Scientific name:Charadrius mongolus Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
Description
The non-breeding Lesser Sand Plover has a grey-brown crown, nape, back and breast patches. The forehead, lores, bill and upperwing are dark; ear coverts are dusky. There is prominent white plumage on the forehead, chin, throat and underparts, including the underwing. The Lesser Sand Plover is distinguished from the Greater Sand Plover by a smaller body with a more upright stance, more compact appearance and dark grey, rather than greenish legs. When breeding in the Northern Hemisphere, the plumage on the breast, crown and nape changes to a dull brick-red and the ear coverts become black. The brick-red breast is separated from the white throat by a narrow black line. Elements of this plumage may be visible in some Australian birds just after arrival in spring or prior to departure in autumn, and in some overwintering birds.
Location and habitat
Distribution The Lesser Sand Plover breeds in central and north eastern Asia, migrating further south for winter. In Australia the species is found around the entire coast but is most common in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and along the east coast of Queensland and northern NSW. Individuals are rarely recorded south of the Shoalhaven estuary, and there are few inland records.
Habitat and ecology
Almost entirely coastal in NSW, favouring the beaches of sheltered bays, harbours and estuaries with large intertidal sandflats or mudflats; occasionally occurs on sandy beaches, coral reefs and rock platforms.
Highly gregarious, frequently seen in flocks exceeding 100 individuals; also often seen foraging and roosting with other wader species.
Roosts during high tide on sandy beaches, spits and rocky shores; forage individually or in scattered flocks on wet ground at low tide, usually away from the water’s edge.
Diet includes insects, crustaceans, molluscs and marine worms.
Prey is usually detected visually with the birds making short, quick runs, with abrupt stops to lunge at the ground or look for prey.
Regional information This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.
Loss and degradation of habitats as a result of residential, agricultural and tourism developments.
Hydrological changes to estuaries and similar water bodies may modify or remove important areas of suitable habitat.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 3 priority actions to help recover the Lesser Sand-plover in New South Wales.
What needs to be done to recover this species?
Raise visitor awareness about the presence of this and other threatened shorebird species; provide information on how their actions will affect the species' survival.
Manage estuaries and the surrounding landscape to ensure natural hydrological regimes are maintained.
Protect and maintain known or potential habitats, including the implementation of protection zones around known habitat sites and recent records.
References
Hayman, P., Marchant, J. and Prater, T. (1986) Shorebirds. Helm Identification Guides. Christopher Helm, London.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. (2003) The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia 7th Edition. Menkhorst, P. (ed). HarperCollins.
Pringle, J.D. (1987) The Shorebirds of Australia, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Smith, P. (1991) The Biology and Management of Waders in NSW. Species Management Report Number 9. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.
Watkins, D. (1993) A National Plan for Shorebird Conservation in Australia. RAOU Report No. 90. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne.
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