The Hooded Plover breeding season has come to a close, with four fledglings taking flight on Onkaparinga beaches from August to March.
All four chicks fledged (learn to fly) at Port Willunga, much improving the individual birds' chances of survival and escaping predators, while also helping to ensure a sustainable population for the threatened shorebird species.
It was a bittersweet end to the season, however, with another chick at Aldinga Beach—affectionately nicknamed "Larry" by volunteers—disappearing just one day before fledging.
Larry's passing followed another tragic loss in late January, when a chick similarly disappeared when it was close to fledging at Maslin Beach.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said the losses were a reminder of just how vulnerable the chicks are, and how every effort to protect them counts.
"I'd really like to thank the tireless efforts of BirdLife Australia volunteers, but also to the community who have been so diligent in giving the Hoodies a lot of safe space to raise their young on our beaches," she said.
"By looking for Hooded Plover signs, following the directions of volunteers and council rangers, and leashing your dogs in Hooded Plover zones, you've played your part in ensuring the birds thrive into the future."
This season's four fledged chicks improved on last season's tally of three, and is just one fewer than the record five chicks that fledged in the 2020–21 season.
The fledglings are the result of 45 nesting attempts by 10 pairs and 17 hatched chicks, with the beaches regularly used by pairs including Aldinga, Sellicks, Port Willunga, Maslin Beach, Ochre Cove, Moana and Port Stanvac.
Recent years' efforts are a far cry from the 2018–19 breeding season when there were no fledged chicks on Onkaparinga's beaches.
Hooded Plovers face a range of challenges, including from storms, disturbance from human activities on busy beaches (including being frightened by dogs), and predators such as foxes, magpies, seagulls, ravens and birds of prey.
BirdLife Australia volunteers visit breeding sites daily during breeding seasons to monitor the birds, replace signs and temporary fencing to help the community understand where the breeding zones are and how to help protect the birds. The program is coordinated by BirdLife Australia with support from Green Adelaide, Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and the City of Onkaparinga.
If you're interested in signing up to become a volunteer to help protect our beloved threatened Hooded Plovers, visit the BirdLife website.
Note—if you can't bear the thought of not seeing Hoodies until the next breeding season —never fear! In winter, Hooded Plovers gather in flocks to feed along Onkaparinga's beaches, along with other species of shorebirds.
Pictured
One of this season's Port Willunga fledglings (at 37 days old) stretches in preparation for flight (photo: Sue and Ash Read). Please note: this photo was taken by experienced volunteers using large telephoto lenses from a distance.