Welcome Support for Coastal Birds

Coastal birds in SA receive welcome support

BirdLife Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s $17m Wetland Habitat funding program to support urgent conservation actions in South Australia’s Coorong announced last week. Through the funding, BirdLife Australia and the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation will co-deliver a project to enhance beach-nesting birds and shorebird habitat and wetland ecosystems across South Australia’s Coorong, Lower Lakes, Murray Mouth and South East landscapes.

The spectacular region, made familiar to all Australians in the film Storm Boy, provides important habitat for threatened shorebirds and is a favourite destination for travelling bird watchers and nature lovers. The new funding of $354,000 over two years will enable the team to deliver the ‘Protecting critical habitat of beach-nesting shorebirds and seabirds in the Coorong’ which will support breeding success of both endangered Fairy Terns and vulnerable Hooded Plovers. Both species depend on beach habitats to nest, but human activities and invasive weeds and predators, pose a constant threat.

Nesting sites will be protected by installing fencing, signage, and innovative marker posts to alert drivers as the area remains available to beach driving.

“Helping beachgoers to share these beautiful places with breeding shorebirds and seabirds is critical to the future of these species,” said Kerri Bartley, BirdLife Australia’s Sharing Our Shores with Coastal Wildlife Project Coordinator.

“While driving is permitted in the area, we’re installing signage to make it as clear as we can which areas must be avoided to protect nests, chicks and fledgling shorebirds and seabirds.”

The funding will also support the re-establishment of natural dune vegetation and weed control to keep weeds at bay that would otherwise take over and smother suitable nest sites. Fox control will also support protection efforts, with the support of National Parks.

Ms Bartley said the funding couldn’t come soon enough. “It’s been a terrible start to the season with more than 150 Fairy Tern nests predated on by a group of foxes. That kind of impact undoes so much hard work by our partners, volunteers and the local community, so it’s critical these invasive predators are controlled.”

“It’s a privilege to be working alongside the Yarluwar Ruwe / Ngarrindjeri rangers to protect these incredible birds and coastlines. The Coorong is a beautiful part of the world and we want to make sure this special area of nature is protected for everyone to enjoy. We’re looking forward to this funding helping us to continuing building strong local partnerships, with the support of volunteers and communities.”

BirdLife Australia Media Enquiries
Please contact James Johnson on 0423 659 324 or at media@birdlife.org.au