This group is meant simply to be a place where people can share information related to shorebirds in Australia. So wether you are just someone with a casual interest, or an expert we would welcome you to join this discussion on Australia's amazing shorebirds.

A variety of information and resources are also available at www.shorebirds.org.au including data sheets, information on how to ID and count shorebirds, ppt presentations on shorebirds, on-line data entry, contact details of experts and count coordinators throughout Australia, and a variety of related information.

This group will also provide a place to coordinate and discuss a Shorebird Population Monitoring Program. Importantly we are hoping you the shorebird experts can let us know what you think. This program will be managed by Bird's Australia, and the Australasian Wader Study Group with funding provided by the World Wildlife Fund and the Australian Government's National Heritage Trust.

The primary identified objective of this program will be to collect data on the numbers of shorebirds in a manner that can be utilised to aid their conservation and management. Specifically, this project will seek to understand shorebird population trends in both the long- and short-term, and explore what may be causing those changes. Further, this project will seek to understand the relationship between habitat, habitat quality, and threats on the distribution and abundance of shorebirds.

Again while this should provide a place to coordinate activities related to this shorebird population monitoring program, it will also just be a place where unusual sightings can be posted, other shorebird outings can be coordinated, where shorebird related questions can be discussed, and where ideas related to shorebird conservation can be exchange