Shorebird counts were conducted in the Saemangeum Shorebird Monitoring Program (SSMP) Study Site between September 4^th and 9^th 2010 by Nial Moores (Director Birds Korea and IUCN SSC Member) and Ju Yung Ki (Chonbuk National University, and Birds Korea Advisor on Saemangeum).

Before seawall close in 2006, Saemangeum was the most important known wetland for shorebirds in the Republic of Korea and in the Yellow Sea, supporting huge numbers of shorebirds on both northward (April and May) and southward migration (August-October) between Siberian and Alaskan breeding grounds and wintering areas in southern Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

The SSMP (conducted by Birds Korea and the Australasian Wader Studies Group in April and May 2006-2008) proved that following closure of the Saemangeum seawall in 2006 there were very massive declines in many shorebird species, most especially the Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris. The SSMP revealed, for example, that the global population of the Great Knot declined more than 20% between 2006 and 2008 due to the loss of natural tides at Saemangeum.

While the environment behind the Saemangeum seawall has been very badly affected by the reduced tidal flow and worsening water quality since 2006, there have been few data on the impact of these changes on shorebird numbers during southward migration.

Saemangeum, degraded but still internationally important, Photo © Nial Moores

Between September 4^th and 8th, we counted shorebirds from land and from boats. We counted at least 26,551 shorebirds within Saemangeum, excluding c. 2,000 shorebirds that apparently flew in from the Geum Estuary to roost on tidal-flats near Gunsan airport (Mangyeung) during high-tide only. A further 22,026 shorebirds were also counted within the Geum Estuary, and 2,661 shorebirds in Gomso Bay.

Our data show that Saemangeum is still the most important shorebird site during southward migration in the Republic of Korea, although the numbers of most species are now much smaller than recorded by government surveys before seawall close in 2006.

Our 2010 survey found seven species of shorebird in Ramsar-defined internationally important concentrations (of more than 1% of Flyway population) within Saemangeum. These included 2.5% of the world’s Endangered Tringa guttifer. In addition, four Critically Endangered Eurynorhynchus pygmeus were found.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus, Photo © Nial Moores

Within Saemangeum, 18,615 shorebirds were found within the Mangyeung Estuary, with half of these (9758) feeding on a tidal-flat island off Haje, close to the sea-wall and sea-gates where there was some obvious tidal movement. 7936 shorebirds were counted in the Dongjin Estuary, with almost all of these on islands between Gyehwa and the seawall, again close to the sea-gates.

Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer, Photo © Nial Moores

Few shorebirds, and no internationally important concentrations of shorebird, were found upstream of the Mangyeung and Dongjin estuaries, due to the combination of very poor water quality and very restricted tidal-range. However, an internationally important concentration (30) of the globally Endangered Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor was observed in the Mangyeung River.

Comparison between our data and shorebird counts during southward migration (August-October) in e.g. 2003 and 2005 published by a government body reveals very major declines in several species since seawall close in 2006 (see Table below).

Conservation of internationally important concentrations of shorebirds and other waterbirds and biodiversity is a national obligation under several existing agreements and conventions (including Ramsar and the Convention on Biological Diversity).

To maintain present numbers of shorebirds within Saemangeum and to fulfil even in part existing conservation obligations, the sea-gates at Saemangeum need to be kept open, allowing regular tides.

Failure to maintain or improve tidal flow within Saemangeum will very likely lead to further declines in shorebirds, both at the site and the population level.

Table: Selected Shorebird Species recorded within Saemangeum (September 4^th-9^th, 2010).

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Mr. Jason Loghry for supporting the survey, the Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation and the Queensland Wader Study Group for their finacial support.