By Joanna Castillo – Manomet Small Grants for the Conservation Neotropical Shorebird
Two-banded Plover in nest. Photo by Maria de los Angeles Hernandez
On the shores of the Golfo San José, within the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site in Península Valdés, Argentina, two emblematic species—the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) and the Two-banded Plover (Anarhynchus falklandicus)— face an increasingly challenging breeding environment.
Addressing this challenge is the goal of a new initiative led by the Shorebird Laboratory in Patagonian Wetlands (LAPHP-UNPSJB). With support from the Manomet Small Grants for the Conservation Neotropical Shorebird, the project aims to generate key scientific information to guide conservation actions in one of the most important coastal landscapes in southern South America.
Fieldwork at Peninsula Valdes. Photo by Joanna Castillo
Beyond research, this effort is also an investment in the future: training a new generation of shorebird conservation professionals. Through a field- based training program, advanced Biology students from the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco acquire practical skills in nest monitoring, population counts, and data management, while strengthening their connection to their region’s natural heritage.
Initial findings reveal a complex reality. Shorebirds face constant pressures in their nesting areas, both from natural factors and human activities, particularly in areas where the breeding season overlaps with recreational beach use. Given this scenario, the project has identified two urgent actions:
- Maintain long-term reproductive monitoring programs to understand population trends and respond to emerging threats.
- Implement immediate management measures, such as the delineation of sensitive areas during the breeding season.
The knowledge being generated today will be decisive in guiding conservation decisions in the short term and ensuring, in the long term, the survival of these populations and the persistence of their habitats. In the context of increasing pressure on coastal ecosystems, initiatives like this demonstrate that science, professional training, and local action are essential to securing the future of shorebirds.
For more information about this initiative in Península Valdés, Argentina: jcjoannacastillo@gmail.com.
More information about the Manomet Small Grants for Neotropical Shorebird Conservation can be found here.