Oystercatcher Diary - Day 4

TwoEggs2

InducationDay2

Confirmation! Our Oystercatchers have put down their second egg. They are a great advert for diversity; one white, one brown.

It was a big day of induction for our nest site volunteers. What a wonderful turnout and bodes well having so many people available to help our birds to stay on nest through this busy beach season.

Stewart Harris from Council worked flat out again, first running the induction, then starting the set-up of the fox enclosures with our fox controller Ian and Council Officer Daniel. From there it was on to setting up the reinforcing stakes for our timber poles that are under water for part of the day on the creek side. This is essential to try and encourage people to use the front edge of the beach when they are out walking. The nest is so close to creek side. We cannot be out there to inform all beach users about what is going on and why it is important to stay away from the nest every minute of the day.

Thought I'd be able to get home and have a quiet cup of coffee but looked out and there was a couple walking their unmuzzled black greyhound, off lead, on a beach that does not allow dogs, straight for the nesting site on the creek side edge. This couple wins the jackpot in terms of how many infringement points (NSW Companion Animals Act 1998) they managed to clock up on just one walk.

They had just reached our "No Dogs" signs and walked straight past it, meaning they were within 500 metres of the nesting site. I was on my balcony so had to jump and make a lot of noise to attract their attention and get them to turn back towards Constables Point. I walked up to check on the birds and, as expected, they weren't there.

It took another 15 minutes for them to return to nest. Thank god it wasn't a hot day! I so hope our efforts this year have an impact on letting our dog walkers know that they are doing some serious damage taking their dogs on a beach that does not allow them there at any time.

It just shows why an area with endangered birds can't be shared with the dog walkers. It is such a shame, as we do know that there are many responsible people out there with well trained dogs but there are almost as many others that aren't responsible. It is those that can't respect not allowing their dogs to chase birds or staying well clear of the nesting fence lines with their dogs. Those Bundeena residents that come to Deeban Spit, which does not allow dogs at any time of year, because the time restrictions go onto Horderns Beach in Spring. Even a simple rule that has been in force for a while, ensuring you pick up dog faeces on the streets and the beach is ignored. This is why sharing the beach between dogs and endangered or critically endangered shorebirds impossible. Too many people think "if I can get away with it, then why bother".