It’s hooded plover nesting season and three chicks have hatched this week at Aldinga Beach.

Dogs should now be leashed around the Aldinga nests and vehicle access will be restricted on the beach south of the access ramp until October 1.

Birdlife Australia volunteers have set up a roster at the site to watch over the delicate chicks who won’t be able to fly for at least five weeks.  Onkparinga Council Rangers will also be patrolling the area.

Last year only five chicks from 57 eggs laid across 25 nesting sites in the Onkaparinga Council area managed to survive long enough to fledge.

There are also four nesting pairs on beaches in the Alexandrina Council with signs now in place to try and protect them from beachgoers and their dogs. 

Hood plovers are listed as threatened. They make simple nests in the sand and their eggs can be hard to spot when walking or driving along the beach.

If nests are disturbed eggs can fail to hatch or chicks can starve if adults do not return for long periods of time.

Usually one or two eggs hatch after about 30 days of incubation. Chicks then leave the nest with a few days and start to forage for small insects.

If you would like to become a volunteer hooded plover guardian you can find out more via the the BirdLife Australia website.