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Scott JohnstonUSFWS – Division of Migratory

Birdsscott_johnston@fws.gov

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• Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Business Strategy can reverse declines: Multiple partners have a timely opportunity to play a role

• Shorebirds are in jeopardy within the Atlantic Flyway: Warrant increased conservation attention

A Case For Prioritizing Shorebird Conservation

+Shorebird Populations are Declining

81%

Winter counts -- Sources: R.I.G. Morrison; L. Niles

Red Knot

G. BreeseSince 2000

Winter counts -- Source: Morrison et al. 2012

Semipalmated Sandpiper

79%

L. Master

Since 1982

+ Shorebird Population Declines

In the Atlantic

American Golden Plover

American Woodcock

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Dunlin

Hudsonian Godwit

Killdeer

Least Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs

Long-billed Curlew

Marbled Godwit

Pectoral Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Red Knot

Red Phalarope

Red-necked PhalaropeSanderling

Semipalmated Sandpiper Snowy Plover

Solitary Sandpiper

Upland Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Whimbrel

White-rumped Sandpiper

Willet Wilson’s PloverWilson’s Snipe

Source: Morrison et al. 2006, Andres 2009

• Declines reported for 71% of shorebird species

+Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Business Strategy - A Timely Opportunity

Goal: ↑ focal shorebird pops. 10-15% by 2020

• Action-oriented: projects, funding, partners • Flyway Scale

• Participation:>60 agencies, NGOs, universities

+Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Business Strategy - Components

• 15 Focal Species: American Golden Plover Greater Yellowlegs Marbled Godwit Purple Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope Sanderling Snowy Plover Wilson’s Plover

American OystercatcherLesser YellowlegsPiping PloverRed KnotRuddy TurnstoneSemipalmated SandpiperWhimbrel

• Major Threat Categories:Habitat Loss & ChangeHuman DisturbancePredationHuntingKnowledge Gaps

• Specific activities/projects

+Shorebird Business Strategy – based on American Oystercatcher• Measurable Objectives - $ for increased

population growth/reduced mortality• Process of full engagement of partners

• Funding and fundraising – key parts of Strategy• Cumulative conservation impact - leverage partners & resources

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+ Next Steps

• Help lead/encourage partnerships to meet conservation goals• Establish strategic partnerships –

SCSCB (BC) and WHSG meetingsNFWF to fund hunting work in Caribbean

• Adoption of Business Strategy by NFWF as Keystone Initiative

+Next Steps• • Using Miradi to refine project outcomes

• Link to tourism/industry – bonefish shorebird overlap

• Caribbean Flyway Council

• MBTA 100th anniversary

• Govt input on actions – e. g. hunting policy, habitat

• Funding, foundations