Moggs Creek hoodie chick fledges

HOODED plover watchers along the Surf Coast celebrated the fledging of a hooded plover chick at Moggs Creek in March.

The chick was five weeks old when it fledged on March 17 – St Patrick’s Day – so was appropriately dubbed “Paddy”.

“Paddy can now fly and many of us have witnessed short flights about the estuary, along the shore and even a brief flight over the ocean with its parents,” Margaret McDonald said.

“The parents are to be congratulated on the effort they have put into raising this young chick.

“Perhaps this chick has had more challenges to face than many other young hoodies. They have capably defended it from ravens, magpies, silver gulls, pacific gulls, white-faced herons, a nankeen kestrel, horses, kangaroos, tiger snakes and foxes.”

She said most dog owners respected the dog exclusion zone at Moggs Creek but there were a few instances where dogs were also a threat to the young bird.

“Fresh fox prints were noticeable most mornings, but the two parents seemed to outsmart the crafty fox.

“Hang gliders were also perceived as a threat by the birds and the chick would often run into a shelter whenever one flew overhead, obviously mistaking it for a large bird of prey.”

She said the hang glider users at the popular site co-operated well in managing the hooded plover family.

“Many thanks to all of the dedicated volunteers and land managers who gave their time so willingly, and an enormous thank you to the residents, visitors and dogs of Moggs Creek who accepted the temporary dog exclusion zone even though it may have caused them some inconvenience.

“Now that the chick can fly, it has a 50 per cent chance of survival in its first year, so it still needs our help to keep it safe from dogs and foxes.”