LATEST ‘HOODIE’ NEWS

Last year’s breeding pair, Orange YW and White UV returned to this breeding area and established their territory. After their first nest failed, on 22 December 2024, two chicks hatched from their second nest. Unfortunately, one of the chicks disappeared at Day 10. The one remaining chick was found dead at Day 24 in what appeared to be an off leash predator attack while the bird was foraging along the Undertow Bay beach. At the same time, a new breeding pair have taken up the Pea Ck estuary site and are trying to nest within the enclosure. So we have two pairs vying for this breeding territory.

Above: A Hoodie chick at 31 days of age pictured at Undertow Bay beach on 13th February 2024. It fledged 4 days later and is now identified as White EZ.

INTERESTING FACTS ON THESE LOCAL HOODIES

Hoodie Orange YW is a 9-year-old male bird that fledged in October 2015 from the Powlett River west bank. Its female partner was flagged White UV on 7 March 2024 at Pea Ck. They have had one fledged juvenile in each of the past 2 seasons – the only 2 in the past 10 seasons!

The one juvenile from last season, flagged White EZ, was seen in a flock of other Hoodies near the Powlett River mouth in September 2024 having left this natal territory back in March. And to demonstrate how far these birds may go, it was spotted at Lorne on Victoria’s western Surf Coast on 8th October 2024, over 150 kms away!!

Above: Adult Hoodies Orange YW (left) and White UV (right).

IMPORTANT SITE INFORMATION

The nesting sites in this area are high foot traffic locations, especially at high tide, between Cape Paterson Bay Beach and Undertow Bay. Please stay at the water’s edge and well away from the creek estuary.

PARKS VICTORIA REGULATIONS

NO dogs are allowed in this area between 9 AM and 6 PM from 1st December 2023 until 14th April 2024. At other times, dogs must be on a leash. A sign by Parks Victoria on the beach near the Pea Creek estuary provides details of the regulations. Local Parks Victoria Rangers and Officer’s from the Office of the Conservation Regulator monitor this beach to ensure compliance.