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”.