News
31 October, 2025
Conservation takes flight over Bribie birds
BRIBIE Island’s reputation as a haven for migratory shorebirds has reached new heights, with the success of the Wings Over the World 2025 event — a celebration of conservation, science and community held at Kakadu Beach on October 19.
The event, which drew more than 150 attendees, marked the latest chapter in a growing local movement to protect the island’s remarkable birdlife.
It all began in October 2021, when Rotary’s Environmental Sustainability Action Group (ESRAG) hosted the first Threatened Species Day at Kakadu Beach. The event sparked community interest in the island’s migratory shorebirds — particularly the threatened Eastern Curlew.
Among the speakers was QUT PhD student Josh Wilson, whose innovative research using drones to monitor shorebirds inspired residents to take part in citizen science initiatives.
Four years on, that enthusiasm has evolved into a major conservation partnership between the Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA) and Rotary’s ESRAG. Together, they have formed Moreton Bay: Home of Shorebirds (MBHoS) — an alliance dedicated to protecting key habitats and raising awareness of Bribie’s ecological importance.
The partnership’s new flagship event, Wings Over the World, now sits proudly within the annual Bribie Island Nature Festival, attracting nature lovers and experts from across Queensland.
This year’s monitoring produced outstanding results, with more than 350 Eastern Curlews recorded at Kakadu Beach on October 19 — confirming its status as a site of international significance.
The conservation focus has also delivered a tourism boost. Between January and April 2025, visitors from 19 countries flocked to the site during the migratory season.
Local birdwatchers estimate these visits generated over 600 nature conversations and contributed around $500,000 to the local economy.
At this year’s event, Colin Scobie (ESRAG), Michael Strong (Queensland Wader Study Group), and Darren Dew (BIEPA/BINF) discussed future conservation strategies for Kakadu Beach and its surrounding habitats.
With its growing international reputation and thriving local engagement, Wings Over the World has firmly established Bribie Island as a shining example of how science, community and nature can come together for global impact.
