The route flown by birds during migration is known as a flyway.

There are eight shorebird flyways around the world including:

• East Asian-Australasian Flyway

• Central Asia/India Flyway

• West Asia/Africa Flyway

• Mediterranean/Black Sea Flyway

• East Atlantic Flyway

• Atlantic Flyway

• Mississippi Flyway

• Pacific Flyway

East Asian-Australasian Flyway

The East Asian-Australasian Flyway stretches from Siberia, Northern China and Alaska (the breeding areas) southwards to Australia and New Zealand where the birds rest and feed during the austral summer.

Flyway Facts

• the flyway passes through 22 countries

• 55 migratory species travel along the flyway equating to over 5 million birds

• 36 migratory species or 2 million birds reach Australia each year, traveling 12,000km to complete their annual migration.

Southward migration (from the breeding to non-breeding areas) occurs from July to October, while northward migration takes place from March to early June. While in Australia from September/October to March/April the birds rest and build up their fat reserves for northward migration. During the brief arctic summer and breeding season – June and July – the birds lay (usually 4 eggs) within a week or two of arrival; incubation takes about 3 weeks and fledging a further 3 weeks.

Australia – New Zealand migration.
An exception to the north-south migration pattern is an east-west migration undertaken by Double-banded Plovers between Australia and New Zealand. Double-banded Plovers breed in New Zealand during summer and migrate to Australia from February to September.

Shorebird flagging program for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Visit Wader Flagging Program ( follow links to the Wader Flagging Program) for information on the Shorebird flagging program, flagging protocols and colour flag and metal band combinations in use in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.