Visions and Objectives

The VWSG’s primary objective is to conduct a long-term comprehensive study of waders and terns throughout Victoria. These monitoring data are used for shorebird conservation and education in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway. The VWSG monitors both migrant and resident species.

The VWSG’s research objectives include:

  • Population monitoring (by counting and catching)
  • Determination of migration routes, stopover locations and destinations
  • Biometrics of species and subpopulations
  • Weight changes associated with migration
  • Primary moult duration and mode
  • Survival rates
  • Reproductive rates
  • Behavioural differences between adult and immature birds
  • Determination of age when species first breed

The goals of the VWSG also align with the Federal Government’s Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds 2015, in particular stated actions like:

“Action 3.7. Encourage research on reproduction and survival rates of migratory shorebirds and trends of these over time”.