Barwon Coast work closely with local conservation groups to protect Hooded Plovers.
Hooded Plovers are one of Australia’s most vulnerable birds and are protected wildlife under State and Federal legislation. There are only an estimated 740 Hooded Plovers surviving along the entire Victorian coastline (Birdlife Australia 2022).
There are 11 resident breeding pairs living along our local coastline including Point Lonsdale, Collendina, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads (13th Beach) and Breamlea.
These tiny birds (affectionately known as ‘Hoodies’) nest along the Barwon Coast from September to March. The breeding habits of Hoodies mean that they are in direct conflict with not only humans and dogs, but also with introduced predators such as foxes and cats.
The Hooded Plover chick between Wedge St and Tuckfield St beach accesses has reached four weeks of age and is progressing well towards its juvenile flying stage. The chick has been observed attempting short-distance flights, marking a crucial milestone in its development. The temporary beach closure will remain in…
Temporary Beach Closure Notice Good news! We currently have six active hooded plover nests expected to hatch in the coming weeks. To help these endangered birds give their chicks the best chance of survival: stay close to the water’s edge obey all signs keep clear of fenced areas keep…
A Hooded Plover chick has successfully hatched on Bukareeyoo. The chick and its family are located on the tip of Bukareeyoo (previously known as the Ocean Grove Spit). To give this vulnerable chick every chance of surviving, Barwon Coast has placed a temporary beach closure on the tip of…
The first Hooded Plover eggs of the season (pictured below) have been found on 13th Beach, between 40 and 42W. Our team quickly put signs up and roped off the area to give them the best chance of survival. Hooded Plovers are protective parents and will see you as…
Our Natural Resource Team is finishing up a two-month schedule of works at 19W (Raffs Beach) in Ocean Grove which will help protect the Hooded Plovers’ breeding environment. The first step was works to control the spread of Sea Wheat Grass, including brush cutting and removing the biomass. Sea…
1 HOODED PLOVER CHICK has hatched on 13th Beach between 40W-42W beach accesses.. Parents have one newly hatched chick in their care at the moment on our beach ! ‘TEMPORARY BEACH CLOSURE’ has been set up by our Coastal Rangers for their protection and a safe area has been…
1 HOODED PLOVER CHICK has hatched between 19W-20W Ocean Grove Main Beach. Parents have one newly hatched chick in their care at the moment on our beach ! ‘TEMPORARY BEACH CLOSURE’ has been set up by our Coastal Rangers for their protection and a safe area has been provided…
Imagine our coastal ranger’s surprise and joy this morning when they spotted three threatened Hooded Plover chicks on 13th Beach! We have set up a TEZ (temporary exclusion zone) between 40W and 42W where the chicks are feeding and growing. Temporary Exclusion Zones are declared under the Crown Land (Reserves)…
It’s beach nesting bird season and Red Capped Plovers are now nesting on 13th Beach! The very tiny nests are located between 40 & 42W beach access ways and 33 & 34W beach access ways (near Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club). Ropes & signage have been…
Hoodies nest along our beaches during the busy summer months, competing for space with humans and our pets. To enable our local Hoodies the space they need to survive, Barwon Coast temporarily close parts of the beach on an ‘as-needs’ basis during the breeding season. These cordoned-off areas are called Temporary Exclusions Zones.
Temporary Exclusion Zones are declared under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 regulations. They require people, dogs and horses not to enter the area fenced areas. By temporarily creating an area of exclusion wildlife will be given the chance to be left undisturbed to rest, recover or breed as needed.
BirdLife Australia’s Friends of the Hooded Plovers are an active volunteer group that is involved in monitoring, protecting and educating beach users about the plight of the Hooded Plovers. Without this group of amazing volunteers, the birds would stand no chance.
To find out more about beach nesting birds visit the National Beach-nesting Birds project
To register as a volunteer, and learn more about the roles volunteers can play in beach-nesting bird conservation visit the Birdlife Australia Volunteer hub.
