Locals told to steer clear of popular Aussie beach after rare discovery: 'Numerous risks'
In Victoria, the hooded plover is listed as critically endangered, with chicks typically having a survival rate of just two per cent.
An exclusion zone has been established with locals being told to steer clear and keep their pets away, after wildlife authorities made a miraculous discovery on the sand on Friday.
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCPA), which manages parks and reserves in Victoria's south, rejoiced this morning after discovering a hooded plover nest with two eggs in Lorne. Hooded plovers are one of Australia's most vulnerable birds and in the state, they're listed as critically endangered.
Their chicks have a survival rate of just two per cent, making the find significant enough to warrant exclusion zones with "temporary signage in place" to warn the public. In addition to the nest at Lorne, another was found with two eggs near the Barham River in Apollo Bay.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a GORCPA spokesperson said dogs are not permitted within the temporary exclusion zone at any time, however, people are free to pass through at the water’s edge.
She said in October two out of three hooded plovers previously found at Point Roadknight in Anglesea hatched and were able to fly. Though, across Victoria, there are just 700 individuals left.
"We are asking the community and visitors to work together to support these vulnerable birds so future generations can enjoy the environmental values we appreciate today," the spokesperson told Yahoo.
"Hoodies face numerous risks to their survival including tides, predation from other bird species and foxes, human activities like driving on beaches, people walking in sensitive dunes, and most notably, disturbance from dogs."
A hooded plover's nest takes 30 days to hatch, then another 35 until the chicks can fly. Their best defence is to hide in the sand, so "the odds are really stacked against them". "Everyone can make a difference during this critical time. We're blessed with many beautiful beaches and for some people, it's an opportunity to try walking in a different location," the spokesperson added.
"We work with dedicated volunteers to minimise these threats to give the hoodies the best chance of survival. This includes temporary exclusion zones, site signage, public awareness campaigns and regulations to help limit the impacts of dogs and humans on nesting areas."
Why are hooded plovers critically endangered in Victoria?
Hooded plovers are listed as critically endangered in Victoria due to a combination of environmental pressures and human-induced threats that have severely impacted their population. They inhabit sandy beaches and dune systems, which are among the most heavily utilised areas along the coastline.
Hooded plovers nest directly on open sand, leaving their eggs and chicks highly exposed. Human presence often causes adult plovers to abandon their nests temporarily, which can expose eggs and chicks to predators or harsh conditions.
Storms and high tides, which are exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels, can destroy nests located close to the shoreline. The loss of dune vegetation due to human activity also destabilises the birds' habitat, making nesting areas even more vulnerable to environmental changes.
Hooded plovers have a low reproductive rate, typically laying just two or three eggs per clutch. Survival rates are alarmingly low, with fewer than two per cent of chicks making it to adulthood in some areas.
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