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Joint Strike Fighter Fauna Management Plan - Baseline Fauna Monitoring Survey Results

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd

Joint Strike Fighter Fauna Management Plan - Baseline Fauna Monitoring Survey Results | Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd

© ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD i

DOCUMENT TRACKING

Project Name Joint Strike Fighter Fauna Management Plan - Baseline Fauna Monitoring Survey Results

Project Number 11726

Project Manager Tom Schmidt

Prepared by Tom Schmidt

Reviewed by Alex Pursche

Approved by Martin Sullivan

Status Final

Version Number 1

Last saved on 17 April 2019

Cover photograph Shorebirds in flight after a disturbance from a White-bellied Sea-Eagle at Stockton Sandspit (Tom

Schmidt)

This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2019. Joint Strike Fighter Fauna Management Plan - Baseline Fauna

Monitoring Survey Results. Prepared for Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd.’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Coffey Environments Pty Ltd and the

Commonwealth Department of Defence. Land access was provided by a private landholder for surveys at the Fullerton Cove

site. Other observation data was provided by the Hunter Bird Observers Club, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and

BirdLife Australia. Chad Beranek and Allan Richardson contributed sighting information for Australian Painted Snipe.

Disclaimer This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information. Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.

Template 2.8.1


© ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ii

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Methods .................................................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Survey period ........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.2 Survey locations .................................................................................................................................... 2

2.3 Migratory shorebirds ............................................................................................................................ 2

2.4 Australasian Bittern .............................................................................................................................. 5

2.5 Australian Painted Snipe ....................................................................................................................... 5

2.6 Gould’s Petrel ....................................................................................................................................... 6

2.7 Grey-headed Flying-fox ......................................................................................................................... 6

3. Results ....................................................................................................................................... 7

3.1 Migratory shorebirds ............................................................................................................................ 7

3.1.1 Surveys completed ............................................................................................................................................ 7

3.1.2 Survey results .................................................................................................................................................... 8

3.2 Australasian Bittern .............................................................................................................................. 9

3.3 Australian Painted Snipe ..................................................................................................................... 10

3.4 Gould’s Petrel ..................................................................................................................................... 11

3.5 Grey-headed Flying-fox ....................................................................................................................... 11

4. Discussion and limitations ......................................................................................................... 12

5. References ................................................................................................................................ 13

Attachment 1 – Baseline migratory shorebird observation data ...................................................... 14

List of Tables

Table 1: Scale for reactions and returning behaviour of disturbance observations (from FMP, Coffey

2016) .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

Table 2: Migratory shorebird survey locations and tidal adjustments ...................................................... 7

Table 3: Migratory shorebird surveys completed ...................................................................................... 7

Table 4: Migratory shorebird species recorded at each survey site and maximum number of individuals

observed ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

Table 5: Migratory shorebird responses to potential disturbances ........................................................... 9

Table 6: Australasian Bittern records from 2016 to May 2018 (Source: Hunter Estuary Australasian

Bittern Study (BirdLife 2018)) ..................................................................................................................... 9

Table 7: Additional Australasian Bittern records ..................................................................................... 10

Table 8: Records of Australian Painted Snipe from 2016 - February 2019 .............................................. 11

Table 9: Breeding success of Gould’s Petrel on Cabbage Tree Island (NSW NPWS data)........................ 11


© ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD iii

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Description

Coffey Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd

DoE Former Commonwealth Department of the Environment

DotEE Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

ELA Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

FMP Fauna Management Plan

HBOC Hunter Bird Observers Club

NFFMP National Flying-fox Monitoring Program

NPWS New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service

OEH New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage

RAAF Royal Australian Air Force



1. Introduction

Eco Logical Australia (ELA) was commissioned by Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd (Coffey) to

gather baseline data on selected environmentally sensitive fauna species as part of the implementation

of the Fauna Management Plan (FMP) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown Flying

Operations of the F-35A Lightning II (F-35A aircraft) project for the Department of Defence.

This fauna study presents baseline data at five fixed sites in the Newcastle and Port Stephens regions,

for the behavioural responses of shorebirds to the launching, landing, and transit sounds of F/A-18

Hornet aircraft currently operating out of the RAAF Base Williamtown.

Concurrent to these baseline fauna observations, a noise analysis has been conducted separately by

Marshall Day Acoustics Pty Ltd, to determine whether any increase in the volume, duration, and

intensity in sound may be experienced by shorebirds as a result of the new F-35A aircraft, compared to

the F/A-18A/B Hornet. Should noise measurements demonstrate the operations of the F-35A aircraft

are louder than baseline noise measurements of the F/A-18A/B Hornet, collection of ‘impact’ fauna

observation data during F-35A aircraft operations will be undertaken for comparison with the baseline.

This report presents the baseline fauna observation data from migratory shorebird surveys at five

locations, and the collated records and population information obtained from other sources for selected

species in accordance with the FMP.

1.1 Background

The proposed flying operations of F-35A aircraft were assessed through an Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

1999 (EPBC Act). The Commonwealth Department of the Environment (DoE) approved the project in

2015 with several conditions, including that an FMP must be prepared and implemented.

The FMP (Coffey 2016) provides the framework to conduct noise measurements at selected

environmentally sensitive locations near RAAF Base Williamtown, and to verify the impact of F-35A

aircraft noise on selected environmentally sensitive species at these locations.

The FMP proposes that baseline observation of the selected fauna species will be conducted in

conjunction with noise measurements, prior to the commencement of the flying operations of the F-35A

aircraft. Subsequent assessment of the impact of F-35A aircraft noise on the selected fauna species is

only proposed if noise levels following the introduction of the F-35A aircraft exceed baseline levels at

the measurement locations. Environmentally sensitive species identified in the FMP are:

• Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus)

• Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis)

• Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera)

• Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

• Migratory shorebirds



2. Methods

2.1 Survey period

Migratory shorebird observation surveys were undertaken between 6 November 2018 and 22 January

2019. The survey methodology in the FMP proposed two monitoring intervals; one in November

following the arrival of migratory shorebirds, and one in February prior to their return migration. Due

to the challenges of aligning the indivual site survey requirements (tide time, flying operations and

suitable weather conditions), the surveys were conducted throughout the non-breeding season, rather

than in two separate intervals. For example, when peak tide times aligned with local flying operations

and weather conditions were suitable (i.e. low winds and no rain), observations were conducted at that

location. Timing of surveys was also restricted by the arrival of the F-35A aircraft which commenced

flying operations at the end of January 2019.

2.2 Survey locations

The survey locations for baseline observations were identified in Section 3 of the FMP (Figure 1). These

locations were selected based on the identified environmental values (important populations and/or

critical habitat as defined under the EPBC Act) with a credible potential to be impacted by the proposed

flying operations of the F-35A aircraft. The suitability of the identified locations was confirmed via a site

survey during preparation of the FMP.

The methods used to gather the baseline fauna data at the select survey locations followed Section 5.2

of the FMP, as summarised below.

2.3 Migratory shorebirds

The flying program for RAAF Base Williamtown was provided by the Department of Defence and surveys

were timed to coincide with both scheduled operations of F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft and tidal peaks.

Each survey was three hours in duration, for two hours before the peak tide time and one hour after.

Observations were completed for four sessions at each of the five survey locations, two high-tide and

two low-tide. Adjusted tide times for each site were based on Bureau of Meteorology times for

Newcastle and Port Stephens. Observations were not conducted during heavy rain or high wind.

Observations were undertaken by two observers using binoculars (10x magnification) and spotting

scopes (20-60x magnification). The vantage point utilised by observers at each site was selected in the

field to maximise bird viewing opportunities and minimise observer disturbance to the birds. Factors

such as such as tidal cycle and location of roosting and foraging birds were taken into consideration.

Observations of the responses of migratory shorebirds to all potential sources of disturbance were

recorded including:

• All potential sources of disturbance and reactions to each potential disturbance. (This included

all aircraft seen and/or heard)

• Behaviour at the time of the disturbance and 5 minutes after the disturbance occurred.

• The level of reaction and the returning behaviour using a sliding scale (Table 1).

• The number of birds in the flock.



• The majority reaction when observing a flock, and percentage of the flock that exhibited this

reaction.

• Behaviour at 15-minute intervals during times of no disturbance.

The FMP addresses migratory shorebirds as required by the project’s conditions of approval, however it

is important to note several of the migratory species recorded during the baseline surveys are now also

listed as threatened species under the EPBC Act; Calidris tenuirostris (Great Knot) – Critically

Endangered, Numenius madagascariensis (Far Eastern Curlew) – Critically Endangered, Calidris

ferruginea (Curlew Sandpiper) – Critically Endangered, and Calidris canutus (Red Knot) – Endangered.



Figure 1: Survey locations identified in the FMP (Coffey 2016) and used in this study



Table 1: Scale for reactions and returning behaviour of disturbance observations (from FMP, Coffey 2016)

Level of reaction Description

0 No reaction.

1 Alert reaction but no take-off. Disturbance caused to feeding / roosting.

2 Stressed behaviour (alarm posture/call, swimming, flying within the local area and returning

immediately).

3 Take-off and leave area.

Returning behaviour Description

0 No reaction.

1 Returned to previous activity quickly (30 seconds).

2 Stressed behaviour (not returned to previous activity, still disturbed).

3 Did not return to area.

2.4 Australasian Bittern

The FMP suggested that the Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC) was initiating a monitoring program for

Australasian Bittern in the Hunter Estuary from Summer 2015/2016, and that population data from this

monitoring would be used during the implementation of the FMP. No such monitoring program was

established by HBOC, however BirdLife Australia recently published a report, Hunter Estuary

Australasian Bittern Study (BirdLife Australia, 2018), and the preparation of this report was the likely

source of confusion for the supposed HBOC monitoring program mentioned in the FMP. As such, the

BirdLife Australia report has been used as a source for records of Australasian Bittern from the Hunter

Estuary. The Hunter Estuary study area for the BirdLife Australia report covered estuarine environment

of the Hunter River which includes Kooragang Island and Hexham Swamp, two of the noise monitoring

locations identified in the FMP.

Database searches (BioNet (OEH 2019)) and public online records, eBird (2019) and Eremaea Birdline

(2019) were also examined for additional records from 2016 onwards, including from May 2018 to

February 2019 after the BirdLife report was published. The database searches included all areas within

50 km of the coast between Mungo Brush in the North and Norah Head in the South, covering the entire

Hunter and Port Stephens Estuaries and surrounding areas.

2.5 Australian Painted Snipe

The Australian Painted Snipe is a rare and cryptic species and no monitoring programs are known in the

region. However, because of its rarity most records are published. As detailed in the FMP, no exact

locations of this species have been identified for the purposes of fauna observations and records of

Australian Painted Snipe from 2016 onwards were obtained from a range of databases including BioNet

(OEH 2019), Hunter Bird Observers Club (pers. comm Mick Roderick), eBird (2019) and Eremaea Birdline

(2019). The database searches included all areas within 50 km of the coast between Mungo Brush in

the North and Norah Head in the South, covering the entire Hunter and Port Stephens Estuaries and

surrounding areas.



2.6 Gould’s Petrel

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) conduct monitoring of Gould’s Petrel on Cabbage

Tree Island. Data on the annual breeding success of Gould’s Petrel from the years 2012 to 2017 was

obtained from NPWS as baseline.

As per the FMP, this baseline breeding success data will be compared with future breeding success data

to determine if there is any statistically significant change in the population following the introduction

of the F-35A aircraft.

2.7 Grey-headed Flying-fox

The FMP identifies two Grey-headed Flying-fox camps for baseline observations that are located within

environmentally sensitive areas; Schnapper Island and Tilligerry Nature Reserve. Alternate observation

locations at Anna Bay and Hawks Nest camps are also identified. The National Flying-fox Monitoring

Program (NFFMP) conducts four censuses per year at camps across the species’ range and with results

available on the National Flying-fox Monitoring Viewer (DotEE 2018).

To ascertain whether these camps were occupied during the baseline survey period the results of the

NFFMP were checked for August and November 2018 (DotEE 2018), and the absence of Grey-headed

Flying-fox from these camps confirmed with NFFMP program staff (pers. comm Morgan Brading, Saving

our Species Program).

As no Grey-headed Flying-fox camps at the identified observation locations were occupied during the

baseline survey period no observations were undertaken.



3. Results

3.1 Migratory shorebirds

3.1.1 Surveys completed

A total of 20 three-hour migratory shorebird observation surveys were undertaken across the five sites

between 5 November 2018 and 22 January 2019, with four surveys completed at each site. The location

and tidal adjustments used for each site are presented in Table 2, and the survey dates and start times

are presented in Table 3.

Table 2: Migratory shorebird survey locations and tidal adjustments

Survey location Easting Northing Location notes Tidal adjustment

Kooragang Island 380258 6362952 Same location as FMP coordinates +1hr from Newcastle tidal peak

Fullerton Cove 388260 6364900 250m west of FMP coordinates +35min from Newcastle tidal peak

Stockton Sandspit 386920 6361130 200m north of FMP coordinates +20min from Newcastle tidal peak

Northern margin of Port

Stephens around Myall

River entrance

(Pindimar)

415430 6383240 1000m east of FMP coordinates +45min from Port Stephens tidal

peak

Swan Bay 403660 6380650 380m south east of FMP

coordinates

+1hr from Port Stephens tidal peak

Tidal adjustments were used to ensure surveys were timed around the tidal peak for the individual

survey locations. Adjustments were calculated based on adjustments for other locations within the

estuaries on the website WillyWeather (https://tides.willyweather.com.au/) and the distance between

these locations.

The coordinates of the survey locations used in the baseline monitoring surveys differed from those in

the FMP at several of the locations. The location of baseline observations was chosen at each site to

achieve the best visibility of the highest number of migratory shorebirds. The Myall River entrance

location was selected as this was the only high tide roost for migratory shorebirds along the Pindimar

shoreline, and also had the highest migratory shorebirds activity during low tide periods.

Table 3: Migratory shorebird surveys completed

Survey location Survey Date Start time

Kooragang Island High tide 1 12/11/2018 10:25

Kooragang Island High tide 2 22/01/2019 09:00

Kooragang Island Low tide 1 08/11/2018 14:20

Kooragang Island Low tide 2 10/01/2019 16:30

Fullerton Cove High tide 1 14/01/2019 13:15

Fullerton Cove High tide 2 15/01/2019 14:00

Fullerton Cove Low tide 1 16/01/2019 09:45

Fullerton Cove Low tide 2 17/01/2019 10:35

https://tides.willyweather.com.au/



Survey location Survey Date Start time

Stockton Sandspit High tide 1 14/11/2018 11:40

Stockton Sandspit High tide 2 16/01/2019 15:10

Stockton Sandspit Low tide 1 06/11/2018 12:45

Stockton Sandspit Low tide 2 09/01/2019 15:30

Myall River (Pindimar) High tide 1 15/11/2018 13:08

Myall River (Pindimar) High tide 2 27/11/2018 11:15

Myall River (Pindimar) Low tide 1 26/11/2018 15:50

Myall River (Pindimar) Low tide 2 04/12/2018 12:05

Swan Bay High tide 1 15/11/2018 13:40

Swan Bay High tide 2 27/11/2018 11:00

Swan Bay Low tide 1 20/11/2018 12:10

Swan Bay Low tide 2 30/11/2018 07:50

3.1.2 Survey results

A total of 13 target species (i.e. migratory shorebirds) were recorded during the baseline observation

surveys (Table 4).

Table 4: Migratory shorebird species recorded at each survey site and maximum number of individuals observed

Common name Scientific name EPBC Act KI FC SS MR SB

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Mi, Ma 2 524 36 8

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Mi, Ma 28

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea CE, Mi, Ma 1 1 118

Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis CE, Mi, Ma 2 184 3 180

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris CE, Mi, Ma 1

Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes Mi, Ma 3 18

Marsh Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Mi, Ma 11 2

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Mi, Ma 1 20 120

Red Knot Calidris canutus E, Mi, Ma 61 3

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Mi, Ma 6 1

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Mi, Ma 297 84 55

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Mi, Ma 2

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Mi, Ma 37 2 4 2

Notes: KI = Kooragang Island, FC = Fullerton Cove, SS = Stockton Sandspit, MR = Myall River (Pindimar), SB = Swan Bay; Mi =

Migratory, Ma = Marine, CE = Critically Endangered, E = Endangered.



A total of 1,107 observations of a migratory shorebird species during a potential disturbance event were

recorded (Table 5). The observation data requires correlation with flight operations of the FA-18A/B

Hornets for further analysis to establish the baseline response of migratory shorebirds.

All migratory shorebird observation data is provided in Microsoft Excel format for correlation with flight

data and further analysis (Attachment 1).

Table 5: Migratory shorebird responses recorded

Level of Reaction Aircraft Bird Boat Human Train Car Undetermined Total

0 902 13 6 7 38 4 4 974

1 19 14 9 6 - 8 3 59

2 4 31 - 6 - 2 4 47

3 1 10 2 1 - 5 8 27

Total 926 68 17 20 38 19 19 1,107

Notes: Aircraft includes all aircraft and aircraft/train heard concurrently, Boat includes motor or row boat, Human includes

fisherman on foot the observers and any other people, Undetermined is for observed reactions in some or all birds present but

no disturbance was seen or heard by the observers.

3.2 Australasian Bittern

BirdLife Australia recently published a study of Australasian Bittern in the Hunter Estuary (BirdLife

Australia 2018). The study provides a consolidated list of records for Australasian Bittern from the year

2000 until May 2018 for the Hunter Estuary. Records from 2016 onwards are required by the FMP for

the baseline dataset, these records taken from the BirdLife report are presented in Table 6.

Two additional records were obtained from database searches and reports published online (

Table 7); one record from the BioNet (2019) and one record from Eremaea Birdline (2019) from after

May 2018, when the BirdLife Australia report was published.

Table 6: Australasian Bittern records from 2016 to May 2018 (Source: Hunter Estuary Australasian Bittern Study (BirdLife

2018))

Date # of

birds Location Description Exact Location Source / Details / Comments

Mar 2016 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track Not provided HBOC Annual Report

4/4/16 1 Hunter Wetlands Centre 32 52’ 29” S, 151 41’ 53” E Bird found deceased, HBOC

Annual Report

Apr 2016 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track Not provided HBOC Annual Report

20/7/16 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track Not provided HBOC Annual Report

9/8/16 2 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track Not provided HBOC Annual Report (2 birds

heard calling by L. Parashou)

22/02/17 1* Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track 32°50'33.40"S, 151°40'46.47" E M. Roderick pers. obs.



Date # of

birds Location Description Exact Location Source / Details / Comments

27/6/17 1 Ash Island (Kooragang Island) 32 50’01.25” S 151 41’47.81” E P. Davidson pers. comm.

11/05/17 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track -32.8456708, 151.6815496 M. Roderick, H. Boyce and A.

Silcocks pers. obs.

29/6/17 1 Ash Island (Kooragang Island) 32 50’23.47” S 151 42’16.11” E P. Davidson pers. comm.

30/6/17 1 Ash Island (Kooragang Island) 32 50’25.98” S151 42’43.51” E P. Davidson pers. comm.

27/7/17 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track 32 49 54.39” S 151 40’39.74” E P. Davidson pers. comm.

30/07/17 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track 32 50’ 9” S, 151 40’ 43” E N. Hays pers. comm.

11/08/17 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track 32 50’ 9” S, 151 40’ 43” E N. Hays pers. comm.

13/8/17 1 Hexham Swamp, Pipeline Track 32 49' 54.30S 151 40'39".74 E K. Lawler pers. comm.

3/10/2017 1 Tomago House Flats 32 50’ 4” S, 151 44’ 10” E N. McNaughton pers. comm.

28/11/17 1 Hexham Swamp, Whistler Pde

(Maryland) 32 52’ 20” S, 151 40’ 3” E

Heard only (G. Brosie and R.

Kilkenny)

28/11/17 1 Bellfrog Track – Ash Island

(Kooragang Island) 32 51’47” S 151 43”46” E Flying over track (H. Boyce)

7/2/18 1 Ash Island (Kooragang Island) -32.845014, 151.709756 P. Reid (NCIG) pers. comm.

Note: * = number of birds not reported, assumed to be 1.

Table 7: Additional Australasian Bittern records

Date # birds Easting Northing Source Location notes

15/09/2017 1 376446 6365731 BioNet (OEH 2019) Aurizon Train Facility, Hexham

8/01/2019 1 372298 6362922 Birdline (2019) (Observer: P.

Pellegrini) Fletcher

3.3 Australian Painted Snipe

Six records of Australian Painted Snipe were found in database and online records searches (Table 8).

These records probably represent only three individuals as several of the records occur at the same

location over a short timeframe (i.e. within two weeks at Kooragang Island and on subsequent days at

Chisolm) and are likely to be resightings of the same bird.



Table 8: Records of Australian Painted Snipe from 2016 - February 2019

Date Location Easting Northing Count Sex Observer/Source Notes

13/09/2017 Kooragang

Island

379422 6364388 1 Female Chad Beranek, pers. comms /

Birdline (2019)

Likely the same

individual


Island

379422 6364388 1 Female


Island

379455 6364388 1 Female

29/09/2017 Cooranbong 358463 6338383 1 Male Allan Richardson, pers.

comms/ Birdline (2019)

24/01/2019 Chisolm 371363 6375665 1 Female Michael Kearns, eBird Likely the same

individual 25/01/2019 Chisolm 371560 6375707 1 Female Grant Brosie, eBird

3.4 Gould’s Petrel

The breeding success of Gould’s Petrel on Cabbage Tree Island is monitored by NPWS. The results from

the past six breeding seasons was provided by NPWS (Table 9). Breeding success is calculated as the

number of known eggs to produce fledglings.

Table 9: Breeding success of Gould’s Petrel on Cabbage Tree Island (NSW NPWS 2019)

Breeding season % Success

2012-13 46.7

2013-14 37.5

2014-15 27.8

2015-16 17.5

2016-17 44.8

2017-18 43.8

3.5 Grey-headed Flying-fox

The Grey-headed Flying-fox camps at the selected measurement locations, including alternate locations,

were unoccupied during the survey period (DotEE 2018). The most recent recorded occupations of the

camps are:

• Schnapper Island – November 2016

• Tilligerry Nature Reserve – May 2015

Alternate Grey-headed Flying-fox camps identified in the FMP at Anna Bay and Hawks Nest were also

unoccupied during the survey period and have not been used as camp sites since prior to 2015 (DotEE

2018).

As such, no baseline observations of Grey-headed Flying-fox were undertaken.



4. Discussion and limitations

Audible aircraft operations were recorded on many occasions throughout each survey, however, aircraft

were often distant or not visible and therefore correlation with flight data will be important to ensure

any baseline responses are attributed to the correct type of aircraft. Nevertheless, the vast majority of

potential disturbance events from jet aircraft observed were from distant aircraft operating at high

altitudes and these events resulted in no observable reactions from migratory shorebirds. Overall, few

reactions to aircraft were observed in migratory shorebirds during the baseline surveys, and observed

reactions were associated with the closest and/or loudest aircraft interactions.

Variation in the frequency and proximity of potential aircraft disturbance events was observed between

sites. Some of the survey sites received more frequent and closer aircraft operations, particularly

Fullerton Cove and Stockton Sandspit. Whereas Kooragang Island, Myall River (Pindimar) and Swan Bay

had fewer jet aircraft interactions per survey and aircraft were more distant. Impacts to migratory

shorebirds are more likely at sites with closer and more frequent disturbance, and regular disturbance

can have a significant impact on shorebirds by increasing energy demands and impacting their ability to

generate fat the reserves for successful migration (Geering et al. 2007; Kempf and Huppop 1998).

Fullerton Cove and Stockton Sandspit were the sites with the highest diversity of migratory shorebirds

recorded and are considered important sites, and disturbance at these sites has the potential to impact

large numbers of birds and a high diversity of species.

No baseline surveys were undertaken for Grey-headed Flying-fox as the camps were unoccupied. The

status of these camps will be monitored using census data from the NFFMP, and baseline observation

data collected if possible.

As identified in the FMP, baseline data must be viewed and analysed with consideration of several

limitations associated with the nature of the selected environmentally sensitive species and the

monitoring methodology including:

• Challenges in isolating perceived physical reactions of the species in question to one disturbance

factor or another.

• Difficulty in monitoring certain key species – Australasian Bittern and Australian Painted Snipe

are cryptic species and are difficult to detect, therefore these species are infrequently recorded.

• Comparing perceived physical reactions pre and post F-35A aircraft operations – there are many

other variables (meteorological conditions including wind and cloud cover, industrial noise etc.)

which could influence activity of the species in question which could impact on the physical

reactions noted.



5. References

BirdLife Australia 2018, Hunter Estuary Australasian Bittern Study. Report prepared for BHP Billiton.

Birdline 2019, Eremaea Birdlines New South Wales Archive, Accessed online at:

http://www.eremaea.com/BirdlineArchives.aspx?Birdline=2

Coffey 2016, Fauna Management Plan - RAAF Base Williamtown Flying Operations of the F-35A Lightning

II. Prepared for the Department of Defence.

Commonwealth Department of Environment (DotEE) 2018. National Flying-fox Monitoring Viewer.

Commonwealth Department of Environment, Canberra. Accessed online at:

http://www.environment.gov.au/webgis-framework/apps/ffc-wide/ffc-wide.jsf

eBird 2019. Species Records. Accessed online at: https://ebird.org/australia/explore eBird, Ithica, New

York.

Geering, A., Agnew, L., and Harding, S. 2007. Shorebirds of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. Collingwood,

Australia.

HBOC 2018, Hunter Bird Observers Club Species Records. Hunter Bird Observers Club, Newcastle.

Kempf, N. and Hüppop, O. 1998. Wie wirken Flugzeuge auf Vögel? Eine bewertende Übersicht (What

effect do airplanes have on birds? A summary). Naturschultz und Landschaftsplanung 30:17-28.

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) 2019. NSW BioNet (OEH’s Atlas of NSW Wildlife),

(www.bionet.nsw.gov.au). State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) 2019, Breeding Success Data for Gould’s Petrel on

Cabbage Tree Island. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Nelson Bay.

http://www.eremaea.com/BirdlineArchives.aspx?Birdline=2

http://www.environment.gov.au/webgis-framework/apps/ffc-wide/ffc-wide.jsf

https://ebird.org/australia/explore

http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au/



Attachment 1 – Baseline migratory shorebird observation data

Provided as a Microsoft Excel file.

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