Banding together for the red-capped plover

BELLARINE Bayside, Birdlife Australia and passionate local volunteers have joined forces to complete the first-ever round of banding on the northern Bellarine for monitoring of the redcapped plover.

Through gathering information about the numbers and behaviours of local colonies, it can be understood how best to protect them.

The busy summer period is challenging for these birds simply due to the increase in visitors using the beach.

Measuring only 15 centimetres, these tiny beach-nesting shorebirds breed during the summer and their scrape nests are typically located on the high-tide line on a bayside beach.

Their speckled eggs are well camouflaged and are easily crushed by unsuspecting beach visitors.

“It’s a tough gig to raise young on a narrow beach in a busy summer season,” said Vicki Perrett, an avid participant in many of Bellarine Bayside’s Citizen Science projects on offer to the community.

Vicki was given the honour of choosing the band number for the female bird – which was tagged by Project Officer at Birdlife Australia Daniel Lees.

Bellarine Bayside has partnered with Birdlife Australia to monitor the local red-capped plovers, and provide warning signage, and to inform the public that the best thing anybody can do to protect our red-capped plovers is simply leave them alone.

Coastal projects officer at Bellarine Bayside Jane Shearer agreed.

“Keep an eye out for red-capped plovers at the beach and if you spot them please ensure your dog is under effective control at your side, take note of signage, walk along the water’s edge and keep well away,” Ms Shearer said.

“If we all do our bit, it will give these little families the best chance to survive.” For more information, email contactus@ bellarinebayside.com.au.

The northern Bellarine dog control orders have changed. Between December 24 and February 28, dogs are required to be on a lead for most areas of the northern Bellarine coastline. For more information refer to the new local Dog Control Regulations signage or go to the City of Greater Geelong or Bellarine Bayside websites.