Two Hooded Plovers chicks hatched at Point Impossible, Torquay on January 27 2017, with only one surviving the first week.
This little guy is now starting its long fight for survival before fledging the nest. Read more
Tag: birds
Summer activities a success!
It’s been fun all summer long with more than 50 environmental education activities run with campers of all ages at the Torquay and Lorne Foreshore Caravan Parks.
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee has been conducting the free activities as part of their camper activity program throughout January. Read more
Hoodie break-up at Point Roadknight
It’s trouble in hoodie paradise as long time nesting partners KM (male) and RP (female) have split up after a floater, BL (male) kicked KM out of his territory. Read more
Hoodie help hails from England
Hooded Plover support has emerged from Dorset, England to join the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s (GORCC) #SaveTheHoodie campaign. Read more
Volunteer chick protection effort
Local volunteers are working around the clock in an effort to help recently hatched Hooded Plover chicks survive on busy Surf Coast beaches this breeding season. Read more
Spotlight on Ghanda: Donating hoodies for hoodies
The 2015-16 Save The Hoodie competition is well under way and is being generously supported by two local businesses – Go Ride A Wave and Ghanda Clothing.
Ghanda has generously donated a hoodie (the clothing kind!) to be awarded to a monthly Save the Hoodie competition winner. Read more
Its a hoodie life (and some incredible hoodie facts)
Did you know that without active management, Hooded Plovers (aka ‘hoodies’) only have a 2.5% chance of survival from egg to adult? Or that hoodies breed as a pair, with both male and female taking turns to incubate the eggs? Read more
#SaveTheHoodie and Win!
Local businesses Ghanda Clothing Torquay and Go Ride A Wave (GRAW) have thrown support behind the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s (GORCC’s) #SaveTheHoodie campaign to encourage protection of the threatened Hooded Plover during their 2015/16 breeding season. Read more
Volunteers prepped for Hoodie arrivals
Volunteers are gearing up for another busy Hooded Plover breeding season as the threatened shore birds begin to pair up and get ready to nest.
Volunteer group Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast (FHPSC) will be working around the clock to protect nests and chicks again this year, monitoring nesting sites during breeding season.
FHPSC Regional Coordinator Sue Guinness said volunteer wardens would be working to educate beach users about the vulnerability and breeding habits of the ‘hoodies’ to improve the awareness in the community.
“We hope the community supports our efforts to help the chicks survive on the coast this breeding season.
The FHPSC group encourages the community to be actively aware of the impacts they have on chick survival.
“It would be fantastic to see humans, dogs and Hooded Plovers all using the same beach and coexisting together, and to do that we need to be aware of the risks we pose to these vulnerable birds.
Ms. Guinness said Hooded Plovers nest in high traffic areas during the busiest time of the year, making it difficult for chicks to survive without community effort.
“We try to engage with the community near breeding sites when we are out monitoring to generate interest about the plight of our plovers.
“The easiest way to help us save these precious birds is to talk about them with friends and respect nesting areas,” she said.
During breeding season land managers such as the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee install signs to alert beachgoers to breeding zones, with regular breeding sites at Point Roadknight, Point Impossible and Moggs Creek.
Last breeding season was a record year for ‘hoodies’ on the Surf Coast, with 6 chicks fledging (surviving until they are able to fly). Only 12 chicks have survived to fledging on the Surf Coast since 2010.
This season FHPSC, Birdlife Australia and GORCC are again working together to give the chicks their best chances of survival and are encouraging beachgoers to give ‘hoodies’ some space.
To get involved in ‘hoodie’ protection and become a volunteer, contact Birdlife Australia via email or visit their website for more information.
Honour hoodies this Plover Appreciation Day
Hooded Plovers (aka ‘hoodies’) breed between September and March on our local beaches every year. With only 12 chicks surviving on the Surf Coast between 2010-2015 (6 of those 12 fledging in just one season alone), these precious birds need our support to help ensure their survival.
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) works with the dedicated Friends of the Hooded Plovers (Surf Coast) volunteers and Birdlife Australia to protect the hoodies and ensure as many chicks as possible fledge (take flight).
This September 16 BirdLife Australia is celebrating the plight of the plover through the first ever Plover Appreciation Day.
The Day recognises all ground-nesting plovers including the vulnerable Hooded Plover that is often seen breeding on the Surf Coast.
The aim is to raise awareness of the plight of ground-nesting plovers across the world and spread awareness about how everyone can help save them.
Along the Surf Coast, humans and dogs pose are one of the biggest threats to the Hooded Plover’s survival. Unfortunately, Hoodies create nests on the beach during the busiest season on the coast, forcing them to share their breeding sites with thousands of beach-goers (and their dogs, vehicles, horses … ).
The breeding habits of the Hoodie mean they are in direct conflict with not only humans and dogs but introduced predators as well. To make matters worse for the Hoodie:
- They lay their eggs on beaches above the high tide level where people like to walk their dogs or lay out their towels.
- Any disturbance from people or animals can drive the adult birds away from their nests and chicks.
- The eggs are almost impossible to see, which makes them very easy to step on.
- The chicks are tiny, fragile and defenceless making them very vulnerable to threats.
It is important that all beachgoers keep their distance from hoodie breeding zones and ‘give them space’.
Not sure where the hoodies breed? Click here to find out.
There a four main ground-nesting plovers in the spotlight this Plover Appreciation Day – the Hooded Plover, Red-Capped Plover, Spur Winged Plover and Black Fronted Dotterel. To learn more about the different types of plovers in Australia click here.
How can you get involved?
To help raise awareness of the Hooded Plover’s struggle for survival, follow these easy 3 easy steps.
1. Like Birdlife on social media
 Hooded Plover birdlife_hoodie @birdlife_hoodie |
2. Download our Hoodie mask (either the wearable version or selfie stick version)
3. Upload a photo on social media using the mask to express what it means to be ‘vulnerable’
Make sure you use the hashtag: #vulnerablehoodies for your chance to win great prizes.
For more information on Hooded Plovers, head to the BirdLife Australia website or the MyHoodie website.
GORCC is running a local awareness #SaveTheHoodie campaign to encourage beachgoers on the Surf Coast to keep their dogs away from hoodie breeding zones and encourage everyone to ‘give them space’. For more information vist the ‘Save The Hoodie’ website.
Interested in getting involved? To volunteer contact BirdLife Australia at hoodedplover@birdlife.org.au.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 