March marks the end of the migratory shorebird season when the birds take flight and head north for winter. It’s also the time we come together with the volunteers to celebrate the season and the shorebird monitoring programs that run during this time.

In late March PHCC held the annual Shorebird Celebration Event to congratulate the 77 volunteers that participated in this years’ National Shorebird Monitoring program and present the data findings from the count. Out of those 77 volunteers, 23 had taken part in training programs including the Mentoring Program and the Shorebird Identification Workshop.  During the PYS Count, The volunteer group surveyed shorebirds and water fowl across 28 sites that represent the Peel-Yalgorup Wetland, Ramsar 482. The count is the biggest citizen science event in the Region.

Across all count areas, 38,829 waterbirds (including shorebirds) were counted, with 65 waterbird species represented. As in previous years counts, the total count of waterbirds meets Ramsar Criterion #5 ‘ A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.’ Out of the 38,829 waterbirds counted 11, 373 were shorebirds with 28 shorebird species represented. The top shorebird species in terms of numbers was the Red-Necked Stint (3,440 individuals counted) followed by Banded Stilts (3,142 individuals counted) and Sharp-Tailed Sandpipers (1665 individuals counted). The data collated from the count is analysed to better understand the populations of shorebirds, the factors affecting their decline and how we can better protect these precious birds.

On behalf of PHCC and BirdLife, thank you to all the dedicated volunteers that participated in this year’s count, it wouldn’t be possible with you all. If you are interested in knowing more about the shorebird count and volunteering for the program please get in touch with us via birds@peel-harvey.org.au This project is supported by Peel-Harvey Catchment Council through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present