Everyone,
I had a blinding flash of premonition about Red-capped Plovers a few years
ago whilst on a visit to Japan. Our hosts were talking about Kentish
Plovers, and how they had once been very common resident shorebirds, but how
greatly their numbers had dropped in latter years. I realised that in
Australia their equivalent was our Red-capped Plover, that ubiquitous little
shorebird. I had assumed that it would always be there. Yes, I know: how
naive of me. Suddenly I could envisage how it could diminish in Australia,
and ever since then have taken their conservation as a serious matter.
In Noosa, SEQld, following consultation with me, our local council now has
signs describing the habits and habitat requirements of the Red-capped
Plover, as well as bollard barriers to protect their breeding habitat. I
urge interested birders to do the same with their local authorities, to
promote secure habitat for beach-nesting birds, if it has not already been
done.
When I am working in the Noosa estuary I regularly photograph the number
plates of vehicles illegally within the prohibited zone, and pass the photos
on to council, who write to the registered owners. You just have to keep at
it.
How well-founded my premonition was. At the most recent Australasian
Shorebird Conference one of the speakers highlighted the diminishing numbers
of Redcaps in, I think, Tasmania. It's likely to be the same around the
country.
Cheers,
Jill
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