Just As breeding season is now in full swing, active Hooded Plover nests can be found along the beaches of Cape Paterson and nearby coastal areas. It’s a critical time for this vulnerable species, and every effort is being made to protect their fragile nesting sites. With only 700 Hooded Plovers remaining in Victoria and just 65 birds along the Bass Coast, each nest is vital to the species’ survival.
What is a Hooded Plover?
The Hooded Plover (Thinornis cucullatus) is often mistaken for the Masked Lapwing, the bird notorious for swooping at parks. However, the Hooded Plover is a much smaller shorebird, about 10 cm tall, known for its distinctive black hood and white underbelly. These birds blend seamlessly into their sandy surroundings, making them masters of camouflage. Their nests are simple scrapes in the sand, often placed above the high tide line or within dunes, providing little protection from predators and human activity. Unlike seabirds that nest on cliffs or in trees, Hooded Plovers rely on the beach—one of the most high-traffic areas for humans and dogs.
Where do they live?
Hooded Plovers are found along the southern coastline of Australia, with significant populations along the beaches of Cape Paterson and the Bunurong Coast. Breeding sites are located on sandy beaches and in coastal dunes, with notable nesting areas at Undertow Bay, 2nd Surf, and F Break. These locations are part of the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park, a critical habitat for the species. The dunes and upper beaches, which provide essential nesting habitat, are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from human foot traffic, dogs, and erosion.
Why are Hooded Plovers vulnerable?
The Hooded Plover’s breeding season coincides with peak holiday beach visits—from September to March—when human activity is at its highest. The threats facing Hooded Plovers are numerous, with only 2-3% of eggs successfully producing adult birds.
Protecting Hooded Plovers requires a collective effort. Here’s how you can play a part:
Use QR Codes and respect the signage: Look for QR codes on beach signs. Scanning them will provide real-time updates on nesting sites and bird activity from the Cape Chatter website. Follow guidance at beach access points, especially during the breeding season from September to March.
Stay Clear of Roped-Off Areas: These areas protect nests and chicks. Entering them could cause the parents to abandon their young.
Stick to Defined Paths: Use designated beach access paths and avoid dunes or foredunes where birds nest. As David Hartney, a local wildlife monitor, explains, “The birds are just desperate to find the only spot they can nest, and with more people on the beach, their choices are limited.”
Walk Along the Water’s Edge: Keep your activity near the waterline to avoid potential nesting areas.
Keep Dogs on a Leash: Uncontrolled dogs are one of the biggest threats. They can scare adult birds off their nests, exposing eggs and chicks to predators or overheating. Dogs have also been known to destroy eggs directly.
We should do everything we can to help these birds as they face threats from predators like magpies, ravens, gulls, and foxes—all of which threaten Hooded Plover eggs and chicks.
Climate change, rising sea levels, and unpredictable weather patterns pose further challenges for these beach-nesting birds. The storm surge experienced in September 2024 eroded beach fronts and dune systems, reducing viable nesting areas. As David Hartney noted, “The storm surge knocked out key breeding areas, and now we’re seeing nests in places we’ve never seen before—like right at the bottom of access tracks.
Conservation efforts
The community at Cape Paterson, alongside organisations like BirdLife Australia, is taking an active role in protecting Hooded Plovers. In collaboration with local volunteers, conservation groups have implemented several measures to increase breeding success and protect vulnerable birds.
Roped Enclosures and Signage: Temporary rope enclosures are set up around active nests to reduce disturbances. As Stephen Johnson, experienced and local mentor for Hoodie conservation volunteers explains, “Since enclosing the plover nests, there has been a 400% improvement rate of fledging on a busy beach.” Signs are placed to alert beachgoers to the presence of Hooded Plover nests. Look out for fenced-off areas and signs at key beach access points, which display live updates on current nesting activity. These signs provide information on how beachgoers can help keep the birds safe.
Community Monitoring and Citizen Science: Local volunteers conduct regular checks of nesting sites to monitor activity and track the number of eggs, chicks, and fledglings. Notably, local resident Nino and his father, Dries, discovered one of the first nests and eggs at Cape Paterson this year while at the beach. Volunteers from The Cape community have undertaken over 326 monitoring checks at nesting sites in recent years. David Hartney highlights the value of this work, stating, “We’ve had a lot of dedicated people helping to monitor and protect the birds, and without them, it would be so much harder to keep track of breeding success.”
Public Education and Awareness: Education campaigns aim to change beachgoer behaviour. By raising awareness of the importance of staying out of roped areas, walking along the water’s edge, and keeping dogs on leashes, the community can play an active role in conservation. As BirdLife Australia’s research shows, breeding success increases dramatically when people follow these guidelines.
Partnerships and Funding: The funding support from The Cape Board of Directors helps with purchasing monitoring equipment, nest enclosures, and educational signage. Brendan Condon, Director of The Cape, stated, “We’re proud to support the Hooded Plover conservation program in collaboration with our resident volunteers and BirdLife Australia. Conservation is a vital part of our community’s values, and it’s inspiring to see so many people come together to protect this vulnerable species.”
The odds are stacked against the Hooded Plover—only 2% of eggs survive to become adult birds. But with support from organisations like BirdLife Australia, The Cape, volunteers, and everyday beachgoers, we can change this. The success stories, like the fledgling named “White EZ,” demonstrate what’s possible. White EZ was banded as a chick at Pea Creek estuary near Cape Paterson and was later spotted on the Surf Coast, 145 km away. This achievement shows the incredible journeys these small birds can make.
With only 700 Hooded Plovers left in Victoria and about 65 along the Bass Coast, every effort counts. By staying informed, respecting enclosures, and managing our beach behaviour, we can give these birds a fighting chance.
As Stephen Johnson says, “Look at these birds. They’re an inspiration. Their resilience, their determination, and their dedication. Despite everything, they keep going. And so should we.”
For more information on how to get involved or to check the status of active nesting sites, visit BirdLife Australia or scan the QR codes on signage at Cape Paterson’s beaches. Join the community effort to protect one of Australia’s most vulnerable shorebirds—the Hooded Plover.
