Thanks Stephen for providing this link - my interest in this matter is of course currently relevant to a job I am working on the moment where some 40 odd EPBCA listed migratory species have been recorded, but not in significant numbers (ie talking rare individuals, one-offs or a few dozen birds at one time at most). Its been a bit of a challenge to objectively and scientifically determine if the site is an important area (as relevant to the MNES assessment) given the complexity of the varying species' ecology and the muddy MNES guidlines, tho undoubtled in review of this rather major paper, all site's with a long term association with waders is important. Sadder to see that the greater threat is outside our (Australia's) control tho. Another casualty of regional economic growth and development .

On this matter, I would like to encourage other ECA members to continue this discussion on their interpretation on what qualifies as an important area for a migratory species, as I will do in due course (once I've made my decision for this site), for an idea of the spectrum of opinions and lines of deduction.

Jason Berrigan sent an information email to ECA Members a few days ago which drew attention to media publicity about declining abundances of migratory shorebirds in Australia. The link to the original research paper is:

http://publish.uwo.ca/~snebel2/nebel_etal_08_BiolCons.pdf

The reference is:

Nebel, S., Porter, J.L. & Kingsford, R.T. (2008). Long-term tends of shorebird populations in eastern Australia and impacts of freshwater extraction. Biological Conservation 141: 971-980.