Hoodie chick killed at Point Roadknight

VOLUNTEERS keeping an eye on hooded plovers along the Surf Coast during breeding season have reported the unfortunate death of one of the endangered birds.

In a post to the Hooded Plover Volunteers page, Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast member Sue Guinness wrote a 19-day-old hoodie chick was killed at Point Roadknight (near 97W) by a black Labrador on Sunday morning.

“In a split second, it was taken.

“Sadly, the dog owners kept walking away after the incident.

“Please everyone, if you are walking your dog in a signed hoodie area put your dog on a lead while you walk through the area at the water’s edge – typically only over 200m.

“We all need to share the beach and give these precious birds the space they need to breed and raise their young.

“The Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast have alone spent more than 100 volunteer hours trying to help protect this chick in conjunction with its parents.”

She said anyone interested in volunteering to help the hooded plovers should head to birdlife.org.au/ projects/beach-nesting-birds/for-volunteers.