Shorebird Surveys in Coastal Peru

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No extensive studies or systematic surveys have directly focused on shorebirds in Peru in over 20 years; information that does exist comes from a small number of well-known sites such as the Reserva Nacional de Paracas. Despite the paucity of knowledge about shorebirds, Peru potentially serves a critical role for Nearctic-breeding shorebirds during migration and the boreal winter. Past surveys of the Peruvian coast indicated that it provides important habitat for a number of species of conservation concern, including Surfbirds, Red Knots, and Whimbrels, and numerous other shorebird species. Given rapid development and population growth along Peru’s coast, identifying and quantifying the importance of coastal sites to non-breeding shorebirds is needed to adequately develop conservation strategies for these and other wetlands birds. The purposes of this project are to receive applications to 1) design and conduct three regional workshops that will increase the capability of Peruvian ornithologists to conduct a subsequent, coast-wide shorebird survey and future wetland bird surveys, and 2) design and coordinate a comprehensive coastal survey of sites important to boreal-wintering shorebirds, using workshop-trained, local participants. Survey methods and workshops agendas should be developed in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management; methods should build on modern survey sampling ideas. Workshops in Peru should be planned for early February 2010, and surveys should be designed to be conducted around the same time in February 2010. Information should be collated over the spring of 2010, and a final report should be produced by 30 November 2010. There is no full announcement associated with this opportunity.

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