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).

Sandy beaches on the north and west coasts of Tasmania, and on Flinders and King Islands were sample between October 1996 and August 1997. At each of 102 sites the strandline fauna was sampled using pitfall traps set overnight during the low tide period. A number of physical and biotic characteristics of each beach were also measured.

Sandy beaches on Tasmania's east coast, from Catamaran to Cape Portland, were sampled between September 1994 and June 1995. At each of 120 sites the strandline fauna was sampled using pitfall traps set overnight during the low tide period. A number of physical and biotic characteristics of each beach were also measured.

A complete survey of the numbers and breeding stages of seabirds, resident and migratory shorebirds and raptors at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, central west coast, Western Australia, was undertaken. One hundred and ninety two (192) islands, islets and rocks were surveyed over 21 days in December 2006. Seabird nesting habitat was mapped in its entirety for those islands considered as significant breeding areas (i.e. Pelsaert Island, Leo Island) and estimates of both breeding and roosting seabirds were made for each island. Notes on the stage of breeding were also taken, and where applicable, eggs were measured and weighed for some species to obtain breeding dates. Monitoring transects were established on West Wallabi and Pelsaert Islands to monitor longer term changes in the nesting density of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica, Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris melanops, Common (Brown) Noddy Anous stolidus and Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscata. The Lesser Noddy transects had been previously established by Fuller and Burbidge (1992), and were used again for comparative purposes. We recorded 14 species of seabirds, 16 species of migratory shorebirds, three resident shorebirds and two raptors during this survey. Of these, 14 species of seabirds, three resident shorebirds and the two raptors were breeding. These breeding populations are considered significant in a regional and national context. Of the 192 islands surveyed, 148 (77%) had breeding seabirds.

Rock Platforms on Tasmania's east coast, Flinders Island, and the north coast as far west as Port Sorell, were surveyed between December 1995 and September 1996. At each of 51 sites two transects were sampled using quadrats. All animals and plants were counted, or in the case of sessile species, their cover was estimated.