Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00677:reg:12:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00677
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 12 (pt 7/33)
Character Range: 22511–25483

Lakes Ramsar site continues to host breeding Australian Fairy Terns. From 2015–2018,
             114 Australian Fairy Terns chicks fledged across the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site. This was a noteworthy increase in recruitment post sand island rehabilitation. Prior to this, numbers of fledglings of both Australian Fairy and Little Tern species for many years had been recorded in single figures only (DELWP, unpublished). In 2018–19,
             an estimated 25 Australian Fairy Terns chicks fledged from only one breeding site. The 2019/20 season did not produce any fledglings despite multiple nesting attempts (Sullivan et al, unpublished report).

   In New Zealand, subspecies davisae declined to three pairs in 1983 but due to intensive conservation efforts increased to 25–30 birds and 8–10 pairs over four sites in 1998 (Hansen 2006). In 2006 the population had increased to 30–40 individuals and
   10 pairs (Parrish and Honnor 1997, Taylor 2000). By 2011, this had increased again to 40–45 individuals and 10 pairs (P-J. Pridham in litt. 2011). As of 2019, the current breeding population is six pairs.

   In New Caledonia, subspecies exsul numbers 200–400 pairs, but was formerly much more abundant (Barre et al. 2012; BirdLife International 2019). One small population in the Southern Lagoon of New Caledonia may be increasing (Baling et al. 2009).

1.6            Ecology

    Social behaviour
   As with all other terns (Cabot and Nisbet 2013), Australian Fairy Terns are gregarious, gathering together at roost sites both during and outside the breeding season (Dunlop 2018). In Western Australia, night roosts are generally located on open shoreline features such as sandspits, away from vegetation cover and predators (Dunlop 2018). Some are only occupied during the arrival period whilst others are occupied for most of the breeding season. These roosts may contain birds at a range
   of ages with the composition changing as the season progresses (Dunlop 2018). Night roosts may include pre- and post-breeding experienced adults, individuals entering their first breeding season, non-breeding individuals in their first summer, and fledglings (Dunlop 2018; J.N. Dunlop pers. obs.).

   The social behaviour associated with colony site selection and establishment has not been investigated in Australian Fairy Terns, probably because it is hard to predict when and where it will occur (Dunlop 2018). In other terns that do not have inter-annual
   nest-site fidelity, courting flocks of reproductively advanced, nuptial plumaged birds commonly occur adjacent to potential colony sites (e.g. Crested Tern - Dunlop 1987, Little Terns - Cramp et al. 1985, Sooty Tern - Ashmole 1963, and J.N. Dunlop pers. obs.). In Western Australia, 'clubs' are social roosts that are occupied by birds in breeding condition, have nuptial plumage, are courting and are ready to breed. Here pair bonds form or reform and these clubs are usually in close proximity to