The Ecology of Two Vulnerable Shorebirds ('Haematopus f. fuliginosus' and 'H. longirostris') in Sub-tropical Northern NSW, Australia: Implications for Conservation and Management

Abstract

Shorebirds around the globe have become increasingly threatened as a result of burgeoning human populations, increased coastal development and habitat loss, recreational activities, predation, and climate change. Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers ('Haematopus longirostris' and 'H. fuliginosus' respectively) are two such species, both coastal residents listed as threatened in New South Wales, Australia. Both rely upon the narrow coastal fringe for foraging, roosting and breeding. Both have undergone declines over recent decades, occur in low numbers, have patchy distributions, are specialist foragers, and are thought to exhibit low breeding success. Despite this, there is a paucity of detailed information on their distribution, population size, key habitat attributes, reproductive biology and ecology, or the impact that various threatening processes have upon these species. Previous work in Australia has focused on counts and movements, with banding programs in Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia where the species is more common. This thesis examines the distribution, habitat use, breeding biology, ecology and impact of threatening processes for both species in northern NSW to provide a basis for effective management of these species.