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: Friends of the Hooded Plover surf coast
10 ways to protect the locals
The Hooded Plover is extremely sensitive to disturbances from humans, dogs and predators. Without human assistance, the Hooded Plover has a 2.5% chance of survival from chick to egg, which is why it is so important we all work together to #SaveTheHoodie. 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
Free breakfast at Moggs
Dog’s Breakfast Friday 22 January 2016 8-10am
Bring your furry friends down to Moggs Creek Beach (near the river mouth) on Friday 22 January 2016 between 8-10am for a free breakfast for dogs and owners. Read more
Star single dad’s success
Two Hooded Plover chicks at Moggs Creek have overcome all odds and taken flight, a feat made even more impressive given they were raised by a single dad.
Four vulnerable Hooded Plover chicks on the Surf Coast have fledged after surviving the dangerous 60 days to fledging since 2010.
The chicks’ mother perished in what is thought to have been a dog, fox or cat attack earlier in 2015, while their sibling was taken by a fox.
The Hooded Plovers have one of the lowest survival rate of any species in the world at 2.5% and are listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999.
Volunteers, Birdlife Australia staff and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) team worked tirelessly to protect the precious little family, attempting to protect them from the many threats these beach-nesting birds face.
The 2015 breeding season is still in full swing, with one three-week-old Hooded Plover chick still battling to survive at Point Roadknight.
‘Save the Hoodie’ campaign signs have been installed across the Surf Coast in breeding zones, urging beachgoers to stay well away from nests and keep dogs out of these areas.
Friends of the Hooded Plovers volunteer Margaret MacDonald is thankful to the community for their cooperation over the breeding season.
“The birds have had to learn to live with a lot of people around in the holiday season and it has been fantastic to see everyone taking more care around the nests.
“People have been responding well to the information and have been very supportive of the work we are doing to protect the Hooded Plovers,” Ms MacDonald said.
The volunteers patrol the breeding sites for a month before the eggs hatch and then increase patrols 30 days after hatching to protect the chicks from predators.
“The chicks would not have survived without the volunteers support so it’s a great achievement by all.
This article was published in the Surf Coast Times Green the Coast column.
For information about how to save of precious Hooded Plovers click here.
Have you entered the Save the Hoodie comptetition yet? Times running out! For more details click here
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 