BASS Coast Landcare Network (BCLN) are holding a dinner to help raise funds to continue protecting our vulnerable Hooded Plovers from the threat of foxes.
Hooded Plovers are recognised as a vulnerable species with less than approximately 600 birds left in Victoria and only about 3,000 birds remaining in all of South East Australia.
Hooded Plover chicks have about a 1% survival rate, one of the lowest survival rates of any species and according to Phillip Island Nature Parks, 60% of chicks are lost before leaving their nests.
Foxes are a major predator of these small beach-dwelling and nesting birds, not only killing adults and chicks, but also eating their eggs.
BCLC is running the dinner because a three-year program of funding from the State government to carry out fox control between San Remo and Cape Liptrap, has now come to an end.
Dave Bateman, Executive General Manager from BCLN is asking locals to step up and help protect this important indigenous species by attending the dinner.
“We’re trying to raise funds so we can keep that program going because we’ve had a fantastic result of reducing the fox predation on hooded plovers on that big section of coastline, and if you don’t keep up the fox control, they breed up fairly quickly so you’ve got to keep the pressure on, otherwise the foxes will come back and cause issues.”
“They’re a vulnerable bird species and they’re an important part of the eco system and to have the indigenous birds down there, if we don’t protect them – because they nest on the sand dunes and they’re easily displaced - then they won’t be around anymore.”
The Hooded Plover Fledgling numbers have increased steadily and doubled in the past year under the program.
BCLN have worked together with local group, Friends of the Hooded Plover who monitor Hooded Plover activity in the Bass Coast, and South Gippsland Land Care Network and Parks Victoria, together with private landowners along the coast.
“The Hooded Plovers Fledgling, (so that’s basically from the Hooded Plovers laying eggs to them having little chicks and then them flying the nest), has doubled in the last year. So, they’ve had their best season ever in the Bass Coast.
Friends of the Hooded Plover volunteers have let us know that they think that is directly related to us removing foxes from the area where the Hooded Plovers nest, so that’s really good,” Dave said.
The birds tend to live and breed on beaches and build their nests above the high tide line during the busy summer months. The nests and chicks are extremely well camouflaged making them hard to see and are prone to being trampled and crushed.
“The biggest threat to Hooded Plovers besides foxes is humans with dogs off leash. The best thing people can do is not to have their dogs off lead on beaches or keep dogs away from where the Hooded Plovers are because dogs running around on the beach upsets them and could cause them – if they’re sitting on a nest – to leave the nest and then they don’t hatch,” Dave commented.
If you would like to help save the Hooded Plovers, book a full table, sponsor a corporate table or bring the family to the BCLN dinner.
It will include live music, dancing, a gourmet 2-course meal with local produce, wine and beer and an auction to help raise funds to continue this important work.
For tickets go to the Bass Coast Landcare Network website or Facebook page or if you’re keen to support work to conserve the Hooded Plovers in other ways, contact Dave Bateman at david.bateman@basscoastlandcare.org.au.