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Team Work Helps A Little Bird

If you have been enjoying the local beaches this summer you will have seen the signs about the vulnerable little Hooded Plover bird.

By Bass Coast - 24th January 2012 - Back to News

The Hooded Plover is a species that precariously nests in the sand above the high tide. Its population on Phillip Island is only around 40 adults but conservation efforts are starting to bring rewards.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Natural Resources Officer, David Martin, said that for two years a pair of Hooded Plover has successfully hatched chicks at Elizabeth Cove, Ventnor. Last year was the first recorded pair in this area for a very long time, indicating that conservation efforts are starting to pay off.

"Nesting pairs of these birds have generally been limited to the south coast of Phillip Island and as the population has slowly increased, suitable nesting sites have filled up, with new pairs progressively moving into the the shores of Western Port, " said Mr Martin.

Protection of the birds has involved an on-ground collaborative effort between Bass Coast Shire Council, Phillip Island Nature Parks and the community.

"The breeding success of Hooded Plover is severely diminished by the presence of humans and dogs," explained Mr Martin.

"People are generally quite respectful of how sensitive these birds are, but it doesn’t take much for a nest to fail."

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Safety Rangers understand the importance of managing these sites and provided targeted patrols in the area to encourage people to change their behaviour around the nesting area. "They ramped up patrols in the area and it was great to see how responsive beach users were to their presence", Mr Martin said.

"The chicks at Elizabeth Cove have now fledged (learnt to fly) and are more able to look after themselves."

As one success story finishes another exciting story begins. A nesting pair has recently been found at Red Rocks, the first time for approximately twenty years.

Some volunteers in the local community have taken it upon themselves to keep an eye on them over the peak period, and signs will be placed at the entrance to alert beach users. "We appreciate the efforts of all beach goers in doing the right thing. It goes to show how if we work together great achievements can be made," said Mr Martin.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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