LATEST ‘HOODIE’ NEWS

There are two breeding territories along this stretch of coast: one around the 2nd Surf entry track and another around the F Break/Wilson Rd access track.

2nd Surf Beach area. Hoodie Orange RY and partner, the breeding pair of the past few seasons, are back on territory near the 2nd Surf access entry. A nest was discovered on 26 November and a chick hatched around 25 December. The chick was last seen on the evening of 13 January and is now confirmed dead at around 25 days of age. The adults started another nest which was discovered on 24 January and one chick hatched here on 25 February. The chick disappeared at five days of age – cause unknown.

F Break area. Between 2nd Surf and F Break access track, another pair (White AS and White XR) have been alternating between breeding territories east and west of the Wilson Rd entry point. On 2 December, a nest was discovered in this area right on the access track, and amazingly, two chicks hatched here on 3 January. One chick died at Day 7. The remaining chick fledged on 6th February at 35 days of age and can now fly some distance but is remaining with the parents at the moment. The area they are in is a NO DOG zone. This is the first juvenile to fledge since 2010 at this breeding site.

INTERESTING FACTS ON THE LOCAL HOODIES

Hoodie Orange RY is a male bird which fledged in February 2015 at Harmers Haven. The origin of it’s female unflagged partner is unknown. They had a fledge in this area in the 2022/23 season.

At the Wilson Rd breeding territory, White AS, a female and its male partner White XR have been together for several seasons. They had a fledge in this area in 2022/23 season which hatched from a nest further east toward 2nd Surf.

IMPORTANT SITE INFORMATION

The breeding pairs here often nest in the sand dunes. Please refrain from entering the dunes, especially when roped nesting enclosures have been erected. Sometimes, the parents will take the chicks to the beach at the rocky point between 1st & 2nd Surf Beaches to grow and forage. This area has very little room for the birds to forage and roost, especially at high tides. Please be mindful of their presence and look out for advisory signage.

PARKS VICTORIA REGULATIONS

NO dogs are allowed along 2nd Surf beach from 1st Surf Beach west end to F Break from 9 AM to 6 PM between 1st December 2023 and 14th April 2024. At other times, dogs must be on a leash. Local Parks Victoria Rangers and Officer’s from the Office of the Conservation Regulator monitor this beach to ensure compliance.