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)

4.4.24 Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus

Subspecies Worldwide 2 (falcinellus and sibirica); Yellow Sea 1 (sibirica).

Distribution of L. f. sibirica in the EAAF

Breeding: n. Yakutia.

Non-breeding: Coastal. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, se. China, Taiwan, se. Asia and Australia, particularly n. and nw.

Usage and importance of Yellow Sea

Occurrence: Intertidal flats. NM and SM Widespread in small numbers; apparently more common on sw. and n. coasts of China and central w. coast of South Korea. Numbers are probably underestimated, as this species is relatively easy to miss amongst other small shorebirds.

Movements: Probably migrates on a broad front, also using inland wetlands. Birds from nw. Australia occur in the Yellow Sea.

Significance of Yellow Sea: The Yellow Sea is important for this species as it supports approximately 30% of the estimated flyway population during NM. Higher numbers possibly occur on SM.

Key sites: 5 sites of international importance have been identified, 2 in South Korea and 3 in China; 2 of the sites are important during NM and 4 during SM (see site location maps below). Yancheng NNR is important during both NM and SM.

Status of key sites: 2 of the Chinese sites and part of 1 of the South Korean sites (Dongjin Gang Hagu) are within 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. No information from North Korea.

EAAF POPULATION ESTIMATE: 18 000
YELLOW SEA
Status: Passage migrant
Estimated minimum numbers:
NM: South Korea: 200; China: 4 900.
SM: South Korea: 830.
INTERNATIONALLY IMPORTANT SITES (and Protected Area status)
South Korea: 2 (part of 1)
China: 3 (2)

Site count references

  1. Barter et al. 2000e
  2. Wang 1997
  3. Yi & Kim in prep.
  4. Wang & Barter 1998
Sites of international importance for Broad-billed Sandpiper
Sites of international importance for Broad-billed Sandpiper
   China   South Korea
1 Dong Sha 4 Mangyeung Gang Hagu
2 Yancheng NNR 5 Dongjin Gang Hagu
3 Yalu Jiang NNR    
       
       
       
Sites of international importance for Broad-billed Sandpiper during northward migration
Sites of international importance for Broad-billed Sandpiper during northward migration
   Site Country Count Ref
1 Yalu Jiang NNR China 729 1
2 Yancheng NNR China 717 2
         
         
         
         
Sites of international importance for Broad-billed Sandpiper during southward migration
Sites of international importance for Broad-billed Sandpiper during southward migration
   Site Country Count Ref
1 Yancheng NNR China 806 2
2 Dongjin Gang Hagu South Korea 800 3
3 Mangyeung Gang Hagu South Korea 700 3
4 Dong Sha China 416 4
         
         

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