Locals and visitors to Tasmania’s beaches are asked to help protect shorebirds during their breeding season.
Beaches right across Tasmania provide year-round habitat for a range of birds and it is important to be aware and avoid disturbing them as they forage and breed during this critical time of their life cycle.
Breeding shorebirds and their eggs can be hard to spot, being camouflaged on dry sand. Eggs are laid in shallow nests called scrapes and newly hatched chicks are unable to fly for up to a month, until they grow their flight feathers.
Beach goers are asked to do all they can to look after our shorebirds by following some simple practices to protect their habitat, such as:
- Walking only on the wet sand;
- Being mindful about bringing dogs onto a beach and following all signage in dog walking areas, along with keeping dogs away from dry sand areas; and
- Avoid taking vehicles onto beaches to minimise nest disturbance.
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) have undertaken a range of education blitzes in recent years on our beaches and will once again be teaming up with local councils and volunteer groups to raise awareness and encourage people to do the right thing.
Beach goers are reminded to check the PWS and local council websites for information on areas to exercise dogs and what limits and penalties may apply.
We want to see people enjoying the summer period on Tasmania’s spectacular beaches, but we also ask for everyone in the community to be aware of the impacts some activities may have on the survival of these threatened shorebirds.
