At the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) COP15 which took place in Brazil in March 2026, member nations adopted major recommendations to protect migratory shorebirds of the Americas.
Highlighting severe and alarming global shorebird declines across the Americas, the summit up-listed and recategorized 7 highly threatened species in the Appendix of the IUCN Red List, and added 3 species to the list of Vulnerable species thus granting them the highest level of international protection.
 |
| Graphic credited to Birds Caribbean |
Shockingly, and what should be of particular alarm to all Barbadians is that many of these rapidly declining shorebirds are species still shot in large numbers as they pass through the island during the migration period 15th July - 15th October including:
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes: Uplisted to Vulnerable caused by drivers including unsustainable taking. Estimated population reduction of 26-49%.
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca: Uplisted to Near-Threatened caused by drivers including unsustainable taking. Suspected population decrease of up to 29%
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus: Uplisted to Near-Threatened. Population estimated to be decreasing by 20-29%
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus: Uplisted to Vulnerable. Estimated population decline of 20-49%
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis: Uplisted to Vulnerable. Recent monitoring suggests a rapid population decline of 40-49%.
We believe that once the authorities in Barbados are aware of this highly perilous situation, that appropriate measures can be put in place to save these birds.
Edward B. Massiah is one of Barbados’ leading bird conservationists, best known as a co‑author of The Birds of Barbados (BOU Checklist Series, 2009), and for decades of fieldwork, monitoring, and advocacy for the island’s avifauna. He has combined scientific research with active participation in citizen science platforms like eBird, helping document species trends and conservation concerns.