bird management plan for offshore platforms

EA-00-RI-10191

Santos Ltd | Bird Management Plan for Offshore Platforms of 21

Bird Management Plan for Offshore Platforms

PROJECT / FACILITY Reindeer Platform

REVIEW INTERVAL (MONTHS) 48 Months

SAFETY CRITICAL DOCUMENT NO

Rev

Owner Reviewer/s

Managerial/Technical/Site Approver

Operations

Superintendent - Gas

Assets

Environment Advisor

Manager - Gas Assets

1

Any hard copy of this document, other than those identified above, are uncontrolled. Please refer to

the Santos Offshore Business Document Management System for the latest revision.

EA-00-RI-10191 - Rev 1 - Issued for Approval - Code 1 - Approved - - 28 Feb 2020 14:37

Santos WA - Managed Information - Uncontrolled when printed


Rev Rev Date Author / Editor Amendment

A 07/11/17 Draft for internal review.

0 17/11/17 Update to address comments

0A 03/02/20

Updated to Santos document template.

Updated to expand scope to include the John

Brookes Platform.

Change of title to reflect expanded scope.

1 25/02/2020 Updated in response to comments.

Issued for Use.




Contents

1 INTRODUCTION 4

1.1 Function 4

1.2 Objective 4

2 PLANNING 5

2.1 Facilities Descriptions and Activity Summary 5

2.2 Stakeholder Consultation 8

2.3 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 8

2.4 Risk Assessment Philosophy 10

2.5 Risk Ranking by Species 10

3 IMPLEMENTATION 11

3.1 Potential Bird Management Strategies 11

3.2 Current Bird Management Strategy for Reindeer Platform 11

3.3 Proposed Bird Management Strategy for John Brookes Platform 12

3.4 Roles and Responsibilities 12

3.5 Training and Awareness 15

3.6 Monitoring 15

3.7 Reporting 15

4 REFERENCES 16

APPENDIX 1: Bird Count and Activity Log 17

APPENDIX 2: Species Identification Cards 18




1 INTRODUCTION Santos Western Australia (Santos) is committed to ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers visiting the normally unmanned offshore platforms ‘Reindeer’ and ‘John Brookes’. This Bird Management Plan (BMP) has been developed by Santos with technical advice and review provided by bird management consultants Ornithological Technological Specialists (OTS). The BMP describes the hazards introduced by bird activity and the proposed strategies to disturb the birds from the platforms. The primary objective of the BMP is to reduce the risk to helicopters of bird strike which is identified in the Reindeer and John Brookes Safety Cases as a hazard which could result in a major accident event (MAE). Subsequent benefits to actively reducing bird activity at Reindeer and John Brookes include the reduction of guano loading which obscures critical helipad markings, reduces friction on the helipad, causes equipment downtime and poses health and safety risks to personnel.

1.1 Function

The function of this BMP is to define the risk that birds pose to helicopter traffic at Reindeer and John Brookes and to establish a strategy to manage the risk.

The BMP:

• Incorporates the themes of Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Advisory Circular 139-26 Wildlife

Hazard Management at Aerodromes;

• Addresses the requirements of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 133 - Air transport and

aerial work operations – rotorcraft1;

• Seeks to maintain the helideck ‘fit for function’ to prevent a helicopter crash ‘major accident event’ as

described in both the Reindeer Wellhead Platform Operations Safety Case (RE-02-RF-00029) and the

John Brookes Safety Case Part IV—Formal Safety Assessment (JB-91-RF-00003.04);

• Provides supporting evidence for the Environmental Management of Change (MOC) process;

• Supports the General Permit Application for Regulation 258: impact to listed marine species and

Regulation 216: impact to migratory species submitted to the Department of Environment and Energy

(DotEE) as require by the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999:

• Supports Santos Health and Safety policies and procedures.

1.2 Objective

The primary objective of this BMP is to reduce risk to helicopter traffic from bird strike. A secondary objective

is to reduce the volume of guano on the platform, particularly the helideck. The BMP will:

• Define the methods by which birds will be deterred from the Reindeer and John Brookes platforms;

• Provide a tool to support compliance with relevant environmental legislation;

• Define roles and responsibilities; and

• Define the approach for recording, maintaining and reviewing data.

1 Whilst the platform is not under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the plan will not be

submitted to CASA, the content is generally consistent with the CASA ‘wildlife hazard management plan’ template to ensure

thoroughness.




2 PLANNING

2.1 Facilities Descriptions and Activity Summary

This BMP applies to flight paths and helicopter landing areas on both the Reindeer and John Brookes

Platforms. The location of these facilities are shown in Figure 1 below and the details of these facilities,

helidecks and helicopter operations are described in the following sections.

Figure 1: Location of Reindeer and John Brookes Platforms

EA-00-RI-10191 - Rev 1 - Issued for Approval - Code 1 - Approved - 28 Feb 2020 14:37



2.1.1 Reindeer Facility and Helicopter Platform

Platform location: 20° 21’ 26” S 116°18’35” E (see Figure 1). Platform description: Four leg structure in 58.7 m water depth (LAT); and four topside levels with an integrated helideck on the upper deck (see Figure 2). Helideck summary: offset helideck suitable for helicopter up to an AW139, at height of +36m LAT. Annual helicopter days at platform: minimum of 50, comprised of four days routine maintenance every two months (24 days annually) plus other scopes ranging from 25 – 50 days per year. Helicopter landings / take-offs: minimum of 100 per year (i.e. helicopter drops personnel off in morning and returns in the afternoon, 50 days per year). Persons on board helicopter: two air crew and typically 5 - 10 passengers.

Figure 2: Reindeer platform with helideck on left-hand side of the top deck.




2.1.2 John Brookes Facility and Helicopter Platform

Platform location: 20° 26' 50"S 115° 07' 13”E (see Figure 1). Platform description: Four leg structure in 47 m water depth (LAT); and four topside levels with an integrated helideck on the upper deck (see Figure 3). Helideck summary: offset helideck suitable for helicopter up to an AW139, at height of +28.7m above LAT. Annual helicopter days at platform: minimum of 50, comprised of four days routine maintenance every two months (24 days annually) plus other scopes ranging from 25 – 50 days per year. Helicopter landings / take-offs: minimum of 100 per year (i.e. helicopter drops personnel off in morning and returns in the afternoon, 50 days per year). Persons on board helicopter: two air crew and typically 5 - 10 passengers.

Figure 3: John Brookes platform with helideck on right-hand side of the top deck.




2.2 Stakeholder Consultation

Although the Reindeer and John Brookes platforms are located in Australian Commonwealth Waters and not under the jurisdiction of CASA, petroleum activities within these locations are subject to safety and environment regulations administered by the following two departments:

• Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy (DotEE); and

• National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)

Santos consulted DotEE in June 2017 to determine if a permit would be required under the EPBC Act 1999 prior to employing bird management devices. There are provisions under EPBC Act S255 to undertake actions if it is necessary to prevent a risk to human health (S255f): or to deal with an emergency involving a serious threat to human life or property (S255h). However, Santos selected a conservative approach and gained a Part 13 Permit (permit number E2107-0141) from the DotEE, to undertake bird deterrent activities at the Reindeer Platform which was supported by this BMP. In July 2019 Santos consulted DotEE to seek a possible amendment to the Part 13 Permit to include the John Brookes Platform as a facility where the bird management devices could be deployed. The DotEE advice on this matter was that the use of bird deterrents at a different location was considered a new action; therefore a new permit will be required. In September 2019 the DotEE contacted Santos to inform that due to an administrative error, the Part 13 Permit (permit number E2107-0141) issued for use of bird deterrents at the Reindeer Platform was required to be reissued. To streamline the permitting process DotEE requested that Santos submit a new application which included both the Reindeer and John Brookes Platforms as locations where the bird deterrent activities will be undertaken. Subsequently, this BMP was updated (to Revision 1) to incorporate the John Brookes platform as a location where the bird management activities would be undertaken, with the intent that this revised BMP will be provided as a supporting document to this new application. The Reindeer and John Brookes platforms are also regulated by NOPSEMA for safety and environmental matters. The relevant regulatory instruments are the Reindeer Wellhead Platform Operations Safety Case (RE-02-RF-00029), the Reindeer Wellhead Platform and Offshore Gas Supply Pipeline Operations Environment Plan (EA-14-10002.01), the John Brooks Safety Case (JB-91-RF-00003) and the Varanus Island Hub Operations Environment Plan for Commonwealth Waters (John Brookes, Greater East Spar and associated Facilities) (EA-66-Rl-10003). It is not anticipated that this BMP will require any modifications to the Safety Cases as it is proposing to introduce an additional control measure against a defined MAE. With respect to the EPs, any new activities or significant amendment to existing activities must be assessed by Santos to ensure there is no introduction of new or increased environmental risk. This will be managed by following the Environment Management of Change Procedure (EA-91-IQ-10001). If the change is compatible with the relevant EP, the MoC remains as an internal record and the EP is not resubmitted to NOPSEMA for assessment. There are no other stakeholders requiring consultation as the platforms are located offshore (see Figure 1). The laser and audio devices will have limitations on sweep arcs / angles to prevent potential disturbance or injury to crew on any vessels that may enter the vicinity of platform.

2.3 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

2.3.1 Aircraft Movements and Types

The number and frequency of Air Transport Movements (ATMs) and aircraft types are the base factor for

likelihood of interaction between aircraft and birds. One ATM = one operation to or from a Helicopter Platforms

i.e. 1 landing = 1 ATM; 1 take-off = 1 ATM.

Rates of strike are calculated at “strikes per 10,000 Air Transport Movements”. It has been identified by

Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) that the likelihood of a strike is influenced by aircraft size,

approach and take-off speeds and the engine type propelling the aircraft. The aircraft types operating at the

platforms (rotary wing aircraft - helicopters) have small ingestion surface areas but large propeller / rotor areas.




Another factor considered during the assessment process was the time of day of aircraft movements and

seasonal conditions; all of which factor into the likelihood of a strike occurring and the species that would most

likely be struck based on numbers and behaviour. Night time flying does not occur at the platforms.

There are approximately 100 ATMs per year at both the platforms and from 2010 to date there have been 12

recorded bird strikes during helicopter operations at these facilities (for further details see Section 2.3.3

below).

2.3.2 Helideck Hazards

The primary hazard at the Reindeer and John Brookes platforms is birds taking flight as helicopters approach. This causes pilot distraction and introduces the potential for bird strike, which could lead to helicopter damage / crash, potentially escalating to a multiple fatality event. An additional hazard caused by the birds is the build-up of guano on the helideck and other decks of the platforms. The associated hazards from guano include:

• helideck markings and lights become obscured;

• solar panels that power electrical equipment impacted;

• safety critical equipment on the platform becomes obscured and may deteriorate at a quicker rate

when covered in guano; and

• surfaces become slippery, particularly after rainfall

Cleaning the guano also introduces a cost and additional safety risk as personnel must travel to the platform in the days before maintenance campaigns to pressure spray the helideck and other safety critical items. This problem has existed since at least 2013, as illustrated in the photographs in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Examples of guano cover on helideck and safety critical equipment on the offshore platforms.

2.3.3 Bird Interaction History

Table 1 summarises bird related events (Incidents, Hazards and Near Misses) that have been recorded at the Reindeer and John Brookes Platforms from 2010 to present. This table shows that the negative bird related interactions which occur at the facilities include helicopter bird strike, build-up of guano, bird impeding helicopter operations and equipment damage/integrity issues cause by bird guano. These documented events collectively support the need to actively deter birds from using the platforms as roosting/resting sites.




Table 1: Summary of historic bird related events at John Brookes and Reindeer platforms

2.4 Risk Assessment Philosophy

The consequence of a helicopter bird strike is related to body mass, flocking behaviour and flight behaviour,

while the probability of a strike is related to the abundances of different bird species on or near the platforms.

However, the probability of a strike on any one aircraft movement is remote and so strike data may not provide

the best estimate of the likelihood of a strike. Furthermore, using strike data is a reactive approach in that

species are only identified as a risk after they have been involved in one or more strikes. Taking this into

consideration, at the time of the assessment for the development of this BMP, the Paton (2010) risk

assessment approach was adopted to rank species by consequence and modified by OTS (Table 2).

2.5 Risk Ranking by Species

Following the Paton (2010) risk assessment approach, the ranking of risk posed by individual bird species is

presented in Table 2. However, Santos take the position that a significant bird strike of any of the species has

the potential to cause a helicopter crash and multiple fatalities. This automatically puts the risk in the ‘critical’

consequence and Santos will seek to deter all species with equal effort.

As per Santos Risk Matrix (QE-91-IF-00039), any risk in the red zone requires reduction of risk. The

management strategies proposed for the platforms are described in Section 3.1. The proposed strategies may

be amended as more evidence is gathered on the effectiveness of the strategies; or where an increase in bird

activity or strikes are recorded.

Note that the risk matrix shown in Table 2 only considers the risk to helicopter activities introduced by the

presence of birds. Prior to implementation of the proposed mitigation strategies, a comprehensive hazard

identification (HAZID) workshop will be conducted. The HAZID will assess all potential safety and

environmental hazards related to use of the selected equipment and will identify controls to mitigate the risk.

Report # Entities One Line Summary Event Type Event Date/Time

61276 Reindeer (WA-209-P) Helicopter bird strike while on deck at Reindeer #2 Incident 1/06/2019 6:48

61275 Reindeer (WA-209-P) Helicopter bird strike while on deck at Reindeer Incident 31/05/2019 6:45

60599 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird strike during helicopter landing operations at John Brookes Incident 21/06/2018 8:00

60540 John Brookes (WA-29-L) JB helideck build up with guano causing slippery surface potentially

preventing helicopter operations

Near Miss 23/05/2018 8:08

59728 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Helicopter operations to John Brookes platform impeded by birds Hazard 19/06/2017 7:30

58469 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird strike during helicopter operations Incident 28/07/2016 15:40

58337 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird strike during helicopter operations Incident 1/07/2016 7:35

56607 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird strike to helicopter - possibly at John Brooks platform Incident 22/06/2015 8:50

56606 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird strike to helicopter at John Brooks Platform Incident 21/06/2015 14:00

54722 Reindeer (WA-209-P) Birds on helideck Hazard 19/12/2014 9:50

52387 Reindeer (WA-209-P) Safety equipment integrity potentially damaged by bird droppings Hazard 4/11/2014 14:03

50321 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Helicopter bird strike Incident 1/07/2014 9:45

50151 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Helicopter bird strike Incident 21/06/2014 7:20

42988 Reindeer (WA-209-P) Excessive bird guano on platform Hazard 27/08/2013 16:35

39827 Reindeer (WA-209-P) Heli deck on Reindeer Platform caked with bird guano Hazard 31/05/2013 8:00

46155 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Birds flew into main rotor of helicopter Incident 31/05/2013 20:20

46516 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Helicopter main rotor blade bird strike while on John Brooks Platform

Helideck

Incident 9/06/2012 20:15

46248 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird strike on main rotor Incident 4/07/2010 21:15

45538 John Brookes (WA-29-L) Bird guano strike on main rotors Incident 30/05/2010 6:00




Table 2: Risk ranking of significant bird strike by species

Likelihood Consequence

1. Negligible 2. Minor 3. Moderate 4. Major 5. Critical

5. Probable

4. Likely

3. Unlikely

2. Very unlikely Brown Booby Crested Tern Australian Garnet Masked Booby

Silver Gull

1. Rare Roseate Tern

Bridled Tern

3 IMPLEMENTATION

3.1 Potential Bird Management Strategies

The objective of the bird management is to remove or significantly reduce bird presence and guano build up on the platform. Any management measures need to consider the most effective way of achieving this without introducing secondary threats, such as forcing birds to lower levels that then scatter as helicopters land. A combination of passive and active measures may be implemented.

3.1.1 Passive Management Strategies

Passive management describes the process of modifying habitats to reduce the number of birds in the area. Examples of strategies that may be implemented include:

• Bird spikes on handrails

• Parallel lengths of wire installed above handrails, particularly on lower levels, to reduce bird ingress

to these level and to prevent concealed birds taking off as helicopters near the platform;

• Installation of birds of prey decoys; and

• Netting between levels of the platform to prevent bird access.

3.1.2 Active Management Strategies

Active management describes the process of directly removing or reducing the numbers of birds or animals in high-risk areas. Examples of strategies that may be implemented include:

• Visual deterrents (lasers, birds of prey decoys and ‘inflatable flapping men’ decoys); and

• Noise / vibration emitting devices

3.2 Current Bird Management Strategy for Reindeer Platform

The management strategy implemented for Reindeer platform includes the installation and operation of a laser and noise emitting device on the perimeter of the helideck. Equipment was provided by a third-party vendor to the specifications detailed in Laser Bird Deterrent Basis of Design (JB-02-RG-10007). Selection and installation of equipment was implemented following the appropriate management of change process.




The laser and audio devices can be operated remotely, activated and controlled by operators in the Devil Creek Control Room following the work instruction Remote use of Bird Deterrence Equipment on Reindeer Platform (RE-91-WG-10001). This task will be completed weekly initially and will ensure observations of bird species, numbers and response to the deterrence activities are recorded. Outside of the weekly work instruction the equipment will be set up to activate automatically, without direct observation by the Devil Creek Control Room operators. Live CCTV coverage allows operators to observe the effectiveness of the sound and laser devices as they are brought online. If a consistent noise level results in birds leaving the platform it may allow an upper limit to be set on the audio device reducing the potential for injury to birds. In between the weekly manual operations, the systems can be set up to activate and sweep automatically, but without observation or data recording by control room operators. The bird deterrent system can be shut down and isolated remotely during helicopter approach by the pilot via the Pilot Activated Airfield Lighting Control (PAALC) interface. The PAALC is used as a remote means of halting the bird deterrent system via standard pilot operated systems already in use. ‘Inflatable men’ decoys may also be reinstated to support the noise and laser strategy.

3.3 Proposed Bird Management Strategy for John Brookes Platform

The management strategy implemented for John Brookes platform includes the installation and operation of a laser (optional) and noise emitting device on the perimeter of the helideck similar to that previously installed on the Reindeer platform. Once installed, the bird deterrent systems will be set up to activate automatically, without direct observation by the Varanus Island control room operators. Weekly CCTV data will be stored on the facility and downloaded opportunistically (when personnel visit the unmanned Platform) and similar to the Reindeer facility, the CCTV footage will be sampled and reviewed to document the effectiveness of the deterrent system. Observations of bird species, numbers and response to the deterrent activities will be recorded. The bird deterrent system can be shut down and isolated remotely during helicopter approach by the pilot via the Pilot Activated Airfield Lighting Control (PAALC) interface. The PAALC is used as a remote means of halting the bird deterrent system via standard pilot operated systems already in use. ‘Inflatable men’ decoys may also be reinstated to support the noise and laser strategy

3.4 Roles and Responsibilities

Santos personnel identified in Table 3 are responsible for the development and ongoing maintenance of the BMP, as well as collection and review of data to make the most efficient use of the deterrence equipment. Santos personnel will also be responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of the deterrence equipment on the platforms. All key roles and responsibilities are summarised in Table 3.

EA-00-RI-10191 - Rev 1 - Issued for Approval - Code 1 - Approved - Feb 2020 14:37



Table 3: Key Roles and Responsibilities for Bird Management on Reindeer and John Brookes Platforms

Role Location Responsibilities

Santos Person in Charge /

Field Superintendent

Devil Creek /

Varanus

Island

• Ensure deterrence activities are conducted safely by appropriately trained staff

Santos HSE Advisor (site)

Devil Creek /

Varanus

Island

• Enter records of bird strikes, near misses and other bird related hazards in Santos incident database

• Support in the review and storage of data generated during the review of CCTV footage

Santos Control Room

Operator

Devil Creek /

Varanus

Island

• Reindeer Facility - During weekly work order, activate deterrence equipment and record observations of bird

species, numbers and response to deterrence activities.

• John Brookes Facility – Following opportunistic gathering of Weekly CCTV footage – sample and review data -

record observations of bird species, numbers and response to deterrence activities.

• Implement automated operating strategy.

Santos HSE Advisor Perth • Obtain regulatory approvals.

• Carry out annual review of bird deterrent records to support annual regulatory reports where required.

• Maintain currency of BMP.

• Support and provide advice on implementation strategies.

Santos Operations

Superintendent Perth

• Review deterrence activities to ensure compliance with safety and environmental requirements

• Allocate sufficient funding to maintain equipment in safe operating condition

Santos Aviation

Superintendent Perth

• Focal point between Santos and helicopter provider

• Seek feedback / data from helicopter operator to help with measurement of success

Helicopter operator Karratha

• Report bird strikes to the ATSB and Santos

• Report strike data, damage reports, aborted landings and any other hazardous conditions to Santos

• Relay evidence of strikes including damage, carcasses, feathers or other material to Santos for collection




Role Location Responsibilities

• Post current bird hazard activity on a status board and inform all aircrews of any change in status

Equipment Manufacturer Perth • Provide technical support as requested by Santos




3.5 Training and Awareness

To raise awareness of the BMP, Santos staff listed in Table 3 will be provided with information summarising the key components of the BMP. Operators controlling the laser and acoustic equipment from the control room will be provided with training and information to ensure appropriate use of the devices. Operators will be trained to recognise bird species and how to count birds.

3.6 Monitoring

3.6.1 Reindeer Platform Monitoring

Control room operators at Devil Creek will log CCTV observations of bird species, numbers and response to the deterrence activities. It is proposed that this will be initially be carried out on a weekly basis as set out in the relevant work instructions. The operator will record the effectiveness of the laser / audio devices and how long it keeps birds off the platform. Use of the equipment and development of monitoring records will be carried in accordance with the following:

• Work Instruction for Remote Use of Bird Deterrence Equipment on Reindeer Platform (RE-91-WG-

10001)

• Appendix 1: Bird count and activity log (Example shown).

• Appendix 2: Species identification cards

3.6.2 John Brookes Platform Monitoring

Due to restrictions with bandwidth between the John Brookes Platform and the Varanus Island control room, the live CCTV monitoring methodology described above cannot be adopted. Alternatively, the John Brookes bird deterrent system will store weekly CCTV footage which will be downloaded opportunistically by personnel visiting the normally unmanned facility. Similar to the Reindeer facility, the CCTV footage will be sampled and reviewed to document the effectiveness of the deterrent system. Observations of bird species, numbers and response to the deterrent activities will be recorded. This will be carried out in accordance with the following:

• Work Instruction for Bird Deterrence Monitoring on the John Brookes Platform

• Appendix 1: Bird count and activity log (Example shown).

• Appendix 2: Species identification cards

3.7 Reporting

All strikes will be reported by the helicopter operator to CASA and Santos. In addition, the helicopter operator will advise Santos of near misses and other relevant hazards. Any items or concern observed by Santos personnel visiting the platform will be reported to site management. Examples include reports of increased bird activity; or changes in activity on the platform such as nesting. Incidents and hazards will be entered into Santos’’s incident database and incorporated into future revisions of this BMP as appropriate. Routine information will be filed in the Santos’ document management system.




4 REFERENCES

Hero Engineering (2017). Laser Bird Deterrent Basis of Design for John Brookes and Reindeer Wellhead

Platforms (JB-02-RG-10007)

Paton, D (2010). Bird Risk Assessment Model for Airports and Aerodromes University of Adelaide, Rev. 3.

Quadrant Energy (2014). Reindeer Wellhead Platform and Offshore Gas Supply Pipeline Operations

Environment Plan (EA-14-10002.01)

Quadrant Energy (2016). Reindeer Wellhead Platform Operations Safety Case (RE-02-RF-00029)

Quadrant Energy (2017). CMC Procedure (QE-91-IQ-00007)

Quadrant Energy (2017). Environment Management of Change Procedure (EA-91-IQ-10001)




APPENDIX 1: BIRD COUNT AND ACTIVITY LOG




APPENDIX 2: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

Mass 1.3 kg

Risk Rating Extreme

Strike History Unknown

The booby's head and upper body is covered in dark brown or black, with the remainder being a contrasting white. The juvenile form is grey-brown with darkening on the head, wings and tail. While these birds are typically silent, bird watchers have reported occasional sounds similar to grunting or quacking. Their beaks are quite sharp and contain many jagged edges. The female booby reaches about 80 centimetres (31 in) in length, its wingspan measures up to 150 cm (4.9 ft). The male booby reaches about 75 centimetres (30 in) in length, its wingspan measures up to 140 cm (4.6 ft).

Adult Description

• Large, dark waterbird.

• Long body, long neck, long tail.

• Narrow, pointed wings.

• Brown head, throat, chest, and upperparts.

• White belly, vent, and wing linings

Immature Description

• Juvenile is brown overall; belly ranges from mottled brown and

white to mostly dark. Sharp line still visible between darker chest

and lighter belly. Underwing coverts are pale. Bare parts generally

dull grey.

Immature Adult




Masked Booby Sula dactylatra

Mass 2.35 kg

Risk Rating Extreme


This is the largest booby, at 74–91 cm (29–36 in) long, with a 137–165 cm (54–65 in) wingspan. Adults are white with pointed black wings, a pointed black tail, and a dark grey facemask. The sexes are similar, but the male has a yellow bill, and the female's is greenish yellow; during the breeding season they have a patch of bare, bluish skin at the base of the bill. Juveniles are brownish on the head and upperparts, with a whitish rump and neck collar. The underparts are white. Adult plumage is acquired over two years. The masked booby is silent at sea, but has a reedy whistling greeting call at the nesting colonies. While on the breeding grounds, these birds display a wide range of hissing and quacking notes.

Adult Description

• Large, predominately white waterbird with black wings.



• White head, throat, chest, and upperparts.

• White belly, vent, and black wings when at rest.


• Juvenile has brown head and wings; belly is white. Underwing

coverts are pale. Bare parts generally dull grey.

Immature Adult

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Australasian Gannet Morus serrator

Mass 2.35 kg

Risk Rating Extreme


The Australasian gannet is a large, 1.8 m wing-span, seabird with predominantly white plumage, long, pointed wings, a long neck and slender body shape. The trailing edges of its wings and a varying proportion of its central tail feathers are black. The wedge-shaped bill is bluish-grey, with a lining of black; the skin surrounding the eye is intensely blue. The head plumage is buff-yellow, which extends down the neck. The sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field. Juveniles have mottled dark brown and white plumage, and are separable from immatures, which gradually acquire more white over several moults, before acquiring full adult plumage when about 3 years old.

Adult Description

• Large, predominately white seabird with black wings tips.



• Yellow head, white throat, chest, and upperparts.

• White belly, vent, and black wing tips when at rest.


• Juvenile has grey/brown head, brown speckled wings; belly is

eventually turns white, starting brown. Underwing coverts are pale.

Bare parts generally dull grey.

Immature Adult




Crested Tern Sterna bergii

Mass 325–397 grams

Risk Rating Very High


The Crested Tern is the second largest of the terns found in Australia (430-480mm) and one of the most commonly seen. It has a white body, pale grey wings and back, pale yellow bill and black legs. The tail is forked. During the breeding season, it has a black crown with a black crest which can be raised. During the non-breeding season, the cap becomes mottled. Adult males and females are identical in appearance. The juveniles have mottled or barred brown upperparts. The Crested Tern differs from the similar Caspian Tern - the largest of the terns - which has a massive red bill.

Adult Description

• Yellow bill.

• Glossy black crest and black legs.

• Grey pointed wings on upper side, white below.

• White forehead and underparts.

• Blackish wing tips when at rest.

• In winter, the upperparts plumage wears to a paler grey, and the crown of

the head becomes white, merging at the rear into a peppered black crest

and mask


Juvenile head pattern like the winter adult, and upperparts strongly patterned in grey, brown, and

white; the closed wings appear to have dark bar

Adult Immature

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bird management plan for offshore platforms

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