Strategic Planning for the Far Eastern Curlew - Progress Report 5

Project 5.1.1 The far eastern curlew (FEC) is the largest migratory shorebird in the world. It is listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in Australia with numbers rapidly declining. Recent research has highlighted the importance of high quality non-breeding habitat to migratory shorebirds, but it is difficult to provide strategic guidance to developers and decision-makers because too little is known regarding the ecological requirements of the bird. Currently little is known about their exact feeding and roosting habitat needs. While coastal development can negatively impact populations, they are known to use some artificial habitat for roosting. This project will provide the knowledge needed to develop strategic guidelines for far eastern curlew conservation. This report draws on information presented in previous progress reports for this project NESP 5.1.1. This project also provides recommendations on migratory shorebirds that occur in Darwin Harbour.