The Clarence Valley is both home and holiday destination for some of the most amazing shorebirds in the world! But many are in drastic decline, mainly due to habitat loss both in Australia and overseas. We like to hang out on the beaches as well, build houses, high rises and cruise around in our 4WD with the dog on the beach so it can often get a bit crowded.
Pair of critically endangered Beach Stone-curlews - one of about 12 breeding pairs left in NSW. Photo: Sharon Lehman
This page shows what you can do to help our shorebirds, how you can get involved and provides some excellent links to help you get started. The CVCIA would like to organise some very basic shorebird identification days over summer so if you are interested in being involved, please email shorebirds@cvcia.org.au to register your interest. All the family is welcome and if you don’t know your magpies from your curlews, we still want you!
What can I do?
Well as usual, there is quite a deal you can do. Try:
- Learning the local shorebirds in your area, which ones are rare, resident, etc.
- Monitor the species and location close to your heart
- Volunteering with local birdos, conservationists or NPWS to help with specific projects in your area
- Learn about the specific threats facing the shorebirds in your area
How do I get involved?
We are so fortunate in the Clarence Valley that the birdos and ecologists are both friendly and so very happy to share their immense knowledge and experience. And they are often looking for volunteers to hold the bag, cart the clipboard, etc. So you can join the CIA and come along to our shorebird events or contact one of the local birdos and ask to tag along. Email CVCIA Shorebird Coordinator, Simon Clayton and Sharon Lehman on shorebirds@cvcia.org.au if you want to be more involved.
Cool shorebird links
One of the biggest reasons people cite for not getting involved in shorebird monitoringand recovery work is the high number of species you need to learn and the preceived difficulty in identifying these amazing birds. Well, the good news is that the bird organisations have been listening and developed a range of factsheets, booklets and even online powerpoint presentations to help you! The Shorebirds 2020 project website is excellent and contains printable ID sheets and many other resources. Check out this and the other shorebird links below.
Now you have no excuse…