Sharing Our Shores: Help us protect hooded plovers

Phillip Island Nature Parks is urging the community to help threatened hooded plover shorebirds ‘nest and rest’ this breeding season by walking on dedicated beach tracks, keeping dogs on leads and cats indoors.

The Nature Parks has partnered with Birdlife Australia, Bass Coast Shire Council and the Conservation Regulator’s Operation SOHO to protect the nesting birds with the Sharing Our Shores awareness campaign.

Sharing Our Shores will run from 1 December 1 to 30 April to remind the community to consider the birds, which nest in the high tide line and sand dunes. Their eggs and chicks are often difficult to see and are at risk of being trampled and disturbed by beachgoers. 

Phillip Island Nature Parks Kate Adams, Community Impact Manager, said Sharing Our Shores was an important annual community awareness initiative that had already saved countless birds and chicks during the breeding season.

“This summer we want everyone to enjoy our beaches, but that means ensuring the safety of all of the inhabitants, including hooded plovers and other migratory shorebird species, which need the opportunity to nest and rest during spring and summer,” Kate said.

“Conservation is a shared community responsibility and we all have a role to play in looking after the unique and wonderful wildlife we have on Phillip Island, after all it is what makes this such a unique place to live and visit.”

Birdlife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Project Coordinator Kasun Ekanayake said dedicated volunteers worked hard to safeguard beach-nesting birds on Phillip Island and mainland Bass Coast.

“The volunteers of BirdLife Australia’s Friends of the Hooded Plover Bass Coast devote a lot of time and effort towards protecting them on beaches between San Remo and Inverloch,” he said.

“So, the opportunity to work with Phillip Island will help us reach a broader audience to encourage the responsible use of beaches during summer.”

Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead said residents and visitors had an important role to play in supporting local conservation efforts.

“Phillip Island is a special part of the world and being a bird-friendly beach goer is the best way we can contribute to the protection of the wildlife whilst enjoying our beautiful beaches,” Cr Halstead said.

“We encourage all beach users to be mindful of wildlife. Keep to the designated paths, have your dog on a lead, keep cats inside, stay away from signed nesting areas, and take your rubbish with you.”

The Conservation Regulator’s coordinator of Operation SOHO, Han Auld said: “We’ll be patrolling right along the coast to educate beachgoers about how small changes in their behaviour on beaches can make such a difference to the local hooded plover population.”

In addition, Nippers from Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club will enjoy a pop-up at Cleeland Bight on January 3 from 8.30am to 12.30pm to share the community message about protecting hooded plovers.