Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Image ID 50434)
Photographed byMichael Hamel-Green on Mon 21st Feb, 2022 and uploaded on Wed 23rd Feb, 2022 .
Resolution1800x1037
Viewed271
ID50434
CommentI was up early enough to see the sunrise on the T-Section Lagoon, Werribee, and found this Sharp-tailed Sandpiper already hard at work, scouring the shallows for insects and invertebrates, no doubt looking to build up its bodily resources for its arduous 11,000 km return flight next month to its breeding grounds in the Siberian Arctic. It does look like it has already plumped itself up, and seems to have already begun donning a Sharp-tail’s breeding plumage, featuring red-tinged chevrons on its back, more pronounced chevrons on its front and sides, and a rusty-coloured cap. According to the latest 2020 Action Plan for Australian Birds (CSIRO, 2021), an estimated 72,900 Sharp-tails made the long journey to Australia in 2020. However, Sharp-tails are listed as ‘vulnerable’. According to the Report, there is “strong evidence of steep population decline”, with an average population decline of 45% over the three most recent generations. The Report indicates the decline is due to the increasing frequency of droughts in Australia, and threats arising from development, pollution, and hunting at stop-over points along the East Asian Australasian Flyway, especially in the Yellow Sea. Some of the threats have begun to be addressed by the Chinese Government’s creation of migratory bird sanctuaries in the Yellow Sea. Here in Australia the Action Plan calls for implementing a climate change adaptation strategy and ensuring environmental water allocations for shorebirds.
EquipmentNikon Z7ii, Nikon 500mm PF f5.6 TC1.4
700mm
ISO 2000
1/500th f8
LocationT-Section Lagoon, Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, Victoria
Keywordsadult, breeding plumage/colours
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