Beachgoers urged to protect nesting shorebirds on Byron beaches

BEACHGOERS are being urged to avoid sand dunes and respect nesting areas along the Byron Shire coastline, where endangered shorebirds are in the midst of their breeding season.

Byron Shire Council is working with Marine Parks, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Byron Bird Buddies to protect species at risk, including the critically endangered beach stone-curlew, which has nested on Clarkes Beach.

Coast and biodiversity coordinator Chloe Dowsett said the sighting of a nesting pair of beach stone-curlews was particularly exciting, as only 13 breeding pairs are known to exist in New South Wales.

“We were all so thrilled to see a pair of critically endangered Beach stone-curlews nesting in the dunes on Clarkes Beach as there are only 13 breeding pairs in NSW,” Dowsett said.

“Their nests are just a small area of scraped sand and we have fenced the area off and put signage up warning people to stay away.”

She noted the importance of not disturbing these birds, as they lay only one egg and care for the chick for seven to 12 months.

“We are hoping people will do the right thing and play their part in helping these special birds expand their family,” she said.

In addition to the stone-curlews, spotted pardalotes and rainbow bee-eaters have been observed nesting along Byron beaches.

Recently, Byron Bird Buddies rescued a group of baby rainbow bee-eaters after their nest area was disturbed by people climbing on exposed dunes.

Dowsett asked residents and visitors to keep near the water’s edge when walking on the beach, stay off the dunes, especially fenced-off nesting areas, and only exercise dogs in designated zones.