Council offers a range of tips and advice to help protect the shorebird population which uses the region’s coastline to feed, roost and breed.
The region is visited by 42 species of migratory shorebirds between 1 September and 30 April annually and is home to a further 18 species of shorebirds that live year-round and breed during the summer.
Migratory birds fly extraordinary distances from their breeding grounds and often arrive on the region's shores in poor condition.
Both migratory and resident shorebirds are vulnerable to disturbance and predation, especially during breeding when the eggs and chicks are camouflaged among beach debris.
What can you do to protect shorebird population?
- Learn to identify shorebirds and recognise their nests
- Don’t approach feeding or nesting shorebirds
- Walk by the water’s edge if you suspect nesting shorebirds
- Don’t allow your dog to chase shorebirds
- Keep off the dunes
- Only drive on designated beaches. Drive below the most recent high tide and aim to drive within 2 hours of low tide
- Keep your pets secured at night to avoid them roaming the beach
- Remove all rubbish, including fish scraps to avoid attracting predators such as foxes and gulls that prey on shorebird chicks and eggs
Dr Mays Island in the Elliott River is a declared shorebird roosting and feeding area and is closed to the public from 1 September to 30 April each year.
Visitors and domestic animals are to remain outside the designated area of Dr Mays Island during this time.
Learn more about migratory birds here.
Like the visiting nesting sea turtles the migratory shore bird’s habitat needs to be respected and protected by everyone- because once they are lost it is forever…..