Protecting Hooded Plovers
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GORCC is working with Birds Australia and other partners to protect the Surf Coast's only known regular Hooded Plover breeding site at Point Roadknight.This year's breeding season is now underway - check out our latest 'Hoodie' update.
The Hooded Plover is a little Aussie bird battling to survive. The species is already extinct in Queensland and northern New South Wales while only 400 remain in Victoria.
With the breeding season now in full swing until next March, these vulnerable little birds need all the help they can get to ensure they breed successfully. Last year for example, Birds Australia monitored 180 birds along the Victorian coast. Of 353 eggs laid, only 35 chicks survived with Point Roadknight being the most successful breeding site in the state.
The Surf Coast cannot, however, afford to rest on its laurels because 35 surviving chicks for the whole of Victoria will not sustain population numbers.
Residents and visitors can help protect these endangered birds by observing the special signs identifying nesting sites along Point Roadknight beach and staying well away from the birds. To help minimise threats to local wildlife, this area is now a designated dog-free zone.
More information about Hooded Plovers can be found on the Birds Australia website or on our Hooded Plover information sheet.
LATEST 'HOODIE' UPDATE (3 MAR 2009): There's only a few weeks left before this year's Hooded Plover breeding season draws to a close. The good news is that our original pair are currently incubating two new eggs on the southern side of Point Roadknight beach. The nest is well inside the 'no dogs' zone and is highlighted by large signs. Fingers crossed these two make it!
(5 FEB 2009): Following the successful fledging of two chicks before the busy summer season, it unfortunately appears that January has not been so kind to our Point Roadknight ‘Hoodies’. At least two nests failed: one due to high tides and the other seemingly due to excessive disturbance by beachgoers. February is looking more promising however, with our original pair reportedly taking up residence within the fenced area and making all the right moves to nest again.
(5 FEB 2009): Following the successful fledging of two chicks before the busy summer season, it unfortunately appears that January has not been so kind to our Point Roadknight ‘Hoodies’. At least two nests failed: one due to high tides and the other seemingly due to excessive disturbance by beachgoers. February is looking more promising however, with our original pair reportedly taking up residence within the fenced area and making all the right moves to nest again.
(11 DEC 2008): Point Roadknight has become a veritable breeding ground for our endangered Hooded Plovers with two current nesting pairs and another two other pairs who appear about to nest. One of the new nests is unfortunately built below spring high tide level, which saw two of three eggs washed out of the nest. This nest also happens to be within the 'dogs off-leash' zone. Although signs and some basic fencing have been placed around it, the nest is in a bad spot and unlikely to be successful. Apart from this pair's unfortunate choice of nesting site, it's great to have four nesting pairs in the Point Roadknight area as we head into summer.
(27 NOV 2008): It's official! Our Point Roadknight Hooded Plovers have successfully reared two chicks, the first to fledge in Victoria this season. And it's still very early in the breeding season too! The two chicks were recently spotted stretching their wings in preparation for flight. They were later also sighted near the Point Roadknight boat ramp, which is well away from their nesting site, a sure sign of them being ready to leave the nest! As it's likely that the birds will nest again this summer - not to mention several other nesting pairs being recently observed in the area - the current protection efforts will continue to give this vulnerable bird species a fighting chance at survival. (Photos courtesy Glenn Ehmke)
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