NPWS call for South Coast shorebird volunteers
Thursday, 22 November 2007
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has thanked all the volunteers currently assisting in the shorebird recovery program along the NSW south coast and far south coast.
Already pied oystercatcher hatchlings born in early October at South Durras and Batemans Bay have grown significantly and have started flying.
NPWS Far South Coast Shorebird Coordinator Amy Jorgensen said volunteers play a crucial role in protecting the birds and ensuring the best possible outcome for them.
She encouraged anyone interested in becoming a volunteer to attend the Mogareeka pre-season meeting at the Tathra Lions Club Park at Mogareeka at 5:30pm on Tuesday 27 November.
“At the meeting we will discuss the shorebird program and duties involved in being a volunteer. Volunteers are so important – they help put up signs and monitor the progress of the birds, as well as reminding dog owners of their responsibilities.
“The beaches are only going to get busier over the next few weeks with little terns arriving in the coming weeks from South East Asia and northern Australia to start breeding.
“We have already seen ten little tern nests further north at Lake Conjola with 22 eggs ready to hatch in just three weeks, and more nests are expected in the next few days. The colony at Lake Wollumboola has also had its first nest. The little tern nesting is a week or two early this year, possibly due to unseasonably hot weather.
“Beachgoers can help minimise the disturbance to these birds by obeying any sign directions surrounding nest sites and by keeping to the waters edge when walking along the beach to reduce the risk of accidentally trampling any eggs or chicks.
“Other measures the public can take to ensure the birds survive include keeping dogs on leashes and away from nesting areas, picking up discarded fishing line and not driving on beaches.”
Any sightings of these threatened shorebirds can be reported to the Shorebird Coordinator Amy Jorgensen at Narooma NPWS on 4476 0834 or Jodie Dunn at Ulladulla NPWS on 4454 9516.
