Dogs on Beaches

💙 Trialling a new approach to Hooded Plover protection

The trial will see protection measures increase as the birds move into the late nesting phase and raising chicks. The aim is to give these vulnerable shorebirds the best chance of successfully raising their young, while balancing beach access for everyone.

The aim is to give these vulnerable shorebirds the best chance of successfully raising their young, while balancing beach access for everyone.

You may notice changes to signage, temporary fencing and beach access arrangements as the breeding season progresses.

💙 Every little action helps. Please follow signs, keep your distance from nesting areas and keep dogs away from protected sites.

Find out more about the trial and how you can help protect our Hooded Plovers via the `Recent Projects` section of our website.

Photo by Rod Morrison

🐣 Hooded Plover update – two active nests
Mixed news for our Hooded Plovers, with two nests still active at Barwon Bluff South Dune and Wedge Street/Tuckfield Street, while nests at 13th Beach – Boings and The Ant – have unfortunately been unsuccessful.

The Barwon Bluff South Dune nest is expected to hatch in just over a week, with temporary beach closures to follow.

🐾 We share nesting locations so you can plan your beach visits – whether that`s choosing a different walking track, walking along the waterline or knowing where dogs need to be on lead.

A few small changes can make a big difference to these vulnerable little birds.

Thanks to Friends of the Hooded Plover – Bellarine for their ongoing care and monitoring.

👉 Find a full update on our website news section.

If you have a bird bath in your backyard, you can help reduce the risk of spreading H5 bird flu by keeping it clean. 🐦
Regularly clean and disinfect bird baths, refresh the water often and wash your hands after handling them.
Where possible, keep pets away from bird baths and other places where wildlife gathers.
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
✅ avoid direct contact
✅ record the exact location and what you observed
✅ report it online
🔗agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

⚠️ Barwon River water quality

We`ve received advice from @barwonwater that people should avoid unnecessary contact with the water in the Barwon River until further notice.

Sewer spills have occurred in Belmont, Breakwater and Highton that have likely impacted the quality of the water in the Barwon River. Recreational users are advised to avoid unnecessary contact with the water.

Barwon Water is undertaking water quality testing and will provide further updates via their website when results are available.

For more information or enquiries, please visit the Barwon Water alerts and updates page.

🖤💛 Have you heard the call of a Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo?

You might hear them before you see them! With their distinctive, drawn-out calls, striking yellow cheek patches and bright yellow tail feathers, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos are a spectacular sight in our coastal skies.

These beautiful birds are found across south-eastern Australia, including here on the Bellarine Peninsula.

🌿 Did you know?
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos love feeding on seeds from banksias, hakeas and she-oaks. They`re also known to tear apart pine cones in search of a tasty meal!

They rely on large hollows in mature trees for nesting, making the protection of native vegetation and old trees incredibly important.

Sadly, habitat loss has contributed to declines in their populations, reminding us why caring for our natural environments matters.

Next time you`re out enjoying our coast, keep your eyes to the skies and your ears open!

Learn more from our friends at @birdlifeoz via their website.

H5 bird flu has been detected in some Victorian wetlands.
Boating and fishing can continue as normal in most areas.
If there has been a recent mortality event, avoid activities that could expose you to contaminated water, including swimming, wading, fishing and boating.
✅ Avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds
✅ Wash your hands thoroughly after visiting areas where wild birds gather
✅ Supervise children and pets around affected areas
For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

🥚 A little egg-citing news from Ocean Grove!

A new Hooded Plover nest has been reported along Ocean Grove Beach, between Wedge Street and Tuckfield Street! 🐣

These tiny shorebirds nest directly on the sand, making their eggs incredibly vulnerable to disturbance.

If you`re heading to the beach, please give our little beach-nesting locals the best chance of success by keeping your distance, following signage and keeping dogs away from nesting.