Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)

Description

The Latham’s Snipe, also known as the Japanese Snipe, is a medium-sized wading bird.
It grows up to 29–33 cm long, has a wingspan of 50–54 cm, and weighs between 150–230 grams.
It has a long bill and white belly.
They are buff, with reddish-brown and black feathers with bold brown stripes and cream streaks.
They eat seeds, flies, beetles, worms and spiders.

The Latham’s Snipe breeds in northern Japan and on some islands off far-eastern Russia. It migrates to south-eastern Australia every year, usually arriving in July and August and leaving by April.
During their non-breeding season (in southern NSW, Victoria, south-east South Australia and Tasmania) they are usually found in open, freshwater wetlands with low, thick vegetation.
They are also found in wetlands located close to people. In smaller numbers, they can also be found in drier habitats like open woodlands and high-altitude grasslands. They like to roost on the ground with shelter and can coexist with the threatened Australian Painted Snipe.

From August to March, there have been regular sightings (97% of years 1974-2014).
You can find them at Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve, Horse Park Drive Wetland, West Belconnen Pond, Mulligans Flat and Bonshaw, as well as other locations across the ACT, including:
- Lake Burley Griffin (Acacia Inlet)
- Lake Tuggeranong
They can also be found in the high country at Ginini Flats Ramsar site and Nursery Swamp in Namadgi National Park.

The main threats to the Latham’s Snipe are loss of and damage to wetlands. Other threats include:

increased frequency of severe drought
disturbance from recreational activities
predators such as foxes, dogs and cats
poor water quality, light and noise pollution caused by closeness to urban areas.

International – Near Threatened (International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List).
National – Vulnerable (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Australian Capital Territory – Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 2014).

In the ACT, the wetlands where the Latham's Snipe feeds and roosts are mostly in protected areas. Conservation actions to improve habitat include to:

manage threats, especially those relating to urban development
examine population trends and habitat
encourage and support community involvement. For example, the Jerrabomberra Wetlands programs and the Latham’s Snipe Project.