Dog regulations are in place to help protect the endangered hooded plover.
Pairs of endangered hooded plovers breed between August and March on popular sandy surf beaches such as Breamlea Beach, Thirteenth Beach, Point Impossible and Collendina to Point Lonsdale lighthouse.
Red-capped plovers have also been found nesting in recent years on bayside beaches such as Ramblers Road Foreshore, Portarlington.
‘Dog on-leash’ advisory signage has been posted in the protected beach areas.
Voice Nature Watch columnist said Friends of the Bellarine Hooded Plover group of volunteers work in partnership with BirdLife Australia throughout the year to raise awareness and protection for hoodies.
“Hooded plover numbers are listed as ‘vulnerable’ in Victoria,” she said.
“It’s a beach nesting bird found around Ocean Grove, Breamlea, Point Lonsdale and Thirteenth Beach. From August to April each year the birds try to raise chicks but struggle due to impacts from people and predators.”
Hooded plovers and red capped plovers each lay up to three eggs in a tiny scrape in the beach sand, above the high-water mark. The nests are almost invisible to the untrained eye.
Beach nesting plover species are much smaller than masked lapwing plovers which are found in suburban areas often nesting on lawns, nature strips or other grassy places.
Given they nest in the warmer months when the beach is busier, they can struggle to find undisturbed space to nest, feed and raise their young.
More information on the endangered ‘hoodie’ and Council’s conservation plan can be found at geelongaustralia.com.au/hoodedplover/ and information on dog regulations is at geelongaustralia.com.au/pets/ under Dogs in Public Places.
