Red-necked Stints in trouble

["Robert Berry" <>]

Red-necked Stints face considerable problems. The largest one is loss of
habitat. Reclamation of mud flats throughout the East Asian flyway has led
to decrease in numbers of birds seen in Australia and even here their
habitat is not always immune from development.

Which sites along the flyway are important? The answer, obviously, depends
on people going and having a look. Leg flags have increased the number of
reported sightings many fold. When it comes to arguing a case for wader
habitat, no data = no argument. By all means put an argument with passion
but passion alone cuts no ice.

The day that a Red-necked Stint finds itself under a cannon net and then
fitted with some leg jewellery is not the best day of its life. Nonetheless
it is compatible with a successful life - retrap data confirm this many
times over.

Bob Berry.