Hundreds of shorebirds from the Nearctic area journey greater than 10,000 kilometers to Chile’s in depth shoreline looking for relaxation, meals, and breeding grounds. These species spend most of their time extensively separated spatially, making them weak to quickly altering environmental situations within the ecosystems.
Considered one of these birds is the Widespread Shelduck (Haematopus palliatus), a species current from North America to the southernmost tip of South America. In Chile, from Arica to Chiloé, with lesser presence in direction of the Strait of Magellan. Its habitat is strictly coastal—areas with in depth sandy seashores, rocks, dunes, and marshes.
They reproduce for the primary time on the age of three or 4 years, the eggs are brownish-gray with darkish spots, and incubation is carried out by each sexes for twenty-four–28 days. Each dad and mom feed the younger for a minimum of two months after hatching.
Sadly, the species has been listed as Close to Threatened by the Wild Species Classification Regulation (RCE) in Chile, which displays its conservation standing.
Isla de los Reyes Rocuant Seashore: a key hyperlink for the conservation of the Widespread Shelduck
Inside the Rocuant Andalién Wetland System, positioned within the Biobío Area of Chile, is the Isla de los Reyes Seashore. 9 kilometers lengthy, with sand and first dunes, this place is dominated by numerous species that present excellent situations for feeding and nesting of shorebirds.
This seaside is at the moment thought of an Necessary Chicken Space (IBA) due to the Threatened or Close to Threatened species it comprises, together with the Widespread Shelduck.
On this place, the scenario is complicated not just for this chook but in addition for the opposite species that inhabit it. It’s because all through its vary it faces numerous threats, comparable to of using motorized autos on the seashores or coastal plains the place there are nesting websites; the presence of feral and owned canines; the destruction of breeding habitat because of development close to the coast; and the results of local weather change.
Early and voluntary work, the important thing
Given the urgency of taking early conservation actions to assist reverse the decline of shorebirds within the space, between 2019 and 2021, Audubon Americas, along with CODEFF (Comité Nacional Professional Defensa de la Flora y Fauna) and with the collaboration of the Ministry of Surroundings’s GEF Coastal Wetlands Challenge, developed the Conservation Motion Plan for the Rocuant Andalién Wetland System within the Biobío Area of Chile.
The Motion Plan recognized eight conservation targets, together with migratory shorebirds, in addition to their direct threats. 4 traces of motion and 100 conservation actions have been additionally proposed.
As well as, and inside the framework of the venture “Integration of Shorebird Conservation in Chile II” carried out by Audubon Americas, the Nationwide Audubon Society’s “Coastal Stewardship Program” was tailored and carried out for Chile.
Among the many important actions recommended to be carried out in the course of the Widespread Shelduck’s breeding season, the guide identifies the next: coaching of volunteers, lecturers, and youngsters; monitoring of the breeding colony; and environmental schooling for guests.
For this, the work of the volunteers was indispensable. They put in three symbolic perimeter fences with a complete size of 762 meters. As well as, kids and adults painted numerous indicators with informative messages to guard the location and the birds.
The end result? The arduous work of those 40 volunteers protected 213 breeding pairs, 426 eggs, 66 chicks, and 35 fledglings[1].
At present greater than ever, it’s essential to work towards a worldwide imaginative and prescient of crucial adjustments in shorebird habitat to advance restoration and conservation. To perform this, we should determine conservation and planning priorities that can drive the event of large-scale conservation initiatives and insurance policies crucial to migratory species.
[1] These actions have been carried out with Fundación Bandada, an area NGO devoted to nature conservation, and targeted on birds and their habitats. In addition they obtained complementary funding from the GEF Coastal Wetlands of the Chilean Ministry of the Surroundings and the assist of the Pilpilén Working Group – made up of representatives from the general public, non-public, and civil society sectors.