Twitchers flock to protect nudist beach plovers

A NEW hooded plover chick has made its debut at Point Impossible, marking a significant moment in the breeding season for this vulnerable species.

The chick and its parents are cnestled in the middle of the nudist beach at Point Impossible.

A spokesperson for the Great Ocean Road and Parks Authority has called on beach users to not to do anything that could startle the chicks.

“It’s essential for beachgoers and the community to be mindful of potential disturbances, as any interference from people or animals can drive adult birds away from their chicks in the nest or impede them from leaving to feed near the water,” the spokesperson said.

The main threats to the species include nest trampling, abandonment due to human or animal disturbance, and predation by uncontrolled dogs.

“To ensure the safety of these precious birds, we’ve set up an exclusion zone in the area, marked clearly with signage,” the spokesperson said.

“No dogs are allowed within the exclusion zone for the period that the hooded plover chicks are on the beach, which could be up to 35 days.”

Without intervention, hooded plovers have only a 2.5 per cent chance of survival from egg to adulthood.

Efforts to protect the chick have been bolstered by BirdLife Australia, Conservation Rangers, and local twitchers.

“BirdLife Australia has been at the forefront of co-ordinating the statewide and national recovery of the Hooded Plover, with crucial support from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Parks Victoria, Barwon Coast, Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast and the Surf Coast Shire,” the spokesperson said.

Beachgoers are encouraged to report any hooded plover nests or pairs along the Great Ocean Road by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 1300 736 533.