S n i p p et s

P a in t e d
Newsletter of the Australian
Ian Hance
Painted Snipe Project
Volume Two – April 2006
Welcome to the second issue of an occasional newsletter on the Australian Painted Snipe Project; a joint initiative of Birds
Australia’s Threatened Bird Network and the Australasian Wader Studies Group. Read on for developments in Painted Snipe
research and conservation since the first newsletter in September 2002.

Let there be snipe!

Since the first edition of Painted Snippets there have been a
number of significant sightings of Australian Painted Snipe
(APS). However, two stand out as being very significant –
a flock of 30 birds at Carnarvon, WA, and a breeding
record near Rutherglen, Victoria.
Les George first saw the birds in McNeil Claypan near
Carnarvon in late October, 2005. They were seen using an
ephemeral wetland, comprising a complex shoreline and
patchy low vegetation. After initially seeing four birds,
subsequent searching revealed more to be present, with a
flock of 15 birds flushed at one point from vegetation
beneath a Coolibah tree. A mix of males and females were
present, including several birds that were possibly late
juveniles. Searching in early December failed to locate the
birds – they had presumably moved-off after the water
levels had dropped.
The birds at Great Southern Swamp near
Rutherglen were initially observed seen by a local
group of birdwatchers, and were reported to the
snipe team at 9pm on a Thursday evening. At
10am the next morning three members of the team
were knee deep in water at the swamp, taking notes
and photographs of four birds! Investigation
revealed several of the birds were juveniles, and
evidence of a nest was found. This is the first
confirmed breeding record in Victoria for over 20
years, and understandably caused much excitement
in the birding world. Over the course of the next
six weeks the numbers built at the swamp, peaking
at eight. This included a fully coloured female
(what a sight!), as well as a total of four juveniles.
Much data has been collected on the behaviour of
the birds, and will be featured in an upcoming issue
of Painted Snippets.

Over the period of November 2002 to March

2006, 228 APS have been seen at 53 sites across
the country, including 4 breeding records (see page
2). State-by-state accounts are as follows:

Qld – a total of 93 birds were seen at 24 sites, with

a total of 6 chicks in two separate breeding events
– Torilla Plains in April 2004 and Lake Atkinson in
November 2004. The largest group of birds
sighted was 9, observed by John Knight and others
at Garnet’s Lagoon, Hervey Bay, in October 2004
(see page 2).
A flock of foraging snipe - Rutherglen, Victoria Photo: C. Tzaros contd. page 2

Threatened
Bird
Network
Contact: Dean Ingwersen Ph: 03 9882 2622 Email: d.ingwersen@birdsaustralia.com.au Post: 415
BirdsRiversdale
Australia, 60
Rd,Leicester
Hawthorn Street,
East,Carlton, Vic 3053
Vic. 3123
NSW – 25 birds were seen at 13 sites. The largest group
size seen was four –at Baradine in October 2003, and at
Fivebough Swamp, near Leeton, in October 2004. No
breeding was recorded in NSW during this period.
Vic – 57 birds were observed at eight sites, with multiple
sightings of groups at Hird Swamp and Rutherglen. The
largest flock seen was of 12 birds at Hird Swamp in
January 2003, with breeding suspected to have occurred.
Breeding was also recorded at Rutherglen, January 2006.
WA – a total of 51 birds were seen at five sites, the largest
of which was 30 birds near Carnarvon. A flock of 15
birds was also seen at Lake Eda on Christmas Eve, 2004.
No breeding was recorded.
SA – A total of two birds were seen – one at Onkaparinga
wetlands in November 2003, and another at Paiwala in
February 2005. No breeding was recorded in the state in
this time.
Breeding records since September 2002
Breeding was confirmed at three sites, with a probable
record at a fourth. In April 2004, four birds were seen at
Torilla Plains, Qld, three of which were chicks. In
November of the same year, 4 birds were also seen at
Lake Atkinson, Qld, comprising an adult male and
another three chicks. The other confirmed breeding
record was from Rutherglen, Vic, in January 2006 – 4
adults (including a female) and 4 juveniles were observed
over a two month period. The probable breeding record
comes from Hird Swamp, Vic, where one juvenile was
seen among 11 adults in January 2003.
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Female Painted Snipe at Rutherglen, Victoria. Photo: C. Tzaros
A Queensland delight
John Knight reports: Garnet’s Lagoons, Hervey Bay,
comprise two freshwater shallow lakes on reclaimed
saltpan alongside the tidal Susan River, on a 3000 acre
cattle fattening property. The lagoons are generally
fairly exposed, surrounded by pasture, with various
sized reed beds. These reeds are inundated when the
lagoons are full, but as the water evaporates the
habitat becomes suitable for crakes, swamphens and
other shorebirds. The lagoons and surrounds often
have species sheltering or visiting that are seldom
seen elsewhere in Hervey Bay, such as Little Curlew,
Wood Sandpiper, Long-toed stint, Reeve, Broad-
billed Sandpiper, Oriental Pratincole, Australian
Pratincole, Jabiru, and Cotton Pygmy-Goose. During
2003 and 2004 we made a number of sightings of
APS:
• November 2003 - 1 female
• July 2004 - 1 male
• September 2004 - separate sightings of 4, 3 and 3
birds
• October 2004 – 3 birds seen on three occasions,
with a final sighting of 9 birds late in the month
When birds were observed we kept our distance (to
minimise disturbance), and studied them through a
telescope as they crouched in reeds and the rooted-
out foraging hollows of wild pigs. Although they first
appeared to be resting, closer observation showed
that their eyes wide open and observing us! About
sunset they gradually moved around and started
foraging. Other birds common at this location
included Red-kneed Dotterels, Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers, Marsh Sandpipers, Glossy Ibis, Masked
Lapwings, Brolgas, Black-winged Stilts and Black-
fronted Dotterels. Unfortunately, in early November
2004, unauthorized pig shooters (who would have
used dogs and spotlights) hunted around the lagoons
and entrails of a pig were found right in the middle of
the roost - no birds were seen after this time.
contd. page 3
Interestingly, during the last sightings the flock appeared
to divide, with two females on one side of the lagoon,
and the males (perhaps with juveniles) on the other.
Perhaps the numbers suggest a post-breeding flock, but
unfortunately no data could be gathered to confirm this.
Painted Snipe in flight at Rutherglen, Victoria. Photo: D. O’Donnell
APS Recovery Plan 2005-2010
A recovery plan for the APS is nearing completion, and
will soon be sent to the relevant authorities for
evaluation. The plan outlines the state of knowledge of
APS ecology, threats which have led to declines of the
species, and lists a set of actions which need to occur to
help arrest its decline. Threats listed include altered
wetland hydrology, feral predators, and the fact that basic
knowledge of the species is relatively poor. It is hoped
that by the next issue of Painted Snippets the plan will
have been approved, a Recovery Team will be in place,
and the conservation of APS will be in full swing. Stay
tuned!
Let’s go west!
In January 2005, summer storms resulted in most
wetlands immediately west of Melbourne being filled. As
a result, the TBN crew began to think about the
possibility of APS showing up, particularly in the
following spring. On checking a report on the western
wetlands by the Victorian DSE, it was found that Painted
Snipe had been previously recorded at 11 sites, with the
most recent being near Balliang in 1990. Most of these
wetlands were holding water for the first time in many
years, so the focus of the spring and summer surveys
were to search these areas. Some of the most promising
areas were on private land, and many landholders allowed
access for us to search. We are still actively searching
these areas, and would love to know of other wetlands in
the area which could possibly support APS - contact
Dean for further information.
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APS surveys in north Victoria
Chris Coleborn was commissioned by the Department
of Sustainability and Environment in Bendigo to survey
Hird Swamp, Little Lake Murphy & McDonald Swamp
in northern Victoria. This work was designed to
investigate the presence of Australian Painted Snipe at
these sites, as well as searching for suitable habitat.
Surveys have occurred every season for the past four
years, and monitoring is ongoing. Since the surveys
started Chris has noticed certain patterns emerging.
Ten sites or zones have been identified, covering east
and west sections, which have contained APS. For
nearly every sighting the habitat comprised clumps of
lignum (Meuhlenbeckia sp.) inundated by shallow fresh
water, with small mudbanks and islands around the
clumps. Chris and other observers have also found
that if the site is ideal for other waders, such as Sharp-
tailed Sandpiper, Latham’s Snipe, and especially Red-
kneed Dotterels, APS are more likely to be present.
However, when water management dictates filling of
the swamp, mud areas become reduced and most
waders (including APS) move elsewhere.
Water quality also appears to affect numbers, as does
the period between initial flooding and the appearance
of the birds. For example, Hird Swamp was filled two
years before APS were first observed, and the birds
only appeared when the water was receding and clear
mudflats had formed. This is in contrast to habitat
observations in Queensland, where birds are often seen
in inundated low grasses out in the open. The birds
appear to be much shyer at Hird Swamp, and often
don’t flush even when the observer is right upon them.
In the four years to April 2005, Chris made 34 sightings
of APS at Hird Swamp. Other members of the APS
contd. page 4
Typical Hird Swamp habitat. Photo: C. Tzaros
Project Team have made a further 16 sightings during
this period, including a significant observation in winter
2003 (this was the first ever winter record for Victoria).
The first record of the birds was made in December
2002 (12 birds seen that summer), with the most recent
record being of one female in March 2005.

Did Hope help?

In the first issue of Painted Snippets it was announced that

Professor Lew Oring was spending his sabbatical
studying the breeding biology of APS at Hope Island,
Qld. During the period of his observations the APS did
not breed, however his observations were published in
the December 2004 edition of Wingspan. For those who
haven't read this article, extensive analysis was made on
mating and parental care based on historical records.
Lew also managed to collect solid data on daily rhythms
of the birds, behaviour at their roost, foraging,
territoriality, and sociality. The use of playback calls and
point surveys for searching large and small wetlands was
also discussed. Lew has sent a video to Danny Rogers,
made during his study at Hope Island, which shows in
great detail a lot of the behaviour listed above. Footage
obtained includes that of threat displays, wing quivering
(to dry out plumage) and methods of feeding. Must see
viewing!
More of the Painted Snipe Team…
These are a few more of the Painted Snipers, working on
the conservation of this stunning bird:
Dean Ingwersen (Threatened Bird Network): Dean
originally hails from Gippsland, Victoria, but moved to
Melbourne to pursue his ornithological career. His role on
the team is to co-ordinate volunteers involved in the
project, provide a link between the Painted Snipe team
and the community, and assist with conservation issues.
His predecessor, Chris Tzaros, has moved on to a research
project mapping Orange-bellied Parrot mainland habitat,
but is still actively involved in the team (as can be seen by
the photo credits in this issue!).
Roger Jaensch (Wetlands International): Roger is based at
Wetlands International’s Brisbane office, and his
specialisations include waterbird breeding and population
estimates. His experience with wetlands and waterbirds in
Australia, the Pacific Islands and South-East Asia spans
about 30 years and provides context to assessments of
wetland and waterbird importance. Roger’s encounters
with APS and their nests have occurred from the south-
east of South Australia, north and east through inland
regions to the Kimberley and Capricornia. He can be
contacted by email at roger.jaensch@wetlands-oceania.org
It’s tough work being the centre of attention! Painted Snipe at
Rutherglen, Victoria. Photo: C. Tzaros
Professor Lew Oring (University of Nevada): Based in
Reno, USA, Lew Oring is a professor in Conservation
Biology. He is recognised world-wide as a leading
authority on the breeding biology and ecology of
shorebirds, and has contributed to such important
publications as the United States Shorebird Conservation
Plan 2001. He spent six months in Australia studying the
behaviour of APS in 2002, and his contribution to our
knowledge of these birds has been invaluable.
Upcoming events
A workshop for landholders, government agencies and
other interested parties on the biology, ecology and
conservation of the APS is in the early stages of
development. It is planned to occur just prior to the
spring survey in late October, probably somewhere in the
NSW Riverina. If you’re interested in attending, please
register with Dean Ingwersen at Birds Australia (details at
bottom of page 1). And speaking of the surveys, the
dates for the next round have been finalised. The spring
survey this year will be held over the weekend of 29th &
30th October, with the next summer survey to occur on
13th & 14th January 2007.
Further reading
Rogers, D., I. Hance, S. Paton, C. Tzaros, P. Griffioen, M.
Herring, R. Jaensch, L. Oring, A. Silcocks and M. Weston.
2005. The Breeding Bottleneck: Breeding Habitat and
Population Decline in the Australian Painted Snipe. IN
Straw, P. (Ed.) Status and Conservation of Shorebirds in the
East Asian-Australasian Flyway; Proceedings of the Australasian
Shorebirds Conference 13-15 December 2003, Canberra,
Australia. Wetlands International Global Series 18,
International Wader Studies 17. Sydney Australia.
(Contact Dean if you would like a copy of this article)

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