North Entrance sand dunes fenced to protect rare nesting Little Terns

LOCAL birdwatchers will be monitoring a breeding site for Little Terns in dunes north of The Entrance after four pairs of the rare birds turned up this year.

Central Coast Council has erected a fence after the early arrival of four pairs of Little Terns north of The Entrance. The site in sand dunes is one of only 12 nesting sites along the NSW coastline. Picture: supplied.

LOCAL birdwatchers will be monitoring a breeding site for Little Terns in dunes north of The Entrance after four pairs of the rare birds turned up this year.

Birdlife Australia `guardian’ for the Tuggerah Lakes Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Alan Morris said they hoped more Little Terns would nest at the site after Central Coast Council erected a fence to protect the threatened birds at Karagai Point.

“It is really pleasing that the council has been so proactive,” Mr Morris said.

Little Terns spend the Australian winter around Japan but return every year to breed. About 400 pairs breed in NSW every year but breeding success is extremely variable.”

Central Coast Council has erected a fence at Karagai Point to protect a rare breeding site north of The Entrance. Picture: supplied.

Mr Morris said the migratory birds were listed as a threatened species with just 12 known nesting sites along the entire NSW coast.

“This fence is really important as the greatest threat to nesting success is predation by Silver Gulls, Australian Ravens, foxes and dogs,” he said.

“Human disturbance and dog walkers increase the risk of predation because the parents are forced off the nest leaving eggs and young vulnerable. We urge people to respect the fence and keep dogs on leads in this area to give the birds every opportunity to breed.”

A pair of nesting Little Terns share a small fish. Picture: supplied.

Mr Morris said there were only four pairs nesting so far this season and with only eight birds protecting the eggs it did not bode well for the survival of any chicks.

“We are hopeful that more pairs will nest now the fence has been set up,” he said.

“As many as 50 young have been raised at this site previously but the normal number is in the 12 to 30 range depending on conditions. The fence also protects the nesting Red-capped Plovers and other migratory shorebirds that like to roost in such protected areas.”

A Little Tern on the wing at The Entrance North. Picture: supplied.

Council has erected the fence in the past but it is the first time it has done so in a few years.

Council director of assets, infrastructure and business Mike Dowling urged residents to help protect the habitat while the birds raise their young.

“It’s important to protect the shore while the Little Terns are breeding so they can increase their population,” Mr Dowling said.

“The adult birds are known to abandon their chicks if they’re disturbed by people which leaves the babies vulnerable to predators such as dogs, cats and foxes.

“Council is acting to protect the birds and is calling on the community’s help as the eggs are so small it’s easy to accidentally step on them or be eaten by other animals.”