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.

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. Although Point Roadknight attracted a number of pairs, only two chicks fledged for the whole season.

As these results will not sustain population numbers, your help is desperately needed to ensure the species survives - and one day, hopefully, thrives.

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.

Stay in touch with how our 'Hoodies' are faring this season by regularly accessing PR Plover's Twitter page. If you're a Facebook member, you can also stay in touch with Bruce Plover of Gunnamatta as he navigates the ups and downs of this year's breeding season.

More information about Hooded Plovers can be found on the Birds Australia website or on our Hooded Plover information sheet. 

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Hooded Plovers nest in pairs and share parenting duties. (Photo Glenn Ehmke)






It's easy to miss nesting eggs camouflaged in the sand.

It's easy to miss nesting eggs camouflaged in the sand.







Chicks can't fly for five weeks - a long time for a vulnerable youngster on a busy beach. (Photo Glenn Ehmke)