THERE was no cause for celebration at the recent World Migratory Birds Day, after a survey found a marked decrease in bird numbers in Botany Bay.
Phil Straw, the director of Avifauna Research and Services and a shorebirds expert, said while Australia had recorded a small drop in bird numbers over the past 20 years the decline was most marked in Botany Bay.
"We thought the situation couldn't get worse after a steep decline in the numbers of some species last season, but we were shocked to see an even more drastic decline in numbers this season," he said.
Until recently the attention had been on feeding areas for birds but Mr Shaw said researchers were now studying roosting places.
"They need somewhere to roost at high tide and they like an area where they can see approaching predators."
Roosting areas are important as it meant birds could conserve their energy, rather than flying around looking for resting places, before undertaking a massive migration.
Mr Straw said the nesting site for the endangered little tern had almost vanished in Botany Bay due to erosion.
"The situation in Botany Bay is getting so grim," he said.
His organisation is in talks with Sutherland Shire Council to create a man-made sand island for the birds.
Mr Straw said he would like to see such an island completed before August when the birds will start to return to the area from their winter migration.
Do you think a man-made sand island for the birds would work?
