Help protect vulnerable shorebirds this Easter

As thousands of visitors prepare to head to Bass Coast beaches over the holidays, Phillip Island Nature Parks is reminding people to take extra care around vulnerable shorebirds during a fragile final stage of their breeding season.

Species such as hooded plovers and fairy terns nest directly on open beaches, making them highly exposed to disturbance from people, pets and vehicles.

Even brief interruptions can cause birds to abandon nests, leaving eggs and chicks at risk.

The Sharing Our Shores campaign runs every year from December until the end of April, led by the Nature Parks in partnership with BirdLife Australia, Bass Coast Shire Council and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action's Conservation Regulator.

Phillip Island Nature Parks Community Engagement Officer Kimberley Dunstan said while the peak breeding period has passed, we can still help protect vulnerable species.

"Many people assume the birds' breeding season is winding down, but we still have chicks on beaches, and these final weeks are incredibly fragile," she said.

"Chicks are small, well-camouflaged and difficult to see, which means they can easily be stepped on or disturbed. A dog off lead or someone getting too close can undo weeks of breeding effort in seconds."

This breeding season at least nine hooded plover chicks have fledged, and there are still chicks feeding themselves along the tide wrack on local beaches.

"These vulnerable birds are still fighting to survive, and we all have a part to play in helping protect them, so the local population continues to grow," Ms Dunstan said.

The Sharing Our Shores campaign combines beach safety messaging with simple actions people can take to protect wildlife, with strong support from across the region, including 75 local businesses.

Education and compliance efforts were also increased over summer, with Nature Parks officers running 44 beach patrols as part of Operation Soho, working alongside Bass Coast Shire Council and the Conservation Regulator to both enforce regulations and educate visitors.

Community engagement has also played a key role, with more than 500 people attending pop-up information stalls at Cape Woolamai and Smiths Beach through the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club's Nippers program, and further sessions held at My Community Library in Cowes and Inverloch.

With the campaign continuing through April, visitors are being reminded that protecting wildlife comes down to a few simple actions:

• Stay on tracks and avoid walking on dunes
• Keep your distance from wildlife
• Keep dogs on leads and cats indoors
• Take your rubbish with you
• Slow down for wildlife when driving
  
  "The good news is that people can make a real difference, and we're seeing that with the success of this year's breeding season," Ms Dunstan said.
  
  The Sharing Our Shores campaign runs until April 30.