This little chick needs your help
THIS cute little plover chick is the only surviving hatchling at Seacliff this season, with volunteers, the local council and Environment Department calling on people to stay out of the fenced protection zone and keep their dogs on leash to keep the rare baby bird safe.
A HAPPY plover couple is calling Seacliff home for the third nesting season in a row.
The pair of vulnerable hooded plovers is raising one chick — the only survivor of three that hatched late last month — on the beach near Portland St.
Volunteers, the Environment Department and Holdfast Bay Council are calling on the community to stay out of the fenced protection zone and keep their dogs on leash to keep the rare birds safe.
Birdlife Australia volunteer Ligita Bligzna, of Brighton North, is one of a team of helpers watching over the feathered family.
“We have a few volunteers, I’m here every second day — sometimes every day,” Ms Bligzna says. “We’re expecting the chick will be able to fly around October 29.”
She is pleased to see the Seacliff community has taken responsibility over the birds.
“The community has really gotten on board, especially with keeping dogs on a leash in that area,” Ms Bligzna says.
Environment Minister David Speirs says the hatchling is already foraging for food.
“The chicks look like fluffy golf balls on legs but are highly vulnerable until they learn to find for themselves,” Mr Speirs says.
There are about 60 hooded plovers left in the region from a total of about 700 across South Australia.