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Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

The Grey Wagtail is a small, water-associated migratory bird that visits Australia in low numbers, mainly during the non-breeding season. On works sites, it may occur beside creeks, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, farm dams and rocky tidal flats. It is listed as migratory under the EPBC Act through CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA, and is least concern in Australia, but actions likely to significantly affect it may require referral.

Conservation status

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

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Special least concern. A least concern bird covered by an international migratory bird agreement. Tampering with its breeding place needs a high risk species management program.

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

Migration and breeding season

The Grey Wagtail is a rare non-breeding visitor to Australia and does not breed here. Most mainland records are from late October to March in northern Australia, with earlier September arrivals recorded on Christmas Island and passage records at Ashmore Reef.

Breeding range: Breeds overseas, including across the Palearctic. No Australian breeding is recorded.

Breeding season overseas: April to July in documented populations.

Clutch size: 3 to 6 speckled eggs.

Incubation: About two weeks.

Fledging: Young fledge within about a fortnight.

Nest sites: Near fast-running streams or rivers, including holes, hollows, crevices, embankments and spaces between stones and roots.

Breeding frequency and maturity: Multiple broods may be raised. Age at maturity is not recorded.

Timing can vary between years and regions, with Christmas Island records beginning earlier than mainland records and Ashmore Reef supporting passage birds.

  • Breeding overseas: Breeding is documented overseas from April to July and does not occur in Australia.
  • Southward arrival and passage: Arrival may begin in September on Christmas Island, while mainland birds generally arrive in the last 10 days of October.
  • Non-breeding presence in Australia: Small numbers occur mainly from late October to March, using water-associated habitat such as creeks, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, marshes and rocky tidal flats.
  • Northward departure: Most Australian records end around March as birds leave for their overseas breeding range.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and construction risk is highest from September to March where works affect water-associated habitat, passage sites or birds resting and feeding during migration.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Grey Wagtail is a slim, long-tailed bird that is usually found close to water. It can be overlooked among more common birds, so identification should be confirmed by an experienced observer where possible.

Adults have grey upperparts, a grey head, a whitish eyebrow and bright yellow on the belly and vent. The tail is very long, white-sided and commonly pumped up and down while the bird walks.

Breeding males have a black throat, with whitish moustachial markings. The yellow on the underside is generally concentrated on the throat and vent outside the breeding plumage.

  • Length: 18 to 19 cm.
  • Wingspan: about 26 cm.
  • Weight: about 18 g.

Identification: Calls and similar species

The call is a short, sharp note, often given in flight. Flight calls can sound buzzier, and the song is a repetitive series of high-pitched notes.

The Yellow Wagtail has a shorter tail and an olive-green back. The Pied Wagtail is mainly black and white. Pipits have less exaggerated tail movement and are more often seen walking across open ground.

Identification: Field signs

The most useful field signs are the long white-sided tail, grey back, yellow vent and constant tail pumping beside water. The bird often flies low with an undulating flight pattern.

Look for individual birds walking quietly along shorelines, wet rocks, shallow water margins or nearby open ground. Nests and roosts are not expected in Australia because the species does not breed here, and specific Australian droppings, whitewash, stains or odour cues are not reliable field indicators.

Distribution: Australian range

In Australia, the Grey Wagtail is a scarce but regular visitor, with records concentrated around water and northern coastal areas. Its Australian distribution is poorly known because visiting numbers are small and the species is easily missed during general surveys.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia. It has been recorded along much of the coast, from west of Adelaide around to Townsville, although records are sparse and uneven.

Northern Australia is a regular focus for records. Christmas Island has recorded aggregations of up to 10 birds in most years, and Ashmore Reef is a regular passage location. Some records also occur in South Australia and other coastal areas.

  • Treat mapped distribution as a broad indication of possible occurrence, rather than proof that suitable habitat is present on a particular site.
  • Check creeks, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, farm dams and rocky shorelines within and near the work area.

Distribution: Overseas range and status

The Grey Wagtail breeds across parts of the Palearctic, including Europe and large areas of central, eastern and northeastern Asia. Some populations migrate to tropical Asia and Africa, while the eastern Asian form winters in Southeast Asia.

The species is globally widespread and generally assessed as least concern. Australia receives only small numbers, and the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010 describes it as a vagrant.

Distribution: Survey considerations

There are no formal species-specific survey guidelines. General bird surveys may fail to detect this uncommon visitor, particularly where surveys do not cover water margins during the non-breeding season.

If a Grey Wagtail is recorded, retain the record details, including location, date, habitat, number of birds and photographs where available. Records can be forwarded to the Department of the Environment for inclusion in the Atlas of Living Australia.

Habitat: Water-associated habitat

The Grey Wagtail has a strong association with water. On Australian sites, focus on natural or artificial water features with exposed rocks, muddy margins and shallow, flowing or wet areas.

Confirmed Australian records are associated with creeks, rivers, waterfalls and other water bodies. The species may also use lakes, marshes, reservoirs, fishponds, sewage farms and farm dams.

Fast-running freshwater habitats are particularly relevant. Look along banks and rocks in rivers, streams and creeks, including wet areas that are only available during the wet season.

  • Creek and river margins.
  • Waterfalls and splash zones.
  • Rocky banks and exposed stones.
  • Lakes, marshes and farm dams.
  • Artificial wetlands, reservoirs and fishponds.
  • Rocky tidal flats used during migration.

Habitat: Site features to inspect

During pre-clearing checks, inspect water margins, rocky substrates, shallow pools, wet mud and nearby open ground. Include ephemeral creeks and wetlands if they hold water or wet margins during the likely survey period.

The species can occur in forest and open country where suitable water is present. Nearby vegetation may provide cover, but the strongest habitat cue is the water feature itself.

Habitat: Important habitat in Australia

For EPBC assessment purposes, the relevant habitat is non-breeding habitat only. Important habitat is strongly associated with water, especially rocky substrates along watercourses, and also includes lakes and marshes.

No threshold area has been identified for this species because of its rarity in Australia and limited knowledge. An action that substantially modifies, destroys or isolates suitable non-breeding habitat should therefore be considered in the context of the site, surrounding habitat and any records.

Foraging habitat: Foraging locations

Grey Wagtails forage along water edges and on nearby exposed ground. They usually feed singly or in pairs, walking along shorelines, rocks and shallow water margins.

Inspect wet rocks, muddy banks, shallow water, creek edges, river margins and waterfall splash zones. During migration, rocky tidal flats may also be used.

The bird may move between the water edge and nearby open areas. Look for a long-tailed bird walking quietly and pumping its tail as it searches the margin.

  • Fast-running streams and rivers.
  • Shallow pools and wet rocks.
  • Creek and waterfall margins.
  • Marshes, lakes and farm dams.
  • Rocky tidal flats during passage.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The diet includes a variety of insects, molluscs and crustaceans. Small fish and tadpoles may also be taken when available.

Maintaining shallow water, wet margins, rocky surfaces and aquatic invertebrate habitat helps retain potential feeding areas.

Foraging habitat: Works site guidance

Before clearing or construction, identify whether works will remove water margins, alter flow, cover exposed rocks, increase sediment or reduce aquatic invertebrate habitat.

Where practicable, keep machinery, spoil, sediment controls and construction traffic away from creek banks, rocky edges and shallow feeding areas. Manage runoff so that water quality and wet margins are not unnecessarily degraded.

Breeding habitat: Breeding range

The Grey Wagtail does not breed in Australia. Breeding habitat and breeding places are therefore relevant to the species overseas, but Australian works are generally concerned with protecting non-breeding habitat and movement through water-associated areas.

The species breeds overseas, commonly beside fast-flowing upland rivers and streams. Breeding nests may be placed in embankments between stones and roots, or in holes and crevices in structures near water.

Overseas nest sites can include bankside crevices, spaces behind waterfalls, areas under bridges and stone walls beside water. These features should not be assumed to be breeding places in Australia.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology overseas

The breeding season is generally April to July in parts of its range. Clutches contain 3 to 6 speckled eggs, incubation takes about two weeks, and young fledge within about a fortnight.

These breeding details do not indicate an Australian breeding season. No Australian breeding population is recognised.

Breeding habitat: Clearance decisions in Australia

For Australian projects, focus on whether the action will affect non-breeding habitat, feeding areas, migration routes or resting areas. A record during the non-breeding season should be treated as relevant to the site assessment even though breeding is not expected.

In Queensland, the Grey Wagtail is a special least concern animal because it is a least concern bird covered by international migratory agreements. Tampering with a breeding place of a listed least concern bird requires a high risk species management program, although Grey Wagtail breeding places are not expected in Australia.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter and roosting features

Specific Australian roosting and sheltering sites are poorly documented. The species remains closely tied to water, and wintering birds may use small communal roosts or sheltered sites near suitable habitat.

Look for sheltered vegetation, banks, rocks, bridges, culverts and nearby structures close to water, particularly where birds can move between cover and feeding margins. Do not rely on a single roost feature because site use is likely to be temporary or difficult to detect.

Overseas information indicates that wintering birds may roost in small groups and can return to the same sites, including small urban gardens. No Australian roost sizes are established.

  • Dense vegetation near water.
  • Rocky banks and overhanging edges.
  • Bridges and other structures beside streams.
  • Sheltered gardens or parkland near water.
  • Quiet wetland margins and creek lines.

Sheltering habitat: Pre-clearing checks

Inspect water-associated cover before vegetation removal, bank works, bridge works or night lighting installation. Check both sides of a watercourse and include nearby farm dams, wetlands and artificial drainage features.

A Grey Wagtail may be present without obvious nest, roost or whitewash signs. Record direct observations and avoid disturbing birds using narrow water margins.

Sheltering habitat: Protection during works

Retain connected water margins and avoid unnecessary removal of overhanging vegetation, rocks or sheltered banks. Keep lighting, noise, spoil and vehicle activity away from quiet water edges where practicable.

If birds are repeatedly using a work area, pause and reassess the activity, especially where works would remove feeding or resting habitat.

Migration and seasonal presence: Arrival and departure

The Grey Wagtail is a rare non-breeding summer visitor to Australia. It arrives from overseas, spends the non-breeding period around suitable water, and departs in late summer or early autumn.

On mainland Australia, birds generally arrive in the last 10 days of October and depart around March. Christmas Island records suggest that some birds arrive earlier, from September.

The species is generally present in Australia from late October to March. Small numbers and irregular records mean that local arrival and departure dates may vary.

Mainland arrival: Generally the last 10 days of October.

Mainland departure: Around March.

Christmas Island arrival: Records suggest arrival from September.

Migration and seasonal presence: Breeding and non-breeding range

The Grey Wagtail breeds in the Palearctic, including Europe and Asia. Birds visiting Australia are non-breeding migrants and do not breed here.

During the non-breeding season, it uses water-associated habitat in northern Australia and other suitable coastal and inland locations. Ashmore Reef is a regular passage site, and Christmas Island records include up to 10 birds in some years.

Migration and seasonal presence: Passage periods and survey timing

Passage may occur around the arrival and departure periods, including use of rocky tidal flats. Surveys for this uncommon migrant, if undertaken, should target suitable habitat between November and March.

For projects in potential habitat, bird surveys should include water margins and rocky substrates. Surveyors should be trained in bird identification because the species can be mistaken for more common resident birds.

Migration and seasonal presence: What counts as important habitat

The EPBC guideline identifies important habitat for the Grey Wagtail as non-breeding habitat only. The strongest habitat indicators are rocky substrates along watercourses, together with lakes, marshes, creeks, rivers and waterfalls.

No area threshold has been established for this species. Consider the quality, connectivity and seasonal availability of water-associated habitat, as well as any records and the extent to which the action would affect feeding, migration or resting.

Threats: Water quality and flow

The Grey Wagtail is not listed as threatened in Australia, but development can still reduce the water-associated habitat used by visiting birds. The main practical risks relate to changes in water quality, water flow, banks, rocky margins and disturbance.

Pollution, sedimentation and contaminated runoff can reduce aquatic invertebrates and degrade feeding habitat. Drainage, dewatering and altered flow can also remove shallow water, wet rocks and creek margins used by the species.

Plan erosion and sediment controls before works begin. Prevent concrete washout, fuels, chemicals and spoil from entering creeks, rivers, wetlands or farm dams.

Threats: Loss and modification of habitat

Clearing bankside vegetation, removing rocks, filling wetlands, covering muddy margins and hardening creek edges can reduce non-breeding habitat. Culverting and canalisation can also remove the natural features used for feeding and movement.

Retain watercourse buffers and natural banks where practicable. Keep rocky margins, shallow pools, wetland edges and connected water features intact.

Threats: Disturbance and infrastructure mortality

Repeated vehicle movement, machinery, lighting and construction activity beside water may disturb birds using narrow feeding or resting areas. Tall buildings, wind turbines and overhead power lines can cause migrating bird mortality, particularly in poor visibility or at night.

Assess structures and lighting near known or likely habitat. Use practical measures such as shielding unnecessary lights, reducing reflections and avoiding avoidable hazards along movement routes.

Threats: Assessment and legal risk

The Grey Wagtail is a listed migratory species and a matter of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. An action that substantially modifies, destroys or isolates important habitat, or seriously disrupts migration, feeding or resting of an ecologically significant proportion of the population, may require referral.

Australian visitor numbers are very small, and the species is considered non-threatened. Even so, records should be documented and potential impacts considered where works overlap suitable water-associated habitat. In Queensland, the species is also a special least concern animal under the relevant international migratory bird arrangements.

EPBC population reference values: The guideline lists 10,000 birds for 1 percent and 1,000 birds for 0.1 percent. These values are broad assessment references, not expected site counts.

Important habitat area threshold: No threshold area has been established for the Grey Wagtail.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Grey Wagtails are scarce, non-breeding visitors in Australia and can be difficult to detect. Focus surveys on water-associated habitat, especially rocky creek and river margins, waterfalls, lakes, marshes, farm dams and rocky tidal flats.

Check the Protected Matters Search Tool, state databases, local records and recent project surveys before planning works.

Map creeks, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, farm dams, rocky margins, tidal flats and other water bodies within and near the work area.

Treat records from northern Australia, Ashmore Reef and Christmas Island as relevant context. Grey Wagtails have been recorded along much of the coast from South Australia to Townsville, but local occurrence is sparse and irregular.

Survey methodology: 2. Timing and conditions

Undertake targeted searches between November and March, when Grey Wagtails may be present in Australia. On mainland Australia, arrival is generally in the last 10 days of October and departure is around March. Christmas Island records may begin in September.

Survey during daylight in clear conditions where practicable. Avoid relying on surveys during heavy rain, strong winds, flooding or poor visibility.

Give additional attention to sites used during passage, including rocky tidal flats and watercourses. Grey Wagtails are regularly recorded on passage at Ashmore Reef.

Survey methodology: 3. Field detection

Walk slowly along water margins and inspect exposed rocks, shallow water, muddy banks, waterfalls, weirs and nearby open areas.

Search from suitable vantage points before entering dense or unstable areas. Look for a slim, long-tailed wagtail with grey upperparts, a pale eyebrow, yellow at the belly and vent, and a white-sided tail that is pumped while walking.

Listen for the sharp flight call and watch for low, undulating flight. Use appropriately trained bird observers because the species may be mistaken for more common resident birds.

Where safe, repeat searches at suitable water points during the survey window. There is no formal species-specific survey method, and surveys may have low detection value because visiting numbers are small.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and evidence

Record the date, start and finish time, observers, weather, survey conditions, GPS location, habitat type, water availability and survey route.

Record the number of birds, behaviour, direction of movement, photographs, call recordings and any association with rocky substrates, flowing water or tidal flats.

Submit Grey Wagtail records to the Department of the Environment for inclusion in the Atlas of Living Australia. Keep copies with the project fauna records.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Plan works around the species' migratory status and its strong association with water. Avoid disturbance to suitable water-associated habitat where practicable, and confirm approval requirements before clearing or construction starts.

Screen the action under the EPBC Act. Grey Wagtail is a listed migratory species and a matter of national environmental significance.

Refer the action to the Australian Government Minister if it will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on the species or its important habitat. Do not commence an action that requires referral until the approval pathway is confirmed.

In Queensland, check whether the species is a special least concern animal because it is covered by JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA or the Bonn Convention. Obtain a high risk species management program where tampering with a breeding place requires one.

Confirm state or territory fauna permits, wildlife licences, clearing approvals and any project-specific conditions before works begin. Use the permit conditions as the minimum field standard.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and work planning

Retain natural creeks, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, rocky banks, farm dams and other water-associated habitat where practicable.

Avoid draining, filling, diverting, concreting, clearing or isolating water margins. Maintain safe access to feeding areas and retain rocky substrates where they form part of the watercourse.

Schedule watercourse and wetland works outside the usual Australian presence period where practicable. If works must occur from November to March, complete a targeted pre-clearance check immediately before disturbance.

Do not assume that a site is unimportant because no bird was detected. The species is rare in Australia, and its use can be brief or associated with passage.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre-clearance survey and exclusion

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of all suitable water-associated habitat before each work stage. Search the work footprint, access tracks, laydown areas, spoil areas and nearby water margins.

Mark retained habitat and no-go areas on plans and in the field. Use a site-specific buffer where a bird, feeding area, resting area or possible breeding place is found. Set the buffer with the project ecologist and approval conditions rather than applying an unsupported generic distance.

Do not disturb a suspected nest, crevice, bank, waterfall edge or other possible breeding place until its status has been assessed. Australian breeding is not expected, but any active breeding place must be treated as protected until cleared by the relevant authority.

Recheck exclusion areas after rain, flooding or changes to water levels, as temporary habitat may attract migrants.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Induction and crew readiness

Include Grey Wagtail in the site fauna induction. Show workers the species' long tail, grey back, yellow vent and water-associated behaviour.

Explain the no-go areas, stop-work process, reporting chain, animal handling restrictions and injured wildlife pathway.

Provide the spotter catcher and supervisor with approved fauna permits, referral or approval conditions, contact details for the fauna ecologist and wildlife carer, and a record template.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Use staged clearing and active fauna supervision near water. Stop work promptly if a Grey Wagtail, active breeding place, roost or other protected fauna feature is found.

Clear in small, defined stages from disturbed areas towards retained habitat. Keep machinery, vehicles and personnel out of marked exclusion areas.

Inspect each stage before clearing and maintain a clear escape route towards retained habitat or open space. Avoid sudden disturbance at water margins, waterfalls and rocky banks.

Pause work during poor visibility, flooding or conditions that prevent the spotter catcher from safely checking the work area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Spotter catcher authority

Give the authorised spotter catcher authority to stop or redirect work immediately.

The spotter catcher must assess any bird flushed from the work area, any bird unable to leave, and any suspected nest or breeding place before work resumes.

Only appropriately authorised and trained personnel may capture, handle, contain or relocate fauna. Do not chase, corner or handle a Grey Wagtail unnecessarily.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Breeding places, roosts and aggregations

Stop work and establish an exclusion area if an active nest, breeding place, roost, aggregation or repeatedly used resting site is found.

Keep people, vehicles, lighting and machinery outside the exclusion area until the fauna ecologist confirms the next step and any permit or approval condition is met.

Do not remove, block, fill or modify a nest site, crevice, bank, waterfall edge or other possible breeding place without approval.

Record the location, habitat, number of birds, behaviour, photographs, disturbance and actions taken. Escalate the record to the project ecologist and approval holder.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injured or grounded animals

Stop nearby work and reduce noise, people and vehicle movement.

Do not provide food or water unless directed by a wildlife carer or veterinarian. Do not release the bird without professional advice.

Contact the nominated wildlife carer, veterinarian or fauna ecologist. Transport the animal only by an authorised person, using an appropriate ventilated container and the shortest safe route.

Record the time, location, apparent cause, condition, handler, destination and advice received. Notify the relevant authority where required by a permit or approval.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance checks

Finish each work stage with a fauna check and a clear record of outcomes. Follow up any detection, injury, mortality, breeding place or habitat damage through the project's environmental reporting system.

Inspect the completed work area, exclusion boundaries, retained habitat and nearby water margins after each clearing stage.

Check for injured, trapped or displaced fauna, damaged nests or crevices, blocked drainage, sediment movement, changed water flow and new barriers to the water margin.

Remove temporary hazards such as open pits, unsecured pipes, netting, uncovered tanks and poorly designed fencing.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and compliance

Report all Grey Wagtail observations, injuries, deaths, breeding places, roosts, aggregations, stop-work events and habitat damage to the project ecologist and environmental manager.

Provide required notifications to the Australian Government or state authority under the EPBC Act, permit, management program or approval conditions.

Forward confirmed Grey Wagtail records to the Department of the Environment for Atlas of Living Australia inclusion. Retain photographs, GPS data, observer details and survey conditions.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocated animals

Confirm that any relocated bird was handled and released under the relevant authority, permit and wildlife carer advice.

Record the release location, habitat, time, condition, transport method and follow-up advice. Release only where the site is safe, suitable and approved by the responsible fauna professional.

Inspect the release area for immediate hazards and prevent construction activity from affecting the bird after release.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review and monitoring

Review every fauna incident with the spotter catcher, supervisor, contractor and project ecologist.

Identify whether timing, lighting, water management, clearing sequence, exclusion controls or crew behaviour contributed to the incident.

Increase supervision or repeat targeted searches during November to March where a Grey Wagtail was detected or suitable habitat was affected.

Track recurring records at the same watercourse, wetland, farm dam or tidal site and update the construction environmental management plan.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore water and substrate

Rehabilitation should restore clean, connected water-associated habitat rather than create isolated ornamental water features. Grey Wagtail information in Australia is limited, so use site-specific ecological advice and focus on the habitat features consistently associated with the species.

Reinstate natural water flow, stable banks, shallow margins, rocky substrates and exposed foraging surfaces where these were disturbed.

Prevent sediment, hydrocarbons, concrete washout, rubbish and other pollutants from entering creeks, rivers, wetlands, farm dams and tidal areas.

Use locally appropriate native vegetation to stabilise banks without covering all open rocks, shallow water or access points used by foraging birds.

Maintain a connected transition from water to retained terrestrial habitat. Avoid hard barriers that isolate the bank.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Manage weeds and habitat structure

Remove invasive weeds using methods that protect water quality and avoid unnecessary disturbance to banks and rocky margins.

Retain native vegetation that provides cover near water, while keeping some open edges and shallow foraging areas.

Control erosion and reinstate natural features progressively rather than leaving long sections of exposed, unstable bank.

Do not create artificial habitat that attracts birds into unsafe areas near roads, machinery, power infrastructure or construction lighting.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Nest and roost structures

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes or generic artificial roost structures as a substitute for Grey Wagtail habitat. These structures are not established Australian requirements for this species.

Where a project affects a confirmed nest site, crevice, bank or other active breeding place, obtain species-specific advice before designing a replacement. A suitable artificial nest site may be considered only where it replicates the original water-associated feature and is approved by the relevant authority.

Retain or rebuild stable rocky banks, safe crevices and sheltered structures beside flowing water where these features are present and appropriate for the site.

Do not place artificial structures in flood channels or where they could trap birds, collect debris or increase predation risk.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Lighting and infrastructure

Minimise night lighting near watercourses, wetlands, rocky tidal flats and other habitat used by migrant birds.

Direct lights away from water and retained habitat. Use the lowest practical intensity and avoid unnecessary continuous lighting.

Design or retrofit overhead lines, turbines, tall structures and other collision hazards in accordance with project fauna advice and approval conditions, particularly where birds move through unfamiliar habitat in poor visibility or at night.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long-term monitoring

Inspect rehabilitated water-associated habitat during November to March for at least the monitoring period set by the approval or rehabilitation plan.

Record water condition, bank stability, rocky substrate, vegetation cover, weeds, lighting, fauna use and any Grey Wagtail observations.

Use monitoring results to repair erosion, improve water quality, remove hazards and adjust habitat management. Submit confirmed records to the Atlas of Living Australia and retain them in the project database.

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