Micha V JACKSON

Student of The University of Queensland, Australia
Exchange to Fudan University, China; and National University of Singapore, Singapore

Migrating birds ignore the invisible international boundaries that people have placed on the world below them. In our region, about 50 million waterbirds (for example ducks, geese, swans, snipes and other shorebirds) migrate through an area known as the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Each and every year they travel tens of thousands of kilometres from breeding grounds in boreal/arctic regions to non-breeding areas in Australia, New Zealand, southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, making brief stopover in many countries throughout east and southeast Asia along the way.

Receiving an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship allowed me to undertake a migration of my own to visit the birds I love during their 2017 southward migration. During my stay in China, tens of thousands of migratory waterbirds visited the coast on their journey back to Australia and elsewhere. One of the biggest challenges for these long distance flyers is the landscape change taking place in coastal areas, where have been increasingly occupied by human population and economic activities. My research focuses on how birds are adapting and how we can help them sustain in this rapidly changing environment.

My time in China and Singapore allowed me to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the coastal areas where migrating birds rely on, and learn about local efforts and research projects. As the birds pass through many countries, it is incredibly important for people throughout the flyway to work together to manage and protect the amazing spectacle of bird migration. Sharing resources and knowledge, and undertaking collaborative research, is an important part of this.

As well as providing an incredible opportunity to further my research and networks, I felt very privileged to spend time in two of Asia's most interesting and accessible cities. Despite being the biggest city in the world, I found Shanghai easy to navigate and full of fun and interesting things to do. Its offering of diverse and delicious food is absolutely unparalleled, and cultural activities such as museums and concerts abound. Singapore is one of the world's leading models for urban "regreening". I enjoyed visiting its various parks and forested areas, and was delighted to meet its famous wild Smooth-coated Otters at multiple places around the city.

I am thankful to the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships for providing me with this opportunity to further my research, and I am extremely grateful to my supervisors and colleagues in China and Singapore for making me feel so welcome and supported during my stay.

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