Welcome to Hooded Plover Country
The Bunurong coastline is home to a small and very vulnerable beach-nesting bird, the Hooded Plover, one of Australia’s most threatened bird species. There are numerous Hoodie breeding sites along this section of the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park from Undertow Bay in Cape Paterson to Waterfall Creek at Harmers Haven.
This information aims to help you better understand their plight and fragility within our coastal ecosystem. If you see a ‘Hoodie’ as you are enjoying the beach, you can do your bit by sharing the beach responsibly with them and giving them some space and a chance to successfully breed.
Here are the facts …
A summary of the last 10 years breeding history along this section of the Bunurong Coast provide the facts and highlight the challenges these vulnerable birds face.
Get to know the local Hooded Plovers better
Click on the link below to find out what is happening in the beach area you are visiting and the 10-year breeding summaries for each of the known nesting territories.
HARMERS HAVEN beach access points
Harmers Haven – Wreck Beach and Waterfall Creek
Harmers Haven Wreck Beach & Coal Creek
WILSON RD/F BREAK beach access points
F Break/Wilson Rd westward to Harmers Haven
F Break/Wilson Rd eastward along 2nd Surf beach
CAPE PATERSON SURF BEACH access points
Cape Paterson 2nd Surf Beach westward & eastward
Cape Paterson 1st Surf westward
CAPE PATERSON TOWN/BAY BEACH access points
Cape Paterson Pea Creek estuary
Supporting the Cape Paterson & Harmers Haven Hoodies
The Cape Paterson & Harmers Haven Hooded Plover breeding sites have been “adopted” through a funded, custodial partnership between The Cape sustainable housing development and BirdLife Australia. The donation by The Cape is supporting a range of initiatives and management plans in ‘on ground’ conservation actions to improve Hooded Plover breeding success rates. This kind support from The Cape is greatly appreciated.
Want to know what’s happening further afield along the Bass Coast?
Join up and follow all the latest news on the public Facebook Group Friends of the Hooded Plover – Bass Coast and South Gippsland.
Did You Know? Some Quick Facts on Hooded Plovers
You can learn a little more about Hooded Plovers and why they are so threatened and vulnerable, here at Quick Facts on Hooded Plovers.
How Can You Help The Hoodies?
You can do your bit as well by following these simple guidelines How you can help the Hoodies
Interested in volunteering to help the Hooded Plover?
If you are interested in helping and joining local volunteers in the conservation of our wonderful little Hooded Plovers as part of the Friends of the Hooded Plovers – Bass Coast, you can find out more and sign up at BirdLife Australia’s beach nesting bird hub at https://beachvol.birdlife.org.au/. Every little bit of support will help in protecting these amazing birds.
Cape Chatter 