Wamberal hosts the habitat of at least seven migratory bird species identified in three international treaties:

• Japan – Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA)
• China – Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) and
• Republic of Korea – Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA)

The seven species of migratory birds protected by international agreements are the:

White bellied sea eagle in a dive

1. White bellied Sea Eagle (Hallaeetus Leucogaster)
2. Great Egret (Egretta Alba)
3. Latham‟s Snipe (Gallinago Hardwickii)
4. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris Ferruginea)
5. Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa Lapponica)
6. Red-necked Stint (Calidris Ruficollis)
7. Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialls Fulva).

The shallow lakeshores are used as a staging post for JAMBA and CAMBA listed species such as the Bar tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Sharp tailed Sandpiper and Red necked Stint in summer.

The Australian Government is also a signatory to the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1979) aimed at protecting wetland and migratory birds and other animals.

Listed migratory species known to frequent wetlands and other areas within this region include the:

• Eastern Curlew
• Whimbrel
• Bar tailed Godwit.

Other less frequently observed migratory wader species include the:

• Little Curlew
• Grey tailed Tattler
• Common Greenshank
• Sharp tailed Sandpiper
• Red Knot
• Bush Stone Curlew
• Little Tern
• Pied Oystercatchers
• Sooty Oystercatchers.

The Bush Stone Curlew and Little Tern are listed as endangered on Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

The Pied Oystercatchers and Sooty Oystercatchers are listed as vulnerable on Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Other water birds include Herons, Egrets, Ibis and Spoonbills, Sea Eagles, Terns and Gulls.

The Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve and national park are the most important habitat on the Central Coast for the Grey Headed Flying Fox, which is a nationally listed threatened species.

Bird groups

Birding NSW

Formed in 1966, Birding NSW is a thriving club with a very active membership. The club publishes a bimonthly newsletter and holds monthly meetings in central Sydney. The meetings include a guest speaker, unusual sightings, outings program and conservation topics. Members are from all walks of life, backgrounds, age groups and levels of experience.

East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership migratory shorebird discussion group

This discussion group is supported by Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to provide a forum for non-government organisations, government organisations and individuals with an interest in the conservation of migratory shorebirds in the East Asian Australasian Flyway. The discussion group will enable people to share information on shorebird migration, re-sightings of colour-marked shorebirds, site conservation issues, the East Asian-Australasian shorebird site network and support implementation of shorebird conservation activities.

Subscription to this listserver is open to all interested parties. If you require further information about the group contact: vicki.cronan@environment.gov.au