THREATENED AND IMPORTANT SPECIES

PRIORITY BS2

 Resident and migratory shorebirds

There are four species of “resident” shorebirds in the Cradle Coast region, Hooded Plover, Red-capped Plover, Pied Oystercatcher, and Sooty Oystercatcher. All nest on the beaches or rocky shorelines of the Cradle Coast, and are subject to the same threats of human disturbance from recreational beach use, domestic dogs, feral and domestic cats, pollution including marine debris, and weeds.

Migratory shorebirds are usually summer residents who breed in the northern hemisphere. They include Eastern Curlew (CR), Great Knot (CR), Greater Sand Plover (VU), Lesser Sand Plover (EN), Red Knot (EN), and 16 other species that are not listed as threatened. When they are in the Cradle Coast region, they face threats from weed incursion onto the mudflats where they feed, human disturbance, coastal development and pollution including plastics. Migratory shorebirds are protected by international agreements along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

outcome

By 2030, long-term monitoring of resident and migratory shorebird populations is showing stable or increasing populations compared to 2019 estimates.

threats

Local threats that can be addressed by NRM actions:

  • Land use pressures on coastlines including development, expansion of urban areas, intensification of industries and poor management practices
  • Weeds and feral animals
  • Pollution of waterways and oceans, including marine debris which can entangle birds and be ingested by them
  • Human use of coastlines for recreation
  • Domestic dogs

Actions

BS2.a

Develop partnerships with councils to address coastal management issues affecting seabirds and shorebirds.

Support the continuation of the resident shorebird community monitoring program and biannual Australian migratory shorebird monitoring

Implement Hooded Plover recovery actions at key sites in collaboration with the national recovery program and Birdlife organisations.

implementation

Investment Opportunity

  • Australian Government
  • Tasmanian Government
  • Regional or Local
  • Private or philanthropic

  • Information gathering activities including supporting community monitoring programs.
  • Policy and planning activities such as supporting conservation action planning, and engagement in council land-use, cat and dog management and waste management planning processes.
  • On-ground work including habitat protection and rehabilitation at priority sites, supporting domestic cat management initiatives, supporting targeted feral cat management initiatives, marine debris clean-up and monitoring activities, and supporting point source pollution management initiatives.
  • Behaviour-change and capacity-building activities – education, awareness and skill-building
    focused on coastal biodiversity values.

Local Councils; Government agencies; Birdlife Tasmania and Birdlife Australia; Landcare, Wildcare and other community groups; Land managers; volunteers; researchers.

Field days, workshops and educational activities focused on coastal biodiversity values and domestic pet management; volunteer and citizen science opportunities.