Beach closure implemented to safeguard hoodies

A BEACH closure has been implemented on 13th Beach to safeguard a newly arrived Eastern Hooded Plover family and their two chicks.

The beach closure has been enacted between the 29W and 30W beach access points.

Hooded plovers nest on the beach or dunes in spring and summer and can be accidentally crushed, while disturbance of adults can lead to eggs overheating, chicks starving, and increased vulnerability to predation.

The closure will remain in place until the chicks have fledged, expected to be in early December.

Barwon Coast acting chief executive officer Paul Gangell said his organisation would work closely with local conservation groups to protect the birds, which are one of Australia’s most vulnerable and are protected under state and federal legislation.

“We work to protect the plovers all year round, but during breeding season we are all cheering on these tiny birds from the laying of eggs often on the open sand, to protecting chicks as they become fledgelings and adult birds,” he said.

“Sadly the hooded plover chicks born recently on 13th Beach did not survive the journey to adulthood, but we are closely watching other nests on the coast and hope for a better result in the near future.”

More than 600 BirdLife Australia volunteers monitor nearly 800 beach sites in south-eastern Australia. Together, they made more than 13,000 observations of nesting hoodies in the 2021–22 breeding season.

Every two years, Bird Life Australia conduct the Hooded Plover Biennial Count.

While early results showed a steep decline in numbers – which led to the plovers being listed as threatened under the EPBC Act – more recently, there’s been a halt in their decline. In some areas, their numbers have improved.

According to BirdLife Australia, the best results come from a combination of regular monitoring, educating the public, recreational zoning (with signs and regulations), and, on popular beaches, fencing off their nesting sites to give them space to breed.

“We ask our local communities and visitors alike to help us protect our hoodies by staying close to the water’s edge if hooded plovers are nearby, observing any signage and keep clear of fenced/roped-off areas and if dogs are permitted, keep them on a lead and away from breeding zones,” Mr Gangell said.