NPWS

The endangered Hooded Plover population in NSW has recorded its best ever breeding season since monitoring by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) commenced a decade ago.

NPWS Shorebird Recovery Coordinator, Dr Amy Harris, said today that “it’s a great result.”

“In an average year we expect the Hooded Plovers along the NSW coastline to fledge between 10 to 15 chicks but this year we have seen them fledge 22 chicks so far and there are still a few more to come so it could be higher.

“I think this might be due to the fact we have a few key experienced breeding pairs who have been able to fledge two clutches each during the season.

“They are a bit older and wiser and seem to be able to assist their chicks in a way that reduces mortality.

“Hoodies are among the most endangered birds we have in NSW with a total of 50 adult birds up till this season. So seeing 25 chicks fledged is a wonderful result,” Dr Harris said.

Little Terns have also had a reasonable season on the Far South Coast with a total of around 80 to  100 adults breeding at Brou,  Wallaga and Wallagoot lakes and Mogareeka Inlet just north of Tathra.

“So far they’ve fledged around 45-50 chicks making this a reasonable season for the Little Tern south of Batemans Bay.

“They are still nesting so there could be a few more before the season ends,” Dr Harris said.

Meanwhile the Pied Oystercatcher, which is listed as threatened, has had an average season along the coast with at least one clutch of chicks being raised for each of the major estuaries.

Dr Harris said that she was grateful for all the assistance received from local volunteers.

“Really, the volunteers are the backbone of the Shorebird Recovery program and without their assistance with erecting fences and signs, monitoring and watching over the birds I’m sure we would not be seeing the successes we have had in recent years with these threatened shorebirds.

“Also hats off to the community which has learnt to share the shoreline with these marvellous little birds,” Dr Harris said.