About

The Latham’s Snipe Project was started by a group of passionate ornithologists to better understand the ecology of the Latham’s snipe Gallinago hardwickii and their use of wetland habitats across their Australian range.

The project began in 2014 at the Powling Street Wetlands, in the coastal township of Port Fairy, south-western Victoria. The wetlands were the subject of a proposed housing development, which was opposed by locals on the basis of its international importance for Latham’s Snipe under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. At the time, it was the only site to meet that criteria, but the housing development was subsequently approved, ignoring its global conservation significance for the species. In the wake of this legal case, the project team formed, and commenced a targeted survey program to determine the relative importance of little urban wetlands like the Powling Street Wetlands for Latham’s Snipe.

Since the early project survey efforts in Port Fairy, the project has extended to other regions in eastern Australia. Capture-based studies began in 2015 with a small grant from the Australia Japan Foundation and expanded in 2017-2018 to the Jerrabomberra wetlands in Canberra. The project has also actively collaborated with overseas researchers to understand more about snipe in their breeding areas of Hokkaido, Japan and Sakhalin Island, Russia. The project has recently expanded its efforts to central Tasmania.

The project uses a range of techniques to better understand the species. These include:

• A national monitoring program to undertake regular surveys across their eastern Australian distribution observations;
• Movement and migration tracking using light-level geolocators, radio transmitters, GPS and satellite tracking;
• Wetland and habitat assessments including vegetation surveys;
• Policy analysis and social research focusing on the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement and hunting;
• Site visits, reconnaissance surveys and knowledge exchange with overseas researchers.

The project also engages closely with local community groups and private land holders to encourage stewardship and protection of the local environment that the Latham’s snipe relies on. Many people have made significant contributions toward the project as individual volunteers and interested land holders.

We’d love to hear any observations you’ve had of Latham’s snipe: whether that is your first or last record for the year, sightings in unusual numbers, historic records or interesting locations. Sightings can be made via the “Report a Sighting” form.

If you are interested in participating in the National Snipe Surveys please get in contact using the “Contact” form

Thanks, the Latham’s Snipe Project team