Record-breaking breeding season for Fleurieu’s vulnurable hooded plovers

Some of the south’s most vulnerable feathery residents have had a record-breaking breeding season. See the adorable chicks and how you can help with conservation.

After a record-breaking breeding season, five hooded plover chicks have fledged on Onkaparinga’s beaches.

The chicks – one of which came from popular plover couple Harvey and Daphne – were born at Port Willunga and Maslin Beach/Ochre Cove.

The successful season saw 57 eggs laid across 25 nesting attempts between August and March.

Veteran BirdLife Australia volunteers Sue and Ash Read said after 12 years of volunteering it was rewarding to see their beloved “hoodies” doing well.

“It’s a lot of hard work so all the volunteers are really happy when we have a good season,” Mr Read said.

“They’re great little birds, they have quite a hard time on the beaches so it’s good to know that what you’re doing is doing them some good.

“The nicest thing about this year was that we had the five fledglings but they came off four separate beaches, we’ve never had four beaches be successful in one year.”

A hooded plover chick. The plovers have had a record-breaking breeding season on the beaches of Onkaparinga. Picture: Sue and Ash Read

BirdLife Australia volunteers releasing a hooded plover back onto the beaches of Onkaparinga. Picture: Kerri Bartley

Hooded plovers are listed as a vulnerable species in South Australia.

Life isn’t easy for the beach-nesting birds with weather, predators and even people and their pets causing high losses of eggs and chicks each season.

Just two years ago, none of Onkaparinga’s plover chicks made it to fledging.

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the work of volunteers and community’s co-operation was a key to such a successful 2020/21 season.

“This is such great news because we need a few healthy chicks each year to achieve a sustainable Hoodie population,” Ms Thompson said.

“This result wouldn’t be possible without the Hoodie Helper volunteers, who do such vital work in monitoring the birds, working with council staff and raising awareness among the community.

“When you obey the signage on our beaches, keep your dogs leashed, and keep your distance from the chicks, you provide the birds with some safe spaces to breed over summer.

“This increases the chances of the survival of not just the chick, but the species.”