Shorebirds aren't sure birds.

 

Here in Maianbar we have a unique opportunity that has long since passed for the vast majority of Sydney beaches. As one of the last Sydney beaches with Shorebirds we have a chance to help stop them from going the way of the Dodo. The Shorebirds that visit Deeban Spit are now in real danger of disappearing.

 

This blog will be seasonal from early September through to the end March when the migratory birds leave.

Our aim is to show beach users that they are sharing an area that was used long before they arrived. Unlike the flora and fauna, our Shire neighbours are able to quickly adapt their behaviour.

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Click on the image to the left, Common Shorebirds of Boat Harbour, a marvellous e-book produced by Nicki Coughlan if you want to know more about what makes shorebirds unique.

 

Shire neighbours can enjoy the day around the Deeban Spit and go home.

 

For our flora and fauna, this is home.

 

Some people have commented that the birds need to find a better place to set-up home. It is a sad fact that along the eastern coast line there are very few places left that is free of people. Even the beaches along the coastline of the Royal through to Stanwell Park sees a constant stream of people walking every day of the week. The birds are taking what little they can get so it is now up to us to help them or the Shorebirds in Australia will likely be the next mass extinction.

 

The endangered pied oystercatchers require an open stretch of beach to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. The oystercatchers have not been able to successfully breed here in over 2 decades. In NSW numbers have been declining dramatically year on year. September 2015 saw them now attempting to use Deeban Spit beach again to try raise chicks.

 

In just 3 decades eastern curlew numbers have declined by 80%. They are now listed as critically endangered. There are only two levels left below that which are Extinct in the wild, and then Extinct. As they don't breed in captivity it will be a very quick trip from extinct in the wild to extinct. Our little flock may be your last chance to see them.

 

Let's hope they are able to successfully return from migration in Spring 2016.

 

These birds use our shoreline to feed on the tidal flats where people generally yabby pump or run their big dogs and try to rest on the beach at high tide where walkers may upset them.

 

You can help by keeping an eye out ahead of you. If you see a flock of birds ahead please leave a space of 100 metres, and walk to the other shoreline to get around them.

 

Flocks generally rest on the beach side on Deeban Spit, but when the beach is really busy, like public holidays and hot weekends, they have been seen to switch to creek side to try and stay out of your way. It is about keeping an eye out ahead to give them some space.

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When fencelines are up to indicate nesting is taking place then keep well away from them and do not stop along the lines to try to locate the nest.

 

If you play beach games, please keep them 300 metres away from the rope lines. The erratic movement in beach games: running, jumping, fast direction changes causes confusion for beach nesters, meaning they will remain off nest.

 

Do not try to walk through rope lines.

 

If migratory birds are constantly disturbed, causing them to take flight, they then may not have the energy to complete their 10,000 kilometre, each way, migration journey.

 

We do have the double-banded plovers that arrive from New Zealand in early March and then fly back for breeding late July but at this stage I am not planning on reporting their activity. They have a much easier time as people don't seem to feel the need to use the beach area as much through winter as they do through summer.

 

Looking after our beach birds is an ongoing journey as the whole of Australia has seen the rate of shorebird numbers declining, year on year, at a much greater rate than the Australian population has been increasing.

 

A healthy ecosystem starts at the lowest level, those we don't usually notice.

 

Special thanks to Sutherland Shire Council and BirdLife Australia for supporting our efforts.

 

Find out more at

http://birdlife.org.au/projects/beach-nesting-birds

http://birdlife.org.au/projects/beach-nesting-birds/for-kids-and-teachers