This dataset maps the significance and sensitivity of foreshore coastal bird breeding habitat in Tasmania, with a focus on coastal areas near marine farming operations. It includes breeding/nesting sites for six species, comprising beach-nesting resident shorebirds (Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis, Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus, Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris and Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus) and two species of small terns (Fairy Tern Sternula nereis and Little Tern Sternula albifrons). The mapped foreshore is divided into different coloured line maps (red, orange and green) that indicate the risk/vulnerability of the bird breeding/nesting habitat to human-related disturbance during their breeding season (nominally 1 September to 31 March). The line maps are intended to be used as a tool to assist managers and stakeholders in the identification of sensitive foreshore bird breeding habitat. The maps are based on surveys undertaken since 1992/93 by BirdLife Tasmania. Further information and guidelines when considering access to foreshore bird breeding areas can be sought from the BirdLife Tasmania metadata record on LISTdata https://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/app/content/data/geo-meta-data-record?detailRecordUID=a31d5f4a-8797-4969-8257-507333b21371 and the Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Tasmanian_Coastal_Works_Manual.pdf. Other sources of information include the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas https://www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au/ and the Marine Environmental Prioritisation Project layer of the Oil Spill Response Atlas (OSRA).

The line map of the foreshore derived from the LIST Coastline forms the basis of mapping for this project and is used to represent foreshore bird breeding/nesting habitat. LIST Coastline depicts Mean High Water Mark for the State of Tasmania and offshore islands excluding Macquarie Island. LIST Coastline is a subset of the LIST Hydline dataset. Desktop assessment of the foreshore is based on information provided by Dr. Eric J Woehler OAM, BirdLife Tasmania, and includes current and historical records, field surveys, expert knowledge and interpretation of Sea Spurge Remote Area Teams (SPRATS) data. The data have been collected since 1992/93. Data interpretation is a semi-quantitative evaluation based on the breeding species present, their conservation status under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and the numbers of breeding pairs. Survey methodology is described in detail in the earlier/existing BirdLife Tasmania metadata record on LISTdata https://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/app/content/data/geo-meta-data-record?detailRecordUID=a31d5f4a-8797-4969-8257-507333b21371. All survey data are uploaded into the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas. The different coloured line maps provide guidance regarding access to these areas during foreshore bird breeding season (1 September to 31 March), and BirdLife Tasmania recommends that, where practical, the following advice be considered: RED* line colour = HIGH risk/vulnerability, recommend avoiding human-related disturbance 1 September to 31 March ORANGE** line colour = MEDIUM risk/vulnerability, recommend minimising human-related disturbance 1 September to 31 March GREEN*** line colour = LOW risk/vulnerability, no current access constraints 1 September to 31 March *Foreshore known to regularly support breeding pairs of one or more species of shorebirds or small terns. Coastal clean-up activities (e.g. marine debris or invasive plant removal) would generate disturbance to nesting shorebirds and terns. Recommend that marine farming operators requiring access to collect specific pieces of marine debris should seek advice from BirdLife Tasmania. **No surveys undertaken for these areas, potential habitat may exist. Recommend seeking advice from BirdLife Tasmania before accessing these areas during breeding season. ***No shorebird or tern values present in recent surveys, or foreshore used infrequently for breeding. Coastal clean-up activities can be undertaken year-round without disturbing nesting shorebirds and terns. If breeding birds are encountered, please contact BirdLife Tasmania immediately. Note: Mapped areas do not constitute all foreshore bird breeding/nesting sites for the State i.e. not all breeding sites have been assessed, therefore unmapped beaches should not be considered as no/low risk with no current access constraints. Information on migratory shorebirds that utilise foreshore feeding and roosting areas has not been included. The presence of raptor species or nests has not been included. Information on penguin colonies that may be in dunes immediately behind beaches has not been included. Information and guidelines when considering access to areas containing shearwater and penguin colonies can be sought from the Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Tasmanian_Coastal_Works_Manual.pdf.