Securing shorebird sites at Maullín, Chile

Conservation Value:

This project expanded to establish a landscape-scale habitat corridor that extends from the headwaters of the Maullin River at Llanquihue Lake, down the river’s entire length to the rich coastal wetlands and offshore island archipelago. These sites host half of the Pacific coast population of Hudsonian Godwits as well as thousands of Whimbrels, Sanderling, Yellowlegs, and other migratory shorebird species. Nearly 200 species of migratory and resident species of shorebirds and waterbirds have been recorded there.

Threats:

Maullín has several significant coastal wetlands that were formally protected. The municipality was open to designating three coastal wetlands as bird reserves, but lacked capacity to do the needed groundwork and management plan. Enter Biome partner Conservación Marina, who saw an opportunity to develop bird-oriented tourism and protect the sites for thousands of coastal birds.  Threats include unregulated recreational activities, uncontrolled sheep and cattle, and roaming or feral dogs.  Other potentical threats include coastal development projects, such as the siting of wind turbines.

Actions & Results:

This project benefits one of the world’s “long haul” migrants—the Hudsonian godwit, which is capable of single flights of 10,000 km.

Our partnership with Fundación Conservación Marina began in 2015 with the establishment of five small, protected wetlands (918 ha) at the mouth of the Maullín River. It has since expanded down the coast to Chiloé and upriver to its mountain origins for a total area of nearly 10,000 ha.

The project evolved into a year-round program that works with a growing number of local communities, including the local Mapuche Indigenous people, and all levels of government. Key to its success has been the strong focus on birding tourism, which has resulted in mapped birding trails, public bird-watching blinds, books and posters, and a daily presence.

A Reserve Network is now protected by Conservacion Marina, the city of Maullin, and the federal government of Chile.  This has been done with broad local support from communities, government and the indigenous people in the region.  A management plan was developed through a participatory process and laid out a five-year action plan.