Habitat destruction is pushing the world's migratory shore birds to the brink, Queensland scientists say.

Key points: Habitat critical to shore bird migration, scientists say

Habitat critical to shore bird migration, scientists say Loss of habitat putting many species on brink of extinction, conservationist says

Loss of habitat putting many species on brink of extinction, conservationist says Particular concern for survival of eastern curlew

University of Queensland researcher Rob Clemens said the evidence was clear and that many of the species were in dramatic decline.

"You can look at any bit of data in the country whether it's a nice pristine site or a depleted site you're going to see this decline right across the continent," he said.

Shore birds, which migrate up to 12,000 kilometres in one trip to and from places like Siberia or Alaska, use sites such as the Toondah Harbour tidal flats in Moreton Bay to fatten up over summer and rest for their epic journeys.

But BirdLife Southern Queensland convenor Judith Hoyle is worried the tidal flats will be threatened by a $1.3 billion proposal that would take over a small part of Moreton Bay's internationally significant Ramsar wetland.

"We've got this concept that it's OK to nibble away, that if we just take this little bit it doesn't matter," she said.

"But right along the eastern seaboard this is happening and if we don't start to say 'every little piece of habitat matters' then these birds will become extinct in my life time."

There was particular concern for the world's largest migratory shorebird the eastern curlew.

The Walker Corporation has promised to restore roosting habitat and create new conservation areas. ( Supplied: Chris Walker )

Surveys by the Queensland Wader Study Group already show a steep decline in the numbers on the Toondah tidal flats, and experts say the picture is similar across the country.

The Redland City Council and the Queensland Government said the development was important for job creation and the region's growth.

"We're looking at things such as hotels, the ferry terminal itself. There'll be construction jobs about 1,000 construction jobs a year for 15 years and 500 jobs from there after," Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said.

The Walker Corporation, that would build the development, said only a tiny part of the birds feeding ground would go.

It has promised to restore roosting habitat and create new conservation areas.

'There are enormous barriers and challenges to cooperation'

Better cooperation with countries like China, South Korea, and Japan is key to the birds survival, experts say.

Associate Professor Richard Fuller said huge habitat loss in the Yellow Sea was the most pressing issue.

"There are enormous barriers and challenges to cooperation. There's been agreements in place between Australia and other countries in the fly away for many years and during that period we've seen continuing declines in these birds. So clearly something's not working and we need step up our efforts," he said.

The Federal Government vowed to help, appointing the Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews, to negotiate.

Ms Hoyle said bird groups were hoping that sentiment will carry through during environmental assessments of developments like Toondah Harbour.