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Broome Shorebird Disturbance

Roebuck Bay, on the shores of North-western Australia, is an internationally important area for a number of migratory shorebird species. These small to medium-sized birds (sandpipers, plovers and allies) nest in the northern hemisphere and migrate annually to non-breeding sites such as Roebuck Bay. Shorebirds on the northern beaches of Roebuck Bay experience high levels of disturbance. This is potentially of conservation concern, because of the lack of alternative roost sites, and because migratory shorebirds face tight energy budgets. Modelling of the energetic costs of shorebirds in Roebuck Bay indicates that excessive roost disturbance could easily cause population declines. Broome Bird Observatory carried out a study of disturbance on the northern beaches or Roebuck Bay from May 2005 to April 2006 for the WA Department of Conservation and Land Management, NHT and the Shorebird Conservation Project / WWF-Australia, co-ordinating a team of volunteers who twice a month recorded disturbance levels systematically at five beaches. Causes of disturbance were identified, and human use of the northern beaches was investigated. The study confirmed that disturbance levels are high. Analysis showed that disturbance levels were highest in the dry season from about May to August and had increased slightly since a study carried out from 1997 to 2000. The main cause of disturbance was birds of prey, but people were also a major cause. In general beach-users were not well informed about the importance of the northern beaches as roost for shorebirds, and were thus unaware of the damage that can be caused by disturbance. The report recommended that any further development and access be carefully considered in the light of their effects on this critical shorebird roosting site, and that monitoring and public education and awareness measures be initiated. Download Shorebird disturbance on the beaches of Roebuck Bay, 2005-2006: Conservation implications and recommendations by Danny Rogers, Chris Hassell and Jan Lewis.