Oystercatchers engaging in nesting behaviour

I have been keeping an eye on the Oystercatchers as they are known to try again if their first clutch fails.

Today they were observed mating so if that was successful we may see some new eggs over the weekend. If they lay two again then it will be over two to three days.

They have been hanging around the old nesting area, but today also spending quite a bit of time up in the grass hills between Bonnie Vale and the current nesting area. If they choose this area, we'll need to move the fencing.

Did a walk around where they were hanging after they'd left to determine the threat assessment there and because of the grass there are lots of deer prints, and also lots of people prints. So the fence is essential as will be volunteers to keep people away from the area. Our problem with dogs, either on or off leash, shouldn't be a problem there so that is one small mercy.

The fox will still be a problem. I need to look at sourcing an electric fence to go inside the outer perimeter which works at Durras on the south coast and which Best Practice Guidelines Managing Threatened Beach-nesting Shorebirds document for Towra from CMA, Parks and Dept of Environment and Climate Change quotes on page 11.

Durras have just had their first clutch hatch so are looking at cute little chicks today.Their eggs took an amazing 36 days to hatch. They were just about to go and take the eggs away thinking they'd failed.

Thanks everyone, will let you know when I see some eggs so we can swing into gear for fence moving if need be.