CQU researcher Dr Tamara van Polanen Petel has offered tips to protect shorebirds in the Burnett Mary region, based on her current studies in that area.

The Centre for Environmental Management representative said shorebirds (waders) live on shores of beaches, rivers, and dams.

They nest and roost above the high tide and feed on exposed mudflats at low tide.

"There are 36 species of shorebirds that migrate to Australia each year between September and April to feed," Tamara said.

"Together with our resident species (18 in total), over 3 million shorebirds use our shores.  The Burnett Mary region provides habitat for over 3500 resident and 40,000 migratory shorebirds during the summer months.

"Migratory shorebirds fly extraordinary distances each year from their breeding grounds in northern China, Siberia and Alaska to their feeding grounds in Australia and New Zealand.

"This means a round trip of 20-25,000km!  Birds regularly fly up to 8000km non-stop and fly anywhere between 30 and 60km/hr!  They vary in size with the smallest species (red-necked stint) only weighing 30g!

"Unfortunately, shorebirds face many threats, including; human disturbance, habitat loss/decline in quality, predation, decline in water quality, pollution and heavy metals, sea level rise/global warming and lack of education/ awareness. Globally, 19 species are threatened."

The CEM is hosting DOG WALKER'S BREAKFASTS from 7am-10am on Saturday April 5 at Elliott Heads and from 7am-10am on Sunday April 6 on the Scarness Foreshore, so interested people can learn about the shorebirds in their area and how to protect them. Details via (07) 4770 7289.

To help protect our shorebirds, you can:

- Learn to identify shorebirds at your local beach and given them their space,

- Walk by the water's edge if you suspect nesting shorebirds,

- Keep your dog on a leash!

- Only drive on designated beaches, and when doing so, do not drive above the high tide where chicks and eggs are vulnerable to crushing.

- Remove all rubbish including fish scraps as these will attract predators such as foxes and sea gulls that prey on shorebird chicks and eggs.

Shorebirds provide an important economic benefit to local communities through nature-based tourism.

They are also sensitive indicators of change in their environment and can provide early warnings of environmental problems, including those caused by climate change and deteriorating habitat quality.

Shorebirds are part of a complex ecosystem in which they maintain a balance among invertebrate communities.

Tamara is also coordinating a school artwork competition with selected schools in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region.

Children will create an image of a shorebird or shorebirds in relation to the threats they face. Winning artwork will be duplicated onto a postcard which will be used as promotional material for the foreshore bird conservation effort.

If you would like more information contact Dr Tamara van Polanen Petel, who is conducting shorebird research in the Burnett Mary Region, (07) 4770 7289,  t.vanpolanenpetel@cqu.edu.au. 

For general information on shorebirds:

Queensland Wader Study Group - http://birdsqueensland.org.au/waderstudygroup.php
Shorebird Conservation Toolkit - http://shorebirds.org.au/