Orford (Tasmania) (26514)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Orford (Tasmania)
Central coordinates: Latitude: -42.5525, Longitude: 147.8818
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 0.02651
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is a small sand spit located at the mouth of the Prosser River, near the township of Orford, in south-east Tasmania. The spit is one of a few sites in Tasmania which annually supports a breeding colony of the vulnerable Fairy Tern. The spit also supports breeding populations of Hooded and Red-capped Plover, and Pied Oystercatcher. Flocks of 50 Red-necked Stint are present during summer months. The size and shape of the spit vary depending on tides, but the spit has grown progressively larger in recent years because of low rainfall and associated low outflow from the Prosser River. The habitat at the spit is mostly bare sand, but marram grass has begun to grow in recent years. Most of the land captured by the IBA is located 1 m or less above the high water mark and is subject to overtopping by seawater during winter storms. North and south of the IBA are narrow sandy beaches, which are highly disturbed by people and dogs, and which support low numbers of breeding shorebirds. The IBA is located in a region that experiences a temperate maritime climate with warm summers and cool winters.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Other species recorded in the IBA include 5-6 pairs of Hooded Plover, 10 pairs of Red-capped Plover, 5-7 pairs of Pied Oystercatcher and up to 50 Red-necked Stints (E. Woehler and B. Arthur pers. comm. 2009). Double-banded Plovers are also recorded here (P. Park pers. comm. 2009).
Other site values: Owned by the Tasmanian State Government and managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Continue to protect the Fairy Tern colony during periods of peak recreational activity through the erection of fencing. Explore the need for additional or stronger means to exclude pedestrian traffic from the colony site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Eric Woehler, Priscilla Park and Ben Arthur provided the information for this IBA.