Migratory species in Australia

Shorebirds of the Yellow Sea

Importance, threats and conservation status
Mark Barter
Wetlands International, 2002
ISBN 90 5882 009 2

4. Shorebirds occuring in internationally important numbers at Yellow Sea sites (continued)

4.4 Species accounts (continued)

4.4.14 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Subspecies Worldwide 2 (interpres and morinella); Yellow Sea 1 (interpres)

Distribution of A. i. interpres in the EAAF

Breeding: Continuous along n. coasts of Taimyr, Yakutia and Chukotka, and w. Alaska.

Non-breeding: Rocky coasts, coral reefs, gravel beaches and, occasionally, mudflats. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, se. China, Taiwan, se. Asia, New Guinea, Pacific Is. and Australasia

Usage and importance of Yellow Sea

Occurrence: Intertidal areas and adjacent non-tidal wetlands. NM and SM Widespread and generally thinly scattered along coasts, with concentrations in Yancheng NNR and on central w. coast of South Korea. Numbers are probably underestimated due to the dispersed distribution of the species, especially in mariculture ponds.

Movements: Migration is on a broad front, probably using both coastal and inland wetlands, with good numbers being seen in Japan (6 460 max. on NM and 2 202 max. on SM).

Significance of Yellow Sea: The Yellow Sea supports about 15% of the estimated flyway population during NM.

Key sites: 3 sites of international importance have been identified, 2 in South Korea and 1 in China; all 3 sites are important during NM (see site location maps below) and Yancheng NNR is important during both NM and SM.

Status of key sites: The Chinese site and a small part of 1 South Korean site (Dongjin Gang Hagu) are in Protected Areas. The Dongjin and Mangyeung estuaries are currently being reclaimed as part of the Saemangeum Reclamation Project.

Major gaps in knowledge: Incomplete geographical and temporal coverage in China, especially of coastal non-tidal wetlands. No information from North Korea.

Site count references

  1. Wang & Liu 1994
  2. Yi & Kim in prep.
  3. Wang 1997

EAAF POPULATION ESTIMATE: 31 000
YELLOW SEA
Status: Passage migrant
Estimated minimum numbers:
NM: South Korea: 1 100; China: 3 500.
SM: South Korea: 500.
INTERNATIONALLY IMPORTANT SITES (and Protected Area status)
South Korea: 2 (part of 1)
China: 1 (1)

Sites of international importance for Ruddy Turnstone (all used during northward migration)
Sites of international importance for Ruddy Turnstone (all used during northward migration)
   Site Country Count Ref
1 Yancheng NNR China 860 1
2 Dongjin Gang Hagu South Korea 450 2
3 Mangyeung Gang Hagu South Korea 400 2
         
         
         
Site of international importance for Ruddy Turnstone during southward migration
Site of international importance for Ruddy Turnstone during southward migration
   Site Country Count Ref
1 Yancheng NNR China 919 3
         
         
         
         
         

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