My Hoodie Hero

Hooded plover Thinornis rubricollis, Silverleaves, Phillip Island, 23 September 2013

I have been photographing this small Hooded plover at Phillip Island for some 4-5 years. An endangered bird in this neck of the woods the species is the subject of considerable efforts to enhance the success of its breeding season. Such attention results in considerable monitoring and we know that this particular bird ("My Hoodie!") has had several successful breeding seasons in recent years. This is considerably above the average.

I spent a wonderful few minutes with him in early morning sunshine on 23 September this year.

Lately he's been hanging around with this bird again - a presumed breeding partner (unbanded). There were no signs of nesting at this stage. Now I haven't really noticed before that they are prone to sit like this (perhaps all birds do for that matter!!?)!

The happy couple!

Let's run away where co-one can find us ...

Well, can you find us? High tide shot with the iphone one afternoon. I could not see them with the naked eye let alone on the iphone screen - but they are there!

The beach we visit is a bay-side beach just inside a nature sanctuary called the Phillip Island Nature Park (other sections include the famous Penguin Parade, The Nobbies and Swan Lake). The picture illustrates a perilous situation as Hoodies nest in the sand just above the high tide mark. This is very close to the natural route chosen by walkers at high tide. "My Hoodie" is lucky as no dogs are allowed in the area. Other hoodies try to breed on surf beaches where they have to take their chances.

The good news is that breeding success increases dramatically if the measures recommended to protect the species are able to be facilitated. Walkers, dogs and feral cats are the principal factors which have the potential to be controlled.

Click on this picture which has been uploaded in its original resolution (if u like!). The birds are circled.

Some dog-owners don't believe that these signs apply to them

Here's one four-legged mammal who appears to have noticed the signs (at rear) and decided it best to leave the Hoodies alone ("Hey Dude. Solidarity fellow egg-layer, yeaah!")! 

One of Australia's Monotremes, (egg-laying mammals) the Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus can occasionally be seen on the foreshore of Australina beaches.
(Tachyglossus - quick tongue, aculeatus - spiny).
As an eater of ants, not considered a Hoodie threat!

If you want to find out more about these amazing birds and how to help in their preservation (including how best to behave when near them) visit the brilliant MyHoodie website.

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird on!