East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)
E-Newsletter No.15 - December 2014
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PARTNERSHIP NEWS
New partners & New Sites

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity becomes the 33rd Partner of EAAFP

Vietnam becomes the 34th Partner of EAAFP

Applications for designation of the Flyway Network Sites
Activities & Meetings

EAAFP report from CBD COP12

EAAFP report from CMS COP11

Site Managers’ Workshop in Jakarta

Vietnam National Flyway and Wetland Site Manager Workshop in Hanoi

Australasian Shorebird Conference

International Workshop on Intertidal Wetland and Management in the Yellow
Sea Provinces of China

Workshop on migratory bird monitoring in the Geum Estuary

Asian Wetland Symposium - Ramsar Asia Regional Meeting in Cambodia

IUCN World Parks Congress

EAAFP National Shorebirds Network Meeting in Japan
Updates from Working Groups & Task Forces

Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force
(1) The ‘Monument’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper ‘01’ returns to Rudong
(2) EAAFP Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force Newsletter for No.12 August 2014 published
(3) Now back in the UK – Update from the Spoon-billed Sandpiper survey team
(4) Protection of most important stop over site in Dongtai and Rudong in China remains a big
challenge

Scaly-sided Merganser Task Force
(1) Instruction to erecting of Scaly-sided Merganser artificial nest site
(2) Scaly-sided Merganser nest box programme (video)
(3) News: Upcoming workshop in 2015

Black-faced Spoonbill Working Group
 The International Black-faced Spoonbill Census Report 2014

Shorebirds Working Group
 Little Curlew Satellite Transmitter Project Updates

Avian Influenza Working Group
 Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds statement on 3 December 2014
From the Secretariat

SBS T-shirts: Save the Spoon-billed Sandpiper

New educational materials: Post-it and postcards
Upcoming Events

16-21 January 2015: EAAFP MOP8 (Kushiro in Japan)
RELATED NEWS

Participation of the EAAFP Secretariat at local events

A big comeback for Chinese Crested Terns in the Jiushan Islands, China

Migratory shorebirds could face extinction within a decade

Long-distance Aussie travellers ‘Under Threat’

Shenzhen’s reach for stars puts Deep Bay wetland birds at risk

H3 still going strong

First ‘grand-chick’ for conservationist

Myanmar Conservation Group protects endangered bird species

Why restoring wetlands is more critical than ever
NATIONAL NEWS
Korean News

동아시아-대양주 철새이동경로상의 이동성물새 생태학적 위기에 처하다

해안 돌보기: 해안 습지 복원을 위해 제안된 선언문
Chinese News

寻找”神话之鸟”：中华凤头燕鸥
Published by EAAFP Secretariat
Photo Credits:
EAAFP National Shorebirds Network Meeting in Japan ©Minister of the Environment, Japan (P19)
The International Black-faced Spoonbill Census Report ©The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (P22)
First ‘grand-chick’ for conservationist ©Pavel Tomkovich (P29)
If not mentioned: ©EAAFP
The EAAFP Secretariat encourages Partners to voluntarily produce translated versions of the EAAFP newsletter
so that EAAFP activities and issues can be widely disseminated to a broader audience. This helps raise
awareness of EAAFP at national level that can foster national partnerships to conserve migratory waterbirds,
their habitats and the livelihood of people dependent upon them.
The EAAFP Secretariat welcomes any feedback on the EAAFP newsletter.
For further information and contact:
EAAFP Secretariat
3F Bon-dong G-Tower,
175 Art center-daero (24-4 Songdo-dong),
Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840,
The Republic of Korea
Tel: +82 32 458 6504
Fax: +82 32 458 6508
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.eaaflyway.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaafp
Twitter: www.twitter.com/EAAFP
Weibo: weibo.com/u/5038435405
Flickr: www.flickr.com/eaafp
YouTube: www.youtube.com/eaafps
All rights reserved
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
PARTNERSHIP NEWS
New partners & New Sites
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity becomes the 33rd Partner of EAAFP
On August 21st, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) welcomed the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
(ACB) as the 33rd Partner.
The ACB has a very significant role in supporting ASEAN Member States to help
conserve the globally important biodiversity of South East Asia. It supports
Working Groups on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and also on Coastal and
Marine Habitats. This region is very important for migratory waterbirds and their
habitats, although we need more information on migratory species and key sites.
Becoming an EAAFP Partner will build on existing cooperation between EAAFP and
ACB, raise the profile of migratory waterbirds and their habitats among ASEAN
Member States and encourage conservation initiatives. We look forward to future cooperation and
strengthening EAAFP linkages and actions in ASEAN Member States.
Vietnam becomes the 34th Partner of EAAFP
On October 19th, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
became the 34th Partner of EAAFP with enthusiastic and unanimous
support from all Partners.
Vietnam is a very important country for migratory waterbirds, situated at
the heart of the Flyway. The Government of Vietnam has been very active
in conserving these species and their habitats in the country. It has also
been active in EAAFP, playing a constructive role in earlier MOPs, even
though it was not a formal Partner. Vietnam will nominate Xuan Thuy National Park, a key site for critically
endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper and endangered Black-faced Spoonbill, as an EAAFP Flyway Network Site.
We look forward to identifying additional Flyway Network Sites with the Vietnamese government. EAAFP in
collaboration with the Ramsar Regional Center for Asia, has supported a national training workshop for site
managers in Hanoi.
Applications for designation of the Flyway Network Sites
We are currently receiving applications for Flyway Network Sites. If you have not submitted, please do so before
the end of the year so that we can give you the certificate at MOP8 in January.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Activities & Meetings
EAAFP report from CBD COP12
With the theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development,” the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP12) was held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from 6 to 17
October 2014. The East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) participated in relevant meetings and
arranged a press conference, a side event, a Partners meeting, a CEPA Fair session and kiosk, a weekend
excursion to Geum estuary, a Rio Pavilion event, and an exhibition booth. Through these events, EAAFP
highlighted the current situation and the importance of the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their
habitats along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
■ PRESS CONFERENCE
EAAFP and CBD Secretariats Sign the Partnership Agreement
On 7th October, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and EAAFP officially announced that CBD became
the 31st Partner of EAAFP and signed a partnership agreement to better coordinate efforts to promote and
protect migratory waterbirds and their habitats along the EAAF. EAAFP Partners attended to share and celebrate
the moment. At the press conference, Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of EAAFP, gave a brief presentation
about the EAAF and the Partnership, describing the decline of migratory bird species in recent years, highlighting
the plight of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, one of the most charismatic and Critically Endangered migratory bird
species of the Flyway. Since the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats is a critical transboundary
issue, he also stressed the importance of international cooperation between organisations, including
governmental, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations such as CBD.
EAAFP’s objectives are aligned with CBD objectives and the Aichi Targets. One of the Partnership’s objectives is
identifying network sites throughout the Flyway, which leads to effective conservation of migratory waterbirds
and responds to Aichi Targets 11 and 12. The cooperation between CBD and EAAFP will strengthen international
cooperation and broaden national partnerships: as a result, those sites will be further encouraged to be managed
in a sustainable way for migratory waterbirds.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Mr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, welcomed the new Partnership and the importance
of conservation of migratory waterbird species. He also considered that the decline of migratory waterbird
populations is a serious issue because birds are one of the most numerous but threatened groups of organisms.
CBD has a key role to reduce the loss of biodiversity and habitats; in particular, it has a key commitment to Aichi
Target 11: increase the coverage of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation efforts, as well as
Target 12, reducing extinctions. So, all relevant efforts need to be made to conserve the flyways around the world,
especially EAAF. He also emphasized that the conservation of migratory waterbird species is a special challenge
because it is not enough to conserve them in one place but they need to be conserved all along the flyway. The
conservation of migratory waterbird species requires international cooperation: otherwise it will fail.
Therefore, he expressed his pleasure in joining EAAFP, and his intention to contribute and commit as much as
possible to fill in the gaps in terms of conservation measures for threatened waterbird species and to integrate
issues of conserving the flyway with the aspects of CBD. Finally, CBD and EAAFP had a signing ceremony to
declare the joining of CBD officially as the 31st Partner of EAAFP, a huge step forward to further conservation of
migratory waterbirds.

Press release: http://www.eaaflyway.net/cbd-and-eaafp-sign-partnership-agreement-at-cbd-cop12/

On Site Video: http://www.liveto.com/Cop12/vod_1/vod/07_PC_AM_f.html [43:49 ~ 1:07:00]

Photograph: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/sets/72157648883478292/
■ SIDE EVENT
Addressing the Ecological Crisis for Migratory Waterbirds in the EAAF
On 8th October, we held our CBD COP12 side event: ‘Addressing the
Ecological Crisis for Migratory Birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway’. It
kicked off with EAAFP’s Chief Executive, Mr. Spike Millington’s short
introduction of EAAFP, followed by EAAFP Science Officer, Dr. Judit Szabo,
who gave a presentation about the status of waterbirds and their habitats
with a particular focus on the Yellow Sea, one of the most critical bottlenecks
for migratory waterbirds in the East
Asian-Australasian Flyway.
The
presentation focused on sharp population declines in a number of migratory
shorebirds,
especially
in
Arctic-breeding
long-distance
migrants.
The
importance of the Yellow Sea is proven by the fact that migratory birds that
stopover in the region twice a year decline twice as much compared to birds
that stop only once. The reason for their decline is habitat loss: inter-tidal
areas at key sites have been destroyed in the past couple of decades, and as
Side Event Flyer @ EAAFP
result, intertidal mudflats became a threatened ecosystem. Since the Yellow
Sea is a migratory bottleneck, the loss of tidal flats in the Yellow Sea has a
huge impact on many species of migratory waterbirds.
Following her introduction Dr. Nial Moores, Director of Birds Korea, gave details about the Korean case of tidal
flats loss and the decline of migratory waterbirds. Birds Korea is an NGO based in South Korea that is specialised
in the conservation of birds and their habitats in South Korea and the wider Yellow Sea Ecoregion. Dr. Moores
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
pointed out that over 90 % of the birds recorded in
South Korea are migratory. So the decline of migratory
birds is not only due to the pressure in South Korea but
also the pressure along the flyway. He showed scientific
data and emphasised the current situation and the need
for urgent action. Also, he insisted that there are only six
years remaining in order to meet Aichi Targets and that it
is necessary to provide information for policy makers and
decision makers. At the same time, strong bridges should
be built between organisations.
In the following discussion, experiences and lessons learned were introduced by the participants to share the
information and utilise them for conservation of migratory birds in each site, country, and region. One of them is
the importance of environmental education. Developing educational resources and bringing them to schools is an
effective way to influence decision making in future generations. Also, organisations that collect and show
independent data and information are needed. Currently, many civil society organisations still do not get access
to appropriate data and information.
Through the side event, the importance of conserving migratory waterbirds and tidal flats in the flyway,
especially in the Yellow Sea was indicated with scientific data and information. Also, it was beneficial for every
participant to know the current situation of migratory birds of the EAAF and share the information and lessons
learned for thinking of better conservation measures and management.

Press release: http://www.eaaflyway.net/ecological-crisis-for-migratory-waterbirds-in-eaaf/

Photograph: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/sets/72157648484850960/
■ CEPA FAIR SIDE EVENT & KIOSK
Conserving Migratory Birds – The Challenge of CEPA across the Diverse Cultures and
Capacities of Flyway Countries
On 9th October, Ms. Tomoko Ichikawa, Communication Officer of EAAFP,
started off the event with the introduction of EAAFP and how it is working
for conservation of migratory waterbirds. She stated that Communication,
Education,
Participation,
and
Awareness
(CEPA)
is
indispensable
for
conservation, and EAAFP aims to raise the understanding and involvement of
local communities, decision makers and future generations. She mentioned
challenges, such as the multitudes of countries, languages and cultures in the
East Asian-Australasian Flyway. EAAFP supports the World Migratory Bird Day
(WMBD), an annual public awareness-raising campaign for the conservation
of migratory birds and their habitats. EAAFP helps WMBD by providing
statements, trailer messages, flyers, and posters in local languages. It is
essential to use local languages because it makes local CEPA activities more
targeted and useful.
CEPA Fair Flyer @ EAAFP
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
In
addition
to
her
presentation,
EAAFP
Chief
Executive, Mr. Spike Millington, stated important
points concerning CEPA. It is a challenge for EAAFP to
conduct better conservation in different counties,
languages and culture. For this reason, we need to
work on developing comprehensive CEPA activities.
The decline of migratory waterbird species is an
urgent issue and yet it has a relatively low profile, so
there is an urgent need to effectively communicate
the importance and urgency of rapid action, raise
awareness and mobilise people in support of migratory waterbird conservation.
In the second half of the event, participants expressed their ideas about the
importance and the difficulties of CEPA raised by the speakers. One of the
important points was sharing the information and knowledge of migratory
waterbirds
by
making
alliances
with
universities,
institutions,
and
organisations and also by using university networks to reach additional
stakeholders. Moreover, the following measures were indicated to raise
awareness and convince people about the importance of protecting
migratory
waterbirds
and
their
habitats:
effective
use
of
overall
communication strategies, capacity building, targeting messages, and
partnerships. With this active exchange of opinions, this CEPA fair became an
important step to think of better effective CEPA activities.
In addition to the CEPA Fair side event, EAAFP set a kiosk to showcase its
outreach materials on cross-country conservation works in a multi-language
environment. The materials illustrated the Partnership, Flyway Site Network and current activities of the EAAFP
such as the World Migratory Bird Day and the collaborative campaign ‘Destination Flyways – migratory birds and
tourism’ with UNWTO.

Photograph: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/sets/72157648831870026/
■ EAAFP PARTNERS MEETING (PRE MOP8)
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Taking advantage of many of EAAFPs country partners being present at CBD COP 12 an EAAFP Partners Meeting
was held on 10th October at COP12 to raise awareness of EAAFP among CBD country delegations and others.
First, EAAFP Chief Executive Mr. Spike Millington talked about the current ecological collapse and the need of
urgent action. Habitat loss is the major factor in waterbird declines. This is particularly threatening in the Yellow
Sea, a critical bottleneck for many shorebird species. To deal with this issue, EAAFP is beneficial because the
partnership is open to organisations including governments, non-governmental organisations and intergovernmental organisations. Partners of EAAFP include 17 countries and 10 organisations, making the Partnership
diverse and interactive. The Partnership is a voluntary, non-binding arrangement and it makes it possible for
partners to move in a flexible and quick manner to tackle the problems. EAAFP aims to identify critically
important sites and work on CEPA. It is integral to enhance cooperation between government agencies and other
NGOs because the cooperation can strengthen national partnerships as well. The partnership can encourage the
cooperation to raise the profile of this issue, which many decision makers do not appreciate.
Answering questions from the participants, Spike explained
that appointing a national focal point is the decision of a
national government and that focal points should encourage
greater collaboration in-country. In each country, there are
many agencies that are working together with NGOs to
conserve migratory waterbirds directly and also to affect
conservation of habitats indirectly. The idea of the partnership
is to encourage national partnerships for conservation of
migratory waterbirds. So it is necessary to get the Partners united, enhance cooperation between governments
and NGOs, and build the network of flyway site managers. Since many Partner representatives at CBD COP 12
were from different agencies than EAAFP focal points, the Partner meeting was informative for Partners to deepen
their understanding of EAAFP.
Partners attended
Japan / Indonesia / Philippines / New Zealand / Myanmar / South Korea / Singapore / Cambodia / Australia /
Cambodia / China / Thailand / Bangladesh / Wild Bird Society of Japan / Birdlife International / ACB

Photograph: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/sets/72157648898873705/
■ SEOCHEON EXCURSION
Supported by EAAFP and BirdLife International, Seocheon County organised a bird watching excursion to Geum
River Estuary Tidal Flats from 11 to 12 October, the weekend during CBD COP12. Thirty-five people including
EAAFP Partners, Secretariat and COP 12 attendees participated in the event.
The Geum River Estuary is located at the Yellow Sea coast of South Korea. Its tidal flats are the most important
stopover sites in South Korea and regarded as one of the most important areas in East Asian-Australasian Flyway
(EAAF). Approximately 60-70 % of migratory waterbirds that come to South Korea are recorded here. Also, the
Estuary has been identified as a project site of the Birdlife Rio Tinto Migratory Shorebird Project and the
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
‘Destination Flyways Project’ of the UNWTO due to its importance for migratory waterbirds, the positive political
environment, and the conservation opportunities.
The participants first visited Seocheon Bird Centre and were warmly welcomed by Mr. Bakrae No, the Governor
of Seocheon County. Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of the EAAFP and Dr. Jens Enemark, Secretary of the
Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (which has cooperation with Korea to conserve intertidal areas) congratulated
the Mayor on his support to conservation and mentioned the importance of the Geum River Estuary and the
cooperation with Seocheon County. Following the event, the participants went birdwatching to Songlim and Solli
mudflats. In contrast to Pyeongchang, the weather was beautiful and participants were able to observe many
migratory waterbirds including Black-faced Spoonbill. Visits were made to Bongsun Reservoir and Geum Reeds
Field where more species were observed. In addition to bird watching, the cuisines prepared by the local
restaurants were much appreciated. Also, the participants had an opportunity to visit the National Institute of
Ecology. Through the excursion, the participants enjoyed the activities focusing on bird watching and it promoted
a better understanding of the importance of the area for migratory waterbirds and its potential to support
ecotourism activities.

Related news article: http://www.ajunews.com/view/20141013205825156

Photograph: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/sets/72157646565617393/
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
■ RIO PAVILION SIDE EVENT
Caring for Coasts: A Proposed New Initiative for Coastal Wetland Restoration
EAAFP, together with its Partners – Ramsar Convention
Secretariat,
CBD
Secretariat
and
Birdlife
International
–
convened a side-event at CBD COP 12 in Pyeongchang,
Republic of Korea on 14th October to present a proposed new
initiative on coastal wetland restoration, entitled Caring for
Coasts. Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of EAAFP, chaired
the event. Mr. David Coates of the CBD Secretariat talked of
the importance of preserving the coast and the ecosystem
@ EAAFP / Eugene Cheah
services arising from the coastal zone. He was followed by Mr.
Christopher Briggs, Secretary-General of Ramsar on a global
partnership for wetland restoration. Mr. Spike Millington described the critical need for coastal wetland
conservation and restoration along the EAAF, and Mr. Yasukuni Shibata, Senior Policy Coordinator, Ministry of
Environment of Japan, explained the linkages between coastal restoration and disaster risk reduction with
examples from Japan and USA. Finally, Ms. Cristi Nozawa of Birdlife International introduced the Caring for Coasts
initiative (attachment) and invited CBD Parties and other interested Partners to take up this initiative and identify
and prepare a program of work to meet the Caring for Coast objectives, Countries could choose to become
regional or global champions of the initiative. There followed a wide-ranging discussion on coastal restoration
and the role of concerned and relevant institutions.
[Attachment] On 15th October, the CBD Working Group on Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration approved
the following paragraph:
Emphasizing the critical importance of coastal wetlands for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, in
particular for migratory bird species, sustainable livelihoods, climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction, invites Parties to give due attention to the conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands, and, in
this context, welcomes the work of the Ramsar convention and other initiatives that support the conservation
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
and restoration of coastal wetlands including options to build a Caring for Coasts Initiative, as part of a global
movement to restore coastal wetlands;
This can be considered a very successful outcome of the meeting, since it provides a potential launching pad for
coastal wetland restoration initiatives.

On Site Video: http://www.liveto.com/Cop12/vod_2/vod/14_SE_pm_e_3.html

Related news article: http://www.newsis.com/pict_detail/view.html?pict_id=NISI20141014_0010243718

Photograph: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/sets/72157648827837256/
■ EAAFP BOOTH
The EAAFP, together with its Partners set up an exhibition booth to highlight the urgent need of international
cooperation for the conservation of migratory waterbird species and introduce EAAFP’s efforts with the display of
posters and distribution of brochures, leaflets and CEPA materials. The Seabird Working Group of EAAFP
displayed a poster on the status and conservation of the Chinese Crested Tern. The Scaly-sided Merganser Task
Force participated with a poster on the status of the Scaly-Sided Merganser and a video on the artificial nest
programme. Several Partners and relevant NGOs also shared their outreach materials at the booth.
EAAFP Secretariat produced T-shirts to spread the message to support the Spoon-billed Sandpiper whose
population is estimated as 400, and postcards on Baer’s
Pochard
and
Chinese
Crested
Tern,
also
Critically
Endangered species. They caught the visitors’ eyes to start
conversation on the critical situation those species are
facing to.
During
COP12,
many
international
and
Korean
participants visited the booth to learn about EAAFP and
migratory waterbirds. The booth also played a role of the
basecamp for Partners and related organisations to share
information and discuss future collaboration.
■ Other activities
1) Side Event (October 8th): The Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBD) – Protecting Arctic lifestyles
through migratory bird conservation
Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of EAAFP, gave a presentation at the Side Event organised by EAAFP
Partner Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) on October 8th, entitled The Arctic Migratory Birds
Initiative (AMBI: Protecting Arctic lifestyles through migratory bird conservation). Spike talked about the priorities
for EAAF under AMBI, including priority species and habitats and urgent actions. The Side-event was chaired by
Tom Barry. Executive Secretary of CAFF and presentations were made by Risa Smith, Environment Canada and
CAFF Chair, Ms. Nicola Crockford (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and Dr. Kim Jin-han (National
Institute of Biological Resources, Korea).
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
2) Rio Pavilion (October 8th): Protected Areas Day – Protected area and their contribution to achieving the
Aichi Biodiversity Targets and NBSAPs – national perspectives
Mr. Spike Millington gave a presentation at the Rio Pavilion Protected Areas Day on 8th October in the session
on Working towards the Aichi Targets: How Protected Areas (PA) Contribute. Spike introduced the Flyway Site
Network of EAAFP as a response to identifying, protecting and managing critical sites along the Flyway for
migratory waterbirds. Many sites are not formal PAs but need to be managed for migratory waterbirds along
their migration routes. A recent study has indicated that staging areas are very poorly represented in the formal
PA network and represent significant bottlenecks for Flyway-wide protection. This is illustrated for the case of
Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
3) Black-faced Spoonbill Working Group Meeting (October 8th)
The Black-faced Spoonbill (BFS) Working Group (WG) meeting with EAAFP was held at the CBD COP12 in
Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea on 8th October. Of EAAFP BFS working group members, Dr. Lee Ki-sup, Mr. Yu
Yat-tung, Prof. Hiroko Koike and Dr. Kim Jin-han attended the meeting. Also members of staff from EAAFP,
Birdlife International and Ganghwa Network joined it under the chairmanship of Dr. Lee. The main topic was to
develop an annual work plan of BFS WG to EAAFP secretariat and the budget. In addition to, there were talks
about activities in breeding and wintering grounds of BFS, satellite-tracking study of BFS and other conservation
and education activities.
4) An interview of Mr. Spike Millington by United Nations Radio: Migrating birds acting as “early warning
system” for habitat loss
The changing habits of birds migrating through Asia is acting as an “early warning system” for the loss of
coastal habitats, according to a network of organisations which protects migratory routes. The EAAFP says that if
birds need to change those routes, it shows the eco-systems they depend on are degrading. The Flyway which
encompasses the Arctic Circle in Russia and Alaska, southwards through East and Southeast Asia, to Australia and
New Zealand supports over 50 million waterbirds of more than 200 species. Thirty-three of those species are
threatened with extinction.
The Flyway has partnered with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity at a meeting in South Korea. Florencia
Soto Nino asked Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of the EAAFP why people should care about birds.
To listen to the radio, please click here - duration: 3’41″
■ Relevant News

CBD and EAAFP Sign Partnership Agreement at CBD COP12

Ecological Crisis for Migratory Waterbirds in EAAF

Caring for Coasts: A Proposed New Initiative for Coastal Wetland Restoration
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
The eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to
the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals (CMS) was held in Quito, Ecuador on 4-9 November 2014
The Conference, held in Latin America for the first time, attracted over 900 delegates – a record for CMS –
representing Parties, non-Parties, IGOs, NGOs and the media together with a large number of leading experts
guiding global conservation efforts for the world’s avian, aquatic and terrestrial migratory species. From our
region, Australia, Mongolia, the Philippines and New Zealand are members of CMS. There was an excellent suite
of side events on flyways, migratory birds, dealing with threats to migratory birds and new research perspectives.
Dr. Judit Szabo, Science Officer of EAAFP, organised the side event “Challenges and success stories in migratory
waterbird conservation in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway”. Even though it was the last event of the conference,
held at 8 pm on Friday night, about 50 people attended. After a background presentation on EAAFP by Dr. Szabo,
Ms. Nicola Crockford discussed the Beijing declaration, and each of the EAAFP member countries talked about
their involvement in the Partnership and the CMS nomination of new shorebird species and Dr. Taej Mundkur
presented the Waterbird Census. Major achievements of the conference for EAAFP were:
-
EAAFP is added into the resolution about ecological networks
-
4 concerted action species accepted (focal point for Bar-tailed godwit is France, Red knot: Netherlands,
Far Eastern Curlew: Australia and Great knot: Philippines).
The draft official meeting report can be found here along with all the other conference documents:
http://www.cms.int/en/meeting/eleventh-meeting-conference-parties-cms#cop11-documents. A relevant article A
relevant article by Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary of CMS is here: A Substantive Summary of Critical
Outcomes. Some pictures from the meeting are here: http://www.iisd.ca/cms/cop11/7nov.html. For further
information about the meeting see: http://www.iisd.ca/cms/cop11/
Information and Experience Sharing and Training Workshop for
Wetland and Flyway Site Managers in East and Southeast Asia,
Jakarta, Indonesia
Flyway and Wetland Site Manager Workshop in East and Southeast Asia was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 25-29
August to share information and experience. It was co-organised by the EAAFP and the Ramsar Regional Center
East Asia (RRC-EA), and sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea and hosted by the Ministry
of Forestry, Indonesia.
The workshop was to build capacity of effective site management and bird monitoring and to raise awareness of
the value of waterbirds and their habitats. Around 60 site managers from 14 countries were invited to share their
knowledge and experience in providing good habitats for waterbirds and dealing with challenges they had faced.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Some have been site manager for a long time, while others only for a few years. Making the most of every
opportunity, there were more Indonesian site managers for intensive discussion in this workshop.
As East Asian-Australasian Flyway has 15 different languages besides English, some participants found it difficult
to participate in interactive discussions in English. This is a challenge we have been struggling with and it needs
to be better dealt with. However, most site managers found this workshop quite useful and productive, and all
promised that they will organise a national site manager workshop to share the lessons they learnt and identify
what other challenges are out there.
We were able to identify important sites that qualify for inclusion in the Flyway Site Network through this
workshop. These sites will be highly recommended to EAAFP Government Partners for FSN nomination.
Vietnam National Flyway and Wetland Site Manager Workshop in
Hanoi
Together with Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia, EAAFP organised a national site manager training workshop
on 21-24 October, hosted by Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, Vietnam. Participants were around
60 site managers, including different stakeholders and they were from the Ministry of Natural Resource and
Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, local authorities, IUCN-Vietnam, RSPB and Viet
Nature Conservation Centre.
As Vietnam joined EAAFP only a few weeks before the workshop, it was a good start to their involvement in the
partnership. Starting with brief reports from Ramsar site managers, there were sessions on effective site
management, World Migratory Bird Day, key sites in Vietnam, Spoon-billed Sandpiper surveys and the Flyway Site
nomination procedure. With Mr. Nguyen Duc Tu’s great help, all sessions ran smoothly even in Vietnamese. Mr.
Nguyen Duc Tu used to work for BirdLife and currently works for IUCN-Vietnam.
As a result, four key sites were identified to be included in the Flyway Site Network: Xuan Thuy, Mui Ca Mau,
Tram Chim and Thai Thuy. Thai Thuy is particularly important, as there have been records of Spoon-billed
Sandpiper. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force has been already surveying this site.
News from the 9th Australasian Shorebird Conference, September
20-21, Darwin, Australia
Following the Management Committee meeting of the Australian Wader Study Group on September 19, the
Australian Australasian Shorebird Conference kicked off with the attendance of over 60 shorebird researchers
mostly from Australian and New Zealand with some invited guests from China, South Korea and Thailand. Dr.
Judit Szabo, EAAFP Science Officer gave a plenary talk about good news stories from the flyway. The conference
was followed by a week of cannon netting to flag shorebirds in the Darwin region, a project run by Ms. Amanda
Lilleyman, Charles Darwin University.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Building a hide to catch shorebirds in Darwin Port – photo Judit Szabo
The conference also produced a declaration:
A note from Stephen Garnett, Chair, 9th Australasian Shorebird Conference: Our disappearing shorebirds
One of the world’s great natural wonders is the migration of shorebirds between their breeding grounds in
Alaska and Siberia and their non-breeding grounds in Australia and New Zealand using the East Asian
Australasian Flyway. This amazing phenomenon is in danger of imminent collapse because vital staging sites
on the migration route are being lost. <Read more>
International Workshop on Intertidal Wetland and Management in
the Yellow Sea Provinces of China
The extent of intertidal wetlands in the Yellow Sea region has dramatically decreased over the past two decades,
precipitating widespread declines in a number of migratory shorebird species that depend on these areas as
critical stopover and staging sites during migration along the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. At the 2012 World
Conservation Congress in Jeju, Korea, IUCN Resolution 28 proposed a series of actions to alleviate this impending
ecological crisis. One of these actions was to hold national workshops in each Yellow Sea country to bring
together relevant national stakeholders to seek solutions to this threat.
The International Workshop on Intertidal Wetland and Management in the Yellow Sea Provinces of China, held
in Beijing, China on 16-17 September, was a response to this call. 162 attendees representing local, national and
international levels, NGOs, academies and media got together to raise awareness of the threats and to discuss
measures to address the situation in the coastal zone of China, particularly in the Yellow Sea. Also it provided
examples of international best practice in coastal management and sustainable development and a forum for
discussion on how these could be relevant to the Chinese Yellow Sea coast and most importantly to propose
recommendations for new ways forward.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of EAAFP Secretariat, took part in the workshop and made a presentation
on EAAFP and the status of migratory waterbirds, and the importance of Yellow Sea for the East AsianAustralasian Flyway. Many of EAAFP Partners including Chair Mr. Yan Xun and Technical Focal Point for China,
Prof. Lei Guangchun, attended the meeting and strengthened EAAFP’s National Partnership in China.
A declaration was developed outlining six priority actions for implementation in China, including the protection
of key sites.
[Attachments]
1. Declaration of International Workshop on Intertidal Wetland Conservation and Management in the Yellow Sea
Provinces of China
2. Programme
To see relevant article, please click here.
Workshop on Migratory Bird Monitoring in the Geum Estuary
The Migratory Bird Monitoring Workshop was held at Seocheon Migratory Bird Center, Seocheon, South Korea
on 1-4 September, organized by BirdLife International, hosted by the Seocheon County and supported by EAAFP.
The workshop was to bring together those with an interest, past data and/or experience in migratory bird
monitoring in the Geum Estuary with the intention of identifying an agreed, consistent and standard monitoring
methodology. Participants were from Seocheon County, Korea Shorebirds Network, Chungnam Develepment
Institute, National Institute of Ecology, National Institute of Biological Resources, and Korea Waterbird Network.
This methodology would then be used to undertake regular monitoring of waterbirds in Seocheon County, with
an emphasis on it being used in a new conservation project being run by BirdLife International in Seocheon
County.
Asian Wetland Symposium - Ramsar Asia Regional Meeting
The Asian Wetland Symposium
(AWS) was held together with the
Ramsar Pre-COP12 Asia Regional
Meeting (RARM) on 3-7 November
2014 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It
was hosted by the Government of
the Kingdom of Cambodia, the
Ramsar
Convention
Secretariat,
Wetlands International Japan and
Ramsar Center Japan. The AWS is a
forum
for
discussions
among
various sectors engaged in wise use of wetlands in Asia. The RARM provides an opportunity to review progress
on implementing the Ramsar Convention, and also allows discussion and development of regional inputs into the
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Draft Resolutions prior to the next Conference of Parties (COP), which will take place in Uruguay in June 2015. In
this joint meeting, 170 participants including 33 Ramsar National Focal Points from the Asia region participated to
share issues and best practices on wetlands and wetland conservation, and developed and discussed draft
resolutions.
From EAAFP Secretariat, Spike Millington, Chief Executive, and Tomoko Ichikawa, Communication Officer,
participated in the AWS/RARM. On the first day, Spike gave a presentation on EAAFP as a Ramsar Regional
Initiative (RRI), and coordinated a breakout session on RRI. As a RRI, EAAFP supports and deepens Ramsar
implementation in the Flyway for migratory waterbird habitat conservation and works closely with the Ramsar
Regional Center for East Asia on training and capacity building. The cooperation also strengthens linkages
between Ramsar and EAAFP Flyway Network Sites and site managers. On the second day, Tomoko gave a
presentation on challenges and approaches in CEPA along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, that has 22
countries with different language, culture, and social conditions, which becomes an obstacle for sharing
information, knowledge and experiences. The presentation highlighted the importance of identifying better
mechanisms for information sharing, awareness raising, and international cooperation to improve global
conservation outcomes, and demonstrated EAAFP’s attempts such as World Migratory Birds Day campaign and
Sister Sites arrangements and encouraged active participation. The Secretariat also contributed by actively
participating in the discussions on Ramsar COP12 Draft Resolutions and declaration throughout the Symposium
and Meeting, highlighting the issues and importance of conserving migratory waterbirds in Asia. The Secretariat
also coordinated with EAAFP Partners attending there on Flyway Network Site nomination and EAAFP MOP8
preparation.
The practical inputs on the Draft Resolutions brought together from various sectors in the AWS/RARM will be
presented to the Ramsar COP12.
To see the details of the programme, please click here.
To see related articles, please click here: (1) Cambodia Hosts Asian Wetland Symposium in Siem Reap, (2)
Environment Minister Presides Over the Opening of Asian Wetland Symposium
IUCN World Parks Congress
The World Parks Congress, held every ten years, brings together protected area agencies, managers,
practitioners and researchers to chart a path forward for improved coverage, management, support and financing
for protected areas throughout the world. The Sydney Congress was attended by Heads of State, government
ministers, representatives of development agencies, universities and citizen groups. More than 6,000 people
attended the Congress, which was centered around seven “streams”, as well as showcasing many exhibitions and
related events.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Spike Millington, Chief Executive of EAAFP, attended the Congress and participated in two streams “Reaching
Development Goals” and “Reconciling Development Challenges.” His first presentation highlighted the inadequacy
of the current formal protected area network to protect migratory birds in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway
(particularly at key staging sites) and the need for a more flexible system of conserved areas – the Flyway Site
Network – to promote effective conservation for different groups of migratory waterbirds. The second
presentation was on the role of connectivity in a changing climate: clearly connectivity is a key feature of
waterbird migration and the challenges of promoting connectivity are amplified by the impacts of climate change,
such as sea-level rise, making migratory waterbirds especially vulnerable to increased extinction risk.
The Congress is organized by EAAFP Partner IUCN and many other EAAFP Partners and colleagues were present.
Spike participated in events held by Russia, Myanmar and China. There was a strong focus on marine and coastal
protected areas, indigenous and community participation and governance, sustainable financing and partnering
with the private sector, and many meetings were held around these themes.
The Congress culminated with “the Promise of Sydney” highlighting commitments to improved protected area
conservation in the next ten years.
To get more details, please click here.
EAAFP National Shorebirds Network Meeting in Japan
EAAFP National Shorebirds Network Meeting in Japan was held in Kashima, Saga, Japan from 30 September to 1
October 2014, organized by Ministry of the Environment, Japan. The aim of the meeting was to promote
understanding about EAAFP and share information among site managers of the Flyway Network Sites that
support shorebird migration. 35 participants from key national organisations involved in the Flyway Partnership
including government officers, site managers and rangers as well as experts and those from relevant NGOs
gathered and exchanged information, issues and experiences about national and international efforts to improve
shorebird conservation status.
Ms. Kaori Tsujita, MOE-J, explained about EAAFP and promoted worldwide campaigns such as WWD, WMBD.
Through active discussions in parallel workshops to identify activities contributing to the outcomes identified in
the Implementation Strategy of the Flyway Partnership, some important points were raised. Firstly, recognition of
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
the connection between EAAFP and international agreements such as Ramsar Convention and Convention on
Biological Diversity is low in local EAAFP related activities. Secondly, establishing local committees to discuss the
direction of FNS conservation will be important. Thirdly, an easier form of the Implementation Strategy will be
useful to help integration into management plans at each FNS. In addition, there was a discussion that national
PR tools on EAAFP would build local support for national FNS. Local site managers indicated that it may be
possible to find students from urban areas to help with conservation activities in remote areas.
Mr. Reiji Kamezawa, Director of the Kyushu Regional Environmental Office, MOE-J, emphasized in his closing
remarks that voluntary actions are vital for designation and management of FNS since EAAFP is a voluntary
scheme, and hoped for future active interaction among the members gathered since conservation issues are often
similar among the sites so that they can be often solved by sharing experiences. The National Network Meeting
in Japan for Anatidae was held in early 2014, and one for Cranes is planned to be held in 2015.
Updates from Working Groups & Task Forces
Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force
(1) The ‘Monument’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper ‘01’ returns to Rudong
Written by Christoph Zöckler (SBS Task Force Coordinator)
The male Spoon-billed Sandpiper ‘01’ has bred not far from
the village Meinypilgyno in Chukotka, Russia since at least 2010,
but possibly for much longer. It is named ‘monument’ SBS as it
always breeds near an old monument set up by the villagers,
but
as
it
happens,
the
bird’s
achievements
are actually
monumental. <Read more>
Male Spoon-billed sandpiper ‘01’ arrived in Rudong on 4
September 2014 © Chen Dong Ming
(2) EAAFP Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force Newsletter for No.12 August 2014 published
In figures:
2366 mist nets between Zhuhai to the Leizhou Peninsular
41 SBS spring minimum in Rudong, China
45,000 shells used to create the largest ever Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Rudong, China
4 out of 8 flagged breeding adults return to the breeding grounds
‘8’ babies head–started in 2012 returned to the breeding grounds in Chukotka
6 Conservation Community Groups established in the Gulf of Mottama
32 eggs collected for head-starting
To continue reading this edition, please click here.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
(3) Now back in the UK – Update from the Spoon-billed Sandpiper survey team
Written by Nigel Clark
A team lead by SBS in China and with five
international wader experts: Nigel Clark from BTO,
James
Phillips
from
Natural
England,
Guy
Anderson and Andy Schofield from RSPB and
Rich Hearn from WWT, has come together to
survey the autumn concentration of Spoon-billed
Sandpiper on the Jiangsu coastline. The survey
has
been
supported
Conservation
Fund,
by
RSPB,
the
MBZ
WWT
Species
and
the
participants. Nigel reports on behalf of the team.
<Read more>
Map showing completed (black lines) and proposed (red lines) land
claim @ Nigel Clark
(4) Protection of most important stop over site in Dongtai and Rudong in China remains a
big challenge
Written by Jing Li (SBS in China) & Christoph Zöckler (SBS TF Coordinator)
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper (SBS) Task Force held its 10th anniversary meeting on 14 October in Rudong, China.
Sixteen members from six flyway countries, the UK and Germany discussed progress on the flyway conservation
and shared experiences. Prior to the meeting the task force members also took part in a survey organised by SBS
in China in the near-by Rudong mudflats in Jiangsu Province between Dongtai (Tiaozini Sandbanks) and Dong Lin
in the south following a survey of a British/Chinese team in September. <Read more>
International survey team at the model Spoon-billed sandpiper at Links Hotel, who sponsored SBS in China @ T. Noah
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Scaly-sided Merganser Task Force
(1) Introduction to erecting of Scaly-sided Merganser artificial nest site
Scaly-sided Mergansers nest in tree cavities near clean, fast flowing rivers of third to seven order – not too
narrow and not too wide. Sometimes they are also found on flood-plain ponds and small creeks. Artificial nest
site occupation depends on forest quality on river banks. On the rivers with logged forest occupation of artificial
nest site is significantly higher than on un-logged rivers. Thus artificial nest program at un-logged habitats is
useless. To see the article in English, please click here: English/Chinese/Russian
(Left) Almost ideal position of artificial nest site: in a group of large trees; 6 m from water; entrance faced a river; no lower
branches; open access from the water; clean pass to the water. Height isn’t the best (9 m) / (Right) Nest box
(2) Video: Scaly-sided Merganser nest box programme
This video is about an artificial nest programme for the endangered Scaly-sided Merganser. To see this video,
please click here.
(3) News: Upcoming workshop in 2015
Scaly-sided Merganser Task Force is planning to hold a workshop on the Single Species International Action Plan
in Vladivostok, Russia, in September 2015, five years after the first workshop. The workshop aims to (1) sign off
the Single Species International Action Plan; (2) provide directions to the national Action Plans; (3) coordinate
surveys within key states; and (4) provide direction to conservation breeding and researches in captivity. There will
be a field trip following the workshop to open the Visitor Centre of the Scaly-sided Merganser Field Station in
Kishinevka village; and to train Chinese refuge staff in erecting artificial nests.
Black-faced Spoonbill Working Group
The International Black-faced Spoonbill Census Report 2014
The full report of the 2014 International Black-faced Spoonbill Census, provided by
the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, and the BirdLife International Asia Division, is
now available. To see the report in English or Chinese, please click here.
Next census is planned on 16-18 Jan 2015. For more information: contact Mr. Yattung Yu at [email protected].
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Shorebirds Working Group
Little Curlew Satellite Transmitter Project Updates
Written by Inka Veltheim
Exciting news – the first little curlew with a transmitter has arrived in Australia having completed its southward
migration! LC 131947, which was one of the two birds that left late and stopped in Daursky Marshes (and stayed
there for 3.5 months) to arrive to Australia: first landing 50 km
west of Victoria River in the Northern Territory, and then 90 km
north east of Kununurra, Western Australia. This bird has flown
an amazing 7000 km non-stop from Daursky Marshes in Russia
to Australia. The last fix for this bird was on the 24th of
September and first fix of migration on the 26th of September
over the Pacific Ocean, 600 km south east of Taiwan. First fix in
Australia was on the 30th of September. <Read more>
LC Paths Sthward Migration
Avian Influenza Working Group
Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds Statement on 3 December 2014
H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and wild birds
This statement, from the UN CMS/FAO Co-Convened Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds is
released in response to the recent H5N8 HPAI developments (November 2014) to inform stakeholders in
governments, poultry sector, disease control, wildlife management, site management and conservation sectors
about the potential interaction between wild birds and H5N8 HPAI virus and appropriate ways of taking action.
<Read more>
Upcoming events
16-21 January 2015: EAAFP MOP8 in Kushiro, Japan
The 8th Meeting of Partners (MOP8) of the EAAFP will be held as 16-21 January 2015, at the Kushiro Tourism
and International relations Center, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. It will be kindly hosted by the Ministry of
Environment, Japan, and Kushiro City. To find updates and relevant materials, please click here.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
From the Secretariat
SBS T-shirts: Save the Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Without our efforts, SBS could disappear from the world. It is one of the most threatened species of the East
Asian - Australasian Flyway. EAAFP Secretariat made a T-shirts to raise awareness on SBS and the crisis they are
facing. Please wear this T-shirts to support their survival and distribute our message to your family, friends and
the world.
A group of 26 students from Sintanjin Middle School in Daejeon City, Republic of Korea, visited habitats for
migratory birds in Seocheon County on 22 November with an aim to better understand migratory waterbirds
which they had learnt from their classes at school. Prior to their visit to Seocheon County, their English teacher,
Mr. Ryu, asked EAAFP Secretariat for help in getting more information on migratory waterbirds coming to South
Korea and about the role of EAAFP. In response to it, we sent some promotional materials including Spoon-billed
Sandpiper t-shirts produced to raise awareness about the critically endangered SBS. Song Chaeeun, a student
participated in the trip, said “From now on I will put more efforts to protect the environment where migratory
waterbirds live because now I know Republic of Korea is one of EAAFP partners from the experiential learning”.
The T-shirts are made of natural cotton without going through any chemical treatment such as bleaching,
optical whitening or dyeing, so it has ivory colour. It’s designed by our previous intern Ms. Angela Choi. If you are
interested
in
this
item,
they
are
available
for
sale
at
production
cost.
Please
contact
us
[email protected]
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
at
New educational materials: Post-it notes and postcards
To
introduce
EAAFP’s
works
and
some
threatened migratory waterbirds to public, EAAFP
Secretariat made post-it and postcards of Baer’s
Pochard and Chinese Crested Tern, both are
categorised as Critically Endangered on the IUCN
Red
List,
and
one-legged
Kentish
Plover
highlighting injuries from fishing debris. The
postcards were printed on 100% recycled paper.
The Chinese Crested Tern postcard (top right) was
produced for colouring on recycled cardboard
paper with an artwork of previous intern Mr.
David Broughton. If you are interested in these
items,
please
contact
us
at
[email protected].
Related News
Participation of the EAAFP Secretariat at local events
EAAFP Secretariat also works locally, meeting Incheon citizens face-to-face. For the last three months, there were
three main local events in which EAAFP took part. The Green Culture Festival was organised by the Incheon Free
Economic Zone Authority on 20 September to promote Eco-friendly ways of living to the citizens and visitors to
the 2015 Incheon Asian Games. With the theme of 'Welcome to Incheon - City of Migratory Birds’, EAAFP held a
photo exhibition of migratory waterbirds in a specially provided booth, which was visited by lots of local people
having a walk in the lovely autumn weather. EAAFP also conducted educational activities such as colouring and
mosaic art making to raise awareness of migratory waterbirds visiting Incheon City.
(Left) EAAFP intern, Hyeseon Do, explaining migratory waterbirds to a child attending the event @EAAFP/Eugene Cheah
(Right) EAAFP staff and volunteers holding completed mosaic pattern in front of a booth @EAAFP/Eugene Cheah
Incheon International City Forum was jointly hosted by Incheon Development & Tourism Corporation and the
Incheon International Relations Foundation on the last October, with an aim to ensure the sustainability of
Incheon as an international city and to find ways to support to co-prosperity of the local community and
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
international organisations in the city. As one of the international organisations hosted in Incheon, EAAFP was
invited to give a speech to about 300 people from international organisations, academic, government and public
organisations, journalists, Incheon citizens and students. Mr. Spike Millington, Chief Executive of EAAFP Secretariat,
explained its contribution to the Incheon City through policy consultation, environmental events and education
for students and EAAFP Incheon-Gyeonggi Eco-Region Task Force recently launched.
(Left) Group photo of the Incheon International City Forum
(Right) EAAFP staff and participants holding completed mosaic pattern in the BFS event
Recently, EAAFP Secretariat took part in the Black-faced Spoonbill (BFS) Event hosted by Incheon NGO at
Yeonsu-gu Office on 28 November, aimed at raising awareness on BFS and Songdo Tidal Flat (Ramsar Site) and
sharing the result of conservation works in order to improve the collaboration between citizens, government and
academies. Over 300 Incheon citizens participated in this event. On the first day, Mr. Jong-Ok Jang, Deputy
Director of EAAFP, attended a discussion on development of BFS habitats networking in Incheon-Gyenggi Ecoregion. The next day, Ms. Tomoko Ichikawa (Communication Officer) and Ms. Miyoung Choi (Finance Officer)
provided environmental education programme, such as BFS mosaic activity. Also Tomoko attended Reporting
Session of the Wetlands and BFS Forum of Youth and encouraged students to carry on conservation works.
A big comeback for Chinese Crested Terns in the Jiushan Islands, China
All photos and texts by Simba Chan (BirdLife International)
The audio-visual social attraction of Chinese Crested Terns at the
Jiushan Islands had a second and even more successful year: at least 43
Chinese Crested Terns arrived and stayed on the island of Tiedun Dao
this breeding season (from mid-May to early August 2014), and at least
20 breeding pairs formed. In early August at least 13 young Chinese
Crested Terns fledged. For a species with a previously known global
population of not more than 30 birds (current estimated global
population not more than 50 individuals), this is a remarkable, almost
miraculous, success. Chinese Crested Terns were presumed extinct in the late 20th century. This species was
rediscovered at the Mazu Islands along the coast of Fujian Province in 2000, and one new colony was discovered
at the Jiushan Islands, Xiangshan County of Zhejiang Province, in 2004. Because of illegal egg collection, however,
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
the terns ceased to breed on the Jiushans after 2007 and the colony apparently moved to the Wuzhishan Islands
in the same province.
Chinese Crested Terns were presumed extinct in the late 20th century. This species was rediscovered at the
Mazu Islands along the coast of Fujian Province in 2000, and one new colony was discovered at the Jiushan
Islands, Xiangshan County of Zhejiang Province, in 2004. Because of illegal egg collection, however, the terns
ceased to breed on the Jiushans after 2007 and the colony apparently moved to the Wuzhishan Islands in the
same province. <Read more>
To see the original article, please click here. To see press release in Chinese, please click here. To see the video,
please click here.
Migratory shorebirds could face extinction within a decade
Photo and text by Wildlife Extra
Migrating shorebirds that travel to Australia from Siberia are under serious threat from
development, which is destroying the vital feeding grounds they rely on during the epic
journey. Director of Deakin University’s Centre for Integrative Ecology Professor Marcel
Klaassen, along with other researchers, is examining the migratory behaviour of
shorebirds to see how they cope with changes in their environments. Their findings to
date have been concerning, and reveal that there has been a dramatic drop in the
number of migratory shorebirds arriving in Australia. <Read more>
Director of Deakin University’s Centre for Integrative Ecology, Professor Marcel Klaassen, with a greater sand plover bearing a
geolocator, shortly before its release and take-off for its breeding grounds in Mongolia from Broome, Western Australia
To see the original article, please click here.
Long-distance Aussie travellers ‘Under Threat’
News Release by Fuller Lab
Two once-common migratory birds have been nominated early September for
admission to Australia’s list of threatened species. Catastrophic recent declines in
populations of the curlew sandpiper and eastern curlew have resulted in their
nomination for threatened status, based on work led by researchers at the Fuller Lab
and the NERP Environmental Decisions Hub.<Read more>
To see the original article, please click here.
The migration route of the Eastern Curlew takes it through several countries. The whole
population passes through the Yellow Sea region of East Asia. The route of a female tagged on
10 Feb 1997 is shown redrawn from data in Driscoll & Ueta (Ibis, 144, E119-E130)
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
Shenzhen’s reach for stars puts Deep Bay wetland birds at risk
News Release by South China Morning Post
Environmental experts said Shenzhen’s scheme to convert Deep Bay wetlands into a commercial zone would
threaten many migratory birds visiting the Mai Po Nature Reserve. According to Dr. Wen Xianji of WWF, Deep
Bay is a very important stopover site for migratory birds within East Asian – Australasian flyway. Also he
mentioned several skyscrapers of 150 to 160 metres will be a threat to shorebirds flying between Hong Kong and
Shenzhen. Although environmental groups have been trying to urge Shenzhen government to conduct an
environmental impact assessment, Hong Kong government is thought not to do much about it. <Read more>
H3 still going strong
Article by Global Flyway Network
In February 2008 Global Flyway Network, US Geological Survey, Point Reyes Bird Observatory California and
AWSG implanted 14 Bar-tailed Godwits with satellite transmitters as a complimentary study to the work by from
the US Geological Survey, Point Reyes Bird Observatory California, Massey University, NZ and Pukorokoro Miranda
Naturalists’ Trust. The outcomes of the incredible migratory flights from these studies are well documented. E7
was New Zealand’s star performer. Our, less heralded but no less loved, star is H3.
H3 was the first to leave Roebuck Bay the first to arrive in the Yellow Sea the first to leave the Yellow Sea and
first to arrive in Siberia. She was also the first one to leave her breeding territory and move to the New Siberian
Islands where all of the birds went to fatten up for their southward migration. This was unexpected by all the
team except the great Pavel Tomkovich who had told us all this is what would happen! Good old fashioned hardcore field work beats satellite technology! And, not surprisingly she was the first back to Roebuck Bay.
The table below shows the life history of H3 from her tracking data and subsequently from field observations. It
is compiled from 63 resightings. It shows the last date seen in Roebuck Bay prior to northward migration and the
first date seen on return migration. Note she was implanted with her transmitter on 21/02/2008 and her one and
only resighting when overseas was from Yalu Jiang by Mr. Bai Qing Quan on 11/05/2008 during her first
northward migration. She was not seen between capture and her departure in 2008 so the table starts in 2009. I
am certain from her resighting history that she has been migrating successfully each year since. She was 3+, a
minimum of 3 years old when we captured her, so she is now a minimum of 10 years old.
(Left) H3 at Yalu Jiang 11/05/2008 @ Bai Qingqu / (Right)
Table
To see the original article, please click here.
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
First ‘grand-chick’ for conservationist
All the text and photos by The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
This little fellow is the first ever spoon-billed sandpiper chick to be hatched in the wild by a hand-reared bird.
Spoon-billed sandpipers are critically endangered and the news confirms to conservationists that the birds they
hand-rear go on to breed naturally once released. Two years ago, WWT aviculturist Roland Digby hatched this
chick’s mother in northeast Russia and fed and protected her for her first three weeks, before releasing her to
migrate 5,000 miles to southern Asia alongside wild wading birds. The initiative is intended to boost the number
of spoon-billed sandpipers while their habitat is protected and illegal trapping is stamped out. Until now it wasn’t
known whether the birds would return to breed themselves. <Read more>
Myanmar Conservation Group protects endangered bird species
Written by Logan Linnane
As the level of human and infrastructural development in Myanmar continually climbs, the status of the
republic’s wildlife looks bleak more than ever. The Spoon-Billed Sandpiper is one of the world’s most Critically
Endangered birds, with a population falling below 500 members. <Read more>
To see the original article, please click here.
Why restoring wetlands is more critical than ever
Written by Bruce Stutz, Report from Yale Environment 360
Along the Delaware River estuary, efforts are underway to restore
wetlands lost due to centuries of human activity. With sea levels rising,
coastal communities there and and elsewhere in the U.S. and Europe
are realizing the value of wetlands as important buffers against
flooding and tidal surges. <Read more>
To see the original article, please click here. To read related article
from Yale e360, please click here.
A restored marsh in the Milford Neck Conservation Area on Delaware Bay @ Delaware Wild Lands
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
National News
We seek relevant posts and translations of material to be posted at EAAFP’s website. We encourage partners to
develop National Pages to share ideas and information regarding activity regarding migratory waterbirds and
their habitat. If you can help, please contact the EAAFP Secretariat.
Korean News
동아시아-대양주 철새이동경로상의 이동성물새 생태학적 위기에 처하다
제 12 차 생물다양성협약 당사국총회(CBD COP12)
동아시아-대양주 철새이동경로 파트너십(이하 EAAFP) 부대행사
지난 10 월 8 일 EAAFP 는 동아시아-대양주 철새이동경로상의 이동성 물새가 심각한 생태학적인 위기에 있다는
국제 현황에 관해 평창에서 열린 제 12 차 생물다양성협약 당사국총회(CBD COP12)에서 부대행사를 개최했다.
동아시아-대양주 철새이동경로(EAAF)상에는 전 세계 45%의 인구와 도요물떼새, 오리기러기, 고니, 백로 및
두루미 등의 이동성 물새들이 있다. 최근 이 철새 경로 내의 사회 기반 시설 확충 및 그 외 지속 불가능한 개발
등을 위한 무분별한 연안습지의 개발은 철새들의 서식지 소실과 수많은 종들의 급속한 개체 수 감소를
야기시켰다. 대한민국과 중국의 황해지역은 이들에게 대단히 중요한 병목 지역으로 이 지역 조간대 습지의
급격한 손실은 도요물떼새류에게 특히 가장 큰 위협 요소로 설명되고 있다. 멸종이 임박한 ‘위급종’인
넓적부리도요를 포함하여 국제적으로 멸종 위험에 처한 그리고 현재까지 살아 남은 일부 개체 종들이 동아시아대양주 철새이동 경로에서 서식하고 있다.
넓적부리도요는 러시아 추코트카에서 번식하고 동남아시아에서 월동하기 위해 이동하는 동안 대한민국과
중국의 연안습지, 갯벌에서 중간 기착하여 먹이를 먹고 간다. 특히 유부도를 포함한 금강하구의 갯벌은
대한민국에서 넓적부리도요에게 있어 적어도 10 마리 이상이 꾸준히 찾아오는 가장 중요한 서식지로 주목받고
있다. (넓적부리 전 개체수는 300 마리) ‘북극 생물다양성 평가(Arctic Biodiversity Assessment)’에 따르면 지난
30 년간 넓적부리도요의 수는 6000 쌍에서 몇백 마리로 급격하게 줄어들었다.
EAAFP 스파이크 밀링턴 사무국장과 주딧 사보 철새 연구관은 각 발표에서 이러한 위기 현황과 이를 해결할
수 있는 EAAFP 활동의 중요성에 대해 강조하였다. 새와 생명의 터(Birds Korea)의 나일 무어스 박사는 대한민국
내 조류 개체수 동향과 보전 상황을 보고하면서 서식지 소실과 질적 저하로 인한 이동성 물새의 급격한 감소
상황에 대한 심각성을 언급하였다. 정부들로 하여금 서식지 소실에 대해 대책을 촉구하는 선언문들이 최근
호주와 중국에서 열린 회의에서 도출되었고, 이번 부대행사에서 공표되었다.
이후 10 월 10 일 대한민국을 포함한 16 개의 각국 정부 파트너와 함께 EAAFP 파트너회의가 열렸다. 대한민국
환경부
생물다양성
부서의
김종률
과장은
2014-2018
대한민국
국내
생물다양성
전략(Korea’s
National
Biodiversity Strategy), 2014 대한민국 생물다양성 및 철새 지역 가이드에 관해 발표하였다.
원본 기사 보러 가기: 국문/영문
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EAAFP E-Newsletter No. 15 – Dec 2014
해안 돌보기: 해안 습지 복원을 위해 제안된 선언문
지난
10
월
14
일
동아시아
대양주
철새이동경로
파트너십
(EAAFP)는
람사르
협약
사무국,
생물다양성협약(CBD), 국제조류보호협회(Birdlife International)과 협업하여 평창에서 열린 제 12 차 생물다양성협회
당사국총회(CBD COP12)에서 EAAFP 스파이크 밀링턴 사무국장을 의장으로 ‘해안 돌보기(Caring for Coasts)’를
주제로 서식지 소실에 대해 대책을 촉구하는 새로운 제안(이니셔티브)을 공표했다.
이 자리에서 생물다양성협약(CBD) David Coates 씨는 연안지역에서 일어나는 생태계 서비스와 해안 보전의
중요성을, 그다음으로 람사르 협약 사무국 Christopher Briggs 사무총장은 습지 보전을 위한 글로벌 파트너십에
대해 발표하였다. EAAFP Spike Millington 사무국장은 동아시아-대양주 철새이동경로상의 해안 습지 보전과
복원의 중대한 필요성에 대해 역설하였고, 일본 환경성 Yasukuni Shibata 수석정책 조정관는 해안지대 복원과
재난 위험 감소 간의 연관성을 일본, 미국의 사례들과 함께 설명하였다.
마지막으로, 국제조류보호협회 Cristi Nowaza 씨는 해안 습지 복원을 위한 ‘해안 돌보기(Caring for Coasts)’
이니셔티브(첨부)에 대해 소개하였고 이 제안의 목표를 달성하기 위한 사업 착수를 위해서 생물다양성협약
관계자와 파트너를 초대하였다. (관련) 국가들은 이 제안을 위해 지역, 세계적 모범사례(챔피언)로 채택될 수
있다고 호소하였다. 뿐만 아니라, 현장에서는 해안 복원과 관련 제도들의 역할에 대한 광범위한 토론이
진행되었다.
[첨부] 2014 년 10 월 15 일, 생물다양성협약 워킹그룹은 생태계 보전 및 복원 관련해 다음의 항목에 동의하였다:
‘생물다양성과 생태계 기능 및 서비스, 특히 이동성 조류, 지속 가능한 생태계, 기후변화 적응, 재난 위험 감소를
위해선 해안 습지가 매우 중요함을 강조하고, 해안 습지 보전과 복원에 마땅한 관심을 주기 위해 파트너들을
초대한다. 이와 관련해서 해안 습지 복원에 관한 세계적 움직임의 일환인 ‘해안 돌보기’ 계획을 발전시키기 위한
요소들을 포함하여 해안 습지 보전 및 복원을 지원하는 다른 방안들과 람사르 협약의 노력을 환영한다’
원본 기사 보러 가기: 국문/영문
Chinese News
寻找”神话之鸟”：中华凤头燕鸥
视频及文字源自 OPCFHongKong
中华凤头燕鸥(Sternabernsteini)，是全球最濒危的鸟类之一,当前其野外成鸟数量估计不足 50 只。它们曾经在长达 60
年的时间里被认为已从地球上消失，直至 2000 年才重新被发现仍未绝种,
故它们便被誉为“神话之鸟”。我们两个来自香港大学的大学生今年六月前往浙江离岸海岛见证和研究它们的繁殖过程,以
及了解当地中华凤头燕鸥正在面临的威胁。原文链接，请点击这里。
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