Automated observation records of priority bird and cetacean species (ORE TEDISC)
Updated: 2026-11-02
This dataset contains observational records of priority seabird and cetacean species. It is retrieved and processed by an automated data pipeline developed for the ORE TEDISC (Offshore Renewable Energy Trusted Environmental Data and Information Supply Chains) project. Its purpose is to support modelling of potential impacts of the proposed Gippsland offshore wind development on priority marine species in south-east Australia (NESP MaC Project 4.7). Unlike static data compilations, the records are retrieved programmatically through the public APIs of the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and iNaturalist. The pipeline can be re-run to incorporate new records as they become available. Fifteen priority species are included in the dataset, matching those identified for NESP MaC Project 4.7: six albatrosses and petrels (Amsterdam Albatross, Gould’s Petrel, Grey-headed Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Shy Albatross and Southern Giant Petrel), four migratory shorebirds (Curlew Sandpiper, Far Eastern Curlew, Siberian Sand Plover and Red Knot), two migratory parrots (Orange-bellied Parrot and Swift Parrot), and three baleen whales (Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale and Pygmy Blue Whale). Records may also be retrieved under outdated or alternative taxonomic names used by the source repositories. Two related representations of the data are supplied. The first provides source-specific tables that retain records as close to their original form as practical, with processing restricted to the minimum required to parse the source data. A second, combined dataset harmonises records across providers and applies data-quality filtering, taxonomic standardisation and deduplication to produce an observation dataset suitable for use in Species Distribution Models (SDMs). ***This data is under development. Access to the finalised spatial data will be provided once finalised, estimated late 2026.***
Data
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- {"title":"NESP MaC Project 4.7 - Development of regional modelling and risk assessments to inform offshore renewable decision-making, 2024-2027 (CSIRO)","recordAbstract":"This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2024 project \"Development of regional modelling and risk assessments to inform offshore renewable decision-making\". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.\n--------------------\n\nAustralia is entering a phase of rapid offshore renewable energy (ORE) development, particularly in eastern and south-eastern waters. In considering the environmental acceptability of wind energy projects under the EPBC Act and Offshore Electricity Infrastructure framework, methods are required to evaluate cumulative risks to listed species, Australian Marine Parks and other natural values, including risks that arise from construction, operation, decommissioning, climate change and existing human pressures.\n\nThis project used quantitative modelling approaches to assess potential impacts and cumulative risks associated with offshore renewable energy infrastructure in the Gippsland declared region. Twelve impact pathways identified by DCCEEW were used to structure problem formulation, risk hypotheses, modelling and assessment, with priority species and associated data needs identified in consultation with DCCEEW and NOPSEMA.\n\nThe project applied two linked modelling approaches: species-specific population models and whole-of-ecosystem modelling. Population models estimated exposure and potential effects for priority threatened and migratory species across breeding, overwintering, foraging and migration areas, including risks such as collision, underwater noise, electromagnetic fields, vessel interactions, displacement and attraction. Whole-of-ecosystem modelling assessed broader ecological pathways, including hydrodynamics, sediment transport, benthic habitat effects, displacement of fishing activity, trophic effects around infrastructure, and cumulative interactions with climate change.\n\nScenario analyses were used to explore how risks varied with the timing, number, location and configuration of offshore renewable energy developments. Model outputs were used to assess the cumulative risks to key species and natural values, and supported evaluation of mitigation options such as infrastructure placement, construction timing, operational constraints and post-assessment monitoring.\n\nThe project outputs provide regulators and conservation managers with a modelling framework for assessing ORE-related cumulative impacts, identifying monitoring requirements, prioritising future research, and support evidence-based decisions on risk acceptability and management under relevant environmental legislation.\n\nOutputs\n• Species-specific population models for key threatened and migratory species for the Gippsland ORE region [spatial outputs]\n• Outputs from Whole of Ecosystem (WoE) modelling [risk-based impact spatial outputs]\n• Final project report [written]"}
- {"title":"Modelled monthly migration intensity of priority shorebirds across Bass Strait (BirdFlow) (NESP MaC 4.7)","recordAbstract":"This dataset contains modelled monthly migration patterns across Bass Strait for three priority shorebird species: Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and Red Knot (Calidris canutus). The species were selected from a suite of priority species identified by NOPSEMA and DCCEEW, building on species priorities investigated under NESP MaC Project 3.21. Modelling for Siberian Sand Plover (Anarhynchus mongolus) was not progressed because insufficient records were available from Tasmania.\n\nMigration was modelled using BirdFlow, a population-level movement model that infers migration routes, timing and connectivity from weekly relative-abundance distributions. Available telemetry, banding and re-sighting data were used to evaluate and select candidate model configurations. The spatial outputs represent the rate (predicted number of crossings per 1 km grid cell) during each month of an average annual migration cycle. Separate raster products are provided for northward and southward movement, together with combined northward + southward transit surfaces. Values represent transit through a cell rather than occupancy or the number of birds present at a location. A single simulated bird may contribute to multiple cells as it moves across the landscape.\n\nThe models were developed to support assessment of shorebird exposure to offshore renewable energy development in Bass Strait as part of NESP Hub Project 4.7. The products are intended for comparison of the spatial and seasonal intensity of migratory movement, including movement through and around offshore renewable energy areas.\n\n***This data is under development. Access to the finalised spatial data will be provided once finalised, estimated early 2027.***"}
- {"title":"Modelled monthly distributions of priority seabirds (Southern Hemisphere) (NESP MaC 4.7)","recordAbstract":"This dataset contains modelled monthly distributions of priority seabirds developed to support assessment of exposure to offshore renewable energy development as part of NESP MaC Project 4.7. Distributions are modelled for six species: Amsterdam Albatross, Gould’s Petrel, Gray-headed Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Shy Albatross and Southern Giant Petrel. The underlying project priority species were identified by NOPSEMA and DCCEEW, building on species priorities investigated under NESP MaC Project 3.21.\n\nContinuous integrated space-time species distribution models were fitted across the Southern Hemisphere using observations from multiple data types, including tracking, presence-absence, abundance and presence-only records. The outputs describe spatial and seasonal variation in seabird distribution on a 5 km equal-area EASE-Grid 2.0 grid. Two related raster products are provided for each modelled taxon: (1) a normalised population-distribution surface representing the relative proportion of the modelled population within each grid cell; and (2) an estimated population-density surface (individuals per km²) derived by scaling these proportions by the estimated total adult population size (Southern hemisphere).\n\nThe models were developed to provide spatially and temporally explicit seabird distributions for cumulative risk assessment, including assessment of overlap with offshore renewable energy activities. Monthly outputs describe seasonal patterns across January–December.\n\n***This data is under development. Access to the finalised spatial data will be provided once finalised, estimated early 2027.***"}
