A BIRD expert has blamed unleashed dogs for endangered hooded plovers’ seventh consecutive unsuccessful breeding season at Barwon Heads’ 13th Beach.
BirdLife Australia’s Grainne Maguire said the use of leashes was “not majorly improving” in the area, despite public education campaigns.
This year only two chicks at Black Rock survived from the Barwon Heads and Point Lonsdale region, about half the figure of other years.
“It’s particularly worrying for 13th Beach because this is the seventh season they haven’t had success. Area 30W is particularly busy for dogs,” Ms Maguire said.
Hooded plovers reacted to perceived threats from unleashed dogs at three times the distance from their nest than human threats, she said.
“It’s quite complex to explain how the dogs impact the birds. It’s all very cumulative.
“They’ll let a person get a lot closer but if your dog is off the lead they will run away and hide in the dunes and wait until the threat is gone. It adds up to birds being off their eggs for long periods of time.”
Barwon Coast’s Warren Chapman said “effective control” of dogs was required at 13th Beach, with temporary signage during nesting periods requesting owners leash their pets and walk away from dunes.
“We do ask people to comply with the good behaviour principles but in the area at this time we don’t have an enforceable rule.”
Mr Chapman said Barwon Coast would review its dog control system with City of Greater Geelong and consider introducing fines.
Barwon Coast was “respecting everyone’s opportunities” by allowing dogs on beaches but a lack of compliance could lead to bans, he said.
