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Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)

The Asian Dowitcher is a large migratory shorebird that visits northern and north-western Australia, usually in small numbers. It uses intertidal mudflats, estuaries and sheltered coastal wetlands, so clearing, construction, lighting, noise, dogs and altered access can affect feeding and roosting birds. It is listed as Vulnerable under Commonwealth, New South Wales and Queensland legislation, and is protected as a migratory species under the EPBC Act.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed migratory. Listed under the Bonn Convention, CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA. Listed migratory species are a matter of national environmental significance, so a significant impact needs referral.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Specially protected (migratory).

Migration and breeding season

The Asian Dowitcher is a migratory shorebird that breeds in steppe regions of Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China, then visits Australia during the austral summer. It is uncommon here, with regular small numbers mainly in northern and north-western coastal areas, and occasional records farther south and east.

Breeding mode: Breeds overseas. The breeding range includes steppe regions of Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat is not fully described. Nests are reported close to water, usually in meadowland.

Nest or roost sites: Nests are close to water, usually in meadowland. Australian non-breeding roosts include sheltered estuaries, intertidal mudflats, lagoons, creeks and saltworks.

Clutch size: Not recorded.

Incubation: Not recorded.

Fledging and dependence: Not recorded.

Breeding frequency and maturity: Not recorded.

Timing can vary between years and regions, and individual birds may arrive earlier, depart later or remain in Australia outside the main seasonal pattern.

  • Breeding overseas, Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China: The species breeds overseas during the northern hemisphere summer, but species-specific breeding months are not well documented here.
  • Southward arrival in Australia: Arrival starts from August, with records on the east coast from about mid-September and the main Australian presence during the austral summer.
  • Non-breeding presence in Australia: Small numbers use northern and north-western coastal mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, tidal creeks, saltworks and other sheltered coastal wetlands.
  • Southward passage through coastal Asia and Australia: Passage occurs mainly from August to October, with only a few birds reaching Australia.
  • Northward departure from Australia: Northward movement begins in March, and birds typically leave north-west Australia by the end of April.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and construction are most likely to affect birds using Australian feeding and roosting areas from late summer through autumn, with additional risk from the first arrivals in August and September.

Identification: Appearance

The Asian Dowitcher is a large, long-legged wader with a long, straight bill. Identification can be difficult when birds are distant, in poor light or mixed with godwits and other large shorebirds.

The bill is long, straight, black and slightly swollen at the tip. The legs and feet are black or grey-black.

Adults in non-breeding plumage have a white head with heavy dark streaking, a dark cap, a dark loral stripe and a white supercilium. The upperparts are dark grey and the underparts are mostly white.

Breeding plumage is strongly marked with chestnut, black and white. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have buff edges to the back feathers and buff markings on the breast and flanks.

Length: 33 to 36 cm

Wingspan: Approximately 59 cm

Weight: Approximately 180 to 190 g

Identification: Calls and similar species

No reliable call or species-specific acoustic feature should be used on its own for identification. Obtain clear photographs where possible and have difficult records checked by an experienced shorebird observer.

In non-breeding plumage, the Asian Dowitcher can resemble a Bar-tailed Godwit or Black-tailed Godwit.

  • Bar-tailed Godwit usually has a more streaked appearance and a bicoloured, slightly upturned bill.
  • Black-tailed Godwit usually has less streaking and a bicoloured, straight bill.
  • The Asian Dowitcher has a long, straight, unicoloured bill and black legs.

Identification: Field signs

Look for a tall, upright shorebird with a long neck, long legs and a straight bill. Birds may be seen singly or in small groups on exposed mud or sand flats.

Droppings, feathers, nests, whitewash, stains and odour are not reliable indicators for this species on a clearing site. Identification should be based on the bird and its habitat use.

  • Record the number of birds, plumage, behaviour, location and tide stage.
  • Take photographs from a distance that does not cause the birds to move.
  • Do not approach a roost to obtain a closer view.

Distribution: Australian range

In Australia, the Asian Dowitcher is mainly a northern visitor. It is uncommon and often recorded as single birds at widely separated coastal sites.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. Regular Australian use is concentrated in the north and north-west.

It is a regular summer visitor to north-western Australia in small numbers, including coastal areas between Broome and Port Hedland. It also occurs around the Port McArthur tidal wetlands in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

In the Northern Territory it has been recorded around Darwin, central coastal Arnhem Land, Blue Mud Bay and the Port McArthur region. It is sporadic and rare elsewhere, including along the eastern and southern coastline.

  • Western Australia, especially the north-west coast and sheltered coastal wetlands.
  • Northern Territory, including Darwin Harbour, Arnhem Land and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
  • Queensland, mainly northern coastal wetlands and the Gulf region.
  • New South Wales, where records are generally rare and dispersed.

Distribution: Overseas range

The species breeds in steppe regions of Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China. It migrates through eastern Asia and uses the East Asian to Australasian Flyway.

Southeast Sumatra and northern Java are probably important staging and non-breeding areas. Only a small number reach Australia.

Distribution: What this means on site

A site should not be dismissed because only one bird is present. A single bird may be using a wider network of feeding and roosting areas.

Search all connected tidal flats, creeks, lagoons, beaches, saltworks and high-tide roosts that could be used by the same birds.

  • Check nearby habitat when a bird is flushed from the work area.
  • Map feeding areas, roosts, access routes and areas where works may change tidal flow or disturbance levels.

Habitat: Coastal landforms

The Asian Dowitcher uses open, wet coastal habitats rather than dense terrestrial vegetation. On works sites, focus on the relationship between intertidal feeding areas and nearby safe roosts.

Look for sheltered bays, estuaries, tidal creeks, lagoons and broad intertidal flats. Exposed mudflats and sandflats are particularly relevant.

The species may also occur near beaches, rocky outcrops, near-coastal swamps, lakes and saltworks.

  • Intertidal mud and sand flats
  • Tidal creek margins
  • Estuary edges and coastal lagoons
  • Mangrove margins and nearby open flats
  • Beaches, rocky headlands and ponds above the high-water mark

Habitat: Site features to check

Inspect areas that remain exposed at low tide and areas that stay above the tide at high water. Include both natural and modified wetlands.

Look for clear sightlines, shallow water, low vegetation and dry ground close to feeding areas. These features may support roosting birds when the tide covers the flats.

  • Mud or sand flats connected to deeper channels
  • Small islands and rocky islets
  • Open beaches and sand spits
  • Ponds, saltworks and other shallow wetlands
  • Undisturbed ground above the high-water mark

Habitat: Habitat condition

Remote northern mudflats may remain in good condition, but local disturbance can still reduce habitat use. Reclamation, altered drainage, pollution, weeds, access tracks and repeated flushing can make a site unsuitable.

Assess the whole local habitat unit, not only the footprint of proposed clearing.

  • Record rubbish, oil, runoff, weeds and evidence of altered water movement.
  • Record people, dogs, vehicles, boats, aircraft and other disturbance during each survey.
  • Check whether construction lighting will illuminate mudflats, beaches or roosts at night.

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas

The Asian Dowitcher feeds mainly on intertidal mudflats and other exposed coastal sediments. Feeding areas can be spread across an estuary, so works outside the immediate mudflat may still affect access and habitat use.

Search exposed mud and sand flats in sheltered estuaries, tidal creeks and lagoons. Intertidal areas beside mangroves and saltworks may also be used.

Birds may forage on a falling or low tide and move to roosts as the water covers the feeding surface.

  • Broad soft mudflats
  • Firm sandflats and shallow margins
  • Creek mouths and drainage channels
  • Estuarine edges and lagoon margins
  • Saltworks and other shallow coastal wetlands

Foraging habitat: Diet and behaviour

The species is carnivorous. Recorded food groups include small fish, insect larvae, oligochaetes, polychaetes and molluscs.

Watch for probing in soft sediment, walking along the waterline and repeated movement between feeding patches. Do not assume that a bird standing still is not using the area.

Breeding season foods: Small fish, insect larvae and oligochaetes

Migration and non-breeding foods: Polychaetes, insect larvae and molluscs

Foraging habitat: Surveying feeding habitat

Conduct foraging surveys close to low tide, preferably within two hours either side of low tide. Cover the full area of contiguous habitat where birds could occur.

Record species, counts, behaviour, mapped feeding locations, tide height, weather and disturbance. Avoid surveys during high winds or heavy rain where possible.

  • Use a suitable vantage point or walk the edge of the habitat without entering feeding areas.
  • Allow enough time to scan distant flats and channels with binoculars and a telescope.
  • Record whether birds continue feeding, walk away or take flight when people, vehicles or machinery approach.

Breeding habitat: Breeding range

The Asian Dowitcher breeds in the Northern Hemisphere and does not normally breed in Australia. Australian works should therefore focus on protecting non-breeding habitat, feeding areas and roosts.

Breeding occurs in steppe regions of Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China. Breeding habitat is associated with open areas near water, including meadowland.

The species depends on a chain of habitats across the flyway. Damage to feeding or staging habitat in Australia can affect birds before they return north to breed.

Breeding region: Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China

Australian breeding: Not expected as part of the normal Australian cycle

Breeding habitat: Breeding places

Specific nest structure, clutch size, incubation period and fledging details are poorly known for field management in Australia.

Do not treat the absence of nests or breeding behaviour as evidence that nearby coastal habitat has low value. The habitat is used during migration and the non-breeding season.

  • Protect connected feeding and roosting habitat during Australian visits.
  • Avoid unnecessary disturbance to birds preparing for northward migration.
  • Refer proposed actions that may significantly affect listed migratory habitat under the EPBC Act.

Sheltering habitat: Roost features

At high tide, the Asian Dowitcher needs safe roosting areas close to feeding habitat. Roosts may be on beaches, rocky outcrops, ponds above the high-water mark or other open ground.

Look for open, elevated or shallow-water areas with a clear view of approaching predators. Short travel distance from feeding flats is often favoured.

In tropical areas, shallow water can help birds remain cool. Tide height, weather and disturbance can change which roost is used on a particular day.

  • Beaches and sand spits
  • Rocky outcrops and offshore islets
  • Ponds above the high-water mark
  • Open mud or sand areas beside estuaries
  • Saltworks, lagoons and quiet creek margins

Sheltering habitat: High-tide surveys

Survey roosts as close as possible to high tide and within two hours either side of the high-tide peak. Spring high tides above 6.5 m are suitable for high-tide shorebird monitoring where local conditions allow.

Observe from at least 100 m where practicable, using binoculars and a 20 to 60 power spotting scope. Move farther away if birds show alarm or begin to relocate.

  • Record all species and numbers, including birds that arrive or leave during the count.
  • Map the roost boundary and any nearby feeding area.
  • Record disturbance type, time, duration, response and the number of birds affected.

Sheltering habitat: Roost protection on works sites

Keep people, dogs, vehicles and machinery away from roosts. A 100 m buffer is a useful minimum starting point, but larger shorebirds may need more distance where disturbance continues.

Use fencing, signs and controlled access. Keep barriers and access tracks positioned so they do not force people through the roost or cut birds off from feeding habitat.

  • Prevent four-wheel-drive access to beaches and intertidal flats.
  • Keep construction lighting away from roosts and likely night feeding areas.
  • Avoid high-noise work beside roosts during high tide.
  • Schedule disruptive work outside the peak shorebird season where practicable.

Migration and seasonal presence: Seasonal presence in Australia

The Asian Dowitcher is a long-distance migrant in the East Asian to Australasian Flyway. In Australia, it is mainly present during the austral summer, although exact timing varies between sites and individuals.

Most birds leave the breeding grounds from late July to August, with some remaining until early September. Birds begin arriving in Australia from August, and records on the south-east coast extend from mid-September.

The species generally leaves north-west Australia by the end of April. A practical Australian survey window for migratory shorebirds is October to March, with additional checks from August to September and during April where the site is suitable.

  • Arrival and early passage, August to September
  • Main non-breeding presence, roughly October to March
  • Northward departure, March to April
  • Possible late departures, into April

Migration and seasonal presence: Passage and staging

Small numbers move through coastal and near-coastal China from August to October. Southeast Sumatra and northern Java are probably important staging and non-breeding areas.

Northern Australia is part of a wider network of stopover and non-breeding sites. Birds may move between nearby flats and roosts without making obvious long-distance movements within Australia.

  • Treat isolated records as part of a wider flyway use pattern.
  • Check for birds remaining during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season, from mid-April to mid-August, where the site contains suitable habitat.
  • Avoid assuming that a quiet site is unused between visits.

Migration and seasonal presence: Important habitat in Australia

For migratory shorebird assessment, habitat may be nationally important when it regularly supports at least 0.1 percent of the flyway population of one species, at least 2,000 migratory shorebirds, or at least 15 migratory shorebird species.

The revised flyway population estimate for the Asian Dowitcher is 14,000 birds. The corresponding 0.1 percent threshold is 14 birds. These thresholds support assessment and should not replace site-specific survey and professional judgement.

  • Survey both high-tide roosts and low-tide feeding areas.
  • Assess the whole contiguous habitat unit and cumulative disturbance from nearby activities.
  • Refer to EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 and the 2017 industry guidelines when planning surveys or assessing impacts.

Migration and seasonal presence: Survey timing for projects

A practical program should include at least two surveys in summer and surveys around high tide during the main non-breeding period. A broader program may include four roost surveys, four foraging surveys and one survey from mid-April to mid-August.

Counts should be made from suitable vantage points and repeated often enough to show variation in use. Record disturbance as carefully as bird numbers.

  • High-tide surveys, within two hours either side of high tide
  • Low-tide surveys, within two hours either side of low tide
  • Counts of every shorebird species and total abundance
  • Tide height, weather, time, activity and mapped habitat
  • Disturbance source, bird response and duration

Threats: Habitat loss and degradation

The main risks on clearing and construction sites are loss of intertidal habitat and disturbance at feeding and roosting areas. Repeated disturbance can make birds leave suitable habitat and use more energy before migration.

Reclamation, clearing, drainage changes, changed tidal flows, sediment movement, pollution and invasive weeds can reduce the area or quality of feeding habitat.

Construction vehicles and plant can damage mudflats, beaches and saltmarsh margins. Fuel, oil, concrete washout and dirty runoff can affect sediment and prey.

  • Keep plant and vehicles out of intertidal flats unless access is approved and controlled.
  • Use spill prevention and response measures near tidal water.
  • Maintain natural drainage and avoid unnecessary changes to creek mouths and shallow wetlands.
  • Assess cumulative habitat loss with existing and proposed nearby projects.

Threats: Disturbance from people and machinery

People, dogs, four-wheel drives, boats, aircraft, machinery, vibration and loud noise can flush roosting or feeding birds. Repeated alarm flights reduce time available for feeding and can cause birds to abandon a staging site.

Keep work areas, access routes and laydown areas away from mapped roosts and feeding flats. Use a spotter catcher or fauna ecologist to check the work area before high-risk activities begin.

  • Use at least a 100 m starting buffer around roosting birds, with a larger buffer if birds react.
  • Install signs and fencing at access points.
  • Keep dogs under control and maintain dog exclusion zones where they apply.
  • Stop or modify work if birds repeatedly flush or leave the site.

Threats: Artificial light and night work

Artificial light can reduce use of nocturnal roosts, change feeding behaviour, disorient flying birds and increase collision and predation risk.

Plan lighting so that beams do not fall on mudflats, beaches, roosts or flight paths. Avoid unnecessary night work during the main non-breeding period.

  • Use shielded, directional lights.
  • Keep lights low and switch them off when not needed.
  • Avoid bright lighting directed across water or along the shoreline.
  • Inspect likely night roosts before approving permanent lighting.

Threats: Timing and legal protection

Where practicable, schedule disruptive construction outside the peak season, with May to August commonly preferred for migratory shorebird works. Confirm timing against local records because some birds may remain in Australia outside the main season.

The Asian Dowitcher is protected as a migratory species under the EPBC Act through the Bonn, CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA arrangements. Actions likely to have a significant impact require referral consideration. It is also listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales and Queensland, and as Vulnerable under Commonwealth conservation listings.

  • Obtain the required environmental approvals before clearing or construction.
  • Use an approved fauna management plan where the jurisdiction or project conditions require one.
  • In Queensland, check whether special least concern animal provisions and a high risk species management program apply to the activity.
  • Record all sightings, disturbance events, control measures and incidents in the project environmental register.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Asian Dowitchers are uncommon visitors in Australia and may occur as single birds or in small groups. Surveys need to cover both feeding areas and high tide roosts, because birds may move between these areas during the same tide cycle.

Map all sheltered coastal habitat within and near the project area before planning field work. Include estuaries, tidal creeks, lagoons, intertidal mudflats, sandflats, saltworks, beaches, rocky outcrops and ponds above the high water mark.

Check records for the project area and the wider contiguous shoreline. Consider whether the site forms part of a larger feeding, roosting or staging area.

  • Identify high tide roosts and low tide feeding areas from aerial imagery, local knowledge and previous surveys.
  • Check whether the site may contribute to an important habitat area. Relevant thresholds include at least 14 Asian Dowitchers, based on 0.1 percent of the current flyway estimate, at least 2,000 migratory shorebirds, or at least 15 migratory shorebird species.
  • Treat the 14 bird threshold as a screening guide. Confirm the current population estimate and applicable assessment guidance before relying on it for approvals.

Survey methodology: 2. Survey timing and effort

Plan the main survey period for the Australian non-breeding season, broadly October to March. In northern Australia, birds may arrive from August, numbers may be highest from September to November, and departure may begin in February or March. Some birds may remain until April or May.

Use the survey design in EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 and the 2017 migratory shorebird industry guidelines. For most projects, complete at least four high tide roost surveys and four low tide foraging surveys during the main period, with repeat visits to measure variation.

  • Schedule roost surveys within two hours either side of high tide. Where relevant to the site, use spring high tides exceeding 6.5 m.
  • Schedule foraging surveys within two hours either side of low tide.
  • Include at least two surveys in summer and repeat high tide counts across the season. A practical pattern is one survey in December, two in January and one in February, where it suits local tides and access.
  • Complete one additional survey between mid-April and mid-August to detect birds that remain in Australia outside the main passage period.
  • Avoid surveys during high winds, heavy rain or activities that are already disturbing birds.

Survey methodology: 3. Field detection methods

Use a stationary vantage point for high tide counts where the whole roost can be viewed without approaching birds. Search mudflats, sandflats and creek margins on foot at low tide, while keeping a clear distance from feeding birds.

Observers should be competent in shorebird identification and counting. Use binoculars and a spotting scope with 20 to 60 times magnification where suitable.

  • Stay at least 100 m from shorebirds where practicable. Increase the distance if birds show alarm, walk away or take flight.
  • Scan all likely habitat, including areas behind the active shoreline and ponds above the high water mark.
  • Use photographs or mapped sectors for large sites so birds are not double-counted.
  • Do not enter a roost to confirm an identification. Use the scope and wait for birds to settle.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and reporting

Record the species, number of birds, location, activity and habitat used. Record whether birds are feeding, roosting, walking, flying or responding to disturbance.

Describe the survey conditions and any limits on detection. Asian Dowitchers can be difficult to separate from similar large waders, particularly in non-breeding plumage, so retain photographs where possible.

  • Record date, start and finish time, tide height, weather, temperature, observer names and observer experience.
  • Map feeding areas, roosts, flight paths and any link between the roost and feeding habitat.
  • Record every disturbance event, including people, dogs, vehicles, boats, aircraft, machinery, noise, lights and birds of prey.
  • For each event, record the stimulus, time, duration, number of birds affected and response, such as no response, walking away or flight.
  • Report species richness, total abundance, species abundance and the location of all used habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Avoidance and approvals

Plan works around the birds rather than reacting after disturbance starts. The strongest control is to avoid occupied feeding and roosting habitat, especially during the main non-breeding and passage period.

Redesign clearing, access, lighting and work areas to retain intertidal mudflats, sandflats, estuaries, tidal creeks, lagoons and known roosts. Consider cumulative disturbance from nearby projects, recreation and ongoing access.

The Asian Dowitcher is a Commonwealth listed migratory species and is vulnerable in New South Wales and Queensland. Refer an action under the EPBC Act if it is likely to have a significant impact on the species or important habitat.

  • Obtain all required state or territory approvals before works begin.
  • In Queensland, obtain a high risk species management program where the proposed activity may tamper with a breeding place of a relevant protected animal. Confirm the current classification and permit requirement with the Queensland regulator before work.
  • Obtain any required NSW, Queensland, Western Australian or Northern Territory threatened species, wildlife, clearing or disturbance approvals.
  • Use EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 and the 2017 migratory shorebird industry guidelines when assessing significance and designing controls.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Work timing and site layout

Where practicable, schedule noisy or intrusive construction from May to August, when most migratory shorebirds are away from Australia. Confirm local records first, because some birds remain in Australia outside the main season.

Do not assume a vacant site is unused. Birds may be present from August, with higher numbers commonly recorded from September to November and departure beginning in February or March.

  • Keep heavy machinery, vehicle routes, stockpiles and laydown areas away from feeding flats and roosts.
  • Avoid work during high tide when birds are concentrated at roosts.
  • Avoid night lighting near roosts and feeding areas. Use shielded, low-spill lighting directed only at the work face.
  • Retain clear flight paths between feeding areas and roosts.
  • Use the 100 m separation distance from shorebirds as a minimum operational starting point. Increase it where birds react, where terrain funnels activity, or where the roost is particularly sensitive.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre-clearance checks

Complete a pre-clearance inspection shortly before works, including the full contiguous habitat that may be used by the local shorebird population. Check both low tide feeding areas and high tide roosts.

Asian Dowitcher breeding places in Australia are not expected to be a routine project issue, but breeding biology and breeding sites are poorly documented. Treat any suspected breeding place or persistent territorial behaviour as requiring specialist assessment.

  • Survey at a suitable tide and from a vantage point that does not flush birds.
  • Confirm the location of all active roosts, feeding groups and access routes before setting out exclusion zones.
  • Search for injured, grounded or dead birds before machinery enters the site.
  • Mark no-go areas on plans and on the ground. Use fencing or signs that do not block bird movement between feeding and roosting habitat.
  • Stop planning and seek ecological and regulatory advice if an active breeding place, colony or significant roost is identified.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Induction and exclusion controls

Give every worker, contractor and fauna spotter catcher a short site induction before entry. Show photographs or field marks for the Asian Dowitcher and explain the difference between a roost and a work area.

Set controls before machinery arrives. A temporary exclusion zone is more effective when it is visible, monitored and linked to a clear stop-work process.

  • Explain that people, dogs, vehicles, boats, aircraft, noise, vibration and lights can disturb shorebirds.
  • Prohibit workers and visitors from entering roosts or feeding flats unless the activity has been approved and is supervised.
  • Keep dogs out of shorebird habitat and enforce site access rules.
  • Nominate the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist who can stop work without seeking further approval.
  • Brief operators on slow vehicle speeds, engine shut-downs near roosts and the need to avoid unnecessary horn use.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing and work control

Use a staged, low-impact approach once work begins. The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work whenever a bird enters a work area, a control fails or disturbance is greater than expected.

Start with the least sensitive part of the site and move progressively. Clear only the area that can be checked and managed during that shift.

Keep an observer on the work face and another observer at nearby roosts or feeding areas where the risk assessment requires it.

  • Fence and sign the approved work area before machinery enters.
  • Check the work zone immediately before each shift and after breaks or tide changes.
  • Keep machinery and personnel out of marked roosts, feeding areas and flight paths.
  • Stop work if birds repeatedly circle, alarm, walk away, flush or abandon a roost.
  • Do not use lights, noise or personnel to deliberately move birds from a work area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Animal handling and active sites

Only authorised and appropriately trained fauna personnel should handle an Asian Dowitcher. Shorebirds are easily stressed and should not be chased, herded or relocated simply to keep a project moving.

An active breeding place, colony or roost changes the risk profile. Stop the relevant activity and obtain ecological and regulatory advice before proceeding.

  • Do not capture or relocate a healthy bird unless this is authorised by the relevant permit and supported by a suitable wildlife professional.
  • If an active breeding place is found, stop work in the immediate area, protect the site from people and machinery, and contact the project ecologist and regulator.
  • If a colony or important roost is found, stop the activity causing disturbance and reassess the buffer, timing and access route.
  • Keep the site quiet while advice is obtained. Do not approach birds to confirm whether a place is active.
  • Record the location, number of birds, behaviour, habitat, activity causing the issue and the control applied.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Injured or grounded birds

Treat an injured, grounded or oil-affected bird as a wildlife incident. Keep people, dogs and machinery away and reduce noise and light around it.

Do not feed the bird, give it water or release it without advice.

  • Stop nearby work if it is contributing to the risk.
  • Keep the bird contained only by an authorised person using approved wildlife handling procedures.
  • Contact the project ecologist, local wildlife carer or veterinarian and the relevant state or territory wildlife authority.
  • Use a ventilated, secure container if a qualified person directs capture. Keep the container cool, quiet and shaded.
  • Record the time, location, apparent injury, photographs where safe, person who handled the bird and its destination.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Disturbance records and stop-work decisions

Record disturbance as it happens. These records show whether the controls are working and support decisions about changing the method, timing or buffer.

The spotter catcher should use a simple stop-work call that all operators understand.

  • Record the source of disturbance, including people, dogs, machinery, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, noise, vibration or lights.
  • Record the time, duration, number of birds affected and response, including flight, walking away or no response.
  • Record whether birds returned, moved to another roost or disappeared from the area.
  • Notify the site supervisor and ecologist after every stop-work event.
  • Escalate repeated disturbance, bird injury, mortality, active breeding places and loss of a roost through the project incident system and any required regulator notification.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance checks

A site is not cleared from risk when machinery leaves. Check the work area, nearby roosts and connected feeding habitat after each stage, and use the findings to adjust the next stage.

Inspect the cleared area and its edges at the next suitable tide. Check for trapped, injured or dead birds, damaged habitat, blocked access to feeding areas and changes to roost use.

Repeat checks after major changes in noise, lighting, access, drainage or shoreline condition.

  • Inspect low tide feeding areas and high tide roosts.
  • Check temporary fencing, gates, signs, lighting shields and sediment controls.
  • Remove waste, food scraps, oil-contaminated material and other attractants or hazards.
  • Confirm that birds can move between feeding and roosting areas without passing through active work zones.
  • Record whether birds are using the same roost and feeding areas as before works.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and compliance

Prepare a short completion record for each work stage. Keep survey, fauna handling, disturbance and incident records together with maps and photographs.

Report against the approval conditions, species management plan, environmental management plan and any EPBC Act commitments.

  • Summarise dates, weather, tides, observers, work activities, bird numbers and habitat used.
  • List all stop-work events, injuries, mortalities, captures, relocations and regulator notifications.
  • Map any changed or lost roost, feeding area, access route or flight path.
  • Document corrective actions and the person responsible for closing each action.
  • Retain records for the project compliance period and provide them to the relevant authority when required.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocated or treated animals

Follow up every Asian Dowitcher that is captured, treated or relocated. Release decisions should be made by an authorised wildlife professional, not by the construction crew.

Relocation is not a substitute for retaining habitat. A moved bird may not know the new site or may be displaced from suitable feeding and roosting areas.

  • Record the release or transfer location, date, time, condition and person responsible.
  • Use a suitable release site with safe access to feeding and roosting habitat, away from active disturbance.
  • Confirm that any relocation is allowed by the relevant approval or permit.
  • Check the original work area and the release area for further risks.
  • Report unsuccessful treatment, mortality or repeated return to the work area through the project incident process.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review and adaptive management

Review incidents before the next work stage. A repeated flush or roost abandonment indicates that the control is not adequate, even if no bird is injured.

Use field observations to refine timing, buffers, access routes, lighting and machinery controls.

  • Hold a review after any injury, mortality, active breeding place discovery, important roost discovery or repeated disturbance.
  • Increase separation or change the work method when birds show a response.
  • Move access paths away from roosts and feeding areas where practicable.
  • Update the induction and site map when controls change.
  • Continue monitoring through the remaining non-breeding period where the project may affect a roost or feeding area.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore shorebird habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the feeding, roosting and movement functions of the site. For this species, protecting natural intertidal habitat is usually more useful than installing artificial breeding structures, because Australian birds are non-breeding visitors and breeding sites are in northern Asia.

Reinstate intertidal mudflats, sandflats, tidal creeks, lagoons and sheltered shorelines affected by temporary works. Match the original landform, drainage and tidal connection where practicable.

Protect nearby high tide roosts from people, dogs, vehicles, noise and lights while vegetation and ground conditions recover.

  • Remove temporary roads, hardstands, fencing and stockpiles from feeding and roosting areas.
  • Repair compacted or eroded sediment without creating abrupt edges or barriers to bird movement.
  • Restore natural tidal flows and prevent contaminated runoff from entering mudflats or creeks.
  • Retain open sightlines at roosts so birds can detect approaching predators and people.
  • Use local advice to select suitable sediment, saltmarsh and shoreline rehabilitation methods.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Control weeds and water quality

Prevent weeds and introduced marine organisms from changing intertidal habitat. Keep rehabilitation areas free from construction waste, hydrocarbons and other pollutants.

Water quality controls must remain in place until disturbed ground and drainage are stable.

  • Remove declared and invasive weeds using methods that do not disturb occupied roosts or feeding flats.
  • Clean machinery before entering or leaving wetland and coastal work areas.
  • Install and maintain erosion and sediment controls.
  • Inspect after rainfall, high tides and storm events.
  • Investigate changes in benthic habitat, water clarity, odour or bird use and act early.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Lighting, access and roost protection

Keep artificial light away from nocturnal roosts and feeding areas. Night lighting can reduce roost use, alter feeding, disorient birds and increase collision and predation risks.

Manage access after construction, because an open path can create more disturbance than the construction phase.

  • Use shielded, downward-facing lights with the lowest practical intensity and duration.
  • Turn off non-essential lights when work is complete.
  • Maintain signs, gates, dog controls and barriers at sensitive access points.
  • Keep people and vehicles at least 100 m from roosting birds where practicable, and increase the separation if birds respond.
  • Prevent four-wheel-drive access, uncontrolled dogs and recreational use of marked roosts.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Artificial structures and long-term monitoring

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes or artificial nest sites for the Asian Dowitcher. The species breeds in steppe regions of Siberia, Mongolia and north-eastern China, and these structures do not replace its Australian habitat.

Artificial roost structures should only be considered where a specialist has shown that a natural roost cannot be retained and that the proposed structure suits the local shorebird community.

  • Prioritise natural high tide roosts and connected feeding habitat over constructed structures.
  • If an artificial roost is proposed, obtain specialist design advice and approval before construction.
  • Monitor bird numbers, species richness, roost use, feeding use and disturbance across the main October to March period.
  • Continue monitoring during the first suitable season after rehabilitation and compare results with pre-work surveys.
  • Remove or modify structures that attract predators, trap birds, increase light exposure or do not support safe roosting.

Sources