the river mouth, has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it regularly supports 15-25 breeding pairs of vulnerable fairy terns. It also supports breeding populations of red-capped (10 pairs) and hooded plovers (5-6 pairs), and pied oystercatchers (5-7 pairs). Flocks of up to 50 red-necked stints are present in summer. The spit varies in shape and size according to the tides and outflows from the Prosser River. It is composed mainly of bare sand within a metre of high water mark, with some patches of marram grass, and is subject to inundation by seawater during winter storms. Both north and south of the IBA are sandy beaches used recreationally by people and their dogs, causing high levels of disturbance to nesting birds, despite attempts by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service to exclude pedestrian traffic from the site during the summer breeding season. Population Orford has a small permanent population of approximately 485 (2001 census), increasing to 518 (2011 census). The median age is 57 years old There is however a significant number of non-resident 'shack' (Australian colloquial term for weekender or holiday home) property owners who come into the area on weekends and during holiday periods. The influx of visitors over the summer months (December to February) swells the population to over 3,000. Despite its small size and population Orford is serviced with one supermarket, three cafes and eateries, a hotel and other accommodation, police and fire brigade, a primary school and a library. Tourism Orford has several clean, picturesque beaches - including Raspins, Millingons, Spring and Rheban - with a campsite at Raspins Beach. Nearby is the well-regarded 9-hole Orford Golf Course and the Darlington Vineyard. There are several walks, including the Convict Trail along the Prosser River, the coastal walk along the cliff tops between East Shelly Beach and Spring Beach, and the scenic Thumbs lookout in the nearby Wielangta Forest, which offers views of the region. Prosser Bay and the Mercury Passage provide fishing areas, with flathead, trevally, trumpeter, abalone and southern rock lobster (crayfish) sought-after species. There are views of Maria Island from parts of Orford and nearby Spring Beach. Sanda House. the oldest house in Orford operates as a B and B with numerous other accommodation available. In February 2007 an artificial reef and dive site was created from the scuttling of the ship the Troy D in