Plover patrols return this summer

PATROLS will again have an ongoing presence during the hooded plover nesting season this summer, at beaches stretching from Portland all the way to Ocean Grove as part of the state’s newest move in protecting the vulnerable bird species.

Active beachgoers are being urged to look out for hooded plovers nesting along shorelines across the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula with the warmer months fast approaching.

Victoria’s Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria will have officers and rangers patrolling local beaches to protect the species and raise awareness on acting appropriately to best minimise potential risks to the bird.

This will be done by encouraging people to take note of signage at beaches advising of hooded plover nests, giving the birds plenty of space and keeping dogs away from fenced-off nesting areas.

Knowledge will be the determining factor in facilitating a successful nesting season for the hooded plover according to Parks Victoria Surf Coast chief ranger Michelle Anstee, as hooded plovers lay their eggs in shallow sand scrapes from August to March, during the warmer months when beaches are at their busiest.

“The more people who know what to do when they spot hooded plovers and their nests at the beach, means the more chance these birds have of being able to raise little families,” Ms Anstee said.

BirdLife Australia, which provides data on monitoring hooded plovers along Victoria’s coastline, will coordinate the timing and locations of patrols.

Last breeding season BirdLife recorded 1,003 hooded plover eggs along Victoria’s coastline. 185 hatched and only 66 chicks survived to become juveniles, including 26 on shorelines between Port Fairy and the Bellarine Peninsula.

“At this time of year our volunteers are putting up signage and fencing around hooded plover nests, as the eggs – which are speckled, camouflaged and the size of a 20 cent coin – can easily be crushed by accident,” Dr Meghan Cullen of BirdLife Australia said.

“We know that without human support to protect nesting birds and their eggs from disturbance, hoodies have just a 2.5 per cent chance of surviving from egg to juvenile.”

During the nesting season, the Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria will have a presence at beaches near Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Apollo Bay, Moggs Creek, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.

Reports of dogs harassing hooded plovers can be made to the Conservation Regulator at Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.