On Tuesday, Travis Audubon celebrated World Shorebird Day with two events at Hornsby Bend! About half of the world’s shorebird populations are in decline and the rate of habitat loss is worse than ever before.
With this in mind World Shorebirds Day was created with the following aims:
- To raise public awareness about the need to protect shorebirds and their habitats throughout their life cycles;
- To raise public awareness about the need for ongoing shorebird research;
- To connect people with shorebirds through important shorebird sites around the world;
- To get shorebird enthusiasts to introduce shorebirds to more birdwatchers;
- To raise awareness about the need for increased funding for shorebird research, monitoring and conservation.
Tuesday’s events were very successful! Birders had a wonderful time observing Sanderlings, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Black-necked Stilts, and 16 other avian species.
Shorebirds are athletes – with long and hazardous migrations. They are also world-class geographers. According to the Texas Ornithological Society Handbook of Texas Birds, Sanderlings are rare migrants inland. It is a species of high concern.
Although not shorebirds, waders like the White Ibis and the White-faced Ibis were also real treats. The juvenile White Ibis may have been hatched on the coast and has wandered inland. We don’t see White-faced Ibis all year and they are striking birds.
