A SENIOR scientist has appealed to people to stop their dogs disturbing flocks of birds on foreshores.
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University of Queensland scientist Richard Fuller said research showed that dogs are a key issue in migratory shorebirds being disturbed in Moreton Bay, including the Redlands.
The research underlined the importance of having dogs under control at all times.
Associate Professor Fuller said researchers found that 97 per cent of foraging migratory birds could be better protected by councils revisiting dog off-leash zones.
Professor Fuller said research was conducted from Deception Bay to Lota but the Redlands faced the same issues.
“People are everywhere with their dogs,’’ he said. “The best way to solve this is to accommodate recreational demands.’’
Professor Fuller said bird watchers and dog walkers should join forces on the issue as both groups in effect were foreshore defenders.
He said he hoped to talk to councils on the issue.
Tens of thousands of migratory shorebirds fly to Moreton Bay each year from the Arctic.
When birds are disturbed by dogs, people or 4WDs, their feeding and resting is disrupted and they do not get a chance to fatten, which means they do not have enough fuel on board for their migration back to places like the Arctic tundra.
Professor Fuller said the survey showed that reducing widespread access by dogs to the foreshore would benefit shorebirds.
“The problem is not that the dogs are killing birds on the beach but they are excitable and chasing them when the birds need to forage and rebuild their strength to return for the Arctic summer," he said.
It is illegal under Commonwealth and State legislation to cause unreasonable disturbance to migratory birds.
Professor Fuller said some people were unaware of their obligations and others ignored them.
Madeleine Stigner, study lead author, said it was tough to reconcile the recreational needs of two million people with the protection of birds recovering from a flight half way around the planet.
“Experiencing nature benefits our health and wellbeing and can provide revenue and support for conservation objectives, but we also need to give nature space to thrive,” she said.
Two of the 17 migratory bird species identified in the surveys, the eastern curlew and the curlew sandpiper, are critically endangered.
“...On average, 174 people and 72 dogs were present at any one time on the foreshore during each survey, with 84 per cent of dogs off the leash. An off-leash dog was sighted every 700 metres along the coastline,” Ms Stigner said.
Moreton Bay hosts more than 40,000 migratory shorebirds.
Moreton Island and South Stradbroke Island had thousands of shorebirds such as the eastern curlew and great knot on sand banks and mudflats. They were attracted by food such as soldier crabs and worms.
