Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) have recently published a report titled "An analysis of migratory and resident shorebird diversity and abundance in the Noosa River estuary 2005 – 2019".
The report summarises the results to date of the first known longitudinal survey of shorebirds in the Noosa River estuary. The survey has been conducted by the NICA Shorebird Survey Group (“SSG”) over a 14 year period commencing in October 2005 through October 2019 with funding and technical support provided by the Noosa Shire Council under the Community Environment Grants Program 2019. The report provides a basis to better understand the long-term trends in shorebird biodiversity and abundance in the Noosa River estuary and for comparison against trends observed elsewhere in Australia and across the East Asian - Australasian Flyway (“EAAF”).
President of NICA, Bruce Hallett said it was well established that waterbirds, and particularly shorebirds, provide an excellent and leading indicator of overall ecosystem health. “Though a relatively small estuary in comparison to nearby RAMSAR sites, the Noosa River really does punch above its weight in respect of shorebird biodiversity and previously abundance. It is critical we restore and preserve the estuary for these threatened shorebirds, particularly those migratory species that travel thousands of kilometres to the Noosa River each year”.
You can read the report and further details here.