Recommendations

Project Type # Outcome Report Year FEC
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action1

Improve conservation and management of shorebird sites throughout the African-Eurasian flyway

1.1 Secure intertidal habitat of Arctic-breeding shorebirds in Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau

1.2 Ensure identification and documentation of key sites for shorebirds in available format as a tool for national/international sustainable site management

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: African Eurasian Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action2

Increase quality and quantity of population status assessment data of Arctic breeding waterbirds in the African-Eurasian Flyway

2.1 Support filling knowledge gaps and strengthening monitoring of Arctic waterbirds in the breeding grounds of the flyway, including implementing CBMP in cooperation with Wadden Sea Secretariat and AEWA.

2.2 Support improved population delineation of Arctic-breeding waders by collating Arctic breeding wader migration data (tracking, colour-marking, geolocator, ringing data, etc.) and presenting it on the CSN tool to improve flyway delineation data.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: African Eurasian Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action3Development and dissemination of information and awareness materials addressing priority target  3.1 Support the development of communication products (in collaboration with flyway partners and communications experts) showcasing migratory connectivity, knowledge gaps, and threats in the African-Eurasian flyway area.AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: African Eurasian Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action4

Reduce bycatch of seaducks in the Baltic Sea

4.1 Support the implementation of the AEWA Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter and Common Eider International Single Species Action Plans with respect to the identified activities regarding bycatch under the auspices of the AEWA European Seaduck International Working Group.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: African Eurasian Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action5Support measures under the AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG) International Working Group (IWG) to prevent illegal killing 5.1 Assist the AEWA LWfG IWG and the Birdlife Norwegian/Greek cooperation project cooperation project with the translation and dissemination of awareness-raising and education materials in key areas for the species within the Russian Arctic amongst indigenous and local communities. 5.2 Support the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat in engaging key Range States on a diplomatic level through Arctic Council member and observer country embassies AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: African Eurasian Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action1

Understand the expansion of white geese populations in Arctic shorebird habitat

1.1 Understand impacts of populations of white geese on other bird species in western Canada

1.2 Understand trends in the populations of white geese in Alaska and their impacts on shorebird breeding habitats

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action2

Mitigate effects of over-abundant white geese populations on shorebird habitat

2.1 Implement management actions resulting from study of white geese impacts in Canada (undertaken as part of AMBI Phase 1)

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action3

Ensure Indigenous Knowledge is incorporated into white geese impacts research and mitigation measures

3.1 Continue to include Indigenous Knowledge in future work through co-development of management priorities for western geese.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action4

Determine climate change resilient areas of shorebird habitat and promote their protection

4.1 Carry out an analysis of the resilience of shorebird wintering habitat to climate change

4.2 Promote protection of climate change resilient shorebird breeding, wintering and migration habitats

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action5Mitigate habitat impairment from human intrusions and disturbances 5.1 Support efforts to develop policies and legislation to ensure the sustainability of legal hunting of shorebirds in North and South America 5.2 Promote studies that assess the prevalence and impacts of plastic contamination in shorebird populations in the Arctic 5.3 Work with communities and governments to assess and identify critical threats for priority species on designated WHSRN and IBA sites.AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action6

Mitigate habitat impairment from destruction and degradation of coastal habitats and productive landscapes

6.1 Evaluate the impacts of habitat loss and degradation from agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy production and tourism development on shorebirds and their habitats in Latin America

6.2 Ensure mitigation measures are incorporated into development decisions

6.3 Designate important sites under appropriate international conservation frameworks (e.g. Ramsar Convention, WHSRN, World Heritage)

6.4 Work with communities and governments to protect important sites

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action7

Contribute to the implementation and development of regional flyway initiatives:
7.1 Promote and support the implementation of regional strategies and flyway initiatives
7.2 Encourage/coordinate the development of an American Mid- continental Flyway strategy

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Americas Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action1

Enhance data collection and data input into habitat protection initiatives

1.1 Raise awareness and facilitate protection of key marine bird habitats that intersect with human activities using various regulatory and planning processes as appropriate to protect marine birds while they are at-sea.

1.2 Support country participation on circumpolar collaborations to enhance Ivory Gull surveys and collection and synthesis of marine bird tracking data (including Ivory Gulls).

1.3 Knowledge gap analysis of circumpolar seabird tracking studies.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Circumpolar Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action2

Harvest assessments and mitigation of unsustainable harvest of Arctic birds

2.1 Work with CBird to promote dialogue with authorities for management plans to combine the knowledge of status of hunted species between countries

2.2 Assess the population-level impact of seabird harvest in relation to other stressors

2.3 Conduct/update holistic harvest studies for circumpolar regions of interest using approaches tailored to regional contexts as appropriate

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Circumpolar Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action3Mitigate seabird and seaduck bycatch 3.1 Initiate an overlap analysis for seabird bycatch in circumpolar region 3.2 Continue discussions about mitigation measures with fisheries partners 3.3 Support efforts to develop best practices for bycatch data collection 3.4 Assess gill net bycatch for key species and regions AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Circumpolar Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action4

Address environmental pollution issues

4.1 State of knowledge assessment for plastics in wildlife

4.2 Work with Arctic Council countries and Permanent Participants, PAME, and AMAP to begin to address knowledge gaps

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Circumpolar Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action5Support the activities and priorities of the International Snowy Owl Working Group (ISOWG) 5.1 Publish a more precise global population estimate and assessment of population trends 5.2 Implement wider-scale tracking of Snowy Owls throughout their range AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Circumpolar Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action1

Identify and secure important breeding and staging habitats of key AMBI Central and East Asian Flyways migratory bird species in Arctic Russia and Alaska, with a focus on Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Dunlin, Emperor Goose and Brant Goose.

1.1 (Russia): Improve conservation work on Spoon-billed Sandpiper (SBS) and other AMBI priority species in the breeding grounds including addressing climate change related threats.

1.2 (Russia): Identify important breeding and staging areas in coastal areas of Russia for AMBI priority species, and where possible encourage and assist their nomination as EAAF Partnership Network Sites with follow-up conservation actions, prioritizing areas in Sakhalin and Kamchatka (Ust' Khairuzovo, Moroshechnaya estuary, Bay of Tyk and others).

1.3 (United States): Undertake bird surveys and tracking studies to improve knowledge of important breeding and staging sites for priority species in Alaska.

1.4 (United States): Protect previously identified important breeding and staging areas.

1.5 (Russia/United States): Share experience and methodologies for surveying shorebird distribution, monitoring population size and trends, conducting demographic studies, and managing habitats of priority species and other migratory birds.

1.6 (Russia/United States): Explore the opportunity to initiate a seabird monitoring project in Chukotka and increase cross-Beringia information exchange.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Central and East Asian Flyways2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action2

Secure intertidal and associated habitat for AMBI priority species at key staging and wintering sites in the Central and East Asian Flyways.

2.1 (Russia): Ensure improvement of protection of the Russian Far East coastal shorebird stopover sites, by providing information to support local and national decision making on key habitat identification and conservation, including consideration of the new Nature Park in Chukotka and prioritising recovery of closed protected area at Moroshechnaya river mouth in Kamchatka.

2.2 (United States): Gather better information on the abundance, distribution and habitat use of Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwits at spring and fall staging sites in Alaska.

2.3 (China): Enhance protection of Jiangsu Coast ecosystem, especially the Rudong and Dongtai areas for Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other Arctic-breeding shorebirds considering World Heritage Site Nomination requirements.

2.4 (China): Enhance protection of the Luannan Coast especially Nanpu, Tangshan for Red Knot and other Arctic-breeding shorebirds.

2.5 (China): Enhance protection at Yalu Jiang, Liaoning for Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Great Knot and other Arctic shorebirds.

2.6 (China): Increase knowledge of key staging and wintering Arctic-breeding shorebirds sites in southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian provinces) and improve conservation status of these sites.

2.7 (Republic of Korea): Support efforts to reverse declining trends of AMBI priority species (SBS, Great Knot, Dunlin and other) and improve habitat conservation along the flyway through sharing knowledge and international cooperative projects.

2.8 (Republic of Korea): Promote the importance of conserving Korea.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Central and East Asian Flyways2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action3Prevent illegal hunting and regulate unsustainable legal harvest of Arctic migratory birds along the flyway, with a focus on Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Bar-tailed Godwit, and other priority species. 3.1 (Russia): Initiate surveys of hunting pressure and support development and implementation of national and regional strategies and action plans for the elimination of illegal harvest of birds in the Russian Far East. 3.2 (United States): Conduct outreach, assess the magnitude and impacts of legal subsistence harvest on priority birds in Alaska, with a focus on Emperor Goose and Bar-tailed Godwits. 3.3 (China): Support development and implementation of national and regional strategies, action plans and implementation activities for the elimination of poaching of birds in China. 3.4 (India): Work with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Bombay Natural History Society and other Indian ministries and research institutions to promote AMBI work and address illegal hunting issues. 3.5 (All countries): Engage with the EAAFP and the CMS Task Forces on Illegal Killing/ Hunting, Taking and Trade of Birds to develop implementation of actions to address this threat to migratory Arctic-breeding birds. 3.6 (All countries): Work to curb the use of equipment for illegally captured birds. 3.7 (All countries): Raise the profile of illegal hunting, taking and trade of migratory Arctic birds by linking it to broader forums and discussions on illegal wildlife trade, the bushmeat trade, and wildlife crime discourse in CBD, CITES and other relevant organizations. 3.8 (All countries): Support an illegal hunting technical workshop to share expertise and address illegal hunting along the flyway. 3.9 (All countries): Develop or support monthly mist net surveys and removal activities in key Spoon-billed Sandpiper sites, using the positive experiences in China as an example. 3.10 (All countries): Initiate a research project to understand sustainable harvest, management practices and bird poaching mitigation along the Central and East Asian Flyway considering cultural traditions with the equitable engagement and partnership of Arctic Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge. 3.11 (USA and Russia): Work to assess legal and illegal Emperor Goose harvest in Russia and Alaska to develop a consistent Beringia-wide legal framework for the management and long-term sustainability of the species that works within the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council and other Indigenous management organizations. 3.12 (Russia, China, India): Prioritise conservation of Eastern and Central Asian populations of Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWFG) and reverse their declining trends including analysis of existing satellite tracking and migratory movement data.AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Central and East Asian Flyways2021