Sandy the hooded plover chick has moved to Semaphore

Sandy the hooded plover who hatched at Seacliff in January has been spotted in his new home further up the coast.

Sandy, who hatched at Seacliff in January, was seen recently with seven other hoodies at Semaphore. Picture: Mary-Ann van Trigt

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Sandy the hooded plover chick is growing up and has moved out of home.

The little bird has been spotted a long way from Seacliff beach, where he hatched in January, in Semaphore.

Bird watchers were delighted to see Sandy – who has a tag marked YL on his leg – hanging out with the “hoodies” at Semaphore beach recently.

Hooded plovers are a vulnerable species with only 27 breeding pairs on the Fleurieu Peninsula and fewer than 800 in South Australia.

They nest at the base of sand dunes during spring and summer and their eggs are at risk from larger birds, cats and foxes.

People and dogs can also accidentally tread on their nests and crush the eggs.

“Hoodie” chick Sandy, who hatched at Seacliff in January, was seen recently with seven other hoodies at Semaphore. Picture: Mary-Ann van Trigt

Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges coast and marine manager Tony

Flaherty said it was fantastic to see Sandy making his way out into the world.

“After breeding the birds form feeding flocks around the coast until the next nesting season,

which can start as early as August. Then the birds will become more territorial and settle into

breeding pairs,” Mr Flaherty said.

“What is clear is that the amazing effort of volunteers, BirdLife Australia and local councils in

caring for nest sites is paying off, with hatching success almost doubling at sites where

temporary signs and rope fences are put up to encourage leashing of dogs and to stop eggs

being crushed.”

Sandy is not the only chick to spread his wings, 10 other young birds born last breeding season have been spotted at beaches around Adelaide.

Cliff the hooded plover, also born at Seacliff, has made himself a new home in Aldinga.

And other juveniles have been spotted at Hallett Cove.

Mr Flaherty said this year’s success – on the back of a decade of hooded plover conservation work – put the birds’ future in good stead.

“Whilst it can still fluctuate from year to year, things are looking hopeful for the recovery of hoodies locally,” he said.

“And we all have our fingers crossed for another successful breeding season.”