Fauna Spotters logo

Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta)

The Long-toed Stint is a small migratory sandpiper that visits freshwater and brackish wetlands across Australia, usually in summer and often in small numbers. It can use wetland margins within or beside clearing and construction areas, so habitat loss, disturbance and changes to water levels need to be managed. It is listed as a migratory species under the EPBC Act and international migratory bird agreements, and is least concern under Australian threatened species listings.

Conservation status

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.

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 Long-toed Stint is a migratory shorebird that breeds in Siberia and spends the non-breeding period in Australia. Timing varies between regions, with birds arriving in northern Australia from August, reaching southern Australia mainly from September to December, and departing between March and May.

Breeding mode: Breeds overseas in Siberia. Mating and nesting details are not recorded.

Clutch size: Not recorded.

Incubation: Not recorded.

Fledging: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest site: Not recorded.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Timing can vary between years and regions, particularly where wetland water levels and mud margins change, so local surveys should confirm seasonal use before clearing or construction.

  • Breeding overseas, Siberia: The species breeds in Siberia, with the wider northern hemisphere breeding season extending from about mid-April to mid-August.
  • Southward arrival in Australia: Arrival begins in northern Australia in August and continues into southern Australia from September to December.
  • Non-breeding presence in Australia: Birds use Australian wetlands mainly from August to May, with the main non-breeding period broadly October to March.
  • Northward departure from Australia: Departure occurs from March to May, with some regional variation between northern and southern wetlands.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from October to March when birds may concentrate around shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands, muddy margins, roosts and feeding areas.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Long-toed Stint is a small, slim sandpiper. It is uncommon in many parts of Australia and can be overlooked among other small waders, particularly when feeding along vegetated wetland edges.

The species has a slender shape and notably long toes, although these features can be difficult to see in the field. It is generally associated with the small sandpiper group and may feed alone or in small parties.

No reliable field measurement or weight should be assumed for site work. Record photographs, behaviour, habitat and the number of birds whenever identification is uncertain.

Group: Small sandpiper and migratory shorebird

Typical setting: Wet mud, shallow water and short vegetation at freshwater or brackish wetlands

Identification: Calls and similar species

Species specific call information is limited. Do not rely on calls alone for identification.

Compare the bird with other small sandpipers present at the site. Long toes, freshwater habitat, feeding behaviour and overall shape should be considered together.

  • Use a telescope or good quality photographs where practical.
  • Seek confirmation from an experienced shorebird observer for unusual records or birds seen outside expected habitat.

Identification: Field signs

The species is detected mainly by direct observation rather than by nests, droppings or other persistent signs. Look for quick movements across wet mud, shallow water and short vegetation, sometimes with surface gleaning or shallow probing.

There is no reliable species specific nest, whitewash, odour or staining sign to use during clearing surveys.

  • Record feeding, roosting, flight and flocking behaviour.
  • Map the bird location and the associated wetland margin.
  • Record nearby people, dogs, vehicles, machinery and other disturbance.

Distribution: Distribution in Australia

The Long-toed Stint breeds in Siberia and occurs in Australia as a non breeding migrant. It is a regular visitor in small numbers, with records concentrated in northern and western Australia and fewer records in eastern regions.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Western Australia supports the main concentration of Australian records, particularly along the west coast, including the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

South Australian records are concentrated mainly in the Coorong and other wetlands. In New South Wales it is rare in the Northern Rivers region and has been recorded in the Tweed, Richmond and Clarence estuaries, generally as a vagrant or in small numbers.

  • Look beyond open coastal mudflats. Freshwater wetlands can be suitable, especially when shallow or drying.
  • Records may occur in modified wetlands, sewage ponds, lakes and wetland margins.

Distribution: Regional occurrence and site assessment

The species may occur in suitable habitat even when local records are sparse. A lack of previous records should not be treated as proof that a wetland is unused.

Check desktop records, local wetland databases and nearby estuaries before clearing or construction begins.

  • Include wetlands within the project area and connected wetland habitat nearby.
  • Consider seasonal water levels and recent rainfall when assessing likely use.
  • Treat unusual small sandpipers as potential migratory shorebirds until identified.

Distribution: Overseas range

The Long-toed Stint breeds in Siberia and migrates through the East Asian to Australasian Flyway. Australia provides non breeding habitat for the species.

  • Its international migration means local actions can affect a species protected under international agreements.
  • Maintain records that can be shared with project environmental reporting and regulatory assessments.

Habitat: Wetland types

Search for the Long-toed Stint around shallow freshwater or brackish wetlands. It favours muddy or vegetated margins, particularly where water is receding and short vegetation is exposed.

Potential habitat includes lakes, swamps, streams, river floodplains, lagoons, claypans, sewage ponds, ephemeral lakes and permanent wetlands. The species can also occur around brackish pools, samphire flats and coastal or near coastal wetlands.

Freshwater habitat is especially relevant on sites where other shorebird habitat appears limited.

  • Drying ephemeral wetlands with exposed mud.
  • Shallow pools and wetland fringes.
  • Flooded samphire and low vegetation around estuaries.
  • Modified shorelines, lawns and wetland islets where wet mud is available.

Habitat: Site features to check

Inspect gently sloping margins, muddy edges, shallow water and small wetland islands. Short grass, weeds, sedges, rushes, reeds and low or floating aquatic vegetation may be used.

The habitat can change quickly as water levels fall or rise. Recheck wetlands after rainfall and during the main period when migratory shorebirds are present.

  • Map wet mud and shallow water separately from deeper open water.
  • Identify areas that could function as both feeding habitat and high tide roost habitat.
  • Check connected wetlands and floodplain depressions, not just the main project footprint.

Foraging habitat: Foraging substrates and vegetation

The Long-toed Stint feeds in wet mud, shallow water and short vegetation at wetland edges. These areas can be present in small patches and may be affected by access tracks, drainage works, filling or changes to water levels.

Look for wet mud around bulrushes, reeds, rushes, sedges, islets and shallow pools. The species may also feed among short grass, weeds and other low vegetation on wetland margins.

It can forage on open water away from the shore in drying ephemeral wetlands, so surveys should not be restricted to the immediate edge.

  • Muddy fringes exposed by receding water.
  • Shallow freshwater and brackish pools.
  • Low vegetation on wetland islets and margins.
  • Flooded samphire edges and damp lawns beside wetlands.

Foraging habitat: Feeding behaviour and diet

The species generally gleans food from the surface of mud and water and sometimes probes. It may turn its head to flick debris while feeding.

Its diet is omnivorous and includes seeds, molluscs, crustaceans and insects.

  • Record the substrate, water depth category and vegetation used by feeding birds.
  • Avoid walking through wetland margins while birds are feeding.
  • Keep machinery, vehicles and stockpiles away from mapped feeding areas where practicable.

Foraging habitat: Survey approach

Survey both low tide or low water feeding areas and high tide roosts where the wetland is tidally influenced. Counts should be made from suitable vantage points and should include bird behaviour and disturbance observations.

  • Plan surveys during the main non breeding period, roughly October to March, where practicable.
  • Complete at least two surveys in summer and repeat counts around high tide and low tide as relevant to the site.
  • Use telescopes or other suitable optics to avoid approaching birds.

Breeding habitat: Breeding range

The Long-toed Stint breeds in Siberia and is not known as an Australian breeding species. Australian clearing surveys should therefore focus on protecting non breeding feeding and roosting habitat rather than searching for nests.

Breeding is associated with Siberia. The species is a non breeding migrant in Australia.

No Australian breeding place type, nest description, clutch information or breeding colony information should be assumed for project planning.

Australian breeding status: No Australian breeding population is identified

Known breeding region: Siberia

  • Do not use the absence of a nest as evidence that Australian wetland habitat is unimportant.
  • Refer unusual breeding behaviour or birds present outside the expected migration period to a suitably experienced ornithologist.

Breeding habitat: Implications for clearing

The main risk on Australian sites is damage to habitat used during the non breeding period. Clearing, filling, drainage, water quality changes and disturbance can reduce the value of a wetland even when no breeding place is present.

Protect wetland margins, shallow water and nearby roost areas during design, construction and rehabilitation.

  • Avoid unnecessary clearing of wetland vegetation and muddy margins.
  • Maintain surface water movement and wetland function.
  • Prevent sediment, pollutants and contaminated runoff from entering wetlands.
  • Rehabilitate temporarily disturbed habitat as soon as practicable.

Sheltering habitat: Roost and loafing features

Long-toed Stints may roost or loaf in sparse vegetation and on damp mud at the edge of shallow water. Roost sites can be difficult to detect and may be shared with other migratory shorebirds.

Check sparse vegetation, damp mud, wetland islets and gently sloping margins. Suitable areas may occur beside bulrush thickets, reeds, rushes or shallow pools.

The species may use a possible roosting area even where the surrounding wetland is mainly used for feeding.

  • Search high tide roosts from a distant vantage point.
  • Check landward margins and small islands that remain above water.
  • Map the roost boundary and the access routes that could disturb birds.

Sheltering habitat: Disturbance controls

People, dogs, vehicles, machinery, noise and lights can cause birds to leave roosts or reduce feeding time. Keep activities outside mapped roost areas and use screening or barriers where a work area is nearby.

Use sympathetic lighting directed away from wetland margins. Keep lights static and avoid flickering lights.

  • Keep dogs out of wetland and shoreline habitat.
  • Keep vehicles on defined access routes and within the construction footprint.
  • Use signs and site briefings to explain shorebird disturbance risks.
  • Record disturbance during every survey and construction inspection.

Sheltering habitat: Buffers and monitoring

A project specific buffer should be based on the wetland layout, the roost location, the activity and the observed response of birds. One EPBC assessment used a 165 m minimum buffer for disturbance and placed infrastructure more than 175 m from suitable wetlands.

Use the buffer as a planning reference, not as a substitute for site assessment. Confirm that works do not interrupt access between feeding and roosting areas.

  • Monitor birds before works, during high risk activities and after changes to access or lighting.
  • Stop and reassess work if birds repeatedly flush from a roost or feeding area.
  • Include nearby wetlands and connected habitat in the disturbance assessment.

Migration and seasonal presence: Seasonal presence in Australia

The Long-toed Stint is a migratory shorebird of the East Asian to Australasian Flyway. It is present in Australia mainly during the non breeding period, with timing that varies between regions and individuals.

The species arrives in northern Australia from about August. In South Australia, records extend from September to December, and departure from that region occurs in March to April.

Departure from Australia is generally March to May. It is described as a regular summer visitor, although occasional winter records have also been recorded in Western Australia.

Northern Australia arrival: About August

South Australian records: September to December

Departure from South Australia: March to April

Departure from Australia: March to May

  • Treat August to May as a potential period of occurrence across Australia.
  • Expect the main non breeding survey period to be roughly October to March.
  • Consider passage and unusual early or late records when planning works.

Migration and seasonal presence: Breeding and non breeding range

The species breeds in Siberia and spends the non breeding season in Australia and elsewhere along the flyway. Australian records are usually in freshwater or brackish wetlands, including inland and coastal wetlands.

The species is generally present in small numbers, but suitable sites can support larger groups for short periods.

  • Check drying wetlands as water levels change.
  • Consider nearby wetlands used by the same flock or population.
  • Do not assume that a low local count means low habitat value.

Migration and seasonal presence: Important habitat in Australia

For EPBC migratory shorebird assessment, important habitat can include a site supporting at least 0.1 percent of the flyway population of one species, at least 2,000 migratory shorebirds in total, or at least 15 migratory shorebird species. For the Long-toed Stint, 0.1 percent of the flyway population has been identified as more than 230 individuals in one EPBC assessment.

These thresholds are not the only basis for good site management. Smaller wetlands can still provide feeding, roosting or movement habitat, particularly where suitable freshwater margins are scarce.

  • Survey the full area of connected wetland habitat used by the same shorebird population.
  • Count all migratory shorebird species, not only the Long-toed Stint.
  • Refer to EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 and the 2017 industry guidelines when assessing significance.

Migration and seasonal presence: Survey timing and methods

Surveys should cover both high tide roosts and low tide foraging areas. Where practicable, complete at least two surveys in summer and undertake counts around the relevant tide state, with surveys in the main non breeding period from about October to March.

Counts should be made from suitable vantage points without flushing birds. Record abundance, species richness, locations, behaviour, tide height, weather, observers, methods and human disturbance.

  • High tide roost surveys should be within two hours either side of high tide.
  • Low tide foraging surveys should be within two hours either side of low tide.
  • Avoid high rainfall, high winds and periods when other activities are disturbing shorebirds.
  • Consider an additional survey from mid April to mid August to identify non breeding or non migrating immature birds where relevant to the project.

Threats: Habitat loss and wetland alteration

The main risks on Australian works sites are loss or degradation of wetland habitat and disturbance during feeding or roosting. Good project design can retain wetland function and reduce avoidable impacts during the migration season.

Clearing, filling, excavation and construction access can remove shallow water, wet mud and low vegetation used for feeding. Drainage, altered flows, salinity, acidification and reduced freshwater inputs can also reduce habitat quality.

Keep infrastructure, laydown areas, spoil and access tracks away from wetland margins and connected floodplain habitat where practicable.

  • Minimise the project footprint in wetlands and wetland fringes.
  • Maintain natural water levels and drainage patterns.
  • Rehabilitate temporary clearing after construction.
  • Protect shallow margins, islets and drying wetland edges.

Threats: Water quality and invasive species

Sediment, pollutants, toxic inflows, acid sulfate soils and poor drainage can damage food resources and wetland productivity. Weeds and pest animals can reduce the quality of feeding and roosting habitat.

Use construction environmental controls, surface water controls, vehicle hygiene and clean down procedures.

  • Prevent sediment and contaminated runoff entering wetlands.
  • Control imported fill, weeds and pests.
  • Manage fuel, chemicals and waste to prevent spills.
  • Monitor water quality where works are close to wetlands.

Threats: Disturbance from works and people

Noise, machinery, vehicles, people and dogs can flush birds from roosts or interrupt feeding. Repeated disturbance may cause birds to avoid otherwise suitable habitat.

Schedule high disturbance works outside the peak season where practicable. A Broome shorebird assessment recommended construction from May to August, when most migratory shorebirds are absent from that area.

  • Keep vehicles within the construction footprint and on defined routes.
  • Use barriers or screening around work areas near roosts.
  • Avoid noise generating work during high tide roosting and low tide feeding periods where practicable.
  • Use signs and inductions to prevent dogs and people entering shorebird habitat.

Threats: Lighting, machinery and direct mortality

Lights directed at wetlands can affect roosting and feeding behaviour. Machinery, vehicle movements, domestic pets and spills can cause injury or mortality.

Design lighting away from feeding and roosting areas, and keep work areas controlled and clean.

EPBC status: Listed migratory species and a matter of national environmental significance

Queensland requirement: In Queensland, this is a special least concern animal. Tampering with its breeding place requires a high risk species management program, although the species is not known as an Australian breeder

  • Use static, non flickering lights directed away from wetlands.
  • Control vehicle speeds and keep machinery out of wetland margins.
  • Manage fuel and chemical storage and respond quickly to spills.
  • Include pest and waste management in construction planning.
  • Refer actions likely to have a significant impact on this listed migratory species under the EPBC Act.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Long-toed Stints are small migratory shorebirds that can be difficult to detect, especially when spread across shallow freshwater margins. Survey both feeding areas and high tide roosts, and plan visits around the main period when migratory shorebirds are present in Australia.

Map all freshwater and brackish wetland habitat within and near the work area. Include shallow margins, drying wetlands, river pools, floodplains, lagoons, claypans, sewage ponds, samphire flats and wetland islets.

Check records within the project area and within 10 km. Review local wetland counts, aerial imagery, seasonal water levels and known high tide roosts.

  • Identify habitat that could support 230 or more Long-toed Stints, or habitat forming part of a site that supports at least 0.1 percent of the flyway population of the species.
  • Consider a site important for migratory shorebirds where it supports at least 2,000 migratory shorebirds or at least 15 migratory shorebird species.
  • Treat records from the Northern Rivers, coastal Western Australia, the Coorong and other wetlands as useful context, but do not assume that absence from one survey means the species is absent from the project area.

Survey methodology: 2. Field timing and coverage

Survey during the main non-breeding period, generally October to March. Long-toed Stints may arrive in northern Australia from August, occur in South Australia from September to December, and depart Australia from March to May.

Complete high tide roost surveys within two hours either side of high tide. Complete foraging surveys within two hours either side of low tide.

Use at least four high tide surveys and four low tide surveys during the main shorebird period where a project may affect wetland habitat. A practical schedule used for migratory shorebirds is one survey in December, two in January and one in February, with one additional survey from mid-April to mid-August for non-breeding immature birds.

  • Cover the full contiguous wetland area that shorebirds may use, not only the construction footprint.
  • Avoid heavy rain, strong winds and periods when project activities are already disturbing birds.
  • Use quiet vantage points, binoculars and a telescope where needed. Walk only where this will not flush birds or damage wetland margins.

Survey methodology: 3. Detection and identification

Search wet mud, shallow water, short grass, weeds, sedges, rushes and low aquatic vegetation. Check drying ephemeral wetlands and gently sloping freshwater margins as water levels fall.

Scan wetland edges, islets, bulrush margins and damp mud for feeding or loafing birds. Long-toed Stints may glean from mud and shallow water, probe, or feed among short vegetation.

Record the species conservatively where identification is uncertain. Seek an experienced shorebird observer for confirmation, particularly where the bird is distant or mixed with other small sandpipers.

  • Use repeated scans from a stable vantage point rather than repeated approaches to the birds.
  • Check both open water and vegetated margins. The species can occur away from the immediate shoreline in drying wetlands.
  • Record flight direction and movement between feeding areas and roosts.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey records

Record the date, start and finish time, tide state and height, weather, survey conditions, observers and observer experience. Record the survey method and the area covered.

Map every Long-toed Stint observation, feeding area, roost, flight path and location where birds were flushed. Record the number of birds, behaviour and habitat condition.

Record people, dogs, vehicles, machinery, aircraft, lighting and other sources of disturbance, including the response of the birds.

  • Submit photographs, sound records where relevant, GPS points and field maps with the survey results.
  • Separate confirmed records from probable or possible identifications.
  • Use comparable tide states, locations and methods when comparing counts between visits.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and legal checks

Plan the work around wetland use, rather than relying on a last minute fauna inspection. Avoid habitat loss first, then control disturbance, water quality impacts and access to feeding and roosting areas.

Screen the action under the EPBC Act before clearing or construction. A significant impact on a listed migratory species may require referral.

In Queensland, treat the Long-toed Stint as a special least concern animal because it is a least concern bird covered by JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA and the Bonn Convention. Obtain a high risk species management program before tampering with a breeding place, where the Queensland requirements apply.

Check state or territory wildlife permits, clearing approvals, waterway approvals and conditions attached to the development consent. Confirm that the fauna spotter catcher has the required authority for the jurisdiction and task.

  • Keep copies of approvals, permits, the species management plan and environmental management plans at the work front.
  • Escalate any proposed clearing of wetland margins, roosts or feeding habitat to the project ecologist before work starts.
  • Use EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 and the 2017 migratory shorebird industry guidelines when assessing impacts and controls.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and timing

Retain shallow freshwater and brackish wetland margins, wet mud, islets, floodplain pools and drying wetland habitat wherever possible.

Schedule major disturbance outside the peak presence period where practicable. May to August is a suitable construction period for many migratory shorebird sites, but confirm local seasonal use before relying on this timing.

Do not assume that a small or temporary wetland is unimportant. Long-toed Stints use short-lived shallow margins and drying wetlands.

  • Keep turbines and other tall infrastructure away from suitable wetlands where the project design allows.
  • Avoid changes to water levels, drainage, salinity, sediment movement and water quality.
  • Retain access for shorebird surveys and maintain an alternative feeding or roosting area if temporary works cannot be avoided.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Buffers and exclusion controls

Set a site specific buffer around feeding and roosting habitat using the project ecologist's assessment, bird behaviour and the approved impact assessment. Apply the 165 m minimum disturbance buffer recommended by DoEE 2017 where that guidance is relevant to the project.

Use larger or staged buffers if birds flush, circle, abandon a roost or repeatedly move away from machinery. Mark buffers on plans and on the ground.

Fence or barricade wetland margins, roosts and access points. Keep vehicles, workers, dogs and machinery outside the exclusion area.

  • Use signs that identify shorebird habitat and prohibit entry, dogs and feeding or chasing birds.
  • Direct lighting away from wetlands. Use static, shielded lights and avoid flickering or unnecessary night lighting.
  • Keep noise generating work away from high tide roosting periods and, where possible, low tide feeding periods.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Pre clearance and crew induction

Complete a pre clearance inspection immediately before work starts and again after any delay that changes wetland conditions or bird use. Inspect the whole wetland interface, not just the clearing boundary.

Use an experienced ecologist or authorised fauna spotter catcher to check for birds, active roosts, feeding concentrations, injured animals and any breeding activity.

Induct all workers on the species, wetland boundaries, buffer signs, vehicle routes, lighting, waste controls and the stop work process.

  • Give every supervisor the fauna spotter catcher's contact details.
  • Explain that workers must not chase, catch, feed, photograph at close range or handle a bird unless authorised.
  • Record the pre clearance inspection, weather, tide, habitat condition, bird numbers and any control changes.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Use a staged and supervised approach. Long-toed Stint breeding in Australia is not expected, but any suspected active breeding place or concentrated roost must be treated as a stop work matter until assessed.

Clear in small, supervised stages from the least suitable habitat towards retained habitat. Keep machinery within the approved footprint and use defined access routes.

Work in daylight where possible and avoid starting noisy activities near a high tide roost or low tide feeding area.

Maintain wetland buffers throughout the activity. Do not stockpile soil, spoil, fill, waste or fuel beside a wetland.

  • Stop work if birds are repeatedly flushed, become trapped, show signs of exhaustion or move into the active work area.
  • Keep a fauna spotter catcher on site for clearing that may affect wetland margins or shorebird habitat.
  • Recheck buffers after rain, flooding, water level changes or relocation of machinery.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop work and escalation

Give the fauna spotter catcher authority to stop work immediately. The spotter catcher must notify the site supervisor and project ecologist when a Long-toed Stint, roost, concentrated feeding area, nest or suspected active breeding place is found.

Do not enter or disturb the location until the ecologist has assessed the risk and confirmed the control measures.

If an active breeding place is suspected, stop work, establish a temporary exclusion area and obtain any required permit or species management approval before proceeding.

  • Stop work for a colony or roost if the activity causes repeated flushing, prevents access to food or blocks movement between feeding and roosting areas.
  • Do not move a roost, nest, eggs or young unless the action is authorised under the relevant permit and directed by the project ecologist.
  • Record the location, number of birds, behaviour, disturbance source and decision taken.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling and injured animals

Only an authorised and trained person may catch or handle a Long-toed Stint. Do not attempt capture because a bird is difficult to identify or has moved into a work area.

If a bird is injured, isolate the area, reduce noise and lighting, and contact the project ecologist and an approved wildlife carer or veterinarian. Follow the jurisdiction's wildlife rescue requirements.

Keep people, dogs and machinery away from the animal. Do not give food or water unless directed by a qualified wildlife carer.

  • Use a clean, ventilated transport container only when capture and transport are authorised.
  • Record the time, location, apparent injury, handling, transport provider and receiving carer or veterinarian.
  • Report collisions, entrapment, crushing, chemical exposure and suspected mortality under the project incident procedure.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Worksite controls and records

Prevent runoff, sediment, fuel, chemicals, concrete washout and contaminated water from reaching wetland habitat. Keep waste and food secure to avoid attracting predators.

Control vehicle speed and access near wetlands. Keep dogs and domestic animals out of shorebird habitat.

Maintain a daily fauna register during relevant works.

  • Record the date, work area, tide, weather, observers, bird numbers, behaviour, disturbance, stop work events and photographs.
  • Record all buffer breaches, lighting or noise complaints, injuries, mortalities and corrective actions.
  • Report any change to the approved footprint, wetland drainage or construction method to the environmental representative before proceeding.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post clearance checks

Close out the work only after the wetland edge, access routes and exclusion areas have been checked. Use the results to confirm that birds can still feed, roost and move through the site.

Inspect the cleared area, wetland edge and retained buffers after each clearing stage and at the end of construction. Look for trapped, injured or dead birds and signs of altered drainage or sediment movement.

Repeat checks around high tide and low tide where works affected a roost or feeding area. Confirm that birds can reach suitable habitat without crossing active work areas.

Remove temporary materials, fencing and spoil that block wetland margins, unless the ecologist approves their retention for habitat protection.

  • Check that lighting, noise, vehicle access and barriers match the approved controls.
  • Repair damaged fences and reinstate signs before demobilising.
  • Escalate any continuing bird disturbance or loss of wetland function to the project ecologist.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and compliance

Prepare a completion report that links the final footprint to the approved design and environmental conditions. Include maps of retained and affected habitat.

Report Long-toed Stint observations, injuries, mortalities, roost use, buffer breaches and corrective actions to the relevant approval authority where required.

Provide survey data in a form that can be used for future wetland and migratory shorebird assessments.

  • Include dates, tide states, weather, survey effort, counts, behaviour, habitat condition and disturbance records.
  • Document all stop work events and the approval to recommence work.
  • Retain photographs, GPS data, permits, inductions and fauna registers with the project environmental records.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitoring and relocated animals

Monitor any relocated animal through the authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian. Record release advice, release location, outcome and follow up requirements.

Where habitat was temporarily affected, monitor the wetland during the next suitable high tide and low tide periods to check for returning birds and changed use.

Continue monitoring if birds avoid a retained roost, if water quality has changed, or if construction has altered access to feeding habitat.

  • Use the same vantage points and survey methods where possible so results can be compared.
  • Include at least one survey from mid-April to mid-August if the project may affect immature or non-breeding migratory shorebirds.
  • Extend monitoring when the project affects a site that may support 0.1 percent of the flyway population, 2,000 migratory shorebirds or 15 migratory shorebird species.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every injury, mortality, buffer breach, unexpected roost or repeated disturbance event with the supervisor, fauna spotter catcher and project ecologist.

Identify whether the cause was timing, access, lighting, noise, water movement, poor induction or inadequate demarcation.

Update the work method, buffer, induction and monitoring plan before similar work continues.

  • Share lessons with all crews and subcontractors.
  • Check whether additional regulatory notification or permit action is required.
  • Close the incident only when the corrective action has been inspected and recorded.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore wetland structure

Rehabilitation should restore shallow freshwater wetland function, not just replace vegetation. Long-toed Stints use wet mud, shallow water and short vegetation, and can leave rapidly when these margins dry or become unsuitable.

Reinstate shallow, gently sloping margins with wet mud and areas of open water. Retain a mosaic of mud, short grass, low vegetation, sedges, rushes and open shallow water.

Where a new wetland margin is designed for migrant waders, use an open, peaty margin with a gradient no steeper than 1 in 100 where site conditions and approvals allow.

Restore wetland islets and low margins only where they will not create predator concentrations or obstruct shorebird movement.

  • Match the restored landform to the natural water regime.
  • Prevent sudden drainage or prolonged inundation that removes feeding mud.
  • Use clean soil and approved fill only.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Water quality and weeds

Maintain freshwater or suitable brackish conditions and protect the wetland from sediment, nutrients, pollutants, acid sulfate soil runoff and contaminated stormwater.

Control weeds before they close open mud margins or create dense cover that prevents feeding. Use methods approved for the wetland and avoid herbicide drift into shallow water.

Monitor water levels, turbidity, salinity and pollutant sources during establishment and after major rain.

  • Install and maintain sediment and erosion controls until the site is stable.
  • Keep fuels, chemicals, concrete washout and waste away from wetland drainage lines.
  • Remove invasive plants and revegetate exposed soil with locally appropriate native species where this does not remove open shorebird habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Lighting, access and predators

Keep permanent lighting away from feeding and roosting margins. Aim lights away from wetlands and use static, shielded fittings with the lowest practical output.

Prevent vehicle, dog and pedestrian access to restored margins where disturbance is likely. Retain barriers or signs while plants and wetland surfaces establish.

Manage waste and pest attractants, and implement approved predator controls where non-native mammals threaten wetland wildlife.

  • Design access routes outside wetland buffers.
  • Inspect fences after storms and repair gaps promptly.
  • Do not use bird deterrent chemicals, particularly products with bioaccumulation effects.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Breeding structures and habitat features

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial nest sites or enclosed roost structures as a substitute for Long-toed Stint habitat. This species is a non-breeding migrant in Australia and uses open wetland margins rather than those structures.

Use shallow water, exposed mud, low vegetation and safe wetland edges as the primary replacement habitat.

If another protected species uses the same site and requires a nest box or roost structure, design and install it under advice from the relevant fauna ecologist. Do not allow it to reduce shorebird feeding or roosting habitat.

  • Confirm the target species before installing any artificial structure.
  • Map and inspect artificial structures separately from Long-toed Stint habitat.
  • Remove unused structures only under an approved management plan.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long term monitoring

Monitor restored wetlands through at least the establishment period and across wet and dry conditions. Include high tide roost checks and low tide feeding checks where the habitat is connected to a shorebird site.

Track water levels, mud availability, vegetation height, weed cover, water quality, disturbance and use by Long-toed Stints and other migratory shorebirds.

Use monitoring results to adjust drainage, weed control, access, lighting and maintenance.

  • Record counts, species richness, behaviour, tide, weather, observers and mapped habitat use.
  • Compare results with baseline surveys collected using similar methods.
  • Continue management while the wetland remains suitable for migratory shorebirds, rather than stopping when construction is complete.

Sources