Fox baiting expected to boost Pied Oystercatcher numbers
The Pied Oystercatcher protection program at South Ballina is to get a boost with funding provided by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA) for fox baiting on private lands.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Ranger, Holly North, said that the effectiveness of the program is greatly improved with a co-operative approach to fox control on public and private lands.
“In 2008 we set up 20 bait stations on private property between South Ballina and Broadwater. This was very successful, with 61% of the baits taken and at least six foxes killed,” Ms North said.
“This complements the fox control that is currently being undertaken on public lands between Ballina South Wall and Bundjalung National Park.
“I would like to thank landholders who are assisting by baiting on their properties and the NRCMA for supplying the funding for this aspect of the fox control program.
“Protecting the Pied Oystercatcher in our area is now even more vital as the bird, which was classified as a vulnerable species, is currently being upgraded to endangered.
“A survey in 2003 found only 129 Pied Oystercatchers between Ballina and Sawtell while a repeat in the same area in 2005 found 112. The North Coast is the birds’ main habitat, with fewer than 40 breeding pairs found south of Sydney.
“The upgrading of the listing of Pied Oystercatchers is a sobering reminder that coastal development and recreation has an impact on these birds. The co-operation of beach users in avoiding disturbance to shorebirds on the beach or dunes is also crucial to their survival.
“It is important that people only take their dogs to areas that are designated dog exercise areas. 1080 baits will not be laid in or in the vicinity of these areas to ensure responsible pet owners are able to exercise their dogs safely.
“In past seasons a number of adult Pied Oystercatchers have been killed following collision with vehicles on these beaches and chicks have also been trampled by dogs.
“I urge beach users to do the right thing by keeping dogs in dog exercise areas and avoiding driving above the high tide mark where the Pied Oystercatchers nest.”
