Beach-nesting shorebird and small terns GPS data from Tasmania's coastal areas. Surveys undertaken September to March every summer with primary effort directed towards sandy beaches. Shorebird species mapped comprise Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis, Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus, Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris and Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fulignosus. These data sets are in the public domain via the NVA and LIST. In addition, nests and colonies of Fairy Tern Sternula nereis and Little Tern Sternula albifrons are also mapped. These data sets are not in the public domain.

Data comprises centroids of breeding territories of beach-nesting shorebirds on Tasmania's coast. In some cases, nests and/or eggs and chicks are encountered. If nests, eggs or chicks are encountered, GPS data record nest location. Surveys are based on linear transect along foreshore, parallel to High Water Mark, passing through successive breeding territories. Breeding territories of different species may overlap due to different habitat requirements. Beaches are visited at varying frequencies - some beaches and sensitive species (terns) are monitored annually or as frequently as logistically possible; remote beaches and colonies may only be visited once every 4 to 6 years.BirdLife Tasmania aims to survey all beaches at a minimum of five-yearly visits. Data quality is high - a single observer has recorded more than 95% of the data since 2000/01 to ensure consistency in data collection and field interpretation. Primary data collector is Dr Eric Woehler; a low number of supplementary data have been included, collected by Ms E Znidersic and Mr B Arthur using identical protocols. All data has been mapped and vetted/edited before submission to ensure error free status. All data collected with 12-channel hand-held GPS (Garmin eTrex30, Garmin CS76x) units using WGS 84 datum and collected in UTM coordinates. Data converted to GDA96 by DPIPWE before loading. Analyses of data is underway and reports and publications using these data sets are available on the Birdlife Tasmania webpage (www.birdlife.org.au/tasmania).