Second south-eastern Australia counts complete

February 22, 2016

On Jan 14th, observers from throughout south-eastern Australia undertook the second co-ordinated count of Latham’s snipe for the 2015/6 wintering period.This survey covered 38 sites in four states, and recorded 238 birds, with six sites having snipe numbers above the EPBC threshold of 18 birds. The highest count was 38 birds at Peterborough (on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria), with 37 at Begola Wetlands (Bellarine Peninsula) and 27 at both Jerrabomberra wetlands (ACT) and BARC wetlands (Gippsland). 

This second count is slightly down on numbers when compared with the count in November 2015 when 334 birds were recorded, despite covering five more sites. As snipe probably move regularly between groups of nearby wetlands, this difference probably reflects random fluctuations in numbers at counted sites rather than an indication that snipe have started moving north in preparation for migration. Snipe habitats will dry out over the summer, and it’s likely that snipe will congregate in larger groups as the available habitat reduces. For those of you who live near good snipe habitat, late summer may be your chance to see large numbers of snipe before they depart northwards. It’s certainly worth a look over the next month.

During the count at Port Fairy one bird was observed with an orange flag – it’s reassuring to know that one of the birds we’ve caught is still around!

A big thank you too all who participated, and you will have received a more detailed report of the count. If you missed out this year, but would like to be involved in 2016/7, count dates will be announced on this blog and on social media. We’re also keen to hear of any sightings outside of the count periods, especially of large pre-migratory flocks of snipe, so keep sending your sightings in.

Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested!

Regards, the Latham’s snipe team

Header photograph of a Latham’s snipe eating a cockchafer taken by John Hutchison.