Help us protect threatened shorebirds

Now is the time to keep an eye out for shorebirds on our beaches, with the nesting season in full swing.

Dog walkers and four-wheel drivers users are asked to be aware of endangered nesting shorebirds, such as Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers and Beach Stone-curlews, when visiting the beach over the spring and summer months.

Shorebird eggs and chicks are almost invisible on the sand, so beach drivers, dogs and walkers may inadvertently crush eggs and/or chicks or disturb parent birds from their role tending their nests.

Here are some tips to follow when visiting beaches over the coming months to ensure the risk to endangered shorebirds and their young is kept to a minimum:

• walk on the wet sand and keep out of the dunes
• follow the advice on bird nesting signs and keep out of roped-off areas
• keep your dog controlled on a leash, particularly from August to March
• only drive on the wet sand, and,
• pump for bait away from shorebird nesting areas.

Check out the video for more tips on how to protect endangered shorebirds when visiting our beautiful NSW marine estate beaches.

The Marine Estate Management Strategy is working with Saving Our Species and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to help protect and conserve our shorebirds.