . . . 71

337 Kharchinskoe Lake RUS 5,000 23/05/1999 . . . 67

176 Poyang Hu National Nature Reserve

CHI 3,900 23/01/1988 . . . 169

157 Gaoyou Hu/Shabo Hu CHI 3,800 16/01/1990 . . . 169

Migration

Data were insufficient to enable comment on the migratory paths. Important sites were inland rather than coastal.


Population

The monotypic Japanese Snipe occurs only in the EAA Flyway, breeds in Japan and parts of the Russian Far East and migrates to eastern Australia for the non-breeding period (Nechaev 1994).

Japanese (Latham’s) SnipeGallinago hardwickii

Data

The Flyway population estimate of 36 000 is based on studies carried out in the mid-1980s on the breeding grounds in Japan (Naarding 1986). The estimates fall within the range of 25 000 – 100 000 proposed by Delany and Scott (2002). It was not possible to revise this estimate be-cause, as with other snipe, the species is poorly surveyed and there were few new count data.

Until 1985 the species was hunted in parts of Australia with up to 10 000 birds taken annually, including at least 6 000 in 1984 (Watkins 1993). The estimate of 36 000 was generated shortly

Flyway Estimate: 36 000 1% threshold: 360 Staging threshold: 90Global Delany and Scott (2002): 25 000 – 100 000

Figure 4.2 Japanese Snipe – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.2.


after the cessation of hunting and therefore the population may have increased. In addition, the estimate does not account for birds breeding in the Russian Far East, where Nechaev (1994) reports at least 500 pairs from Sakhalin Island.

Important Sites

Only one site exceeded the 1% threshold.

Naarding (1983) refers to a density of 50 birds/ha in Seaford Swamp (Australia) in February 1983, with a highest single count of 200 (Janu-ary 1979). Given the cryptic nature of Japanese Snipe, numbers may have been higher than this, but the wetland is reported to have de-clined in value for the species since the reduc-tion of sewage outfall and as a result of nearby earthworks (P. Lansley, pers. comm.).

Migration

Migration of the Japanese Snipe from Japan to south-eastern Australia is thought to be via New Guinea and north-eastern Australia (Hayman et al. 1986, Higgins and Davies 1996). The scar-city of records of the species on southward mi-gration outside the Australasian region suggests that it may fly non-stop from Japan. Weight-gain studies in south-eastern Australia indicate that birds require staging in northern Australia prior to northward migration (Lane 1987), but such areas have yet to be identified.

Table 4.2 Japanese Snipe - sites of international importance.

Site Code Site Country Max

Count Date SM NB NM B Ref.

26 Cedar Hill and Hexham Swamp AUS 500 1/02/1998 . . . 156


Swinhoe’s SnipeGallinago megala

Figure 4.3 Swinhoe’s Snipe – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.3.

Population

Swinhoe’s Snipe is monotypic with a breeding range in central and southern Siberia and, for-merly, eastern Siberia. The non-breeding range extends from India to New Guinea and northern Australia, but it is thought that the entire popula-tion of Swinhoe’s Snipe utilises the EAA Flyway.

Data

As with other snipe species, Swinhoe’s Snipe is poorly counted and therefore the population range of Delany and Scott (2002) has been retained.

Important Sites

No sites exceeded the 1% threshold and only one site exceeded the staging threshold.

Migration

Within the EAA Flyway, migration is believed to be via the east coast of China, where one site exceeded the staging threshold (Higgins and Davies 1996).

Flyway Estimate: 25 000 – 100 000 1% threshold: 250 Staging threshold: 62Global Delany and Scott (2002): 25 000 – 100 000

Table 4.3 Swinhoe’s Snipe - sites of international importance



191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 76 21/11/1991 . . . 169


Solitary SnipeGallinago solitaria

Figure 4.4 Solitary Snipe – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.4.

Population

Two subspecies of the Solitary Snipe are rec-ognised but Hayman et al. (1986) consider their validity to be uncertain. G. s. solitaria is widespread, breeding in mountainous eastern Asia with at least a proportion of the population undergoing migration. The breeding range of G. s. japonica is unknown but it is a non-breeding visitor to Japan. Both subspecies are therefore

migratory within the EAA Flyway, although a proportion of G. s. solitaria is either sedentary or migrates through central Asia and India.

Data

Data were not adequate to calculate a Flyway population estimate for the Solitary Snipe and therefore the population range of Delany and Scott (2002) has been retained.

Important Sites

Only two sites exceeded the 1% threshold. The site in Bangladesh may support birds that migrate via the Central Asian Flyway rather than the EAA Flyway, but given the lack of informa-tion on the species, it is valuable to highlight any potentially important sites. There were no



important sites in Japan despite the recognition of a race that is a non-breeding period migrant to that country.

No sites exceeded the staging threshold.

Table 4.4 Solitary Snipe - sites of international importance



130 Hakaluki Haor BAN 175 15/01/1990 . . 169


Migration

The Solitary Snipe is an altitudinal migrant with only some birds undertaking extensive latitudinal movements (Hayman et al. 1986). Count data were insufficient to enable comment on migra-tory pathways.


Pin-tailed SnipeGallinago stenura

Figure 4.5 Pintail Snipe – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.5.

Population

The monotypic Pin-tailed Snipe breeds over a broad area of Arctic and boreal Russia, with birds in the west of this range migrating south via the Central Asian Flyway across the Himala-yas, and birds in the east migrating via the EAA Flyway. There is probably a mixing of birds of these Flyways in areas such as Bangladesh.

Data

As with other snipe species, count data were inadequate to propose a Flyway Estimate, so the range proposed by Delany and Scott (2002) has been retained. Count data suggest that most of the EAA Flyway population occurs in China and south-eastern Asia during the non-breeding period (Table 4.5).

Important Sites

Sites that met the 1% threshold for Pin-tailed Snipe were in China and Thailand in the non-breeding period, and Russia on northward

Flyway Estimate: 25 000 – 1 000 000 1% threshold: 250 Staging threshold: 62Global Delany and Scott (2002): 50 000 – 2 000 000


migration. Important sites have also been identi-fied in India, but these represent Central Asian Flyway birds.

No sites met the staging threshold.

Table 4.5 Pin-tailed Snipe - sites of international importance



176 Poyang Hu National Nature Reserve

CHI 4,800 23/01/1988 . . . 169


191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve

CHI 1,114 8/01/1990 . . . 169

157 Gaoyou Hu/Shabo Hu CHI 800 16/01/1990 . . . 169

385 Nong Han Kumphawapi THA 250 6/01/1989 . . . 169

Migration

Pin-tailed Snipe are widely reported in eastern Asia during the migration period, suggesting that the species moves progressively rather than undertaking long migratory flights (Higgins and Davies 1996).


Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticola

Figure 4.6 Eurasian Woodcock – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.6.

Data

Delany and Scott (2002) estimate a large global population size of >15 000 000. Count informa-tion for the EAA Flyway is limited and therefore a broad population range has been proposed.

Important Sites

Two sites exceeded the 1% threshold. The Daur-sky Nature Reserve (Russia) may be a breeding and/or staging area, while Yancheng National Nature Reserve (China) is important in the non-breeding period. No sites exceeded the staging threshold.

Migration

A poorly surveyed species that would appear to spend the non-breeding period in coastal east-ern Asia.

Population

Several woodcock species occur in the EAA Flyway, but most are sedentary and some are island endemics. The Eurasian Woodcock, however, has a broad breeding distribution from western Europe to eastern Asia, with a non-breeding distribution from northern Africa to south-eastern Asia.

Flyway Estimate: 25 000 – 1 000 000 1% threshold: 250 Staging threshold: 62Global Delany and Scott (2002): 15 025 000 – 16 000 000

Table 4.6 Eurasian Woodcock - sites of international importance






Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosa

Population

There are three subspecies of the Black-tailed Godwit with L. l. melanuroides confined to the EAA Flyway. This subspecies accounts for ap-proximately 20% of the global population of the species. L. l. melanuroides breeds in eastern Siberia, and during the non-breeding period oc-curs in south-eastern Asia and Australia. L. l. melanuroides is not believed to occur in Ban-gladesh and India, with Black-tailed Godwits in this region being L. l. limosa of the Central Asian Flyway.

Data

The population estimate has not changed from that of Delaney and Scott (2002) and Watkins (1993). During the non-breeding period the majority of birds were in Australia and Indonesia (Table 4.7), where MacKinnon (1988) considered it to be the most numerous shorebird.

Important Sites

Most of the 11 sites that were important during the non-breeding period were in northern and north-eastern Australia. Other important non-breeding period sites were in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Further survey work in Indonesia is anticipated to document ad-ditional important sites.

Sites that exceeded the 1% threshold during migration periods were in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China, South Korea and Russia. Only sites in China, South Korea and Russia exceeded the staging threshold.

Migration

The distribution of important sites is consistent with current understanding of the movements of Black-tailed Godwits in the EAA Flyway. On southward migration, the Moroshechnaya Estu-ary region is important, with an estimated 10 000 birds passing through the site on migration (Gerasimov and Gerasimov 1999). The birds also pass through Japan (Hanawa 1985) and the Yellow Sea (Barter 2002), with large numbers on passage in Thailand (Legakul and Round 1992) and the west coast of Malaysia (Medway and

Wells 1976). In general, it appears that south-ward migration occurs through sites along the coast of the Russian Far East, and then via sites around the Yellow Sea to south-eastern Asia and Australia.

On northward migration, locations such as Vietnam (Scott 1989) and Hong Kong (Chalmers 1986) are used. However no important sites are known from the south-eastern mainland coast of China (Gao Yuren 1991). The Yellow Sea is as important as on southward migration, with almost 50 000 birds estimated to pass through the region in both migration periods with the remaining birds traversing inland China (Barter 2002). Northward migration onto the breeding areas may proceed from the Yellow Sea on a broad front. More northern coastal sites, like Mo-roshechnaya Estuary, may still be frozen at this time and numbers of Black-tailed Godwits are low (Gerasimov and Gerasimov 1999a).

Figure 4.7 Black-tailed Godwit – non-breeding distribution.

Flyway Estimate: 160 000 1% threshold: 1 600 Staging threshold: 400Global Delany and Scott (2002): 561 000 – 751 000


Figure 4.8 Black-tailed Godwit – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.7.

Table 4.7 Black-tailed Godwit - sites of international importance



44, 158, 169197 Banyuasin Delta INO 30,000 4/08/1985 .

107 SE Gulf of Carpentaria AUS 26,971 1/03/1999 . 51, 49, 49

357 Asan Bay SKO 18,282 8/05/1998 . . 116, 116

199 K. Tungal to T. Djabung coast INO 12,800 31/07/1985 . . . 44




364 Han River SKO 10,500 1/05/2000 . . . 141

343 Moroshechnaya River Estuary RUS 10,000 15/08/1990 . . 63, 63

369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 8,008 1/09/1998 . . . 180


102 Roebuck Bay AUS 7,374 2/12/1990 . . . 8

161 Huang He National Nature Reserve CHI 7,196 18/04/1997 . . . 181

173 North Bo Hai Wan CHI 6,471 2/05/2002 . . . 20

87 Nungbalgarri Creek AUS 6,350 19/02/1984 . . . 8

375 Seosan SKO 6,006 1/05/1998 . . . 180

17 Buckingham Bay AUS 6,000 25/03/1992 . . . 40

96 Port McArthur AUS 5,230 NA . . . . 130

336 Khairyuzova Bay RUS 5,000 23/07/1983 . . . 109

409 Xuan Thuy Reserve VIE 5,000 3/05/1996 . . . 126

14 Boucat Bay AUS 5,000 25/03/1999 . . . 40

49 Hunter Estuary AUS 4,000 NA . . . 149

12 Blue Mud Bay AUS 4,000 15/09/1996 . . . 40

358 Cheonsu Bay SKO 3,935 12/05/1996 . . . 103

104 Roper River area AUS 3,015 NA . . . 59

366 Kanghwa Island SKO 2,915 1/09/1997 . . . 180

361 Dongjin Estuary SKO 2,750 1/09/1998 . . 18, 117

299 Pantai Rasa Sayang MAL 2,356 1/12/1986 . . . 120

181 Shuangtaizihekou N. N. Reserve CHI 2,070 7/09/1999 . . . 18

23 Cape Bowling Green AUS 2,058 13/12/1996 . . . 77

368 Kum Estuary SKO 2,049 6/05/1998 . . . 116

373 Namyang Bay SKO 2,020 1/05/2001 . . . 180

151 Dalai Hu National Nature Reserve CHI 2,000 15/04/1996 . . . 161

1 Adelaide River Floodplain AUS 2,000 16/07/1996 . . . 40

179 Shi Jiu Tuo/Daqing He CHI 1,994 23/04/2002 . . 134, 47

28 Chambers Bay AUS 1,960 NA . . . . 130

340 Lake Evoron RUS 1,948 10/08/1988 . . . 129

381 Inner Gulf of Thailand THA 1,825 15/01/2000 . . 133, 57

176 Poyang Hu National Nature Reserve CHI 1,795 1/12/1988 . . . 120

365 Hungwun River SKO 1,701 1/05/1997 . . . 117

42 Fog Bay and adjacent islands AUS 1,700 NA . . . . 40

191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 1,686 15/10/1995 . . 164, 120

5 Anson Bay, south AUS 1,600 NA . . . . 40

407 Hoa Trinh VIE 1,600 20/12/2000 . . . 118


154 Dongsha Islands CHI 1,354 1/09/1997 . . . 162

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 800 1/09/1992 . . . 58

352 Tugurskiy Bay RUS 680 10/07/1990 . . . 129

371 Nakdong Estuary SKO 450 1/09/1983 . . . 141

378 Wolgwang SKO 450 1/09/1993 . . . 117

170 Mai Po Marshes CHI 450 1/05/2001 . . . 120

344 Nabilsky Bay RUS 400 19/07/1986 . . . 123

Table 4.7 (cont.) Black-tailed Godwit - sites of international importance


Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponica

Population

Two subspecies of the Bar-tailed Godwit are recognised in the EAA Flyway: L. l. menzbieri (L. l. anadyrensis in Delany and Scott 2002) that breeds in northern central Russia, and L. l. baueri that breeds in eastern Russia and Alaska. A third subspecies, L. l. lapponica, breeds in northern Europe and north-western Asia.

The distribution of L. l. baueri in the non-breed-ing period is New Zealand and eastern Australia, while L. l. menzbieri occurs predominantly in the north of Western Australia and south-eastern Asia. There are some records of Bar-tailed God-wits flagged in south-eastern Australia and seen in north-western Australia, and of birds flagged in north-western Australia seen in New Zealand (Minton et al. 2001).

Data

During the non-breeding period, Australia and New Zealand support 88% of the EAA Flyway Bar-tailed Godwits. On the basis of the hypoth-esised distribution of the two races in the non-breeding period, and using regional population estimates prepared for Australia (Appendix 2), it was estimated that there are 155 000 L. l. baueri and 170 000 L. l. menzbieri in the EAA Flyway. These represent respectively 15% and 16% of the minimum global population size of the Bar-tailed Godwit proposed by Delany and Scott (2002).

Important Sites

Important sites in the non-breeding period were in Australia (7), New Zealand (9) and Indonesia (1). Survey coverage in Australia and New Zea-land was good and it is probable that most of the important non-breeding sites in these countries have been identified. The species makes negligi-ble use of under-surveyed inland habitats.

Sites that were important during migration periods were in the Yellow Sea (South Korea and China), the Russian Far East, Alaska and Indonesia, with a single site in Japan exceeding the staging threshold. More important sites were recognised during northward than southward mi-

gration, particularly in the Yellow Sea. Two sites in Indonesia were the only sites identified as internationally important between the Yellow Sea and northern Australia during migration. The recognition of Ohope Harbour (New Zealand) in the breeding period presumably represents a concentration of immature and other non-breed-ing birds.

Migration

The scarcity of important sites between the Yel-low Sea region and northern Australia is consist-ent with the proposal that the species is capable of long, non-stop flights (Barter and Wang 1990), although it is recorded regularly, and occasion-ally in moderate numbers, in south-eastern Asia and across the Pacific whilst on migration (Hig-gins and Davies 1996).

The seasonal distribution of internationally important sites suggests that Bar-tailed God-wits follow different routes on southward and northward migration. On southward migration, Bar-tailed Godwits (mainly L. l. menzbieri) stage through the Moroshechnaya Estuary and may fly direct to northern Australia (c. 8 000 – 9 000 km) before dispersing to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. It is believed that Bar-tailed Godwits that breed in Alaska (L. l. baueri) fly di-rect to Australia and New Zealand with little use of Asian staging sites (c. 10 000 – 11 000 km, McCaffery and Gill 2001).

Flyway Estimate: 325 000 1% threshold: 3 250 Staging threshold: 812Global Delany and Scott (2002): 1 060 000 – 1 110 000

Figure 4.9 Bar-tailed Godwit – non-breeding distribution.


On northward migration, however, L. l. baueri depart from south-eastern Australia and pass over northern Australia, while L. l. menzbieri depart from the north-west of Australia (Hig-gins and Davies 1996), with both races staging through the Yellow Sea and Japan. This explains the greater number of important sites in the Yel-

low Sea on northward compared with southward migration. Barter (2002) estimated that 225 000 Bar-tailed Godwits pass through the Yellow Sea on northward migration. The low counts made on the Moroshechnaya Estuary in this period suggest that direct dispersal to breeding grounds may occur from the Yellow Sea.

Table 4.8 Bar-tailed Godwit - sites of international importanceSite


38 Eighty Mile Beach AUS 110,290 17/10/1998 . . 10, 8

190 Yalu Jiang National Nature Reserve CHI 66,134 25/04/2004 . . . 16

102 Roebuck Bay AUS 65,000 1/01/1993 . . 99, 55


165 Laizhouwan CHI 25,961 10/05/2004 . . . 16

320 Manukau Harbour NZE 22,571 NA . . . 138

313 Farewell Spit NZE 17,181 NA . . . 138

317 Kaipara Harbour NZE 14,507 NA . . . 138

30 Corner Inlet AUS 13,139 1/01/1993 . . 8, 49

46 Great Sandy Strait AUS 12,986 1/01/1993 . . . 50

314 Firth of Thames NZE 12,264 NA . . . 138

84 Moreton Bay AUS 11,751 1/01/1996 . . 8, 49


400 Port Moller/Nelson Lagoon/Mud Bay USA 10,000 NA . . . 70

399 Port Heiden USA 10,000 NA . . . 70

398 Cinder Lagoon USA 10,000 NA . . . 70

403 Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta USA 9,000 9/09/1999 . . . 69

361 Dongjin Estuary SKO 8,430 1/05/1998 . . 180, 180

364 Han River SKO 8,000 1/05/2000 . . . 141

324 Rangaunu Harbour NZE 7,850 NA . . . 138

326 Whangarei Harbour NZE 7,245 NA . . . 138

197 Banyuasin Delta INO 7,000 1/01/1996 . 141, 158

83 Milingimbi coast AUS 7,000 15/12/1998 . . . 40

325 Tauranga Harbour NZE 6,900 NA . . . 138

373 Namyang Bay SKO 5,800 1/05/1998 . . . 180

318 Kawhia Harbour NZE 5,350 NA . . . 138

323 Parengarenga Harbour NZE 5,200 NA . . . 138

110 Shoalwater Bay and Broad Sound AUS 5,151 1/12/1995 . . . 52

322 Ohope/Ohiwa Harbour NZE 5,000 NA . . . 138

39 Elcho Island AUS 5,000 25/03/1999 . . . 40

49 Hunter Estuary AUS 4,000 NA . . . 149

181 Shuangtaizihekou N. N. Reserve CHI 3,738 20/04/1999 . . 24, 1

357 Asan Bay SKO 3,500 16/04/1999 . . . 116

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 3,500 30/04/1999 . . 18, 116

369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 3,350 1/05/1998 . . . 180

179 Shi Jiu Tuo/Daqing He CHI 3,000 14/08/1994 . . . 47

191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 2,984 28/04/2001 . . . 26

175 North-west Bo Hai Wan CHI 2,321 12/04/2000 . . . 20


Table 4.8 Bar-tailed Godwit - sites of international importanceSite


366 Kanghwa Island SKO 2,200 1/05/1998 . . . 180

356 Aphae Island SKO 2,157 1/05/1998 . . . 116

368 Kum Estuary SKO 2,145 21/04/1998 . . . 116

167 Linghekou CHI 2,045 29/04/1999 . . . 21

195 Bagan Percut - Sungai Ular INO 2,000 1/04/1997 . . . 43

377 Suncheon Bay SKO 1,868 15/04/1998 . . . 116

358 Cheonsu Bay SKO 1,752 15/04/1998 . . . 116

375 Seosan SKO 1,732 1/05/1997 . . . 117


182 South Bo Hai Wan CHI 1,499 2/05/2002 . . . 20

362 Haenam Hwangsan SKO 1,272 15/04/1998 . . . 116

152 Daqing He CHI 1,000 1/05/1992 . . . 171

349 Schastiya Bay RUS 953 1/09/2002 . . . 4

205 Arao Kaigan JAP 900 1/05/2002 . . . 178

Figure 4.10a Bar-tailed Godwit – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.8.


Figure 4.10b (enlargements) Bar-tailed Godwit – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.8.


Little CurlewNumenius minutus

Population

The Little Curlew is monotypic and confined to the EAA Flyway, but it is related to, and may be conspecific with, the critically endangered Es-kimo Curlew Numenius borealis of the Americas. It breeds in Siberia and most of the population occurs in northern Australia during the non-breeding period.

Data

An estimate of 250 000 was made in 1966 in northern Australia (Smith 1971), based on the assumption that birds visiting a wetland were on migration. Studies undertaken in the 1980’s (Bamford 1990) showed that birds made daily movements between dry grasslands and wet-lands. As such the 1966 figure may be an over estimate of the number of birds visiting the wetland.

The distribution of the species in the non-breed-ing period is less predictable than for many other shorebirds both within and between years, as it appears to depend upon the availability of dry grasslands and freshwater wetlands (Bamford 1990). Availability of these habitats in time and space may vary greatly between years. This makes it difficult to be confident about regional maxima, and possibly only single or simultane-ous counts can be used to estimate the popula-tion size of this species.

Important Sites

Most internationally important sites in the non-breeding period were in Australia. Inland sites are probably under-represented, as Bamford (1990) reported several anecdotal accounts of large numbers of Little Curlews on wetlands of the Barkly Tableland (Northern Territory, Aus-tralia). Outside Australia, there was one inter-nationally important non-breeding site in West Papua (Indonesia) and a nearby site in Papua New Guinea that was important on southward migration.

In Asia, there were migration period counts from Russia and China, while Ostapenko et al. (1980) reported large numbers of Little Curlew in Mongolia on southward migration. The count

of 17 079 Little Curlews at Huang He National Nature Reserve (China) during northward migra-tion is based on an extrapolation from density estimates, but single high counts have also been made at this site, such as 1 619 on 21 April 1997 (Chen et al. 1997). Similar numbers have been reported from the Luan He region (Hebei, China) during northward migration (Barter 2002).

Migration

Southward migration is overland from Siberia and begins in mid-July (Higgins and Davies 1996), which is consistent with the record of important sites in the Daursky Nature Reserve (Russia) in early August, and of reports from Mongolia (Ostapenko et al. 1980). Little Cur-lews have been recorded passing through China along the coastlines of the Yellow and East Chi-na Seas, but the low number of records between this region and New Guinea/northern Australia suggests a non-stop flight across south-eastern Asia. Arrival in northern Australia begins in mid-September and, as noted above, the birds are mobile across a large region throughout the non-breeding period according to seasonal conditions. Internationally important sites within this region may be used for only short periods of time or not at all in some years depending on the arrival and intensity of the wet season.

Flyway Estimate: 180 000 1% threshold: 1 800 Staging threshold: 450Global Delany and Scott (2002): 180 000

Figure 4.11 Little Curlew – non-breeding distribution as percentage of flyway estimate.


The distribution of Little Curlews before depar-ture from Australia appears to be influenced by seasonal conditions. There is some evidence that the far north is not as important during northward migration, probably because of seasonal flooding and the growth of vegetation (Higgins and Davies 1996).

Table 4.9 Little Curlew - sites of international importance



52 Kakadu National Park AUS 180,000 NA . . 119, 15

103 Roebuck Plains AUS 52,000 25/03/1985 . . . 113

335 Daursky Nature Reserve RUS 48,000 1/08/1995 . . 71, 71

107 SE Gulf of Carpentaria AUS 25,042 1/03/1998 . . . 51


4 Anna Plains AUS 12,000 31/03/1985 . . . 89

63 Lake Finniss AUS 12,000 1/10/1993 . . . 86

329 Tonda Wildlife Management Area PNG 10,000 1/11/1985 . . . 38

102 Roebuck Bay AUS 5,000 NA . . . 121

32 Derby Sewage Ponds AUS 5,000 9/11/1999 . . . 11

202 Wasur National Park INO 4,000 NA . . . 141

90 Parry floodplain, Wyndham AUS 3,000 30/12/1984 . . . 89

Figure 4.12 Little Curlew – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.9.

Following departure from Australia, birds appear to follow a similar route to southward migration (Higgins and Davies 1996), with records from Huang He National Nature Reserve (China) and Daursky Nature Reserve (Russia). Barter (2002) suggests that northward migration may occur through inland China.


WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus

Population

The Whimbrel is one of the most widespread sandpipers, with a discontinuous breeding distribution around the Arctic but a non-breeding distribution that takes in central and South America, Africa, central and south-eastern Asia and Australasia. Delany and Scott (2002) recog-nise six subspecies globally of which only N. p. variegatus occurs in the EAA Flyway.

Data

The Flyway population estimate is greater then the previous estimate of Delany and Scott (2002). The estimate is based on research at Moroshechnaya Estuary on southward migra-tion. Work in two different years has suggested 100 000 (Gerasimov and Gerasimov 1999) and 169 890 (Huettmann and Gerasimov 2002) birds pass through the area.

The estimated population size is larger than count data suggest. This probably means that there are many more Whimbrel in south-eastern Asia than have been recorded.

Important Sites

Important sites in the non-breeding period were mainly in Australia (6), with single sites in China, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia.

During migration, important sites were concen-trated in Russia, South Korea, Japan and China. More important sites were identified during northward than on southward migration, particu-larly in Japan (24 compared with 1) and South Korea (11 compared with 1).

Migration

Count data from northward migration suggest that Whimbrel concentrate in eastern Asia (Ja-pan and the Yellow Sea area).

In contrast, on southward migration the Kam-chatka Peninsula (e.g. Moroshechnaya Estuary) appears to be a major staging area. It is esti-mated that over 100 000 migrate through during southward migration while only 13 000 birds stage during northward migration (Gerasimov and Gerasimov 2002). Barter (2002) suggests that on southward migration some birds may fly direct from the Sea of Okhotsk to their non-breeding range. This is consistent with the low number of important sites in south-eastern Asia.

Higgins and Davies (1996) report that in parts of northern Australia, large numbers of Whimbrels occurred throughout the breeding period and numbers are stable. Chatto (2003) found that numbers in the Northern Territory (Australia) were lowest in the non-breeding period, high through the breeding period and peaked early during southward migration, presumably as birds passed through to sites in eastern and south-eastern Australia.

Flyway Estimate: 100 000 1% threshold: 1 000 Staging threshold: 250Global Delany and Scott (2002): 1 007 000 – 2 132 000

Figure 4.13b (enlargement) Whimbrel – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.10.


Figure 4.13a Whimbrel – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.10.


Table 4.10 Whimbrel - sites of international importance





339 Kronotsky Nature Reserve RUS 6,000 25/05/1984 . . . 108

349 Schastiya Bay RUS 4,325 1/09/2002 . . . 4

221 Iioka Kaigan JAP 4,041 1/05/1998 . . . 94


229 Kamisu-Chou Takahama JAP 3,340 1/05/2001 . . . 177

46 Great Sandy Strait AUS 3,128 NA . . . 50


354 Vakhil River Mouth RUS 2,500 1/05/1991 . . . 68

28 Chambers Bay AUS 1,500 NA . . . 40

294 Kapar Power Station MAL 1,500 16/01/1994 . 169, 101

84 Moreton Bay AUS 1,440 1/01/1996 . . . 8

202 Wasur National Park INO 1,400 2/10/1983 . . . 144

357 Asan Bay SKO 1,310 1/05/1998 . . . 180


232 Kashima Shingomori JAP 1,280 1/05/2002 . . . 178

231 Kasai Kaihinkouen JAP 1,220 1/05/2000 . . . 179

148 Chongming Dongtan N. N. Reserve CHI 1,200 20/04/1999 . . . 18

361 Dongjin Estuary SKO 1,070 1/05/1998 . . . 180

20 Cairns Foreshore AUS 1,027 21/03/1995 . . . 76

307 Irrawaddy Delta MYA 1,025 1/02/2006 . . . 122

102 Roebuck Bay AUS 1,020 NA . . . 99

197 Banyuasin Delta INO 1,000 13/02/1993 . . . 169

238 Komuke-ko JAP 970 15/09/2000 . . . 179

278 Tochigi-ken Nanbu, Suiden-chitai JAP 928 5/05/1996 . . . 54

289 Yatsu Higata JAP 894 16/05/1996 . . . 54

285 Usa Kaigan JAP 839 1/05/1998 . . . 94

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 825 1/05/1998 . . . 180

335 Daursky Nature Reserve RUS 800 1/06/1995 . . . 71

163 Jiu Duan Sha N. N. Reserve CHI 800 1/05/2001 . . . 18

373 Namyang Bay SKO 740 2/05/1999 . . . 18

291 Yonaha-wan JAP 657 1/05/1998 . . . 94

273 Sone Higata JAP 625 6/05/1996 . . . 54

369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 620 1/05/1998 . . . 180

211 Daijugarami JAP 607 1/05/2001 . . . 177

248 Moriyamashi-kogan JAP 572 1/05/1998 . . . 94

377 Suncheon Bay SKO 528 14/05/1998 . . . 116

213 Fujimae Higata JAP 515 30/04/1993 . . . 54

366 Kanghwa Island SKO 485 1/05/1998 . . . 180

262 Oono-gawa, Suna-gawa Kakou JAP 470 1/05/2000 . . . 179

225 Isahaya Higata JAP 468 14/05/1991 . . . 54

368 Kum Estuary SKO 452 6/05/1998 . . . 116

375 Seosan SKO 432 1/05/1997 . . . 117

358 Cheonsu Bay SKO 432 1/05/1998 . . . 116

227 Kahokugata JAP 426 14/05/1996 . . . 54

270 Shio-kawa Higata JAP 415 1/05/2001 . . . 177


Table 4.10 (cont.) Whimbrel - sites of international importance



372 Namhae SKO 407 15/05/1998 . . . 116

230 Kamo-gawa Kakou JAP 371 1/05/1998 . . . 94

287 Yahagi-gawa Kakou JAP 354 1/05/2000 . . . 179

272 Shira-kawa Kakou JAP 353 1/05/2000 . . . 179

206 Atago-gawa, Kushida-gawa JAP 352 16/05/1996 . . . 54

219 Hikata Hachimangoku JAP 326 29/04/1998 . . . 94

364 Han River SKO 320 1/05/2000 . . . 141

341 Lososei Bay RUS 300 27/05/1987 . . . 123

251 Nagasaki Kaigan JAP 300 1/05/1998 . . . 94

179 Shi Jiu Tuo/Daqing He CHI 300 25/08/1999 . . . 137

190 Yalu Jiang National Nature Reserve CHI 286 2/05/1999 . . . 23

330 Babushkina Bay RUS 278 1/08/1995 . . . 46

182 South Bo Hai Wan CHI 278 2/05/2002 . . . 20

240 Kuma-gawa Kakou JAP 270 1/05/1998 . . . 94

209 Chidorihama Kiya-gawa Kakou JAP 255 29/04/1991 . . . 54

249 Mukawa Kakou JAP 250 1/05/2001 . . . 177


Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquata

Population

There are three subspecies of the Eurasian Curlew: the abundant N. a. arquata that breeds in northern Europe and migrates to Africa; the much less abundant and less well censused N. a. orientalis that breeds in central Asia and migrates to eastern Africa, and southern and south-eastern Asia; and N. a. suschkini that breeds in the southern Urals and Kazakhstan and migrates to eastern and southern Africa. Only N. a. orientalis is present in the EAA Flyway.

Data

The Flyway population estimate represents ap-proximately 50% of the global population of the subspecies N. a. orientalis. Virtually the entire population of the Eurasian Curlew in the EAA Flyway remains within the northern hemisphere in the non-breeding period, with over half of the population shared between China and South Korea.

The population estimate is 15% higher than that given by Delany and Scott (2002), based on recent surveys in southern China.

Important Sites

Some coastal sites in eastern Asia were im-portant during the migration periods as well as in the non-breeding period. For example, sites around the Yellow Sea were important in the northward, southward and/or non-breeding periods, although the importance of more northerly sites in this region tended to be con-fined to migration periods. The Daursky Nature Reserve (Russia) was important both late during northward migration and early during southward migration.

Migration

The Daursky Nature Reserve (Russia) may rep-resent a concentration point for birds on arrival and departure from the breeding grounds. No other important sites were identified in Russia, suggesting that passage between the Daursky area and the Yellow Sea region is direct and

Figure 4.14 Eurasian Curlew – non-breeding distribution

non-stop. On southward migration, some birds disperse quickly from the Yellow Sea, as evi-denced by the numbers of birds in Indonesia in September. Large numbers remain on the coastline of eastern Asia. Northward migration also appears to be via the Yellow Sea.

Flyway Estimate: 40 000 1% threshold: 400 Staging threshold: 100Global Delany and Scott (2002): 490 000 – 655 000

Figure 4.15b (enlargement) Eurasian Curlew – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.11.


Figure 4.15a Eurasian Curlew – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.11.


Table 4.11 Eurasian Curlew - sites of international importance



179 Shi Jiu Tuo/Daqing He CHI 15,000 14/08/1994 . . 47,18

191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 13,136 25/04/2004 . . 16,169


197 Banyuasin Delta INO 7,061 1/10/1988 . 158,141,158


368 Kum Estuary SKO 2,800 29/08/1999 . . . 18

335 Daursky Nature Reserve RUS 2,500 1/06/1995 . . 71,116

373 Namyang Bay SKO 2,451 1/05/1997 . 180,116,116


181 Shuangtaizihekou N. N. Reserve CHI 1,535 20/04/1999 . . 24,1

186 Ta-Too-Hsi CHI 1,025 10/01/1996 . . . 169

371 Nakdong Estuary SKO 1,010 18/01/1999 . . 116,141

170 Mai Po Marshes CHI 1,005 16/01/1994 . . . 169

294 Kapar Power Station MAL 1,000 31/01/1995 . . 169,101


150 Chuan-Hsing CHI 810 22/01/1989 . . . 169

361 Dongjin Estuary SKO 775 11/09/1999 . . . 18

366 Kanghwa Island SKO 642 20/01/1994 . . . 169


369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 530 1/09/1998 . . . 180

303 Pulau Tengah (Klang Islands) MAL 450 29/01/1991 . . . 169

154 Dongsha Islands CHI 400 1/02/1995 . . . 162

405 Dat Mui VIE 384 1/08/1999 . . . 37

357 Asan Bay SKO 348 1/10/1996 . . 103,117

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 327 1/09/1998 . . 180,117

377 Suncheon Bay SKO 239 2/09/1998 . . . 116


362 Haenam Hwangsan SKO 195 30/08/1998 . . . 116


167 Linghekou CHI 154 29/04/1999 . . . 21

273 Sone Higata JAP 132 30/04/1988 . . . 54

394 Olango Island PHI 124 5/05/1987 . . . 120

302 Pulau Bruit MAL 111 1/09/1985 . . . 120


Far Eastern CurlewNumenius madagascariensis

Population

The monotypic Far Eastern Curlew is confined to the EAA Flyway. It breeds in eastern Russia and north-eastern China and the bulk of the popula-tion is considered to spend the non-breeding period in Australia.

Data

The population estimate for the species has steadily increased over the past decade as ad-ditional count information has been generated in northern Australia and South-east Asia. This is despite localised population declines reported in parts of Australia (Higgins and Davies 1996).

The new population estimate is supported by estimates made on the basis of numbers of birds recorded around the Yellow Sea during north-ward migration (Barter 2002).

Important Sites

All important sites in the non-breeding period were in Australia, particularly along the east coast. Some important sites in Australia were recognised on the basis of counts made during migration periods, presumably as birds concen-trate on arrival and departure, while two sites in northern Australia, Mission Point and Poona Creek, were important in the breeding period (July). These sites may be important for non-breeding birds, although they may represent very early arrivals.

Outside Australia, important sites were identi-fied during migration periods in China (6), South Korea (7), North Korea (1), Malaysia (1), Indo-nesia (1) and Russia (3). Given the occurrence of several sites in both China and South Korea, there are likely to be further significant sites in North Korea.

There were many sites in northern Australia that met the staging threshold during the migration periods, but these have been excluded as they are within the main non-breeding range of the species. Highest counts in northern Australia, however, tended to be during the southward migration period, with lower numbers over the non-breeding period. Chatto (2003) also found

maximum numbers in the Northern Territory (Australia) early during southward migration.

Migration

The Far Eastern Curlew is a long-distance migrant and satellite tracking of individuals sug-gests that birds can fly directly from eastern Aus-tralia to the east coast of China (Driscoll 1999). Such direct migration is also suggested by the distribution of important sites, with very few in southern China or south-eastern Asia.

South Korea is more important on northward than southward migration (Won 1991, Barter 2002), In contrast, numbers in Japan and the Philippines are highest on southward migra-tion (Higgins and Davies 1996). Although not a significant site, numbers are highest at the Mai Po Marshes (China) during northward migra-tion (Chalmers 1986, Chalmers and Turnbull, 1990). These observations and the identification of important sites suggest different patterns of movement through eastern and south-eastern Asia during the migration periods.

In Australia, arrivals on southward migration are concentrated in the north of the country. A simi-lar concentration does not occur during north-ward migration, with birds apparently departing directly from Australian sites on the east coast. Satellite tracking indicates that some birds move between north-eastern Australia and New Guinea early in the northward migration period

Flyway Estimate: 38 000 1% threshold: 380 Staging threshold: 95Global Delany and Scott (2002): 38 000

Figure 4.16 Far Eastern Curlew – non-breeding distribution


(Driscoll 1999).

Overall, southward migration tends to be more easterly than northward migration, with birds passing through the Yellow Sea and Japan, some staging in the Philippines and most flying direct to northern Australia. In contrast, north-ward migration appears to occur from Australia without concentration of birds in the north of the country, direct to the east coast of China and then north through the Yellow Sea.

Figure 4.17a Far Eastern Curlew – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the re-spective site in Table 4.12.

Figure 4.17b (enlargement) Far Eastern Curlew – sites of international importance in the Yellow Sea.


Table 4.12 Far Eastern Curlew - sites of international importance



46 Great Sandy Strait AUS 6,018 1/01/1993 . . 50,49


84 Moreton Bay AUS 3,500 1/01/1996 8,49,49,49



30 Corner Inlet AUS 2,281 1/01/1993 . . . 8

102 Roebuck Bay AUS 2,160 1/01/1993 . . . 8

366 Kanghwa Island SKO 2,120 1/05/1998 . . 180,116

327 Mundok Mig. Bird Wetland Reserve NKO 1,890 NA . . . 18

86 Notch Point AUS 1,850 25/10/1994 . . . 8

181 Shuangtaizihekou N. N. Reserve CHI 1,817 19/08/1999 . . 18,1


191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 1,718 1/07/1994 . . 164,162

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 1,620 26/08/1999 . . 18,117

154 Dongsha Islands CHI 1,532 1/09/1997 . . 162,162

120 Western Port Bay AUS 1,294 2/01/1987 . . . 8

357 Asan Bay SKO 1,170 16/04/1999 . . 18,103


369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 1,100 3/10/1999 . . 18,117


361 Dongjin Estuary SKO 1,045 17/04/1999 . . 18,18

343 Moroshechnaya River Estuary RUS 1,000 15/08/1990 . . . 63

98 Port Stephens AUS 960 NA . . . 149

36 Eastern Port Phillip Bay AUS 808 2/09/1986 . . . 8

148 Chongming Dongtan N. N. Reserve CHI 794 31/03/1996 . . . 27

82 Mackay Town Beach AUS 710 NA . . . 99

38 Eighty Mile Beach AUS 709 17/10/1998 . . 10,99

25 Castlereagh Bay AUS 700 NA . . . . 130

17 Buckingham Bay AUS 700 25/06/1999 . . . 40

49 Hunter Estuary AUS 653 2/03/1984 . 8,49,49

371 Nakdong Estuary SKO 635 1/09/1983 . . 141,117

108 Shallow Inlet/Sandy Point AUS 622 12/02/1983 . . . 8


368 Kum Estuary SKO 422 1/05/1997 . . . 18

302 Pulau Bruit MAL 411 15/04/1986 . . . 82

96 Port McArthur AUS 407 NA . . . . 130

328 Kikori Delta PNG 343 20/03/2000 . . . 168

373 Namyang Bay SKO 280 1/05/1997 . . 180,116

214 Fukiagehama Kaigan JAP 254 1/05/1997 . . . 91

173 North Bo Hai Wan CHI 221 2/05/2002 . . . 20

167 Linghekou CHI 132 29/04/1999 . . . 21


273 Sone Higata JAP 105 1/05/1998 . . . 94

341 Lososei Bay RUS 100 23/05/1990 . . . 123

376 Song Do Tidal Flat SKO 95 18/08/1998 . . . 116


Spotted RedshankTringa erythropus

period, this may still be an under-estimate and a population range has been used.

Important Sites

Important sites during the non-breeding period were in China (8) and Thailand (1). Five of the Chinese sites were inland lakes.

There were more important sites identified dur-ing northward (14) than southward migration (3), with the northward migration sites in coastal China, Vietnam, Japan and Russia.

Migration

During the non-breeding period Spotted Red-shank appear to occur mainly on inland wet-lands in China. The scarcity of important sites in coastal areas during southward migration suggests that birds are moving overland during this period. Inland sites are under-surveyed.

Northward migration appears to occur through coastal eastern Asia.

PopulationThe monotypic Spotted Redshank breeds from northern Europe to eastern Russia and spends the non-breeding period from western Europe and Africa to south-eastern Asia.

Data

Estimates of the global population vary due to uncertainty about the number of birds spending the non-breeding period in Africa (Delany and Scott 2002). Collation of data for this review has enabled the population estimate to be raised to a minimum of 25 000. However, as the species makes extensive use of the under-surveyed in-land wetlands of China during the non-breeding


Table 4.13 Spotted Redshank - sites of international importance



155 East Dongting Hu National Nature Reserve

CHI 10,206 5/03/2001 . . . 104

191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 7,150 15/10/1995 . 164,18,169

145 Bo Hu CHI 4,338 1/02/2004 . . . 19

176 Poyang Hu National Nature Reserve CHI 3,000 NA . . . 141



172 Nanjishan CHI 1,869 1/02/2004 . . . 19

143 Baidang Hu CHI 1,245 1/02/2004 . . . 19

169 Longgan Hu CHI 1,009 1/02/2004 . . . 19

162 Jiazhouwan CHI 960 4/05/2004 . . . 16

158 Haizhouwan (Taibei Saltworks) CHI 942 29/04/2004 . . . 16

381 Inner Gulf of Thailand THA 870 15/01/2000 . . . 133


406 Day and Ninh Co Estuary VIE 760 25/04/1994 . . . 127

161 Huang He National Nature Reserve CHI 594 21/04/1997 . . . 181

163 Jiu Duan Sha National Nature Reserve CHI 500 1/05/2001 . . . 18

408 Tien Lang District VIE 394 20/04/1996 . . . 126


229 Kamisu-Chou Takahama JAP 329 28/04/1996 . . . 54

340 Lake Evoron RUS 311 15/05/1988 . . . 129

178 Shengjin Hu CHI 300 3/03/1996 . . . 169


279 Tone-gawa Kakou JAP 260 3/05/1992 . . . 54

346 Penzhina River mouth RUS 253 23/08/2003 . . . 64


Figure 4.18 Spotted Redshank – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.13.


Common RedshankTringa totanus

Flyway Estimate: 75 000 1% threshold: 750 Staging threshold: 188Global Delany and Scott (2002): 1 019 500 – 2 531 500

Population

The Common Redshank has a breeding distri-bution from western Europe to central Asia and spends the non-breeding period in northern Africa, and southern and south-eastern Asia. Unusually for a sandpiper, there is overlap in the breeding and non-breeding ranges, while only a small proportion of the species’ population mi-grates south of the equator. Six subspecies are recognised: T. totanus craggi, T. totanus eurhi-nus, T. totanus robusta, T. totanus terrignotae, T. totanus totanus and T. totanus ussuriensis. Three populations are considered to occur in the EAA Flyway: T. t. craggi, T. t. terrignotae and a proportion of the population of T. t. ussuriensis.

Data

In the non-breeding period, the bulk of Common Redshanks in the EAA Flyway are in China, Indonesia and Malaysia (Table 4.14). Data on the distribution of the sub-species of Common Redshank during the non-breeding period are not sufficient to enable population estimates to be derived for these. The population estimate given is for the species in the EAA Flyway during the non-breeding period.

Few sites were identified during migration peri-ods.

Important Sites

Most important sites were recognised only in the non-breeding period and were in China (4), Indonesia (2) and Malaysia (7), with single sites in Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines. Daur-sky Nature Reserve (Russia), with a high count in June 1995, is within the breeding range of the species, and it is unclear if these birds were fromthe EAA Flyway or if they were birds that travel within the Central Asian Flyway. Yancheng Na-tional Nature Reserve, which is important in the non-breeding period, is reported to contain large numbers of breeding birds (Barter 2002).

Migration

The small number of important sites identified during migration periods suggests that Common Redshanks may be dispersed when on migra-tion, and aggregate on coastal sites during the non-breeding period.

Table 4.14 Common Redshank - sites of international importanceSite


197 Banyuasin Delta INO 6,000 NA . . 141,158

302 Pulau Bruit MAL 3,789 1/09/1985 . 120,56,82


307 Irrawaddy Delta MYA 2,872 1/02/2006 . . . 122



381 Inner Gulf of Thailand THA 1,523 15/01/2000 . . 57,57

Figure 4.19 Common Redshank – non-breeding distribution


Figure 4.20 Common Redshank – sites of international importance . Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.14.

Table 4.14 (cont.) Common Redshank - sites of international importance



303 Pulau Tengah (Klang Islands) MAL 1,500 16/01/1993 . . . 169

294 Kapar Power Station MAL 1,420 27/10/1991 . . 101,169

393 Manila Bay PHI 1,369 16/01/1990 . . . 169

155 East Dongting Hu N.N. Reserve CHI 1,300 12/12/1995 . . . 169


295 Kuala Gula MAL 1,005 9/01/1989 . . . 169


157 Gaoyou Hu/Shabo Hu CHI 900 16/01/1990 . . . 169

298 Kuala Samarahan to Kuala Sadong MAL 835 15/01/2006 . . . 105


353 Ulbanskiy Bay RUS 221 10/08/1989 . . . 129


Marsh SandpiperTringa stagnatilis

Figure 4.21 Marsh Sandpiper – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.15.

Although most of the breeding range of the spe-cies is outside the EAA Flyway it does migrate through the region, with regular records of birds on passage through north-eastern China, Japan and eastern China.

Data

This species occur in inland wetlands and salt marshes. These wetlands are poorly covered in waterbird surveys and therefore a range is proposed for the population estimate. The count data indicate that Marsh Sandpipers are wide-spread in the non-breeding period, occurring

Population

The monotypic Marsh Sandpiper breeds from eastern Europe to central Asia and spends the non-breeding period from Africa to Australia.

Flyway Estimate: 100 000 – 1 000 000 1% threshold: 1 000 Staging threshold: 250Global Delany and Scott (2002): 186 000 – 1 242 000


from China and the Philippines through south-eastern Asia to Australasia.

Important Sites

Of the nine important sites identified in the non-breeding period, four were on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, with other sites in China (2), Philippines (1), Thailand (1) and Australia (1). There were more sites identified during northward (13) than southward (5) migration.

Migration

The distribution of important sites suggests southward and northward migration occur

through eastern China, while Barter (2002) re-ported that 40% of the Flyway population passes through the Yellow Sea during northward migra-tion, and that the species is also common on southward migration.

The absence of important sites in Indonesia may indicate that birds disperse through or overfly the region. Similarly, dispersal within Australia means that only four important sites were identi-fied in Australia, but expanded survey effort at northern inland and sub-coastal wetlands may reveal additional important sites. Chatto (2003) recorded a peak in numbers on the Northern Territory coastline during northward migration.

Table 4.15 Marsh Sandpiper - sites of international importance



182 South Bo Hai Wan CHI 14,183 2/05/2002 . . . 20






179 Shi Jiu Tuo/Daqing He CHI 3,500 30/08/1994 . . . 47

295 Kuala Gula MAL 3,490 9/01/1989 . . . 169

175 North-west Bo Hai Wan CHI 2,425 12/04/2000 . . . 20

297 Kuala Kelumpang MAL 2,000 16/01/1991 . . . 169

184 South-west Bo Hai Wan CHI 1,753 2/05/2002 . . . 20

52 Kakadu National Park AUS 1,600 24/04/1992 . . . 40

393 Manila Bay PHI 1,500 29/01/1990 . . 169,81

381 Inner Gulf of Thailand THA 1,383 15/01/2000 . . . 133

412 Zhalong National Nature Reserve CHI 1,483 1/04/2003 . . . 186

296 Kuala Kedah to Kuala Sungai MAL 1,286 5/01/1989 . . . 169

162 Jiazhouwan CHI 1,283 4/05/2004 . . . 16




96 Port McArthur AUS 1,094 NA . . . 130

387 Pattani Bay THA 803 1/09/1987 . . . 135


167 Linghekou CHI 304 29/04/1999 . . . 21


Common GreenshankTringa nebularia

Population

Although the Common Greenshank has a broad breeding distribution from western Europe to eastern Russia, and a non-breeding distribution from Africa to Australasia, no subspecies are recognised.

Data

The Common Greenshank occurs at low densi-ties on coastal mudflats, river banks and inland wetlands, and is widespread in the non-breeding period. The low density and broad distribution in the non-breeding period result in the species being under-sampled in surveys. The population estimate is anticipated to increase when more comprehensive survey data are available.

Important Sites

Important sites in the non-breeding period were mainly in Australia (6), with additional sites in China (3), Malaysia (2), Myanmar (1), the Philip-pines (1) and Thailand (1). There were similar numbers of sites identified during southward (26) and northward (24) migration, but some differ-ences in usage within countries. In South Korea and China, the numbers of sites recognised as important were similar in the two migration periods, but in Japan the six migration sites were important only during the southward migration period, whereas in Russia (3 sites), Malaya (1 site), Vietnam (2 sites) and Thailand (1 site), sites were important only during northward migration.

Migration

Southward migration of the Common Greenshank occurs through the Yellow Sea and Japan, with the birds then dispersing widely into the non-breeding range. It is estimated that over 25% of the Flyway population uses the Yellow Sea at this time (Barter 2002), and the absence of important sites in Russia during southward migration suggests that birds may fly direct from the breeding grounds to the Yellow Sea.

Northward migration may differ with a slightly lower proportion of the Flyway population mak-ing use of the Yellow Sea (Barter 2002), and

Flyway Estimate: 60 000 1% threshold: 600 Staging threshold: 150Global Delany and Scott (2002): 399 000 – 1 550 000

less use of Japan. Northward migration also differs from southward migration in that there appears to be greater concentration of birds in south-eastern Asia, and greater use of sites in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin regions of eastern Russia.

Figure 4.22 Common Greenshank – non-breeding distribu-tion

Figure 4.23b (enlargement) Common Greenshank – sites of international importance in the Yellow Sea.


Figure 4.23a Common Greenshank – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.16.

Table 4.16 Common Greenshank - sites of international importance




38 Eighty Mile Beach AUS 2,440 NA . . 99,10




357 Asan Bay SKO 1,450 27/08/1999 . . 18,117

360 Daebu Island SKO 1,209 26/08/1999 . . . 18


46 Great Sandy Strait AUS 1,069 NA . . . 50


102 Roebuck Bay AUS 1,000 11/10/1998 . . . 30


Table 4.16 (cont.) Common Greenshank - sites of international importance




375 Seosan SKO 963 12/05/1995 . . . 180

358 Cheonsu Bay SKO 963 12/05/1996 . . . 103

96 Port McArthur AUS 945 15/10/1996 . . . 40

170 Mai Po Marshes CHI 883 21/01/1995 . . . 169

28 Chambers Bay AUS 875 15/09/1993 . . . 40

302 Pulau Bruit MAL 862 15/04/1986 . . . 82

387 Pattani Bay THA 785 23/01/1993 . . . 169

36 Eastern Port Phillip Bay AUS 771 17/02/2001 . . . 148

27 Ceduna Bays AUS 720 1/02/2000 . . . 173

393 Manila Bay PHI 700 29/01/1990 . . . 169

368 Kum Estuary SKO 699 25/08/1998 . . 116,117

307 Irrawaddy Delta MYA 637 1/02/2006 . . . 122

154 Dongsha Islands CHI 615 1/09/1997 . . 162,162

294 Kapar Power Station MAL 610 10/02/1990 . . . 169


377 Suncheon Bay SKO 548 2/09/1998 . . 116,116

181 Shuangtaizihekou N. N. Reserve CHI 520 19/08/1999 . . . 106

337 Kharchinskoe Lake RUS 500 23/05/1999 . . . 67

211 Daijugarami JAP 475 15/09/2001 . . . 177

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 474 NA . . 180,117

373 Namyang Bay SKO 460 1/09/1997 . . . 180


356 Aphae Island SKO 361 31/08/1998 . . . 116

405 Dat Mui VIE 304 23/03/2000 . . . 118


175 North-west Bo Hai Wan CHI 290 12/04/2000 . . . 20

370 Meian Gun Tidal Flat SKO 236 29/08/1998 . . . 116

216 Fuuren-ko (Onnetou ohashi) JAP 230 1/09/1985 . . . 120


341 Lososei Bay RUS 200 22/05/1980 . . . 123

264 Rokkaku-gawa Kakou JAP 197 23/09/1998 . . . 92

362 Haenam Hwangsan SKO 191 30/08/1998 . . . 116

286 Wajiro Higata JAP 185 15/09/2001 . . . 177



394 Olango Island PHI 170 5/05/1987 . . . 120

364 Han River SKO 170 1/05/2000 . . . 141


363 Hampyong Bay SKO 152 29/08/1998 . . . 116


Spotted (Nordmann’s) GreenshankTringa guttifer

Population

The Spotted Greenshank is one of the world’s most threatened shorebirds (listed as Endan-gered by Birdlife International 2001). Its naturally small population makes it especially vulnerable to habitat loss, disturbance and hunting. It is confined to the EAA Flyway and no subspecies are recognised. It breeds in the Sakhalin Region of eastern Russia, and the non-breeding range is south-eastern and southern Asia, including Bangladesh and occasionally India.

Flyway Estimate: 1000 1% threshold: 10 Staging threshold: 2Global Delany and Scott (2002): 250 – 1000

Data

The non-breeding distribution of the species is concentrated in Bangladesh and south-eastern Asia. Count data support the critically low popu-lation estimate proposed by Delany and Scott (2002).

Important Sites

Important sites during the non-breeding period were in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Thailand. On southward migration, there were important sites in China (2), South Korea (7) and Russia (5), while important sites on northward migration showed a similar distribu-tion, with sites in China (3), South Korea (6) and Russia (2), but also in Vietnam (3), Thailand (2) and Indonesia (1). Greater use appeared to

Figure 4.24a Spotted Greenshank – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respec-tive site in Table 4.17. Breeding range according to Doer (1998) and BirdLIfe International (2000).


Table 4.17 Spotted Greenshank - sites of international importance



134 Nijum Dweep, Char Osman BAN 200 18/01/1988 . . . 169

133 Maulavir Char BAN 100 18/01/1988 . . . 169

364 Han River SKO 79 1/05/2000 . . . 141

361 Dongjin Estuary SKO 59 NA . . . 18

373 Namyang Bay SKO 57 2/05/1999 . . 18,18

170 Mai Po Marshes CHI 55 NA . . . 120

369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 52 NA . . . 18

366 Kanghwa Island SKO 40 NA . . 180,116

191 Yancheng National Nature Reserve CHI 35 1/04/1990 . . 164,163

377 Suncheon Bay SKO 26 3/09/1998 . . . 116


197 Banyuasin Delta INO 21 1/12/1989 . . . 158

384 Krabi Bay THA 20 6/03/1991 . . . 169

300 Pantai Tanjong Karang MAL 19 23/12/1988 . . . 169

140 Koh Kong (Kaoh Kapik) CAM 13 30/01/1996 . . . 170

357 Asan Bay SKO 12 1/05/1997 . . . 180

383 Ko Libong THA 11 1/12/1984 . . . 120


344 Nabilsky Bay RUS 10 20/07/1984 . . . 123

342 Malkachan River mouth RUS 10 23/08/1997 . . . 98

409 Xuan Thuy Reserve VIE 8 3/05/1996 . . . 126

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 7 17/08/1998 . . 180,116

368 Kum Estuary SKO 6 25/08/1998 . . . 116

341 Lososei Bay RUS 5 23/05/1991 . . . 123

367 Koch’ang-gun SKO 5 1/10/1994 . . . 180


350 Skobeleva Bay RUS 5 25/05/1998 . . . 66

362 Haenam Hwangsan SKO 4 30/08/1998 . . 116,116

331 Baikal Bay RUS 3 10/08/1979 . . . 123


381 Inner Gulf of Thailand THA 3 1/04/1999 . . . 57

347 Pomr Bay RUS 2 23/08/1977 . . . 123


be made of sites in south-eastern Asia during northward than southward migration, and the importance of South Korea suggests that there may be additional sites in North Korea.

Migration

Both northward and southward migration occur via the Yellow Sea area. On northward migra-tion, there appears to be some concentration of birds in south-eastern Asia.

Figure 4.24b (enlargement) Spotted Greenshank – sites of international importance in the Yellow Sea.


Green SandpiperTringa ochropus

Figure 4.25 Green Sandpiper – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.18.

PopulationThe monotypic Green Sandpiper has a broad breeding distribution across western Europe and Asia, with a non-breeding range from Africa to south-eastern Asia. In the EAA Flyway, birds rarely venture south of the equator.

DataThe Green Sandpiper is typically a bird of inland freshwater wetlands. Therefore it is poorly

covered by most shorebird surveys and only a population range can be given. Only a small pro-portion of the species’ global population appears to occur in the EAA Flyway.

Important SitesOnly two sites exceeded the 1% threshold. Dur-ing the non-breeding period most of the EAA Fly-way population is anticipated to occur in China. Further surveys in inland China are anticipated to identify new internationally important sites for the species.

MigrationData on sites during migration are too limited to indicate migratory patterns.

Flyway Estimate: 25 000 – 100 000 1% threshold: 250 Staging threshold: 62Global Delany and Scott (2002): 1 150 000 – 3 990 000

Table 4.18 Green Sandpiper - sites of international importance






Wood SandpiperTringa glareola

Figure 4.26 Wood Sandpiper – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.19.

Population

The monotypic Wood Sandpiper breeds from western Europe to eastern Russia and migrates to Africa, southern and south-eastern Asia, and Australia. Less than 10% of the global popula-tion uses the EAA Flyway.

Data

Limited count data are available because the Wood Sandpiper is a species that typically oc-

curs at low densities on inland wetlands. A pop-ulation range is therefore proposed. Count data indicate that during the non-breeding period, the bulk of the population is in south-eastern Asia (Table 4.19).

Important Sites

The only site that exceeded the 1% threshold in the non-breeding period was in Thailand, with other important sites being recognised on the basis of counts made during migration periods. The high number recorded for Daursky Nature Reserve (Russia) is from within the breeding range of the species and was an estimate made of the number of birds passing through the area during northward migration.

Flyway Estimate: 100 000 - 1 000 000 1% threshold: 1 000 Staging threshold: 250Global Delany and Scott (2002): 3 055 000 – 4 320 000


Migration

The limited data available suggest that south-ward and northward migration occur through eastern Russia and coastal China. During southward migration there may be staging in Sabah (Malaysia) and Brunei prior to dispersal through south-eastern Asia and Australia. There is less evidence for staging in south-eastern Asia

on northward migration. There may be important numbers of Wood Sandpipers around the Yellow Sea and at wetlands such as the lower Yangtze lakes during northward migration. The scarcity of important sites identified during the non-breeding period suggests that Wood Sandpipers only aggregate when on migration.

Table 4.19 Wood Sandpiper - sites of international importance






138 Wasan Rice Scheme BRU 3,114 1/10/1986 . . . 120

301 Papar MAL 2,551 1/09/1984 . . . 120

340 Lake Evoron RUS 1,578 10/08/1988 . . 129,129


158 Haizhouwan (Taibei Saltworks) CHI 1,251 29/04/2004 . . . 16

385 Nong Han Kumphawapi THA 1,000 6/01/1989 . . . 169

341 Lososei Bay RUS 500 18/08/1980 . . . 123


181 Shuangtaizihekou N. N. Reserve CHI 454 12/05/1998 . . . 22

227 Kahokugata JAP 300 1/05/2002 . . . 178

175 North-west Bo Hai Wan CHI 295 12/04/2000 . . . 20


Terek SandpiperXenus cinereus

Population

Terek Sandpipers have a broad breeding distri-bution from eastern Europe to eastern Russia, and spend the non-breeding period from the west coast of Africa to the east coast of Austral-ia. No subspecies are recognised but there are some morphometric differences between birds in north-western Australia and eastern Indonesia compared with birds in western Indonesia and south-eastern Asia (Lane 1987). This suggests that there are distinct breeding populations.

Data

The proposed Flyway population estimate is the same as that offered by Delany and Scott (2002). Less than half of the population in the non-breeding period occurs in Australia, with most of the remaining birds in Malaysia, Indone-sia and Papua New Guinea.

Important Sites

Important sites in the non-breeding period were in Australia (7), Malaysia (6) and Indonesia (1). Important sites during migration periods were concentrated around the Yellow Sea and Japan, with smaller numbers of sites in Russia, south-eastern Asia and Australia. In most countries the numbers of sites identified in the two migra-tion periods were similar (e.g. South Korea, 15 and 13 sites on southward and northward migra-tion respectively), but in Japan more sites were important on southward (11) than northward (5) migration. There may be a difference in the distribution of important sites in eastern Russia during the migration periods, with sites in the Tugurskiy Bay region identified during southward migration only, but the Moroshechnaya River Estuary identified only during northward migra-tion. Two sites in Australia exceeded the 1% threshold during the breeding period.

Migration

Southward migration occurs through eastern Russia, the Yellow Sea and Japan, with stag-ing through south-eastern Asia. Small numbers have also been reported in Mongolia during

southward migration (Higgins and Davies 1996). Northward migration would appear to be similar but tending more easterly, hence the greater number of important sites identified in Japan, and possibly also the identification of the Mo-roshechnaya River Estuary rather than sites in the Tugurskiy Bay region in this period. Sites in northern Australia and Indonesia may be impor-tant during the breeding period for non-breeding birds.

Figure 4.27 Terek Sandpiper – non-breeding distribution.

Flyway Estimate: 50 000 1% threshold: 500 Staging threshold: 125Global Delany and Scott (2002): 160 000 – 1 150 000


Figure 4.28 Terek Sandpiper – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.20.


Table 4.20 Terek Sandpiper - sites of international importance



38 Eighty Mile Beach AUS 7,989 17/10/1998 . . 10,187


352 Tugurskiy Bay RUS 4,500 28/08/1990 . . . 129


338 Konstantina Bay RUS 3,850 3/08/1989 . . . 129


46 Great Sandy Strait AUS 2,494 1/01/1993 . . . 50

303 Pulau Tengah (Klang Islands) MAL 2,303 9/10/1985 . 120,120,169


294 Kapar Power Station MAL 2,100 4/01/1991 . . . 169


102 Roebuck Bay AUS 1,840 9/12/2003 . . 8,100

302 Pulau Bruit MAL 1,772 15/04/1986 . . 82,56

368 Kum Estuary SKO 1,653 25/08/1998 . . 116,117

370 Meian Gun Tidal Flat SKO 1,628 29/08/1998 . . . 116


28 Chambers Bay AUS 1,525 15/08/1992 . . . 40

363 Hampyong Bay SKO 1,496 29/08/1998 . . 116,116

298 Kuala Samarahan to Kuala Sadong MAL 1,445 15/01/2006 . . . 105

373 Namyang Bay SKO 1,420 27/08/1999 . . 18,116

357 Asan Bay SKO 1,420 29/08/1999 . . 18,116

379 Yong Jong Island SKO 1,358 17/08/1998 . . 116,116

161 Huang He National Nature Reserve CHI 1,228 17/09/1991 . . 166,3


377 Suncheon Bay SKO 1,046 14/05/1998 . . 116,116

369 Mankyung Estuary SKO 1,040 1/09/1997 . . 180,103

328 Kikori Delta PNG 1,015 20/03/2000 . . . 168

51 Joseph Bonaparte Bay (Turtle Pt) AUS 1,000 NA . . . 40


42 Fog Bay and adjacent islands AUS 800 15/12/1992 . . . 40

83 Milingimbi coast AUS 800 15/06/1996 . . . 40


199 K. Tungal to T. Djabung coast INO 783 31/07/1985 . . . 44

84 Moreton Bay AUS 779 1/11/1990 . . . 48


49 Hunter Estuary AUS 600 NA . . . 149

335 Daursky Nature Reserve RUS 600 1/06/1995 . . . 71

296 Kuala Kedah to Kuala Sungai MAL 558 5/01/1989 . . . 169

356 Aphae Island SKO 534 31/08/1998 . . 116,116

364 Han River SKO 480 1/05/2000 . . . 141

272 Shira-kawa Kakou JAP 468 15/09/1998 . . 92,92

211 Daijugarami JAP 459 1/05/1997 . . . 91

240 Kuma-gawa Kakou JAP 448 25/08/1989 . . 54,54

359 Chido Up Muan SKO 446 29/08/1998 . . . 116

362 Haenam Hwangsan SKO 412 30/08/1998 . . 116,116

285 Usa Kaigan JAP 342 15/09/1998 . . . 92


Table 4.20 (cont.) Terek Sandpiper - sites of international importance




235 Kikuchi-gawa Kakou JAP 301 26/08/1996 . . . 54

376 Song Do Tidal Flat SKO 268 18/08/1998 . . . 116


286 Wajiro Higata JAP 216 15/09/2001 . . . 177


218 Hayatsue-gawa Kakou JAP 203 10/09/1988 . . . 54

360 Daebu Island SKO 203 19/08/1998 . . . 116

343 Moroshechnaya River Estuary RUS 200 25/05/1990 . . . 61

232 Kashima Shingomori JAP 179 15/09/2000 . . . 179


252 Nakatsu Kaigan JAP 155 15/09/2001 . . . 177


Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos

Population

The monotypic Common Sandpiper has a broad breeding distribution from western Europe to eastern Russia, and a non-breeding distribu-tion that includes much of Africa, southern and south-eastern Asia, and Australia.

Data

The Common Sandpiper uses coastal and inland wetlands and generally occurs in low densities. As such it has been poorly surveyed in the EAA Flyway and the population range of Delany and Scott (2002) was adopted. Available count data indicate that the bulk of the non-breeding popu-lation occurs in south-eastern Asia and Australia (Table 4.21).

Important Sites

Few important sites were identified. The count from Kakadu National Park (Australia) suggests that the northern coast of Australia may support large numbers of Common Sandpipers in the non-breeding period, but count data are inad-

equate for the area. Bamford (1988) recorded 46 birds along about 10 km of mangrove creek-line within Kakadu National Park. There are many thousands of kilometres of such habitat in northern Australia. Other important sites in the non-breeding period were in Myanmar and the Philippines. On southward migration, important sites were located in China, Russia and south-eastern Asia, while on northward migration sites were only identified in Russia and China. There are counts from the early 1980s (Parish & Wells 1983) that indicate southward migration through the Serangoon area of Singapore, but this site has been modified and large counts have not been made at other locations in Singapore.

The numbers recorded for Daursky Nature Re-serve (Russia) are an estimate of the number of birds on passage through the area. Few other important sites were identified during migration.

Migration

Count data provide little information on migration patterns. The Common Sandpiper is reported to be more common in Japan on southward than northward migration (Higgins and Davies 1996). Higgins and Davies (1996) also report that the species migrates very early compared with other EAA Flyway shorebirds, so there may be inad-equate surveys along the east coast of China at the time when Common Sandpipers are passing through the region.

Flyway Estimate: 25 000 - 100 000 1% threshold: 250 Staging threshold: 62Global Delany and Scott (2002): 2 455 000 – 4 030 000

Table 4.21 Common Sandpiper - sites of international importance




305 Tanjong Bidadari MAL 2,030 1/09/1984 . . . 120


396 Talon-Talon Wetland PHI 1,000 20/01/1993 . . . 169

393 Manila Bay PHI 500 29/01/1990 . . . 169


107 SE Gulf of Carpentaria AUS 321 1/03/1999 . . . 51

52 Kakadu National Park AUS 300 1/10/1987 . . . 15

340 Lake Evoron RUS 115 15/05/1988 . . . 129


Figure 4.29 Common Sandpiper – sites of international importance. Numbers refer to the respective site in Table 4.21.

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4. SPECIES ACCOUNTS

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