The Queensland Wader Study Group (QWSG) is a non-government volunteer organisation dedicated to the protection of shorebirds and their habitat. Membership is open to all who want to learn about or help in the conservation of these remarkable birds.
QWSG is an activities based organisation with emphasis on the collection, analysis and dissemination of data concerning waders. It is also active in preserving, maintaining and establishing high tide roost sites within the community. At all times the QWSG is trying, through education, to spread the word about waders.
The objects of the Queensland Wader Study Group are to promote and participate in the study and conservation of waders and their habitat, and to influence government policy and public opinion for the well-being of waders.
A management committee meets every two months to organise and plan activities and to respond to matters of concern as they arise.
Amongst those activities either ongoing or completed, are:
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- Coordinated monthly counts of waders
- Banding and leg-flagging through cannon-netting and mist-netting
- Maintenance of Qld wader count and banding databases
- Satellite tracking of Eastern Curlew
- Major shorebird surveys in regional centres e.g. Gulf of Carpentaria, Great Sandy Strait, Mackay
- GIS mapping of wader high tide roosts
- Advising public and private organisations of practical solutions for the preservation and creation of suitable habitat for waders or shorebirds
- Active lobbying for protection or replacement of roost sites
- Education program including an annual wader workshop, identification days and school educationin association with a shorebird education kit for children
- Publication of comprehensive book “Shorebirds of Australia”
Scientific journal articles and major reports on shorebird conservation can be found on our archives page.
A quarterly newsletter, “Queensland Wader”, keeps members informed of the latest in shorebird research and of the group’s recent activities. Past issues can also be found on our archives page.
QWSG is a division within the Queensland Ornithological Society Inc (QOSI) along with Birds Queensland (https://birdsqueensland.org.au/) and the Queensland Bird Research and Banding Group (https://birdsqueensland.org.au/research/qbrbg/).