A small bird of about 10cm in height and 20cm in length, Thinoris Rubricollis or the Hooded Plover lives and breeds on sandy beaches on the coast or on the shore of inland salt lakes. It is very light, only about a 100g and lives along the coast from Western Australia to Victoria, it even lives in Tasmania. Male and Female birds appear the same and their young –which are bred from August to March- except smaller and more grey. Unfortunately the Hooded plover is under threat and is in fact classified as vulnerable by the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act. The Hooded Plover is under threat from five main contributors: humans, dogs, vehicles, introduced predators and habitat modification. Hooded plover breed and nest between the fore dune and the high tide line and so when 4WD drive along the beach –especially at high tide- they disturb habitat and even destroy nests and crush eggs. The solution that’s likely to have the greatest positive impact on Hooded Plover population is banning vehicles from the beach.
Aim
The reason for this kind of research is to create a database to monitor Hooded Plover distribution, breeding and threats at sites along the Yorke Peninsula in the Innes National Park. These results are intended to be used for managing efforts to increase breeding and nesting success.
Method
We went with Bairdy to Pondalowie Beach to observe the Hooded Plover in its habitat on the 5th of September. We began at 10:50AM and we finished at 12:10. Our group went looking for Hooded Plovers, their nests and threats towards them. We saw a huge group of plovers but only one Hooded Plover. We recorded the sighting of the Hooded Plover in your Student Book. We also took notes of the two sets of 4WDM tracks and the large amounts of rubbish. The method was a bit flawed by way of the GPSA device being different to the ones we practised with at school but they worked much the same so it was a non-issue.
Results
Based on my above observations, I think that that the Hooded Plover is being killed by humans and our vehicles as well as other birds and dogs. The weather probably had no effect on the amount of Plovers sighted as it was only 3/10 cloud cover and there was little wind and not frigid temperatures (I am however assuming that the Hooded Plover likes clear blue skies and warmth). We saw a fisherman in the water and his 4WD and trailer near the waters which could have affected the amount of Plover sighted if they are skittish around people. So there could have been more Plovers about if the fisherman wasn’t there. Along the beach we found no nests and no evidence of nests and this could be due to the presence of too many 4WD but more likely the Plovers are not breeding in this area. This would occur mainly because of unawareness or lack of concern.
Discussion
The survival of the Hooded Plover relies upon removing human influences and reducing the impact of introduced predators. 4WDs driving along the beach destroys nests especially during high-tide as Hooded Plovers nest between the high-tide line and the fore-dune. Introduced predators like foxes and dogs attack Hooded Plovers and destroy nests. All of these problems have had a rapid onset and you can see the evidence: 4WD tracks, litter and dog faeces. They are quite serious and give the Plover an even lower chance of completing the cycle of adult to adult: its only 18/1000 chance at this point.
Conclusion
To save the Hooded Plover vehicles will have to be banned from at least some beaches- where Plovers are most common. Removing vehicles from beaches will cut down nest damage and also remove some of the human damage like litter as access will be more difficult. Putting up fences around Hooded Plover habitat and increasing signage will help deter people from destroying Plover nests and nesting ground. Although poison is already being laid on beaches to kill dogs and foxes increasing the amount and density of this would help destroy ferrel dog and fox population.
No comments:
Post a Comment