The start of the Shorebird nesting season

Beach-nesting breeding season is here!

Several recorded nests dotted across the Augusta Margaret River coastline have already welcomed some Hooded Plover and Red-Capped Plover chicks, including two tiny Red-Capped Plover chicks which hatched just a few days ago at Gnarabup beach!

These chicks are hard to see and vulnerable to disturbance particularly in their first 28 days before they can fly. From day one, they feed themselves on insects at the shoreline and rest with an adult bird camouflaged amongst the seaweed and debris. 

With the assistance of DBCA and Birdlife volunteers, the Shire Environment team will be monitoring the chicks progress and installing signage in the area. We're requesting that you stick to the shoreline through this area and if you see these little chicks or other plovers, please keep your distance.
 

An urgent reality 

Did you know that approximately 40 Hooded Plovers remain along the entire Capes coastline? Tragically, there were no successful fledglings recorded last year. 

While BirdLife and its volunteers, DBCA and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River are working tirelessly to monitor and protect the four species of beach-nesting birds that call our coast home including the Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers and Red Capped Plovers –  we must act now to give these birds the space they desperately need to survive.


Image by: Jenny Kikeros.

What you can do to help

When people or unleashed dogs approach too closely, parent birds are forced to temporarily abandon their nests and chicks. They rely on camouflage alone to keep their young safe until danger passes. Though this survival strategy has served them well over millennia, it creates critical vulnerability windows where eggs and chicks face harsh temperatures and hungry predators like ravens and gulls.

Please respect dog regulations and only bring your dog to designated dog-friendly sites. 

Together, we can ensure our children and grandchildren will also have the privilege of sharing our coastline with these remarkable birds. Every small action makes a difference in their fight for survival.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.