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Shorebird Snapsh  ts:
Community Science Project

Migratory shorebirds make an incredible journey to and from the Northern Hemisphere every year. 

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Unfortunately, their numbers have declined both globally and in the CLLMM region due to habitat loss and modification. 

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Whole of Icon Site Score (WOISS) for waterbirds using the Coorong

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Paton et al (2023) Condition Monitoring of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Icon Site

East Asian – Australasian Flyway (EAAF)

Is the CLLMM providing migratory shorebirds with the resources they need?

To answer this questions, researchers have looked at:

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  • Prey density and dietary preferences of shorebirds

  • Shorebird numbers (more mudflat = more shorebirds)

  • Foraging rate of shorebirds (more steps = shorebird moving more to find food, less steps = food is close by)

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While these give researchers an idea of how well the CLLMM is providing for shorebirds, these are only a part of the picture. So what is next?....

Now, we need you!

The aim of the community project is to directly measure shorebird body condition as a proxy for habitat quality and resource availability in the CLLMM wetland region.

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By photographing migratory species over space and time, we can:

  • investigate habitat quality in the CLLMM relative to surrounding wetlands

  • consider whether resource availability in the CLLMM is sufficient for migratory shorebirds to gain weight before their autumn migration.

What is shorebird body condition?

Shorebirds store most of their body fat in their chest and belly.

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The physical condition of birds reflects how much food is available.

 

High body fat indicates that the habitat they are using can provide enough resources.

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Shorebird body condition is scored using an abdominal profile index, ranging from very lean to very fat.

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Lean

Rotund

Curlew Sandpiper

How does it work?

Step 1: Photograph and upload photos of migratory shorebirds to Birdata.

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Step 2: Photographs are analysed by a computer algorithm. The computer looks at the photo, crops out the bird and establishes if the photo is suitable or unsuitable.

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Step 3: Suitable photos are broken down by the shape of the bird.​

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​Step 4: The computer algorithm gives the photo a body condition score. 

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The research team can them pull out this data and look at the overall body

condition of shorebirds of the CLLMM region. 

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FAQs

  • Where and when do I take photos?

Anywhere in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Region. Also, in the South East (e.g., around Robe, Beachport and Carpenter Rocks) and including the coastal lakes. Anytime over the 2024/25 and 2025/2026 non-breeding season.

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REMEMBER: The welfare of birds and their habitat comes first. Always maintain an appropriate distance, stay clear of sensitive areas, and avoid harassing or pursuing birds for photos.​

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  • Which shorebird species do I include?

This project is targeting migratory wading shorebirds. Species include:

Common Migratory Shorebirds

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Curlew Sandpiper

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Sharp-tailed Sandpiper / Nemineri

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Red-necked Stint

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Common Greenshank / Terilteril

Less Common Migratory Shorebirds

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Far Eastern Curlew

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Common Sandpiper

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Sanderling

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Bar-tailed Godwit / Nyrukin

Do NOT target resident shorebirds!

​This project is only targeting migratory shorebirds as our resident shorebirds frequently nest and breed on the beaches and dunes of the Coorong. To keep these species safe during these critically important times, please do not go near active nests or chicks!

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Red-capped Plover

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Pied Oystercatcher / Prukal

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Fairy Tern / Talamarari

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Sooty Oystercatcher

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Hooded Plover / Ngamat

  • How do I take the photos?

Use any camera you have, even your phone! Just make sure the bird is clear in the frame, with some space if there are multiple birds. A side view gives the best shot.

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Poor example

  • Cannot see body shape

  • Too many birds

  • Too far away

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Reasonable example

  • Side profile and not feeding

  • Front bird blocks the bird behind

  • Can ID the species clearly

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Good example

  • Side profile

  • Close-up

  • Can ID the species clearly

  • Where should I look for migratory shorebirds?

Migratory shorebirds can be found throughout the CLLMM region, but here is a list of sites recommended by the research team:

  1. Beacon 19, Boat Ramp Road, Goolwa South Australia

  2. Murray Mouth Lookout (Sugars Beach)

  3. Tolderol Game Reserve (Lake Alexandrina)

  4. Poltalloch, South Australia 5259 (Lake Alexandrina)

  5. Long Point, Coorong SA

  6. Seven Mile Road (-35.748385, 139.257388), Coorong SA

  7. Parnka Point, Coorong SA

  8. Sandpiper Campground, Coorong SA

  9. Jack Point Observatory Deck, Coorong SA

  10. Policeman Point, Coorong SA

  11. Salt Creek Car Park (-36.131959, 139.641362)

  12. Martin’s Washpool (-36.120680, 139.665886), via Salt Creek Road

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Find a map of these locations here!

  • How do I upload the photos to Birdata?

1. Register for Birdata on the website or app.

2. Select ‘Record Survey’ on the home screen.

3. Select the “Shorebirds” program.

4. Choose your location in the CLLMM region by tapping on the interactive map. A blue dot will show your current location.

5. In the 'Details' tab fill in the fields marked 'Required'

6. Record sightings of migratory shorebird species in the 'Sightings' tab.

7. Use the search bar to find your species, record the count and add your photo/s (ideally aim for one image per individual). Do this for each new species.

8. IMPORTANT: In the Notes section, write “SSproject” and add your photo (this helps identify your photo for the Shorebird Snapshots project).

Review and submit your survey

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Example from Birdata App

  • How will my photos be used?

Migratory shorebird body condition images uploaded to Birdata will be accessed and analysed by the project team at the University of Adelaide. Images will remain on Birdata and be available to Birdlife Australia staff and other researchers upon request.

Have more questions or want to keep in touch? Register below to keep up to date with information/events for Shorebird Snapshots and the CLLMM Research Centre. 

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ABOUT US >

We are a new, collaborative partnership working to create locally-driven and inclusive knowledge creation and exchange to inform decision making in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region. We acknowledge people of the Ngarrindjeri and First Nations of the South East as traditional owners of the region in which we work.

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The Goyder Institute for Water Research will receive $8 million from the Australian Government over 4 years from 2023-26 to work with communities to investigate the impacts of climate change on the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) region. 

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The Goyder Institute for Water Research is a research partnership of the South Australian Government through the Department for Environment and Water, CSIRO, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

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