East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Twice a year, millions of birds travel along a migration superhighway spanning Siberia to the shores of New Zealand. This is the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Across countries and cultures, birds connect us all

The East Asian-Australasian Flyway covers a diverse landscape ranging from Arctic tundra to tropical wetlands, and the world’s most densely populated cities to coastal mudflats that are thousands of hectares wide. The birds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway reflect this diversity with cranes rising nearly two meters tall, down to sandpipers weighing in at just a few grams.

These birds’ extraordinary migrations connect the lives and cultures of nearly 2 billion people and 37 countries.

Innovation along the flyways

Wetlands are the economic powerhouses of Asia. Working wetlands like salt pans and rice paddies have shaped our societies. They are also vital to millions of migratory waterbirds that travel along the East Asian-Australasian flyway.

That is why we are investing in the future of these wetlands. BirdLife International, the Asian Development Bank and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership have joined forces to form the Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI). This transformative initiative unites governments, development banks and civil society to benefit the climate, people and nature.

Learn more about RFI sites

Investing in the future

Supporting Livelihoods

Our plans consider the needs of the nearby communities, providing opportunities for job growth in sectors like sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and tourism.

Helping Biodiversity

Waterbirds, mammals, fish and insects all require healthy wetlands to thrive. Civil Society Organisations and Governments across the flyway are in the field, working to restore and improve these habitats.

Climate Resilience

Nearly 200 million people actively rely on these wetlands. A healthy wetland stores carbon and protects people from climate impacts across urban and rural areas alike.

Sustainable Finance

Through the Regional Flyway Initiative, BirdLife makes the connections between responsible investments and the people working on the ground. Civil Society Organisations play a critical role in enabling and sustaining these investments long-term. These funds improve the three program areas above, ultimately proving to be a more sustainable investment than unchecked development. By integrating community and environmental priorities into economic planning, we are creating a win-win scenario.

BirdLife is uniquely positioned to safeguard these wetlands.

Our on-the-ground Partners and affiliates work across the entire East Asian- Australasian flyway, and have a track record of success.

“A pilot project in China’s Yancheng Wetlands shows the potential scale of success. The area had been heavily degraded due to urbanization and pollution, but by creating nature reserves and forest farms, more than 45 square kilometres of wetlands has now been restored, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Waterbird populations have skyrocketed as a result, with one reserve recording more than triple the number of birds at the site in 2018 compared with two years earlier, and almost 3,000 jobs in ecotourism, sustainable fishing and agriculture have been created, the bank says.”

– CNN Call to Earth

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RFI

Discover more about the Regional Flyway Initiative

See how our partners work with communities to protect birds along the flyway

We help migratory birds across Asia

Bangladesh

The Sundarbans

Hero Species

The Critically Endangered Masked Finfoot calls the mangroves of the Sundarbans its home. Their unusual green feet are well suited for both swimming and climbing the gnarly mangrove branches.

FACTSHEET

Protection Measures

We have been working with a local conservation organisation to study these elusive populations of Masked Finfoot. From this research, we now understand some of the drivers of their decline including hunting and habitat changes.

Future Plans

Our research on this species will continue in the future. We also aim to work with local communities to empower the protection of the species. We can do this by addressing trapping and creating sustainable tourism opportunities. Local conservation organisations can help us to provide community training and workshops, and develop responsible birdwatching materials.

cambodiA

Boeung Prek Lpouv / Anlung Pring

Hero Species

These sites are some of the last strongholds for the Sarus Crane. The 2 meter tall birds thrive in agricultural wetlands where they can eat roots, insects and small animals. Boeng Prek Lpov is an important habitat for the bird during the dry season.

FACTSHEET

Protection Measures

In Anlung Pring, NatureLife Cambodia (BirdLife in Cambodia) has established an initiative called ‘Crane Rice’ to help communities sell rice at a premium, and create pesticide-free safe zones for the Sarus Crane and vast congregations of shorebirds.

Future Plans

We aim to expand the market presence of this rice and involve more farmers in the project. This requires us to provide seeds and organic fertilizers for new participants. We also plan to restore habitats for the Sarus Crane at Boeng Prek Lpov. To accomplish this, we will need to re-establish the distinct flora in each wetland zone (feels too wishy washy).

MONGOLiA

Eastern Wetlands of Dornod

Hero Species

Standing tall as an elegant emblem of the wetlands, the globally threatened White-naped Crane relies on this landscape for breeding.

FACTSHEET

Protection Measures

The steppe lakes of Mongolia are heavily used by nomadic communities in agriculture. Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia (BirdLife in Mongolia) is now working to understand the impact that this agriculture may have on migratory birds.

Future Plans

This scientific research is vital to guiding conservation action, but requires further studies. By satellite tracking birds, and conducting hydrological studies, we can better understand this landscape. After consulting with communities, we will determine our next steps towards protection. This may include nominating these areas as Ramsar sites.

THAILAND

Laem Pak Bia / Pak Thale

a photograph of a Spoon-billed Sandpiper

Hero Species

Recognised by their unique beaks, the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper uses this bill to dig for food buried in mudflats. This bird stops in these wetlands to refuel along their arduous migration journey.

FACTSHEET

Protection Measures

The Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BirdLife in Thailand) works with community groups to protect migratory birds from being hunted, develop sustainable salt products, and promote ecotourism.

Future Plans

We plan to continue expanding these livelihood and ecotourism programs, monitor the populations of these rare birds and continue our youth outreach programme through continued funding.

News from the Regional Flyway Initiative

Discover our Partners’ work along the East-Asian Australasian flyway

Bar-tailed Godwits and Great Knot in mudflat

30 July 2024

New World Heritage sites in China help migratory birds

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has designated 5 additional World Heritage sites along the coast of the Yellow Sea-Gulf of Bohai, helping migratory waterbirds across the continent.

Read article

05 December 2024

New project at South Dongting Lake kicks off Regional Flyway Initiative

Yesterday, the very first Regional Flyway Initiative project was approved and launched at South Dongting Lake in Hunan Province of People’s Republic of China. This is the first of roughly 150 projects that will sustainably manage and preserve important wetlands across the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

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19 July 2024

Meet the Partner: Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia

This June, we welcomed our 123rd BirdLife Partner to the flock, the Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia.

Read article

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