Ballina beach users urged to be aware of Pied Oystercatchers
Two threatened Pied Oystercatcher chicks, discovered dead on South Ballina Beach last weekend, appeared to have been trampled by a dog.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said that the two day-old chicks were found a few kilometres north of Patches Beach with dog prints around and on top of them.
“It appears that a dog was chasing the adult Pied Oystercatchers and ran over the top of the chicks,” Ms Wellman said.
“This highlights the need for dog owners to keep their dogs to the designated dog exercise areas and under control.
“Two clutches of eggs have also been lost this breeding season at this beach as a result of dogs.
“It is very important that people only take their dogs to areas that are designated dog exercise areas, as 1080 baits have been laid in the dunes to control foxes.
“Baits will not be laid in or in the vicinity of these dog exercise areas to ensure responsible pet owners are able to exercise their dogs safely.
“It is also important for beach users to remember that chicks often shelter in tyre ruts or beach debris such as seaweed, so we ask beach users to take care when driving on the beach.
“Four-wheel-drive vehicles should time their trips to the beach to ensure they only drive at low tide to avoid driving above the high tide mark where Pied Oystercatchers nest. This is common sense, but it is not uncommon to see drivers caught out by incoming tides.
“The co-operation of beach users in avoiding disturbances of shorebirds on the beach or dunes is crucial to the survival of this endangered bird. “
“Temporary signs have been placed on the beach to alert visitors to nesting sites and ask that they remain clear of these areas. The red and green ‘Stop/Go’ signs make it clear where the birds are nesting.”
