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Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)

The Hoary-headed Grebe is a small, diving waterbird found across most of Australia in fresh, brackish and saline wetlands. Floating nests and breeding colonies can occur offshore in aquatic vegetation, so clearing, earthworks, water-level changes and noisy activity near wetlands may affect breeding birds. It is listed as least concern in Queensland and is not listed as threatened in Australia, but Queensland treats tampering with the breeding place of a least concern colonial breeder as requiring a high risk species management program.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Colonial breeder. Least concern in Queensland, but it breeds in colonies, so tampering with a breeding place needs a high risk species management program rather than the low risk program.

Migration and breeding season

Hoary-headed Grebes generally breed from August to January, with some records narrowing this to September to December or October to January. Timing and breeding success vary with water depth, flooding and the availability of aquatic vegetation, and the species can form large wetland concentrations outside the breeding season.

Breeding mode: Colonial breeder. Pairs build floating nests in shallow water, usually well offshore, among reeds, sedges, lignum and other swamp vegetation.

Colony size: Up to 400 birds have been recorded nesting together. One Lake Bathurst season contained up to 985 nests.

Clutch size: Usually 2 to 5 eggs. One source records 2 to 4 eggs, while another records 5 or 6 eggs.

Incubation: 20 to 24 days. Both parents incubate the eggs.

Nest construction: Nests are small floating platforms made from waterweeds. They are loosely attached to submerged or emergent vegetation, fallen branches or reeds.

Fledging and maturity: Fledging age and age at maturity are not recorded.

Recognising an active breeding place: Look for floating waterweed platforms, adults sitting low on nests, birds carrying wet vegetation, and repeated activity around shallow offshore vegetation. Covered eggs can make an occupied nest appear empty.

Breeding can shift between years and regions because colonies depend on suitable water levels, flooding patterns, open water and aquatic vegetation, so sites should be checked for active nests before works.

  • Breeding and nesting: Breeding is usually from August to January, with an exceptional late nesting attempt recorded in April after partial reflooding.
  • Eggs and dependent young: Eggs and dependent young are expected during active nesting, but the length of dependence and fledging timing are not recorded.
  • Dispersal and wetland congregation: The species is highly mobile and may gather at suitable permanent, temporary or refilled wetlands after rain.
  • Winter concentrations: Large flocks commonly occur during winter, including in bays, estuaries and Tasmanian waters, although local timing varies.
  • Open-water wetland activity: Hoary-headed Grebes remain active on fresh, brackish and saline wetlands throughout the year, diving for aquatic invertebrates and other prey.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from August to January when active colonies, eggs and dependent young may be present, with occasional risk during late nesting after reflooding.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Hoary-headed Grebe is a small, stocky grebe that spends most of its time on the water. It is usually seen diving rather than walking or taking flight when disturbed.

Adults are grey above and pale or creamy white below. The eye is pale to white, and the bill is dark with a paler tip.

Breeding adults develop narrow white streaks over the dark head and a dark stripe down the nape. Outside the breeding season, the head is plainer and the bill becomes largely pale.

Length: About 27 to 30 cm.

Body shape: Small, stocky and compact, with the legs set well back for swimming.

Identification: Calls and similar species

The species is usually quiet. Soft, guttural sounds may be heard when birds are in groups or mating.

The Australasian Grebe can look similar, especially outside the breeding season. Check the whole head pattern, the pale eye, the bill and the dark nape stripe rather than relying on one feature.

Identification: Behaviour and field signs

A grebe may dive and remain underwater when approached. It can also cover its eggs with wet vegetation when it leaves a nest, making an active nest look empty.

Floating waterweed platforms, damp plant material and birds repeatedly diving beside emergent vegetation are useful signs. Droppings, whitewash and strong odours are not reliable field signs for locating this species.

  • Look for repeated diving in one area.
  • Scan open water beyond the reed or sedge edge.
  • Treat apparently empty floating platforms with care, especially where wet vegetation covers a shallow depression.

Distribution: Australian range

The Hoary-headed Grebe occurs across Australia, although it is less common in the central arid regions. It is most numerous in southern and south-western parts of the country and can move widely between wetlands.

The species is recorded in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

It occurs in inland, coastal and estuarine wetlands. In south-eastern Australia, large flocks may gather in bays and estuaries during winter.

Distribution: Regional movements

The species is highly dispersive in drier parts of its range. It may appear at temporary waters after good rain and can move between wetlands over considerable distances.

Southern populations breed in parts of southern Australia, and birds may winter widely, including throughout Tasmania.

  • Check farm dams, ponds and temporary floodwaters as well as major lakes and estuaries.
  • Do not assume that a wetland without grebes in one visit is unused at other times.

Distribution: Overseas records

The species is Australian in distribution but has also been recorded in New Zealand. These records are consistent with its capacity for long-distance dispersal.

Habitat: Wetland types

Look for Hoary-headed Grebes on open water in freshwater, brackish and saline wetlands. They generally favour permanent or semi-permanent water, but may use temporary waters after flooding or heavy rain.

Potential habitat includes natural lakes, farm dams, ponds, deep freshwater marshes, floodwater swamps, saltpans, lagoons, estuaries, coastal inlets and saline or hypersaline lakes.

The species usually stays well away from the shoreline, particularly where there is a broad sheet of open water.

Habitat: Water and vegetation

Preferred areas may have open water with submerged vegetation and a sharp boundary between dense weed and deeper open water. Dense weeds across the whole water surface are less suitable.

In general, inspect open water about 100 to 500 m wide and 0.5 to 3 m deep where these features occur. These dimensions describe preferred habitat, not a requirement for every site.

  • Open water beside submerged Ruppia or Vallisneria.
  • Shallow margins with scattered sedges or reeds.
  • Flooded trees, shrubs or lignum near open water.
  • Islands, wetland depressions and water retained after flooding.

Habitat: Site inspection guidance

Survey from the bank or another low-disturbance position where possible. Scan the full waterbody, including the area beyond emergent vegetation.

Record water depth, water level trends, submerged vegetation, open-water width, nearby cover and any islands or floating vegetation. Revisit after rain or major changes in water level.

Foraging habitat: Feeding areas

Hoary-headed Grebes feed mainly below the surface. Suitable feeding areas combine open water, submerged plants and aquatic invertebrate habitat.

The species forages in open water associated with submerged vegetation and soft sediment. It may use freshwater, brackish or saline water, provided aquatic prey is available.

Food includes aquatic insects and other aquatic arthropods, freshwater snails, crustaceans such as ostracods and yabbies, fish and amphibians.

Foraging habitat: Foraging behaviour

Most observed foraging involves deep diving. A bird may move slowly underwater with its rear raised and feet working strongly while pecking among waterweeds or sediment.

In poor light, it may forage more at the surface. Birds can be difficult to detect because they dive rather than fly when approached.

  • Watch for repeated dives in the same open-water area.
  • Allow time for birds to resurface before concluding that the area is vacant.
  • Avoid driving machinery or boats through feeding concentrations.

Foraging habitat: Habitat checks for works

Assess both the proposed footprint and nearby water that could be affected by sediment, runoff, drawdown, drainage changes or loss of aquatic vegetation.

Where a project may alter wetland hydrology, inspect the wetland before works and during key water-level changes. Waterbird use may change quickly after flooding or drying.

Breeding habitat: Nest and breeding vegetation

Breeding occurs on permanent waters or suitable semi-permanent floodwaters with open marsh and abundant aquatic vegetation. Floating nests are usually well offshore, so breeding habitat can be overlooked from the bank.

Nests are small floating platforms made from waterweeds. They are loosely attached to submerged or emergent vegetation and may be anchored to reeds, sedges, fallen branches or other wetland plants.

Breeding colonies have been recorded among scattered sedges, reeds, swamp-marsh vegetation, Triglochin, Eragrostis and lignum.

Breeding habitat: Timing and water levels

Breeding has been recorded from August or September to January, depending on the region. Plan wetland inspections across this period where suitable habitat is present.

Breeding can depend on particular water depths and the formation of nesting islands. Falling water, sudden rises after heavy rain and wind-driven water-level changes have caused nest failure at a documented breeding wetland.

  • Check islands and offshore vegetation after water levels stabilise.
  • Treat newly formed islands and flooded marsh vegetation as potential breeding habitat.
  • Avoid unnecessary drawdown, rapid filling or disturbance during the nesting period.

Breeding habitat: Recognising an active nest

An active nest may be a low, wet platform close to the water surface. Eggs can be covered with wet vegetation when the adult leaves, so an unattended or apparently empty platform may still be active.

Watch for adults returning to a particular platform, carrying vegetation, changing places during incubation or escorting small young. Do not approach closely to confirm eggs.

Breeding habitat: Field response

Stop or redirect work if a nest, incubating bird, young or repeated breeding activity is found. Have a qualified fauna ecologist assess the site and determine a site-specific exclusion area and work method.

There is no single species-specific disturbance distance established in the available ecological information. Set the buffer according to visibility, noise, access, machinery, waterbody size and observed bird response, and increase it if birds flush or repeatedly dive.

Sheltering habitat: Resting and roosting areas

The species spends nearly all of its time on water and rarely comes onto land. Shelter and resting areas are usually close to open water, aquatic vegetation or low wetland cover.

Look for birds resting near grassy banks, low sedges, scattered lignum, flooded trees or shrubs, and places where submerged plants reach the surface.

Large flocks may gather on open water during the dry season or over winter. Roost locations may change with water level, food availability and disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Response to disturbance

Grebes generally dive when disturbed by people or predators. A diving response does not mean the activity is harmless, as repeated diving can interrupt feeding and cause birds to leave a wetland.

Flights between wetlands may occur at night. Birds can therefore be absent during a daytime inspection even when the wetland is used regularly.

  • Approach from the landward side and keep people and vehicles quiet.
  • Avoid entering the water or dense wetland vegetation to flush birds.
  • Use binoculars or a scope rather than approaching floating nests or resting groups.

Sheltering habitat: Site features to retain

Retain open water, low sedges, scattered lignum, flooded shrubs, submerged vegetation and undisturbed wetland edges where practicable.

Protect connections between nearby wetlands where works could block movement or make an established roost inaccessible.

Colonies and breeding places: What a colony looks like

Hoary-headed Grebes are colonial breeders, and a single wetland can hold many nests. Colonies may look like scattered floating platforms in open marsh or among reeds, sedges, lignum and other aquatic vegetation.

A colony may consist of floating waterweed platforms spread through shallow water, often well offshore and among scattered vegetation. Birds may be widely spaced rather than packed tightly together.

Up to 400 birds have been recorded nesting together, and one breeding season at Lake Bathurst had 985 nests. These figures show the potential scale of a breeding place, but colony size varies.

  • Groups of adults repeatedly diving, carrying plant material or returning to the same area.
  • Multiple low platforms close to the water surface.
  • Adults sitting low on nests or covering eggs with wet vegetation.
  • Young birds gathered near adults in sheltered open water.

Colonies and breeding places: Breeding-place features

The most relevant breeding places are permanent or semi-permanent wetlands with open water, shallow marsh, submerged vegetation and suitable water levels. Nesting islands may form when water reaches particular depths.

The species has also bred in large inland wetland systems during boom periods following refilling. There is no reliable evidence to assume that every colony returns to the same exact location each year.

Colonies and breeding places: Finding an active colony

Inspect from a distance first. Use a scope to search offshore vegetation and islands, then watch for repeated adult movements, nest attendance, fresh wet vegetation, eggs or young.

A colony may be missed if the water is high, the birds are diving, nests are hidden by vegetation or the inspection occurs outside the breeding period. Record water level and recent rainfall as part of the assessment.

Colonies and breeding places: Managing works near colonies

Keep clearing, earthworks, vehicle access, piling, drilling, boating and high-noise activities outside the active nesting period wherever practicable. Maintain a site-specific buffer around the colony and its access route to water.

There is no fixed species-specific buffer or disturbance distance established for this grebe. Set the buffer before works begin, monitor for flushing and enlarge it if birds leave nests, dive repeatedly or fail to return.

Queensland compliance: In Queensland, tampering with the breeding place of a least concern colonial breeder requires a high risk species management program under the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020, rather than the low risk program used for other least concern animals.

  • Fence or mark the exclusion area before machinery arrives.
  • Keep workers, spotters and vehicles out of the wetland and nesting vegetation.
  • Avoid sudden water-level changes during active nesting.
  • Recheck the colony after rain, flooding, drawdown or major changes in nearby activity.

Threats: Direct disturbance and flushing

The species is listed as least concern, but local breeding places can still be affected by works and wetland management. Risks are greatest when colonies, floating nests or water levels are not recognised before activity starts.

People, vehicles, machinery, boats, noise and vibration can flush adults from nests or repeatedly interrupt feeding. Covered eggs may be mistaken for abandoned eggs when an adult is away.

Use a fauna spotter catcher or ecologist to inspect suitable wetlands before clearing and to monitor any colony during nearby works.

Threats: Clearing and habitat loss

Removal of reeds, sedges, lignum, submerged vegetation, flooded shrubs or wetland islands can remove nest supports, shelter and feeding habitat.

Avoid clearing aquatic and emergent vegetation where practicable. Keep access tracks, spoil, laydown areas and temporary drainage out of wetland habitat.

Threats: Hydrology and water quality

Rapid drawdown can strand or expose floating nests. Sudden rises from rainfall, pumping, releases or wind setup can also flood nests. Sediment, contaminated runoff and altered drainage can reduce aquatic prey and submerged plant habitat.

Plan dewatering, filling, diversion and stormwater controls around the wetland's natural water regime. Monitor water levels and stop work if nesting habitat is being inundated or disconnected.

Threats: Regulatory and planning risk

A least concern listing does not remove the need to protect an active breeding place. In Queensland, colonial breeder provisions apply to tampering with the breeding place of this species.

Confirm approvals and species management requirements before works. If an active colony is found, pause the affected activity, establish a documented exclusion area and obtain advice from the relevant environmental authority or qualified ecologist.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Survey open water, shallow marsh edges and aquatic vegetation where Hoary-headed Grebes may feed, roost or breed. Breeding activity is reported from August to January, with records also describing September to December and October to January, so survey timing should reflect local conditions and water levels.

Map permanent and temporary wetlands, farm dams, ponds, estuaries, floodwater swamps, lagoons, saltpans and saline or freshwater lakes.

Identify open water with submerged vegetation, scattered reeds, sedges, lignum or flooded shrubs. Check aerial imagery for islands, marsh margins and areas well offshore.

Review recent rainfall, flooding, water-level changes and previous fauna records. Water levels can determine whether nesting islands form and whether breeding succeeds.

  • Confirm whether the project could affect the wetland, its shoreline, access tracks, drainage, water levels or nearby vegetation.
  • Plan surveys for both the main work area and the wetland areas that may receive noise, lighting, sediment or altered flows.

Survey methodology: 2. Daylight waterbird survey

Survey from several viewpoints where possible. Scan open water slowly with binoculars and a telescope, including areas well away from the shoreline.

Look for small, stocky, dark grey and white grebes. Breeding adults have white streaking across the head and a dark bill with a pale tip.

Search the boundary between open water and submerged or emergent vegetation. The species dives frequently and may disappear before the observer reaches the site.

  • Survey in calm conditions with good visibility and avoid heavy rain, glare and strong wind where practicable.
  • Record all birds seen, including birds diving, flying, roosting or gathering in flocks.
  • Repeat observations when birds are absent from the first scan, particularly where suitable wetland habitat is present.

Survey methodology: 3. Breeding place and colony search

Inspect shallow water among scattered sedges, reeds, swamp-marsh vegetation, Triglochin, Eragrostis, lignum and other aquatic plants.

Floating nests are small platforms of waterweeds. They may be loosely attached to submerged vegetation, reeds, fallen branches or other supports. Eggs may be covered with wet vegetation, making an occupied nest appear empty.

A colony may appear as several floating nests among aquatic plants, adults moving between nests, or groups of adults and young using the same wetland. Documented aggregations include up to 400 nesting birds and a Lake Bathurst season with 985 nests. These figures are recorded examples, not expected colony sizes.

  • Approach slowly from a position that avoids cutting across open water used by the birds.
  • Do not rely on an apparently empty nest as evidence that breeding has finished.
  • Treat repeated adult presence, alarm behaviour, territorial activity, covered eggs, young, nest repairs or adults carrying vegetation as signs of an active breeding place.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and reporting

Record the date, start and finish time, weather, visibility, wind, water level, survey route, observation points and survey duration.

Map birds, nests, colony limits, roost areas, access routes and proposed disturbance areas. Record the estimated number of adults, nests and young, but distinguish counted animals from estimates.

Photograph habitat and nests from a distance. Avoid photographs that require approaching or handling the birds.

  • Record whether birds flushed, dived, moved away or returned, and describe the likely cause.
  • Note nearby works, vessels, vehicles, dogs, people, aircraft, lighting, noise and water-management activities.
  • Submit records to the project ecologist and relevant approval holder before works begin.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and legal checks

Avoid wetland habitat and active breeding places wherever practicable. Hoary-headed Grebes are colonial breeders, so a small area of floating vegetation can support many nests and a large share of the local breeding effort.

Have the project ecologist check whether the action may affect a nationally protected matter under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Make an EPBC referral where the legal tests require one.

In Queensland, obtain the required approval before tampering with the breeding place of this least concern colonial breeder. A high risk species management program is required for this activity, rather than the low risk program used for other least concern animals.

Check state and territory wildlife, vegetation, waterway, wetland and planning requirements. Obtain any state permits, animal handling authorities or other approvals that apply to the project and the proposed action.

  • Keep copies of approvals, conditions, permits and contact details on site.
  • Do not assume that least concern status removes the need for approval at an active breeding place.
  • Escalate any uncertainty to the approval holder, regulator or suitably qualified ecologist before work starts.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and timing

Redesign access, laydown areas, drainage, lighting and plant movements to avoid wetlands, open water, aquatic vegetation, islands and marsh edges.

Schedule clearing and construction outside the local breeding period where practicable. The species breeds from August to January, but local breeding may be controlled by rainfall and water levels.

Avoid works when birds are concentrated at a wetland, including winter gatherings in bays and estuaries or large flocks using temporary waters after rain.

  • Keep works outside an active breeding place until the ecologist confirms that breeding has finished and the place is no longer in use.
  • Do not lower, raise or rapidly alter water levels near nests. Falling water, heavy-rain-associated rises and wind-induced rises have caused nest failure at a documented breeding site.
  • Use the quietest and least intrusive construction method available near wetland habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Colony buffers and exclusion

Set a site-specific no-go area around each active colony, nest, roost and access route. The ecologist should define the buffer after considering colony size, visibility, vegetation cover, water access, machinery, noise, lighting and the birds' response.

There is no species-specific standard distance established for this species. Use a conservative buffer that prevents people, vehicles, plant, vessels and dogs from approaching or flushing birds, and increase it if birds dive, leave the area or fail to return.

Mark the buffer clearly on plans and on the ground. Protect the water surface, emergent vegetation, submerged vegetation, islands and banks that support the colony.

  • Install fencing, bunting or floating markers before equipment arrives.
  • Keep access points outside the buffer and prevent indirect access across the water.
  • Stop and reassess if birds repeatedly flush, circle, dive for extended periods or abandon a nest area.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Pre-clearance and induction

Complete a pre-clearance inspection shortly before works commence and after any substantial rain, flooding or water-level change.

Have a fauna spotter catcher or other authorised person inspect aquatic vegetation, shallow water, islands, banks and nearby structures. Check for covered eggs, chicks, adults carrying vegetation and hidden floating nests.

Induct every worker, subcontractor and plant operator on the colony location, exclusion area, stop-work authority, emergency contacts and reporting procedure.

  • Explain that grebes may dive instead of flying and that a nest may look empty because eggs are covered with wet vegetation.
  • Prohibit workers from entering the buffer, moving aquatic vegetation or changing water levels without approval.
  • Place maps and photographs of the exclusion area at site entry points and in plant cabins.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing and supervision

Use a staged, supervised approach around wetland habitat. The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work immediately when a bird, nest, colony or other active breeding place is found.

Clear the least sensitive areas first and retain a continuous escape route to open water where this can be done without disturbing a colony.

Work in small sections. Inspect each section before plant enters it, during clearing and after the section is complete.

Keep machinery, people, vehicles and materials outside marked buffers. Prevent spoil, sediment, fuel, concrete washout and weeds from entering the wetland.

  • Use a spotter catcher who can see the work face, water edge and exclusion zones.
  • Stop work before vegetation is cut, dragged, burned, mulched or moved near a nest or colony.
  • Do not chase, herd or repeatedly flush birds to clear an area.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Finding an animal, nest or colony

Stop the task and make the area safe. Keep workers and machinery still until the spotter catcher has assessed the situation.

Do not touch eggs, chicks, nests or adult birds unless handling is authorised and necessary for animal welfare or approved relocation.

If an active breeding place is found, maintain the exclusion area, withdraw non-essential personnel and contact the project ecologist and approval holder. Do not remove vegetation, alter water levels or resume work until the required decision and approvals are confirmed.

  • Record the location, species, number of adults, nests and young, behaviour, photographs and immediate threats.
  • Extend the exclusion area if birds are using surrounding water or vegetation.
  • Leave covered nests undisturbed. Do not lift wet vegetation to inspect eggs.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling and injured animals

Only an appropriately authorised and trained person may capture or handle a Hoary-headed Grebe. Use the least handling possible and follow the relevant permit, animal welfare and rehabilitation requirements.

Treat diving, struggling or exhausted birds as stressed. Keep people quiet and reduce visual disturbance while advice is obtained.

If an injured bird is found, protect it from machinery, dogs and people. Contact the nominated wildlife carer, veterinarian or wildlife authority before attempting capture.

  • Do not release a bird into a different wetland without approval and advice from the wildlife authority or wildlife rehabilitator.
  • Do not transport eggs, chicks, nests or adults in ordinary site vehicles without an approved plan and authorised handler.
  • Keep an injured animal record, including finder, location, condition, actions, transport and receiving carer or veterinarian.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Incident records and work release

Record every stop-work event, nest discovery, colony observation, flush, injury, handling event, escape, mortality and water-level incident.

The fauna spotter catcher must confirm that the area is clear, the buffer is reinstated and the next work step complies with the approval conditions before work resumes.

Notify the project manager and ecologist immediately of any possible breach. Notify regulators where an approval condition or permit requires it.

  • Use a daily fauna log with date, time, work area, observers, weather, water level, animals seen, actions and outcome.
  • Retain photographs, maps, GPS points, permit details and rehabilitation or veterinary records.
  • Review the method before restarting work after an incident.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance inspection

Post-clearance checks should confirm that no birds, nests, eggs or dependent young remain in the work area and that the wetland has not been unintentionally damaged. Continue checking areas that retain water, aquatic vegetation or access to the colony.

Inspect the completed work area, wetland edge, access route, spoil areas and exclusion boundary after each work stage.

Search for injured, trapped or isolated birds, damaged floating nests, exposed eggs, displaced vegetation, sediment, fuel, rubbish and altered drainage.

Check that temporary fencing, markers and fauna escape routes are removed or retained as required by the environmental controls.

  • Use the same observation points where possible so changes can be compared.
  • Complete an additional inspection after rain, flooding, water-level change or any unplanned entry into the wetland.
  • Escalate any active breeding place or injured animal found during the inspection.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and compliance

Prepare a completion report that compares planned controls with actual outcomes. Include maps, photographs, survey effort, bird and nest counts, incidents, stop-work events and corrective actions.

Report any mortality, injury, nest failure, colony abandonment, unauthorised disturbance or approval breach through the project's incident system and to the relevant authority where required.

Keep records for the period specified by the approval, permit, SMP or environmental management plan.

  • Confirm that all approval conditions have been closed out before demobilisation.
  • Provide the landholder or asset manager with wetland protection requirements for ongoing maintenance.
  • Update the project risk register if birds used habitat that was not identified during planning.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocated animals and follow-up

Obtain an update from the authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian on every handled or relocated bird.

Confirm the release location, release date, condition, identification method and any follow-up requirement. Do not assume that a bird seen leaving the site is fit or successfully relocated.

Where breeding habitat was disturbed under an approved action, inspect the original and any replacement habitat at the intervals set by the approval or rehabilitation plan.

  • Record whether birds returned to the wetland, formed a new colony, continued nesting or were absent.
  • Use non-intrusive observations from outside the buffer.
  • Stop or modify follow-up activities if monitoring causes repeated flushing or disturbance.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Hold a short review with the project manager, fauna spotter catcher, ecologist and site supervisor after any significant event.

Identify whether the problem arose from survey timing, unclear maps, inadequate fencing, water management, lighting, plant movement or crew behaviour.

Update the induction, work method, buffer plan and emergency contacts before similar work continues elsewhere on the project.

  • Share lessons with subcontractors and maintenance teams.
  • Record corrective actions, responsible persons and completion dates.
  • Use the review to improve future wetland and colonial waterbird planning.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Wetland and vegetation restoration

Restore the wetland functions that support feeding, roosting and floating nests. The best rehabilitation outcome is usually a protected area of open water with suitable aquatic vegetation, stable water conditions and low disturbance.

Reinstate natural wetland contours, shallow margins and connections to suitable open water where the approved design allows.

Restore a mix of open water and aquatic vegetation. Retain scattered reeds, sedges, lignum and other native marsh plants, rather than allowing the wetland to become completely choked with dense weeds.

Use local native species and clean machinery, water and fill to reduce weed and pathogen spread.

  • Remove or control invasive weeds using methods that do not damage floating nests, aquatic fauna or water quality.
  • Stabilise exposed soil and prevent sediment, nutrients, hydrocarbons and concrete products entering the wetland.
  • Protect restored areas from trampling, grazing, vehicles, dogs and recreational access while vegetation establishes.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Water management and habitat structure

Maintain water levels that support open water, submerged vegetation and floating nest sites. Avoid rapid drawdown or rapid rises during active breeding where the project controls water levels.

Design drainage and crossings to maintain appropriate wetland flows and avoid stranding nests or cutting off access to open water.

Retain islands, marsh patches, fallen branches and emergent plants where they provide support for floating platforms.

  • Use a water-level trigger and response plan for drought, flooding and construction dewatering.
  • Inspect pumps, culverts, outlets and temporary dams for bird entrapment and unintended flow changes.
  • Coordinate water management with the landholder, wetland manager and relevant authority.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Replacement breeding structures

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, tree hollows or cave structures for this species. Hoary-headed Grebes use floating platforms made from water plants, usually among sparse aquatic vegetation and some distance from shore.

Where approved and justified, create or retain suitable floating aquatic plant platforms or protected nesting rafts. Anchor them securely so they remain near open water without restricting bird movement or natural wetland processes.

Place replacement platforms only after an ecologist confirms that the water depth, vegetation, predator access, water movement and disturbance levels are suitable.

  • Use natural water plants and materials that will not release pollutants or entangle birds.
  • Keep artificial nest sites outside public access and away from regular boat, machinery and maintenance routes.
  • Inspect structures from a distance and repair or remove them only outside active breeding, unless an emergency welfare issue requires action.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Lighting, access and disturbance

Remove unnecessary lighting from wetland edges and direct essential lights away from open water and aquatic vegetation.

Use downward-facing, shielded lights with the lowest practicable intensity and avoid lighting that creates glare across the water.

Keep permanent access tracks, viewing areas, pumps and maintenance zones away from colonies and roosting water.

  • Install signs and barriers to prevent people, dogs, vehicles and vessels entering restored habitat.
  • Schedule maintenance outside the local breeding period where practicable.
  • Retain quiet refuge areas for winter flocks and birds using temporary waters after rain.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long-term monitoring

Monitor vegetation establishment, open-water extent, water levels, weed cover, erosion, lighting and human access. Include bird use during breeding and non-breeding periods.

Record adults, nests, young, flock size, roost use and any flushing or abandonment. Compare results with the pre-work survey and rehabilitation targets.

Continue monitoring for as long as required by the approval or rehabilitation plan, and extend it if the wetland is slow to recover or water levels remain unstable.

  • Use the same survey points and methods where possible.
  • Adapt weed control, water management, fencing and access controls when monitoring identifies problems.
  • Report outcomes to the landholder, project manager and relevant authority, and retain records for future wetland works.

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